Author: Team

Michelle Obama Turns 61: Celebrate Her Legacy with Her Audiobooks and Films

Michelle Obama’s legacy is synonymous with words like transformation, resilience and the power of being a changemaker. As an advocate for empowerment and social justice, she has dedicated her life to driving meaningful change and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities. Through her work, she has used her voice and platform to inspire generations of women to rise, lead, and make a difference. In celebration of her 61st birthday, we’ve curated a list of her most impactful audiobooks and films that continue to inspire and empower audiences globally. This list honours her enduring contribution to culture, activism, and the art of storytelling, offering invaluable insights that challenge us to reflect, grow, and live with purpose.

Becoming

Service: Audible

Becoming is a powerful and intimate memoir by Michelle Obama, the first African American First Lady of the United States. Winner of numerous accolades, including the British Book Awards’ ‘Audiobook of the Year’ and a Grammy for ‘Best Spoken Word Album’, this deeply personal reflection chronicles Michelle’s journey from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her time in the White House. With honesty, wit, and warmth, she shares the triumphs and challenges of balancing motherhood, work, and public life, all while advocating for women, girls, and healthier families. Becoming is a captivating story of resilience and defying expectations. Tune in for inspiration to embrace one’s journey with purpose and strength!

The Light We Carry

Service: Audible

This is the powerful, inspiring follow-up to the critically acclaimed, multi-million #1 bestselling memoir Becoming. In The Light We Carry, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and personal reflections on staying hopeful and balanced in an uncertain world. She explores key questions many of us face—how to build lasting relationships, find strength in our differences, and navigate life’s challenges. Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, wife, friend, and First Lady, Obama offers tools for resilience, emphasising the power of lighting the way for others and discovering new pathways for growth. With candour and compassion, she tackles complex issues of race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to confront fear, embrace community, and live boldly. Fire up your device and get ready to be moved and inspired to reflect, find joy, and connect meaningfully in a turbulent world.

The Light Podcast

Service: Audible

Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast goes beyond the book, offering exclusive personal stories and insights from her and her friends, as a part of the tour for her book, The Light We Carry. In this series, together they explore themes from The Light We Carry, including building meaningful relationships, navigating race and gender, overcoming obstacles, and lighting the way for others to unlock potential. With her trademark humour, openness and empathy, Michelle shares tools for thriving in today’s world alongside luminaries like Gayle King, Hoda Kotb, and David Letterman. Tune in for an uplifting and inspiring Audible Original.

American Factory: A Conversation With The Obamas

Platform: Netflix

American Factory: A Conversation with the Obamas offers an insightful and thought-provoking discussion between former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, and the filmmakers of American Factory, an Oscar-winning documentary. The conversation delves into the themes explored in the film, including the complexities of globalization, the changing dynamics of American manufacturing, and the challenges of bridging cultural and economic divides. With their unique perspectives, the Obamas provide valuable reflections on the film’s exploration of the American workforce and the broader implications of economic and social change.

Leave The World Behind

Platform: Netflix

Leave the World Behind, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that explores themes of technology, survival, and the fragility of modern society. Based on the bestselling novel by Rumaan Alam, the story follows a family’s vacation gone awry when a mysterious crisis disrupts their world, forcing them to confront their deepest fears and uncertainties. With its timely exploration of social and environmental collapse, Leave the World Behind invites audiences to reflect on the delicate balance of our interconnected world, offering a tense and immersive experience that’s both compelling and unsettling.

Crip Camp

Platform: Netflix

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, another production by Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, tells the inspiring and transformative story of a group of teenagers with disabilities who attended a groundbreaking summer camp in the 1970s. The documentary chronicles their journey from the camp to the heart of the disability rights movement, highlighting the activism and resilience that led to significant social and legislative change. With its powerful blend of personal stories and historical context, Crip Camp shines a light on the fight for accessibility, inclusion, and equality. Tune in for a compelling look at how a group of young people changed the course of history!

Swachh Kumbh Experience for Devotees as Coca-Cola India Rolls Out Maidaan Saaf at Maha Kumbh 2025

Bengaluru, January 22, 2025 – As the world gathers for Maha Kumbh 2025, one of the largest cultural events, India’s commitment to environmental sustainability is highlighted through the Swachh Kumbh initiative. At the heart of this effort is the ‘Maidaan Saaf’ campaign, a partnership led by Coca-Cola India in partnership with PHD Rural Development Foundation (PHDRDF) and the Prayagraj Mela Authority (PMA) highlighting social and environmental innovation.

As part of the Maidaan Saaf campaign, Coca-Cola India has created and distributed 21,500 jackets made from recycled PET for sanitation workers, boatmen, and waste management volunteers. This includes 10,000 jackets for sanitation workers involved in the Swachh Kumbh initiative, 10,000 life jackets for boatmen across 4,000 boats to ensure their safety during river crossings, and 1,500 jackets for volunteers working on waste management. These jackets not only ensure the safety and easy identification of workers but also highlight the potential of recycled plastic, encouraging visitors to rethink how waste can be repurposed.

Additionally, Coca-Cola India has installed 1,000 changing rooms for women, made entirely from recycled multi-layer plastic waste, along the 12 km stretch of the river ghats. These rooms, designed to provide privacy and ventilation, feature illustrations by top Indian artists that turn waste segregation and recycling into engaging, fun, and educational visuals.

“At Coca-Cola India, we are committed to creating impactful change by integrating sustainability into large-scale events like Maha Kumbh 2025. The Maidaan Saaf campaign is a testament to how partnerships for collection and innovative practices can turn waste into opportunity. By encouraging collective responsibility and promoting recycling, we aim to inspire visitors to adopt environmentally conscious habits and contribute to a cleaner, greener future, “ said, Saloni Goel, Senior Director, ESG Value Creation, Coca Cola India

Coca-Cola’s hydration carts, positioned every 400 meters, include built-in bins for bottle collection and feature creative artwork that encourages visitors to participate in waste segregation, turning waste into a valuable resource. Additionally, Coca-Cola India has placed Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) at railway stations, food courts, and key locations to collect and recycle PET waste, alongside partnerships for effective waste management. Additionally,

Class 3 Student from Karnataka Shines at SIP Arithmetic Genius Contest 2024, Wins Performer Award

Bengaluru 22nd Jan 2025 : The Grand National Finals of the much-awaited SIP Arithmetic Genius Contest 2024 was held in Chennai, on Sunday, 19th January 2025. The 9th edition of this contest, conducted by SIP Academy India, witnessed participation from over 750,000 children across 1,500 schools in 23 states. The multi-tiered competition aims to strengthen the mathematical foundation of children in Classes 1 to 5 while nurturing a healthy competitive spirit.

The contest progresses through four rounds: School Round, City Round, State Round, and the Grand National Finals. Out of 2,33,000 students in Round 2 and 37,000 participants in the State Finals, 300 students have qualified for the National Finals, and they participated in the National Finals held in Chennai.

The winners from each class crowned at “Arithmetic Genius 2024”, with attractive prizes. Amogha Varsha R M, Class 3 student from Vidya Sanskar International Public School, Bharathnagar, won the Performer Award at Grand National Finals of SIP Arithmetic Genius Contest 2024 held in Chennai recently.

Mr. Dinesh Victor, Managing Director of SIP Academy India Pvt. Ltd., expressed his excitement: “We are delighted to offer young children an opportunity to build a solid foundation in mathematics and earn recognition at an early age. The overwhelming participation from students across the country is a testament to their enthusiasm and the growing importance of arithmetic skills in shaping their future.”

He also highlighted that SIP Academy India has trained over 1 million children across its 1,000+ centres in 350 cities across 24 states. The academy’s programs aim to equip children with essential life skills to help them face challenges with confidence.

Zuno General Insurance Brings Road Safety to Life Through Creative ‘Talking Zebra’ Campaign

Hyderabad, January 22, 2025: Zuno General Insurance, formerly known as Edelweiss General Insurance, a new-age digital insurer, has launched a unique road safety awareness initiative, ‘The Talking Zebra’ to educate motorists and pedestrians about the importance of following traffic rules in an engaging and memorable way.

This initiative, spanning from 16th Jan to 25th Janis part of Zuno General Insurance’s commitment to promoteresponsible driving habits for safer roads and aligns with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ (MoRTH) declaration of January as Road Safety Month.Through the Talking Zebra Campaign, Zuno aims to amplify the national focus on reducing road accidents and fostering a culture of responsible road usage.

The Talking Zebra campaign is an innovative one-of-a-kind initiative that features a witty and interactive Zebra that is brought to life at traffic signals. As part of the campaign, a promoter dressed as a zebra—the very embodiment of zebra crossings—will interact with people at busy traffic signals. in six major cities – Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The mascot will interact with drivers and pedestrians, using wit, and humor to make road safety a topic everyone wants to talk about and a real concern. The Talking Zebra will remind everyone to “Keep your cool, follow traffic rules” while promoting essential practices like respecting zebra crossings, stopping at red lights, and avoiding jaywalking.

Shanai Ghosh, MD & CEO, Zuno General Insurance said, “Road safety is a critical and shared responsibility, and atZunowe are committed to launching initiatives that create lasting, positive change. The Talking Zebra campaign is our unique way of blending education with entertainment to encourage positive behavior on the streets, both for the driving community and pedestrians.We have also gone a step beyond awareness by using rewards to influence behavioural change with our telematics-based Pay-How-You-Drive (PHYD), that incentivises good driving behaviour with discounts on the car insurance premium.By participating in PHYD, drivers will be encouraged to adopt safer practices, ultimately contributing to safer roads, fewer accidents, and reduced fatalities across India.”

Every year, India sees a high number of pedestrian accidents, often caused by reckless drivers who ignore traffic rules and zebra crossings. Kolkata too witnessed around 15% increase in accidents in the last five years, pedestrian safety remains a major concern due to factors such as heavy traffic, non-compliance with traffic regulations, and inadequate enforcement of safety measures like zebra crossings. The “India Status Report on Road Safety 2024,” by the TRIP Centre at IIT Delhi, highlights India’s slow progress in reducing road accident fatalities. Despite advances in other sectors, road traffic injuries remain a major public health issue, and most states are unlikely to meet the UN’s goal of halving traffic deaths by 2030. Comparing India to road safety leaders like Sweden, the report shows that while in 1990, an Indian was 40% more likely to die in a road accident, by 2021 this figure had risen to 600%.

The Annual Report on Road Accidents in India available till (2022) recorded 4,61,312 crashes marginally low by 1% in the last five years, leading to 1,68,491 fatalities and 4,43,366 injuries. On an average, India experiences 53 crashes and 92 deaths per hour. According to global data, India witnesses the highest number of road accidents in the world.

Ketan Mankikar, Head & VP Marketing &Communications, Zuno General Insurance said, “The Talking Zebra is more than just a campaign; it’s a conversation starter, it’s a movement to inspire everyone to follow traffic rules and make roads safer. By using wit and humor, we aim to make safety more relatable, memorable, and ultimately, impactful. With a sense of humour and originality, “The Talking Zebra” hopes to leave an impression on drivers that will lead to behavioural change.As a brand that stands for being easy, breezy, and surely, we are excited to bring this concept to life and see how it sparks a positive change on the roads.”

The campaign addresses pedestrian safety issues by introducing innovative and creative concepts that apply to both drivers and walkers.

To maximise the campaign’s reach and impact, Zuno General Insurance has partnered with popular radio channel Red FM, allowing ‘The Talking Zebra’s’ voice to amplify the message across airwaves. Zuno General Insurance has also taken the campaign to the public encouraging them to join the movement on social media with hashtags #TalkingZebra, #RespectTheStripes, and #StayCoolFollowRules.

Why Vasai is Becoming a Retailer’s Hotspot for Expansion and Investment

– By Mr. Jash Panchamia, Management, Suraksha Smart City

 In recent years Vasai has made its mark on MMRs real estate map. With government support and a growing need, the city has undergone a dynamic resurrection and emerged as a thriving hub for retail investments and urban development. Once considered a distant suburb, Vasai is now referred to as the gateway to Mumbai. Being at the forefront of change, the emergence of a new Vasai is driven by a burgeoning retail sector that is reshaping its identity. The arrival of flagship stores, entertainment venues, and a plethora of dining options has turned Vasai into a vibrant epicentre of social and economic activity, drawing businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

The retail business space has proven to be a catalyst creating more than just shopping destinations. It has managed to create a social and cultural hub that enriches community life. The carefully curated blend of retail, dining, and leisure options is attracting a diverse demographic while boosting the local economy. This retail-driven developments have also elevated Vasai’s real estate appeal, making it a choice of interest for homebuyers and investors seeking value and higher returns on investment.

Vasai’s growing appeal comes with the added benefit of its strategic location on Mumbai’s suburban railway network, with dual connectivity to the central and western railway lines. Vasai Road station serves as a vital link for daily commuters, ensuring seamless access to Mumbai and its key business districts. The area’s connectivity is set to receive a significant boost with a wave of upcoming infrastructure projects, including the Virar-Alibaug Corridor, Bhayander-Vasai Sea Link, and Metro Line 13, which will link Mira-Bhayander and Vasai, reducing travel time across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). These developments, coupled with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train and the Vasai-Diva-Panvel Railway Line Extension, will transform Vasai into an accessibility powerhouse.

Infrastructure development does not end there. The upcoming Vadhavan Port project aims to establish Vasai as a logistics and maritime hub, while the Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme addresses critical water needs. Additionally, proximity to Thane, where 34 mega infrastructure projects are in progress, is set to foster economic growth through retail developments and job creation, further backing real estate growth in the region. The retail markets taking shape in Vasai makes it an appealing residential and commercial destination, with budget-friendly real estate developments available for everyone.

In Vasai East’s evolving urban landscape, retail developments are characterised through the creation of pedestrian-friendly pathways and easy access to public transportation, like the suburban rail system, reshaping the region into a well-rounded urban environment. These developments are closely tied to the real estate market, as the presence of bustling retail hubs drives demand for both residential and commercial properties. The emergence of mixed-use projects incorporate retail, residential, and office spaces has ensured that communities that offer convenience, quality of life, and a sense of belonging come into being.

The coming together of retail and real estate in Vasai highlights a shared growth trajectory. Retail districts also act as urban magnets, encouraging population growth and increasing housing demand. This, in turn, augments further retail expansion, launching a cycle of growth with benefits to every stakeholder. The addition of quality social infrastructure—schools, hospitals, shopping and recreational spaces— has further enhanced Vasai’s reputation as the land that offers a high standard of living.

Looking forward, Vasai is set a benchmark by creating a sustainable and economically vibrant city based on integrating retail into its urban framework. Its strategic focus on infrastructure, retail, and housing positions Vasai as a model for blending tradition with modernity, showcasing how cities can leverage retail to boost urban appeal and quality of life.

A Joyous Birthday Turns Deadly: Aditya Faces Danger in Ishq Jabariya

When love, faith, and destiny collide, extraordinary tales are written. Sun Neo’s beloved show Ishq Jabariya takes a thrilling turn as Gulki, played by Siddhi Sharma, and Aditya, portrayed by the talented Lakshay Khurana, face a rollercoaster of emotions in their journey of love and resilience. Known for its gripping narrative and unforgettable moments, the show now serves up an episode filled with joy, hope, and unexpected heartbreak.

Gulki has faced countless hardships and dramatic twists in her journey. Finally, she feels that brighter days are ahead, and it’s time to celebrate. Aditya’s birthday brings the perfect opportunity to spread happiness and create joyful memories. But just as Gulki begins to hope for peace, an unexpected tragedy strikes.

Aditya gets bitten by a snake, leaving everyone in shock and despair. With Aditya’s life hanging by a thread, the celebration turns into a desperate race against time. Gulki is determined to save him, but will her courage and faith be enough?

Will Gulki succeed in protecting Aditya, or is this the tragic end of their story? And if Aditya’s fate takes a dark turn, how will this change the course of the tale?

Ishq Jabariya, airing on Sun Neo at 7:30 PM, is an engaging love story centred around Gulki, a determined young woman with big aspirations. The show boasts a stellar cast, including Kamya Panjabi, Siddhi Sharma, and Lakshay Khurana in key roles, bringing depth and emotion to this captivating narrative.