Evening Shadows: Rangayan’s Tribute to Acceptance at Mumbai Pride Month

January is celebrated as Pride Month in Mumbai, with various cultural activities being held throughout the month culminating in the Pride March on February 1st

To celebrate pride month in Mumbai, Sridhar Rangayan’s award winning film Evening Shadows is being screened on January 21st at Cinepolis Andheri West. This special screening is a joint initiative of Reborn India Film and Cinepolis India.

Sridhar Rangayan, director of the film said, “We are very happy to bring this special screening to audiences in Mumbai to reiterate the importance of family acceptance of LGBTQ+ children. The film was a huge success and we now have a sequel to this film titled Kuch Sapney Apne ready for release. Everyone should come and join this journey of love and acceptance.”

Evening Shadows is a heartwarming story about a gay man Kartik (Devansh Doshi) coming out to his mother Vasudha (Mona Ambegaonkar) in a small town, and how she is unable to understand anything about his sexuality. But with love and care, they manage to understand each other and she stands up against her husband Damodar (Ananth Mahadevan) to embrace her son. Kartik’s partner Aman (Arpit Chaudhary), uncle Ramesh (Abhay Kulkarni), aunt Lata (Veenah Naair) and Sarita (Yamini Singh) form the supporting cast.

The film features a beautiful song composed and sung by Shubha Mudgal, with lyrics by Saagar Gupta, who has also written the dialogues for the film.

In 2018 the film stormed the festival circuit with official selection at 82 international film festivals, winning 27 awards globally! The film received a lot of love from not only parents of LGBTQ+ children across the world, but also non-queer youth and their family members. The film helped young gay & lesbian people to come out to their parents after showing the film.

The film also helped kickstart ‘Sweekar – The Rainbow Parents’, a support group for parents of LGBTQ+ children. It now has more than 500 members spread across several cities in India.

Tickets for this special screening are available online on BookMyShow and at the Cinepolis box office.

Amazon Future Engineer Trains 3M, Scholarships for 500 Women

Chandigarh, January 22, 2025: In its inaugural edition of Amazon Future Engineer program’s ‘Careers of the Future’ summit held in Delhi, Amazon today announced that the Amazon Future Engineer program, launched in 2021, has successfully trained 3 million government school students and over 20,000 teachers across 272 districts in 8 Indian states. Designed to bridge the gender gap in the technology sector, the program primarily targets students in grades 6 and above residing in tier 2 cities, providing them with access to engaging, multi-lingual learning materials in seven Indian languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, and Marathi. Enhanced with advanced computer science modules, the program empowers students to develop sophisticated applications while fostering a deeper understanding of foundational AI concepts, coding principles, and the transformative power of technology in their lives through immersive project-based learning.

To further empower young women in technology, Amazon is offering 500 merit-based scholarships worth INR 2 lakhs each, over four years, to female students pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science engineering or related fields. This initiative, aimed at bridging the gender gap in the tech industry, provides comprehensive support beyond financial aid. These include mentorship from Amazon employees, advanced personalized coding boot camps, and access personal laptops to facilitate learning and career development. Since launch of Amazon Future Engineer program in 2021, the company has offered over 1700 merit-based internships in India.

The ‘Careers of the Future’ Summit 2025, hosted by Amazon under the Amazon Future Engineer Program in Delhi today, brought together key public policy and industry leaders to discuss critical aspects of computer science education. The Summit explored the important role of computer science in preparing school children for future careers, identified best practices for scaling quality computer science education across the country, and examined the crucial roles of government, industry, and educational institutions in bridging the gap between education and career opportunities. Furthermore, the Summit highlighted the significance of self-paced learning platforms and online skill certifications in providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all.

“At Amazon, we are committed to bridging India’s digital divide through education. Our Amazon Future Engineer program is offering 500 merit-based scholarships worth INR 2 lakhs each to female computer science students. We have already trained 3 million government school students and 20,000 teachers across 8 states. By empowering India’s youth with future-ready skills, we are nurturing the next generation of tech innovators. This investment in diverse, inclusive education is key to unlocking India’s potential and driving sustainable growth,” said Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India.

“The Amazon Future Engineer program has been amazing for my students and me. It helps kids who don’t usually have these chances to learn how to code and solve problems using computers. I’ve learned new ways to teach computer science, and it’s been so rewarding to see my students get excited about coding and get better at it. This program isn’t just about closing the gap between those who have technology and those who don’t. It’s about helping kids learn the skills they need to become the next big inventors and creators,” said Rajashri Nanasaheb Mane, participant of the Computer Science Teacher Training initiative of Amazon Future Engineer Program.

ORRA Fine Jewellery Presents the ‘Diamond Festival’ with Beautiful Collections and Fantastic Offers

January 22, 2025, ORRA Fine Jewellery is inviting patrons / customers to bask in the brilliance of their ‘Diamond Festival.’ This exclusive festival promises an unforgettable journey through the world of fine jewellery, where customers can explore our latest collection, showcasing the finest diamonds in captivating designs. The Diamond Festival has emerged as a celebration of luxury, and this year, each piece has been meticulously crafted to capture the essence of contemporary fashion while preserving the timeless charm of diamonds. What’s more is that the brand will also have some first-time offers that you surely don’t want to miss!

The Diamond Festival holds profound significance at ORRA Fine Jewellery, transcending beyond a mere showcase of exquisite diamonds. It symbolizes a commitment to everlasting beauty, precision, and trust. In a world where trust is paramount, ORRA’s Diamond Festival becomes a trusted companion in crafting unforgettable memories.

Starting from 18th January to 17th February, patrons will have the unique opportunity to discover an array of stunning diamond pieces that reflect the vibrant energy of the season. And for the first time ever, ORRA will be offering an exclusive discount on the diamond value—a truly unique offering to elevate your jewellery collection.

To make it even more special, ORRA will offer additional discounts and special offers for its curated collections, promising a seamless blend of grace and style for every discerning customer.

Additionally, customers will also get an opportunity to explore a limited-edition diamond jewellery box-sets curated for Republic Day and Valentines Day, allowing them to mark the occasion with patriotic elegance.

Paresh Rawal Supports Creative Connect Launch

India Education is evolving, and creativity is taking center stage! Celebrated actor and education advocate Paresh Rawal lent his support to the launch of Creative Connect: Art Across the Curriculum, a groundbreaking book by Dr. Swaroop Sampat Rawal in collaboration with Chetana Education Limited. The book highlights the significance of integrating art into learning, fostering creativity, and shaping young minds for a brighter future.

The event also marked the grand inauguration of Chetana Education’s OTT platform by Shri Paresh Rawal, a pioneering step in digital education. Designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s students, the platform personalizes learning experiences, ensuring accessibility, engagement, and effectiveness. By integrating cutting-edge tools and methodologies, Chetana Education is set to transform the way schools and students interact with educational content.

As part of the launch, Chetana Education Limited invited esteemed educators and thought leaders for a stimulating panel discussion titled “Creative Connect: Sparking Conversations, Sharing Visions.” The session featured distinguished educationists including Dr. Swati Popat Vats – President, ECA-APER, Kavita Sanghvi – Head of SVKM’s CNM School, Francis Joseph – Executive Director (India), GEMS Education, Fatema Agarkar – Founder, Agarkar Centre of Excellence (ACE). Together, they explored the transformative power of art in education, emphasizing the importance of creativity in holistic learning.

Dr. Swaroop Sampat Rawal, a passionate educator and advocator for creative learning, shared her vision behind the book, “Education is not just about memorizing facts; it is about exploration, reflection, and transformation. With Creative Connect: Art Across the Curriculum, we have created a ‘third space’ a safe, stimulating environment where structured learning blends seamlessly with a child’s innate curiosity, fostering creativity and deep understanding. True learning happens when children are encouraged to think freely, express themselves, and take risks without fear of criticism. Art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit; it is a powerful tool that encompasses Action, Reflection, and Transformation. Through this book, we aim to make education more dynamic, ensuring that both students and teachers find joy in the process. My lifelong goal has been to positively impact the lives of every child in this country, and I believe that integrating art into education is a significant step in that direction. Learning should not be confined to textbooks; it should be an immersive, enriching experience that stays with children for a lifetime.”

South Indian Bank Q3 Profit Hits Rs. 342 Cr

South Indian Bank had declared highest ever quarterly net profit of Rs. 341.87 Cr for Q3 FY 2024-25  registering a growth of 11.96% compared to Rs. 305.36 Cr in Q3 FY 2023-24. 

Key Highlights 

  •  Operating profit for the quarter increased by 9.39% from Rs. 483.45 Cr in Q3 FY 24 to Rs. 528.84  Cr in Q3 FY 25 
  •  Net profit of the Bank for quarter is up by 11.96% from Rs. 305.36 Cr in Q3 FY 24 to Rs. 341.87  Cr in Q3 FY 25 
  •  Gross NPA came down by 44 bps from 4.74% to 4.30% on Y-o-Y basis 
  •  Net NPA dropped by 36 bps from 1.61% to 1.25% on Y-o-Y basis 
  •  Net interest income went up from Rs. 819.03 Crore to Rs. 869.26 Crore, registering a growth of  6.13% on Y-o-Y basis 
  •  Return on Assets increased by 5 bps from 1.07% to 1.12% Y-o-Y basis 
  •  PCR excl. write off increased by 465 bps from 67.08% to 71.73% Y-o-Y basis 
  •  PCR including write off increased by 310 bps from 77.97% to 81.07% Y-o-Y basis 

o Deposits 

  •  Retail Deposit grew by Rs. 7,332 Crore from Rs. 95,088 Crore to Rs. 1,02,420 Crore,  showing an increase of 7.71% on Y-o-Y basis 
  •  NRI Deposit grew by Rs. 1,896 Crore from Rs. 29,236 Crore to Rs. 31,132 Crore, showing an  increase of 6.49% on Y-o-Y basis 
  •  CASA grew by 4.13% on Y-o-Y basis with growth in Savings Bank by 3.37% and Current  Account by 7.73% respectively  

 Advances  

  •  Gross advances grew by Rs. 9,280 Crore from Rs. 77,686 Crore to Rs. 86,966 Crore, showing  an increase of 11.95% on Y-o-Y basis
  •  Corporate Segment went up by Rs. 5,064  

Crore from Rs. 29,892 Crore to Rs. 34,956  

Crore, showing an increase of 16.94% on Y 

o-Y basis 

  •  Share of A and above rated accounts in large  

corporate segment grew from 96% to 99.6% on Y-o-Y basis 

  •  Personal Loan book grew by Rs. 63 Crore from Rs. 2,186 Crore to Rs. 2,249 Crore, showing an increase of 2.88% on Y-o-Y basis 
  •  Gold Loan portfolio went up by Rs. 1,597 Crore from Rs. 15,369 Crore to Rs.16,966 Crore,  showing an increase of 10.39 % on Y-o-Y basis 
  •  Housing Loan grew by Rs. 3,195 crore from Rs. 5,000 Crore to Rs. 8,195 Crore registering a  growth of 63.9% 
  •  Vehicle Loan grew by 24.71% Y-o-Y from Rs. 1,554 Crore to Rs. 1,938 Crore 

Y-o-Y growth  

 Rs. in Crore

Quarter Ended  Quarter Ended
31-12-2024  31-12-2023  Growth  %
Gross Advance 86,966  77,686  9,280  11.95%
Retail Deposits 1,02,420  95,088  7,332  7.71%
NRI Deposit 31,132  29,236  1,896  6.49%
Current Deposits 5,927  5,502  425  7.73%
Savings Deposits 26,903  26,027  876  3.37%
CASA 32,830  31,529  1,301  4.13%
CASA %  31.15%  31.80%  -65 bps
Gross NPA %  4.30%  4.74%  -44 bps
Net NPA %  1.25%  1.61%  -36 bps
Net Interest Income 869.26  819.03  50.23  6.13%
Operating Profit 528.84  483.45  45  9.39%
Provisions excl. tax 66.04  48.55  17  36.02%
Profit before tax 462.80  434.90  28  6.42%
Net Profit after tax 341.87  305.36  37  11.96%

Mr. P R Seshadri, MD & CEO of the Bank, while  

announcing the results, stated that the strategy  

adopted by the Bank continues to enable the business  

performance. During the period, Bank registered  

growth in all the desired segments with a focus on  

quality asset across all verticals Corporate, Housing loan, Auto Loan, Personal Loan, Gold Loan etc. 

He also stated that, in line with the strategic intent of the Bank viz, “Profitability through quality credit  growth”, the Bank could on board fresh advances with low risk profile. 

Capital adequacy of the Bank stood at 18.00% in December 2024 compared to 15.60% in December  2023.

NTPC-CEB JV Secures Landmark Tariff for Large-Scale Solar Power Project in Sri Lanka

New Delhi, 22 January 2025: The joint venture (JV) between NTPC Limited and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), TPCL (Trincomalee Power Company Limited, a 50:50 JV company registered in Sri Lanka) is developing a 50 MW (extendable to 120 MW) solar project in Sampoor, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka and has finalized a landmark tariff for the project after rounds of deliberations with various stakeholders in Sri Lanka.

It is learnt that the Hon’ble President of Sri Lanka, Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a public meeting confirmed that the final tariff for the Sampoor Solar project in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka has been set at 5.97 US cents per unit. This initiative will help diversify Sri Lanka’s energy mix with a significant boost to the country’s clean energy capacity and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The finalized tariff structure ensures long-term energy security while aligning with Sri Lanka’s ambitious renewable energy goals. With the increasing focus on renewable energy, the Sampoor Solar Project represents a major leap forward in Sri Lanka’s green energy agenda.

NTPC Limited is actively pursuing international investments in the energy sector, with a focus on renewable energy (RE) projects, including solar, wind, and hybrid power. The Sampoor project aligns with NTPC’s vision of “becoming the world’s leading power company” and reflects NTPC’s commitment to driving sustainable energy solutions in key international markets.

India Assist Joins Forces with Uttar Pradesh Government for Mahakumbh 2025 and Tourist Information Centres Across the State

New Delhi, 22 January 2025: India Assist, a leader in tech-enabled travel assistance, has partnered with the Uttar Pradesh Government to upscale the travel experience for millions of visitors during Mahakumbh 2025 and beyond. This ongoing collaboration sees India Assist actively operating Tourist Information Centres (TICs) within the Mahakumbh area in Prayagraj, along with additional TICs located at the city’s railway station and airport.

As Mahakumbh 2025 unfolds, drawing over 40 crore pilgrims and tourists from across India and abroad, India Assist’s dedicated TICs are proving to be pivotal in enhancing the travel experience. These centers are offering real-time assistance to visitors, providing guidance on navigation, local attractions, and crucial emergency support, such as medical aid and theft resolution. The initiative continues to showcase how technology and human-driven support come together to ensure travelers can confidently navigate the Mahakumbh, one of the largest human gatherings in the world.

Mr. Harish Khatri, Founder of India Assist, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “India is a country of diverse experiences and cultural treasures, and Mahakumbh stands as an incredible amalgamation of spiritual and cultural unity. Through this ongoing partnership, we are privileged to help millions of visitors celebrate this extraordinary event with ease and confidence. By blending innovative technology with on-ground human support, we ensure that every visitor feels guided and cared for throughout their journey.”

As the event continues, the TICs are not only offering immediate travel assistance but are also introducing visitors to the benefits of tech-enabled services, encouraging the use of digital tools for ongoing travel support. By seamlessly combining cutting-edge technology with local expertise, India Assist is enhancing the Mahakumbh experience and setting new standards for tourism across Uttar Pradesh.

Beyond Mahakumbh, India Assist’s role extends to managing a network of TICs in key cities across Uttar Pradesh, including Agra, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and others. These centers are providing visitors with timely information and assistance, ranging from basic inquiries to urgent support, ensuring that travelers’ journeys remain safe, enjoyable, and worry-free.

With the Ongoing Mahakumbh 2025, India Assist’s ongoing efforts reflect the growing potential of travel technology to elevate visitor experiences and strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s position as a leading global travel destination.

CloudTV Broadens Content Selection with New Partnerships: Aha TV, Mask TV, JOJO, KLiKK, NeoTV Plus, and TravelXP

Mumbai 22 January 2025: In a quest to meet the growing demand for a seamless and user-friendly entertainment experience, CloudTV, India’s first and only TV operating system announced strategic partnerships with Aha TV, Mask TV, JOJO, Ultra Jhakass, KLiKK, NeoTV+, and TravelXP. These collaborations are set to enhance CloudTV’s robust content offerings, catering to the unique entertainment preferences of viewers across India by delivering diverse, genre-specific programming tailored to regional and cultural sensibilities.

This collaboration with streaming services across multiple regional languages in the country will help build an extensive content repository to serve CloudTV’s ever-expanding 12-18 million user base. Bringing together a rich blend of content that will power its 6+ million devices and is set to pave the way for India’s rapidly growing Smart TV OS industry.

In light of the recent partnerships, Abhijeet Rajpurohit, COO and Co-Founder, CloudTV, said, “Our goal has always been to provide the best content for the users and expand the range of offerings to our customers. Understanding the Indian market, and with our goal to also support local and regional partners, we want regional entertainment to be more accessible to our viewers. With these partnerships, our users will have access to the most popular and widely spoken languages in the country such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu. This partnership is aimed at advancing the digital entertainment sector and establishing CloudTV as the go-to platform for Smart TV brands seeking to offer a content-rich experience to their users.”

CloudTV, an Indian TV operating system designed to cater to the distinct tastes of Indian viewers, is redefining the Smart TV experience. Its recent collaboration with ZEE5 brings an expansive content library to CloudTV-powered Smart TVs, complemented by a rich selection of diverse applications, including

  • Aha TV: A Telugu and Tamil content platform featuring blockbuster movies, shows, and originals.
  • Mask TV: Offering fresh entertainment through movies, series, and unique storytelling.
  • JOJO: A platform for kids and families, packed with engaging and educational programs.
  • Ultra Jhakass: A Marathi OTT platform offering films, shows, and kids’ content.
  • KLiKK: Bengali streaming platform offering a mix of movies, series, and original content.
  • NeoTV+: A FAST channel platform offering live TV channels across news, sports, lifestyle, and entertainment in multiple regional languages.
  • TravelXP: TravelXP is a global travel media network offering immersive travel content, including documentaries, destination guides, and lifestyle shows.

In addition to the several content partnerships, CloudTV and JioAds recently announced their partnership to revolutionize CTV advertising in India. This collaboration aims to unlock the next generation of innovative advertising solution for India’s diverse market. This partnership will be driving the growth of CTV ads landscape in India delivering value to advertisers and the consumers with content that resonates.

CloudTV’s rising adoption rates in Northern (50%) and Western (35%) markets highlight its success in meeting the entertainment demands of Indian viewers. Featuring an intuitive interface and user-friendly design, CloudTV enables seamless channel navigation and personalized Smart TV experiences. By offering effortless access to a wide variety of content, it bridges the gap between technology and entertainment, delivering a tailored, immersive, and hassle-free viewing experience for audiences across India.

ZF Aftermarket Announces Major Expansion of TRW Brake Pad Range in India

New Delhi, India: ZF Aftermarket, a leading global supplier of aftermarket components, shared that as on date TRW Brake Pads, part of its extensive portfolio, now cover nearly 90% of the Indian vehicle parc, providing high-quality and reliable braking performance to a vast majority of Indian drivers. This significant and extensive coverage of its product range underscores ZF Aftermarket’s commitment to safety and its focus on providing enhanced convenience for motorists across the country.

ZF Aftermarket’s has been committed to providing comprehensive braking solutions for the Indian market. The current coverage of 90% Indian Vehicle Parc has been built over a steady expansion of the parts over 2023 and 2024. In 2023, TRW Brake Pads with 56-part numbers covered only 80% of Indian vehicles. But in 2024, the coverage has risen to 90% with an infusion of additional 50-part numbers.

At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, TRW showcases its TRUE Originals Brake Pads alongside its latest advancements in automotive safety technology, which along with TRW’s products are designed to meet the evolving needs of the automotive industry.

At ZF Group, our unwavering commitment to the Indian market is reflected in our dedication to innovation and excellence. Through ZF Aftermarket’s cutting-edge and dependable solutions, we are elevating safety and reliability for Indian drivers, addressing their unique mobility needs with precision. Our expanded coverage in the Aftermarket sector seamlessly complements our extensive portfolio in the OEM segment, empowering ZF Group to meet the diverse demands of the market with advanced technology and unparalleled quality.” says Mr. Akash Passey, President, ZF India.

TRW TRUE Originals Brake Pads, which are a part of the ZF Aftermarket portfolio, are engineered and manufactured to the highest standards, delivering consistent and dependable braking performance, ensuring driver safety and vehicle longevity and meet the diverse demands of Indian roads and vehicles. With a launch of over 56 -part numbers only for brake pads and more than 250 active distributor codes across India, it is convenient for customers to find the right parts for their vehicles.

Vijay Khorgade, Head of Business Line Pass Car for India, MEA and CIS, mentioned, “ In a concentrated effort over the past two years, ZF Aftermarket has launched 109-part numbers under its TRW brand ensuring an ever-expanding coverage for both brake pads and brake discs. The 90% coverage proves that our high-quality products are now widely available and well accepted by our end customer. This facilitates our goal of providing a one-stop solution to our customers with our chassis products. Designed for excellence, these brake pads and discs cater to nearly all vehicle models in the Indian market, reinforcing ZF Aftermarket position as a trusted partner in Maximizing Mobility Uptime.”

ZF Aftermarket’s extensive portfolio of high-quality components enhances the longevity and reliability of vehicles. At the same time, ZF Aftermarket’s specialists provide expert support and services for its partners, ensuring that any issues are efficiently resolved, Maximizing Mobility Uptime Together.

Schbang Elevates Dipshika Ravi to National Creative Director, Digital

Schbang, the leading creative, media, and technology transformation company, is excited to announce the appointment of Dipshika Ravi as its new Digital National Creative Director, West & North. With over 17 years of experience in the advertising industry, Dipshika brings a wealth of expertise in creating compelling stories and cutting-edge campaigns that have shaped some of the most influential brands in the world.

In her new role, Dipshika will oversee and enhance the creative vision for Schbang’s diverse portfolio. She will lead a talented team of creatives, driving innovation, strategy, and excellence while ensuring that the agency’s output resonates deeply with audiences across India and globally.

Dipshika’s career has been marked by a passion for storytelling and an ability to understand people and cultures, which has helped her craft work that truly connects with audiences. She has been recognized as one of India’s Top 40 Creative Leaders and is also recognised as one of the ‘Top 40 Under 40’ leaders by e4m and Social Samosa, and was also honored as a ‘Superwoman’ by Social Samosa. Over the years, she has contributed to over 600 digital campaigns for renowned brands such as PepsiCo, Singapore Tourism Board, HDFC Life, MakeMyTrip, Mahindra Auto, Godrej, Kellogg’s and Canon and her work has earned over 80 national and international awards. She has also served on multiple global and Indian juries. Her previous roles include working with agencies such as Creativeland Asia, Hungama (a WPP company), iProspect, and LS Digital.

Commenting on the appointment, Harshil Karia, Founder, Schbang, said, “We have always prided ourselves on being at the forefront of digital innovation, and I am thrilled to welcome Dipshika to the team. Her expertise will further strengthen our capabilities across clients, enabling us to deliver greater value and help them achieve their goals.”

Umma Saini, Chief Creative Officer, Schbang expressed, “We are super excited to have Dipshika join our team. With her exceptional drive, deep experience, and enterprising spirit we are looking forward to taking Schbang further on an exciting creative journey for our clients and us.”

Expressing her excitement about the new role, Dipshika said, “I have always followed Schbang’s work and culture closely for years, and this felt like the natural next step for me. It’s wonderful to be part of a culture that thrives on high standards, equal opportunities, and a collaborative spirit where everyone is encouraged to bring their best ideas to the table. I am looking forward to creating some great campaigns that not only bring us awards but also solve bigger brand challenges.”