Tag: Sourabh Lohtia

  • Hero worship 62 per cent of Indian dads see themselves as family protectors

    Hero worship 62 per cent of Indian dads see themselves as family protectors

    MUMBAI:  Looks like Indian fathers are donning more than just their Sunday cap, they’re putting on superhero capes too. A new PNB Metlife India Insurance survey, conducted across the country, finds that 62 per cent of fathers identify as “Hero Dads” guardians who see themselves as the primary protectors of their family’s financial security.

    The nationwide study, launched on Father’s Day and spread over June, July and August, engaged more than 6000 fathers across urban and semi-urban India through microsites and QR-code activations. The exercise grouped dads into three personas:

    Hero Dads: 62 per cent, the protectors of family finances.

    Thoughtful Dads: 29 per cent, cautious long-term planners.

    Disciplined Dads: 9 per cent, methodical savers with a love for structure.

    Beyond the labels, the survey painted a clear picture of evolving priorities. Children’s education remains the top concern for 51 per cent, but fathers are now increasingly thinking about themselves too. 14 per cent prioritise retirement planning and another 14 per cent dream of a big family holiday hinting at a shift towards security paired with experience-led living.

    What’s striking is the long-term lens fathers now wear. 53 per cent are willing to invest for 10–15 years, 14 per cent for 15–20 years, and 13 per cent for 20–30 years. Perhaps most telling, 20 per cent are in it for the very long haul over 30 years cementing a cultural tilt towards sustained wealth-building.

    When it comes to parking their money, dads are showing a clear preference for stability: 30 per cent opt for fixed deposits, 22 per cent choose life insurance, while 17 per cent favour mutual funds. The pattern points to a generation more comfortable with low-risk, predictable instruments that align with their extended horizons.

    PNB Metlife chief marketing & communications officer Sourabh Lohtia summed it up: “Today’s father is a provider, protector, and nurturer financially savvy and emotionally present. The ‘Dad Type’ survey shows how deeply fathers are committed to building secure futures for their families.”

    Turns out, the new-age Indian dad is not just about quick fixes or cautious saving, he’s evolving into a blend of protector, planner, and provider. And with nearly two-thirds proudly wearing the ‘Hero’ tag, it seems India’s dads are scripting their own blockbuster sequel in the financial universe.
     

  • PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship surpassed its own 2022 record

    PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship surpassed its own 2022 record

    Mumbai: PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) has concluded its seven editions achieving a record recognised by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA). The seven editions secured the title of the ‘Most kids participating in a Badminton Championship in multiple cities,surpassing its own record set in 2022.

    Launched in 2015, PNB MetLife JBC has evolved into one of the nation’s annual open platforms for young badminton enthusiasts, engaging over 41,000 participants in more than 28,000 matches over the past 7 editions. MetLife JBC, contributing to the growing anticipation around the event each year.

    Journeying right from its humble beginnings in 2015 across four cities, the championship has expanded exponentially, covering 10 cities in the latest 7 edition. The anticipation builds annually as players and badminton enthusiasts eagerly await this event, contributing to its growing popularity. The 7 edition witnessed extraordinary participation of 8257 young champions, reflecting the championship’s commitment to fostering badminton talent at the grassroots level.

    Asian Games Gold Medallists as Mentors: The 2023 edition saw the inclusion of Asian Games gold medallists, Chirag Shetty & Satwik Rankireddy, who have recently been nominated for the Khel Ratna as PNB MetLife JBC mentors. Their invaluable guidance and expertise significantly contributed to the championship, inspiring young talents to aim for excellence and enhancing the event’s prestige.

    Beyond records and numbers, JBC remains a significant platform for aspiring young badminton players. Initiatives like the JBC Boot Camp, an online badminton academy offering tutorial videos by renowned coaches and badminton players, including U. Vimal Kumar, Vijay Lancy, Anup Sridhar, and JBC Mentors Satwik & Chirag covering topics such as badminton techniques, mental ability, fitness, and nutrition. These tutorial videos from badminton stalwarts, provide young athletes professional training across three levels – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

    Another initiative introduced was the JBC Virtual Dugout. This initiative was launched during Covid-19 that gave young shuttlers an opportunity to directly connect with the top badminton players and experts from the safety of their homes and seek advice and tips on how to stay fit and practice their skills to come-back strong post lockdown. These experts also encouraged the young athletes to ‘Eat Right, Play Hard’ and offered advice on how to retain focus and mental strength.

    PNB MetLife MD and CEO Ashish K Srivastava expressed, “The PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship has evolved into a catalyst for talent development in badminton, nurturing emerging athletes into future stars. The extraordinary feat of securing the World Record for the highest number of participating kids in a badminton championship for two consecutive years underscores our commitment to shaping the future of badminton in India. As we look ahead to future editions, our focus remains on promoting sports and youth development on a broader scale, actively contributing to the growth and well-being of young athletes across the country.”

    PNB MetLife head of marketing Sourabh Lohtia added, “As we celebrate the success of the 7 edition of JBC, our commitment to expanding its reach and impact in the future remains strong. The journey from a modest 300 registrations in 2015 to shattering the world record with 8255 participants in the 2023 edition illustrates the escalating interest from aspiring shuttlers, emphasising the prominent standing PNB MetLife JBC has achieved. We are confident in the continued success of JBC and anticipate even larger participation from young shuttlers in future editions.”

    Rewarding Excellence: In the 7 seasons, Rs 30 Lakhs were awarded to the young champions across 10 cities. Furthering the mission to safeguard and empower Indian aspirations at the world stage.

    Overview of PNB MetLife’s JBC Journey:

    ·     2015: Launched with 4 cities, witnessing over 3000 registrations.

    ·     2016: Expanded to 8 cities, with 5500 registrations.

    ·     2017: Reached 10 cities, with over 5800 registrations.

    ·     2018-2019: Continued growth, expanding to 10 cities and attracting over 8000 and 9500 registrations respectively.

    ·     2019: JBC Boot Camp launched, offering online training modules by renowned coaches and players.

    ·     2022: Expanded reach to 12 cities, attracting over 8000 registrations.

    ·     2023: Covered 10 cities, attracting 8257 participants.

    ·     Overall: Since inception in 2015, PNB MetLife JBC has engaged over 49,000 participants, with over 34,000 matches played.

    PNB MetLife believes that physical fitness is as important as the fiscal fitness of individuals.  

    As PNB MetLife continues its journey to promote badminton, the 7 edition of JBC stands as a testament to the championship’s evolution and its pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian badminton.

     

  • PNB MetLife JBC creates history: Over 41K participants, 28K matches in seven editions

    PNB MetLife JBC creates history: Over 41K participants, 28K matches in seven editions

    Mumbai: PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship (JBC) has concluded its seventh edition with unprecedented success, achieving a spectacular World Record recognised by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA). The seventh edition secured the prestigious title of the ‘Most kids participating in a Badminton Championship in multiple cities,’ surpassing its own record set in 2022.

    Launched in 2015, PNB MetLife JBC has evolved into one of the nation’s largest annual open platforms for young badminton enthusiasts, engaging over 41,000 participants in more than 28,000 matches over the past seven editions. The success of PNB MetLife JBC is attributed to well-planned and executed marketing efforts, contributing to the growing anticipation around the event each year.

    Record-Breaking Journey: From its humble beginnings in 2015 across four cities, the championship has expanded exponentially, covering 10 cities in the latest seventh edition. The anticipation builds annually as players and badminton enthusiasts eagerly await this iconic event, contributing to its growing popularity. The seventh edition witnessed the extraordinary participation of 8257 young champions, reflecting the championship’s commitment to fostering badminton talent at the grassroots level.

    Asian Games Gold Medallists as Mentors: The 2023 edition saw the inclusion of Asian Games Gold Medallists, Chirag Shetty & Satwik Rankireddy, who have recently been nominated for the Khel Ratna as PNB MetLife JBC mentors. Their invaluable guidance and expertise significantly contributed to the championship’s success, inspiring young talents to aim for excellence and enhancing the event’s prestige.

    Beyond records and numbers, JBC remains a significant platform for aspiring young badminton players. Initiatives like the JBC Boot Camp, an online badminton academy offering tutorial videos by renowned coaches and badminton players, including U. Vimal Kumar, Vijay Lancy, Anup Sridhar, and JBC Mentors Satwik & Chirag covering topics such as badminton techniques, mental ability, fitness, and nutrition. These tutorial videos from badminton stalwarts provide young athletes with professional training across three levels – Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced.

    Another initiative introduced was the JBC Virtual Dugout. This initiative was launched during COVID-19 and allowed young shuttlers to directly connect with the top badminton players and experts from the safety of their homes and seek advice and tips on how to stay fit and practice their skills to come back strong post-lockdown. These experts also encouraged the young athletes to ‘Eat Right, Play Hard’ and offered advice on how to retain focus and mental strength.

    PNB MetLife MD and CEO Ashish K Srivastava expressed, “The PNB MetLife Junior Badminton Championship has evolved into a catalyst for talent development in badminton, nurturing emerging athletes into future stars. The extraordinary feat of securing the World Record for the highest number of participating kids in a badminton championship for two consecutive years underscores our commitment to shaping the future of badminton in India. As we look ahead to future editions, our focus remains on promoting sports and youth development on a broader scale, actively contributing to the growth and well-being of young athletes across the country.”

    PNB MetLife head of marketing Sourabh Lohtia added, “As we celebrate the success of the seventh edition of JBC, our commitment to expanding its reach and impact in the future remains strong. The journey from a modest 300 registrations in 2015 to shattering the world record with 8255 participants in the 2023 edition illustrates the escalating interest from aspiring shuttlers, emphasizing the prominent standing PNB MetLife JBC has achieved. We are confident in the continued success of JBC and anticipate even larger participation from young shuttlers in future editions.”

    Rewarding Excellence: In the seventh season, Rs 30 Lakhs were awarded to the young champions across ten cities, reflecting PNB MetLife’s dedication towards creating a platform that is centred around identifying, nurturing, and supporting emerging talents in the Olympic sport of badminton, furthering the mission to safeguard and empower Indian aspirations at the world stage.

    Overview of PNB MetLife’s JBC Journey:

    •    2015: Launched with 4 cities, witnessing over 3000 registrations.
    •    2016: Expanded to 8 cities, with 5500 registrations.
    •    2017: Reached 10 cities, with over 5800 registrations.
    •    2018-2019: Continued growth, expanding to 10 cities and attracting over 8000 and 9500 registrations respectively.
    •    2019: JBC Boot Camp launched, offering online training modules by renowned coaches and players.
    •    2022: Expanded reach to 12 cities, attracting over 8000 registrations.
    •    2023: Covered 10 cities, attracting 8257 participants.
    •    Overall: Since its inception in 2015, PNB MetLife JBC has engaged over 49,000 participants, with over 34,000 matches played.

    At PNB MetLife, we believe that physical fitness is as important as the fiscal fitness of individuals. We work not only to help our consumers realize their financial goals but also to attain a healthy way of living.

    As PNB MetLife continues its journey to promote badminton excellence, the seventh edition of JBC stands as a testament to the championship’s evolution and its pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian badminton.