MUMBAI: The 18th edition of Jagriti Yatra, India’s iconic journey of enterprise and inspiration, set off from Mumbai on 7 November, powered this year by HDFC Mutual Fund through its investor education and awareness initiative.
The 15-day, 8,000-kilometre expedition brings together 500 spirited “Yatris” from across India and beyond, chosen from over 68,000 applicants. Their shared destination, an Atmanirbhar Bharat built through ideas, innovation and enterprise.
Speaking at the flag-off in Mumbai’s Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, HDFC Asset Management Company MD and CEO Navneet Munot, connected India’s entrepreneurial pulse with the nation’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He said empowerment begins with awareness of one’s potential and financial choices. Through its education initiatives, HDFC Mutual Fund aims to help young Indians make informed investment decisions and take confident steps toward financial independence.
Jagriti Yatra founder and MP Shashank Mani reminded participants that the movement’s spirit lies in responsibility and resilience, while CEO Ashutosh Kumar called it a “living classroom” for self-reliance born from local innovation.
The evening featured a stirring keynote by Mann Deshi foundation founder Chetna Gala Sinha, who urged the Yatris to channel resilience into enterprise. Performances by ANKH Ensemble and Folk Masti added rhythm to reflection, celebrating India’s creative energy and unity in diversity.
Over the years, Jagriti Yatra has become one of the world’s largest entrepreneurial journeys on wheels, touching more than 8,000 participants. This year’s train, aptly dubbed the Jagriti Express, will travel across Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hubli and beyond, with mentors such as Ashwin Naik, Sameer K. Mody, and Vishal Dhale guiding the travellers.
As the train leaves Mumbai, it carries more than people, it carries purpose. Each Yatri, and each partner like HDFC Mutual Fund, is helping steer India toward a future powered by awareness, enterprise and self-belief.
MUMBAI: When India’s top fund minds gather under one roof, the conversation is bound to compound. Moneycontrol, India’s leading financial news platform, hosted the Bengaluru edition of the Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit 2025, presented by HDFC Mutual Fund and powered by Axis Mutual Fund, bringing together the country’s sharpest asset management leaders to decode the next phase of India’s mutual fund revolution.
With the theme “Decoding purpose, product, and tech,” the Bengaluru leg built on the momentum of the Mumbai debut, spotlighting the industry’s journey toward a 1 trillion dollars AUM by 2030. The discussions explored how innovation, trust, and digital transformation are reshaping mutual funds from passive savings tools into dynamic wealth-creation engines.
The summit featured an illustrious line-up including D.P. Singh (SBI Mutual Fund), Navneet Munot (HDFC AMC), Vaibhav Shah (Mirae Asset), Sandeep Tandon (Quant MF), and Neil Parikh (PPFAS MF), among others. Together, they offered insights into everything from investor behaviour and regulatory frameworks to the rise of AI-driven financial advisory.
Highlighting the potential of the newly launched SIF category, D.P. Singh noted, “SIF bridges the gap between mutual funds and AIFs/PMS, offering evolved investors flexibility with oversight. Within a year, SIFs could grow into a Rs 1 lakh crore category.”
HDFC AMC’s Navneet Munot struck an optimistic note, “India is transforming from a nation of savers to a nation of investors. People are ambitious, aspirational, and want to create wealth. India is a compounding story.”
Echoing this forward-looking sentiment, Mirae Asset’s Vaibhav Shah underscored the importance of a liberalised framework for cross-border investments, while Motilal Oswal’s Akhil Chaturvedi observed that Indian investors are now more resilient and long-term focused.
As India marches toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the Bengaluru edition of the Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit 2025 reinforced the sector’s crucial role in driving financial democratisation and wealth creation. With technology, purpose, and innovation steering the next phase, the mutual fund industry seems poised not just to grow, but to evolve.
MUMBAI: Bharat’s builders wear bangles and they mean business. News18’s flagship platform Sheshakti, in partnership with Lions Clubs International, is back with its third edition and this time, it’s taking a regional route. The first-ever Mumbai chapter of News18 SheShakti 2025 rolls out on 31 July, spotlighting Maharashtra’s women trailblazers who are breaking barriers and building Bharat.
Titled “From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat,” this year’s theme shifts the focus from token celebration to structural transformation. The summit will culminate in a grand finale in Delhi on 21 August, but the Mumbai edition is poised to set the tone with a power-packed line-up of policymakers, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and change-makers.
Leading the charge are dignitaries like Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Ashwini Bhide, and Sujata Saunik, alongside global voices such as Ambassadors Chavanart Thangsumphant (Thailand) and Mateja Vodeb Ghosh (Slovenia), offering an Indo-global dialogue on leadership and inclusion.
From boardrooms to Bollywood, Sheshakti’s guest list reads like a who’s who of women who’ve redefined the game:
. Naiyya Saggi (founder & CEO, Edition)
. Laxmi Iyer (group president, Bajaj Finserv)
. Dr Neerja Birla (chairperson, Aditya Birla Education Trust)
. Priti Rathi Gupta (founder, Lxme)
. Harsha Mundhada (partner, Inflexor Ventures)
. Roshi Jain (sr. fund manager, HDFC Mutual Fund)
. Chitralekha Patil (director, PNP Group)
. Olympian Anjali Bhagwat and para-badminton star Manasi Joshi
. Actors Nimrat Kaur, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Renuka Shahane
Also joining are popular radio voices RJ Malishka, RJ Archana, and RJ Stutee, and Sarita Sonawale, recipient of the Savitri Bai Phule Award, for her grassroots advocacy.
The event will not just echo inspiration, but also actionable impact. With over two chapters across two months, SheShakti 2025 seeks to mobilise ideas, incubate collaborations, and inspire the next generation of women leaders. It also positions Maharashtra as a microcosm of India’s inclusive growth, celebrating how women are influencing sectors from urban infrastructure to wellness startups.
Network18 Group chief strategy officer, Puneet Singhvi summed it up: “Sheshakti is not just an event. It’s a movement. And we’re thrilled to bring it to Mumbai for the first time.”
Network18 (Broadcast) CEO Avinash Kaul added, “This regional expansion is a testament to the influence women wield in shaping India’s social, economic and cultural blueprint.”
As the country prepares to celebrate Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day, Sheshakti offers a timely reminder that true progress is built on the shoulders of those who don’t just smash glass ceilings, but raise the roof for everyone else.
MUMBAI: Ever paid an EMI of emotions? Or made a monthly instalment towards someone’s dreams? In its latest campaign, HDFC Mutual Fund asks viewers to rethink the way they look at investing by reminding them that they’ve been investors all along, just not always with money.
Titled ‘Zindagi Ke Liye SIP’, the campaign trades charts and jargon for heart and hustle. It tells the story of a young girl whose life is shaped by a series of small, consistent “investments” made by her family: a mother’s daily encouragement, a teacher’s dedication, a sibling’s quiet sacrifices. Whether it’s “kisht jazbaat ki” (an instalment of emotions) or “kisht sapno ke shuruwat ki” (an instalment of beginnings), each gesture adds up just like a Systematic Investment Plan.
It’s a clever narrative twist that HDFC Mutual Fund uses to sell a bigger truth: that consistency, discipline and long-term thinking aren’t just traits of savvy investors, they’re how we live our best lives. So why not apply the same logic to wealth creation?
Speaking on the campaign launch, HDFC Asset Management Company MD & CEO Navneet Munot said, “Life’s greatest rewards often come from the consistent, thoughtful investments we make in our relationships, dreams, and aspirations. At HDFC Mutual Fund, we believe the same principle applies to financial investments – disciplined contributions through SIPs over a long period lead to achieving financial goals. Our investor education campaign, ‘Zindagi Ke Liye SIP,’ captures this essence beautifully, inspiring people to invest in their future just as they invest in life.”
Far from being a dull finance lecture, the campaign positions SIPs as life’s financial parallel steady, meaningful, and deeply personal. It taps into universal emotions with the kind of insight that could resonate with those who’ve never thought of themselves as investors.
Backed by a full-spectrum media rollout from digital to outdoor to on-ground activations ‘Zindagi Ke Liye SIP’ aims to get Indians thinking about investing not just as a financial act, but a life philosophy. Because at the end of the day, what is a SIP if not a kisht of faith in tomorrow?
Mumbai: Publicis Worldwide India, part of Publicis Groupe India, has conceptualised an exciting ad film, ‘Seekh,’ for HDFC Mutual Fund. This film is an extension of the highly successful ‘Zindagi Ke Liye SIP’ campaign launched last year and highlights the ease of investing in mutual funds through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP).
The film aims to forge a strong emotional connection with first-time investors, emphasizing that investing in mutual funds through SIP is as simple and familiar as our daily lives, contrary to how consumers perceive it.
The new film depicts a father imparting a valuable life lesson to his son. Through this narrative, the brand wants investors to know that success comes to those who start early and think long-term – a life truth that SIP mirrors.
Speaking about the film, Publicis Worldwide India managing director Oindrila Roy said, “At Publicis Worldwide India, we help brands engage their audiences by leveraging powerful human insights. Zindagi Ke Liye SIP is a perfect example of a campaign that is based on a powerful cultural insight that unlocks category growth for mutual funds. Through a series of heart-warming and relatable stories, we want to showcase how SIP can make mutual fund investing rewarding.”
“We, as a society, believe that starting something early is very important and a prerequisite for success. It’s a principle that’s equally true for SIP. This observation forms the premise of our second film for the campaign ‘Zindagi Ke Liye SIP’. The film tells a simple yet poignant story of vulnerability and honesty. The film is authentic and relatable. And like always we have tried to keep the narrative honest,” added Publicis Worldwide India executive creative directors at Srijan Shukla and Pratheeb Ravi.
The campaign is crafted to resonate with diverse audiences across the country, highlighting similarities between life and a successful SIP investment. The film will be aired on TV and digital platforms, targeting a wide audience of young investors.
Mumbai: In celebration of Children’s Day, HDFC Mutual Fund unveils a heartfelt campaign capturing the essence of the unbreakable bond between children and parents. The campaign, showcased through a video, draws parallels between the enduring trust shared by parents and their children and the concept of systematic investment plans (SIP).
The video beautifully illustrates how a parent’s relationship with their child mirrors the consistency and reliability of an SIP, emphasising the long-term commitment and nurturing aspect. HDFC Mutual Fund aims to evoke emotions and highlight the significance of financial planning for life’s milestones through this heart-warming narrative.
Encouraging the audience to embark on a journey of financial security, the campaign introduces the hashtag #ZindagiKeLiyeSIP. This hashtag reflects the campaign’s core message of using SIPs as a tool to invest not just in financial goals but also in the well-being and future of loved ones.
As HDFC Mutual Fund continues to inspire individuals to plan for their #ZindagiKeLiyeSIP, the campaign stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections and securing a better tomorrow for families.
Mumbai: This World Investor Week (9 to 15 October 2023) HDFC Mutual Fund is pleased to present Nukkad Natak – a captivating street play to be held across the length and breadth of India, to drive home the importance of creating wealth by moving cash savings into more efficient investment vehicles. This investor education & awareness initiative is part of the highly successful #BarniSeAzadi campaign, launched on 15 August 2021 to financially empower Indian households and encourage healthy investing habits. The initiative is particularly targeting women across all strata of society.
Against the backdrop of India completing 76 years of Independence in August 2023, we will be conducting 76 events of Nukkad Natak across 6 cities during the World Investor Week (9th Oct to 15 Oct 2023)
This captivating street play will deliver thought-provoking performances across 6 cities viz Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Bangalore. The Nukkad Natak aims to empower people with essential knowledge about investment options like Mutual Funds, which could help them grow their wealth over the long-term.
HDFC AMC MD & CEO Navneet Munot stated, “As we strive to build a nation of endless possibilities in our Amrit Kaal, we want to raise the bar on what is being done today to encourage wealth creation for every Indian. Over the last two years, our mega investor education & awareness initiative, #BarniSeAzadi has touched the lives of countless households. The campaign has a specific focus on women across all strata of society. This year, on the occasion of World Investor Week, we are proud to present our highly impactful and relatable Nukkad Natak series across the country as we strive to continue empowering the masses.”
The #BarniSeAzadi campaign has been instrumental in transforming how people look at investing. Through this initiative, we urged the audience to free their money from traditional savings methods and invest them productively in investment vehicles like Mutual Funds (MFs), to give their hard-earned money a chance to grow. Ahead of World Investor Week, through Nukkad Natak, we aim to deliver this message even more impactfully and continue this mission of financial empowerment of masses.
To be part of this unique initiative and witness the performances, stay tuned to HDFC Mutual Fund’s social media channels for updates on upcoming events.
Mumbai: As the country gears up to celebrate its 76th Independence Day, marking 75 years of the country’s independence from British rule, brands go all out, wearing their patriotic hearts on their logo-emblazoned sleeves in a bid to connect with their consumers. From campaigns that celebrate our nation’s diversity, to videos that convey heart-warming narratives and an awareness of financial independence, to shedding light on social issues, this year’s Independence Day communications are filled with messages of hope and empathy, along with pride.
Here are a bunch of campaigns and initiatives that stood out to us:
JSW Paints added colour to India’s Independence Day celebrations with a film that drives home the brand’s promise – “Thoughtful is Beautiful.” Conceptualised by TBWAIndia, the film captures India’s struggle and India’s originality in the same breath. Taking on a challenge that most Indian neighbourhoods face – a problem that no amount of fines, warnings, or well-intended public advisory has been able to solve. Until JSW Paints decided to change the canvas of solutions and presented a bright new answer in blazing tricolour.
Ahead of the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day, Godrej Group released #SoundsOfMakingIndia, the sequel to its Independence Day campaign from 2019, that captured all the industrial sounds that signify progress in the manufacturing ecosystem. The film narrates the story of the Godrej Group’s journey of being an integral part of our nation’s progress while integrating the different businesses of the national brand.
HDFC Mutual Fund has extended its #BarniSeAzadi campaign (first launched in 2021) to promote financial independence for women. Through this campaign, the company urges women to free their money from traditional savings methods and invest in mutual funds (MFs), so as to give their hard-earned money a chance to grow. The campaign is based on the insight that Indians have always saved money in traditional instruments like “Barnis”, pickle jars, lockers, FDs, etc.
Furthermore, HDFC Mutual Fund is organising a unique outdoor activity wherein a gigantic barni will be installed near Mumbai’s Carter Road from 13 to 15 August, where the company will take a pledge from women to not put their money in barnis anymore and use the suitable instrument to grow their money.
Robin Hood Army (RHA), a zero-funds volunteer organisation that works towards getting surplus food from restaurants and communities to the plates of those less fortunate, has teamed up with media conglomerate ABP Network for Mission75 on India’s 76th Independence Day, where they are serving 75 lakh meals across India. To start conversations about the initiative and the sad reality millions of Indians face, the NGO has partnered with a creative agency, The Minimalist.
Based on the topic that never goes out of trend, weight loss, The Minimalist conceptualised a clever, provocative film-#KhaaliThaali. The film utilises ‘Khaali Thaali’, a simple tool to depict the brutal reality of many Indians, and delivers a hard-hitting message.
The static posts were disguised to look like ads for people who have experienced transformative weight loss, only to reveal the grim reality of how they did not have a choice in the matter.
LAFZ is a culturally conscious, Halal certified brand headquartered in Singapore and a part of global FMCG conglomerate Believe PTE. To mark the occasion, the brand has released a video that’s a tribute to India’s 76th Independence. The idea was inspired by a famous Islamic saying, “Hubbul Watan Minal Iman,” which means “Loving one’s own homeland is a part of faith.” The video was conceptualised internally by the team. The film reaffirms that love for one’s homeland is unconditional and unbiased, irrespective of religion, colour, caste, and societal status.
Watch the video here –
Looking back to the unprecedented time when covid-19 outbreak brought the world to a standstill, and our defence and police forces stayed on duty, regardless of the deadly pandemic, Hamdard Laboratories launched a national campaign ‘SEHAT HAI TOH WATAN HAI’, paying homage to their valiance. As the eight-month-long campaign launched on 26 January approaches its culmination on India’s 76th Independence, Hamdard celebrated the health of India with multiple activities across its wellness centres from 10 – 14 August 2022. The brand has conducted 75 health camps and touched more than 15,000 lives of brave heroes.
Watching patriotic movies and catching the parade on TV never gets old on Independence Day, but why not try out something new this time—like OTT listening? On the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Pocket FM brings to you a special audiobook collection to celebrate 75 years of independence and feel your pride and honour for the nation.
Here’s a list of the top five audiobooks to share with your kin on the occasion: Amar Krantiweer Chandra Shekhar Azad – get to know the courageous tale of the freedom fighter during the Indian Independence movement, My Experiments With Truth-In this audiobook, Mahatma Gandhi has given reminiscences of his childhood, relations with his wife and parents, experiences at school, his study tour to London, his journey to South Africa, experiences of colour prejudice, and his quest for dharma, Jhansi Ki Rani- The audiobook speaks about how the Queen had to repeatedly face gruelling challenges but still drew strength from her adversity. Annihilation of Caste – Listen to this audiobook to hear B.R Ambedkar’s searing takedown of the caste system, Why Am I An Atheist – an essay written by Indian revolutionary Bhagat Singh in 1930 in Lahore Central Jail. Tune into this book and understand why the freedom fighter was an atheist.
Finally, is it ever a celebration without having an equivalent one in the metaverse? As we are all set to commemorate India’s 76th Independence Day, digital solutions provider Kiya.ai will be celebrating the occasion in the metaverse. In what the brand claims to be a ‘first-of-its-kind’ initiative, Kiya.ai will celebrate Azadi Kaa Amrit Mahotsav with Har Ghar Tiranga on Bharatmeta, a dedicated zone of Kiyaverse, “India’s first metaverse” on www.bharatmeta.in.
A virtual experience in Bharatmeta allows visitors to observe the Tricolour hoisted on a virtual monument and explore the zone while listening to patriotic songs.
MUMBAI: In line with its market focus and growth strategy, integrated out of home agency Milestone Brandcom has strengthened its OOH division by appointing Surojit Sen and Rasiq Sultan as A.V.P – East India 360 Integration and Regional Head South India respectively.
Sultan will be operating from Bangalore and the entire team in south will report to him. He has nearly nine years of experience in the OOH industry, having worked with agencies like Percept and OAP. His last assignment was with Percept, where he worked as regional head for south. He has worked on brands like USL, Wipro, Lenovo, Levis, Indus League, Central, Tanishq, Titan, General Motors and Nokia.
Sen has 13 years experience in the industry with his previous stint being with Percept as regional manager – east. Before that he was with Selvel Advertising for 12 years. During his time in the industry, Sen has worked on brands like USL, Seagram, ABP, Zee TV and Allied Blenders Distilleries.
Milestone Brandcom founder and managing director Nabendu Bhattacharyya said, “With the help of Surojit and Rasiq, we will continue to expand our footprints in the East and South and offer our existing clients better and more customized solutions. With the help of Rasiq and Sultan’s extensive local knowledge and understanding of the markets in the South and East, we are sure to offer an edge over others in providing robust solutions to our clients.”
Milestone Brandcom currently executes OOH media duties for 75 established brands in India including key accounts like Tata Photon- Docomo, COLORS, McDonalds, Binani Cement, Axis Bank, L’Oreal, HDFC Mutual Fund, Dish TV, DSP Blackrock and Franklyn Templeton.
MUMBAI: John Dickie has been appointed as UK pubcaster the BBC’s new head of corporate affairs.
Dickie, currently head of public affairs for the BBC and responsible for the organisation’s relationship with Parliament and politicians, will take on the new, broader role immediately, retaining the public affairs remit.
The appointment, working to the BBC’s Head of Communications Sally Osman, is part of the wider restructuring of the Marketing, Communications & Audiences division (MC&A). He will also take responsibility for all PR research, events and publications and manage a group of senior PR project managers.
Dickie has been a key member of the Charter Review team under the BBC’s Director of Strategy, Caroline Thomson, over recent years; and was involved in conveying the BBC’s position on the latest Communications Act.
A former public policy consultant with Prima and then GPC, Dickie, 41, was also Regulatory Affairs Director of the European Competitive Telecommunications Association.
Osman said, “We are nearing the end of the Charter Review and Licence Fee settlement process in which John and his team have played an integral role. The focus will soon shift to wider communications priorities through to 2012, strengthening relationships and shifting perceptions. John has great intuition, intelligence and ideas so I’m delighted he and his team are joining the Communications group.”
Dickie said, “I’m delighted to be have been given the opportunity by Sally to bring together the BBC’s public affairs and public relations teams. Working together, and with colleagues across the BBC, we will be showing how the BBC is delivering its public purposes under the new Charter.”
The four-strong Public Affairs team, which includes Andrew Scadding, a former BBC producer and ex-head of Broadcasting with the Conservative Party, will also move in to the communications team within the BBC’s MC&A division.
