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  • Apna appoints Kartik Narayan to lead its jobs marketplace vertical

    Apna appoints Kartik Narayan to lead its jobs marketplace vertical

    MUMBAI: Apna Group has appointed industry veteran Kartik Narayan as the chief executive officer of its jobs marketplace vertical, signalling a fresh chapter in the company’s growth story.

    Narayan, who most recently served as CEO of Teamlease’s staffing business, brings more than two decades of leadership experience across giants such as Vodafone Idea, Cisco, and Bharti Airtel. In his new role, he will report directly to Apna’s founder and group CEO, Nirmit Parikh.

    As Apna scales its rapidly growing jobs platform, Narayan will lead efforts to strengthen employer partnerships and drive adoption of AI-powered hiring tools. He also aims to make recruitment smarter, faster, and, quite literally, more conversational, thanks to Apna’s latest tech ventures.

    “We’re thrilled to welcome Kartik to our leadership team,” said Parikh. “With his decades of experience running large businesses, we’re confident he’ll help us empower millions of job seekers and employers who rely on Apna every day.”

    Narayan, clearly energised by the new challenge, added, “Apna has redefined how India hires at scale. What excites me most is seeing companies build their own AI recruiting agents on our platform, it’s like watching the future of hiring unfold in real time.”

    The appointment comes as Apna Group diversifies beyond jobs, with the launch of Blue Machines, an enterprise-grade Voice AI platform, and a new education vertical in the works: both designed to prepare India’s next-generation workforce for an increasingly digital world.

  • Sister act steals the show in Badaa Karara Pudna

    Sister act steals the show in Badaa Karara Pudna

    MUMBAI: Punjabi cinema is turning up the volume on sisterhood and sass! The trailer of Badaa Karara Pudna has dropped, and it’s already stirring up laughter, nostalgia, and a healthy dose of women power.

    Directed by Parveen Kumar, the film looks like a riot of colours, emotions, and perfectly timed punches. Known for crowd-pleasers like Ni Main Saas Kuttni and Darra, Kumar returns with a tale that blends humour and heart in equal measure.

    Set in the UK, Badaa Karara Pudna follows six estranged sisters who find themselves back together, thanks to an unexpected giddha competition. What unfolds is a lively mix of family feuds, rekindled bonds, and unfiltered Punjabi spirit.

    The trailer offers a delightful peek into the lives of its stellar cast, led by Upasana Singh, Kulraj Randhawa, Sheeba, Kamaljeet Neeru, Manat Singh, and Raj Dhaliwal. Each brings her own flavour to this hearty family platter of emotions and laughs.

    Produced by Madhuri Vishwas Bhosale under the Emveebee Media banner, the film celebrates the joy of coming together, whether through song, dance, or sibling banter.

    So mark your calendars, Badaa Karara Pudna hits cinemas worldwide on 7 November 2025, promising a laughter-packed, tear-touched, giddha-filled celebration of family and fun.

  • Piyush Pandey, the adman who made India feel, is cremated

    Piyush Pandey, the adman who made India feel, is cremated

    MUMBAI: The man who taught India to sing together was cremated at noon on Saturday, his mortal remains consigned to flames at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park crematorium. Piyush Pandey, the advertising genius who turned mundane products into cultural touchstones, died on Friday following an infection.

    They came in their thousands—chief executives whose fortunes he’d reversed, rival agency heads, Ogilvy’s fiercely loyal staff, office runners. All wept. Pandey had that rare gift: he spoke to drivers and sweepers with the same warmth he reserved for corner-office wallahs. In an industry built on hierarchy, he demolished it with a handshake and that signature grin.

    Well done piyush

    Posters lined the crematorium showing Pandey’s famous moustache and wide smile. His younger brother Prasoon, himself a renowned filmmaker, performed the last rites surrounded by family. Then something extraordinary happened. The mourners broke into song—Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, the anthem Pandey created decades ago that stitched a fragmenting nation together through music.

    After the body entered the electric crematorium, Prasoon addressed the assembled crowd. “Thank you for the love you’ve showered on Piyush. He loves you too,” he said, voice steady despite grief. “We’ll celebrate his life with a gathering soon. We’ll keep you informed.”

    Pandey would have approved. The man who spent his life connecting Indians through stories deserved nothing less than a final act of collective remembrance.

  • Cognizant runs the extra mile as title sponsor of New Delhi Marathon 2026

    Cognizant runs the extra mile as title sponsor of New Delhi Marathon 2026

    NEW DELHI: Talk about fast networking! Cognizant has signed on as the title sponsor of the New Delhi Marathon 2026, set to hit the capital’s streets on 22 February 2026.

    Now rechristened the Cognizant New Delhi Marathon, the event marks a milestone partnership between one of the world’s most respected tech companies and one of Asia’s premier long-distance races.

    Celebrating its eleventh edition, the marathon has become more than just a race, it’s a national ritual of endurance, unity, and pure adrenaline. Every year, over 30,000 runners, from elite athletes to spirited amateurs , lace up for the challenge, joined by corporate teams, defence personnel, and fitness enthusiasts from across the globe.

    Cognizant India president – global operations and chairman & managing director Rajesh Varrier said, “We’re thrilled to become the title sponsor of the New Delhi Marathon from 2026. Marathons transcend boundaries and cultures, they celebrate the indomitable human spirit.”

    Globally, Cognizant’s sports portfolio spans golf, racing, and cricket, symbolising its belief in the energy, diversity, and social impact of sport.

    Neb Sports CMD Nagaraj Adiga added, “Cognizant’s partnership adds immense strength and credibility as we continue to inspire a culture of fitness and social responsibility.”

    The Cognizant New Delhi Marathon 2026 will feature four race categories: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k, welcoming participants of all ages and fitness levels. True to its community spirit, the event will continue to support NGOs and social causes, ensuring its impact stretches well beyond the finish line.

    A certified Aims (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) event, the race promises world-class accuracy, safety, and organisation. The scenic route will take runners past Delhi’s most iconic landmarks: India Gate, Rajpath, and Rashtrapati Bhavan, offering a breathtaking blend of heritage and endurance.

    With Asics as official sports goods partner and Volini as recovery partner, the 2026 edition is all set to deliver a marathon experience that’s equal parts sweat, spirit, and spectacle.
     

  • Best Term Insurance Plan for ₹2 Crore & How to Use a Calculator

    Best Term Insurance Plan for ₹2 Crore & How to Use a Calculator

    MUMBAI: Future planning is necessary. One easy method of securing the financial future of your family is by taking a term insurance plan. Term insurance is a type of life cover that provides a sum assured to your family if anything untoward happens to you. But how much cover do you actually require? And how do you determine the correct plan? A term plan calculator is what you need help with it. It is a quick online calculator that assists you in verifying the appropriate insurance coverage for your family without an estimate.

    A term plan calculator would typically request some simple information, such as your age, income, and loans you have. If you enter these, it comes up with an estimate of the insurance cover you might require. This makes it simpler to select a plan that safeguards your family appropriately without spending extra money. It is like having a mentor to make wise choices for your family’s future.

    What is Term Insurance?

    Term insurance is a pure life insurance policy. Contrary to other policies that offer both investment and insurance, a term policy covers you only for life. In case you die during the policy duration, your family receives the sum assured. This amount can be used to cover daily expenses, education for children, or paying off loans.

    Term plans are typically not expensive relative to other life insurance policies. Because it doesn’t have investment or savings elements, a large portion of your premium is used in offering life cover. This is the reason why numerous individuals look towards the best term insurance plan for 2 crore when they need large coverage without having to pay much.

    Why Choose a ₹2 Crore Term Plan?

    A ₹2 crore term plan provides your family with a solid financial cushion. Life is unpredictable, and expenditure can unexpectedly go up. A significant cover like ₹2 crore can help ensure that your family can live life as usual and cover significant expenses like higher education for children, housing loans, or prolonged medical expenses, even when you are not there.

    Selecting the most appropriate term insurance policy for 2 crore depends on more than just the coverage amount. You should also look at the reputation of the insurance company, claim settlement ratio, policy term choices, and premium costs. A good policy should be easy to comprehend, inexpensive, and trustworthy.

    How to Use a Term Plan Calculator 

    It is very easy to use a term plan calculator. Insurance firms and comparison sites mostly offer it for free. Here is how you can do it in a few steps:

    . Enter Your Age and Gender: Your gender and age have an influence on your premium. Young individuals generally pay less as there is less risk.

    .  Add Your Income: Your income decides your family’s future financial requirements. Add your monthly income and any other sources.

    . Include Liabilities: If you have outstanding loans such as home loans, car loans, or personal loans, include them. The cover should be sufficient to settle these loans.

    .  Consider Your Family Needs: Consider your children’s education, the living expenses of your spouse, and other long-term objectives.

    .  Check the Recommended Cover: The calculator will recommend an amount assured depending on your details. This will lead you to select a plan that suits your family requirements.

    Using a calculator, you eliminate guesswork and can concentrate on choosing the plan that offers coverage and affordability.

    What to Look for in the Best Term Insurance Plan 

    While selecting a term plan, ensure that you verify certain features that make a policy trustworthy and worthwhile:

    . High Claim Settlement Ratio: It indicates how frequently the insurance company settles claims. A high ratio indicates better possibilities of seamless claim settlement.

    . Flexible Policy Term: Select a term that suits your family’s requirements. Longer terms give you longer protection.

    . Premium Payment Options: A few plans allow you to pay annually, half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly. Flexibility in payment simplifies it.

    . Optional Riders: Riders are additional benefits that you can include, like critical illness cover, accidental death cover, or waiver of premium. They add to your policy without purchasing additional insurance.

    . Transparency: The policy must be clear and concise, not having complicated terms or hidden clauses.

    Factors Influencing Your Term Plan Premium 

    Term insurance premiums are based on various factors. Knowing these can help you plan:

    .  Age: People younger than you typically pay less.

    .  Health: Your lifestyle and past health conditions count. Smokers and those who take poor care of their health may pay more.

    .  Occupation: Hazardous occupations might raise premiums.

    .  Policy Term and Sum Assured: The longer the term and the higher the coverage, the more expensive it is.

    .  Riders: Optional riders add to the premium.

    Using these points in mind while applying for a term plan calculator means that the calculated premium will be very much like the actual premium.

    Common Myths About Term Insurance 

    There are a couple of myths that make individuals reluctant to purchase term plans. Let’s dispel them:

    . “I am young and healthy; I don’t need insurance.” Life is full of surprises. Purchasing young and healthy can secure lower premiums.

    .  “Term plans are costly.” In fact, term plans are one of the cheapest types of insurance.

    .  “It’s just like any other insurance plan.” Unlike investment-linked plans, term insurance is all about protection. This keeps things easy and efficient.

    .  “I don’t need a big cover.” A big sum assured protects your family from significant financial risks, such as loans and future education expenses.

    How to Select the Best Term Plan 

    It is simpler to select the right term plan if you go through some steps:

    . Utilize a Term Plan Calculator: This provides a good calculation of the cover that you require.

    . Compare Plans: Compare various plans for premium, coverage, and benefits.

    . Verify the Company Reputation: Check the claim settlement ratio and reviews.

    . Read the Policy Document: Read the terms, conditions, and exclusions carefully.

    .  Add Riders if Required: Add additional benefits if they are suitable for your family’s needs.

    By following these steps, you will receive a policy that not only suits your pocket but also offers genuine protection.

    Advantages of a ₹2 Crore Term Plan 

    A ₹2 crore term plan can bring numerous advantages:

    .  Financial Security: Guarantees your family can afford current and future expenses.

    .  Debt Repayment: Repays home loans, car loans, or personal loans.

    .  Education Expenses: Covers children’s higher studies.

    .  Low Premiums: Pure term plans are usually very low cost even for high cover levels.

    .  Tax Savings: Premiums paid are tax deductible under Section 80C, and the death benefit is free of tax under Section 10(10D).

    Final Tips for Selecting Term Insurance

    .  Plan early; lower age translates to lower premiums.

    .  Select a cover that insures all family expenses, not debts alone.

    .  Utilize a term plan calculator to arrive at a definite estimate.

    .  Regularly go through your policy and change it if your finances undergo a change.

    .  Always carefully read the small letters before signing.

    Conclusion

    A term insurance policy is an easy yet effective tool to safeguard your family’s financial well-being. It is simpler to get the correct cover when using a term plan calculator and avoiding guesswork. The best term insurance plan of 2 crore can provide your family with the security and comfort they deserve even after you are gone. Don’t forget, it is not only about the money; it is also about peace of mind for you and your family. Act now, determine your needs, and select the plan that suits your life and finances. Your family’s future is worth every step you take today.

  • Oppo’s got the Mind Space to make AI more personal with Google

    Oppo’s got the Mind Space to make AI more personal with Google

    MUMBAI: Oppo is giving artificial intelligence a human touch and a safe space to think. The smartphone maker has joined forces with Google to take mobile AI beyond the buzzword, with a partnership designed to make smart devices not just intuitive, but also private, personal, and powerful.

    The collaboration centres on creating what Oppo calls “personalised and secure mobile AI”, blending the company’s software finesse with Google’s Gemini ecosystem. The goal? To deliver next-gen AI experiences that understand users better while keeping their data off-limits to everyone else.

    “Working closely with partners like Google allows us to integrate next-generation AI experiences that are not only powerful but also highly personalised and secure,” said Oppo president of software engineering Kai Tang. “Our goal is to provide users with an AI assistant that truly understands their needs and is worthy of their trust.”

    At the heart of this collaboration lies Mind Space, a smart productivity app debuting on the upcoming Find X9 Series. Think of it as a digital diary that remembers everything for you. With a simple three-finger swipe, users can save text, images, or web pages into one unified hub. Mind Space then auto-categorises and stores the content, so your ideas, plans, and to-dos live in one tidy corner of your phone.

    But the real power play begins when Mind Space meets Gemini. The integration allows Gemini to draw from saved information with the user’s permission and help take action. Planning a vacation? Just stash your notes and articles in Mind Space and ask Gemini to whip up an itinerary. Need a reminder for tomorrow’s meeting or a follow-up email draft? Gemini’s got it covered.

    The collaboration doesn’t stop there. Users can now chat with Gemini across Oppo’s suite of apps, use Gemini Live to ask questions about what’s on their screen or camera, and even edit photos using Gemini’s new AI model, Nano Banana. With a simple prompt, Nano Banana can retouch, enhance, or creatively transform images, turning quick snaps into scroll-stopping visuals.

    And while Gemini is the brain of the operation, Oppo’s AI Private Computing Cloud (PCC) ensures it all runs in a locked vault. Built on Google Cloud’s confidential computing technology, PCC encrypts and processes data in a secure environment invisible even to Oppo itself. Core AI features like AI Mind Space, AI Search, AI Recorder, AI Call Summary, AI VoiceScribe, and AI Writer all operate under this privacy-first architecture.

    This powerful blend of intelligence and integrity will first roll out with Oppo’s Find X9 Series and ColorOS 16 flagship devices. To sweeten the deal, buyers of the Find X9 or X9 Pro will receive a complimentary three-month subscription to Google AI Pro offering early access to premium Gemini features and 2TB of cloud storage.

    By combining Oppo’s design sensibilities with Google’s AI muscle, the partnership is setting the stage for smartphones that don’t just think fast, they think for you, with you, and about you. Because in Oppo’s world, the smartest AI is the one that minds your space.

  • Piyush Pandey’s leaves behind a legacy the world will never forget

    Piyush Pandey’s leaves behind a legacy the world will never forget

    MUMBAI: Piyush Pandey the ad man – a lot has been written about his mastery in connecting through communication with the lay person on the street. Which is why most of the ads which he was involved in as a creative guide live with us till today. Fresh as the day they hot the screens. 
    His passing has left a deep impact on colleagues and industry folks the world over who have shared their grief and their admiration for the genius that he was and most of all for the great human that he was.  

    Liz Taylor, Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy  
    “A quiet Friday morning brought news that shattered our hearts: the legend, Piyush Pandey, has left us. The void he leaves is immense—a silence where once his booming laughter, humble mentorship, and profound humanity resonated. 
    To the world, Piyush was an icon, a creative giant, an advertising hero. To Ogilvy, he was our coach, our champion, our spiritual guide, our heart and soul. His passing is a loss that words cannot capture. 
    Yet even as we grieve, a profound sense of gratitude and purpose fills us. For Piyush, creativity was about connection—about making something that lived in people’s hearts. And that’s exactly what he did, time and again. His ideas shaped brands and culture. His kindness shaped people. 
    He taught us that living with generosity and creating with enormity leaves a legacy beyond measure. We will honor him in all that we do—not just in advertising, but in the way we live, lead, and care—striving always to act in the light of his values and to make him proud in every part of our lives.”

    Joe Sciarrotta, Deputy Global Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy  
    “It’s hard to know where to begin. Personally, he was a brother to me. We spoke often. I spent time with his family, and he with mine—my mom would often ask after him. His is a loss I cannot fathom. But I also know that I’m not alone in that.  
    Piyush was a legend of our industry, and a national treasure in India. I was once on a tour bus in Goa with him and someone asked where we were from. Ogilvy, we said. They respond ‘Oh! Piyush Pandey is from Ogilvy. He’s very famous.’ To which I said, ‘Well, Piyush Pandey is standing right next to you.’ The man nearly had a heart attack from his awe and excitement. What many people don’t realize is that Piyush gave India its voice back, after having been so Westernized for so long. There was nothing he was more proud of than his country and his people. His greatest gift was that he treated ordinary people extraordinary, and extraordinary people ordinary. He saw, and celebrated, the humanity in it all. And that’s the impact he’s had on the next generation of creatives, and that will ripple for generations to come.”

    Devika Bulchandani, Chief Operating Officer, WPP  
    “Piyush was not just the most important man in Indian advertising, he was the most important man in so, so, so many of our lives at Ogilvy. He may have left us but his work and his legacy will live forever.   
    I am personally heartbroken. I lost my biggest champion. Just last month when I got the WPP job he sent me a note, “Prouder than a peacock can be.” And I always told him, ‘You are my wings.’” 
     

    Shelly Lazarus, Chairman Emeritus, Ogilvy  
    “Piyush Pandey had a giant brain and a giant heart. It was an honor of my life to have been his partner and his friend. 
    Piyush built Ogilvy India into what it is today. He commanded the respect of everyone who worked with him and knew him. I loved walking down the street with Piyush and have people stop and ask him for his autograph. 
    There are some few people who are immortal. Piyush Pandey is one of them. 
    I will miss you, my friend.”

    Hephzibah Pathak, Executive Chairperson, Ogilvy India:  
    “It’s hard to capture the immense impact Piyush had on us all. He didn’t just change the game for our industry; he changed our lives. A giant of a leader, his fearless heart and unwavering goodness inspired us to see the world, and ourselves, differently.  
    His beautiful philosophy, ‘Kuch khaas hai hum sabhi mein’ was his very essence–always finding and celebrating the specialness in everyone. We are so privileged to have been raised and nurtured by him.  
    Godspeed, Piyush. Rest in eternal peace.”

    Harshad Rajadhyaksha, Kainaz Karmakar and Sukesh Nayak, Chief Creative Officers, Ogilvy India: 
    “”The most honest thing we can say is that we’re numb. SO many memories are flooding our hearts. His living room was our second office. From the day we joined Ogilvy, to this day, he was our Creative Director and we were his team. This is an honour we can’t forget or replace. Even if he can’t hear us present ideas anymore, every time we create something, we will be asking ourselves, ‘Will Piyush like this?’ What we can promise as our tribute to him is to carry on his belief in creativity, culture and bravery.”

    Reed Collins, Chief Creative Officer, Ogilvy APAC 
    “Our hearts are stilled, for a legend has departed. Piyush Pandey didn’t just shape culture; he shaped us. We mourn his absence, yet rise with fierce gratitude, committed to carrying his bat, forever building on the extraordinary innings he so brilliantly played. ?????? “

  • Piyush Pandey: India’s greatest adman never stopped watching, listening and loving life

    Piyush Pandey: India’s greatest adman never stopped watching, listening and loving life

    MUMBAI: The lights went out on Indian advertising this Diwali. Piyush Pandey, the wordsmith who turned bus rides and roadside tea into unforgettable campaigns, died on Friday aged 70. Just four months earlier, at the Emvies awards in Mumbai, veterans had touched his feet for blessings while young hopefuls queued for selfies. He looked frail but smiled through every encounter. Humility was his signature; genius was his secret.

    Pandey never claimed special talent. His gift was simpler and rarer: he kept his eyes open. The famous Fevicol advertisement—a Jaisalmer bus groaning under passengers clinging to every inch—came from a real sighting. The magic was slapping a Fevicol poster on the back of the bus. “Keep your eyes open, keep your ears to the ground and have a heart willing to accept,” he told newcomers at Ogilvy. It wasn’t a slogan. It was scripture.
     

    Piyush Pandey

    He joined Ogilvy & Mather in 1982 at 27, after failing at cricket, tea tasting and construction. When Mani Iyer, who headed the agency, introduced him to me as creative director in the late 1980s, Pandey’s deep, soft voice belied a fierce passion for the craft. Like Roda Mehta, who ran media at Ogilvy, he was generous with his time,  patiently explaining the thought behind many a campaign to me. Those campaigns moved hundreds of thousands of crores worth of products off shelves over their lifespans.

    His method was observation turned into emotion. The Dum Laga Ke Haisha Fevicol spot was originally made for a smaller brand called Fevitite. The Parekhs, who owned Pidilite, told him the ad was too good to waste. Reshoot it for Fevicol, they urged. He did. That single decision spawned a series of award-winning campaigns and turned Fevicol into the category itself.

    His philosophy was disarmingly simple: love life. “Whether you are sipping tea from a roadside vendor or in a five-star hotel, whether you are travelling by second class or in a Mercedes-Benz,” he would say. Great ideas came from loving all of it—the chaos, the mundane, the sublime. “Be open to accepting ideas from the world. Be open to sharing ideas with the world. Learn to talk but most importantly also learn to listen.”

    Piyush PandeyPandey despised lazy advertising. Technology for its own sake was pointless; celebrities without ideas were  useless. “Many TVCs are pathetic these days when they use celebrities. They are made very lazily,” he once said. For him, the idea came first. Technology could enhance it; fame could amplify it. But without a core truth, it was just expensive noise.

    He believed consumers, not suits or pony-tailed creatives, made advertising great. “It’s when he or she accepts the product and emotionally bonds with it, the product becomes a brand,” he said. His advice to brand managers was blunt: stop being salesmen. Build brands, not just products.

    I lost touch with him for decades  as I went about building the indiantelevision.com group and all its ancillary services. Journalism and writing as I used to practice when I was younger was relegated to the background. It was during the pandemic that I reached out to him and requested him to spare some time for an online interview. To my surprise, he remembered me and he readily agreed. It was an interesting conversation about how Ogilvy was serving clients during the pandemic and how its creative edge was being maintained. We had agreed we would speak for 30 minutes, but the conversation went on for an hour. It was peppered with Pandey-isms. But that was the last time we spoke at length to each other, though we said hello to each other at advertising industry get-togethers which I rarely attended. Sadly, for me. 

    The man who taught India to watch, listen and love has gone silent. But his voice echoes still—in every vernacular tagline, every slice-of-life commercial, every campaign that dares to see India as it truly is. Pandey didn’t just sell products. He gave an entire nation permission to speak in its own accent, to find poetry in the everyday, to believe that the roadside and the boardroom could meet and make magic. 

    The lights dimmed this Diwali, but the spark he lit—built on observation, fuelled by empathy, sustained by love—will burn for generations. That’s not advertising. That’s immortality.

  • Goodness gets a glow-up with KKCL’s festive campaign ‘Punya Pehnabhi’

    Goodness gets a glow-up with KKCL’s festive campaign ‘Punya Pehnabhi’

    MUMBAI: This festive season, doing good comes with great style. Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL), the name behind iconic brands like Killer, Integriti, LawmanPg3, and Easies is adding a touch of soul to celebration with its latest campaign for Punya, the company’s ethnicwear-focused label. Titled ‘Punya – Kiya bhi, Pehnabhi’, the campaign spins the age-old idea of earning punya (virtue) into something fresh, fashion-forward, and feel-good.

    Conceptualised and executed by Branding Edge, Punya – Kiya bhi, Pehnabhi captures everyday acts of kindness through three charming short films. From a father’s quiet pride in his son to a grandfather’s gentle wisdom and friends finding joy in generosity, each story turns simple moments into symbols of modern-day virtue. The films blend warmth, wit, and relatability showing that the spirit of punya isn’t about grandeur but about the goodness we wear on our sleeves.

    “Punya represents the ethnicwear side of KKCL’s business and embodies the values we hold close integrity, tradition, and togetherness in a form that connects with the next generation,” said KKCL chairman and managing director Kewalchand Jain. “The campaign celebrates the spirit of doing good while staying true to one’s personal style.”

    Adding to that, Branding Edge managing partner Rahul Tekwani shared, “Our creative approach was to turn a culturally rich word like Punya into a contemporary conversation. The idea was to show how goodness can be reimagined with warmth and authenticity, a perfect blend for today’s festive mindset.”

    The campaign, running across digital, social, and influencer platforms, extends beyond fashion into a philosophy that the festive season isn’t just about what you wear, but the goodness you carry. With engaging storytelling, experiential activations, and cinematic craft, Punya – Kiya bhi, Pehnabhi invites audiences to see virtue as the new vogue.

    By weaving together tradition and modern expression, KKCL’s Punya brings a refreshing perspective to festive dressing, one that looks good, feels good, and does good. After all, this season, earning punya might just begin with what you choose to wear.
     

  • ACT Smart Wi-Fi powers up homes with 5x faster speeds across devices

    ACT Smart Wi-Fi powers up homes with 5x faster speeds across devices

    MUMBAI: Buffering be gone! ACT Fibernet is turning homes into connectivity powerhouses with its latest report on ACT Smart Wi-Fi, powered by Zippy. The findings reveal that this intelligent home Wi-Fi solution doesn’t just promise speed, it delivers up to 5x faster performance across laptops, mobiles, and smart TVs, all while improving Quality of Experience (QoE) by 17 without customers needing to upgrade their broadband plans.

    Unlike conventional routers that treat every device the same, Smart Wi-Fi dynamically senses each device’s capability and signal strength, intelligently switching between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The result? Devices demanding higher bandwidth think laptops streaming 4K content or mobile gaming sessions automatically get the fastest, most stable connection, while other devices are seamlessly balanced across the network.

    The report shows that laptops and mobiles saw the largest performance gains, while even older smart TVs recorded nearly 3x improvement in stability and responsiveness. Smart Wi-Fi devices spent 71 per cent of their time on high-bandwidth channels, compared with just 48 per cent under traditional setups. High-capacity channels were used 30 per cent more often, while low-bandwidth channel usage dropped 41 per cent, ensuring smoother video calls, lag-free gaming, and uninterrupted streaming even in multi-device households.

    Quality of Experience, a holistic measure of speed, signal, stability, and latency, rose 18 per cent overall, with the most noticeable improvements on devices that depend heavily on adaptive channel switching. Adoption is already impressive: two out of three ACT Fibernet customers are now on Smart Wi-Fi, reflecting widespread satisfaction and trust.

    ACT Fibernet vice president marketing Naveen Nahar said, “Homes and offices are increasingly digital. People expect more than just high-speed internet, they expect consistency and seamless performance across all devices. Smart Wi-Fi, powered by Zippy, maximises the potential of existing broadband plans, automatically managing connectivity and bandwidth to keep streams, games, and calls smooth even in busy households.”

    The benefits of Smart Wi-Fi multiply when combined with Mesh networks, which extend signal coverage across larger spaces. Together, the technology ensures every device gets the right bandwidth at the right time, creating a self-optimizing network that adapts to the home rather than forcing the home to adapt to it.

    With ACT Smart Wi-Fi, homes aren’t just connected, they’re smarter, faster, and more reliable, turning every room into a high-speed hub that keeps up with modern digital lifestyles.