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Tag: Karnataka

  • Carlsberg and Liverpool FC recreate a miracle

    Carlsberg and Liverpool FC recreate a miracle

    MUMBAI: It’s time to raise a can to one of football’s greatest comebacks! To mark 20 years of Liverpool FC’s unforgettable “Miracle of Istanbul”, Carlsberg India has unveiled the Carlsberg smooth limited-edition ‘Miracle of 2005’ Can, a stylish tribute to the night the Reds turned a 3–0 deficit into Champions League glory.

    The campaign, aptly titled Live the Miracle, invites fans across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa to relive the emotion of that night, one sip at a time. The can design fuses Liverpool’s iconic red with Carlsberg’s signature green, featuring timestamps of every pivotal moment from the match, echoing the highs, lows, and that unforgettable lift of the trophy.

    But the celebration doesn’t stop at the can. Through the campaign, fans can step into goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek’s shoes in an interactive online game accessed via Carlsberg India’s Instagram or QR codes on retail displays. Winners stand to claim exclusive prizes, from Carlsberg x Liverpool FC merchandise and screenings with club legends to an all-expense-paid trip to Anfield.

    “The Miracle of 2005 is more than just a match, it’s a story of resilience and passion,” said Carlsberg India vice president – marketing Partha Jha. “With ‘Live the Miracle’, we’re not just commemorating that night; we’re bringing it alive for Indian fans through experiences that go far beyond watching the game.”

    The partnership between Carlsberg and Liverpool FC dates back to 1992, making it one of football’s longest-running collaborations. From the treble of 2001 to the miracle of 2005, the Carlsberg logo has stood proudly on the Reds’ chest through their most iconic victories.

    Now, two decades later, that spirit of belief and camaraderie is bubbling over once again, in every limited-edition can that invites fans to live the miracle, sip by sip.
     

  • Namma Desha, Namma Hemme: Colors Kannada observes I-Day with cultural campaign

    Namma Desha, Namma Hemme: Colors Kannada observes I-Day with cultural campaign

    MUMBAI: Colors Kannada turned this Independence Day into a state-wide celebration of culture, pride and patriotism with its campaign “Namma Desha, Namma Hemme” (Our Country, Our Pride).

    For the second year running, Karnataka’s acclaimed general entertainment channel (GEC) went beyond the screen, sending its artists back to their roots. From schools in Mysuru to temples in Mangaluru, flag-hoisting in Bidar to cultural activities in Kodagu, the initiative united communities across all 31 districts.

    Artists including Bigg Boss Kannada fame Trivikram, Bhavya Gowda, Manoj Kumar, Shilpa Kamath, Sukrutha Nag and many more took centre stage in their hometowns, weaving together tradition, performance and local pride.

    “For us, Independence Day is not just a celebration, but a reminder of what binds us together as a nation. With Namma Desha, Namma Hemme, we wanted to go beyond the screen and truly connect with people across every district of Karnataka,” said a Colors Kannada spokesperson. “With Namma Desha, Namma Hemme, we wanted to go beyond the screen and truly connect with people across every district of Karnataka. This campaign is a reflection of Colors Kannada’s deep cultural rootedness taking our artists back to the communities they come from, sharing in their pride, and celebrating our unity in diversity. The overwhelming response reinforces that when entertainment is rooted in culture and community, it creates lasting impact.”

    And the numbers echo that sentiment. The campaign drew 5 million views on Colors Kannada’s social platforms, while on-ground celebrations reached over 1 lakh viewers and 30,000 households. On Instagram alone, the six promos pulled in a cool 13k–18k views each.

    By mixing patriotism with local flavour, the GEC once again proved that Independence Day isn’t just about hoisting the flag, it’s about hoisting community spirit too.
     

  • Finale Countdown Hits a High Note with Zee5’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Live

    Finale Countdown Hits a High Note with Zee5’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Live

    MUMBAI: Cue the drumroll, Karnataka, your favourite musical face-off is tuning into the digital age like never before. Zee5 is turning up the volume with a first-of-its-kind exclusive livestream of the Zee Kannada Sa Re Ga Ma Pa grand finale, streaming before TV on 5 June 2025. One of the biggest digital leaps in Indian reality television, this grand event marks the platform’s most ambitious live telecast yet, and it’s pulling out all the stops from fan-voting rewards to legendary judges and Rs 99 subscriptions that come with a side of surprises.

    Hosted by fan-favourite Anushree, the finale brings together a power-packed panel of judges Vijay Prakash, Rajesh Krishnan, and Arjun Janya who’ve helped shape Karnataka’s contemporary music scene and mentored countless rising stars along the way.

    What’s more, viewers are now part of the action like never before. From 14 May till two days before the finale, fans can log into the Zee5 app and vote for their favourite singer to win the title of “Most Popular Singer.” One lucky superfan might even be crowned the “Most Favourite Voter”, unlocking exclusive goodies.

    Zee5 and Zee Kannada business head Deepak Sriramulu stated, “Regional content continues to be a key pillar of our growth at Zee5, along with music playing a powerful role in connecting communities. The Grand Finale of Zee Kannada Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is a celebration of Karnataka’s rich musical legacy, and we are proud to bring this iconic cultural experience live to audiences across the globe. With exclusive digital-first access on Zee5, we’re taking regional entertainment to the next level, making it more immersive, interactive, and accessible than ever before. This marks the first time such a landmark event is being brought to life in the digital space, and it sets the stage for many exciting opportunities in the future as we continue to redefine how audiences engage with regional culture and music.”

    With its growing emphasis on regional-first entertainment, Zee5 continues to hit the high notes when it comes to local engagement. The platform’s Rs 99 subscription offer not only gets users early access to the musical finale but also puts them in the running for rewards making bingeing both emotional and rewarding.

    So whether you’re team high-octane vocals or rooting for that soulful crooner, this June 5th, your living room becomes the front row of Karnataka’s biggest musical celebration streaming exclusively, only on Zee5.

  • Sip happens Ayodhya gets its first taste of smart water access

    Sip happens Ayodhya gets its first taste of smart water access

    MUMBAI: Why carry a bottle when Ayodhya now pours clean, cold water on tap? In a move that’s part hydration, part transformation, Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, in partnership with SM Sehgal Foundation and Ayodhya Nagar Nigam, has turned up the public health dial with the installation of community water ATMs across key areas of the city. The initiative puts reliable, RO-purified drinking water at the fingertips of residents and pilgrims alike no app required.

    Each ATM is connected to the Nagar Nigam’s municipal supply and backed by overhead storage tanks. The water is filtered through a Reverse Osmosis system, stored in stainless steel chilled tanks, and dispensed via hygienic external taps. The result? Round-the-clock, walk-up access to clean, cool water in one of India’s most spiritual and frequently visited cities.

    The Coca-Cola India Foundation director Rajiv Gupta said, “Access to drinking water is a fundamental pillar of public health and community well-being. Our partnership with Ayodhya Nagar Nigam and the SM Sehgal Foundation is a strategic initiative that demonstrates our commitment to help improving water accessibility in the region through better infrastructure and local collaboration.”

    S M Sehgal Foundation trustee and CEO Anjali Makhija said, “Water is vital, and through our collaboration with Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we help create solutions for communities. The installation of water ATMs in Ayodhya marks a significant step towards ensuring access to hydration, especially in a city that welcomes millions of pilgrims and visitors each year.”

    Ayodhya Nagar Nigam Municipal commissioner Santosh Sharma said, “This initiative underscores the positive role of public-private partnerships in enhancing urban infrastructure. Together with Coca-Cola India Foundation, we’re addressing the need for reliable drinking water across key areas in Ayodhya, benefiting both residents and visitors. By strengthening the city’s water access, this effort is a crucial part of our broader commitment to improving civic amenities and ensuring a sustainable, community-centered development.”

    The effort is part of a broader Coca-Cola India Foundation strategy that’s already impacted over one million lives. Through Project Jaldhara, the Foundation in collaboration with SM Sehgal Foundation has led water conservation efforts across Kolar (Karnataka), Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), and Aurangabad (Maharashtra). Their interventions range from check dam construction and tank desilting to decentralised water systems, designed to fight water stress from the grassroots up.

    Ayodhya now becomes the next ripple in that wave. As India heats up and demand for public hydration rises, these ATMs offer more than a moment of relief, they’re a blueprint for civic innovation.

    Because in today’s world, a sip well-served is a civic duty well done.

     

  • ZEE unveils its Technology and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru

    ZEE unveils its Technology and Innovation Centre in Bengaluru

    Mumbai: Zee Entertainment Enterprises has announced the launch of its Technology and Innovation Centre in India’s tech capital – Bengaluru. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai on Friday.

    The sprawling 80,000 feet centre will be the Company’s epicentre to build a strong cohort of tech, data and talent.

    Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Bommai said, “For decades, the state of Karnataka has maintained its position as the technology capital of the country and Bengaluru, its capital city, has now become the Silicon Valley of the nation. The ecosystem that Bengaluru has created, is difficult to replicate and has been created by none other than the citizens of the city. The government of Karnataka is extremely delighted to be a part of Zee’s initiative and I am confident that the Technology & Innovation Centre set up by Zee will help to accelerate the growth prospects of the state. Public-private partnership is essential for the growth and long term success of any state and we will ensure that we walk shoulder to shoulder with Zee in this journey.”

    The governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot said, “The coming years promise fast paced growth & development for the state of Karnataka, mainly due to the evolution of the IT and start-up ecosystem in Bengaluru. The capital city has been consistently ranked among the Top 30 Global Start-up Ecosystems and we are glad that Corporates like ZEE are focusing their investments on India’s Silicon Valley. I congratulate ZEE on launching the tech centre and firmly believe that it will assist in propelling the state to a global stage and uplift the lives of professionals in the tech industry.”

    Zee’s president -technology Nitin Mittal said “At the Tech & Innovation Centre, we are building the ability for ZEE to leverage digital technologies to improve our reach and engage our customers anytime, anywhere across all devices. We have been a frontrunner in creating engaging content for more than 1.3 billion viewers and are currently focused on building Web 3.0 entertainment platforms. This Centre will build the metaverse future of ZEE including AR, VR, NFTs and relevant data models to our digital platforms.”

    Zee’s president-HR and Transformation Animesh Kumar said, “Our newly inaugurated Technology & Innovation Centre is an amalgam of a cross-functional talent pool of like-minded individuals ready to challenge the status quo and create innovative solutions in the digital ecosystem. The vibrant workspace is designed with a unique employee value proposition focused on culture, collaboration & innovation is bound to spark ideas and disrupt the ConTech space. We have onboarded some of the brightest tech talent in India that will create the next level of frictionless, highly personalised delivery platforms for content consumption, thereby setting new standards in the country. This is the Centre that will drive our ambition to dominate content consumption in India and for South Asians globally”.

  • Dream11 halts operations in Karnataka after FIR against founders

    Dream11 halts operations in Karnataka after FIR against founders

    Mumbai: Online sports platform Dream11 has suspended Karnataka operations of its gaming app Dream11 after its directors were booked under the amended Karnataka Police Act, which seeks to ban online gaming. 

    Following the filing of a first information report (FIR) against its founders in Bengaluru under the state’s newly legislated Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act 2021, the homegrown sports tech company said in a statement on Sunday, “Following the recent media coverage, our Karnataka users have expressed deep concerns and anxiety for their safety and security. In order to allay our users’ concerns, we have decided to suspend operations in Karnataka.”

    The Karnataka Police Act recently amended its gaming law to prohibit online gambling, betting, and wagering. On Saturday, the Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against Dream11 founders Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth subsequent to a complaint that the Mumbai-based firm had continued to offer gaming services on its platform a week after the state government notified the new rules disallowing what it termed as “games of chance.”

    Dream11 said that the complaint was “motivated” and it is examining legal remedies. 

    With this, the online gaming platform has joined the likes of Mobile Premier League (MPL), Paytm First Games, Games24X7, and others, which have deactivated their platform for users in Karnataka.

    Dream11, however, continues to maintain that it is compliant with all the laws. “We have been advised by the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), who have shared an opinion from a former Supreme Court Judge, stating that the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act 2021 does not apply to its member Fantasy Sports Operators. This is because the FIFS format of fantasy sports has been upheld by the honourble courts of India as not amounting to gambling, betting, or wagering,” said the company in a statement.

    Karnataka’s new law, which came into effect on 5 October, bans online games that are “games of chance” in nature. It makes operation, abetting, or sheltering of online games involving the exchange of money, betting, and wagering “cognisable and non-bailable offence.”

    The move comes at a time when the Indian Premier League (IPL) is underway and the T20 Cricket World Cup is slated to start later this month. These sporting events are crucial for the gaming platforms to drive engagement and acquire new users in what’s a competitive industry.

    The Dream11 platform allows users to play fantasy cricket, hockey, football, kabaddi, and basketball on its app. The firm became the first Indian gaming company to enter the unicorn club in April 2019 after an investment took its valuation at over $ one billion.

  • Cinema halls, drama theatres to reopen in Maharashtra from 22 Oct

    Cinema halls, drama theatres to reopen in Maharashtra from 22 Oct

    Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced that cinema halls and drama theatres in the state will be allowed to operate starting from 22 October. Theatres will have to adhere to the norms set by the government to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

    The state government is going to issue a standard operating procedure for theatre owners soon.

    Thackeray convened a meeting of Covid-19 task force attended by Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut, state chief secretary Sitaram Kunte and filmmakers Rohit Shetty and Kunal Kapoor. Theatre personality Makarand Deshpande and Marathi actors Subodh Bhave, Aadesh Bandekar among others were also present.

    Theatre owners and associations such as the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) have been actively campaigning, urging the Maharashtra government to relax restrictions on theatres. According to the association, Maharashtra cinema exhibition industry was staring at a monthly loss of Rs 400 crore and were suffering mounting losses with the prolonged shutdown of theatres. Theatres have been shut since mid-March 2020. Restrictions were relaxed briefly in the months of October and November only to be tightened once again with the onset of the second wave.

    Meanwhile, Karnataka has also announced its decision to operate cinema halls and auditoriums at full capacity from 1 October, months after being run at half capacity due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The government guidelines mandate a minimum of one dose of vaccine along with other social distancing norms.

    Maharashtra recorded 3,286 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, out of which 446 were from Mumbai. As many as 51 people lost their lives to the disease in the last 24 hours. The total number of total active cases in the state stand at 38, 491, at the time of filing this report.

  • Chingari App unites with Rotary International & Being Human for Project Breathe

    Chingari App unites with Rotary International & Being Human for Project Breathe

    MUMBAI: Short video app Chingari has collaborated with Rotary International and Being Human for ‘Project Breathe’ to contribute to the country’s fight against the devastating second wave of Covid-19.

    The project aims to provide oxygen concentrators in the under-served regions of Southwest Maharashtra, North Karnataka, and the entire state of Goa which have been grappling to meet oxygen demands for the past few weeks.

    Speaking on the plan of action, Chingari App CEO & co-founder Sumit Ghosh said, “Rotary International and Being Human have always come forward to help those in need. As an organization that believes in building a better future for the nation, we are no different. It is the time to be with the people, and so, without a second thought, we have extended our support to help foster ‘Project Breathe’.”

    Under the project, Rotary Dist. 3170 will procure oxygen concentrators and send them to various hospitals in the region. These concentrators will be used by hospitals as an Oxygen Concentrator Bank for patients under home isolation, thus proportionately reducing their influx to hospitals that are already overwhelmed.

    Chingari and Fireside intend to start a fundraiser with CovidCitizens.org to support Covid initiatives undertaken by various NGOs across the country.

    Speaking on the collaboration, renowned laparoscopic surgeon & Director of Rotary International Dr. Bharat Pandya said, “Rotary International has been in the forefront of carrying out humanitarian projects across the world for more than a century. Rotary during Covid times has spent about $ 35 million across the globe and $ 5 million in India alone towards Covid relief measures and medical infrastructure support. We are grateful to Chingari and Being Human for collaborating with Rotary in supporting this noble cause and look forward to partnering with them in the future too.”

    Speaking on the collaboration, Chingari App co-founder and COO Deepak Salvi said, “These are testing times for the country & we all must extend our help to serve our people. We must take the battlefront to help our corona warriors. In its quest to help those suffering due to the shortage of oxygen, Chingari App will be extending its full support as part of its social responsibility and welfare initiative. I urge everyone to come together and help those around you in whatever way you can.”

  • HC notice to Karnataka govt, MIB over obscene content in media

    HC notice to Karnataka govt, MIB over obscene content in media

    New Delhi: The Karnataka high court has sought the state government’s response in a public interest litigation (PIL) to issue directions to frame statutory rules to prevent publication of indecent and obscene content as part of the news programme in electronic and print media.

    The court also issued notice to the ministry of Information and broadcasting (MIB) and state police in this regard.

    According to the petitioner, various media houses publish obscene videos and partially blurred nude photographs and videos of several incidents as part of news programmes. Some TV anchors also repeat the vulgar language used in the video clips to make it loud and clear so that the public can understand the language that is used by the compromised individuals, he stated in his plea, as reported by Bar and Bench.

    Though Section 5 of Cable TV (Regulation) Act-1995 provides that no person shall transmit or re-transmit through a cable service or any programme unless such programme is in conformity with the prescribed programme code, there is no definition for programme code, he submitted before the court.

    The petitioner prayed that publication of such content should be made a cognisable offence, which will have a reasonably deterrent punishment. Apart from framing guidelines, he also sought directions to prevent the electronic media from analysing the sub-judice matters before the court and direct the state police not to leak information collected during the course of investigation regarding any case to the press, public or media.

    The matter will be next heard on 7 June.

  • News First stings on launch day, gets Karnataka assembly talking on second day

    News First stings on launch day, gets Karnataka assembly talking on second day

    News First, Karnataka’s much awaited Kannada News Channel, didn’t disappoint on launch day.

    The channel chose to live up to its tagline of Pratikshana Nimmondhege, Every Moment with You, with a sting operation that showed the
    rampant spread of drug usage amongst children and youth alike, in government and private schools.

    While most Kannada channels are going to town with an overdose of sandalwood linked drug stories, News First decided to go the societal benefit route.

    The hard hitting story showed the modus operandi of drug peddlers luring and addicting vulnerable children between class 5 and 12. 

    The opposition too saw reason and made sure it was a talking point in the monsoon session of the Karnataka assembly, which started a day after the channel’s launch.

    KPCC president DK Shivakumar applauded News First for starting off with a socially relevant story of dire importance. Senior Congress Leader Dr Parameshwar promised to make it a subject of discussion in the assembly.
    JDS Leader Basavaraj Horatti lived up to his on air promise of raking up the children drug abuse story in the assembly.

    Quoting News First, Horatti spoke at length about the story and need for the state government to act fast.

    The government took cognisance off the issue and promised to initiate work in the direction in two days. 

    News First seems to be making all the right noises from the word go.

    Trade too seems to be showing keen interest despite the trying times.
    For a news channel launched in a crowded market place, day 1 showed sufficient promise with a tidy line up of commercials. 

    The men behind the venture, Ravikumar and Maruthi – formers execs of TV9 Kannada, and their team have contributed to increased interest in the News First.

    Armed with an experienced team, sophisticated setup and quality focus, News First is keen to shake up the Kannada News TV market.

    By the looks of it, the channel’s campaign “The Team that built Karnataka’s No. 1 News Channel, takes fresh aim” appears to have hit target.

    Well begun, isn’t exactly a battle half won in this case.

    But everybody loves a good start, at the cost of a wake up call !