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  • Sharmila Bhowmick brews Mocha Ink for mindful stories

    Sharmila Bhowmick brews Mocha Ink for mindful stories

    MUMBAI: Stirring the pot in media and mindfulness, veteran journalist Sharmila Bhowmick has launched Mocha Ink, a storytelling ecosystem designed to blend creativity, journalism, and conscious living.

    The platform comprises three interconnected verticals. Mocha Ink Mag is a digital magazine that pairs intellect with aesthetics, covering business, culture, beauty, lifestyle, and the inner life of modern India. With a tone like a relaxed café conversation, it encourages readers to slow down, reflect, and consider what they consume and why.

    Complementing the magazine is Mocha Talks, a podcast for conscious conversations. Hosted by Bhowmick, the show invites thought leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs to share insights that linger long after the coffee is gone. “We’re bringing back the art of the conversation, the kind that changes you,” she says.

    Rounding out the ecosystem is Mocha Ink Lab, a strategy studio where editorial intelligence meets brand storytelling. The Lab helps companies, founders, and institutions craft narratives that build trust, visibility, and cultural impact, demonstrating that the story itself is the strategy.

    Founded by Bhowmick, an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of newsroom leadership across The Times of India, CNBC TV18, Business Today, Outlook, and Republic, Mocha Ink exists at the crossroads of content, consciousness, and culture. It aims to help both people and brands find their voice and vision in a rapidly changing world.

    With Mocha Ink, Sharmila Bhowmick is not just telling stories, she’s creating a space where stories spark reflection, connection, and transformation.

  • Jindal Stainless backs IIS athletes, forging India’s champions of tomorrow

    Jindal Stainless backs IIS athletes, forging India’s champions of tomorrow

    MUMBAI: When steel meets speed, champions are forged. Jindal Stainless is turning this mantra into reality by partnering with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) to nurture India’s next generation of track and field stars. Through its CSR arm, the Jindal Stainless Foundation, the company has become the key sponsor of IIS’ Track & Field Development program at Hisar for FY 25-26, supporting aspiring athletes on their journey to national and international success.

    The Hisar centre is a crucial talent hub, scouting promising athletes aged 18–25 from across India and channeling them into a structured training ecosystem. This year, the program is mentoring 39 athletes, providing them with a holistic environment that spans world-class facilities, expert coaching, sports science support, nutrition guidance, and financial assistance for travel to competitive events. A standout feature of the initiative is the involvement of Klaus Bartonietz, former coach of Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, who brings cutting-edge biomechanics expertise to the budding athletes.

    “Supporting IIS’ track & field development program is our way of ensuring young athletes can compete with confidence on the global stage,” said Jindal Stainless managing director Abhyuday Jindal. “Through this collaboration, we aim to nurture India’s future champions and empower talent where it matters most.”

    IIS president Manisha Malhotra added, “Jindal Stainless’ partnership allows us to strengthen our program, giving young athletes access to state-of-the-art facilities, scientific guidance, and competitive opportunities essential for national and international success. This support is pivotal in helping India create a world-class sports ecosystem.”

    Athletes in the program represent a diverse pool of talent, including budding javelin throwers like Aditya and Manpreet Singh, who are training under this rigorous system. The initiative spans sprints, hurdles, and throws, equipping participants with the skills and discipline required to excel in global competitions.

    Jindal Stainless has supported IIS for several years, and by acting as the key sponsor for 2025-26, the company reaffirms its commitment to sports, youth empowerment, and social impact. This collaboration not only provides a platform for emerging athletes but also strengthens the broader goal of positioning India as a hub of athletic excellence, demonstrating that with the right infrastructure and support, world-class champions can emerge from any corner of the country.

    With steel backing speed and science guiding skill, the Hisar centre is shaping up as a launchpad for India’s athletic dreams, ensuring the next generation of track and field stars is fit, fast, and future-ready.

  • ANI upgrades field units with TVU one 5G pack for stronger live coverage

    ANI upgrades field units with TVU one 5G pack for stronger live coverage

    MUMBAI: ANI, South Asia’s leading multimedia news agency, has upgraded its field production fleet with TVU Networks’ latest TVU One 5G backpack. Designed for challenging environments, the compact pack houses six 5G modem modules, each paired with a dedicated three-antenna Mimo (multiple-input, multiple-output) array, plus a four-antenna Wi-fi Mimo system totalling 22 antennas.

    This advanced design significantly improves performance in congested urban areas, crowded venues, disaster zones, and weak-signal rural regions, enabling crews to go live from locations where other systems often fail.

    Unlike typical single-antenna printed designs that face near-field interference and self-cancellation when radios are clustered, TVU’s per-modem antenna diversity ensures cleaner rf conditions across carriers and frequency bands. The result is stronger links, higher stability, and more reliable throughput even under demanding conditions.

    At the transport layer, TVU’s ISX (Inverse Statmux) technology bonds and orchestrates traffic across all available connections: 5G, ethernet, and Wi-fi, while dynamically routing packets around congestion and cell-edge dropouts. This ensures ultra-low latency and broadcast-grade stability even in contested spectrum environments.

    “As South Asia’s leading news agency, it is our responsibility to deliver breaking news with speed, reliability and quality,” said ANI CEO Sanjiv Prakash. “By upgrading to TVU’s latest 22-antenna 5G system, our journalists can now go live from places others can’t: faster, more reliably, and with greater consistency.”

    “We engineered TVU One’s RF system to thrive in the harshest real-world conditions,” said TVU Networks CEO Paul Shen. “Its six 5G modules, each with a three-antenna MIMO array, plus a four-antenna Wi-fi Mimo backbone, give it the density and isolation needed to overcome congestion, while ISX technology ensures seamless data flow.”

    The TVU One 5G features a total of 22 antennas, comprising six 5G modem modules with three antennas each and a four-antenna Wi-fi Mimo setup. Despite its advanced hardware, the pack remains lightweight and compact, ensuring mobility without compromising performance. Its antenna diversity and isolation architecture mitigate near-field interference effectively, while ISX technology provides real-time bonding and adaptive path optimisation across carriers and frequency bands. The system’s multi-provider and multi-band agility also guarantees stability across varying infrastructures and international deployments, making it ideal for global field operations.

     

  • Greaves drives EV adoption with Shriram Finance tie-up

    Greaves drives EV adoption with Shriram Finance tie-up

    MUMBAI: Greaves Electric Mobility is charging ahead in India’s EV revolution. The company has partnered with Shriram Green Finance, the EV financing arm of Shriram Finance, to make electric vehicles more accessible to drivers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses nationwide.

    The collaboration will provide customers with flexible loans covering up to 90 per cent of the vehicle’s cost, competitive interest rates, and customised repayment plans for GEML’s electric three-wheelers under the Greaves 3W brand and light commercial EVs (ELE).

    With a legacy spanning 165 years, Greaves continues to set industry benchmarks in performance and endurance. Its Greaves Eltra city xtra recently set a national record with a 324 km journey on a single charge, recognised by the India Book of Records, proof of GEML’s engineering excellence and real-world efficiency.

    “This partnership brings together our innovative EV portfolio and Shriram Finance’s extensive lending network to accelerate adoption across cities and states,” said a company spokesperson. Customers will benefit from over 500 PAN-India touchpoints, seamless dealer support, and access to clean, future-ready mobility solutions.

    Greaves Electric Mobility’s vision is clear: to outperform, outlast and outshine, while driving India toward a sustainable, self-reliant, and inclusive mobility future.

     

  • Lotte brings korean cool to India with new subak & shark ice candies

    Lotte brings korean cool to India with new subak & shark ice candies

    MUMBAI: From Seoul to your soul. Lotte India Corporation Ltd. is adding a dash of Korean fun to India’s freezer aisles with the launch of Subak and Shark, the country’s first-ever Korean-style ice candies.

    Following the success of the Lotte Krunch, India’s first Korean four-layered ice cream bar, the new duo marks another milestone in the brand’s playful innovation journey. Crafted for Indian palates and inspired by Korea’s pop imagination, Subak and Shark promise a multi-sensory experience that’s as refreshing as it is fun.

    Subak, meaning “watermelon” in Korean, blends juicy watermelon and strawberry flavours with crunchy chocolate-coated peanut “seeds”, all shaped like a watermelon slice. Shark, on the other hand, dives into a dual orange-strawberry fusion with a bold shark-shaped design, turning every bite into a burst of creativity.

    To amplify the launch, Lotte has rolled out a vibrant K-culture-inspired campaign built around the idea of “Refreshingly K-Cool”. The campaign channels the energy of K-pop and anime through ten digital assets that bring the whimsical Subak & Shark world alive.

    “Building on the success of Worldcone and Krunch, Subak and Shark represent Lotte’s next phase of innovation in India,” said Lotte India Corporation Ltd head of marketing Rishabh Verma. “These products fuse Korean imagination with Indian sensibilities to deliver a multi-sensorial snacking experience that’s modern, relevant, and deeply connected.”

    Lotte India senior brand manager Ankit Dubey added, “Subak and Shark make ice candies fun, expressive, and culturally inspired. Whether it’s kids enjoying the playful shapes, teens sharing moments online, or adults indulging in nostalgia, these products are designed to delight.”

    Priced at Rs 20 for a 75 ml pack, Subak and Shark will be available across 50,000 plus outlets nationwide, including modern trade stores, q-commerce platforms, general trade, and Havmor-exclusive parlours.

    With this launch, Lotte strengthens its leadership in India’s frozen treats segment, bringing the spirit of K-culture to every corner of the country, one refreshing bite at a time.

     

  • Nazara’s Fusebox Games brings ‘The Traitors’ to life on mobile in 2026

    Nazara’s Fusebox Games brings ‘The Traitors’ to life on mobile in 2026

    MUMBAI: Trust no one, not even your phone. Nazara Technologies’ UK-based studio, Fusebox Games, is set to bring the tension and trickery of The Traitors to mobile screens with an interactive game inspired by the global reality sensation. Launching in 2026 on ios and Android, The Traitors: Interactive Game will let players plot, deceive, and survive their way through a story filled with twists and betrayals.

    Fusebox Games, the studio behind the popular Love Island: The Game and Big Brother: The Game, has acquired worldwide interactive rights to IDTV’s hit format The Traitors through a deal with All3media International. The partnership combines Fusebox’s storytelling expertise with the format’s irresistible mix of suspense and strategy.

    The new title is part of The Traitors’ growing global empire, which now spans 30 territories across six continents. Recent highlights include The Traitors India on Prime Video, which opened to strong ratings and quickly secured a second season. Other new versions are in production across Brazil, Mexico, Mongolia and Ukraine, while the BBC prepares to debut The Celebrity Traitors, featuring Stephen Fry, Alan Carr, Tom Daley and Charlotte Church.

    All3media International VP of licensing Jason Easy, said, “Fusebox Games has repeatedly shown how to translate blockbuster television into genre-leading mobile gameplay. Their vision for The Traitors will allow fans around the world to experience the addictive tension of treachery and betrayal whenever they choose.”

    Fusebox Games CEO Terry Lee added, “We’re thrilled to bring The Traitors to mobile players everywhere. It’s a format full of drama, strategy and unforgettable moments, making it a perfect fit for interactive fiction. Our team is already working to capture all the suspense and emotion fans love.”

    Nazara Technologies joint MD and CEO Nitish Mittersain said, “Fusebox’s mastery of narrative design, combined with the global pull of The Traitors, gives us an exciting opportunity to expand Nazara’s presence in premium interactive storytelling.”

    With the Traitors: Interactive Game, players will finally get to experience the thrill of deceit, loyalty and survival for themselves. The only rule? Trust no one.

     

  • Jaro hits the learning road to Tier-II India

    Jaro hits the learning road to Tier-II India

    MUMBAI: Jaro Education is taking knowledge on tour, and it’s making all the right stops. The leading executive and higher education player is expanding into Tier-II cities, opening new counselling centres in Kolkata, Nagpur, Jaipur and Indore to unlock untapped potential beyond metros.

    The move is part of Jaro’s larger mission to democratise access to quality education and career guidance, shaping India’s vision of a Vikshit Bharat, a developed and skilled nation where opportunity travels as fast as ambition.

    “Over the years, we’ve seen extraordinary potential emerging from Tier-II cities. These regions are not just expanding markets; they represent the next wave of India’s talent,” said Jaro Education CEO Ranjita Raman “Our presence here will help guide learners towards programs that truly transform careers.”

    Echoing this, Jaro Education founder and managing director Sanjay Salunkhe added, “Talent exists everywhere, opportunity must too. Strengthening our network in these cities means investing in India’s future workforce.”

    With established centres already in Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Gurugram, Noida, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Kochi, Jaro has seen firsthand the drive of learners nationwide. The new hubs will offer personalised mentorship and industry-aligned career advice, turning aspiration into action.

    As Tier-II cities rise as hotspots of ambition and entrepreneurship, Jaro’s local approach bridges the gap between talent and opportunity, ensuring India’s growth story has no postcode barrier.

    Founded in 2009, Jaro Education partners with top global and Indian institutions including MIT IDSS, Wharton Interactive, Rotman, IIMs and IITs, offering 230 plus programs that have already empowered over 350,000 learners.

    With this expansion, Jaro Education isn’t just growing its footprint, it’s helping India learn its way to a brighter, Vikshit tomorrow.

     

  • Revenant Xspark levels up to worlds glory

    Revenant Xspark levels up to worlds glory

    MUMBAI: Talk about a supercharged respawn! Revenant Xspark has blasted its way into the Brawl Stars World Championship 2025, marking another milestone moment for Indian esports.

    After a power-packed performance at the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) held in São Paulo, Brazil, from October 10–12, the team secured one of only four golden tickets to the world finals. Led by India’s Ashmit “Sergeant Clash” Raj Singh, along with Singapore’s Jayden “x9Jay” Wong and Jerome “Response” Kuek, a former world champion, Revenant Xspark proved that strategy, synergy and sheer skill can bridge borders.

    This triumph makes it just the second time an Indian team has qualified for the global Brawl Stars stage, further cementing India’s growing might in competitive gaming. In their debut season back in 2023, Revenant Xspark had already made waves with a Top-8 finish at the World Championship, and this year, they’ve truly powered up.

    “Our victory at the LCQ in São Paulo is not just for Revenant Xspark, but for Indian esports as a whole,” said Revenant Esports founder Rohit N Jagasia. “The players showed world-class skill, discipline and resilience. Representing India at Worlds will be a huge honour.”

    For team captain Ashmit Raj Singh, the journey was anything but easy. “We had a tough bracket with some of the best in the world, including two-time world champions Crazy Raccoon, yet we were called dark horses,” he said. “We put in the most effort into both draft and gameplay. Now, we want to show the world that our region can’t be underestimated anymore.”

    From clinching their first LPL Monthly Finals title in March to dominating the Subregional Grand Finals and now finishing Top-4 at the LCQ, Revenant Xspark’s 2025 has been nothing short of a highlight reel.

    With this achievement, Revenant Esports, founded in 2021 and home to over 45 athletes across eight rosters, continues to prove that India’s esports scene is no longer playing catch-up. It’s in it to win it.

     

     

  • Times Now, Navbharat and Radio Mirchi hit the road for Bihar Election Yatra

    Times Now, Navbharat and Radio Mirchi hit the road for Bihar Election Yatra

    MUMBAI: From Thekua to the throne. Bihar’s election season is getting a broadcast twist as Times Now, Times Now Navbharat and Radio Mirchi team up for a one-of-a-kind Election Yatra: a campaign that takes the state’s political pulse straight from its streets.

    In a first-ever collaboration between the Times Group’s television and radio arms, the initiative blends on-ground reportage with on-air energy, turning poll coverage into a full-fledged public conversation.

    The Election Yatra brings together Times Now Navbharat’s Rakesh Pandey and Times Now’s Swati Joshi, who hit the road across 28 districts and 4,500 kilometres, alongside Mirchi Patna RJs Shashi and Anjali. Together, they capture the stories, moods and melodies of Bihar’s democracy-in-motion.

    Rakesh Pandey connects live with RJ Shashi on air for Election Yatra at 5.20 pm, creating a bridge between the newsroom and neighbourhood. The segment, co-powered by Polycab, Kayam Churna and Sankalp Restaurant, promises candid voices, lively debates and plenty of local flavour.

    Meanwhile, Swati Joshi and RJ Anjali’s Times Now Election Yatra airs at 5:30 pm, capturing everything from Thekua ki mithas to Votva ka josh. Their segments decode what’s really on voters’ minds, from aspirations and anxieties to the small joys that make elections in Bihar feel like a festival.

    Through this collaboration, Times Now, Times Now Navbharat and Radio Mirchi aim to make election coverage as much about people and participation as it is about politics.

    Tune in daily to Times Now Navbharat at 5.20 pm and Times Now at 5.30 pm to follow the Election Yatra, where Bihar’s voices steer the conversation and every vote tells a story.

  • Shalimar Paints steps up its game with Hero Floor Shield launch

    Shalimar Paints steps up its game with Hero Floor Shield launch

    MUMBAI: Shalimar Paints is giving dull floors a reason to shine quite literally. The 120-year-old paint pioneer has unveiled Hero Floor Shield, a water-based floor coating that blends beauty, durability and innovation through self-cross-linking emulsion technology.

    The newly launched coating doesn’t just dress up floors in style, it armours them. Designed for cement and concrete surfaces, Hero Floor Shield offers superior protection against fungal and algal growth, making it as practical as it is polished. With this, Shalimar Paints looks to add another feather to its long-standing legacy of transforming spaces across India.

    Available in three shades Golden Yellow, Terracotta, and Gun Grey, the coating lends a soft sheen finish that suits both minimalist and vibrant interiors. It’s highly washable, abrasion-resistant, and environment-friendly, making it a well-rounded choice for homes that want flair without fuss.

    “Hero Floor Shield is yet another remarkable addition to our portfolio, reaffirming Shalimar Paints’ commitment to innovation, durability, and aesthetic excellence,” said Shalimar Paints managing director and CEO Kuldip Raina. “Specially formulated for modern homes and commercial spaces, this advanced coating offers superior abrasion resistance and excellent washability, ensuring long-lasting protection and beauty,” he added.

    What makes Hero Floor Shield stand out is its low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) formulation, a non-flammable, eco-conscious product that supports healthier indoor air quality. It’s also built to withstand diverse Indian climates, drying efficiently under standard weather conditions of 30°C and 60 per cent relative humidity.

    Available in 1-litre and 4-litre packs, the coating maintains its efficacy for up to three years from the date of manufacture, a promise of reliability that goes beyond just surface-level appeal.

    With its combination of science, sustainability, and sheen, Hero Floor Shield marks Shalimar Paints’ latest stroke of brilliance, one that not only protects what’s underfoot but also elevates it to a statement of enduring style.