At a grand ceremony, Abdul Khader, CMD of Express Group, inaugurated Lulu Daily, while Vijay, Vice President, VR South Asia launched Lulu Connect and Mahendra, Vice President, Mahendra Homes, inaugurated REO with the presence of Ashraf Ali M.A., Executive Director of Lulu Group. Other notable attendees included Rohan Anand, Director at VR South Asia, Prabhakar, Gopalan Group Director along with other dignitaries.

During the grand opening, Ashraf Ali M.A., Executive Director of Lulu Group, spoke about the company’s expansion in Bengaluru. “We are excited to bring these new concepts to Whitefield. Lulu Daily offers fresh products for everyday needs, Lulu Connect caters to the latest electronics and home appliances, and the REO store marks the first exclusive showroom in the Country. We are committed to enhancing the shopping experience for our customers while contributing to the growth of Karnataka’s retail sector.”

Lulu Daily, a compact version of the well-known Lulu Hypermarket, spans 42,000 square feet and focuses on providing fresh farm produce, grocery essentials, dairy, meat, beauty products, and household goods. The store also features a vibrant fresh food and bakery section, ensuring that customers can find everything from everyday necessities to specialty items. Lulu Daily aims to make grocery shopping more convenient, offering quality products for all household needs in one location.

Adjacent to Lulu Daily is Lulu Connect, a 10,000 square-foot space dedicated to electronics and home appliances. With a wide range of digital gadgets, smartphones, laptops, and home appliances, Lulu Connect provides an all-in-one shopping experience for tech enthusiasts and homeowners looking for the latest in consumer electronics.

The new Lulu stores are located at VR Bengaluru, a 900,000-square-foot retail destination in the heart of Whitefield. Known for its mix of premium retail, dining, and entertainment offerings, VR Bengaluru redefines the shopping experience. It includes a state-of-the-art PVR cinema, diverse food and beverage options, collaborative workspaces, and even event venues, making it a vibrant hub for both locals and visitors.

This is the fifteenth outlet of Lulu in India and the group’s expansion in Bengaluru is part of a broader strategy to establish a strong retail presence across Karnataka and beyond. More projects are on pipeline in the city, including Electronics city, Old Madras Road, South Bengaluru, Hebbal & Yelahanka.

The launch event was attended by Nishad M.A., CEO of Lulu India, Fahaz Ashraf, Director at Lulu Group, and Shibu Philipps, Director of Lulu Malls India, Shereef K.K, Regional Director Lulu Group Karnataka along with other dignitaries. In addition to celebrating the new store openings, customers were invited to take advantage of special inaugural offers.

The Vydehi Group of Institutions is a renowned educational conglomerate committed to providing world-class education across diverse disciplines. With a vision to empower students with knowledge and skills, Vydehi stands as a beacon of academic excellence, offering programs in various fields such as Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Biotechnology, Law, and so on. Vydehi Institute of Law (VIL) is a premier institution dedicated to fostering legal education of the world class,standards.

The state-of-the-art campus equipped with modern infrastructure and facilities, ensure that students receive not only theoretical knowledge but also practical exposure to the real-world challenges. VIL has highly qualified and dedicated faculty, comprehensive curriculum, and emphasis on extracurricular activities, Vydehi believes in holistic development of every individual. The college is committed to nurturing ethical, innovative, and compassionate leaders who can make a positive impact in society. VII. is dedicated to transforming education and empowering students to realize their full potential.

The institute offers programs B.A LL.B, BBA LL.B. B.COM LL.B and 3 year LL.B program in law, designed to provide a deep understanding of legal principles, critical thinking, and practical legal skills, Significance and fulcrum of Legal Profession. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.

The establishment of the cutting-edge Neurosciences Institute bolsters Bangalore’s status as the leading science and health city in the country. The Aster Institute, which offers global standards of care with state-of-the-art technologies, has a collective neuro expertise and experience of 75 years.  The Mixed Reality Technology at the Institute, the first of its kind in South Asia, helps patients and clinicians visualize the anatomy in 3D and aids focused treatment planning and positive outcomes. The unit also has a Virtual Experience Room that offers first-hand feel of the virtual reality technology offered by the Mixed Reality Technology.

The Hospital also announced the establishment of the Intraoperative Neuro monitoring – Cascade IOMAX System, a first in Karnataka, that plays a crucial role in Brain and spine surgeries by significantly enhancing patient safety, safeguarding critical neural pathways, especially in epilepsy and spinal deformity surgeries. The Hospital also unveiled the Biplane Cath lab at the Institute for treatment of stroke-related emergencies including Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). This centre will try to fill the void that Bangalore has been facing – of very few dedicated centers to treat stroke. 

Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder, Infosys, inaugurating the program, said, “The EPIC initiative is a shining example of how collaboration between the public and private sectors can bridge gaps in healthcare accessibility. Epilepsy is a debilitating condition, and programs like EPIC ensure that even the underprivileged have access to the best possible care. I am honored to be a part of this noble effort and am glad to know that Intractable Epilepsy if diagnosed can be surgically treated with precision at Aster Whitefield Hospital.”

Dr. Zeba Moopen, Non-Executive Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “Being an integrated healthcare organization, Aster has always prioritized staying at the forefront of technology to deliver the highest quality care to our patients. The launch of our Advanced Neuro Institute is a reflection of this commitment. We are confident that the integration of cutting-edge neuro care technology will be transformative, setting new standards in patient treatment and outcomes.”

“The Hospital’s EPIC Program is also testament to our mission of providing quality care in epilepsy. By removing financial barriers, we are giving patients a chance at a better life—free from the burden of epilepsy,” Dr. Zeba added.

Prof. Dr. Satish Rudrappa, Group Director, Aster International Institute of Neurosciences and Spine Care, Bengaluru said, “Epilepsy is a condition that disproportionately affects patients from low-income groups. If not diagnosed early, it can lead to a significant social, educational, and economic burden on both the patient and their family. When epilepsy becomes chronic and intractable, medications often fail to provide relief. However, a substantial number of these patients can experience improvement through surgical intervention. Unfortunately, epilepsy still remains stigmatized in society and to address this issue and increase public awareness, the free EPIC program has been initiated for people living below the poverty line.”

Prof. Dr. Swaroop Gopal, Group Director, Aster International Institute of Neurosciences and Spine Care, Bengaluru said, “The EPIC Program is only the beginning. With the establishment of the Neurosciences and Spine Care Institute, we are positioning ourselves to be a leader in neurosurgical care. This initiative will ensure that epilepsy patients too receive comprehensive treatment, while our cutting-edge facility will set a new standard for neurosurgical care in the region.”

Rtn. Satish Madhavan, District Governor, 2024-2025, District 3191 said, “Rotary has always stood for service to humanity, and the EPIC Program aligns perfectly with our mission. By partnering with Aster Whitefield and Sukriya, we are bringing together resources and expertise to transform the lives of epilepsy patients, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.”

The EPIC Program and the new institute marks a critical advancement in accessible neuro-healthcare in India. With a commitment to the latest treatments and patient-centric care, these initiatives bridge the healthcare gap and provide innovative solutions to underserved populations.

Aster Whitefield will be Aster’s 3d multi-specialty hospital in Bengaluru and overall 19th hospital in India.The hospital was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Shri. Dinesh Gundu Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Healthand Family Welfare and Guest of Honour Shri U. T. Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly; Shri. Sharan prakash R Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education Government of Karnataka in the presence of Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare.

Other prominent dignitaries present on the occasion included:; Shri P. C. Mohan, Member of the LokSabha; Smt. Manjula Limbavali, Wife of Arvind Limbavali, Member of Legislative Assembly along with representatives from Aster DM Healthcare that is: Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster DM Healthcare India;Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman – Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare – GCC & India,Global Director – Aster International Institute of Oncology – GCC & India, Lead Consultant – Surgical &Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist; and Mr. Ramesh Kumar, aCEO, Aster Hospitals, Bengaluru cluster.

The Aster Whitefield Multispecialty Hospital will be India’s first centre to offer Intra Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) for precision treatment of Cancer. Other advanced technologies the hospital will offer include Hybrid Biplane Cath lab, 3D Mammogram, Digital PET CT, advanced LINAC,HIPEC/PIPEC Procedures, Full Room Digital Radiography and a Scalp Cooling System to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. The hospital will also feature the 4th generation Da Vinci Robot for advanced surgeries in Oncology and Urology along with a state-of-the-art OT complex with 16Operating Theatres equipped with high-end medical equipments.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Aster Whitefield Hospital, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “We are proud to announce our 3rd state-of-theart hospital in Bengaluru and 19th hospital in India. The new hospital is in line with the group’s missionand commitment to our India business and growth plans to deliver seamless care by making health care accessible and affordable for our patients in India. Aster Whitefield exemplifies our dedication to delivering exceptional healthcare services to the burgeoning population of Whitefield.

Our focus on specialties such as oncology, neurosciences and women & childcare reflects our dedication to addressing critical healthcare needs in the region. The 506-bed hospital will bring advanced medical at echnologies and expert care to the residents of Whitefield, addressing their diverse healthcare needs under one roof. With the Aster Whitefield launch, we reaffirm our commitment to India and will continue to deliver quality healthcare to our patients in India.”

Dr. Nitish Shetty, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aster DM Healthcare, India, added, “Aster Whitefield sets new benchmarks in healthcare excellence. We are dedicated to offering unparalleled services,integrating expertise with empathy, and ensuring our patients receive the best possible care. Driven by the increasing demand for high-tech healthcare services Aster Whitefield aims to provide world class medical care, making it the go-to destination for patients in need of specialized treatments. At Aster, we shall also work hard to stay ahead of the times to be among the firsts in the world to bring new, evidence-based, approved therapies and technology to our patients.”

Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman – Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare – GCC & India,Global Director – Aster International Institute of Oncology – GCC & India, Lead Consultant – Surgical& Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist said, “Today, as we unveil Aster Whitefield, we’re ushering in a new era of healthcare excellence. To provide the best of care for our Cancer patients, our multidisciplinary team at the Aster Institute of Oncology will integrate all clinical services including Surgical oncology, Medical oncology, Radiation oncology.

Nuclear medicine therapy and Palliative oncology as part of the Disease Management Group (DMG) providing comprehensive prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative end-of-lifecare services under one roof. With advanced medical technologies like Intra Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) and the 4th Generation Da Vinci Robot, we are well-equipped to deliver precise and effective treatments. Our aim is to provide high quality international standard treatment at affordable cost with compassion and humane touch and be a one-stop solution to both diagnostics and therapeutic treatment – all under one roof.”

Beyond medical excellence, Aster Whitefield also offers a range of facilities for patients and their families, ensuring their comfort and well-being. As a tertiary multi-specialty hospital, Aster White fieldwill provide a holistic healthcare experience to patients as well as their caregivers.