Celebrating Grassroots Reporting and Community Journalism in India

The Sadhana Hyper-Local Journalism Awards, an initiative spearheaded by Satish Raj Goravigere, founder of Kannada News Today, are set to debut in January 2026 in Hyderabad. This unique event will honor the outstanding efforts of local journalists, community reporters, and digital content creators who focus on highlighting issues impacting grassroots communities across India.

Launched in 2019, Kannada News Today has been a pioneer in the regional news landscape, and this awards program reflects its commitment to uplifting hyper-local journalism. The initiative seeks to fill a gap in the Indian media space, where local stories often lack visibility compared to national and international headlines. The awards will bring much-needed recognition to journalists covering stories that deeply impact smaller communities.

Recognizing Excellence in Hyper-Local Journalism

The Sadhana Hyper-Local Journalism Awards will feature categories that celebrate various aspects of grassroots reporting:

• Best Hyper-Local Story of the Year
• Outstanding Community Reporting
• Grassroots Journalism Impact
• Emerging Hyper-Local Journalist
• Digital Innovation in Local Media

By spotlighting exceptional talent in these areas, the awards aim to inspire more journalists to focus on community-driven storytelling and encourage innovation in regional reporting.

Organized by Kannada News Today and Timesnib

The awards are organized by Kannada News Today, in collaboration with its sister platform, Timesnib, another initiative led by Satish Raj Goravigere. Timesnib complements Kannada News Today’s focus on regional content by catering to English-speaking audiences. Together, these platforms emphasize the importance of local journalism in bridging information gaps within communities.

To ensure a fair and transparent selection process, the awards will be judged by a panel of veteran journalists, media professionals, and digital content innovators with extensive experience in the industry.

Supporting Regional Journalists

Hyper-local journalists face numerous challenges, including limited resources, lack of recognition, and infrastructural constraints, particularly in rural areas. The Sadhana Awards aim to shine a light on their efforts and provide them with a platform to gain national visibility, fostering a culture of appreciation for their impactful work.

Workshops and Networking Opportunities

Beyond recognizing winners, the event will include workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions to support professional growth among attendees. These sessions will feature industry leaders who will share strategies for navigating challenges in hyper-local journalism and improving reporting standards.

Emerging journalists will also have the opportunity to connect with experienced professionals, creating pathways for collaboration and mentorship within the journalism community.

The Importance of Grassroots Journalism

Local journalism plays an essential role in informing communities about critical issues, fostering civic engagement, and holding institutions accountable. The Sadhana Hyper-Local Journalism Awards aim to amplify these contributions, emphasizing the need for accurate and ethical reporting at the grassroots level.

Industry Reactions

The media industry has lauded the launch of this initiative, recognizing its potential to uplift regional journalism. “Local stories often shape the core of journalism, yet they rarely receive the attention they deserve. This initiative is a commendable step toward empowering grassroots reporters,” commented a senior media professional.

Looking Ahead

With the countdown to January 2026 underway, the Sadhana Hyper-Local Journalism Awards promise to be a landmark event for regional journalism in India. The awards will not only celebrate the achievements of local journalists but also inspire a new generation of storytellers to embrace the power of community-based reporting

Hyderabad, January 20, 2025: OPG Mobility (formerly known as Okaya EV), a trusted name in the electric mobility sector, today launched the much-anticipated Ferrato ‘DEFY 22’ at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The company showcased a glimpse of the future where mobility is more sustainable, innovative, and designed for every Indian. Pre-bookings for the DEFY 22 commences from January 17, 2025.

Ferrato ‘DEFY 22’, the all new electric scooter is equipped with Combi Disc Brake System, offering an impressive speed of 70kmph with a range of 80km, verified by ICAT in a single charge. It’s robust structure features a newly designed, highly durable IP67-rated LFP battery and a weatherproof IP65-rated charger, ensuring reliable performance in various conditions. The 7-inch touch display speedometer, with a music feature, and stylish 12-inch alloy wheels make the design classy and bold. With a motor power of 1200W and peak power of 2500W, coupled with 72V 30Ah (2.2 kWh) LFP battery, the DEFY 22 delivers a powerful and practical ride. Furthermore, it is set to elevate the rider’s posture with a dual foot board level.

Packed with a stylish design, ‘DEFY 22’ comes in seven dual tone colour options, providing customers an ease to pick the one fitting their choice and personality. Focused on innovative features and stringent safety standards, this all new product is ideal to meet the diverse needs of Indian consumers, in addition to offering reliability, efficiency and eco-friendliness. With this, the Ferrato ‘DEFY 22’ promises superior performance, advanced safety and other iOT features. It is a perfect companion to all, be it a student, working professional or family, empowering everyone to take control of their journey with confidence and style.

Launching Ferrato ‘DEFY 22’ as the ultimate-head turner at the expo, Mr. Anshul Gupta, Managing Director at OPG Mobility said, “We are thrilled to launch the stylish yet practical scooter that provides a stellar riding experience of daily commute to Indians. Adapting to the diverse needs of consumers, we at OPG Mobility, believe in introducing innovative products while ensuring safety and durability. The all-new ‘DEFY 22’ is the perfect blend of extraordinary style, unmatched power and top-tier performance. In times to come, it is certain to revolutionise the two-wheeler electric mobility space in India.”

The feature-packed ‘DEFY 22’ is priced at INR 99,999 (Ex- showroom) and will be available in seven refreshing colours: Champagne Cream, Black Fire, Coastal Ivory, Unity White, Resilience Black, Dove Grey and Matte Green. With this new product and the existing portfolio, OPG Mobility is on a mission to provide sustainable, accessible and innovative transportation solutions.

OPG Mobility is showcasing its commitment to innovation at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, launching the Ferrato DEFY 22 and offering a glimpse into the future with the unveiling of one concept model designed for the Indian market: the Ferrato Z Model. This showcase also highlights OPG Mobility’s diverse range of sustainable transportation solutions, including the Ferrato electric two-wheeler products and the OTTOOPG electric three-wheeler products. The complete range of electric scooters and bikes on display this year includes:

● Ferrato DEFY 22: Dual-tone – Red & Black & Dual-tone – Gold & White

● Ferrato Faast F4: Matte Green

● Ferrato Freedum LI: Cyan

● Ferrato Disruptor: Black

● Ferrato Z Model: Silver

In the electric three-wheeler category, the following models are exhibited for both passenger and cargo applications:

● L5 Passenger Vehicle D+3

● L5 Loader Covered Body

● L3 Passenger Vehicle

20th January 2025, New Delhi

Recent executive order by Biden- Harris Administration restricting access of AI Chips to non-key allies countries of US has come at a time when Govt. of India has floated a tender to procure 10,000 GPUs (AI Chips) under its ambitious Rs. 10,000-crore AI (Artificial Intelligence) Mission. Though India is not into list of countries (tier-III) for which access of US AI Chips have been fully restricted, but it is into tier-II category of countries for which access of US AI Chips got conditionally restricted.

Giving its analyst insights on this recent executive order of Biden-Harris administration for regulating access of AI Chips (which includes GPUs), Analyst firm 5 Jewels Research has said that though there won’t be immediate impact on the Indian AI Mission, as India being placed in tier-II category of countries for which restrictions are conditional, and allowed to procure upto 50,000 advanced GPUs, while Indian AI Mission requires procurement of only 10,000 GPUs, but other access conditions related with usages of these procured AI Chips from US may requires India to negotiate for its Sovereign AI ambitions with incoming Trump Administration.

Giving his insights Chief Analyst of 5 Jewel Research at Innogress Mr Sumant Parimal, who is a Global thought leader on Quantum & AI (Artificial Intelligence), has said “For India, recent AI chip export restrictions by US has mixed impact on Indian AI ambitions. At one end upto 50,000 GPUs exports are allowed by US for tier-II countries like India, hence existing requirements of India AI Mission to procure 10,000 GPUs through recent AI Mission tender floated by Govt. of India, where most of the bidders have proposed US based OEMs AI Chips, MeitY won’t hit any GPUs procurement cap restrictions as imposed by US Federal Govt., however at other end recent US AI Chip regulations imposes some restrictions on usages of these AI Chips, and ban its application in developing strategic AI applications in sectors like defense. Thus, even India AI mission succeed in procuring GPUs from US based chip makers like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, but the AI systems built over those AI Chips can’t be termed as Sovereign AI as its usages, users and applications are likely to subject to US regulations”.

“With some cooling off period available before this executive order of Biden- Harris Administration on AI Chip gets enforced fully, in-coming Trump Administration has option to review the same, and this opportunity should be used by India to negotiate with the new Trump Administration to keep India into tier-I countries category, which is for key allies of US, under which no restriction exists as far as AI Chip supply is concerned. This essentially means that India should Negotiate for Sovereign AI With Trump Administration” adds Mr Sumant Parimal.

Point to be noted is that the 19 companies that submitted proposals for the government of India’s Graphics Processing Units (GPU) tender under India AI Mission, have offered a variety of GPUs from Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Intel, which essentially indicates that India AI Mission is going to be 100% dependent on US based GPU OEMs, and may requires India to comply with the rules and regulations laid out by the Federal Govt. of US for exporting AI Chips. And 5 Jewels Research Analyst believes that emergence of such regulations on supply of US based OEM’s AI Chip may delay India’s ambition to build its own Sovereign AI through on going India AI Mission.

Kolkata / New Delhi, 18th January, 2025: Motovolt Mobility Pvt. Ltd,a leading player in the electric mobility sector, unveiled an innovative new species of electric vehicles at the Auto Expo 2025. This launch marks the beginning of a new category rooted in a purpose-built design philosophy aimed at addressing urban India’s most pressing mobility challenges, including technology-driven trade-offs, last-mile delivery inefficiencies, accessibility issues, and the increasing demand for eco-friendly commuting solutions.

India’s EV market is rapidly growing, projected to expand from USD 8 billion in 2023 to an impressive USD 117 billion by 2032. Motovolt’s new range taps into this potential with advanced solutions that cater to both individual commuters and commercial logistics needs. The vehicles combine cutting-edge technology with user-centric design to unlock new efficiencies and opportunities.

The showstopper of the range is the Hyper One, India’s first digital pedal motorbike, designed to thrill. It addresses a significant user expectation gap that exists with current EV technology, which often fails to offer manually controlled power on demand—a feature typical in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This motorcycle pairs advanced propulsion from a foot-operated digital pedal with a powerful 5 kW motor, delivering breakneck acceleration from 0-40 km/h in seconds. With a top speed of 110 km/h, a range of 105 km, and peak torque of 90 Nm, the Hyper One is a revolution. Its hybrid design combines the agility of a bike with the power of a motorcycle, creating an exhilarating experience that redefines e-motorbiking in India.

Leading this new era, the HUM NYC is India’s first multi-utility speed pedelec, tailored for the intense demands of New York City’s last mile delivery riders. Offering a 42 km/h top speed, 200 kg of payload, along with a 130 km riding range on a single charge, and compatible with advanced battery-swapping technologies that operate in NYC, offering BaaS for the end users. This indeed is a significant advancement in last-mile delivery solutions that will soon be seen on the streets of NYC.

Designed to handle multiple utility functions, the M7 is perfect for transporting goods, making it a valuable asset for logistics, while also providing a comfortable and efficient ride for personal commuting. Its sporty design, combined with practicality, makes it equally well-suited for business and family use, offering a flexible, attractive, and reliable transportation option for a variety of needs.

The M7 Rally is a sporty and attractive version of M7, a versatile vehicle that combines reliability, robustness, and safety, bridging the gap between scooters and motorcycles. With an impressive acceleration of 0-40 km/h in just 3 seconds, a top speed of 80 km/h, and a range of over 120 kilometers, it offers an ideal solution for both personal and professional use.

Designed with the utmost consideration for safety and accessibility, these slow-speed e-two-wheelers are ideal for students, homemakers, and senior citizens, ensuring mobility is a convenience that everyone can enjoy. Unique in both form and function, these models offer a 25 km/h top speed and high torque, capable of carrying higher payloads or pillion riders without a power deficiency, even while climbing a flyover.

● CLIP: This plug-and-play portable device works magic in the blink of an eye and is an innovation without precedent. With the best design complemented by state-of-the-art technology, CLIP is the world’s smallest and most convenient e-bike conversion kit. It can instantly convert any bike into an e-bike, allowing you to enjoy e-biking without changing the brand of your bike.

Speaking about this, Tushar Choudhary, Founder & CEO of Motovolt, “Our latest EV range isn’t just about new products—it’s a leap toward creating a more inclusive, sustainable urban mobility ecosystem. Every vehicle we design is a step closer to achieving India’s ambitious EV penetration goals while offering unmatched value to our users. We aim to inspire a shift in how cities move, work, and live.

Motovolt’s impact extends beyond product innovation. With over 25,000 vehicles already deployed across India, the company has offset more than 142,000 kg of carbon emissions to date. This new range is set to amplify this positive impact, supporting the government’s ambitious target of achieving 30% EV penetration by 2030.

Bengaluru(S.N): In a groundbreaking move that is set to revolutionise the landscape of education in India, Pearl Academy, the country’s leading creative education institutions, has launched India’s first Meta Campus at Comic Con Bengaluru 2025. This initiative marks a historic milestone in the institution’s 32-year legacy, pushing the boundaries of education by integrating cutting-edge technology with creativity in a fully immersive virtual environment.

The Pearl 2.0 Meta Campus takes the educational experience to unprecedented heights, offering visitors the chance to explore the institution’s diverse offerings, including programs offered, introduction to the faculty, student project showcase, student engagement events, and much more – all within a futuristic metaverse. It’s not just a campus; it’s an experience, designed to transform how we learn, engage, and interact in the world of education.

In a first-of-its-kind concept, the Meta Campus serves as a digital twin of Pearl Academy’s physical campus, spread across a series of immersive zones. Each zone represents different academic disciplines, complete with interactive touch points such as a virtual counsellor that answers real-time queries, 3D installations, live fashion shows, student work showcases, ‘spin the wheel’ activities, coin smash challenge, photo booth, and more. Visitors at Comic Con had the unique opportunity to experience the Meta Campus firsthand, using VR headsets for an even deeper, more immersive journey into the future of education. They interacted with the Virtual Counsellor and competed for exciting merchandise in the Coin Smash Challenge, an interactive game within the Meta Campus.

Talking about the launch, CB Arun Kumar, Dean, Communication Design, Film and Gaming at Pearl Academy, said “We are absolutely thrilled to launch India’s first Meta Campus at Comic Con Bengaluru 2025. This initiative is a testament to Pearl Academy’s commitment to staying at the forefront of creative education. As the OGs of creative education in India, Pearl Academy has carved a niche by nurturing creativity and equipping students with the skills to thrive in the dynamic worlds of Communication Design, Product Design, Fashion, Interiors and Business Management. Through this immersive virtual experience, we are embracing the future of learning, where technology and creativity converge to provide our students with an exceptional, future-ready educational experience.”

The Pearl 2.0 Meta Campus is the latest in a series of innovations from Pearl Academy, which has consistently set new standards in creative education since its inception in 1993. Going LIVE on on January 18, 2025, the Meta Campus will be accessible to all.

Known for its global exposure, entrepreneurial focus, and technological expertise, the institution has maintained an impressive track record, with over 99% of its graduates securing great placements each year. Students at Pearl Academy campuses at Delhi West, Delhi South, Jaipur, Mumbai and Bengaluru will receive Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees effective 2024 intake from Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, a Government of India Institution of National Importance (like IIT, IIM, NID, AIIMS).

As technology continues to shape industries and societies, the institution’s Meta Campus is just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey for students preparing to enter the world of tomorrow.

With effect from October 1, 2024 Long-term Products are accounted on a 1/n basis, as mandated by IRDAI, hence Q3 & 9M FY2025 are not comparable with prior years.

• Gross Direct Premium Income (GDPI) of the Company was at ₹ 206.23 billion in 9M FY2025 compared to ₹ 187.03 billion in 9M FY2024, a growth of 10.3%, which was higher than the industry growth of 7.8%. Excluding the impact of 1/n, GDPI of the Company grew by 11.9% for 9M FY2025.
• • GDPI of the Company was at ₹ 62.14 billion in Q3 FY2025 as against ₹ 62.30 billion in Q3 FY2024, a de-growth of 0.3%, as against the industry growth of 9.5%. Excluding the impact of 1/n, GDPI of the Company grew by 4.8% for Q3 FY2025.
• Combined ratio was at 102.9% for 9M FY2025 compared to 103.7% for 9M FY2024.
• Combined ratio was at 102.7% in Q3 FY2025 as against 103.6% in Q3 FY2024.
• Profit before tax (PBT) grew at 42.8% to ₹ 26.53 billion in 9M FY2025 as against ₹ 18.57 billion in 9M FY2024.
• PBT grew at 67.3% to ₹ 9.60 billion in Q3 FY2025 as against ₹ 5.74 billion in Q3 FY2024.
• Capital gains was at ₹ 7.96 billion in 9M FY2025 as against ₹ 3.95 billion in 9M FY2024. Capital gains was at ₹ 2.76 billion in Q3 FY2025 as against ₹ 1.08 billion in Q3 FY2024.
• Consequently, Profit after tax (PAT) grew at 42.9% to ₹ 19.99 billion in 9M FY2025 as against ₹ 13.99 billion in 9M FY2024.

• • PAT grew at 67.9% to ₹ 7.24 billion in Q3 FY2025 from ₹ 4.31 billion in Q3 FY2024.
• Return on Average Equity (ROAE) was at 20.8% in 9M FY2025 compared to 17.1% in 9M FY2024.
• ROAE was at 21.5% in Q3 FY2025 compared to 15.3% in Q3 FY2024.
• Solvency ratio was 2.36x as at December 31, 2024 as against 2.65x as at September 30, 2024 and higher than the minimum regulatory requirement of 1.50x. Solvency ratio was 2.62x as at March 31, 2024.

Operating Performance Review:

Financial Indicators	Q3 FY2024	Q3 FY2025	Growth %	9M FY2024	9M FY2025	Growth %	FY2024
GDPI	62.30	62.14	-0.3%	187.03	206.23	10.3%	247.76
PBT	5.74	9.60	67.3%	18.57	26.53	42.8%	25.55
PAT	4.31	7.24	67.9%	13.99	19.99	42.9%	19.19

 

Ratios:

Financial Indicators	Q3 FY2024	Q3 FY2025	9M FY2024	9M FY2025	FY2024
ROAE – Annualised	15.3%	21.5%	17.1%	20.8%	17.2%
Combined Ratio (CoR)*	103.6%	102.7%	103.7%	102.9%	103.3%

 

Guwahati, January 20, 2025: In a remarkable achievement, Assam’s favourite Purabi Dairy has recorded sales of over 2 lakh litres of milk and milk products per day during this Magh Bihu.

The record achievement marks a significant milestone in the dairy’s journey, reflecting the growing trust and preference of consumers for Purabi products. This surge in sales during Magh Bihu highlights the brand’s strong market presence and its ability to meet the heightened festive demand.

The dairy cooperative on Friday said that it achieved 35% higher sales volume as compared to last year’s Magh Bihu. The curd sales grew by a whopping 70% this year, underscoring the trust of the people of Assam. In the same period, cream sales also increased by 40% as compared to last year.

“We are happy to note that the people of the state love our products which are in fact made from milk produced by the farmers of Assam. This success reflects our consistent efforts in ensuring quality and expanding distribution networks,” said Mr. SM Hussain, Marketing Head, WAMUL.

Purabi Milk Booth inaugurated near Ganesh Mandir

On Friday, the dairy cooperative further strengthened their sales network by setting up a Purabi Milk Booth near Ganesh Mandir in Ganeshguri, Guwahati. The milk booth was inaugurated by Assamese actors Moloya Goswami, Sagarika Goswami and Debajit Mazumdar, director Achinta Sankar and director Atualananda Barman in presence of Sameer Kumar Parida, Managing Director, WAMUL and Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director, North East Dairy and Foods Limited (NEDFL). Franchisee of the booth Bhabarnab Jyoti Barman was also present on the occasion.

Speaking about the new booth, Mr. Sameer Kr Parida, Managing Director of WAMUL, said, “We are delighted to inaugurate the fifth Purabi Milk Booth in Guwahati today. The growing popularity of Purabi Dairy, not only in Guwahati but across Assam, has encouraged us to expand further. We plan to establish 10 more booths across Guwahati, ensuring our milk and milk products are more accessible to our valued customers.”

Parida further added, “What sets us apart is the freshness and quality of our products, sourced directly from farmers across Assam. This commitment to quality has been validated by our consumers, especially during Magh Bihu this year, when our milk and milk product sales reached an unprecedented 2 lakh litres per day. We remain confident in our growth trajectory and are dedicated to contributing to the vision of our Honourable Chief Minister and supporting the aspirations of farmers across Assam”.

WAMUL, which owns the cooperative brand Purabi, set up the milk booth under the World Bank funded APART Project of Government of Assam.

The booth, introduced under the Company Owned Franchisee Operated (COFO) model, will enable citizens to procure fresh milk and dairy products, including lassi, flavoured milk, ice-cream, curd, fresh cream, ghee, paneer, etc.

Mr. Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director of NEDFL, said, “Purabi products have always been warmly embraced by the people of Assam. Our newest offering, Purabi Flavoured Milk, was launched towards the end of summer last year as part of a strategic plan to ensure its availability across all our distribution points. While we anticipated positive reception, the overwhelming love and demand for this product have exceeded our expectations. Currently available at over 2,500 sales points, Purabi Flavoured Milk has achieved remarkable repeat sales, even during the winter months. With its extended shelf life, we are now poised to expand beyond state boundaries, leveraging our robust distribution network to bring this product to a wider audience.”

He further added, “We are deeply appreciative of the extensive support from the Government of Assam. The Honourable Chief Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved the establishment of dairies in Jorhat and Dibrugarh, with plans to extend similar facilities to Silchar and Dhemaji. These initiatives will position the Purabi brand to handle 10 lakh litres of milk annually within the next seven years. The Assam Dairy Development Plan, approved by the Government, will play a crucial role in advancing cooperative dairy models. Under the guidance of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), WAMUL and EAMUL are already making significant strides, and plans are underway to establish a similar cooperative milk union for the Barak Valley. This development will not only strengthen the cooperative framework but also benefit over 1.75 lakh farmers across Assam, fostering sustainable growth in the dairy sector.”

Introduction of the prefabricated Purabi Milk Booths at various locations under APART Project was a strategic initiative to not only improve availability of Purabi milk and milk products and brand building but also presenting a unique business opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Similar booths were successfully installed at strategic locations like Janata Bhawan, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH), opposite Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, and Indian Oil petrol pump at Khanapara. The dairy cooperative also opened two Purabi Parlours at Purabi Dairy premises in Panjabari and at the Purabi premises in Changsari, opposite AIIMS.

Combining modern aesthetics with operational efficiency, these booths are presently introduced under the Company Owned Franchisee Operated (COFO) model. Purabi looks forward to encouraging more and more entrepreneurs to set up such booths under such models. Such booths shall be set up not only in Guwahati but all across Assam.

Hyderabad, January 2025: Chowrangee, a new-age platform for arts and culture for the city of Hyderabad, has announced its inaugural event Raag-o-Rang, a mesmerizing evening of music and drama to be held on January 24, at 6 pm, at Shilpakala Vedika in Hi-Tech City.

Performing at the event will be Sounak Chattopadhyay, an acclaimed and popular Hindustani vocalist known for his remarkable ability to fuse the most ancient traditions of Indian classical music with modern music genres such as Bollywood, Ghazals and Rabindranath Tagore. His repertoire for the evening will include a special tribute to Mohammad Rafi on the occasion of his birth centenary.

The evening also brings to Hyderabad, for the very first time, Arpita Chatterjee, a celebrated theatre personality who will act as Gauhar Jaan in the multi-lingual solo musical My Name is Jaan. More than a century ago, the courtesan Gauhar Jaan became a sensation as the first Indian musician to be recorded on a gramophone. The immense popularity of her recordings made her a multi-millionaire; however, her life was anything but easy. Later at the instance of Mahatma Gandhi, Gauhar Jaan raised and contributed funds for India’s freedom struggle.

Raag-o-Rang Event Details:

Date: Friday, January 24, 2025, 6 pm sharp

Venue: Shilpakala Vedika, Hitech City

Bengaluru, 20 January 2025:  Myntra Beauty, one of India’s leading online beauty destinations, has launched its new campaign, “Discover the ‘U’ in Beauty,” featuring Bollywood actor and brand ambassador Anushka Sharma. This campaign champions curated beauty solutions, empowering individuals to find what truly works for them through Myntra Beauty’s innovative technology-led tools and top-notch selection. The campaign encompasses two key films, one focusing on makeup and the other on skincare, both emphasizing the importance of choosing products that suit specific needs and preferences.

The campaign highlights Myntra Beauty’s commitment to simplifying the beauty discovery journey. Recognizing that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all, Myntra Beauty provides the resources and expertise to help customers navigate the vast world of beauty products and find their perfect match. Whether it’s finding the right shade of foundation or science-backed product for specific skin concerns, Myntra Beauty offers a shopping experience fit for every individual.

The first film focuses on makeup and addresses the common challenge of finding products that truly complement individual features. What’s trending or looks great on someone might not be the best fit for everyone. Myntra Beauty helps users navigate this by offering a vast selection of 60k makeup products across 500+ brands, including a wide range of D2C brands, combined with the Virtual Try-On (VTO) tool. Powered by cutting-edge technology, Myntra’s VTO tool offers a unique virtual beauty experience. With 30 trending looks for every occasion—from parties to weddings—users can effortlessly discover their perfect style, setting Myntra Beauty Beauty apart and simplifying the search for the perfect makeup products.

The second film shifts the focus to skincare, emphasizing the importance of choosing products based on specific skin concerns. The film is a humorous montage of women in different settings—a college play greenroom, an aerial yoga class, a bustling café—each playfully highlighting their unique skincare woes. One woman in the greenroom declares her frizzy hair has “main character energy,” while another, hanging upside down at yoga, laments that her skin “ghosts every moisturizer.” In the café, a woman chuckles that her fine lines are “writing their own story.” Just as with makeup, skincare doesn’t have a universal solution, and these scenes underscore that point. Anushka then enters the scene, overhearing these playful complaints and introducing the women to Myntra Beauty. She explains that Myntra Beauty “gets it,” emphasizing Myntra’s curated recommendations. The women, intrigued, gather around as Anushka demonstrates the app. Myntra Beauty celebrates individual skin needs with a vibrant selection of 40k skincare products across 1000+ brands designed for a wide range of concerns.

Myntra Beauty boasts an extensive selection of over 100,000 products, including names like M.A.C, Estee Lauder, Lakme, L’Oreal, Laura Mercier, among others. Myntra beauty also offers over 250+ made-in-india brands like Minimalist, Mcaffeine, The Derma Co, Foxtale and more.

Bollywood actor and Brand ambassador for Myntra Beauty, Anushka Sharma said, “I’m happy to be partnering with Myntra Beauty on this campaign. Discovering your personal style is key in beauty, and there’s no single formula that works for everyone. Myntra Beauty’s innovative tools, like the VTO and its wide selection of skincare products for everyone, are making this journey of self-discovery easier and more accessible than ever, allowing you to experiment and find your perfect match.”

Abhishek Gour, Director, Brand Digital Marketing at Myntra, said “We’re thrilled to have Anushka Sharma on board for this exciting campaign. Her elegance and relatability perfectly align with Myntra Beauty’s vision. With the launch of 30 new curated looks on our VTO tool, and a wide range of curated products we’re taking a significant step towards making shopping more personalized and convenient, helping customers make informed beauty choices. We believe this innovation and selection will revolutionize the way our customers discover and shop for beauty products.”

Ira G, Chief Creative Officer, Toaster India, said “Has beauty become a beast? An overwhelming number of choices coupled with confusion over what’s right for you makes it such. With Myntra’s Virtual Try-on and wide selections on the platform you get to experiment with over 2000 brands but buy only what looks good on you.”

Kolkata, January 13, 2025: In a thought-provoking session exploring the depths of astrology, experts Shalini Modi and Dr. Ridhi Bahl illuminated the audience at Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2025. Moderated by Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan, author and astrologer Shalini Modi shared her journey and personal experiences, including marriage predictions that came true with uncanny accuracy. “The house of marriage or spouse, is also the house partnership. The strength of this house determines the success in marriage and business partnership. Therefore, when marriage is predicted, it includes living in with someone or even finding a partner.,” Shalini added to the topic.

Dr. Bahl, with her rich lineage of astrologers and nearly two decades of professional experience, highlighted the complexity and depth of astrology. “Astrology is wonderful guide which can provide significant insights about personal, professional & financial fronts.”, she said. The session delved into the age-old debate of destiny versus free will, shedding light on astrology’s role as a guide rather than a predetermined script. Dr. Ridhi emphasized, Shalini Modi echoed this sentiment, recounting how astrology had provided meaningful insights to those around her.

The conversation also tackled how astrology evolves with changing times, addressing modern aspects like career decisions and medical treatments. Dr. Ridhi emphasized the importance of adaptability in astrological interpretations, highlighting how classical texts might not address modern concepts like divorce. Today, however, astrologers help couples navigate challenges by suggesting solutions such as medical interventions or adoption. Shalini concluded by noting that astrology’s enduring appeal lies not only in what is written in the stars but in how we interpret and apply it to our lives.