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Tag: Shoma Narayanan

  • DBS Bank India announced as the exclusive banking partner for “Srikanth”

    DBS Bank India announced as the exclusive banking partner for “Srikanth”

    Mumbai: Marking a significant milestone in its brand journey, DBS Bank India was announced as the exclusive banking partner for “Srikanth,” a biopic that chronicles the extraordinary story of Srikanth Bolla, a visually impaired Indian industrialist.

    The film, starring Rajkummar Rao, Jyothika, Alaya F, Sharad Kelkar, sheds light on Bolla’s determination and resilience as he overcame challenges to establish Bollant Industries, an eco-friendly company that empowers the differently abled.

    Bolla, despite facing hurdles, tenaciously pursued his education, emerging as the first international visually impaired student in MIT. In 2011, he co-founded the Samanvai Center for Children with Multiple Disabilities, showcasing his dedication to inclusive education. The following year, in 2012, he established Bollant Industries. By 2016, he had extended his impact as the director of the Surge Impact Foundation.

    DBS Bank India will leverage this partnership through strategic in-film branding, co-branded videos, and social media contests. The bank will extend the reach of this collaboration through branding across its branches and offices, fostering a deeper connection with employees and customers alike. Select customers from the bank participated in a meet-and-greet session with the lead actor. Srikanth Bolla is also scheduled to speak at the upcoming Mumbai chapter of DBS BusinessClass, foundED, a forum that celebrates modern-day founders and innovators while fostering entrepreneurship.

    Commenting on the association, DBS Bank India MD and head – group strategic marketing & communications, Shoma Narayanan said, “DBS Bank India is honoured to be associated with “Srikanth” and to share this remarkable story with our customers and the wider community. It is inspiring to witness the journey of Bollant Industries, an enterprise dedicated to fostering both economic growth and societal good, unfold on the big screen. The film is a powerful reminder to trust our abilities, overcome challenges, and pursue our dreams, and we are confident that it will leave a lasting impact.”

    A spokesperson from T-Series Films said, “We are happy to associate with DBS Bank India on this very special movie, “Srikanth”, that promotes inclusivity for all.”

    DBS Foundation (DBSF) catalyses the growth of purpose-driven businesses that leverage innovation to make a positive impact. Earlier this year, DBSF awarded grants to six sustainability-focused enterprises featured on Shark Tank India Season 3. Among these, Trestle Labs, a previous recipient of the DBSF Grant, secured additional funding. Through their product Kibo (Knowledge in a Box), the enterprise makes education and employment inclusive. It also helps overcome barriers such as language, literacy, and print disabilities like blindness, low vision, and dyslexia.

    Through strategic partnerships, DBS Bank India shares uplifting stories that resonate with its customers. With these associations, the bank aims to engage a broader audience and reinforce its brand promise of ‘Live more, Bank less’. More recently, DBS Bank India sponsored the documentary “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: A Singapore Saga” commissioned by the Tagore Society Singapore. The film captured Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s role in spearheading the Azad Hind movement from Singapore.

    As a different kind of bank, DBS continues to break boundaries its campaigns have been seen as category-defying in the industry. The bank introduced an industry-first online mini-series called “DBS Sparks,” which is inspired by true stories and follows a group of young bankers as they navigate their work and personal lives. It showcases how these bankers challenge the status quo, go above and beyond to solve their clients’ challenges, and genuinely make an impact in DBS’ quest to be the best bank for a better world.

  • DBS Bank India hosts screening of “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: A Singapore Saga”

    DBS Bank India hosts screening of “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: A Singapore Saga”

    Mumbai: DBS Bank India hosted an exclusive, invite-only screening of the documentary “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: A Singapore Saga” in Delhi.

    The event was attended by dignitaries such as Singapore High Commission H.E Simon Wong, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (National CAMPA) CEO Subhash Chandra National, National Medical Commission, Ministry of Health secretary Dr. B Srinivas, Delhi Development Authority member finance Vijay Kumar Singh, YSM,SM,VSM (Retd), ex-director general, resettlement Major General Sharad Kapur, Sansad Ratna Awards Committee chairman Adv. Priyadharshni Rahul and Ministry of Commerce – CIO, Invest India Sunita Mohanty. DBS Bank India MD and head of institutional banking group Rajat Verma delivered the opening remarks, kicking off the event.

    The documentary is commissioned by the Tagore Society Singapore and sponsored by DBS Bank India. It captures Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s role in spearheading the Azad Hind movement from Singapore. Scripted and directed by Lakshmi Raman Venkat from Gravitas Media, it features engaging narration by renowned quiz master Siddhartha Basu.

    Through the eyes of a Singaporean history buff recounting Netaji’s life to a young visitor from India, the documentary takes viewers on a captivating journey. It skilfully links landmarks that played a crucial role in Netaji’s journey to the progression of the Indian freedom movement.

    The documentary delves into contributions of the Indian National Army (INA) and the remarkable involvement of women, particularly through the establishment of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. It also features a reenactment of Netaji’s ‘Great Escape’ in January 1941, filmed at Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata. In the documentary, Subhashini Ali, the daughter of Dr. Lakshmi Sahgal (nee Swaminthan), one of Netaji’s closest aides in the INA, shares anecdotes about her mother’s role in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.

    DBS Bank India MD and head– group strategic marketing & communications Shoma Narayanan said, “We are honoured to be associated with a compelling documentary that captures the connection between India, Singapore, and a historic figure: Subhas Chandra Bose. His spirit of resilience and dedication continues to inspire generations in both countries. Through our collaboration with the Tagore Society Singapore, we wanted to commemorate a period of history that transcended geographical boundaries. This association embodies our commitment to creating meaningful cultural experiences for customers and communities, setting us apart as a different kind of bank.”

    The production team from Lakshmi’s company, Gravitas Media, comprising Rajendra Nanoskar, Prakash Parmar, Santosh Mithbawkar, and Wilson Thomas, meticulously brought Netaji’s story to life. Their efforts unearthed remarkable stories of Netaji’s time in Singapore, enriching the documentary’s narrative.

    DBS Bank India, the largest foreign bank in the country by branch presence, continues to curate experiences that go beyond traditional banking. Through strategic partnerships, the bank aims to engage a broader audience and reinforce its brand promise of ‘Live more, Bank less’.

  • DBS Bank India is banking on India’s badminton stars!

    DBS Bank India is banking on India’s badminton stars!

    Mumbai: In a move that underscores DBS Bank India’s commitment to the country, the bank has announced its partnership with five exceptional badminton stars – Lakshya Sen, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Treesa Jolly, and Gayatri Gopichand.

    DBS Bank has been a part of India’s journey since 1994, and it is the largest foreign bank in the country by branch presence. The partnership enables the bank to enhance its brand presence within the country and effectively connect with its diverse audience. The sport of badminton embodies attributes such as precision, dedication, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence, closely aligned with DBS Bank’s core values of being purpose-driven, relationship-led, and innovative.

    The partnership has kicked off with an outdoor campaign, and it will be extended to the bank’s social media platforms, official website, and internal platforms, as well as throughout its branch network, targeting both customers and employees.

    DBS Bank India managing director – group strategic marketing & communications  Shoma Narayanan said, “DBS Bank continues to break boundaries and reimagine banking; we like to think of ourselves as a different kind of bank, rather than fitting into the conventional notions of a ‘traditional bank’. Badminton is gaining popularity across India, and this partnership provides a great opportunity for us to extend our support to five young athletes who truly have the potential to be the stars of tomorrow!

    These players epitomise our core values both on and off the court, making them perfect partners to champion our brand. With this association, we aim to dial up customer engagement in India and bolster the narrative around our unique phy-gital proposition, a suite of offerings, and strong Asian connectivity.”

    Baseline Ventures co-founder and director Ramakrishnan R added, “DBS Bank has always been a trusted partner, for small and large businesses as well as retail customers. We are excited to help the bank onboard some of India’s most prominent badminton stars as it increases engagement with its customers in India. We are confident that with DBS Bank India’s support, these players will elevate their careers and reach even greater heights while serving as an inspiration for badminton enthusiasts.”

    The five young and promising badminton stars have consistently climbed the global rankings, carving a niche for themselves on the international stage. Former world junior number one, Lakshya Sen, has clinched titles in various tournaments and earned a top-ten spot in senior rankings, with recent wins including the Canada Open and notable performances at the US Open, Japan Open, and the 2021 World Championships.

    India’s men’s doubles duo, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have reached World No-two in the badminton world federation (BWF) rankings. They won three BWF World Tour titles this year, including the Indonesia Open 2023 (Super 1000), Korea Open 2023 (Super 500), and Swiss Open 2023 (Super 300). India’s young women’s doubles sensation, Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly made their mark at the All-England Championship 2022 by reaching the semi-finals in their debut season and repeating the feat in 2023. They clinched medals at the commonwealth games and played a pivotal role in winning India’s first-ever medal at the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships 2023.

    DBS Bank continues to break boundaries, and its campaigns have been seen as category-defying in the banking industry. For example, the bank introduced an industry-first online mini-series called “DBS Sparks,” which is inspired by true stories and follows a group of young bankers as they navigate their work and personal lives. It showcases how these bankers challenge the status quo, go above and beyond to solve their client’s challenges, and genuinely make an impact in DBS’ quest to be the best bank for a better world.

    In 2018, DBS Bank introduced its brand promise, “Live more, Bank less.” This year, the bank launched a clutter-breaking campaign to further strengthen this promise, while showcasing how it brings simplicity and seamlessness to banking. The campaign encapsulates how DBS Bank empowers customers to dedicate more time to cherishing their dreams, pursuing their passions, and nurturing their relationships.

  • The ‘Wonder Women’ in marketing

    The ‘Wonder Women’ in marketing

    Mumbai: Women across various corporate circles have always waded through the additional challenges life threw at them. Being professional leaders, mothers, homemakers, they played a pivotal role in achieving their all roles and responsibilities. These are the women who truly inspire millions of other women and have broken the glass ceiling.

    Like the popular character from American comic books published by DC Comics – ‘Wonder Woman,’ their role was no less when it came to ensuring the organisations sail through the difficult times while keeping their workforce motivated.

    The real-life powerhouse women leaders are very similar to a modern-day ‘Wonder Women’, and their inspiring stories instil a sense of empowerment and self-belief that one can take on the world.

    DBS Bank India executive director and head-group strategic marketing and communications Shoma Narayanan says her ‘Wonder Woman’ moment was when Harlequin’s first book was released globally. “I was more excited than I can say. But I feel my mother has been my number one ‘Wonder Woman’. Growing up, I have always admired how she balanced her work as a teacher, with responsibilities at home and her passion for music,” says Narayanan, who has carved a niche for herself in the industry with her exceptional work.

    Bisleri International director-marketing and business development Anjana Ghosh is another such multi-faceted women leader who has made a mark for herself through her work. Reminiscing about her journey, Ghosh says, “I remember the moment when I first walked into a crowd of workers who were raising slogans against the management. It was the first time I ever addressed a gathering. The workers heard me out of respect for a woman and believed that I could address their problem. They eventually called off the strike, but that moment gave me a sense of power as a woman.”

    Ghosh’s inspiration comes from several women who have struggled against odds to rise to fulfil their dreams. “I especially admire women who achieved a status in life against all odds. Indian gymnasts Dipa Karmarkar and Avani Sabade are a few among many who inspire me,” she adds.

    However, the achievements were not easy to come by for either of them and like all women, they persisted. But if they were ever given an opportunity to bring a change like a ‘Wonder Woman’, they wouldn’t hesitate to ensure the path gets easier for others. “That would be the day! I would remove the many barriers, both actual and self-imposed, that women face,” says Narayanan.

    However, Ghosh adds one more wish to the list. “If I were a ‘Wonder Woman,’ I would ensure that our country becomes ‘Swachh Bharat’ in the true sense,” she says.

    The Indian television premiere of “Wonder Woman 1984” is set to take place on Movies Now, MNX, and MN+ on 31 October at 1 p.m. and 9 p.m.