ITV

Tag: Telangana

  • Yes and Centum win big for powering youth dreams

    Yes and Centum win big for powering youth dreams

    MUMBAI: Talk about making a skill-ful impact! Yes Foundation and Centum Foundation have bagged the prestigious Mahatma Award for Partnership & Impact 2025 for their joint initiative, the Youth Empowerment for Security (YES) Programme, which is changing the lives of young Indians one skill at a time.

    The initiative, focused on skilling and employability, has trained over 1,800 underserved youth across Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Telangana, and Assam, with more than 30 per cent women participants. Over 1,250 of them have already found jobs in fast-growing sectors such as retail, BFSI, healthcare, and logistics.

    The programme’s success comes at a time when women’s workforce participation in India is on the rise. Government data shows the female worker population ratio jumped from 30.2 per cent in June to 32 per cent in August 2025, signalling a strong push towards inclusion.

    “This partnership is helping young people gain skills, confidence, and opportunities,” said Yes Bank president, CSR and CEO of Yes Foundation  Garima Dutt. “It’s not just transforming lives but building a future of economic self-reliance and inclusive growth.”

    Upgrad Enterprise CEO Srikanth Iyengar, which supports Centum Foundation through scalable skilling models, added, “Social impact doesn’t happen overnight. Together, we’re bridging the gap between aspiration and opportunity, especially for women and rural youth.”

    Instituted by philanthropist Amit Sachdeva and supported by the Aditya Birla Group, the Mahatma Award celebrates organisations that embody Gandhian values of truth, inclusion, and social justice. Previous winners include icons such as Ratan Tata, Sudha Murthy, and Microsoft Philanthropy.

    The recognition adds to Centum Foundation’s growing list of honours, including a recent Brandon Hall Gold Award for the same initiative, proving that when partnerships work with purpose, the impact speaks louder than words.

  • 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.

  • Aashirvaad adds ‘masala’ to selfies with AI posters starring Nani

    Aashirvaad adds ‘masala’ to selfies with AI posters starring Nani

    MUMBAI: From spice rack to star track, Nani joins fans in masala movie moments. In a deliciously cinematic twist, Aashirvaad Masalas has turned the humble kitchen into a movie set. Following the blockbuster launch of Telugu star Nani as its brand ambassador in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, ITC’s masala brand is now blending AI with AP cinema fandom serving up movie-style posters that put the homemaker centre stage.

    The interactive campaign lets users co-star with “Natural Star” Nani by generating personalised movie posters via a Whatsapp bot. And the plot twist? You only need a selfie, some genre flair action, romance, thriller or comedy and a dash of confidence.

    Branded under the tagline “Dammu Meede, Star Meere” (You’ve got the dum, you’re the star), the initiative celebrates the unsung heroes of the kitchen those who bring fiery flavour and boldness to the everyday meal. Now, they also get their own reel-life moment, courtesy of AI-generated poster magic.

    To jump into the action, users can scan the QR code on the Aashirvaad Chilli Powder pack or click a link via Aashirvaad Masala’s Telugu social handles. Once connected to the bot, they simply choose their preferred language, genre, and character setting before uploading a selfie. Within seconds, they receive a film poster starring themselves alongside Nani cinema-style drama, sans studio.

    As if starring opposite Nani weren’t enough, select participants might just find their faces up in lights on real billboards or snag movie tickets as part of the promotion.

    Blending the region’s deep love for cinema with a love for spice, this campaign is more than digital wizardry, it’s a slice of pop culture that makes the consumer feel like the superstar they truly are.

    So whether you’re perfecting your biryani or clicking the perfect selfie, Aashirvaad Masalas invites you to spice things up one poster at a time.
     

  • Hubble makes the world spin in style at Miss World 2025

    Hubble makes the world spin in style at Miss World 2025

    MUMBAI: Move over moon landings, Hubble Entertainment just delivered a spectacle that lit up Hyderabad with stars of a different kind. As the official event management partner of the 72nd Miss World Festival, Hubble Entertainment turned Telangana’s capital into a shimmering stage for global glamour, cultural pageantry, and purpose-driven celebration. With over 108 countries represented, and 21 days of cultural extravaganza, the Mumbai-based experiential powerhouse proved that when it comes to world-class event production, India’s got more than just the moves.

    From the regal opening ceremony to the resplendent Grand Finale, Hubble’s creative compass was tuned to both precision and pizzazz. Every segment be it cultural showcases, philanthropic engagements, or media galas unfolded with storytelling flair and immaculate execution, earning nods from the Miss World Organisation, international delegates, and domestic dignitaries alike.

    The show wasn’t just beauty and sequins. It was strategy, scale, and seamlessness. The festival served as a canvas for Hubble to blend India’s cultural heritage, Telangana’s famed hospitality, and global production standards into an unforgettable experience.

    Hubble Entertainment co-founder and managing partner Hafiz Khan said, “This wasn’t just about hosting a pageant, it was about showcasing India’s capacity to create global experiences rooted in our own cultural richness. Being entrusted with this festival was humbling, and we’re proud to have helped put Hyderabad and Telangana firmly on the global events map.”

    Hubble Entertainment is no stranger to grandeur. Known for delivering high-voltage brand activations, award shows, concerts, and celebrity-led experiences, the agency has built a reputation for storytelling with scale. But Miss World 2025 marked a new high: not just a successful execution, but an immersive narrative that blended tradition, hospitality, and wow-factor in equal measure.

    With Hyderabad’s skyline as the backdrop and over 100 delegates in the spotlight, Hubble didn’t just manage an event, it orchestrated a global moment. And the world was watching.

  • Sunfeast’s new cookie shines bright with butter, glaze and mother’s love

    Sunfeast’s new cookie shines bright with butter, glaze and mother’s love

    MUMBAI: Turns out, a mother’s love isn’t the only thing that leaves you glowing, Sunfeast’s new cookie does too. ITC Sunfeast Mom’s Magic has just launched Shines, a shiny butter cookie glazed to golden perfection, and it’s got more than just sugar on top, it’s sprinkled with emotion, nostalgia, and warmth. With a delicate sugar coating and eight crispy layers, Shines promises a melt-in-mouth indulgence designed to add sparkle to everyday snacking.

    And bringing this cookie’s story to life is veteran actress Nadhiya Moidu, who stars in the brand’s latest TVC, marking the product’s debut with a poignant tale of maternal support. In the film, Nadhiya plays a mum who sweetly nudges her daughter’s dreams forward convincing her traditional father-in-law to let the young girl pursue chess training in Chennai. As she gently glazes a butter cookie, the message is clear: a mother always finds a way to make her child shine.

    “At Sunfeast, we believe in constantly innovating to craft differentiated offerings that bring unique sensorial experiences to our consumers,” said ITC Ltd chief operating officer for Biscuits and Cakes Cluster Ali Harris Shere. “Shines’ is our way of elevating the taste of a classic cookie experience and establishing a new vision for cookies altogether. By introducing a light & crunchy cookie, we are challenging the status quo and redefining what indulgence can look like. We are confident that butter cookie lovers will relish this innovation and make it a cherished part of their snacking routine.”

    Backed by Ogilvy Bangalore, the campaign builds on Mom’s Magic’s longstanding theme of mothers as everyday superpowers.

    “Mothers will do whatever it takes to make their children shine, and their love never becomes an obstacle; in fact, it fuels them to take the road less travelled,” said Ogilvy Bangalore chief creative officer Puneet Kapoor.

    Currently available across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Mom’s Magic Shines comes in two sizes 44g for Rs 10 and 128g for Rs 35 with packaging that mirrors the cookie’s polished finish. It’s a simple treat that wraps a little magic, a lot of love, and just enough glaze to make every bite feel like home.

    With this launch, ITC continues its run of crafting not just snacks, but stories that stick, one crunchy layer at a time.

  • District App books big screens to steal the show off-screen

    District App books big screens to steal the show off-screen

    MUMBAI: If you’re heading to the movies in Andhra or Telangana, you might catch a new star off the screen. District App, the up-and-coming ticketing platform, has rolled out an ambitious off-screen cinema branding campaign across 40 cities, 60 theatres, and over 100 sites in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, in partnership with integrated media agency The Local Talk.

    The campaign, one of the most expansive of its kind in the region, is designed to plant the District App brand squarely in the heart of the movie-going experience-right where ticketing meets its audience. From lobby takeovers to branding near box offices, the initiative ensures that the brand appears exactly where entertainment decisions are being made.

    “Cinema has always been a powerful medium of mass engagement. For a ticketing platform like District, the cinema setting naturally aligns with their brand promise. This campaign ensures the brand is present exactly where the action begins at the box office”, said The Local Talk director Anil Soni.

    What makes this move especially strategic is the app’s laser focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where local cinema culture thrives and brand loyalty is often driven by on-ground visibility. With longer dwell times and a captive audience, cinema spaces offer a golden opportunity for deeper engagement, something digital platforms often struggle to achieve in these regions.

    The campaign also spotlights the growing trend of digital-first brands going hyperlocal to build recall in high-traffic physical environments. With the help of The Local Talk’s regional media acumen, District App is betting on the box office as a gateway to user growth.

    As the curtain rises on this bold branding move, one thing is clear District App isn’t just selling tickets, it’s staging a takeover.

  • T-Hub appoints ex-OYO executive as new CEO

    T-Hub appoints ex-OYO executive as new CEO

    HYDERABAD — Hyderabad-based start up incubator T-Hub has appointed Kavikrut as its new chief executive officer, the Telangana government  announced today.

    Kavikrut, who previously served as chief growth officer at OYO for 10 years, will take up his new role on 10 March. During his tenure at OYO, he was instrumental in expanding the company’s operations across more than 100 cities in India and spearheaded its expansion into Japan in 2018 through partnerships with Yahoo! Japan and SoftBank.

    The appointment reinforces Telangana’s commitment to strengthening its position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. T-Hub has supported over 2,000 startups to date through its programmes, providing global market access and industry collaborations.

    Telangana government special chief secretary for information technology, electronics & communications and industries & commerce departments Jayesh Ranjan said: “Kavikrut’s passion for startups, global experience, and hands-on operational skills make him the ideal leader for T-Hub.”

    Before his role at OYO, Kavikrut began his career as a healthcare startup founder and held positions at Amazon and Piramal Group. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an MSc in Finance from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani.

    Upon his appointment, Kavikrut, who hails from Hyderabad, expressed enthusiasm about returning to his hometown: “I am excited by the potential of Hyderabad as it steadily grows into a hub for startups building products and services from India for the world.”

    T-Hub aims to continue fostering entrepreneurship through mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic support under its new leadership.

  • Star Sports’ new promo has Telugu fans excited for PKL Season 8

    Star Sports’ new promo has Telugu fans excited for PKL Season 8

    Mumbai: Star Sports Network has unveiled a new promo for the Pro Kabaddi League Season eight capitalising on the excitement and anticipation building among its Telugu fans.

    The league is all set to return on 22 December. Owing to safety protocols, the entire edition of the Vivo PKL Season eight will be held at Bengaluru at a single venue, moving away from its traditional caravan format.

    The latest promo- ‘Raa Chuddam’ speaks to the sports fans in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and celebrates the preparation of the home team ‘Telugu Titans’ for the upcoming season. The film features Telugu movie star Naga Chaitanya, who supports the ‘Titans’ and leads the chorus of support from fans to rally behind their team.

    “I am absolutely delighted that Pro Kabaddi League is returning after two years. As a Kabaddi fan and strong supporter of Telugu Titans, we are ready to back our team as they set foot on the mat. I will be closely following all the matches and hope that the Titans perform exceptionally well and bring the trophy home,” said Naga Chaitanya.

    Telugu Titans will begin their Vivo PKL Season eight campaign against Tamil Thalaivas on 22 December. The team has signed Rohit Kumar, who will also be the captain for the new season. Siddharth Desai will be the team’s vice-captain. The squad also features rising stars Rajnish and Rakesh Gowda among the raiders.

     

     

  • Pogo launches Telugu language feed

    Pogo launches Telugu language feed

    Mumbai: WarnerMedia kids’ entertainment TV channel Pogo has announced a new Telugu language feed to reach more homes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

    Localised content has been a key part of Pogo’s fan-first strategy, and its recent local originals have received an enthusiastic response from audiences. Kids and families will get to enjoy cartoons such as “Chhota Bheem,” one of the channel’s most successful comedy series of recent times “Titoo – Har Jawaab Ka Sawal Hu” and the Bollywood-inspired original “Smashing Simmba.” The highly-entertaining adventures of “Bandhbudh Aur Budbak” will also now be available in Telugu.

    “The creation of Pogo’s Telugu language feed is a step in our commitment to bringing local animation content in the first languages of our young viewers,” said South Asia network head for Cartoon Network and Pogo Abhishek Dutta. “This will be our opportunity to present world-class animation and stories to even more fans in India.”

    Pogo is already available in Tamil and Hindi.

  • ZEEL donates 20 ambulances, 4,000 PPE kits and 1,50,000 daily meals to Telangana

    ZEEL donates 20 ambulances, 4,000 PPE kits and 1,50,000 daily meals to Telangana

    MUMBAI: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEE) as part of its  its national level CSR drive against Covid2019, officially handed over 20 Ambulances and 4000 PPE kits to the state of Telangana in the presence of minister of municipal administration and urban development, industries, and IT and commerce KT Rama Rao, to further strengthen its fight against Covid2019. Over and above the support towards healthcare relief, the company is providing 1,50,000 daily meals to migrants and daily wage earners across the state, leveraging its partnership with Akshaya Patra Foundation. The company has utilised the sanctioned CSR budget (for the fight against Covid2019) to provide the following essentials to the state of Telangana:

    • Ambulances – 20 ambulances donated to the state.

    • PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Kits – 4,000 kits donated to the state.

    • Daily Meals – 1,50,000 daily meals provided to migrants and daily wage earners.

    ZEE MD and CEO Punit Goenka said, “ZEE is committed to provide a strong support to the Telangana Government in its fight against Covid-19, with a key focus on strengthening the overall healthcare infrastructure. We sincerely hope that the donated healthcare requirements will further enable the state to address the challenges faced due to the ongoing pandemic and strengthen its overall healthcare ecosystem."

    Minister of MA & UD, industries and IT & C KT Rama Rao said, “The government of Telangana has strengthened the health infrastructure on a wide scale during this pandemic and is working to ensure health and safety of all citizens in the state. We would like to thank Punit Goenka and ZEE for their support in this time of need towards Covid2019 response and relief."