Latest news with #Acharya
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
LLM degree holder fails bar test, HC sends notice to BCI
Representative Image AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court Tuesday issued notice to the Bar Council of India (BCI) after a master's degree holder in law failed the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), which is essential for a law graduate to clear in order to become a lawyer. The AIBE follows an open book format designed to evaluate fundamental legal knowledge and establish a minimum competency benchmark for entry into the legal profession, alongside assessing candidates' analytical abilities. HC issued the notice after the candidate alleged lack of transparency in AIBE, as the body did not provide any justification for her failure, even after re-checking. The petition was filed by Urvi Acharya, who holds an LLM degree in criminal law. She appeared in the AIBE in Dec 2024 and was declared failed. She refused to accept the result and requested a re-checking. Even after re-checking, the department in BCI that conducts the AIBE conveyed that she failed the test. Acharya's counsel, advocate Pratik Jasani, told the court that seven of the 100 multiple-choice questions were officially withdrawn post-exam, which should have reduced the total score to 93, with the passing marks revised from 45 to 42. Jasani contended that the petitioner was a bright student and she passed her LLM in criminal law with first class. She attempted all 100 questions, and with seven of them being withdrawn, she ought to have been awarded grace marks. However, the authority did not make this clear.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mukund Acharya joins SPNI as chief technology officer to drive technology-led transformation
Sony Pictures Networks India ( SPNI ) has announced the appointment of Mukund Acharya as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective June 19, 2025. In his new role, Acharya will spearhead the company's consolidated technology portfolio, encompassing the Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology , and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering (B.O.N.E.). He will be responsible for driving SPNI's digital transformation agenda, fostering innovation and ensuring strategic alignment between business goals and technology initiatives across the network's linear and digital platforms. With over 29 years of experience in leading technology teams and delivering large-scale transformations, Acharya brings deep expertise in platform engineering, scalability, and product innovation. He joins SPNI from Disney+ Hotstar (Now JioStar), where he served as Head of Engineering. During his tenure, he led several mission-critical projects, including the integration of JioCinema and Hotstar apps, and the seamless delivery of marquee events like the ICC World Cups 2023, 2024, and 2025. His prior experience includes senior technology leadership roles at Yahoo, InMobi, and other global organisations. Acharya will report to Gaurav Banerjee, managing director and chief executive officer, SPNI, and will also work closely with the leadership of Sony LIV to support its next phase of platform evolution and growth. Commenting on the appointment, Banerjee said, 'Mukund's proven leadership in technology-led transformation makes him an invaluable addition to our team. As we expand our digital and broadcast capabilities, his role will be critical in aligning our technology roadmap with our vision for growth and innovation.'
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mukund Acharya joins Sony Pictures Networks India as chief technology officer
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed Mukund Acharya as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective today. He joins SPNI from Disney+ Hotstar (now JioHostar), where he was Head of Engineering. In his new role, Acharya will lead the company's consolidated technology portfolio, which includes the Enterprise Technology Group (ETG), LIV Technology, and Broadcast Operations and Network Engineering (B.O.N.E.). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest today with in Shriram's ULIP Shriram Life Insurance Undo He will drive SPNI's digital transformation agenda, champion innovation, and ensure strategic alignment between business goals and technology initiatives across the company's linear and digital platforms. Bringing over 29 years of experience in leading technology teams and executing large-scale transformations, Acharya offers deep expertise in platform engineering, scalability, and product innovation. Live Events During his tenure at JioStar, the merged entity formed after the merger of Star India and Viacom18, he oversaw critical projects, including the integration of the JioCinema and Hotstar apps, and the seamless delivery of major events such as the ICC World Cups in 2023, 2024, and 2025. His previous roles include senior technology leadership positions at Yahoo, InMobi, and other global organisations. Acharya will report to Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director and CEO of SPNI, and will also collaborate closely with the leadership team at Sony LIV to support the next phase of the platform's evolution and growth. Commenting on the appointment, Banerjee said, 'Mukund's proven leadership in technology-led transformation makes him an invaluable addition to our team. As we expand our digital and broadcast capabilities , his role will be critical in aligning our technology roadmap with our vision for growth and innovation.'
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Experts call on Alberta to make shingles vaccine more easily accessible for seniors
Article content As Alberta's senior population continues to grow, experts are asking the province to lower the barrier to receive shingles vaccinations. 'It's a kick-you-while-you're-down disease,' said Anjli Acharya, a pharmacist who specializes in vaccines and immunizations. Shingles is a viral infection that can cause painful rashes with blisters on an area of the body. It is caused by the same virus as the chicken pox, which can lie dormant inside anybody who contracted it in the past. Article content The dormant virus can reactivate when someone's immune system becomes compromised due to age, stress, or illness. 'The shingles virus can reactivate because it is sitting on the nerve ending of any of us that have had chicken pox in the past,' Acharya said. One in four people will likely contract the virus once they reach 50. By the age of 80, the risk increases to a one-in-two chance. This inflammatory infection can also exacerbate conditions including diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and heart disease. Shingles vaccinations like Shingrix help prevent complications that stem from contracting the virus. This includes post-hepatic neuralgia, a nerve condition that can occur following a shingles infection. In Alberta, the vaccine is not covered for seniors. Two doses of Shingrix in Alberta would cost $360 for the full series of treatment separated over six months. Article content Acharya has never heard why the provincial government will not cover the vaccine, which is often a challenge for the subset of individuals who cannot afford it. 'From a socioeconomic perspective, a vaccine at this cost will often put individuals that have other determinants of health at higher risk,' she said. 'From a clinical perspective, I would really prefer that everyone have shingles vaccine coverage because those patients, who are more vulnerable, higher risk, have chronic disease, or are living on a fixed income are less likely to afford the shingles vaccine.' President of CanAge, Laura Tamblyn Watts, said with increased costs of living and many seniors on fixed living, the cost of Shingrix is more than what people can afford. 'We know the single biggest deterrent for getting a vaccine like Shingrix is simply the cost,' Watts said. Article content If the shingles vaccine becomes easily available in the province, Watts said this can prevent seniors from making trips to the hospital due to the virus. Currently, it is estimated around 60 per cent of Alberta's senior population has not been inoculated. 'Across the country, we're having more older people, so even if that percentage stayed the same, the real number of people we have to treat with shingles is going to rise,' Watts said. From working with seniors, community groups, and health-care organizations, Watts said the people need to convey their need for the vaccine to elected officials. 'It is important that you write to your local representative, and it's important that you tell the premier, that this is a priority,' she said. The shingles vaccine is funded in Alberta for adults who are pre- or post-solid organ transplant or post-stem cell transplant, since they are at higher risk for complications. Article content 'Alberta Primary and Preventative Health Services considers several factors when determining vaccine funding, including a disease's epidemiology, vaccine effectiveness for specific age groups, cost, and the resources needed for an immunization program,' Maddison McKee of the office of the Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services. While the vaccine is safe and effective, shingles itself is not highly contagious like measles or influenza, as it does not spread from person to person. 'Most provinces do not cover it at present; a few cover it for specific age groups or others. Instead, many jurisdictions focus on funding the vaccine for high-risk populations,' McKee said. More information on the shingles vaccine can be found online by visiting Latest National Stories
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Experts call on Alberta to make shingles vaccine more easily accessible for seniors
As Alberta's senior population continues to grow, experts are asking the province to lower the barrier to receive shingles vaccinations. Article content 'It's a kick-you-while-you're-down disease,' said Anjli Acharya, a pharmacist who specializes in vaccines and immunizations. Article content Article content Shingles is a viral infection that can cause painful rashes with blisters on an area of the body. It is caused by the same virus as the chicken pox, which can lie dormant inside anybody who contracted it in the past. Article content Article content The dormant virus can reactivate when someone's immune system becomes compromised due to age, stress, or illness. Article content Article content 'The shingles virus can reactivate because it is sitting on the nerve ending of any of us that have had chicken pox in the past,' Acharya said. Article content One in four people will likely contract the virus once they reach 50. By the age of 80, the risk increases to a one-in-two chance. Article content Shingles vaccinations like Shingrix help prevent complications that stem from contracting the virus. This includes post-hepatic neuralgia, a nerve condition that can occur following a shingles infection. Article content Two doses of Shingrix in Alberta would cost $360 for the full series of treatment separated over six months. Article content Article content Article content Acharya has never heard why the provincial government will not cover the vaccine, which is often a challenge for the subset of individuals who cannot afford it. Article content 'From a socioeconomic perspective, a vaccine at this cost will often put individuals that have other determinants of health at higher risk,' she said. 'From a clinical perspective, I would really prefer that everyone have shingles vaccine coverage because those patients, who are more vulnerable, higher risk, have chronic disease, or are living on a fixed income are less likely to afford the shingles vaccine.'
