Author: Neel Achary

Porvorim to Celebrate Shigmo with Traditional Romtamel and Folk Performances on March 15th

Porvorim, Mar 11: The vibrant spirit of Shigmo will come alive in Porvorim on March 15, as the community gathers for its much-anticipated annual celebration under the leadership of Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte along with Saligao Constituency MLA Shri Kedar Naik. The celebrations will be held at Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Porvorim, with the inauguration scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Speaking ahead of the celebrations, Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte said, “Shigmo is a vibrant expression of Goa’s cultural identity and community spirit. Celebrations such as the one in Porvorim provide an important platform for our traditional art forms like Romtamel and folk dances to thrive, while bringing people together in the true festive spirit of Goa. I invite everyone to join us and celebrate this cherished festival.”

Organised by the Porvorim Shigmo Committee with the active participation of local members and volunteers, the annual event has grown into a cherished cultural gathering where residents come together to celebrate Goa’s rich traditions and festive spirit. Citizens from Porvorim and neighbouring areas are warmly invited to participate and experience the festivities, continuing a tradition that has been celebrated enthusiastically year after year.

In view of traffic congestion due to the fly over construction work, the organising committee has decided that this year’s celebrations will not include Shigmo floats. Instead, the focus will remain on traditional cultural performances, including Romtamel presentations, folk dances, and fancy dress competitions, allowing visitors to enjoy uninterrupted performances that highlight Goa’s folk heritage.

The Porvorim Shigmo Committee has also announced honorariums and prizes to encourage wide participation and recognise performers. Each Romtamel participant will receive an honorarium of ₹5,000, while folk dance participants will receive ₹2,000 each.

Prizes for the competitions have been announced as follows: Romtamel Competition – 1st Prize: ₹35,000, 2nd Prize: ₹20,000, 3rd Prize: ₹15,000 and 6 Consolation Prizes: ₹4,000 each. Folk Dance Competition – 1st Prize: ₹20,000, 2nd Prize: ₹15,000, 3rd Prize: ₹10,000 and 6 Consolation Prizes: ₹4,000 each. Senior Fancy Dress Competition – 1st Prize: ₹7,000, 2nd Prize: ₹5,000, 3rd Prize: ₹4,000 and 4 Consolation Prizes: ₹1,000 each.  Junior Fancy Dress Competition – 1st Prize: ₹5,000, 2nd Prize: ₹4,000, 3rd Prize: ₹3,000 and 2 Consolation Prizes: ₹500 each

The Porvorim Shigmo celebration continues to be a significant cultural highlight for the local community, reflecting the enthusiasm and collective participation that make Goa’s traditional festivals truly special.

Aviva India appoints Harshit Agrawal as Head of Marketing

New Delhi, India, Mar 11:  Aviva India, one of India’s leading private life insurance companies, recently announced the appointment of Harshit Agrawal as its Head of Marketing.

Harshit brings with him over 16 years of experience across marketing, brand strategy, and digital transformation in the financial services and advertising sectors. Prior to joining Aviva India, he held pivotal roles at Clix Capital and Muthoot Blue Group, where he led key initiatives focused on strengthening brand visibility, accelerating digital adoption, and enhancing customer engagement. Earlier in his career, he has also worked with organisations such as BC Web Wise and Dentsu Webchutney, contributing to integrated marketing strategies and growth across leading brands.

In his new role, Harshit will lead Aviva India’s marketing function, focusing on strengthening brand positioning, enhancing customer engagement, and driving innovative marketing initiatives aligned with the company’s strategic growth priorities.

Commenting on the appointment, Asit Rath, MD & CEO said, “At Aviva, we are on a journey of transformation, building a progressive, customer-first brand that moves beyond conventional marketing. Harshit’s contribution will be instrumental in elevating our marketing capabilities, and strengthening our position as a future-ready organization.”

Sharing his thoughts, Harshit Agrawal, Head of Marketing, Aviva India, said, “Aviva has always stood out as a progressive organisation, constantly evolving with new innovations and a forward-looking strategy. It truly inspires me to build on this momentum, moving beyond traditional approaches to create campaigns that resonate with customers, elevate the brand, and reflect Aviva’s shift from protection to prevention. I look forward to shaping an impactful marketing narrative that drives trust, engagement, and sustainable growth.”

This appointment is a strategic move that will benefit Aviva India by elevating its marketing approach and strengthening its vision of making life insurance progressive, meaningful, and a part of everyday life.

Justdial Accelerates Growth for Over 55 Lakh plus MSMEs in Delhi NCR

New Delhi, Mar 11: As India’s capital and one of the country’s most dynamic business hubs, Delhi is home to thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs spanning manufacturing, logistics, services, and education). In an increasingly competitive and digital-first marketplace, these businesses are turning to online discovery platforms to generate leads, build credibility, and scale sustainably.

With its extensive network of listed businesses and high-intent consumer searches, Justdial, India’s No. 1 local search engine, has emerged as a key growth enabler for Delhi’s MSMEs.

For many business owners, Justdial has played a pivotal role in transforming lead generation and reducing dependence on traditional marketing channels. Karam Veer Singh, Director at TSE Shaft Elevators India Private Limited, Delhi, shared how the platform became central to his company’s growth journey: “We started with a ₹25,000 Justdial package and began receiving 3–4 leads daily. Over time, we upgraded our plan, and today nearly 90% of our business comes through Justdial. The quality and consistency of enquiries have been a game changer for us.”

His experience highlights how B2B-focused enterprises are leveraging Justdial to access steady, high-quality leads without extensive outreach efforts. A similar impact is evident in the logistics sector. Sunil Kumar, from Transport Carriers of India Logistics, Okhla, credits Justdial with simplifying customer acquisition while driving strong growth:“Justdial contributes 60–70% to our business growth. We don’t have to run around looking for clients. Sitting comfortably, we are able to connect directly with B2B customers and receive relevant enquiries consistently.”

For service-based businesses like packers and movers, digital discovery has become indispensable. Manoj Bhardwaj, owner of Dev Bhumi Packers and Movers, Delhi, reflected on his long-standing association with the platform:

 “In the last five years, whatever we have achieved is largely because of Justdial. It’s a very solid platform, and we regularly work on leads received through it. It has helped us build a stable and growing business.”

The education and skill development industry is also witnessing strong returns through online visibility. Akash Kumar, owner of Shri Sai Computer Learning Centre, Delhi, shared a compelling ROI story: 

“I started with a ₹15,000 Justdial package in 2019. From that investment, I earn ₹1–2 lakh/month regularly, and sometimes even ₹5–10 lakh/month in revenue. I highly recommend Justdial services to anyone looking to grow their business.”

These success stories reflect how Delhi’s entrepreneurs are harnessing Justdial’s platform to unlock growth. By delivering credible leads, transparent ROI, and sustained visibility, Justdial continues to empower MSMEs to expand their reach, streamline customer acquisition, and build future-ready businesses.

Commenting on the platform’s role in empowering Delhi’s SME ecosystem, Mr. Prashant Nagar, Chief Business Officer of Justdial, said:

“Local enterprises are the heartbeat of India’s economy, and online platforms are a critical driver of growth. We’re seeing more and more local businesses take bold steps to grow digitally. What’s encouraging is seeing entrepreneurs use Justdial as their critical growth partner. When our vendors tell us that a large part of their business now comes through enquiries generated on our platform, it reassures us of the impact we have been creating and also encourages us to keep doing more. Our focus has always been simple: connect the right customers to the right businesses, and help entrepreneurs grow and manage their businesses with consistency and confidence.”

As digital adoption accelerates across India’s urban centres, platforms like Justdial are increasingly becoming part of how MSMEs build visibility, generate demand, and participate in the country’s evolving digital economy.

Generali Central Life Insurance Expands into Jhansi, Strengthening Focus on Tier-2 Markets

Generali Central Life Insurance Expands Deeper into Bharat with New Branch in Jhansi, Strengthening Focus on Tier‑2 Markets

Mumbai, Mar 11: Generali Central Life Insurance,formed through the partnership of leading global insurer Generali and Central Bank of India, today announced the opening of its new branch in Jhansi further strengthening the Company’s presence in North India and reinforcing its commitment to expanding life insurance access across high‑potential Tier‑2 and emerging markets in Bharat.

 With this launch, Generali Central Life Insurance now operates 11 branches in Uttar Pradesh and 30 branches across the northern region, significantly enhancing its geographical footprint and customer access.

Uttar Pradesh continues to offer immense growth potential, with rising financial awareness, expanding demand for life insurance solutions within semi-urban and rural areas of the region. The launch of the Jhansi branch underscores the Company’s commitment to reaching deeper into Bharat, enabling last‑mile access, and serving markets where the need for protection‑led financial planning is rapidly accelerating. This expansion aligns with the Company’s strategy to build deeper local connections and offer customised life insurance solutions that are culturally relevant and accessible at the grassroots level. The Company is also building a future‑ready agency network, enabling deeper penetration through trusted, trained local advisors who understand regional needs and unlock new customer potential.

Commenting on the launch of the branch, Mr. Alok Rungta, Managing Director & CEO, Generali Central Life Insurance said:

“Our new branch in Jhansi reinforces our commitment to expanding our footprint in Bharat, especially in markets beyond metros where life insurance awareness and growth potential are rapidly accelerating. To reach Bharat meaningfully, we must be present on ground, closer to communities, with financial solutions that matter. This expansion strengthens our ability to tap into the region’s unrealized potential, broaden our reach, and ensure protection‑led solutions are truly accessible across the region.”

HMD Announces Strategic Collaboration with Flipkart; First Launch of Its 2026 Smartphone Line-Up in India

New Delhi, Mar 11: Human Mobile Devices (HMD) and Flipkart announced a strategic collaboration to bring HMD’s 2026 smartphone line-up to consumers in India. As part of this partnership, HMD’s first smartphone launch in India for 2026 will take place on Flipkart, which will serve as a key e-commerce partner alongside other leading online and retail channels.

 HMD has been steadily strengthening its presence in India with a focus on human-centric design, durability, repairability, and the democratization of AI-led experiences across its portfolio. The launch of HMD’s first smartphone of 2026 under this partnership represents an important milestone in its India growth journey. By utilizing Flipkart’s deep understanding of Indian consumers, robust supply chain capabilities, and scale, HMD aims to make its upcoming devices more accessible and affordable across metro cities as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.

HMD will introduce smartphones across key price segments (10K to 20K), catering to India’s diverse and rapidly evolving usage needs, focusing on consumers seeking reliability, affordability, and meaningful AI-powered experiences. The first HMD smartphone of 2026 under this is expected to be unveiled in the coming months, followed by a phased rollout of multiple devices over the next 2–4 months, as both organizations come together to deliver a diverse range of smartphones catering to the evolving needs of Indian consumers. Further details on product specifications, pricing, availability, and consumer programs will be revealed closer to launch.

Ravi Kunwar, CEO and VP, HMD India and APAC, commented on the:

““We are excited to collaborate with Flipkart as one of our key e-commerce partners as we gear up to launch the first HMD smartphone of 2026 in India. Flipkart’s extensive reach and strong consumer connect will play an important role in bringing our latest innovation to customers across the country. As part of our broader distribution strategy, Flipkart serving as a key e-commerce partner alongside other retail channel., as we continue to deliver human-centered design and accessible technology to more consumers.”

Commenting on this, Ajay Veer Yadav, Senior Vice President, Flipkart said:

“Flipkart remains focused on enabling India’s digital ambitions by ensuring customers have access to the latest mobile innovations. Our strategic collaboration with HMD brings their upcoming smartphone portfolio to millions of consumers across the country. With our expansive distribution network and flexible affordability offerings, we are well-positioned to make cutting-edge devices more accessible and inclusive. Together, we aim to accelerate HMD’s growth in India while delivering a superior experience to customers.”

The upcoming launches reflect the evolving needs of Indian smartphone users, where affordability and differentiated experiences increasingly shape buying decisions. Through this, HMD aims to build sustained momentum by combining thoughtful product positioning with broad market access.