asianprimenews
Breaking News

Related posts

*Coke Studio Bharat unveils Ishq Bawla, a Haryanvi echo of identity and introspection* National, 18 June, 2025: Coke Studio Bharat, the platform celebrating India’s diverse musical heritage, has been striking a powerful chord with audiences in its third season. With Holi Aayi Re, Holo Lolo, and Punjab Vekh Ke, the platform has already delivered three distinct tracks that celebrate India’s diverse cultural roots. Now, it returns with its fourth release—Ishq Bawla. Conceptualized, written, composed, and performed by the acclaimed Haryanvi rap powerhouse Dhanda Nyoliwala and featuring Xvir Grewal, Ishq Bawla reinterprets age-old tales of lost love through a lens of introspection, growth, and individuality. Rooted in the timeless storytelling traditions of Haryana, the new song is a tribute to the power of self-awareness – an invitation to reflect, learn, and forge ahead. #IshqBawla is a Haryanvi head-nod to love gone sideways, taking notes from centuries of folklore’s most dramatic love stories. More than just a song, it’s a reflection on the universal experience of heartbreak, reimagined with a contemporary spirit – think of it as your hype track for moving on and leveling up. Haryanvi rapper Dhanda Nyoliwala delivers a compelling performance, weaving relatable narratives with his signature cadence. He’s joined by Xvir Grewal, whose melodic interpretation adds another layer of depth to the exploration of love and loss. The production is a vibrant fusion of modern sounds and traditional Haryanvi instrumentation, featuring the distinctive textures of the deru, bugchu, and ghada, creating a sonic landscape that is both familiar and refreshingly new Artist Parveen Dhanda (Dhanda Nyoliwala) brings his signature new-age rap beats and lyrical authenticity to the fore. More than just a rapper, Dhanda stands as a cultural voice, committed to putting Haryana on the global hip-hop map. Harshvir Singh Grewal, aka Xvir, brings a melodic depth and emotional nuance to the track offering a smooth contrast to Dhanda’s verses. Together, they craft a dynamic narrative that bridges regional identity and contemporary expression. Drawing strength from their roots, the duo experiments with sound blending traditional folk instruments like the deru, bugchu, and ghada with modern, rap-inspired beats where the result is a vibrant, layered track that feels both grounded and globally relevant. Shantanu Gangane, IMX Lead, Coca-Cola India, said, “Coke Studio Bharat is built on a clear strategic intent: to take the sound of India to the world by spotlighting its most powerful cultural asset – its diversity. With each new song, we’re building a stage where regional artists like Dhanda Nyoliwala and Xvir Grewal can reimagine tradition for a new generation of listeners. We at Coke Studio are stoked to bring forward stories that are rooted yet relevant for the fans.” Adding on, Dhanda Nyoliwala said, “Coke Studio Bharat is more than a stage, it has completely transformed how music is perceived. Through Ishq Bawla, we’ve been able to represent not just the sound, but my roots and my people. The platform gave us the freedom to be honest with our expression and bring Haryana’s voice to a wider audience.” Xvir Grewal added, “Working on Ishq Bawla with Dhanda Nyoliwala and Coke Studio Bharat allowed me to explore an idea that’s both intimate and timeless. The support, creative space, and collaborative mindset helped elevate the song and gave our story a sound that truly speaks to today’s generation.” As Season 3 of Coke Studio Bharat continues to unfold, it remains a vibrant canvas for India’s regional artistry bridging cultural legacies with contemporary sound and creating music that transcends borders. With tracks like Ishq Bawla, the platform reaffirms its commitment to storytelling that is rooted, relevant, and resonant.

asianprimenews

Sameer Nair on Balancing Art and Commerce – “If It Doesn’t Sell, It’s Not Creative”

asianprimenews

Why CML Isn’t a Solved Disease—And What Patients in India Need to Know* Over the past two decades, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) has undergone a transformation—from being a life-threatening condition to one that can be controlled with oral medication. Although survival rates have improved significantly, the idea of CML as a ‘manageable’ disease is now being questioned. Clinicians and patients alike are recognizing that the existing standard of care does not address the full picture—especially for India’s younger patient population, whose needs go far beyond survival. Dr Subhaprakash Sanyal Director of Haematology and BMT Services, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, said, “There’s a common belief that starting treatment for CML means the journey is simple, but that isn’t the case. Many patients struggle to reach their treatment milestones as expected, and a significant portion need to change or stop their medication due to side effects or intolerance. In fact, about 30 to 40% discontinue their initial therapy within five years, highlighting that the standard approach doesn’t work for everyone.” CML disproportionately affects younger adults in India, where the median age of diagnosis is between 35 and 40 years—much younger than the average age of 50–60 in Western countries. At this life stage, patients are often building careers, supporting families, and planning long-term futures. In this context, treatment is no longer just about survival—it’s about maintaining energy, emotional well-being, professional productivity, and daily independence. Historically, the primary treatment goal in CML was achieving Major Molecular Response (MMR). But over the years, these goals have evolved. Today, physicians aim for deeper responses, particularly Deep Molecular Response (DMR). Achieving DMR paves the way for Treatment-Free Remission (TFR), where patients can potentially stop therapy altogether and remain in remission under medical supervision. These advanced milestones are particularly relevant to newly diagnosed patients, as reaching DMR within the first two years greatly improves the likelihood of achieving TFR down the line. Why So Many Patients Fall Short Despite clear treatment goals, a significant proportion fail to achieve MMR within the first year, and even fewer reach DMR by year two. One of the primary reasons is the impact of persistent, low-grade side effects—such as fatigue, joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues—which patients often tolerate silently but which meaningfully reduce their quality of life. These side effects also drive nonadherence, dose modifications, and ultimately treatment discontinuation. In fact, treatment intolerance is the leading cause of therapy discontinuation in the first two years of CML management. Adding to the complexity, current treatments—particularly ATP-competitive tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)—can affect not just the intended target but also unrelated biological pathways, causing off-target toxicity. This often leads to therapy switches, a strategy that increases both clinical and emotional burden without necessarily resolving the issue. A recent Indian analysis noted that nearly all CML patients report some form of low-grade side effect, many of which disrupt work and personal life but don’t qualify for hospitalization. As a result, patients feel caught in a difficult balance—managing a chronic illness while enduring ongoing discomfort or disruptions. The Case for Better-Tolerated, More Effective Therapies As the treatment landscape evolves, the need for therapies that not only offer deeper molecular responses but also better tolerability is becoming increasingly clear. Emerging therapies with novel mechanisms of action have begun to change the paradigm by offering comparable—or even superior—efficacy alongside fewer adverse events and lower discontinuation rates. In one international phase III trial, a newer therapy demonstrated a 74.1% MMR rate at 96 weeks, significantly higher than the 52.0% achieved by older therapies. It also showed a 54% lower risk of treatment discontinuation due to side effects, while nearly half of patients achieved MR4 and 30.9% achieved MR4.5, the deepest levels of response. These findings suggest that treatment no longer needs to be a trade-off between efficacy and day-to-day functioning. This shift is particularly important in the Indian context, where younger patients face the possibility of decades-long treatment. For them, the ability to tolerate therapy comfortably while still achieving long-term disease control is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Importance of Proactive Conversations Many patients continue older treatments unaware that newer, more tolerable options exist. This makes open doctor–patient conversations crucial—especially early in treatment. Patients should understand their goals, like DMR or TFR, and how their therapy aligns with them. Discussing side effects, lifestyle impact, and alternatives helps ensure care is not just effective, but sustainable and suited to their lives. While CML outcomes have improved, challenges remain—particularly for India’s younger patients. As treatment goals expand and better options emerge, the focus must shift from merely managing the disease to helping patients live well. The future of CML care lies in deeper responses, better tolerability, and enabling life beyond medication.

asianprimenews