Latest news with #Madan
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
Builders coalition enters new chapter as founder Dave Madan rejoins
Advertisement Under Madan's leadership, the group shortened its name to The Builder Coalition, or TBC. The focus, he said, is on opening doors 'for all talented individuals, especially those who have historically lacked access to key networks and resources.' Its mission now includes a 'TBC Innovation Center' think tank, essentially consulting and convening services that it offers to help other communities diversify their development sectors. The first national Innovation Center event will be held in September, at the Seaport Hotel, to bring together real estate finance experts from around the country. Madan leads a four-person staff, and hopes to add a fifth by early 2026, with an annual budget of around $1 million. The organization is also awaiting action from the Healey administration on a state budget earmark for another $150,000. Advertisement The coalition celebrated its new phase of growth Friday by hosting a fellowship kickoff event at the Bruce Bolling building in Roxbury and a tour of affordable housing sites where previous TBC fellows have foundations in the ground and wood frames going up. Speakers included Representative Russell Holmes and Senator Liz Miranda (co-sponsors of the budget earmark), city housing chief Sheila Dillon , and Sabrina Correia from sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co. For Madan, it was inspiring watching this new class of 25 fellows — each one gets matched with two industry mentors — meet with previous fellows and observe how they're changing the city in their own way. 'It's a pretty incredible thing,' Madan said. 'There were just big smiles when everyone got off the buses. They were like, ... 'This is the real deal. Seeing is believing.'' Banking on more English classes When the findings of a MassINC report about the need for more career-focused English classes were announced a year ago at the UMass Club, those in the room looked around at each other and said, essentially, 'We can solve this.' The report showed that funding in Massachusetts for English proficiency classes was not keeping pace with the pressing need: One in 10 working-age adults in the state still had limited English skills. 'That report was really a galvanizing moment,' said Rahn Dorsey , chief executive of the Eastern Bank Foundation , a lead sponsor of the MassINC report. Now, the report is translating into action. The Eastern Bank Foundation last week announced it is committing $10 million over three years to support English teaching programs in the state, with an eye toward filling workforce gaps. The news, announced at the State House, happened alongside the Healey administration's announcement that the Legislature had pledged a separate $10 million for English proficiency work in a recent supplemental budget. Advertisement Foundation board chair Bob Rivers , who spoke at the State House event, said in an interview that it's just a coincidence that the dollar amounts are the same. The Eastern Bank Foundation recently hired Eva Millona as a foundation fellow to help lead this new initiative, with assistance from Jerry Rubin , the former chief executive of Jewish Vocational Service and another foundation fellow. Millona is back in Boston after serving in the US Department of Homeland Security. Previously, she led the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition . MassINC chief executive Joe Kriesberg said he was impressed to see the foundation's financial commitment to this cause, saying it 'supercharges' the Healey administration's efforts. 'It's certainly of a scale that you do not see very often from any kind of foundation or philanthropy,' Kriesberg said. '[It's] courageous for Eastern ... to take this leadership role at a time when not everybody is standing up to support our immigrant communities.' Getting machines to talk at SharkNinja Making a 'smart home' even smarter was one of the top missions for Mike Harris during his seven years at Amazon . Now, it will be one of his top missions at SharkNinja . The Needham-based company has recruited Harris from Amazon to be its first-ever chief innovation and technology officer, as it tries to Harris said he's been impressed with the pace of activity at the headquarters, with engineers tinkering with products around almost every corner, to improve on the flagship lines of Shark vacuums and Ninja blenders, as well as new lines ranging from smoothie makers to hair dryers. Advertisement The road to Amazon for Harris started at a startup called Zonoff, which specialized in connected-home software. Smart-home device company Ring acquired Zonoff's staff in 2017, bringing Harris on board. Amazon gobbled up Ring roughly a year later. Harris will lead SharkNinja's electrical engineering and software efforts related to connectivity — figuring out how to get various electronic devices to talk with each other. He'll report to Ross Richardson , SharkNinja's chief design officer. Now that he's furnishing his new home in the Boston area, he may be in the market for SharkNinja products. He's already hearing from others who want to place orders. 'All my friends and family have been sending me lists,' he added. 'I'm going to have to set up a warehouse just to fulfill [their] needs.' Rest-stop rivalry draws lobbyists A redevelopment lease for In the final round, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation ended up Global Partners . Global has long been represented by Dorchester lobbyist Bobby White , whose firm, Robert F. White Associates , has several other fuel sector clients. On June 18, the day Applegreen O'Neill and Associates , Boston's third-busiest lobbying firm. Spokesman Reid Lamberty said Global has relied on White's expertise over the years, and the company tapped O'Neill to 'help us navigate MassDOT's final decision on the RFP — specifically to gain insight into the process and receive guidance as we moved forward." Advertisement Global continues to make the case to MassDOT and Governor Maura Healey 's administration that its bid is better, primarily because it contains a higher rent price and because of Global's local ties. On Applegreen's side, the Blackstone -backed company hired Smith, Costello & Crawford , the city's busiest lobbying shop, last year to help craft the bid. Recently, Dempsey Associates , the city's fourth-busiest lobbying firm, has been involved as Applegreen contractor Suffolk Construction 's adviser. Jim Smith of Smith, Costello & Crawford said his firm's advice to Applegreen was to be responsive to the top priorities of the Healey administration, namely to launch a Smith, a Tesla owner, said the primary reason electric vehicles are not being more widely adopted is the concern over finding places to charge up when batteries are running low. The service plaza bid, he said, represented an opportunity to address that issue. Plus, the existing state plazas 'are not in particularly good shape [and] are frankly embarrassing for a commonwealth that really relies on tourism' to help the economy. 'It wasn't complicated at all,' Smith said. 'Yeah, money was important but there were other things that were more important.' Jon Chesto can be reached at
New Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Wheels of Inspiration: From racing to TT, journey of para-athlete J D Madan
Different athletes react to losing in their own way. For the Tamil Nadu paddler, losing is all about being curious and introspective. "I'm the kind of person, when I lose, I get very excited. I'm very curious. I would ask myself 'how did I lose?' And it's very interesting for me to understand how I lost. I get very excited with video matches. You practice and you're playing one type of game. You can't play that kind of game that you do in practice. Players today play in such a way that they don't want you to touch the ball. If you can't do that, it doesn't matter what you practice. You're not touching the ball," he told this daily. When the crash happened 18 years ago, the first objective was to make body parts move. At the time, sport was not on Madan's mind. It was only when he came across a video of British para-athlete Rob Davies in the 2012 Paralympics in London, Madan decided to give table tennis a try. "I used to be a tennis player my whole life, and watching this I thought this should be fun." He trains with able-bodied, club level paddlers at the Madras Club in Adyar. "These are people who have been with me from the beginning of my journey. So they know my game more than anybody. They will watch my matches on YouTube and they will advise me what I need to work on," he explained.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Jehan Dorab Madan: Inspiring Journey from Paralysis to Table Tennis Champion
An accident in 2007 left him paralysed. Now, J D Madan is back on the podium, winning medals in table tennis M Sudharshan | TNN Until 2007, Jehan Dorab Madan led an active life as a professional racing driver, while tennis, windsurfing and swimming in the ocean were among his hobbies. However, his life took a dramatic turn after an accident left him paralysed. But Madan from Tamil Nadu , a passionate sportsperson, refused to give up. Fourteen years after the accident, in 2021, he discovered a love for table tennis and has been making steady progress ever since. What has helped him excel in the sport, winning medals at international and national levels, is the disciplined approach he has maintained towards his recovery. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai 'When you are paralysed, the most important thing is to stay active so your body can function,' says the 48-year-old. 'At one point, I could not even lift a spoon, but I kept trying so my body would start to adapt. Now, everything seems easy.' Madan, a class 1 (wheelchair) athlete, won multiple medals at the recent ITTF events in Taipei (Future) and Kaohsiung (Challenger). In Kaohsiung, he clinched silver in the men's singles, losing to multiple Olympic medallist Joo Young Dae of South Korea. 'The Kaohsiung competition was a game-changing event for me. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo I never used to win from losing positions, but this time, I managed to do that on multiple occasions. I identified my opponent's weaknesses even when he was leading, took some risks which I had not done before, and it paid off,' says Madan, who won gold in the Khelo India Para Games earlier this year. Madan has also started to gain confidence in himself as he travels frequently and manages things on his own, something that was not possible between 2007 and 2021. 'I thought my world was confined to my home. But travelling around the world opened my mind and gave me confidence. Simple things like going to the supermarket or taking a bus are possible abroad, which is not the case in India due to accessibility issues.' Madan had a tough season last year and failed to qualify for the Paris Paralympics; however, the lessons learned from competing against top-ranked players have shaped him into a better athlete. While Madan predominantly competes in the Future and Challenger categories, he is slowly pushing the bar and gaining valuable points to enter elite-level tournaments. 'Next year will give me a better idea of where I stand in terms of qualifying for the Los Angeles Paralympics. The ranking system has changed, and top-ranked players will need to participate in competitions to earn points,' says Madan, who is ranked 22nd in the world. Robot rally Madan mostly trains with a robot at home, which he says is helpful as it allows him to focus on specific drills. 'Players in my category often try to prevent their opponent from reaching the ball by playing close to the net. So, I spend half of my session practising those shots, and then I play with my able-bodied friends who compete at club level.'
News18
03-07-2025
- Health
- News18
‘No Clear Association': AIIMS Doctor Dismisses Link Between Covid Vaccines, Heart Attack Deaths
As many as 18 heart attack deaths were reported in Karnataka's Hassan district within a month Calling Covid-19 vaccines 'effective", an AIIMS Delhi doctor has dismissed the link between vaccination and sudden deaths due to heart attacks. Dr Karan Madan, Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, AIIMS Delhi, said a study was done on sudden cardiac deaths to review the vaccines used so far, but no clear association was found with sudden cardiac deaths. Madan's remark came after Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah ordered a study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and to see if the Covid-19 vaccines could have any adverse effects. As many as 18 heart attack deaths were reported in Karnataka's Hassan district within a month. 'COVID vaccines were effective vaccines and they played a crucial role in reducing the mortality. During the pandemic, vaccines are the only possible measure to save lives. Vaccines were used on a large number of people, and they provided a lot of benefits in preventing excess mortality. The benefits provided by the vaccines are immense. A study was done on sudden cardiac deaths to review the vaccines used so far, but no clear association was found with sudden cardiac deaths," Madan said.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba trade representative to U.S. ‘hit the ground running'
Indigenous, agriculture and labour leaders who have met Manitoba's new trade representative to the U.S. say they're optimistic Richard Madan is the right person for the job at a critical time. 'It's only his fourth day on the job, but he's a thoroughbred,' Renee Greyeyes, president and CEO of Indigenous Chamber of Commerce Manitoba, said Friday. 'The starter pistol sounded and he hit the ground running.' Greyeyes said she met Madan at two events after he arrived in Winnipeg on June 23 for a week of meetings with Manitoba business sector leaders. 'I think he's a good choice,' said Manitoba Métis Federation president David Chartrand, who recalled being interviewed by Madan in his former role as a Washington, D.C., bureau reporter. Chartrand said he was impressed by the provincial trade rep as Manitoba deals with tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Madan, an American-born, Alberta-raised dual citizen who covered politics in the U.S. capital for nearly a decade, shared his insight on the states that Manitoba trades with and how they're being hurt by tariffs, Chartrand added. 'For example, he said in a lot of the farming areas … there's an outcry right now and it's causing a lot of pressure on Trump,' and there's opportunity to forge alliances with those states that will benefit both sides. It is a stance Keystone Agricultural Producers president Jill Verwey agrees with. 'It is their legislators and state representatives that are carrying that strong message on how important the relationship with Manitoba and Canada is,' she said. Verwey and other commodity association representatives met with Madan on Wednesday at Manitoba Agriculture's Food Development Centre in Portage la Prairie. Verwey applauded Premier Wab Kinew for establishing a business and jobs council ahead of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade being renegotiated, leading a Manitoba mission to Washington in early 2024 and hiring Madan to his new role. 'He knows who to talk to … he knows what phone calls to make and has those relationships. I really did find that he was here to listen.'– Manitoba Pork general manager Cam Dahl She said Trump's tariff threats that change 'from hour to hour, day to day' emphasize how important it is for Manitoba to strengthen its trade ties with individual U.S. states. 'The greatest value is having that strong relationship and building on that,' said Verwey, who wants to see a co-ordinated, Prairies-wide approach to domestic and international trade for the agriculture sector. Manitoba Pork general manager Cam Dahl said Madan seemed knowledgeable about working with the states and the value of strengthening relationships. 'He knows who to talk to … he knows what phone calls to make and has those relationships,' said Dahl. 'I really did find that he was here to listen.' At the Manitoba legislature, Madan heard from labour leaders about the worries and concerns caused by tariff threats. 'Different unions talked about some layoffs that they're facing, the impact some of these things are having on workers and the uncertainty that they're causing our economy,' Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck said Friday. 'That's the story that needs to be told in Washington… that there's a trained, skilled workforce here that can partner and do things together.'– Manitoba Federation of Labour president Kevin Rebeck 'We also talked about how proud we are to be Manitobans and that this is a great place to live and to work,' Rebeck said. 'That's the story that needs to be told in Washington — that there's a trained, skilled workforce here that can partner and do things together.' Meantime, Madan will need more than a week of hearing from Manitoba stakeholders to advocate on their behalf, said trade and supply chain expert Robert Parsons. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. 'My only concern is: does he get it about what is going on here?' said the Asper School of Business instructor and researcher with a PhD in engineering. Madan worked as a reporter in Winnipeg more than 20 years ago (2000-04). Before Madan's hiring was announced, Parsons had said he hoped Manitoba's trade representative to the U.S. would be someone from the province with extensive industry or trade experience. 'You have to really be in tune with what's going on here and, if there's a challenge, I think that's the one.' The provincial budget includes $800,000 for the Washington office, which includes funding for office space, salaries and administrative support. Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
