ITV

Tag: Odisha

  • India’s rare black tiger prowls onto National Geographic’s October cover

    India’s rare black tiger prowls onto National Geographic’s October cover

    MUMBAI: Black is the new roar. India has made global headlines as a rare black tiger from Odisha’s Similipal national park takes centre stage on the cover of National Geographic’s October 2025 edition.

    The striking image, captured by Indian photographer and National Geographic explorer Prasenjeet Yadav, shines a spotlight on one of the world’s rarest big cats, and on India’s growing role in wildlife conservation.

    Similipal is home to about 30 tigers, nearly half of which carry the rare genetic mutation that gives them their striking pseudo-melanistic coats. Photographing one of these elusive cats, known as T12, was no easy feat. Yadav spent more than three months patiently tracking and observing before capturing the defining moment.

    “Being out in the forests of Similipal was intense and humbling,” Yadav reflected. “To see this story now on National Geographic’s cover is both an honour and a reminder of why we document India’s extraordinary wild heart.”

    The cover story, praised by Nat Geo editor-in-chief Nathan Lump, goes beyond the image itself. It underscores the importance of genetic diversity, warning that saving animals is just the first step, ensuring their long-term survival demands broader action.

    Jiostar’s Alok Jain, who oversees National Geographic in India, added: “This almost mythical sight reflects the power of nature’s mysteries and continues Nat Geo’s legacy of ground breaking storytelling.”

    The achievement also highlights the tireless work of the Odisha forest department, scientists, and conservationists working to protect fragile ecosystems. More than a photograph, it is a global reminder of India’s conservation commitment.

    With this historic cover, National Geographic not only celebrates the rare black tiger but also elevates India’s role in safeguarding the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife, one frame at a time.
     

  • Let’s Move +1 puts a fresh spin on Olympic Day with a call to move together

    Let’s Move +1 puts a fresh spin on Olympic Day with a call to move together

    MUMBAI: Pair up, power up Olympic Day is going two-for-one this year. This 23 June, the International Olympic Committee’s global movement campaign Let’s Move returns with a twist, Let’s Move +1, a call for Indians to embrace the power of paired play. In partnership with the Abhinav Bindra Foundation and the Reliance Foundation, the campaign encourages citizens to take a step, then bring a sibling, friend or colleague along for the next one.

    The idea? Moving together means staying motivated and the impact could be national. Over 50 sports venues across India will offer free paired sessions in cricket, padel, badminton, pickleball and more. No strings, just your +1.

    Backed by data from the World Health Organization that shows 50 per cent of Indian adults and a staggering 81 per cent of youth globally fail to meet activity recommendations, Let’s Move +1 taps into sport’s lesser-known benefit social wellbeing. Whether it’s a post-work pickleball match or skipping at school, shared movement builds community and fights loneliness, a growing global concern.

    Schools, too, are stepping in. Through the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) run in Chandigarh, Odisha and Assam more than 12 million children will take part in yoga, kho-kho, dance, arts, and Olympic-themed activities. The programme has already reached 10 million students, driving inclusivity and activity hand in hand.

    Olympic gold medallist and IOC Athletes’ Commission member Abhinav Bindra captured the spirit, “Let’s Move +1 reminds us that sport is not just about strength, it’s about support, connection, and joy.”

    The Reliance Foundation will host a special Olympic Day celebration for 1,450 schoolchildren, joined by archery Olympians Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das. “Sport has shown me the value of having someone in your corner,” said Kumari, a four-time Olympian. “Now, I want to be that person for someone else.”

    Launched in 2023, Let’s Move has already engaged 20 million people in India. With this year’s edition, the campaign doubles down on inclusivity and doubles the fun. Because sometimes, all it takes to get moving is someone to move with.

  • Oben rides high with Rs 100 Cr Series A charge for e-motorcycle push

    Oben rides high with Rs 100 Cr Series A charge for e-motorcycle push

    MUMBAI: Full throttle, zero emissions, Oben Electric is charging ahead, literally and figuratively. The Bengaluru-based EV startup has announced an extended Series A funding round of Rs 50 crore in May 2025, doubling its January raise and taking the total Series A tally to Rs 100 crore. With this, Oben Electric has now raised a total of Rs 200 crore to date, further fuelling its ambition to become India’s leading electric motorcycle brand.

    The latest round saw participation from both new and returning investors, including Helios Holdings, the Sharda Family Office, and the Kay family, signalling continued confidence in the company’s growth, tech edge, and strong unit economics.

    Oben plans to deploy the fresh capital to supercharge its expansion to 150 plus showrooms across 50 plus cities by FY26, roll out its O100 platform of affordable e-bikes under Rs 1 lakh, and boost manufacturing capabilities at its Bangalore facility, which already churns out up to 100,000 units annually.

    Sandesh of the Sharda Family Office said, “Oben Electric has cracked the product-market fit in a large, untapped category. Their full-stack integration from LFP batteries to control units and their high growth QoQ made this a clear bet.”

    The company currently boasts 37 retail outlets across 26 cities in 13 states, with new footprints in Punjab, Telangana, Gujarat, and Odisha, among others solidifying its rapid post-funding execution.

    At the heart of Oben’s offering is the Oben Rorr EZ, priced at Rs 99,999, targeting urban commuters with its 175 km range, 0–40 km/h in 3.3 seconds, and 95 km/h top speed. Its flagship Rorr, too, continues to make noise among performance-first riders, both powered by India’s first LFP battery tech in two-wheelers, engineered for durability and heat resistance.

    Oben’s differentiation lies in being truly R&D-led and vertically integrated, designing not just bikes but also their core systems motors, batteries, vehicle control units, and fast home chargers all in-house. With a team of 500 plus experts, 150 plus domestic vendors, and partnerships across 68,000 public chargers, Oben is laying the groundwork for long-term dominance.

    Oben Electric founder & CEO Madhumita Agrawal summed it up, “With O100 and rapid expansion underway, we’re not just building electric motorcycles, we’re building India’s answer to global two-wheeler mobility.”

    The company now has its sights on a USD 30 million Series B fundraise in 2025, aimed at international expansion and deeper product scale-up. If Oben’s roadmap is anything to go by, India’s electric two-wheeler scene just got a whole lot more exciting.

  • ZEE Sarthak unveils new campaign to boost brand identity

    ZEE Sarthak unveils new campaign to boost brand identity

    Mumbai: The leading Odia entertainment channel, ZEE Sarthak, has unveiled a new campaign that pays ode to the women of Odisha. The new brand identity of the channel aims to celebrate the uniqueness of Odias and celebrate ZEEL’s long-standing association with its audiences.

    As part of the campaign, ZEE Sarthak has further announced a signature step challenge on the channel anthem. The high-octane campaign has been launched on the ZEE Sarthak channel and will be promoted through a 360-degree approach across mediums – OOH, print as well as its social media channels including YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

    Inspired by the cultural ethos of the region, the all-new campaign is built with popular characters from the channel who reflect the very being of the Odia woman and salute her magnificent grace and resolute inner strength. Music directed by Indradip Dasgupta and the first-ever Odia song is sung by the prominent playback singer Aakriti Kakar. The channel aims to further strengthen its connection with the audience through a distinct range of shows, relatable storytelling and refreshed brand identity which offers an enhanced viewer experience.

    Over the years, Zee Sarthak has cemented its dominance with its popular and leading shows in the market – Jhili, Bijayanai, Sunajhia along with engaging non-fiction IP formats like Didi No.1, SRGMP and many more. As the leading channel in Odisha, ZEE Sarthak strongly follows a consumer-centric approach to creating and curating a strong mix of fiction and non-fiction shows that have been consistently gaining widespread popularity among viewers. The all-new campaign celebrates the Odia women’s spirit and resilience, which is reflected in the channel’s content philosophy.

    Talking about the channel’s new campaign, ZEE Sarthak chief channel officer Pratik Seal said, “We aspire to keep Odisha’s preferred choice of entertainment with our viewer-first approach. The success garnered by our recent shows such as Jhili and Didi No.1, has played a critical role in reinforcing our promise of offering extraordinary entertainment. Going ahead, we have interesting properties lined up for our audiences, which include the new seasons of the much-loved and widely popular Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Dance Odisha Dance and more new stories. We will also continue to broadcast the much-anticipated Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra. Taking the channel’s entertainment quotient a notch higher, the brand-new identity is another major leap that will enhance our viewing experience and further strengthen our connect with the audiences.”

    Commenting on the announcement, ZEEL East chief cluster officer Samrat Ghosh, “At ZEE, we have always kept the viewers at the nucleus, while leveraging aspects such as design thinking to formulate an intriguing yet entertaining mix of shows as part of our content slate. ZEE Sarthak is the number one Odia GEC channel & one of the most successful regional GEC channels in India. Our brand and content have always highlighted progressive & culturally-rooted thoughts complimenting deeply ingrained values of middle-class Odias. The spirit of this culturally rooted progressive thought has been always displayed through our extraordinary stories and empowered women characters that mirror the culture and simplicity of Odia women (the ‘Lakshmi’ of Odia households), is a key factor behind this popularity. In line with the channel’s content philosophy of ensuring consumer centricity and offering ‘Truly Odia’ (Khanti Odia) content to the audience in the region, Zee Sarthak is proud to announce its new campaign which captures the true spirit & voice of middle-class Odia women. In addition to this, Zee Sarthak over the years has launched several initiatives with an aim to empower the women of Odisha. The song that we are launching today and the ‘Nalli Bindu’ initiative is a step in the same direction.”

    “ZEE Sarthak had recently announced the launch of ‘Nalli Bindu’ campaign in association with Raja Prabo festival to spread awareness about women’s right to menstrual hygiene. Leveraging its reach and popularity, the channel launched a hard-hitting film centered around girl child’s education. The one-of-its-kind film ended with a call to action, urging audiences to donate to the ‘Naali Bindu’ website to support a girl child’s education. Therefore, moving ahead in the journey, we want to cherish the relationship we have with our viewers and partners, and together march towards an extraordinary journey that reflects the true sentiment of Nuwa Kahani Nuwa Rangare, Atoot Samparka Ama Sangare,” added Ghosh.

    Talking about the new brand identity, ZEEL chief marketing officer content SBU Kartik Mahadev said, “At ZEE, our content and brand design is centered around the consumer. Our understanding of ‘Odiatwa’ (truly Odia being) has played a crucial role in maintaining a leadership position in the market. The new identity of ZEE Sarthak is both rooted and contemporary, taking inspiration from culturally significant symbols and regional art expressions such as the revered ‘Nilachakra’ and the local patterns of ‘Sambalpuri’ saree weave and signature ‘filigree’ jewellery. We believe this revamped brand identity will strengthen our emotional connect with the Odia viewer. The circular holder for the channel name symbolises how the inner circle (family and community) is integral to being Odia. Zee Sarthak’s new identity reflects the cultural ethos of the region as well as emphasises on our vision and commitment to be the most preferred choice of entertainment in the market through relatable and insightful storytelling.”

  • News18 Odia to host Education Eminence 2021 on 5 Sept

    News18 Odia to host Education Eminence 2021 on 5 Sept

    Mumbai: News18 Odia, the Odia news channel of News18 network, on Friday announced that it will host Education Eminence 2021 on 5 September. The award ceremony will take place between 9 a.m and 6.30 p.m only on News18 Odia.

    Education Eminence is the recognition initiative from News18 to felicitate educational institutions in Odisha that have worked tirelessly during this critical period of a global covid-19 pandemic.

    “Education Eminence 2021 will honour 16 educational institutions in various categories for their outstanding performance in building knowledge and for their contributions to our society,” said the channel in a statement.

    The award ceremony will be in the form of a day-long program and the minister of higher education will inaugurate the program.

    The honourable guests for the event include – Padma Shri awardee and renowned sand artist, Suadarshan Patnaik; Film star and activist, Sabyasachi Mishra; Council of Higher Secondary Education, secretary, Gangadhar Sahoo, and State Information Commission’s Dillip Bisoi.

    News18 Odia is a dedicated 24 hour Odia news channel that offers the latest national and international news on current affairs, politics, sports, entertainment, business, health, career, lifestyle, food, etc.

  • Tata Tea Premium salutes the ‘kadak’ spirit of Odisha

    Tata Tea Premium salutes the ‘kadak’ spirit of Odisha

    NEW DELHI: Continuing with its blitz of hyper-local campaign promotions, Tata Tea Premium has released a new video paying tribute to the state of Odisha by creating a sand art installation in association with renowned sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik, and celebrates the glory and heritage of Odisha.

    The ad film shows the sand artwork capturing the kadak spirit of the people of Odisha and bringing alive elements which are the symbols of pride for them.

    It further conveys the message that while Odisha is known for its unique and diverse treasures, the people of the state are known for their resilience and have stood strong every time they have been required to do so. Hence, the state that is known for its kadak irade blends in well with the core proposition of Tata Tea Premium which offers a kadak chai for the kadak spirited people of Odisha.

    Tata Consumer Products senior vice president – marketing, packaged beverages – India Puneet Das said, “The stunning architectures, history, dialects, vibrant art music and dance forms make Odisha truly unique and diverse. On Utkal Dibasa, we are honoured to partner with Sudarshan Pattnaik, a world-renowned Indian sand artist and a Padma Shri holder who hails from Odisha, to pay a tribute to this culturally rich state and celebrate the kadak spirit of people of this state.”

  • Tata Tea Premium turns to Odisha with hyper-local advertising approach

    Tata Tea Premium turns to Odisha with hyper-local advertising approach

    NEW DELHI: Tata Tea is synonymous with its activism-led campaign – Jaago Re – that ran for nearly a decade and focused on multiple issues and subjects. It looked beyond the functional aspects of the tea advertising category and focused on self-actualisation – increased civic consciousness and political awareness — that a morning tea could offer its consumers. Undoubtedly, the campaign won over the audiences and gave a huge fillip to the brand in terms of brand recall and a strong market reputation.

    After a decade of Jaago Re campaigns, the brand decided to move a step forward and take a hyperlocal approach to its marketing strategy, shifting the needle from not just celebrating ‘India Pride’ but to also evoking ‘Regional Pride’. With this, Tata Tea Premium aims to usher in a new era of hyperlocal advertising and communication in the FMCG category and stay away from the clutter.

    In its quest to celebrate regional pride, the brand has recently launched its latest film focusing on Odisha. It illustrates how the people of Odisha don’t indulge in unnecessary confrontation but shows them taking charge when it counts.

    The proposition of the campaign is ‘Kadak Iraadon vale Odisha ke liye Kadak Assam Chai’.

    Designed and conceptualised by Mullen Lintas, the film is set around the story of an Odia police officer. It opens with a mother and her son who are trying to take their scooter out of their own house but. due to their neighbours car being parked outside their gate, are unable to do so. While the son is livid as this keeps happening time and time again the mother does not want to get into needless arguments and would rather let it go. The turning point in the film comes when she gets an urgent call and has to rush to the office. It is seen that this woman is a police officer who has arrived at the police headquarters for a briefing to evacuate stranded people from a life-threatening cyclone. She shows her grit, bravery and strong resolve by leading the evacuation and getting people to safety.

    Once she has achieved this incredible feat we see her in the kitchen where she boils herself a cup of Tata Tea Premium. Her son then shows her a front-page article in an Odia newspaper where she is featured for her valour.

    Tata Consumer Products SVP marketing packaged beverages – India Puneet Das, said, “Our tea expertise has been catering to the local taste preferences and we are known for offering blended basis consumer taste preferences in various geographies across India. Today, while being Desh ki Chai, Tata Tea Premium celebrates the kadak spirit of Odisha and has showcased this pride of Odisha in its new packaging and communication, which is made especially for the region.”

    Earlier in 2019, the brand launched two campaigns around Delhi and UP. The two films focused on the cultural nuances of the two states and showcased how the people of the region are stereotyped. The UP film focused on power while the Delhi film focused on the city’s swag and how rich it is at its heart.

    It also launched state-specific packs featuring the ghats of Varanasi, Taj Mahal, dances, as well as iconic places and features of the capital, like the Delhi Metro and others.

    With the launch of the Odisha creative, the brand has clearly shown its intentions to build this hyperlocal campaign.

    Tata Tea comprises several brands – Tata Tea Agni, Tata Tea Elaichi, Tata Tea Premium and Tata Tea Gold. It is one of the biggest brands with a countrywide distribution. India is a tea-loving nation and nearly one out of every three people drink tea. It is estimated that 1.10 million tonnes of tea was consumed in 2019 and the market is only poised to grow in the coming years. Also, India is one of the biggest tea-producing countries. 

  • Odisha’s rich art & architecture inspires Reliance Jewels new campaign

    Odisha’s rich art & architecture inspires Reliance Jewels new campaign

    MUMBAI: Reliance Jewels’ has launched a new ad campaign featuring its new festive collection ‘Utkala Where Beauty Rises’, inspired by Odisha's rich art and architectural history.

    The film captures patterns and designs that embody the state’s art, tradition and culture, and gives a tour into the culture of Odisha accompanied by glimpses of Odissi music and dance.

    Conceptualised by Scarecrow M&C Saatchi, the campaign film features traditional elements and cultural shades of Odisha and is an attempt by Reliance Jewels to exhibit Odisha and its distinctive customs. The video has been shot by Bosco Bhandarkar and produced by Jungle Films. The voice-over is done by celebrity voiceover artist and actress, Manasi Scott. The agency also wrote a Sanskrit shloka for this campaign.

    The creative also consists of print shots of the jewellery on models as well as concept shots by photographer Umesh Aher. The music for the campaign is composed by Aman Pant.

    Reliance Jewels chief executive officer Sunil Nayak said, "Jewellery communication as a category has become a very seen-it-before kind of imagery. With this campaign, we are looking to break that format and transform the communication into a completely new zone that is quite refreshing to watch and experience for our patrons.”

    Scarecrow M&C founder director Saatchi Manish Bhatt added, “It is rare for a brand to give the creative agency an opportunity to explore the rich art heritage of India, its culture, ancient art history, ancient languages like Sanskrit, art forms, and ancient architecture through animation, photography, graphic design, poetry, miniature prop making, and cinematography in one campaign.”

  • Odisha Television enters the list of top 15 networks in India

    Odisha Television enters the list of top 15 networks in India

    MUMBAI: Odisha Television, popularly known as OTV has become the only Odia language network to enter the list of top 15 networks in the BARC’s network-level performance for the month of July 2020. It is the pioneering media venture that redefined television viewing in Odisha.

    OTV carries the onus of charting a course that behoves its pioneering efforts. The channel is respected for its free, fair, and unbiased news reporting, its integrity and commitment to set and practice enviable standards of journalism. The Odisha Television Network is more than a household name in the state catering to 45 million Odia speaking population across the globe.

    Launched in 1997, Odisha TV has always led from the front in its 24 year-long journey from cable television channel to satellite channel and now also dominates the digital world in the Odia language, with no significant competitors.

    “We pride ourselves for being number one not only as a news channel but for being at the helm in all the five genres of TV channels in Odisha. We are the only uni region network in this list of top 15 TV networks of India with no other regional or national channels in our bouquet. We dedicate this to the relentless efforts of our journalists and the undying trust of our viewers for their support throughout,” says Odisha Television Limited MD Jagi Mangat Panda.

  • Supari Studios unravels the secrets of Odisha in an exciting travel series in association with History TV18

    Supari Studios unravels the secrets of Odisha in an exciting travel series in association with History TV18

    MUMBAI: Award winning agency, Supari Studios has created an exciting travel series for History TV18 that unravels the rustic beauty and the unique stories of Odisha. Odisha has always been a land of diversity. Every nook and corner has a personality of its own. While some have been explored by many in person, some still wait to meet the human eye.

    In Supari Studios’ latest travel series, in association with History TV18 and Odisha Tourism, the creators explore these hidden gems with host, Sameer Kevin Roy travelling to all over Odisha, interacting with the locals and bringing out the history and stories of each site. Sameer is an actor and model.

    Commenting on the development, Supari Studios, Co-Founder and Creative Head, Akshat Gupt says, “Odisha is a remarkable place waiting to be explored and its stories told. We shot in Odisha for 23 days and covered a total of 21 stories, which are now being showcased in a 6-episode series. Our attempt was to capture these unique stories of inspiration, love, passion and courage that each location would unravel. We cant wait for History TV18’s viewers to experience these visual stories first hand and chalk Odisha out on their next to-do lists.”

    From national parks to beaches and artisan villages, this series will prove to be a perfect checklist for your next travel plan to Odisha.