How a Thane-based duo transformed a humble publishing house into an educational powerhouse and earned top honors in Navi Mumbai.

The Awards

In a warm celebration of impact and vision, Mr. Dilip Gangaramani and Dr. Kalpana Gangaramani, the husband-and-wife duo behind Target Learning Ventures Pvt. Ltd., were honored with the prestigious “Beacon of Leadership Award 2026”.

The ceremony, hosted by the One World Women Network (OWN) at the DY Patil University COE Auditorium in Nerul, brought together prominent leaders and educators. Legendary former diplomat and speaker Amb Dr. Deepak Vohra graced the occasion as Chief Guest to celebrate leadership that truly makes a difference in society.  What started in 2006 as Target Publications with a modest aim making quality study material simple and accessible has evolved into something far greater. Guided by Mr. Dilip’s clear vision, the Thane headquartered company grew from a local publishing setup into an expansive educational powerhouse. Today, it offers over 900 educational titles alongside modern ed-tech tools, early learning resources, and classroom solutions across India.

Behind this academic excellence is Dr. Kalpana Gangaramani. Remarkably, while practicing as an Ayurvedic doctor (BAMS), she has spearheaded the company’s content, multilingual publishing, and curriculum design for nearly two decades. “Ethics, innovation, and keeping students first have always been our guiding light,” the founders reflect, celebrating twenty years of making learning simpler.

As Target Learning Ventures keeps opening new doors for learners nationwide, this award is a well-deserved nod to two decades of heart, hustle, and high standards.

In a major crackdown on illegal human trafficking, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of the Navi Mumbai Police busted a major flesh trade racket operating in the Taloja area. The successful raid resulted in the rescue of nine women who were allegedly pushed into the trade.

Acting on a precise tip-off regarding prostitution activities being operated in the locality, the AHTU team laid a strategic trap. The police first deployed a decoy customer to verify the information. Once the transaction was confirmed and the signal was given, the police team raided the designated premises.

During the operation, the authorities managed to rescue nine victims. The police also arrested the key operators running the illicit racket at the site. A case has been registered at the local police station under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA).

The rescued women have been sent to a rehabilitation home, and the Navi Mumbai Police are conducting further investigations to track down any broader networks or associates linked to this trafficking operation.

The political and civic landscape in Airoli has intensified as local citizens and political factions staged protests supporting climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk. The demonstrations were sparked by the police actions against Wangchuk’s hunger strike and his sudden removal from the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi.

Wangchuk has been on a prolonged, indefinite hunger strike to voice solidarity with student-led movements demanding immediate accountability regarding the massive NEET-UG examination paper leak controversy.

Protesters in Airoli joined the growing nationwide outrage, raising slogans against the Central government’s handling of the national examination system. Echoing Wangchuk’s core demands, the local agitators strongly called for the immediate resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, citing a severe lapse in transparency and structural oversight that has put the academic future of lakhs of medical aspirants at grave risk.

The local demonstration also criticized the administration’s alleged intolerance toward democratic and peaceful public questioning. Protest leaders highlighted that regular examination leaks ranging from the NEET controversy to regional teacher recruitment exams have become a distressing pattern. They urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence, actively intervene, and mandate a decisive, transparent inquiry to restore faith in the country’s educational framework.