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Tag: Gaur Gopal Das

  • Kuku FM and Penguin India launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks

    Kuku FM and Penguin India launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks

    MUMBAI: Kuku FM has joined hands with publishing giant Penguin Random House India (PRHI) to launch 15 exclusive Hindi audiobooks adapted from Penguin’s bestselling titles.

    This partnership not only expands both brands’ storytelling universe but also caters to India’s booming demand for regional audio content. With digital audio consumption skyrocketing, the collaboration brings a treasure trove of literary works to life in a more immersive and accessible format.

    The curated collection includes works by some of India’s most celebrated voices Gaur Gopal Das, Devdutt Pattanaik, Harish Bhat, Indra Nooyi, Raghuram Rajan, Ankur Warikoo, and Neena Gupta, among others. These audiobooks, produced and adapted by Kuku FM, promise high-quality narration, cultural resonance, and a deeply engaging listener experience.

    “Our customers have higher expectations from us every day, and at Kuku FM, we love rising to that challenge. They know what they want and need plenty of choices. We aim to bring the best books to them in their language and give them a unique yet engaging listening experience,” said Kuku FM CEO & co-founder  Lal Chand Bisu.

    “We are excited to partner with an iconic publisher like Penguin to not only expand our library but also ensure that we’re opening up a whole new world of entertainment and knowledge for every Indian in more accessible formats.”

    Titles will be available on the Kuku FM Android app from April 2025, priced from Rs 175 making bestselling reads more affordable than ever in audio format.

    PRH India vice president  & product Vijesh Kumar added, “At Penguin, we are committed to making books more accessible and inclusive, ensuring they reach readers in the formats they love. Our exclusive partnership with Kuku FM marks an exciting milestone as we bring some of our most celebrated titles to Hindi audiobooks for the first time. With storytelling evolving beyond the page, audiobooks offer a dynamic and immersive way to experience books welcoming both avid readers and new audiences alike.”

    The collaboration aligns perfectly with the projected growth of India’s OTT audio market expected to hit $1.8 billion by 2025 with over 100 million users.

    “The collaboration is a critical extension of Kuku FM’s highly curated portfolio of stories and we are excited to expand this universe further with PRH India who are known to have some of the most storied authors and books in their library,” said Kuku FM head of content acquisition Prerna Vohra.

    PRH India manager & audio Vidhi Nangia added, “Audiobooks are seeing tremendous growth globally, and India is no exception, with the market expected to grow over 30 per cent annually. Recognising this shift in how audiences engage with literature, Penguin is thrilled to partner with Kuku FM to introduce 15 Hindi audiobooks by beloved authors such as Bhat, Warikoo, and Nooyi. Kuku FM’s commitment to exceptional curation and production ensures that our cherished works are presented with the utmost quality. This collaboration marks the beginning of a promising journey to make our stories accessible to an even broader audience.”

    The exclusive collection of Hindi audiobooks includes Tata Stories by Bhat, Bravehearts of Bharat by Vikram Sampath, and My Life in Full by Nooyi. Listeners can also enjoy Jeevan ke Adbhut Rahasya and Energise Your Mind by Das, along with India’s Most Fearless 1 and India’s Most Fearless 2 by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh. The line-up features Mythakon se Vigyan Tak by Gauhar Raza, Jaya and The Book of Ram by Pattanaik, and Breaking the Mould by Rajan and Rohit Lamba. Also included are Make Epic Money and Build an Epic Career by Warikoo, Sach Kahun Toh by Gupta, and Manoj Bajpayee by Piyush Pandey.

  • Eleganz Interiors celebrates 35 years of excellence with the grand anniversary gala

    Eleganz Interiors celebrates 35 years of excellence with the grand anniversary gala

    Mumbai:  Eleganz Interiors, an interior design and build firm, is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration as it marks its 35 anniversary in the industry. The event, scheduled at MCA Bandra Club on 2 February 2024, starting at 7 pm, promises an evening of glamour, inspiration, notable personalities, and reflection on the remarkable journey of Eleganz Interiors.

    The event’s highlights feature esteemed guests, including Gaur Gopal Das, celebrated motivational speaker, Deepak Parekh, former Housing Development Finance Corporation chairman, and Hafeez contractor, the renowned architect known for shaping India’s skyline. Their presence promises to bring a unique and insightful perspective to the celebration, with Parekh scheduled to deliver an engaging speech, adding further significance.

    Furthermore, the gala promises a stellar lineup of activities, drawing in industry professionals, influencers, and celebrities. The dynamic flow begins with a pre-event session featuring a media wall and welcome drinks. The main event in the ballroom will kick off with an introductory video, followed by a keynote speech from Sammeer Pakvasa, the managing director and CEO of Eleganz Interiors. The founder, Akshay Pakvasa, will then take the stage, shedding light on Eleganz Interiors’ exceptional 35-year journey and forward-looking vision. Subsequently, Deepak Parekh and  Hafeez contractor will share their insights. The spotlight will shift to a dedicated presentation on Eleganz’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Following this, the stage will be set for discussions on sustainability, leading to a video presentation and a captivating sand art performance. Gaur Gopal Das will deliver an inspiring address, culminating in a champagne toast to close the event. Afterwards, attendees can indulge in gourmet meals and seize networking opportunities, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all.

    Eleganz Interiors managing director and CEO Sammeer Pakvasa a driving force behind the company’s success, shares, “This is a moment of great joy and pride for us at Eleganz Interiors to complete 35 years in this industry. In 1988, my father, Mr. Akshay Pakvasa, initiated this Business as an Interior contracting firm. Today, we stand as proud market leaders as Eleganz Interiors—a testament to his visionary legacy. From a modest team of 4, we’ve evolved into a flourishing family of more than 450 members, spread across India and Singapore. From inception to prominence, this journey is a celebration of growth, resilience, and the vibrant spirit that defines Eleganz Interiors. I am truly grateful for the journey and excited for the future!”

    With over two decades of transformative leadership, Sammeer Pakvasa has steered Eleganz Interiors from an Interior contracting firm to a top-tier General Contracting and design & build company. Under his guidance, the company achieved remarkable milestones, including expanding operations to Singapore, nurturing a dedicated team of over 400 professionals, reaching a turnover of over 350 crores, earning recognition as a Great Place to Work and “India’s Best Design and Build fit-out firm” by Outlook Business India. Eleganz’s commitment to sustainability is evident in initiatives such as using renewable materials and waste reduction programs and aligning with LEED and WELL Building certification standards, earning them the coveted “Sustainable Business of the Year 2023” by the World Startup Conventions.

    In the future, Eleganz Interiors will persist in leading design innovation, sustainability, global expansion, and excellence in interior design and building. Join them in toasting 35 years of excellence, reflecting on the past and embracing a promising future.

    Key Attendees to include:

    1    Motivational Speaker Gaur Gopal Das

    2    Former HDFC chairman, Deepak Parekh

    3    Renowned Architect, Hafeez Contractor

  • Manorama News Conclave 2023 – An Assembly of Influential Visionaries

    Manorama News Conclave 2023 – An Assembly of Influential Visionaries

    Mumbai: Union Minister Smriti Irani inaugurated the Manorama News Conclave 2023, held at the Lulu Bolgatty International Convention Centre at 9.45 am. The central theme of this edition was “India: The Future Story,” and it featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who shared their insights on various facets of India’s future, ranging from politics and space exploration to cinema and artificial intelligence.

    The event commenced with a warm welcome address from Jayant Mammen Mathew, Executive Editor and Director of Malayala Manorama. He underscored the pivotal role that India’s future plays, especially with the general election on the horizon.

    Mammen Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama, added a unique touch by presenting gold medals to the accomplished winners of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Notably, these athletes received recognition before their official government recognition, marking a significant milestone in their sporting achievements.

    In her keynote address, Smriti Irani highlighted the striking divisions among opposition parties, despite their formation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) with the aim of challenging the BJP in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

    The Conclave hosted a series of thought-provoking sessions:

    India in the Perspective of Kashmir: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, discussed the unique status of J&K and questioned the temporary nature of Article 370.

    Yechury on ‘India – The Future Story’: CPM General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, outlined his party’s vision for the 2024 general elections, emphasizing the ‘INDIA’ alliance’s pivotal role.

    Kerala Politics in 2024: A spirited debate featuring Kerala’s Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan and CPM state secretary M. V. Govindan delved into the intricacies of Kerala politics and their respective alliances.

    India’s Space Dreams: ISRO Chairman, S. Somnath, shared his optimism regarding Chandrayaan-3 and the remarkable scientific contributions it promises to deliver.

    Future of Cinemas & Theatres: A discussion on the challenges faced by the film industry was led by Malayalam film personalities, including Basil Joseph, Jude Anthany Joseph, and Nikhila Vimal.

    Widening Space for Women in Politics: Notable women leaders in politics, including K. K. Shailaja (CPM), K. K. Rema (RMP), and Shoba Surendran (BJP), explored the imperative of enhancing female representation in politics. They addressed diverse issues, including women’s entry at Sabarimala and the Israel-Palestine conflict.

    Possibilities of Artificial Intelligence: Google DeepMind research director, Dileep George, delved into the potential of AI and whether it could surpass human intelligence.

    Reverse Brain Drain: Ashok Mani and Vivek Venugopal discussed solutions to counteract the brain drain issue in Kerala, focusing on the identification of strengths and the enhancement of social and entertainment infrastructure.

    The Conclave incorporated unique and engaging activities, including a digital “hope wall,” where dignitaries like Smriti Irani, Omar Abdullah and Basil Joseph penned well-wishes for India’s future. In a unique pre-event activity, college students were invited to pose impactful questions about India’s future. These students were subsequently given the opportunity to ask their questions directly to the experts at the Conclave.

    Notable mentions at the Conclave included Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who shared insights about the ‘INDIA’ front’s plans for the upcoming general elections. He noted the growing anti-incumbency sentiment, particularly in the Hindi belt, and emphasized the importance of a well-crafted manifesto for the Congress party.

    The Conclave concluded on a thoughtful note with a session featuring spiritual guru and orator Gaur Gopal Das, who explored “The yardstick of happiness in the era of Artificial Intelligence.” Gaur’s philosophy emphasized that happiness is unrelated to possessions, and the key lies in how one lives, not what one has.

    In the valedictory address, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D. K. Shivakumar, acknowledged the indispensable role that media plays in Indian democracy. He expressed appreciation for Malayala Manorama’s significant contributions to India’s progress over its 130-year history.

    The Manorama News Conclave 2023 offered a platform for enlightening discussions and unique activities, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives on the future of India.