MUMBAI: Lemma has appointed Salil Shanker as its chief partnership officer – APAC. With a strong background in digital innovation and omnichannel strategy, Shanker has held key roles at Dentsu (Amnet) – Isobar and GroupM, focusing on business transformation and growth.
In this new role, he will work on strengthening partnerships and expanding Lemma’s presence across the APAC region, bringing valuable expertise to the company’s strategic initiatives.
MUMBAI: Just when batsmen thought facing Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t get any scarier, Skechers armed him with shoes—shoes that promise comfort, style, and apparently, even more lethal yorkers. Imagine facing India’s pace king in sneakers designed for maximum traction—sounds terrifyingly brilliant, doesn’t it?
On 17 March 2025, Skechers—the comfort technology company®—signed cricket superstar Bumrah, adding yet another big fish to its athletic pond. The Mumbai Indians stalwart now competes wearing Skechers cricket footwear and will feature prominently in marketing campaigns for the brand’s performance and lifestyle collections.
“I joined the Skechers family as they are known for blending comfort with cutting-edge innovation,” said Bumrah, who recently earned the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Award for the 2024 ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year. “Their wide range of offerings make it a perfect fit for athletes who value performance without compromising on style, especially for bowlers like me. I’m proud to represent a brand that resonates with my approach to both cricket and life.” Clearly, comfort is crucial when sending batters packing back to the pavilion.
Skechers south Asia Pvt. Ltd. CEO Rahul Vira highlighted the synergy, saying, “Jasprit Bumrah’s relentless pursuit of excellence perfectly aligns with Skechers’ commitment to innovation and performance. Having him as part of the Skechers family adds to our stellar roster of ambassadors, including Yastika Bhatia and Ishan Kishan. The Skechers Team of athletes illustrate how the signature Comfort That Performs of Skechers Cricket footwear can help anyone’s game no matter what level you play. We’re excited to further elevate our journey in cricket and continue shaping the future of sports culture in India.” Translation: Bumrah plus Skechers equals trouble for batsmen everywhere.
Bumrah isn’t your average bowler; he’s cricket’s equivalent of lightning in trainers. After debuting in 2014, he bagged over 400 international wickets by 2024 and uniquely achieved number one ICC rankings across all formats simultaneously. Add his ‘Player of the Series’ award from India’s 2024 World Cup triumph, and you have a cricketer who’s not just good, but absurdly good.
The Skechers Cricket collection, which Bumrah now represents, includes the Cricket Elite shoe with 11 spikes for players craving maximum grip—perfect for those dramatic follow-throughs and flamboyant appeals. The Cricket Blade, featuring seven spikes, caters to players who require agility and decisive action—ideal for those quick single-run dashes or frantic dive-ins.
Bumrah joins other big hitters and global sports icons already wearing Skechers: footballer Harry Kane, NBA giant Joel Embiid, and even pickleball maestros like Tyson McGuffin.
Fancy bowling like Bumrah or just avoiding slipping embarrassingly during Sunday cricket? Skechers Cricket shoes are now available in select retail stores and online at skechers.in.
Tea is not a beverage-tours of the globe for tens of millions, it’s an experience, a comfort, a lifestyle. From the rich black to begin the day on high, through to that soothing bedtime pot of herbal tea to finish off the day discreetly in like manner, or that zippy boost provided by green tea, enabling you to battle through to the late morning slump after lunch, the technique and technology behind brewing the perfect cup is a ballet of sensation.
But due to the hectic lifestyle of the new generation, it might be hard to find time to make tea in the traditional way. And that is where an electric tea maker comes to the rescue-a great machine that silently, swiftly, and precisely serves the perfect brew every time.
An electric tea maker is a high-tech appliance that brews tea in a matter of minutes. Simple kettles just boil the water, but electric tea maker may have temperature controls, brewing baskets, timers, and shut-off to steep the tea to the ideal temperature and steep time for maximum flavor.
These electric tea kettles are also within reach of tea consumers and tea enthusiasts since they can brew a perfectly made cup with such simplicity.
With the continuous need for precision and speed in the kitchen, electric tea kettles are now one of the essentials of tea drinkers. Some of the reasons why one should own it are mentioned below:
. Different teas are brewed at different temperatures in order to reach the best extraction of flavor. For instance:
. Green tea is brewed at a lower temperature (70–80°C) to prevent bitterness.
. Black tea is brewed at a higher temperature (90–100°C) for a powerful flavor.
. Herbal teas are usually brewed in boiling temperatures to infuse them stronger.
An electric tea kettle gives you the indulgence of deciding exactly the temperature you want, and your tea therefore will always turn out to your liking.
. The stovetop waiting game and hand-timing of steeping are a thing of the past. With an electric tea maker, you can:
. Quickly heat water with high-power heating elements.
. Steep tea hands-free with internal brewing baskets.
. Enjoy auto shut-off and keep-warm features for hands-free brewing..
So you can just get on with your morning while your tea brews itself to perfection.
. Most electric tea brewer is multi-purpose, and you can use it to:
. Steep loose tea leaves and tea bags with precision.
. Steep herbal teas with variable steeping time.
. Use it as an electric kettle online to prepare instant coffee, soups, or meals.
.This makes it an essential kitchen appliance aside from tea brewing.
Hand brewing of tea is most easily susceptible to under-steeping or over-steeping, causing weak or bitter taste. An electric tea maker heats the tea to the exact temperature and brewing time, giving an impeccable cup every time.
Electric tea makers consume less electricity than stovetops to heat water in less time, thus they are energy-efficient. Auto shut-off and keep-warm functions also prevent energy wastage.
. New electric tea kettles come with safety features such as:
. Boil-dry protection (shuts off when there is no water).
. Cool-touch surfaces to prevent burns.
. Leak-proof, spill-resistant designs for added security
They are safer for families with children and busy kitchens.
When deciding on an electric tea maker, one must consider the alternatives available:
It is a basic but very efficient tea maker. It’s an extremely efficient electric kettle online with a built-in tea infuser for loose tea leaves. When water is heated to the required temperature, the tea infuses in the kettle itself.
Best for: Those in need of a simple, affordable electric tea-brewing solution.
They are high-end tea makers with an automated brew and steep. They enable consumers to:
. Pre-set temperature for particular tea types.
. Adjust steep time for personal flavor.
. Preset the setting for various teas (green tea, black tea, white tea, herbal tea, etc.).
Best for: Serious tea enthusiasts who desire complete control of tea brewing.
These new models are Bluetooth or Wi-Fi enabled, and one can brew remotely with a smartphone app. Some of the benefits are:
. Remote brewing (brew anywhere).
. Scheduling feature (schedule your tea to brew at a specific time).
. Pre-programmed steeping and temperature for different teas.
Best for: technological energy who enjoy convenience and automation.
While selecting an electric tea maker, the following should be considered:
. For one or two, a low-capacity (0.5–1 liter) tea maker is in order.
. For home or office use, opt for a large one (1.5–2 liters).
. Basic ones heat water to an average boiling point.
. Improved models enable temperature control so you can select the optimal temperature for every tea.
. Glass tea makers are elegant and allow you to watch brewing take place.
. Stainless steel tea infusers retain heat and won’t rust.
. Light plastic tea infusers are required but must be BPA-free.
. Make sure the tea infuser is removable and can be washed.
. Utilize stainless steel infusers because they are more durable than plastic.
. It heats the tea for about an hour so you have a hot, ready-to-be-consumed cup at hand.
. Go for a quality brand that has an excellent warranty and servicing for long-term happiness.
. To enjoy maximum benefits from your electric tea maker, keep the following in mind:
. Use filtered water that’s fresh to achieve the best tea taste.
. Clean the tea infuser regularly to avoid clogging.
. Adjust the steeping time for achieving your desired brew.
. Avoid overloading in the kettle to avoid spilling.
If you want the best on the market for a long-lasting, long-range, and trendy electric tea maker, Glen Appliances has some of the finest available. Glen’s electric tea makers come with accurate temperature control, stainless steel and glass finish, and advanced safety features, so it is easy to brew your tea.
With Glen’s electric tea makers, you get:
. Easy brewing with touch controls.
. Smart temperature settings for different teas.
. Durable and fashionable designs to suit any kitchen.
. Intelligent energy saving for your money.
Upgrade your tea experience today with a Glen Appliances electric tea kettle—where technology and traditional taste meet!
MUMBAI: In a move that has sent shockwaves through international media circles, the US administration yesterday effectively turned off the tap for its global broadcasting entities, leaving hundreds of Voice of America (VoA) staff high and dry on administrative leave.
The Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) has condemned the 15 March decision, warning that silencing these influential voices could embolden dictators and deprive millions worldwide of trustworthy information in an era awash with fake news.
“At a time when the world is looking to the US to be a global player for peace and freedom, cutting funding for US international media – one of the main instruments underpinning this goal – seems the wrong direction to take,” fumed AIB chief executive Simon Spanswick.
For over 80 years, organisations like VoA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty have served as America’s informational arsenal, piercing through censorship and state propaganda in the world’s most restrictive regimes.
These broadcasters have been the ears and eyes for countless people living under the thumb of authoritarian rule.
The AIB warns this budgetary bombshell could trigger a domino effect of devastating consequences:
* Authoritarian regimes may feel emboldened to tighten their grip on local media
* Millions who rely on American broadcasts for unvarnished news may be left in the dark
* America’s self-proclaimed commitment to press freedom risks appearing hollow on the global stage
The timing couldn’t be worse, with disinformation campaigns running rampant across social media platforms and state-sponsored propaganda machines working overtime in numerous countries.
The AIB is demanding an immediate U-turn on the decision, urging the US administration to restore funding and allow journalists to continue their critical work without political meddling.
MUMBAI: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s central bank, has scored a double whammy at the Central Banking the global authority for central bank information and news 2025 Awards. The publication awarded two of its digital transformation initiatives – Sarthi (charioteer) and Pravaah (smooth flow) in the digital transformation category on 13 March.
The RBI had brought in these systems to substitute mind-numbing paper-pushing processes which had plagued it, replacing them with sleek digital workflows.
The Sarthi system, which went live in January 2023, has turned the RBI’s internal workings into a well-oiled machine,
Staff can now store and share documents securely without the load of managing paper files.
Tasks previously requiring manual handling now flow through digital channels.
Managers can keep tabs on work progress without breathing down employees’ necks.
Replaces the hodgepodge of systems previously used across 40 plus offices and 13,500 staff.
Meanwhile, Pravaah, launched in May 2024, allows external users to submit regulatory applications electronically a proper game-changer that,
Digitised 70 plus regulatory applications across nine RBI departments.
Boosted application submissions by a whopping 80 per cent monthly.
Created transparency with dashboards showing application status.
Linked seamlessly with Sarthi for end-to-end digital processing.
The digtisation has yielded impressive results. Sarthi now has over 10,000 active users with up to 5,000 logging in daily, while Pravaah processed more than 2,000 applications between May and December 2024.
The digital makeover has turned the 90-year-old paper-pushing behemoth into a tech-savvy operation. Staff who once shuffled papers are now happily clicking away, supported by ‘Sarthi Pathshala’ (school) for training and ‘Sarthi Mitras’ (friends) who help colleagues navigate the brave new digital world.
With enhanced cyber security monitoring, improved collaboration, and the promise of future innovations including cloud computing, the RBI has proven you can teach an old dog new tricks and rather splendidly at that.
Prime minister Narendra Modi applauded the win by India’s central bank by posting on X, “A commendable accomplishment, reflecting an emphasis towards innovation and efficiency in governance.”
MUMBAI: SpiceJet has once again livened up the skies with a vibrant Holi celebration that has set social media abuzz. The budget airline’s crew members, decked out in matching blue denim jeans, white kurtas and black shades, performed a choreographed dance to the popular song Balam Pichkari for passengers travelling on Holi.
The performance, which featured crew members dancing with unbridled energy in the aircraft aisle, is part of the airline’s tradition of celebrating the festival of colours in style.
“A signature festival, a signature song, and a celebration like no other! Our crew brought Holi to life with an energetic dance, proving that traditions take flight with us!” SpiceJet posted on their social media handle, clarifying that the “video was filmed on ground with all safety standards in place.”
SpiceJet chief customer officer Kamal Hingorani coloured his comments with enthusiasm: “Holi isn’t just about colours—it’s about energy, togetherness, and a splash of fun! At SpiceJet, we bring the same vibrancy to our work, fostering a culture of teamwork and positivity.”
Added SpiceJet chief business officer Debojo Maharshi: “Holi is a festival that paints the world with happiness, and at SpiceJet, we are thrilled to kick off the celebrations with our signature Balam Pichkari performance. Our incredible crew turned the aircraft into a stage of joy, blending music, dance, and tradition to create an unforgettable experience for our passengers. We are proud to celebrate India’s vibrant culture with this burst of festive cheer – wishing everyone a Holi filled with colour, love, and safe travels!”
The in-flight festivities have received plaudits from marketing experts. Sony Pictures Networks vice president sales Vikram Vijay Chandan described the campaign as “a masterclass in experiential marketing” that “worked like wildfire” by generating buzz and encouraging social media sharing.
“It humanised the brand by showcasing their crew’s enthusiasm, allowing the airline to differentiate itself and in the process helped foster brand loyalty,” Chandan remarked.
To watch the video click here: SpiceJet crew Holi dance
This isn’t the first time the budget carrier has painted outside the lines with its Holi celebrations. Previous performances include flash mob dances at Delhi airport in 2015 and 2017.
While some naysayers might cry foul over such airline antics, the colourful initiative certainly seems to have helped SpiceJet’s marketing efforts soar to new heights
MUMBAI: Akash Jain has been promoted to director of marketing, head of Media at Flipkart from being just head of media – associate director earlier. The ambitious Bengaluru-based executive, who’s been turning heads at the e-commerce behemoth for nearly eight years, is now firmly in the driver’s seat of the company’s entire media strategy.
Jain, who cut his teeth at Odigma, an Infibeam.com company, before joining the Flipkart juggernaut, will now be calling the shots for both digital and ATL media operations for Flipkart’s core business and its buzzy new venture, Flipkart Minutes.
The Indian School of Business alumnus completed the prestigious Google Digital Insider Programme in 2022. His meteoric rise through the ranks at Flipkart has been nothing short of spectacular – from senior manager to associate director to director now.
Before making waves at Flipkart, Jain had quite the entrepreneurial streak, founding ContestJunction.com, a one-stop-shop for coupons and giveaways that promised punters “gadgets, giveaways, free trips, meet and greets, vouchers and much more.”
His previous role saw him heading the media strategy for some of Flipkart’s most profitable ventures, including the wildly successful Big Billion Days sale that pulled in a staggering 91 million customers during early access and day one. Not too shabby for a computer science graduate from Visvesvaraya Technological University.
Industry insiders reckon Jain’s expertise in building media playbooks and go-to-market strategies for product launches and sale events has been instrumental in Flipkart’s dominance in the cut-throat e-commerce space. His deft handling of partnerships with Meta, Google and third-party relations has clearly paid dividends.
With Jain at the helm of media operations, competitors will need to pull their socks up if they hope to keep pace with Flipkart’s aggressive marketing manoeuvres. As the digital landscape continues to evolve at breakneck speed, having a media maven like Jain controlling the purse strings could give Flipkart the edge it needs to stay ahead of the pack.
MUMBAI: Supermarket giant Avenue Supermarts (DMart) has nabbed Unilever veteran Anshul Asawa as its CEO-designate after a nearly three-decade love affair with the global consumer goods behemoth.
The poaching of Asawa, who was barely 11 months into his stint as general manager for Greater Asia and head of Unilever Thailand, marks a seismic shift for one of India’s most profitable retail operations as it gears up for its next phase of bare-knuckle expansion.
Asawa brings a bulging CV to the budget retailer, having cut his teeth across a veritable smorgasbord of roles at Unilever spanning marketing, sales, digital commerce and general management across multiple continents.
Most recently, the IIT Roorkee and IIM Lucknow alumnus had been calling the shots in Bangkok, but his three-year stint in London saw him spearhead Unilever’s global digital and e-commerce strategy—experience that will prove invaluable as DMart looks to beef up its online presence against well-funded rivals.
The retail maverick, who describes his purpose as “Make every stroke count,” made waves during his time in the Netherlands as VP marketing for home care across Europe, where he delivered a cracking innovation programme and led the strategic assault of laundry products into central and eastern Europe.
But perhaps most relevant to his new Indian supermarket gig was Asawa’s transformative stint as general manager for east branch and rural channels at Hindustan Unilever between 2007 and 2010. During this period, he masterminded a rural expansion that tripled coverage and added a staggering one million outlets in just two years—the sort of aggressive scalability that has DMart’s shareholders positively frothing at the mouth.
His leadership of the Shakti programme, which improved the livelihoods of thousands of rural women entrepreneurs while expanding market reach, also demonstrates the kind of purpose-driven approach that might help DMart burnish its credentials beyond its no-frills, pile-it-high-sell-it-cheap reputation.
Industry insiders suggest Asawa’s appointment signals Avenue Supermarts’ intention to accelerate both its bricks-and-mortar expansion and its somewhat lacklustre e-commerce presence through DMart Ready, which has struggled to match the tech prowess of deep-pocketed competitors like Blinkit and Zepto.
The appointment represents a passing of the baton from DMart’s legendary founder Radhakishan Damani, whose notoriously sharp focus on costs and shrewd real estate strategy transformed a single Mumbai store in 2002 into a retail juggernaut with over 300 outlets and a market cap that makes most traditional retailers green with envy.
As Asawa prepares to take the helm of one of India’s most enviable retail success stories, his first challenge will be navigating the tricky transition from a founder-led operation to a professionally managed powerhouse without losing the secret sauce that made DMart the darling of value-conscious shoppers and growth-hungry investors alike.
MUMBAI: Siya Wadhawan has jumped ship from audio giant boAt to take the helm as head of brand marketing at sportswear challenger Boldfit. The savvy brand builder, who played a blinder in scaling boAt from a modest Rs 800 crore operation to a whopping Rs 3,000 plus crore behemoth during a four-year stint, will now attempt to work her magic on India’s fastest-growing sportswear and sports equipment brand.
During her tenure at boAt, Wadhawan cut her teeth on product launches across the audio and smartwatch categories, masterminding partnerships with heavyweights like Netflix, cult.fit, and Dolby that helped propel the brand into the stratosphere.
Before making waves at boAt, the MICAn spent nearly two years at Bajaj Electricals, where she spearheaded the digital transformation of the kitchen appliance category during the Covid pandemic—no mean feat for a legacy brand facing unprecedented market disruption.
Her clever rebranding of Nirlep and category expansion efforts for both Bajaj and Morphy Richards in south India caught the eye of boAt’s top brass, who snapped her up in January 2021 as they embarked on their ambitious growth trajectory.
Boldfit, which has been quietly building a name for itself in the fitness equipment and sportswear space, appears to be gearing up for a major push with this strategic hire. The brand is rumoured to be plotting an aggressive expansion that would put it on collision course with established players like Decathlon and homegrown challenger Cult.Sport.
Wadhawan’s knack for “weaving stories, designing strategies and mining breakthrough ideas” will be put to the test as she attempts to navigate Boldfit through the crowded sportswear market, where brand positioning and community building are as crucial as the product itself.
With a track record of turning digital-native brands into cultural phenomena, all eyes will be on whether Wadhawan can help Boldfit muscle its way to the top of India’s fitness brand podium.
MUMBAI: Home services giant Urban Company has muscled its way into the quick commerce arena with a service that promises to deliver maids to your doorstep faster than a pizza. The cheekily named “Insta Maids” service, currently being trialled in Mumbai, offers desperate homeowners salvation when their regular help does the bunk —all for the bargain basement price of Rs 49 per hour.
“Your maid left you hanging? We leave your home spotless!” proclaims the company’s rather saucy advertisement, which depicts a flustered woman receiving the dreaded text from “Sunita maid” announcing her sudden departure to the village—a scenario all too familiar to India’s middle classes.
The 15-minute booking service offers everything from utensil scrubbing and floor mopping to chopping vegetables, effectively turning domestic labour into an on-demand commodity that can be summoned with the tap of a finger.
Urban Company’s foray into what might be dubbed “maid commerce” has sparked a right proper row on social media, with critics accusing the platform of exploiting workers and trivialising domestic labour. The advert’s tone, which some have labelled “bloody tone-deaf,” hasn’t helped matters.
Responding to the backlash with the corporate equivalent of “keep your knickers on,” Urban Company has trumpeted the “overwhelmingly positive response” to the service. In a bid to counter the criticism, the company insisted its service partners earn Rs 150-180 per hour—substantially more than the customer pays—alongside perks like health insurance and accident cover.
“Partners working for 132 hours per month are assured earnings of at least Rs 20,000,” the firm claimed, adding that the current pricing is merely an “introductory offer” designed to hoover up customers before inevitable price hikes restore “viable economics.”
Industry watchers note that Urban Company’s venture represents the latest frontier in India’s booming gig economy, where everything from food delivery to taxi services has been disrupted by tech platforms offering convenience at rock-bottom prices.
Whether “Insta Maids” will clean up or find itself in hot water remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain—for Mumbai’s harried homeowners, the days of being held hostage to their domestic help’s village calendar might be numbered.