India is losing pluralism, moving towards Hindutva: Telugu writer Olga
May literature convention in dharwad
Dharwad, May 26: Today, democracy can only be saved by stimulating constitutional morality among the people of the country and promoting its values. Literature should play a key role in achieving this task, said Olga (P Lalita Kumari), a famous Telugu writer.
She was addressing a gathering after inaugurating May Literary Conference ‘Bahutva Bharata-Indu Nale’ (Plural India - Today Tomorrow), on the premises of Vidyavardhaka Sangh conference hall in Dharwad.
“The true essence of India lies in plurality. But unfortunately, it is a matter of concern that today India is losing its plurality and moving towards Hindutva-Bharat day by day. In this context, India’s pluralism must be protected on the urgent basis,” she said.
The Telugu writer further said that the terms 'Nation' and 'Nationalism' that came into existence during the freedom struggle were associated with the democratic value. But in these seven decades since Independence, these two terms have lost their existence and converted into a concept of attack on pluralism.
“The concept of today's nationalism, which is creating anxiety among the minorities and the majority, has given birth to intolerant people like Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who do not want to interact with people; rather they infuse their ideologies in people’s minds.”
“We need to understand the relationship between literature and the Constitution. The Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression in its fundamental rights. When this bird is being buried, the relationship between literature and the Constitution have to be strengthened through a struggle. Meantime, it is the duty of the literature-creators for working to protect democratic values,” Olga said.
“Constitutional sculptor Babasaheb Ambedkar emphasized the need to develop the morality of the constitution among people. Ambedkar had precisely said that whoever comes to power must promote Constitutional moralities. But no government in our country has been able to do so in the last few years,” she added.
At the same time, she cautioned that this responsibility is equally there on writers. Only humans can understand human beings. It is enough to have a compassionate heart. Literature can also cause compassion for a thief. Literature can interpret it as poverty leads to theft, and poverty is a social dimension. Values are emotionally inspired by literature, which can then grow into political consciousness. This is possible when literature is made on the suffering lawful people. These sorts of literary festivals must motivate in this regard.
Delivering the keynote address at the program, writer KP Suresh said the May Literary Conference, which is being conducted over the past few years, has contributed in many movements in the state. But ‘the plurality of India,’ which is the theme of the conference, can only be realised when it sets a direction to everyone’s work in next one year.
“Fascist ideas are entering into educational and public stages. Representatives of Vedic culture are discussing to present Brahman’s celebrations such as Brahma Kalasha in Bhootaradhane, the typical cultural celebration of the coastal region. In such a situation, the fading plural legacy among the local livelihood must be recognised and saved besides bringing it to the fore,” he added.
Retired Judge Justice Nagamohan Das, who presided over the inaugural session, said the history of the entire country is associated with diversity. Here in different times, different communities came from different families from different languages. Those who came here stays here. Over the time, the people of these communities have been able to interact with each other in such a way that today the pure race cannot be traced out at first sight. When the Constitution of India was drafted, it was not based on any religion but formed on the secular basis. Secularism means that the ruling government does not act on behalf of any religion and does not discriminate on religion. In our Constitution, significant status has been given to plurality. There is a principle that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law without any discrimination. Article 51-A of the Constitution laid down the duty that every citizen should protect the legacy of plurality and culture of the country.
Such a constitution is an achievement which this country could not have perceived for thousands of years. While the Bhagavad Gita is for Hindus, the Quran for Muslims, and Bible for Christians; the constitution is great for all, he said.
SS Harlapur, Dr Shekhar Ladwa, Dr DB Gawani, Dr Anasuya Kamble and Prakash Udikeri were present. Dr. Sanjeev Kulkarni organized the program.
Report: Harsha Kumar Kugve
Photos: Ivan D'Silva
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Thumbay Group’s GMU, Staque team up to transform healthcare with AI, advanced tech
Ajman (UAE): Staque, a global leader in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced technology solutions, have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thumbay Group’s Gulf Medical University (GMU) and its Thumbay College of Management and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (TCMAIH). This strategic partnership aims to revolutionize the integration of artificial intelligence and quantum computing into healthcare education, training, and research, with far-reaching implications for the region’s healthcare and technology sectors.
Founded by Dr. Thumbay Moideen in 1997, Thumbay Group is a diversified international business conglomerate with operations across different verticals including Education, Healthcare, Medical Research, Diagnostics, Retail Pharmacy, Health Communications, Retail Opticals, Wellness, Nutrition Stores, Hospitality, Real Estate, Publishing, Technology, Media, Events, Medical Tourism, Trading and Marketing & Distribution. Headquartered in Dubai, the group presently employs around 3000 people.
The MoU establishes a collaborative framework to harness the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, focusing on both academic innovation and practical applications. This collaboration aligns with the UAE’s vision for technological leadership and aims to position GMU and Staque at the forefront of global healthcare advancements.
Driving AI Innovation Through Strategic Partnership
The agreement outlines several groundbreaking initiatives, including:
● Thumbay-Staque Lab in Artificial Intelligence: This state-of-the-art lab, to be established at GMU’s campus, will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and practical applications of AI in healthcare, focusing on areas such as diagnostics, personalized medicine, and healthcare operations.
● Internship and Employment Pathways: Staque will facilitate internships, short placements, and employment opportunities for TCMAIH students, fostering UAE Nationals’ empowerment and integrating local talent into the global healthcare technology landscape.
● Collaborative AI Programs: Together, Staque and GMU will develop fellowship, short-term, and long-term programs in healthcare AI, leveraging a revenue-sharing model to promote sustainability and scalability.
● Joint High-performance Computing Research Initiatives: The partnership will support joint research projects through the Thumbay International Research Grant, targeting high-impact areas in AI, quantum computing and healthcare.
● Global Collaboration and Expertise Sharing: Faculty and staff exchanges will enhance knowledge transfer, while industry partnerships will drive regional and international expansions of TCMAIH’s and Staque’s initiatives.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group UAE, commenting on the partnership said, “Our partnership with Staque is a natural extension of our commitment to advancing healthcare education and practice. By integrating AI into our curriculum and research initiatives, we are empowering our students and faculty to become leaders in a rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem.”
Dr. Muhammad Khan, CEO of Staque, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in merging AI and healthcare education. By establishing the Thumbay-Staque Lab, we are taking significant steps toward a future where AI drives meaningful improvements in patient outcomes, operational efficiencies, and healthcare innovation.”
Transforming Healthcare Through AI
Staque’s extensive expertise in AI, quantum computing, and robotics complements GMU’s reputation for academic excellence. This partnership aims to tackle critical challenges and unlock opportunities across healthcare and education, including:
● AI-Powered Diagnostics: Tools for early disease detection and personalized treatment planning, using advanced algorithms and quantum computing to process vast datasets with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
● Adaptive Learning Systems: AI-driven systems to create personalized educational experiences for healthcare professionals, addressing skill gaps and enhancing training efficiency.
● Healthcare Operations Optimization: Autonomous intelligence solutions to streamline administrative workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance the overall patient experience.
“Medical research and practices are ripe for innovation. Accuracy, accessibility and affordability issues have a critical impact on global health care. The adoption of AI and quantum computing are essential to address these issues” said Dr. Raees Tonse, Staque Board Member who catalyzed the partnership.
The Thumbay-Staque partnership also explores regional and international opportunities for expanding AI and quantum computing programs, enabling students and professionals to access world-class resources and tools. These initiatives will not only strengthen the UAE’s position as a global innovation hub but also set new benchmarks for integrating emerging technologies into healthcare systems.
About the Partners
Thumbay Group and Gulf Medical University
Thumbay Group, a leading private conglomerate in the UAE, operates Gulf Medical University (GMU), a premier institution recognized for its excellence in medical education, research, and healthcare delivery. The Thumbay College of Management and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare (TCMAIH) is dedicated to marrying technology and medical education, ensuring students and health care professionals are equipped to thrive in a technology-driven healthcare landscape.
Staque Solutions
Staque Solutions bridges the gap between cutting-edge computer science and real-world business needs. With expertise spanning AI, blockchain, quantum computing, and software engineering, Staque empowers organizations to thrive in an era of rapid technological advancement through its autonomous intelligence and high-performance computing solutions. Founded in Calgary, Canada, Staque has grown into a global organization with presence in North America, the GCC, and Asia.
