Archives October 2023

Durga Puja is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and, of course, lavish expenses. With so many things to plan and budget for, it’s essential to have your finances in order. Fortunately, there’s a slew of personal finance apps that can help you stay on top of your expenses during this festive season. We’ve curated a list of four must-have personal finance apps to ensure you have a financially sound Durga Puja.

1.mPokket

Festivals often come with last-minute expenses – from purchasing gifts to unexpected travel costs. mPokket offers instant personal loans that are just a few taps away.mPokket, an instant loan app provides short-term personal loans to students and young working professionals. The app offers loans up to ₹45,000, which can be a lifesaver during emergencies. The loans are instantly transferred to the borrower’s bank account. mPokket also offers flexible repayment options for people with low salaries. The app is designed for efficiency, with minimal paperwork and quick approvals.

2. Money View:

Money View is a versatile personal finance app that can be your go-to companion during Durga Puja. With features like expense tracking, bill reminders, and a comprehensive overview of your finances, Money View helps you stay in control of your spending. It even offers insights into your spending patterns and suggests ways to save money. The app is user-friendly and lets you sync your bank accounts, making it easier to track your transactions in real-time.

3. ET Money:

ET Money is an all-in-one financial app that provides a holistic approach to managing your finances. During Durga Puja, you can use it to plan your budget, invest wisely, and track your expenses effortlessly. It also offers a wealth of information and news related to personal finance, helping you make informed decisions about your money.

4. Walnut:

Walnut is a smart expense tracker that automatically categorizes your spending. This app can be a game-changer during the festive season when your expenses tend to fluctuate. Walnut’s ‘Split and Settle’ feature is perfect for those moments when you share expenses with friends and family during Durga Puja celebrations. It also keeps an eye on your bank balances and sends you timely bill reminders, ensuring you never miss a payment.

Durga Puja is a time for enjoyment, but it doesn’t mean you should neglect your financial responsibilities. Personal finance apps, such asmPokket, Money View, ET Money, and Walnut, can help you stay on top of your finances during the festive season. Whether you need to track your expenses, borrow money in emergencies, invest wisely, or simply manage your budget, these apps have got you covered. So, embrace smart money management and enjoy Durga Puja without financial worries.

Mumbai, 21st October 2023: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service, latest medical drama series, Who’s Your Gynac? is hailed for its intriguing narrative of addressing aspects surrounding women’s healthcare issues in a lighthearted yet informative manner. The series stars Saba Azad in the lead role of Dr. Vidushi who is a fresher OB-GYN, ready to win the hearts of her patients with her cheerful nature and broad mindset. Along with Saba, the series also boasts an ensemble of talented cast including Karishma Singh, Kunal Thakur and Aaron Koul.

In the series Kunal Thakur essayed the role of a paediatrician who believes in working hard and is practical in nature. Talking about the same, Kunal shared, “My character’s name is Arth Dhamecha, who is a paediatrician. He is a simple boy from a Gujarati family with hard working skills and is settled in his life. With a helping nature, he is a solution-driven human being. He is actually waiting for the right partner to enter his life.”

Aaron Koul, when asked about his role and if he would swap it with any other character, expressed, “I feel Mehr’s character is the one I could portray and I actually got him and enjoyed this whole journey. I couldn’t do Kunal’s character as I think I can’t be that charming on the sets. The information that comes from the show must come through a person with experience, like a gynaecologist, so I can’t be a doctor also and same goes for Karishma’s role. I think I got the best role that I could portray and I am very thankful for it.” Agreeing to this, Karishma also stated, “I won’t like to swap my character, I really love my character. I thoroughly enjoyed playing Swara Jain Iyer.”

Unfold the journey of a Gynac filled with drama, emotions, love, and quirky-confused patients with Who’s Your Gynac? streaming live on Amazon miniTV, for free within the Amazon shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Playstore.

Hyderabad, 20th October 2023 KLH Hyderabad Campus of KL Deemed to be University proudly inaugurated the much-anticipated AVINYA 2023, an annual techno-cultural fest at its Aziz Nagar campus. This two-day student-driven extravaganza, will be held between 19th and 20th October, promises a unique fusion of technology and culture, offering a truly enriching experience for participants. It is aimed at extending a unique opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to learn, compete and network.

AVINYA 2023 serves as a dynamic platform to showcase cutting-edge technological advancements and innovations by students. Participants will immerse themselves in a variety of engaging activities, including Melt & Mold Mastery, Soldering workshops, Flash Code challenges, Image classification competitions, Circuit-a-thon, DJ Nights, and more. The star-studded night will also be graced by popular Tollywood actors and eminent personalities.

The chief guest for the inaugural ceremony was Dr. S. Manikandan Iyer, CEO/Managing Director at Pentagon Rugged Systems India Pvt. Ltd. He encouraged students to continue learning and upgrading their skills for advancement, creativity and creating value-adding contributions.

Dr. G. Pardha Saradhi Varma, Vice Chancellor of KL Deemed to be University, said that “this fest transcended boundaries for students to explore the latest technological advancements and celebrate diversity. It is an event that not only promoted innovation but also created lasting memories. Our students have once again proven their mettle, and we’re proud to host such fests across our campuses to provide platform for them to harness skills and talent. Avinya stands as a testament to the limitless potential of students, and we look forward to many more editions of this extraordinary festival.”

The event commenced with an inauguration ceremony featuring speeches by distinguished guests and dignitaries. The Technical Day, known as REVELATION 2.0, offered participants a wide array of technical events, workshops, and competitions, including Data Processing Challenge, Basic Circuit building, Circuit-a-thon, Debug the bug, Smart Idea Hackathon, Web Development, Image classification Challenge, Soldering workshop, and more. The closing ceremony is scheduled to feature music performances, dance acts, comedy skits, and DJ night, along with the visits from Tollywood actors including Mr. Sunil and more to wrap up the eventful day on October 20th.

Sharing his experience, student Goutham Shankar R from B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering remarked, “This fest has been a memorable journey of exploration for me as a participant. I’ve been inspired, challenged, and amazed by the energy embodied during participation. It’s more than just a fest; it’s an experience that pushes boundaries, ignites curiosity, and make friends from all over. The exposure has broadened my horizons and left me with cherished memories. I enjoyed competing as well as learning and expanding my network.”

Another student Ms. Soniya from B.Tech AI & DS program, who is also in the organizing committee expressed her thrill, saying, “Being part of the organizing committee has been a remarkable adventure. Working tirelessly behind the scenes with a dedicated team of peers has been a gratifying experience. This event represents the culmination of our collective effort and the guidance of our mentors. Together, we have worked towards a common goal, and I take pride in contributing to an event that will leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.”

Dr. A Ramakrishna, Principal, KLH campus and Convenor of the event Dr. K Srinivasa, along with faculty members and students, ensured the smooth and successful execution of the events.

Mumbai, 20th October 2023: SBI General Insurance, a leading general insurance company has unveiled a series of three brand films reiterating their core values of “Suraksha” (safety) aur “Bharosa” (trust) Dono. The film aims to boost awareness about insurance by portraying relatable real-life situations. By doing so, the brand seeks to establish a deeper and more meaningful connection with its audience, making the concept of insurance more accessible and relatable to people’s everyday lives.

The brand film features a series of scenarios spanning various non-life insurance product categories i.e., Motor, Health, and SME.

Through an interesting and engaging storytelling format, the films highlight the importance of being prepared for any unforeseen situations that could arise at any point of time in life. The brand film adopts a real-life, humorous tone to highlight these vital insights. E.g. the first Health film depicts a simple carefree picnic day with your family which could suddenly take a U-turn and escalate into an emergency with something as small as choking on a moong phali (peanut), while the second Motor film showcases that another person’s mistake can cause an accident with financial ramifications and the third SME film showcases how having insurance could give an individual a peace of mind even when one is faced with unexpected obstacles

The objective of the film is to create awareness about SBI General’s diverse product range, catering to various age groups and market segments. This approach helps the audience relate to the scenarios and understand the importance of being adequately insured in different aspects of life.

Commenting on the brand film launch, Mr. Rathin Lahiri, Head Marketing and CSR, SBI General Insurance said, “Insurance is a complex category with low consumer penetration. Our brand communication aims to own the category benefits of protection and trust which are the key benefits that the consumer is seeking from leading brands in this category. The insight behind the film is that unexpected situations can arise at any moment, and being prepared with the right insurance plan from a trusted brand can help you live your life with confidence. SBI General Insurance provides you ‘Suraksha aur Bharosa’ which lets you lead your life with confidence.”

The series of three ad films focuses on educating the audience on the benefits of being insured, the confidence that it gives the consumer and highlights the hassle-free claims process.

The campaign will be integrated across platforms, including digital media, television, and social media channels.

Gurgaon,20th October 2023 Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd., a Hinduja Group company, and a premier Indian lubricant manufacturer, takes a significant stride in enhancing its product portfolio for the Indian market by unveiling the globally acclaimed S-OIL SEVEN range through strategic collaboration. In this partnership, Gulf Oil will oversee the production, distribution, and promotion of premium OEMs like the KIA India dealer network. The comprehensive product lineup features a variety of Passenger Car Gasoline Engine oil variants and a Passenger Car Diesel Engine Oil variant.

Furthermore, Gulf has the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute the globally acclaimed S-OIL SEVEN range throughout its extensive network, actively bolstering the brand’s reach and resonance within the Indian market. This marks the maiden venture where an S-OIL product line is being produced outside South Korea. The S-OIL SEVEN range encompasses a spectrum of fully-synthetic, semi-synthetic and premium lubricants, harnessing exceptional attributes such as very high viscosity index within the Group II/III class base oil. This exceptional range assures elevated technical performance and an enriched driving experience.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Ravi Chawla, MD and CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd added, “We gratefully acknowledge S-OIL and KIA Motors India for entrusting us with the responsibility of delivering world-class production capabilities. Our successful collaboration with S-OIL is a pioneering milestone as it marks the first time an S-OIL product is being manufactured beyond the borders of South Korea. This achievement brings advanced Korean technology to the forefront of Indian production capabilities, elevating industry standards. We are immensely delighted that the global partnership between S-Oil and KIA Motors India has materialized in India through our collaboration. We are determined to maintain the elevated standards that have been established on a global scale and strive to exceed expectations at every step of the way.”

About the collaboration with Gulf Oil Lubricants in India, Mr. S H Son, Team Leader, S-OIL, expressed, “It is with great pleasure that we witness the realisation of our envisioned outcomes from the partnership with Gulf, an association initiated nearly three years ago. The industry insight and expansive distribution network of Gulf Oil Lubricants position us favourably for extensive market penetration in India. The business journey of S-OIL and Gulf Oil Lubricants will embark on a more wonderful voyage starting today, and S-OIL SEVEN will evolve into a new emerging leader in the Indian lubricant market.”

The S-OIL SEVEN range offers diverse lubricants, including fully-synthetic, synthetic, and mineral oils tailored to the Passenger Car and Motor Cycle Oil categories. Furthermore, it extends to mineral oils designed for the Diesel Engine Oil category fully synthetic and synthetic transmission oils.

Gulf Oil Lubricants’ transformative collaboration with S-OIL SEVEN is set to herald an era of cutting-edge lubrication solutions in the Indian market. This strategic partnership signifies the successful fusion of technological excellence and industry expertise.

The World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation and UN-Habitat has honored ProjectZero with its Award of Distinction for Public-Private Collaboration in Cities in recognition of the positive and measurable impact demonstrated in the city of Sønderborg in southern Denmark.

The award ceremony took place yesterday in Detroit, Michigan, USA, as part of the World Economic Forum’s Urban Transformation Summit which brings together visionary leaders from business, government, civil society, media, and philanthropy to forge new partnerships, showcase innovative solutions and mobilize action in support of more sustainable and inclusive cities and urban economies.

ProjectZero was established as a public-private partnership in 2007 with a vision of turning Sønderborg Municipality’s energy system carbon neutral by 2029. The project was initiated by the Bitten & Mads Clausen Foundation, the majority shareholder in Danfoss, Sønderborg Municipality, the University of Southern Denmark, and several local companies, as well as other public and private organizations. Danfoss contributes to ProjectZero by supplying energy efficient cooling and heating solutions, collaborating on electrification projects, and promoting sector integration where industry, energy production, transport, and others work together to reuse energy which has already been produced.

Last month, ProjectZero announced that energy-related carbon emissions have been reduced by 57 percent, equivalent to a saving of around 400,000 tons of CO2. ProjectZero was recognized as a true example of the benefits of the public and private sector coming together.

Speaking on the occasion, Ravichandran Purushothaman, President Danfoss India Region said, “India is going through a phase of rapid urbanization. By 2050, an estimated 60% of Indian population will be residing in cities and cities contribute to 70% of CO2 emissions. Given India’s ambitious Net Zero targets, Project Zero’s success in Denmark’s Sønderborg city offers great inspiration & learnings for other cities across the world to imbibe in their carbon neutrality journey. With Danfoss as a proud partner in Project Zero, we leveraged our expertise in sector integration and electrification, as well as our solutions like energy efficient cooling and heating. Given the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark, we can accelerate our urban green transition agenda of transforming Indian cities into smart, sustainable, livable low-carbon spaces that are good for both people and the planet. Danfoss is proud to lead by example and be a preferred decarbonization partner for our customers across the globe.”

“ProjectZero provides a model for how the public and private sector can come together to deliver on big, bold ambitions which might otherwise not be possible,” said Jeff Merritt, Head of the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Urban Transformation. “By recognizing this world-leading effort, we hope to encourage and inspire other cities to follow suit, forging new partnerships to accelerate climate action.”

Anju Mary Kuruvilla, Director- Industry Affairs, Communication& Sustainability, Danfoss India Region said, “The WEF’s recognition of Project Zero is a testimony that energy efficiency and sector integration will be key in decarbonizing energy systems and reducing CO2-emissions of our fast-growing cities. We, at Danfoss India, will continue to collaborate with national and state level Smart City and Sustainable Climate Action projects for creating energy efficient and green infrastructure, transport and industries that will help transform our cities into more livable, healthier, and sustainable abodes for our current and future generations. Project Zero has showed us how an integrated Zero Carbon approach adopted by all stakeholders in the small city of Sønderborg is delivering big results ahead of time and drawing global attention to the simple mantra of Reduce, Reuse and Re-source.”

The ProjectZero model focuses on creating and demonstrating an intelligent and integrated energy system across an entire municipality, offering energy savings. ProjectZero is one of the main reasons that Dr Faith Birol, Director of the IEA, named Sønderborg “the global capital of energy efficiency” at last year’s IEA conference on energy efficiency.

The various sources of energy and sectors connect in a flexible network that works coherently, allowing, for example, houses to be heated by surplus heat from local companies, electric cars can be charged when there is less pressure on energy consumption, and data is used to ensure that energy is efficiently utilized in the best possible way. This model makes it possible to reduce the costs of decarbonization by up to 50 percent.

In response to ProjectZero receiving the award, Brian Seeberg, CEO, ProjectZero, said: “The strong commitment and collaboration in our partnership is the very backbone of ProjectZero, and the key to reaching zero in 2029. I am therefore very pleased that this award recognizes this unique partnership. Cities around the world can turn to Sønderborg as a blueprint for how to reduce their own emissions. We’ve shown it is possible to make an impact by focusing on three key principles: energy efficiency, sector integration and green energy sources. This is something all cities around the world can and should do.”

Vadodara, 20th October 2023: Eye-Q, the leading hospital eye care chain, has installed cutting-edge I-LASIK machines at its Vision Plus Centre, Vadodara. The inauguration event, held on the 19th of October, marks a significant milestone for Eye-Q, reaffirming the organization’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the vision and lives of youngsters across India.

Eye-Q’s Vadodara facility is poised to redefine the eye care landscape by delivering advanced I-LASIK treatment to youngsters and enabling them to achieve their dreams. Eye-Q’s target demographic includes individuals aged 18-35 who aspire to break free from the confines of eyeglasses.

The I-LASIK Machine offers a comprehensive solution, encompassing a broad spectrum of visual impairments, including mild to severe nearsightedness with or without astigmatism, farsightedness with or without astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism.

“At Eye-Q, we are thrilled to launch the I-LASIK technology at our Vadodara facility, a pivotal step to ease the burden of eye ailments in the region. With the help of this machine, we will be offering a new level of precision, safety, and convenience to our youngsters, ensuring that they can enjoy life with crystal-clear vision. Our vision has always been to bring the future of vision correction to our eye care facilities, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this innovation” – Dr. Ajay Sharma, Founder and CMD of Eye-Q.

“We have introduced I-LASIK in our facility to address the cases of youngsters who aspire to break free from the shackles of spectacles and live a free life without refractive solutions. No wonder iLasik is approved by FDA+ NASA+ U.S Airforce for pilots and commandos.

. Importantly, this procedure brings a safety assurance that is paramount in eye care. In the near future, we are dedicated to incorporating even more of such transformative technologies into our practices” Dr. Tapan Shukla, Clinical In Charge of Vision Plus LASIK Laser Center.

“I-Lasik has immense benefits over the other Lasik procedures. It is painless, quick and safe and, most importantly, improves recovery time for youngsters significantly. Which makes it extremely reliable. And, then there is the added outcome of better night-vision too. This superlative medical technology in combination with the sheer experience of doctors in our team is what has made iLasik a winning choice.””– Dr. Kruti Shah, Regional Medical Director at Eye-Q Super Speciality Eye Hospitals.

“I-LASIK is an advanced iteration of LASIK, leveraging innovative technologies to offer a more precise and personalized vision correction experience” said – Dr. Kapil Arneja, Deputy Director Refractive Surgery at Eye-Q Super Speciality Eye Hospitals

The unveiling ceremony was graced by the eminent presence of distinguished individuals in the field of eye care. Dr. Ajay Sharma, the Founder and CMD of Eye-Q Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, honored the occasion as the Chief Guest. Alongside him, the event witnessed the esteemed participation of key luminaries such as Dr. Kapil Arneja, Deputy Director Refractive Surgery at Eye-Q Super Speciality Eye Hospitals, Dr. Tapan Shukla, Clinical In Charge of Vision Plus LASIK Laser Center, Dr. Kruti Shah, Regional Medical Director at Eye-Q Super Speciality Eye Hospitals

Youngsters at Eye-Q’s Vadodara facility can look forward to a swift and painless I-LASIK procedure, which boasts a remarkably quicker recovery period in comparison to traditional LASIK.

Dehradun, 20th October 2023: byteXL, one of the leading EdTech platforms focused on transforming engineering institutes, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, a private university home to 20,000 students from across 28 states in Dehradun. The MoU is currently signed for three years and is extendable upon mutual consent for a further period. This is byteXL’s first partnership with Uttarakhand-based University and marks its entry into the fast-growing state. Out of their total roster, Dev Bhoomi University marks one of the many ‘Transformation Colleges’ – where byteXL, in addition, to student skilling will also be involved in transforming the college in a 360-degree manner. The partnership agreement was signed by Mr. Sricharan Tadepalli, co-founder and CSO of byteXL and Dr. R K Tripathi, Pro Vice-Chancellor on behalf of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University at their campus in Dehradun.

 Key Highlights

•  MoU signed with Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University, marking byteXL’s first partnership in the state
•  MoU is signed for an initial period of 3 years with provisions to extend; making the university join under its ‘Campus Transformation’ program
•  Through a focused bCAP program, byteXL will focus on increasing the students’ technical capabilities with courses ranging from beginner to advanced coding with special emphasis on Emerging Technologies
•  This also marks the first time that byteXL will skill MBA students

The 360-degree ‘Campus Transformation’ program will range from bytes providing a state-of-the-art course curriculum, bringing skilled experts to campus,   strengthening the college’s skilling infrastructure, and increasing awareness to bridge the existing gap between Academia and Industry. It will work cohesively to increase students’ capabilities in Computer Science by training them through their signature – bCAP program for first to fourth-year students. The NCAP program will have a strong emphasis on graduation progression, skilling students first in fundamentals and progressively building their capabilities in new and emerging technologies. This will greatly enhance the student’s employability quotient and aid their ability to excel in a tech hiring environment that is progressively moving towards emerging technologies. Apart from the Computer Science students, byteXL will also be training to MBA students for the first time in the University’s inaugural batch. As the application of technology proliferates in other fields and is no longer only limited to Computer Science students, byteXL has curated a timely program that will prospective MBA students to get trained in digital marketing, data, and business analytics, and some of the coding-centered courses.

“We are happy that with Dev Bhoomi University we mark our entry into the state of Uttarakhand. Our mission to transform colleges is now more centered than ever and our scope of work with each college we partner with has increased tremendously. While skilling is our focus, we are now facilitating that through transforming the ecosystem around skilling and partnering with colleges to bring about a 360-degree transformation. This would enable the University to build from within, be sustainable, and skill students in a manner that is receptive to external hiring factors and industry trends,” said Mr. Sricharan Tadepalli, co-founder and CSO of byteXL.

“We are excited about partnering with byteXL and looking forward to serving our students and their skilling requirements. We want our students to have a competitive edge in the existing hiring environment and are curating a program from first to final-year students that we are sure will collectively enhance their skilling capabilities and set them apart in the current tech landscape. We are looking forward to working together and building a cohesive learning ecosystem with byteXL,” said Mr. Aman Bansal, Pro Chancellor of Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University.

ByteXL educators will focus on building solid fundamentals including C programming language, C++, Python, Java, Pl/SQL, Data Structures, and System Design. Industry-based training will be delivered to the students to gain hands-on experience and project-based work. By leveraging its expertise in Emerging Technologies, byteXL will then shift towards advanced coding modules and specializations including – Cybersecurity, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning for both Engineering and MBA students on campus.

byteXL will deploy a platform that will be leveraged by educators to deliver the in-classroom experience of learning by doing byteXL pedagogy, who are attuned to the needs of the tech industry. Leveraging their industry partners and alumni networks, byteXL will also provide adequate support to faculty and attune them to the latest developments in the tech industry. byteXL has long been playing a vital role in supporting its partner institution’s growth trajectory. Having already partnered with over 100 colleges, this collaboration also marks an important milestone in the company’s commitment to fostering future talent in the state of Uttarakhand. byteXL is currently skilling students in multiple states in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and now Uttarakhand.

A new partnership between Macquarie Business School (MQBS) and NSE Academy Limited (NAL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE), will deliver world-class credentials to finance professionals and students in India.

Under this collaboration, NAL will offer certificate courses, developed by Macquarie Business School (MQBS), which will deliver credit points and entitle pathway study in Australia under the Australian Qualifications Framework.

The first certificate program, Certificate in Corporate Treasury Program (CCTP), will launch later this month through NSE Knowledge Hub, an AI-powered learning experience platform. CCTP is offered by MQBS in conjunction with the Australian Corporate Treasury Association (ACTA). Students who successfully complete the program will receive ten credit points towards postgraduate coursework study. Fourteen individual modules, including Treasury Operations, Treasury Systems, Risk Management and Financial Strategy, will also be available.

Professor Eric Knight, Executive Dean of Macquarie Business School said, “Macquarie Business School is delighted to partner with NSE Academy Limited to offer flexible professional development to the Indian market. Our Certificate in Corporate Treasury incorporates theory with the Business School’s expertise in finance, and in conjunction with ACTA, Australia’s peak professional body for corporate treasurers and senior financial risk managers, this partnership offers a fantastic pathway to gaining an international certification.”

Mr Abhilash Misra, Chief Executive Officer, NSE Academy Limited said, “Our collaboration will provide future-ready competitive skillsets and internationally respected and recognised certifications to finance professionals and students. By providing curated and insightful content to the NSE Knowledge Hub, MQBS will enable professionals to gain knowledge in areas of treasury operations, risk management, and other areas in the financial sector.”

In a world once dominated by TV and movies, a transformation quietly began. The rise of OTT platforms and web series was just the beginning. Soon, a tidal wave of audio series swept in, allowing people to break free from screens and immerse themselves in captivating stories through sound alone. Audio, an age-old entertainment companion, found a dazzling new identity as a medium for engaging storytelling.

But this shift wasn’t limited to entertainment alone. It created a fresh realm of job opportunities, paving the way for individuals like Piyali Kar. With a background in the General Entertainment Channel (GEC) sector, working alongside industry giants like Colors and Voot as a Creative Producer for over five years, Piyali took a remarkable leap of faith. She embarked on a journey of writing with Pocket FM, a global audio series platform leading the charge in reshaping the entertainment landscape through audio narratives.

Opening up about her big shift, Piyali shared, “In 2019, I made a big move to Himachal Pradesh. The move was mainly because I had a deep interest in travel and creating unique travel experiences. I realised that the hectic life in Bombay wasn’t what I wanted for the long run. I wasn’t aiming to buy a house there or climb the corporate ladder. Writing was always a part of me since my teenage years. I used to read poetry and write, typical teenage stuff. But as my career took off, writing took a back seat. Creative producing is more about managing creativity, not actually doing the writing itself. So, I initially explored freelance travel writing, but it wasn’t providing the long-term stability I was looking for.”

She continued, “Later one of my former colleagues who had joined Pocket FM, introduced me to the platform and offered me an opportunity to write full-time. We had collaborated on different projects before, and he knew it was something I had been wanting to do. So, it all started with the desire to give it a try. I had many doubts because, despite my technical writing background, transitioning to long-format writing was a bit intimidating. Writing 2,000 to 2,400 words every day was a challenge. Long-format and audio writing were completely different from what I was used to. There were multiple challenges, and I often found myself thinking, ‘Can I do this? Do I have what it takes?’

“Fortunately, Pocket FM was willing to take the risk. I submitted a sample episode, and they liked it. Initially, they gave me the space to gradually find my style of writing and how to manage my schedule. This was important for me because I’m also an entrepreneur, and I don’t always have the flexibility to write daily. Instead of a daily goal, I work with monthly writing goals as a writer,” she concluded.

Piyali has penned two popular audio series, ‘Maseeha Doctor’ and ‘Judwaon Ne Bana Di Jodi,’ for Pocket FM. These audio series have collectively garnered over eight million listens. At present, she’s in the process of creating her third show, ‘Rabba Ishq Na Hove,’ which is an ongoing series on Pocket FM.

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