Latest news with #GauravSharma
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
NEET UG Results 2025: These are some lesser known counselling tips
–Dr. Gaurav Sharma Cracking the NEET UG exam is only the first step towards becoming a doctor. The second very important phase after this is the counselling process, which is a very important factor in getting your preferred medical seat. Most students know about the general steps, but there are certain lesser-known yet crucial details that will make a significant difference. 1. Go through the Counselling Authorities- Following declaration of results of NEET UG, two counselling authorities perform seat allotment, which are MCC (Medical Counselling Committee) for 15% All India Quota (AIQ) and respective State Counselling Authorities for 85% state quota. Most students lose out on it by not enrolling in both central as well as state-level counselling if they are eligible. NEET UG Live | NEET UG 2025 Toppers List | NEET UG Qualifying Cut-Off | NEET Rank 3|NEET Rank 5 | NEET Rank 8 | NEET UG Websites to Check | NEET UG 2025 Result Declared NEET UG Answer Key Released 2. Register Early and Properly- Counselling registration is normally done shortly after the NEET result. You have to register on the MCC or state website with proper personal, academic, and NEET information. A minute error there can rob you of your seat. And do not forget that certain states need domicile or other documents; don't wait for them to be procured. 3. Choice Filling: Smart, Not Emotional- Most students complete only the top colleges they hope. But advising is all about strategy. Always complete a large number of choices, safe and backup included, in order of preference. The more colleges you complete, the greater your chance of allotment. 4. Mock Allotment – Some state counselling authorities organise mock allotments. Make the most of them, they give you an idea about the possibility of your favourite college according to your rank and preferred choices. Reorder your list accordingly after the mock round. 5. Don't Miss Document Verification- After allotment, document verification is a must. Have original certificates and photocopies in hand, NEET scorecard, admit card, 10th & 12th mark sheets, identity proof, category certificate (if any), and passport-size photos. Lacking one document might lead to disqualification. 6. Upgradation and Exit Options– If you're not happy with your seat allocation, you can opt for upgradation in the subsequent round. But be aware of the rules, after some rounds, typically round 2, you might not be permitted to exit. So, make decisions carefully. Regularly check official counselling websites for the latest information. Remaining updated and ready at every stage will get you a seat easily. Following this step-by-step counselling plan in detail, you can increase your admission chances and avoid last-minute stress. Sharma works in Medical Division of Vidyamandir Classes
India Today
10-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Tiny notes, big dreams: What pocket money taught 90s kids
It was the first of the waited near the door, restless and excited, peeking out every few minutes to catch a glimpse of their father walking down the lane. Not because they missed him more that day, but because it was pay day. And in most Indian households back in the 80s and 90s, salary day meant one more thing: pocket money would enter, tired from the long commute and the weight of bills in his briefcase. But the moment he reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out those crumpled rs 5 or rs 10 notes, the room would erupt in glee. That small note was more than just money; it was freedom, status, and pure joy. Some rushed off to buy Phantom sweet cigarettes. Others saved it to rent video games on Sunday. A few stashed it in old tin boxes, waiting for the day it would grow enough to buy a comic or a friendship to 2025, and the scene has changed. Kids now get a ping on their phones, notifying them that rs 5,000 or even rs 20,000 has been transferred to their digital wallets. No waiting. No ceremony. Just a quiet notification a tap to JOY OF SMALL THINGS: LIFE IN RS 10advertisementIn a world without instant delivery and cashless transactions, even rs 10 felt magical. You didn't ask for more you planned, saved, and sometimes even bargained with siblings to pool your cash for something bigger."I used to get rs 5 every Sunday from my grandfather," recalls Gaurav Sharma, 41, from Agra. "That was my freedom money. I'd run to the corner shop to buy Phantom cigarettes (those sweet pink sticks), or rent a comic. I learned to plan, to wait. Instant gratification wasn't even a concept." Nina Arora, 66, a retired teacher and mother of two now-grown kids, remembers the ritual. "We didn't give money for the sake of it. We treated it like a reward. If my son helped with chores or behaved well at school, he got a rs 10 note. That note had so much power."For many girls, it was spent on stickers, colourful erasers, bangles from the street market, or a bar of Perk. And for most boys, it meant marbles, trading cards, or a quick joyride in the form of Mario at the neighbourhood game VS. NOW: A GENERATIONAL FLIPBOOK Today's pocket money isn't given by hand-it's sent online. Children can swipe cards, scan QR codes, and even track their expenses through analytics DIGITAL WALLET GENERATIONShruti Nair, 14, from Bengaluru, gets rs 8,000 a month as allowance. "I use it for my OTT subscriptions, ordering food, and buying clothes online. I don't like to ask my parents each time. This way I can manage my own spending," she says, scrolling through her Fampay account. This level of autonomy would've been unimaginable to their parents at that Mehta, 42, a Delhi-based mother of two, chuckles, "My son knows how to use Paytm and scan QR codes better than I do. I'm amazed at how tech-savvy they are, but I do wonder-have they ever felt the thrill of counting coins saved over three months?"advertisementLESSONS IN VALUE: DELAYED VS. INSTANT GRATIFICATIONFor 90s kids, pocket money wasn't just about spending it was about learning. That humble rs 10 note handed over once a month taught the art of budgeting long before Excel sheets existed. It taught patience, waiting weeks to afford a comic or a cricket card. It taught value-every coin saved was a step closer to a dream toy or a chocolate bar. And above all, it taught gratitude. Because pocket money came not from clicks, but from a parent's hard-earned salary and a silent understanding that this small amount carried with it love, trust, and a gentle push toward responsibility."We would save for months just to buy a Tazo cap or a movie ticket," says Deepika Joshi, 38, a marketing professional in Mumbai. "When I bought my first Walkman with saved pocket money, I felt like a queen."Today's kids are financially smart in a different way. They know how to transfer, recharge, and invest-but often miss the emotional connect that comes from waiting, saving, and dreaming about a small MONEY AS A MIRROR OF THE TIMES Pocket money has always reflected not just inflation, but aspiration. The simplicity of the past isn't necessarily better or worse-it's just different. Our kids are growing up in a world of subscriptions, gaming coins, and on-demand everything. Still, somewhere, a 40-year-old mother stares fondly at her child's digital card and remembers the joy of spotting a rs 2 coin under the pillow. Somewhere, a father picks up a Tinkle at a bookstore and smiles, remembering the day he spent his entire allowance on THAN JUST MONEYWhether it was rs 10 a month or rs 10K a tap, pocket money has always been more than just a monetary allowance. It's the first taste of freedom, the first lesson in decision-making, and a quiet doorway into adulthood. So here's to the piggy banks, the jam jars filled with coins, the secret stashes in school bags-and to every kid, past or present, who felt rich just holding their own credit: Generative AI by Vani Gupta
CTV News
03-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Local pharmacists offering walk-in addiction and mental health treatment in Old Strathcona
The Addiction Healing and Recovery Clinic opened on Whyte Avenue and 100 Street on June 3, 2025. (Cameron Wiebe/CTV News Edmonton) The Addiction Healing and Recovery Clinic opened on Whyte Avenue on Tuesday. The new clinic on 100 Street is a partnership between pharmacists Gaurav Sharma and Sidharth Arora, who aim to provide compassionate medical treatment to vulnerable Edmontonians living with addiction and mental health disorders. The pair opened the City Centre Clinic and Pharmacy in 2020 and saw the need for similar services south of the river. 'There's folks, individuals, they don't like to cross the river and they need help in this part of the city,' Sharma said. 'This is a marginalized population who often don't get treated very well if they try and call a cab or get onto the LRT, so we want to provide the service to the individuals where they can access it most easily for them,' added psychiatrist Dr. Pierre Chue. The AHRC is open seven days a week, with a team of doctors, psychiatrists and nurses to diagnose and oversee treatment for patients with substance use and mental health issues. The centre is owned and operated by the pharmacy and does not receive any public funding. Clients must have an active Alberta Health Care number to be seen at the clinic and prescriptions are not covered. An outreach worker on site is available to help patients apply for income support, or get referrals for housing, clothing and meals. 'They get everything at the one place,' Sharma said. 'They don't have to go to five different places and wait long wait times.' 'Any delay in terms of accessing treatment often means that they will seek treatment elsewhere or will self medicate,' Chue said. 'The goal for me … is really to provide some services as quickly as possible and then we can always add to that or dovetail what may be required down the road.' Last year in the same area, a health hub from Boyle Street Social Services – which included an overdose prevention site – was scrapped amid strong community pushback. The new centre does not provide detox, rehabilitation or supervised consumption services and Arora said it has been received positively by the surrounding community. 'They were very happy,' Arora said. 'They said, 'Wow, there is someone who is coming here to help out people out here.'' The City Centre clinic, which offers the same services, has treated about 1,600 people since opening in 2020.
Times of Oman
29-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
New India Assurance Co. Ltd., Oman Honored with Times of Oman Best Brand in Customer Experience Award
Muscat: New India Assurance Co. Ltd., Oman, has been recognised with the prestigious Times of Oman Best Brand in Customer Experience Award in the insurance category at the Oman CX Awards 2025. This distinguished accolade highlights the company's unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and customer satisfaction across the Sultanate. New India Assurance, Oman is operated by M/s. Abdul Aziz & Bros LLC, under the visionary leadership of Mr. Majid Abdul Rahim Jaffer Al Bahrani. Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Majid extended heartfelt thanks to all customers and partners for voting New India Assurance as the Best Brand in Customer Experience under the Insurance category. The award ceremony was graced by His Highness Sayyid Mohammed Bin Salem Al Said, who served as the chief guest, alongside Mr. Ahmed Essa Al Zadjali, CEO of Muscat Media Group. Mr. Gaurav Sharma, Chief Operating Officer of New India Assurance, Oman Operations, received the award on behalf of the company, joined by his dedicated team. Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Gaurav Sharma stated, "This award is a testament to the exceptional service delivered by our team. We are deeply honored and extend our sincere appreciation to all our valued customers and partners for their continued trust and support." The Oman CX Awards 2025 celebrated excellence across 35 product and service categories, with winners determined through nationwide consumer voting. The event underscored the critical role customer experience plays in brand reputation and long-term success. As Mr. Ahmed bin Essa Al Zadjali noted, 'Customer experience is no longer a support function—it is now central to brand reputation and long-term success.' This recognition follows a series of customer-centric innovations by New India Assurance, including the launch of a state-of-the-art Customer Care Centre in December 2024, offering direct call lines and WhatsApp support to enhance client accessibility and responsiveness. As it celebrates its 50th year of operations in Oman, New India Assurance continues to set industry benchmarks, reflecting the enduring trust and confidence of its customers.
Biz Bahrain
28-05-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Investcorp Announces Sale of Citykart to TPG NewQuest and A91 Partners
Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, today announced the sale of its entire stake in Citykart, one of India's fastest-growing value retailers focused on Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, to TPG NewQuest and A91 Partners. It represents the fifth full exit from the firm's India Consumer Growth Portfolio (ICGP) and the sixth liquidity event for the India franchise in the past 32 months. The operating scale-up has seen the store network expand dramatically from 37 to 137 stores. This leads to an estimated revenue of INR 8.8 billion (about US $102 million) for FY 2025. This growth is mirrored by a matching growth in EBITDA, with sustained industry leading margins. It has consistently delivered profitability while building core functions, strengthening governance, and attracting strong talent across leadership and mid-management levels. Furthermore, Investcorp has been instrumental in fostering a strategic partnership with founder Sudhanshu Agarwal, focusing on building a professional second line, integrating the W-Mart acquisition, revitalising under-performing stores, and optimising sourcing and inventory processes. Gaurav Sharma, Partner & Head of India Investments at Investcorp, said: 'Citykart was the very first deal we executed after formally entering India in 2019, and it epitomizes our strategy of backing category-defining, founder-led businesses in high-growth segments. Today's outcome underscores our ability to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns while supporting India's consumption story.' Yusef al Yusef, Global Head of Distribution atInvestcorp, commented: 'Partnering with the Citykart team to triple the store base, steer the business through the pandemic and still outperform our underwriting is immensely satisfying. We thank all stakeholders and are confident that TPG NewQuest and A91 will help Citykart accelerate its next growth phase.' Other recent realizations besides Citykart include the sale of its stake in luggage maker Safari Industries, a profitable exit from eyecare specialist ASG Eye Hospital, a planned IPO-led exit from health-benefits administrator Medi Assist Healthcare, and a partial exit from dialysis network NephroPlus. Investcorp's India private equity strategy targets asset-light opportunities across consumer & retail, healthcare, financial services, B2B and technology. Its active Indian holdings include Global Dental, Wakefit, Canpac, Xpressbees, Zolo, Freshtohome, Intergrow Brands, Unilog, V-Ensure, and the buy-out of NSE IT, rechristened NuSummit among others, demonstrating Investcorp's commitment to scaling high-growth businesses while realising timely liquidity for investors.
