MUMBAI: COVID-19 has forced the population to stay indoors; and industries are moving their functions to online. In this unprecedented situation, citizens are counting on the essential service workers who are risking their health to keep the society running smoothly. Some of them have been working silently without us realising that how important they are. Leaders from the media and entertainment industry express their gratitude to healthcare providers and other essential services personnel for their support during the pandemic.
Tag: covid-19
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Medlife CMO Meera Iyer praises health warriors
MUMBAI: COVID-19 has forced the population to stay indoors; and industries are moving their functions to online. In this unprecedented situation, citizens are counting on the essential service workers who are risking their health to keep the society running smoothly. Some of them have been working silently without us realising that how important they are. Leaders from the media and entertainment industry express their gratitude to healthcare providers and other essential services personnel for their support during the pandemic.
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Wunderman Thompson launches new campaign ‘shut out corona’ for Tata Pravesh
MUMBAI: Wunderman Thompson South Asia has conceptualised a digital film for Tata Pravesh. The film demonstrates how India is united in its fight against novel coronavirus, shutting all its doors to signify that when an entire country shuts its doors, it has the power to shut out Corona.
According to Tata Pravesh, the main challenge was to get this done at a time when the entire world was behind closed doors, production houses included. Crowdsourcing was the only solution. The film was made with Instagram and twitter posts by hundreds of Indians with the Tata Pravesh hashtag #DoorsOfIndia. These shots were combined with footage of closed doors sourced from the Wunderman Thompson team across six Indian cities.
As PM Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown on 24 March to curb the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus. Since then, the pleas of the PM and Chief Ministers across states, urging people to stay indoors, have been ignored by many. There appears to be a lack of awareness of the consequences of venturing out and this extends even to the more evolved. Incidents of violation of govt. guidelines continue to make the headlines and a large number of people have already been arrested.
Individuals are not adhering to the one overarching guideline of staying indoors to stay safe, blissfully unaware of the consequences of coronavirus. With the deadly virus knocking on our doors, it was imperative to drive awareness of the simple fact that when you stay home you stay safe, India had to be reminded that you are safe indoors.
The film brings lockdown alive through hundreds of closed and locked down #DoorsOfIndia. It begins with shots of doors closing followed by a montage of closed doors from various geographies covering the entire expanse of this vast nation. The fast-paced montage is choreographed to a ‘homemade’ soundscape that is evidence of how work from home can give birth to truly ingenious solutions.
An entire Indian classical music rhythm pattern was created not by using traditional Indian percussion but by using live sounds of doors being shut and sounds of latches, hinges, stoppers, and locks, along with ambient street noises and dialogues. These sounds were sourced from across the country using #DoorsOfIndia.
Tata Steel chief services and solutions business P Anand said, “Tata Pravesh has always endeavoured to open minds through evocative socially connected films. This relevantly timed film reminds people to stay behind closed doors, that being the best way to combat Corona.”
Wunderman Thompson CCO Senthil Kumar said, “The idea was to bring alive the fact that India has shut its doors on Corona. This simple idea was executed powerfully by featuring doors from various provinces which gives the film a pan India scale while indicating that the #DoorsOfIndia will remain closed till we #ShutOutCorona.”
Wunderman Thompson Kolkata ECD and VP Arjun Mukherjee said, “It was important to tell people that all it takes to flatten the curve is to shut the door. The film uses doors of various shapes, sizes, age and lineage which reflect the diversity of this nation, all united in shutting out Corona.”
Wunderman Thompson senior VP and managing partner Vijay Jacob Parakkal said, “The vast numbers who have closed their doors on corona is testimony to the exceptional resolve and fortitude that our country has always demonstrated in times of stress. We are delighted to partner Tata Pravesh on this film which shows what India can do if it puts its heart into it.”
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NBA seeks extension from I&B ministry to pay DD Free Dish carriage fee
MUMBAI: With ad sales down and operation costs up, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has sought an extension from the ministry of information and broadcasting for payment of the carriage fee for slots on DD Free Dish.
According to a report by The Hindu, sources have confirmed that Prasar Bharati has agreed to allow news channels to continue to air on DD Free Dish from 1 April without the payment. However, NBA and Prasar Bharati are working on an alternate model of payment that requires the news channels to pay an interest of 5.7 per cent per annum, which has miffed the association's broadcasters.
NBA president Rajat Sharma, in a letter to I&B minister Prakash Javdekar, wrote, “Advertising inventory bookings are lower than 50 per cent even for the top-rated news channels — advertising is a single source of earning for news broadcasters and this will lead to a serious cash-flow problem.”
With 26 slots reserved for Doordarshan-run channels, DD Free Dish has 80 slots in all, of which 54 are open for bidding by private channels. These DD Free Dish channels reach out to at least 30 million households, without paying a monthly subscription.
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ALTBalaji raises fund for distribution of food for needy
MUMBAI: ALTBalaji, one of the country’s leading homegrown OTT platforms, has initiated fundraising for the distribution of food for the needy and the underprivileged as the country is reeling under the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund will be used to extend a helping hand to the daily wage earners, labourers and the underprivileged who are struggling to make ends meet.
ALTBalaji has associated with Impact Guru to support Annamrita Foundation, who are putting their best foot forward towards ensuring that the underprivileged do not go hungry. With the help of the fundraising, ALTBalaji aims to reach out to maximum people to ensure they get their share of meals and are able to survive the lockdown period with dignity. ALTBalaji will be donating Re 1 for every subscription that they get on their app till 30 April and urges the viewers and people across the country to donate to the cause as well.
The donation page can be accessed here https://altbalaji.impactguru.com/.
With crowdfunding being the quickest way to collaborate and mobilize support during times of a crisis, ALTBalaji and Annamitra foundation will utilize the funds in buying grocery items such as lentils, rice, vegetables, cooking oil, flour etc., for meals to be distributed. ALTBalaji will be urging its users and followers via in-app notifications, social media posts and other efforts as this is the time for one to give back to the society and make a difference.
“It is the need of the hour for all of us to show support to each other and society. Through this effort, the aim is to reach out to the masses and appeal to them by leveraging the combined strength of platforms: ALTBalaji, ImpactGuru and Annamitra. These funds will be utilized to feed the underprivileged across cities and we hope our subscribers and followers will also lend their extensive support as we all stand as one in such tough times,” ALTBalaji CEO and Balaji Telefilms group COO Nachiket Pantvaidya said.
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Audio streaming platform Khabri launches a Talk Show for #VoiceOfBlinds amidst COVID-19 – Sachche Nayak
Khabri, India’s fastest growing audio content platform in regional language, has launched a celebrity-based talk show that will be aired beginning this Saturday. Launched as a part of #VoiceofBlinds initiative by the platform amidst the current situation of lockdown in the Covid-19 pandemic, the show accentuates the need to help the blind population in the current crisis. While touching is a way of life for the blind, the current situation has prohibited touching to control the spread of the infection. The talk show, which is titled “Sachche Nayak”, will be aired every Saturday at 7 pm. A key objective of the talk show is to raise awareness about the current situation, educate Khabri users to stay indoors and take necessary precautions. It will also appeal to users to come forward and help the blind community. Bhojpuri actor, social worker and ex radio producer, Shailesh Sinha will host the talk show. The key highlight of the talk show would be an insightful conversation with a guest celebrity. The launch episode will feature Bhojpuri Superstar Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua) followed by other Sachche Nayaks in episodes to come. They will talk about life in lockdown, the impact of the pandemic on their daily lives and educate people to take necessary steps needed to combat the grim situation.
Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua) expressed hope that the talk show will help spread awareness about the pandemic and rescue the blind community in this hour of crisis. Nirahua said, “Our country is home to nearly 40 million blind people. These people need special care in the current situation. We must offer a helping hand to the blind community in this difficult time.”
Emphasizing the need to raise awareness in the current situation, Mr. Pulkit Sharma, Co-founder & CEO, Khabri, said, “These are testing times for the nation and require all sections of the society to understand the potential threat of the pandemic and exercise utmost caution. Our new talk show Sachche Nayak will reiterate the need to stay indoors and maintain social distancing in this hour of crisis. It will provide useful information about the consequences of the current situation and how life may change for people once the crisis is finally over. In addition, the show will touch upon everyday life related discussions and conclude with a 5 minute interaction with Khabri users.”
The talk show is among the several new initiatives the company plans to reach a wider audience and democratise the audio platform for regional language users. It would further promote the company’s vision of becoming the go-to platform for creation and consumption of audio-based content in various categories and languages.
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COVID-19 crisis changes internet user behaviour
MUMBAI: There has been a palpable shift in data traffic and internet user behaviour since COVID-19 hit the globe, particularly in India, with all its public measures in the fight against the pandemic, according to leading carrier and data centre neutral internet exchange operator on the Indian sub-continent DE-CIX India.
DE-CIX India has seen an increase in overall data traffic of more than 20 per cent compared to the time before COVID-19 (end of February 2020). Also, with social distancing and the increasing adoption of the work-from-home system, networks are facing challenges, since the entire business internet traffic has shifted from business districts into residential areas. This increased the use of collaboration tools. Furthermore, online video streaming has increased by 120 per cent, and gaming by more than 80 per cent. Data traffic and internet usage during peak hours increased to new levels, with a 38 per cent increase in ISP traffic.
“People face the challenge to act almost 100 per cent online: private, business-wise, and regarding the education of children and students. In times when everyone has to practice social distancing and perhaps self-isolate, a direct connection to family, friends, and the company environment via the various private and business applications is essential. These applications and the exchange of data must run smoothly, so trust in technology is a big issue. DE-CIX ensures with its infrastructure that people can rely on the applications now required in the desired smooth and resilient quality. We make sure that even though we are physically locked, we are still digitally unlocked,” said DE-CIX International CEO Ivo Ivanov.
He further added: “Homes have turned into offices. The digital shift as a consequence of an increased demand for internet access and the related increase in data traffic now also makes evident the significance of digital infrastructures as the backbone of world economies. We are seeing the increase in capacities with the major global and regional internet and content providers. In some cases, the capacities have been more than doubled. Governments and businesses also need to support the implementation of reliable high bandwidth internet access with a proper framework and judicious investments to ensure the smooth functioning of digital business that currently drives the economy. This includes the deployment of better and bigger pipes to cover the demand arising out of the usage of digital applications – both private and business.”
DE-CIX India operates digital infrastructure with fibre optic cables, which ensures a secure, resilient and smooth interconnection between connected networks; it takes on the neutral role of a “data intermediary”. Through its four markets in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, it provides direct interconnection ensuring that the quality of applications remains stable and internet service providers can thus guarantee the resilience of their networks and the provision of a high quality internet access for their users.
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Shashi Sinha thanks essential service providers, urges to stay safe
MUMBAI: COVID-19 has forced the population to stay indoors; and industries are moving their functions to online. In this unprecedented situation, citizens are counting on the essential service workers who are risking their health to keep the society running smoothly. Some of them have been working silently without us realising that how important they are. Leaders from the media and entertainment industry express their gratitude to healthcare providers and other essential services personnel for their support during the pandemic.
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Viacom18 Regional TV Network head Ravish Kumar thanks unsung heroes, urges to stay indoors
MUMBAI: COVID-19 has forced the population to stay indoors; and industries are moving their functions to online. In this unprecedented situation, citizens are counting on the essential service workers who are risking their health to keep the society running smoothly. Some of them have been working silently without us realising that how important they are. Leaders from the media and entertainment industry express their gratitude to healthcare providers and other essential services personnel for their support during the pandemic.
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Sony BBC Earth to premiere docu-film ‘Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself’ on 13 April
MUMBAI: As the war against the COVID-19 deepens with billions of people across the world facing a period of self-isolation to help contain the spread, Sony BBC Earth is bringing to India a critical docu-film ‘Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself’. Premiering on 13 April 2020 at 9 pm and presented by Dr Xand Van Tulleken and Psychologist Kimberley Wilson, the one-hour feature is a one-step guide to everything one needs to know about this pandemic and is full of useful and credible tips and advice.
Tulleken is a registered doctor with the General Medical Council of the UK and a renowned presenter. To comprehend the situation, he visits leading experts who explain why self-isolation is most important in this fight against coronavirus, as well as finds out about people’s real-world challenges of self-isolating. The docu-film also focusses on Kimberly who offers insights into the psychological challenges of self-isolating, talks about how to manage anxiety and provides key takeaways that everyone must adapt while self-isolating.
Coronavirus is a serious concern and while there is a long road to recovery, the crucial thing to understand is that every individual can play a part in slowing it down by self-isolating. Additionally, there is a plethora of information accessible to all which may lead to confusion and contradiction, but, one must remember that just like the virus, wrong information too is contagious. Hence Sony BBC Earth is premiering the most important docu-film of the current times, ‘Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself’.
SPN English Custer business head Tushar Shah says, "Sony BBC Earth as a responsible brand has always been true to providing credible and insightful information. With ‘Coronavirus: How to Isolate Yourself’, it is, yet again our endeavour to bring to the viewers, in real time, a need-of-the-hour documentary to help clarify the many questions around the most critical step in containing the virus – self isolation."