Category Archives: News

Clear Premium Water Powers Up Tennis Premier League Season 5 in India

October 3, 2023, Ahmedabad: Clear Premium Water has taken center stage as the powered-by sponsor for the highly anticipated fifth edition of Tennis Premier League (TPL), India’s foremost tennis tournament, to popularize the sport nationwide.

Bollywood celebrities and sports enthusiasts gathered at Sahara Star on October 1 for the TPL Season 5 players’ auction, setting the stage for an exhilarating competition. The main matches are scheduled from 12 to 17 December 2023 at Balewadi Stadium in Pune, promising a week of intense tennis action.

Nayan Shah, the CEO and founder of Clear Premium Water, made a significant appearance at the TPL Season 5 players’ auction in Mumbai on October 1. During the event, the Mumbai Leon Army, one of the eight teams participating in the league was felicitated by Clear Water.

Nayan Shah, CEO and Founder of Clear Premium Water expressed his enthusiasm for the association with the Fifth edition of TPL: “We are thrilled to be the powered by sponsor for the prestigious Tennis Premier League Season 5. Tennis is a sport that embodies fitness, discipline, and determination, values that align perfectly with Clear Premium Water. Our association with TPL is about promoting the league and encouraging the growth of tennis in India. We believe that through such platforms, we can contribute to nurturing the incredible talent that our country possesses.”

The Tennis Premier League began its journey in 2018 and has remained committed to promoting tennis in India. Moreover, it has consistently provided financial assistance and exposure to the country’s top tennis players. The league’s innovative approach has paved the way for increased private sector investment in tennis, offering players opportunities to compete on the global stage and access the best coaching, training, facilities, and equipment.

The TPL Season 5 features eight dynamic teams: Bengal Wizards, Bengaluru SG Mavericks, Pune Jaguars, Punjab Tigers, Hyderabad Strikers, Gujarat Panthers, Mumbai Leon Army, and Delhi Binny’s Brigade. Each team boasts a prominent Bollywood and Former champions as brand ambassadors, including Leander Paes, Sania Mirza, Sonali Bendre, Taapsee Pannu, Rakul Preet Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Sonu Sood, and Malaika Arora.

Clear Premium Water’s support adds a refreshing dimension to the league, emphasizing the importance of hydration and health in sports. With Clear Premium Water, TPL Season 5 promises to be a smashing success that leaves a lasting impact on India’s tennis landscape.

Cotigao Village in Goa wins Bronze Award for Best Tourism Villages of India 2023

New Delhi, 3rd October 2023 – It is indeed a proud moment for the state of Goa as Cotigao Village has won the award for the Best Tourism Villages of India 2023. This recognition was achieved under the Bronze category at the Best Rural Tourism Competition 2023 presented by the Central Nodal Agency for Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay, under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Out of a total of 795 applications received from 31 States/Union Territories, Cotigao Village stood out as a shining example of excellence and best demonstration of the values and practice of rural tourism. It has been recognized for its outstanding contribution to promoting rural tourism in India and upholding the principles of the Best Tourism Village Competition.

Central Nodal Agency for Rural Tourism and Rural Homestay, under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India organized the Best Rural Tourism Competition 2023. The event is part of the global launch of “Travel for Life” organized by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, The United Nations World Tourism Organization, and the United Nations Environment program. The purpose of this event is to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of villages and also mark the initiation of the Best Rural Tourism Village Competition 2024 and the Best Rural Homestays Competitions 2024.

The Best Tourism Village Competition focuses on the nine pillars that drive sustainable rural tourism development. Cotigao Village has excelled in these areas, showcasing its commitment to preserving its cultural heritage, promoting local community involvement, and providing economic opportunities through sustainable rural tourism. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of the community and the local authorities in Cotigao Village.

The award recognizes Cotigao Village as a model rural tourism destination, demonstrating the potential for tourism development in rural areas that showcase the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. It serves as an inspiration for other rural communities across the country to follow suit and embrace sustainable tourism practices.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, congratulates Cotigao Village on this remarkable achievement. The Best Rural Tourism Competition 2023 is a testament to the Ministry’s efforts in promoting rural tourism and empowering local communities to become active stakeholders in the tourism sector.

This recognition will surely boost the tourism industry in Cotigao Village and attract more visitors who are seeking authentic rural experiences. It will not only contribute to the local economy but also encourage the preservation of the region’s unique cultural heritage and natural resources.

School Friends – a high school based web series, builds a strong connect with viewers across India

India,  03^rd October 2023: ‘School Friends’, a Rusk Media creation, that premiered on Amazon miniTV – the free video streaming service from Amazon in August 2023, is Rusk Media’s first longer-duration web series having 19 episodes. The show has received with a lot of love from viewers and continues to trend amongst the top shows on Amazon miniTV.

Television shows typically run for months, fostering daily viewing habits. However, digital platforms in India have traditionally focused on limited series formats comprising of 5 to 6 episodes. ‘School Friends’ is the first show by Rusk Media to break these boundaries on digital platforms. In its very first season itself, the show has rewritten the rules, captivated viewers, challenged traditional content formats, and proven to be a massive success.

Amogh Dusad, Head of Content, Amazon miniTV, shared  the sentiment, “Amazon miniTV’s collaboration with Rusk Media for ‘School Friends’ is a testament to our continued commitment to delivering quality content to our viewers across India for free. Not only has this show been received well by the youth, we have also received positive feedback from young adults who could relive their school days through this show.”

Commenting on this, Mayank Yadav, CEO and Co-founder of Rusk Media said, “At Rusk Media, our primary focus is building strong partnerships and actively engaging with our audience. We are dedicated to listening closely to the pulse of our viewers and crafting compelling shows and formats that resonate with a wide-ranging audience. ‘School Friends’ is just one of the many properties we’re nurturing, designed to not only captivate school audiences but also cater to the evolving tastes of young adults. Our commitment lies in creating and delivering content that stands the test of time and keeps our audience thoroughly entertained.”

With ‘School Friends’, Rusk Media has paved the way for more extensive, engaging, and long-running digital content, embracing the evolving tastes of Indian audiences.

India Today Conclave Mumbai is Back 4th & 5th October, 2023

Mumbai, October 2023 – The India Today Conclave– a confluence of leaders from across the spectrum ideate on issues of contemporary interest is returning with an illustrious lineup.

The luminaries from diverse spheres will converge on October 4 and 5, 2023 at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

Designed on the lines of the flagship India Today Conclave, the Conclave in Mumbai will act as a catalyst for cutting edge ideas, futuristic visualizations, elaborate policy making debates. One is sure to witness business & political leaders, celebrated artists and cultural icons across the 2 days of India’s Biggest Ideas Fest.

The Conclave sessions are designed to offer information on current issues and gather unique insights which are not only pioneering and actionable but also accompanied with far reaching impact.

Get Ready to immerse yourself in riveting debates, pioneering viewpoints, and thought-provoking dialogues. Crystal Gaze with the following Distinguished Speakers at the India Today Conclave Mumbai

Kalli Purie, Managing Director, India Today Group, said, “The India Today Conclave has always brought unprecedented access to the world’s best professionals, philosophers, entertainment critics, artists, lawmakers and brightest minds from the industry debating topics that capture the nation’s attention. The Mumbai edition, as always, is sure to bring about stimulating conversations that will resonate long after the event.”  

Speakers at the India Today Conclave– Mumbai scheduled on 4^thand 5^th October 2023:

POLITICS

• Eknath Shinde | Chief Minister, Maharashtra
• Sharad Pawar | Member of Parliament; President, Nationalist Congress Party
• Devendra Fadnavis | Deputy Chief Minister, Maharashtra
• Sushil Kumar Modi | Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Former Deputy Chief Minister, Bihar
• Supriya Sule | Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, NCP
• Swapan Dasgupta | Former Member of Rajya Sabha
• Aaditya Thackeray |MLA &  President, Yuva Sena
• Pradeep Gupta | Chairman & Managing Director, AxisMyIndia
• Asaduddin Owaisi | President, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen; MP, Lok Sabha
• Priyanka Chaturvedi | MP, Rajya Sabha; Deputy Leader, Shiv Sena UBT
• Dhan Singh Rawat | Member of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly

BUSINESS

• Uday Kotak | Founder, Kotak Mahindra Bank
• Arvind Vijay Mohan | Chief Executive at Artery India & Founder, India Art Investor
• Ashish Chauhan | CEO, National Stock Exchange of India (NSE); Chancellor, University of  Allahabad
• Milind Kamble | Founder Chairman, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

• Prasoon Joshi | Chairman, Central Board of Film Certification
• Cast of The Archies:Suhana Khan | Actor, Vedang Raina | Actor, Khushi Kapoor | Actor, Mihir Ahuja | Actor, Dot | Actor, Yuvraj Menda | Actor, Agastya Nanda | Actor, Reema Kagti | Writer
• Cast of Jaane Jaan: Vijay Varma | Actor, Jaideep Ahlawat | Actor, Sujoy Ghosh | Director
• Cast of Khufiya: Vishal Bhardwaj | Director, Ali Fazal | Actor, Wamiqa Gabbi | Actor
• Cast of Thank You For Coming: Bhumi Pednekar | Actor, Kusha Kapila | Actor, Shehnaaz Gill | Actor, Dolly Singh | Actor, Shibani Bedi | Actor, Rhea Kapoor | Producer
• Rhea Chakraborty | Actor
• Mehtab Ali Niazi | Sitar Player, Vocalist
• Uorfi Javed | Actor, Social Media Personality
• Kriti Sanon | Actor
• Shivanshu Soni | Contestant on India‘s Best Dancer
• Monika Shergill – VP, Content, Netflix India

• Narendra Jadhav | Former Member of Parliament; Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Pune
• Dilip Cherian | Founder, Perfect Relations
• Flavia Agnes | Women’s Right Activist and Lawyer
• Manoj Mitta | Journalist; Author,
• Nilanjan Mukhopadhyaya | Author
• Dr Khader Vali | Millet Man of India
• Sajan Raj Kurup | Founder & Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group
• Zain Memon | Co-founder, Memesys Culture Lab
• Krish Ashok | Author ‘Masala Lab’
• Chaitanya Prabhu | Founder, Mark your Presence
• Nikhil Taneja | Co-Founder & Chief, Yuva
• Dr Shamsul Islam | Author, Retired professor of Political Science, Delhi University
• R Jagannathan | Editorial Director, Swarajya
• Dr Annapurni Subramaniam| Director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics
• Nigar Shaji | Project Director, Aditya Solar Mission
• Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju | Doctor, Actor, Activist
• Pavan Varma | Indian Diplomat, Politician & Author
• Ambassador Alex Ellis | British High Commissioner to the Republic of India
• Deepti Chavan | TB survivor and Patient Advocate
• Amitabh Kant | India‘s G20 Sherpa; former CEO, NITI Aayog
• Vikram Sampath | Historian, Author
• R. K. Verma | CMD, Resonance, Kota
• Rahul Shewale | MP, Lok Sabha
• Charit Jaggi | Founder and Director, We The Young

• Sunil Gavaskar | Former Indian Cricketer
• Harbhajhan Singh | Former Indian Cricketer

• Dr Harish Shetty, Psychiatrist
• Dr Raman Sankar | Senior Director, Global Health Strategies
• Dr Lancelot Pinto | Consultant Pulmonologist, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre

Times Now Honors 11 Exceptional Indians at the Amazing Indians Awards 2023

New Delhi, October 2nd, 2023: Times No w, India’s leading English news channel hosted the Amazing Indians Awards 2023 in New Delhi today. A premier national platform, Amazing Indians Awards 2023 recognized and honoured the unwavering spirit of 11 Amazing Indians who, through their courage, resolve, and selfless deeds, have profoundly influenced the lives of others.

The Chief Guests for the event, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women and Child Development delivered the keynote addresses and felicitated the winners along with the Jury members. The grandeur ceremony also witnessed a special Jugalbandi performance by Smt. Anuradha Pal, India’s First Female Tabla Maestro and a captivating musical presentation by the exceptionally talented members of Shreerang Charitable Trust.

Amazing Indian Awards 2023 winners felicitated across 11 categories included Dr. Jayakumar Karuppusamy (Agriculture), M. Vignesh alias Sai Vignesh (Animal Welfare), Mamoon Akhtar(Education), Amita Deshpande (Environment & Climate), Raj Kumar Bhatia (Food Management and Nutrition), Sukla Debnath (Girl Child and Women’s Rights Empowerment), Manjunath Ningappa Pujari (Healthcare, Medical & Clinical Assistance), Shruti Chaturvedi (Rural Development), Makarand Anaspure (Sanitation and Water), Nisha Malawat (Slum Care) and Yash Tarwadi (Tech For Good). The winners were shortlisted through an exhaustive pan-India screening process by an esteemed panel of jury comprising General M. M. Naravane, Prasoon Joshi, Ritesh Agarwal, Anand Kumar, Dr. S. Rangarajan and Sonam Wangchuk and duly evaluated by Ernst & Young (Process Partner).

In a historic moment, Dr. Veeramuthuvel, Project Director of Chandrayan-3 at ISRO, and Dr. Nigar Shaji, Project Director of Aditya – L1 Mission at ISRO, were honored for their remarkable contributions to India’s space endeavors.

Delivering the welcome address, MK Anand, MD & CEO, Times Network said, “As India’s most influential news leader, Times Now has played a pivotal role in driving change and action. Amazing Indians Awards is our initiative to highlight the extraordinary achievements of ordinary Indians who have made a positive impact on society. Over the years, the platform has featured the remarkable journeys of over 500 such individuals, each of whom has crafted a legacy through courage, determination, and an unwavering spirit. I am confident that the stories of these ‘Amazing Indians’ will inspire a new generation of changemakers, contributing to a better India.”

Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution, lauded, Times Now for hosting the Amazing Indians awards. “This is a fantastic platform, and I was impressed by the quality of selection of the award nominees. Humble beginnings getting recognized at the beginning is wonderful, and these small seeds will grow into big trees in the future. All the nominees will go back more changed and determined to do even better.”

He went on to add, “The Amazing Indians is an important programme for the ambitions of India’s youth. Such Amazing Indians will power our journey and meet greater objectives of the nation and indeed the world.”

Shri Goyal also took the opportunity to congratulate ISRO scientists Dr Veeramuthuvel and Dr Nigar Shaji for their role in India’s space endeavours. He led the audience in giving a standing ovation to the scientists.

Congratulating the winners, Shri Goyal asserted that the government has been working hard for the public good. Whether it was bringing tap water to every home or enabling 4 crore families to benefit under PM Awas Yojana, the government has taken steps to ensure food security, especially during lockdowns. He said that 80 crore Indians got twice the allocation of grain and not a single starvation death was reported in any state. This is a huge achievement, he added.

Delivering the keynote address, Chief Guest Smt. Smriti Irani expressed her delight at the inspiring stories of the Amazing Indians who were honoured at the event. She also congratulated Times Now for assembling a jury of immense talent and diversity. “I am proud and humbled to share this platform with these Amazing Indians. Each one of these illustrious persons who are being honoured here today represent to the whole world what New India represents for our future,” she stated.

Speaking about ISRO and the Moon Landing, she said, “From the Dark Side of the Moon, a new light was shown to the world, showing what we are capable of.”

She congratulated ISRO’s Women Scientists, especially “Nigar ji (Project Director, Aditya – L1 Mission, ISRO) who spoke emphatically that she is part of an organisation that does not have a glass ceiling, where capability demands and decides opportunity, and that is all what new India is about.” She ended by stating that.

“This stage represents not only a civilizational empathy towards fellow living beings, but also represents grit, determination and grace.”

The Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2023 left an indelible mark, celebrating the unwavering spirit of those who have gone above and beyond to create a positive and lasting impact on society.

Honarable President shares Thoughtful Exchanges with Smt Mala Vajpayee Tiwari and Kapil Mishra

Indore, 30th September’23: The India Smart Cities Conclave 2023, held in Indore on September 26 and 27, was graded by President Droupadi Murmu. The event served as a platform to showcase India’s evolving urban infrastructure and development.

In a moment of pride, Indore was honored with the prestigious title of ‘Best Smart City’ in India at the India Smart Cities Conclave 2023.

The event boasted an esteemed lineup of dignitaries, including:

• Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Mangubhai Patel

• Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

• Member of Parliament for Indore, Shri Sankar Lalwani

• Central Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri

• Uttar Pradesh State Cabinet Minister, Shri Kaushal Kishore Ji

• Madhya Pradesh State Cabinet Minister, Shri Tulsi Silawat

• Madhya Pradesh State Cabinet Minister, Smt. Usha Thakur

• Mayor of Indore, Pushyamitra Bhargava

Recently, Smt Mala Vajpayee Tiwari, niece of the late Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had the privilege of meeting President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi where in she presented a copy of her book, “Sada Atal,” on the honorable Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, with Mr. Abhishek Tiwari serving as its chief editor.

During the meeting, Smt Mala Vajpayee Tiwari extended a cordial invitation to the President to visit her family in Indore.

Smt Mala Vajpayee Tiwari’s family were honored guests at the Smart City Conclave in Indore, through the Presidential invite. The President and Smt Mala Vajpayee Tiwari’s family including her grand daughter and grandson had the pleasure of meeting at the conclave, where they exchanged warm greetings.

Adding to the sentiment, Smt Mala Vajpayee Tiwari’s daughter, Smt. Ruchi Kapil Mishra, a gold medalist in fine arts, presented her handcrafted portrait to the President. In an interaction with the media Kapil Mishra, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s son-in-law, and a proud owner of e-newspaper “Atal Hindustan” said , “The President thoughtfully brought some nice chocolates for the kids” , reflecting the warmth and camaraderie of the occasion.

Kapil D Mishra is a man with a strong sense of purpose, commitment to social change with the aim of making a tangible impact on vulnerable communities. He is now channelling his social activism into political action for the betterment of the underprivileged.

Careernet’s virtual Diversity Career Fair concludes with around 1,000 participants

Bengaluru, 30th September, 2023: Careernet Prism, the diversity-focused vertical of India’s leading talent solutions provider Careernet, successfully concluded the 5th edition of India’s largest virtual ‘All Diversity Career Fair’. The event witnessed the participation of around 1,000 women, Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and Armed Forces veterans. The career fair was supported by community partners Brisk Olive, Mitra Jyothi, SignAble, Spectrum of Inclusion, TALMS, WeIndia, and Tech for Good partner NASSCOM Foundation. The partnering employers, TESCO, Citibank, CRISIL, and Philips provided a plethora of opportunities in both technical and non-technical roles for professionals with 3+ years of experience.

The event stayed true to its theme, “Championing Diversity at India Inc.”, by addressing the critical gap in promoting diversity within India Inc’s culture. The virtual career fair enabled professionals from intersecting diversities to explore employment opportunities from some of India’s leading equal-opportunity employers.

Additionally, the entire event was interpreted in real time by Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpreters to ensure that the content was accessible to deaf candidates in attendance. Careernet Prism collaborated with SignAble Communications (India’s first on-demand Indian Sign Language interpretation service for the deaf) for the virtual event. The interpreters also helped deaf attendees interact with employers at the company booths.

“Today, individuals from diverse communities continue to face challenges in finding employment opportunities that truly match their capabilities and skill sets. In this context, it is extremely encouraging to see the excellent response that our diversity career fair received from job seekers and employers alike. With employers increasingly recognising the importance of creating diverse, accessible and inclusive workplaces for all employees, the need of the hour is to engage in outcome-focused discussions and debates on what diversity really means for India Inc. I am confident that our event was an important stepping stone towards charting a roadmap towards enhancing D, E, and I at the workplace, and we look forward to hearing the resultant success stories”, said Mr. Anshuman Das, Co-founder and CEO of Careernet.

The event began with a keynote address by Ms. Madhu Singhal, Founder and Trustee-Manager of Mithra Jyothi, on “Beyond Just Numbers: Enhancing Cultural Competence at India Inc.” It also featured a panel discussion on “The Future of Work: India Inc Adapting to a Diverse Workforce”, moderated by Sqn Ldr Delshad Master, Associate Vice President of D and I at Careernet, and Mr. Manish Sethi, Director of Property, TESCO Bengaluru; Ms. Anwesa Nanda, Manager, CRISIL Limited; Ms. Seetha Rani KP, Head of Human Resources, Philips Innovation Centre, Bengaluru; and Ms. Gunjan Narang, State President of WICCI’s Psychological Well-being Council in Karnataka, as panellists.

The candidates are expected to be contacted by the partnering employers in the coming weeks, after the necessary screening of their applications.

The diversity career fair was organised as part of Careernet Prism’s vision to make inclusive workplaces with diverse talent happen. Careernet believes that competency should be the only criterion that determines employability and is using the same as a guiding principle to connect diverse professionals to the right jobs. By ensuring sign language interpreters at every sponsor’s booth and curating a good mix of roles and domains, the career fair provided an inclusive platform for individuals across all diverse categories.