Archives October 2023

Bangalore, 6th October 2023 The Buildings & Factories business of Larsen & Toubro has secured various orders in the large category under its various business units.

The business has secured an order to construct a residential township in Bengaluru involving the construction of 3,627 apartments spread across 19 Towers having configuration of 3 Basements + Ground + 23 to 41 Floors, 88 Villas along with club houses, swimming pools and other amenity structures. The total built up area will be approximately 9.7 million sq.ft.

The business also secured orders from a reputed developer to construct Commercial Towers in Hyderabad. The scope of work includes construction of 2 buildings (2B+G+6P+1T+15 Floors and 3B+LG+UG+4P+1T+14 Floors) with a combined built-up area of 4.2 million square feet.

In addition, the business has bagged an order from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to construct a Super Specialty Hospital & Academic Block as part of the Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology. This will be the first super-specialty hospital with a medical college campus in India. This campus will play an important role in IIT Kanpur’s medical research and help train next generation medical personnel. The project involves construction of a 500 bedded Hospital block (G+5 floors) & Academic Block (G+5 floors).

Background:

Larsen & Toubro is a USD 23 billion Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.

* Project Classification

Pune(S.N) – Two new studies build on the large body of scientific evidence suggesting that almonds can improve diet quality and aid in weight management. They may also support weight loss as part of a reduced-calorie diet among adults with overweight or obesity.

The first study[1], published in Obesity and funded by the Almond Board of California, tracked 140 Australians aged 25-65 years with overweight or obesity for nine months. For the first three months of the study, the participants reduced their daily calories by 30% through either a nut-free or almond-enriched diet (with almonds providing 15% of their daily calorie needs, which is approximately 1.0-1.76 ounces/30-50 g). On both diets, participants lost an average of 15 pounds (7 kg) and improved their lean body mass after three months. Moreover, they continued to lose weight, about 2 pounds (approximately 1 kg), during the subsequent six months.

“Sustaining weight loss after a weight management program can be challenging, with many people gaining weight back at the end of the calorie restriction phase of their program,” said Dr. Alison Coates, Professor of Human Nutrition and Director of the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition, and Activity at the University of South Australia. “This study showed that adding almonds to a weight management eating plan can not only promote meaningful weight loss but also offer a healthy and sustainable dietary addition.”

Participants who ate almonds also saw improvements in some lipoprotein subfractions (the different types of lipoproteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood), which may reduce cardiovascular risks. Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Future research should investigate different doses of almonds and test people with additional heart disease and diabetes risk factors, as the results are not generalizable to populations with chronic diseases.

The second study was a 12-month study[2], published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and also funded by the Almond Board of California, which found that almonds, when eaten long term as a snack, can improve overall diet quality without causing weight gain among healthy non-obese, habitual snacking adults in New Zealand. Half of the 136 participants were assigned to eat either 1.5 ounces (43 g) of almonds or 10% of their daily calorie needs (whichever was greater) while the remaining participants in the control group consumed a calorie-matched high-carbohydrate snack. Participants in the almond group consumed significantly more protein, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, fiber, vitamin E, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorous, and zinc, and less carbohydrates and sugar than the control group.

There were no statistically significant weight changes or changes in lipids during the study in either group, suggesting almonds did not cause weight gain. Women in the almond group did not have a statistically significant change in visceral fat, but men had a statistically significant increase in visceral fat compared to the biscuit group. This finding has not been observed in previous studies, but it is important to note that this intervention was conducted during the COVID-19 lockdown, which may have affected eating habits and exercise levels. The participants were people at a normal weight or overweight so results may not be generalizable to other populations such as those with obesity.

Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head-Dietetics, Max Healthcare – Delhi says, “The Brown study reveals that choosing almonds over biscuits for a year not only results in significantly higher intakes of essential nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals but also a healthier fat profile. The almond group enjoyed the benefits of higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats while reducing their carbohydrate and sugar intake. This finding underscores the nutritional advantages of incorporating almonds into your diet for long-term well-being. When consumed mindfully as part of a well-rounded diet, almonds can contribute to a sense of fullness, improved dietary quality, and better overall health, making them a smart choice for those striving to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. In the Coates study on restricted diets, there is a significant and very similar weight loss in both the groups (one consuming almonds enriched diet-AED and other on nut free diet-NFT) but there is a difference between the groups in the macronutrient levels , specifically higher monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in the AED group compared with the NFD group, as well as higher α-tocopherol ( vitamin E). This defines the statistically significant changes in the highly atherogenic very small TRL-P and small LDL-P following the AED, which can lead to improved cardio- metabolic health in the longer term.”

Dr Rohini Patil, MBBS & Nutritionist says, “These studies collectively emphasize the role of almonds in promoting a balanced and healthy diet. They suggest that almonds can be a nutritious and satisfying snack choice for habitual snackers, improving diet quality without causing significant changes in body weight. Furthermore, both studies underscore the effectiveness of an energy-restricted diet in achieving weight loss and improving cardiometabolic health, whether almonds or other non-nut-focused options are included. These findings highlight almonds as a valuable component of a balanced diet, offering potential cardiovascular benefits and satiety in weight management efforts.”

Sheela Krishnaswamy, Nutrition & Wellness Consultant says, “Many people falsely believe that regular almond consumption leads to obesity. It’s heartening to note that there are 2 studies to reiterate that eating almonds regularly does not lead to obesity. On the other hand, using almonds as a part of a healthy diet helps in weight loss. Regular consumption of almonds helps to reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease and also improves the nutrition status by enhancing the overall diet quality. One study has shown that along with weight loss, there is also an improvement in blood pressure, blood lipids as well as the subfractions of lipoproteins. The other study has shown that individuals who consume almonds versus ultra-processed snack like biscuits (cookies and crackers), have a higher intake of protein, fibre, vitamin E, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, MUFA and PUFA, all of which are essential for good health.”

Together, these studies add to a growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that almonds, when eaten as part of a healthy diet, do not cause weight gain, can be included in reduced-calorie weight loss diets, and may improve overall diet quality and lower heart disease risk.

One ounce (23 g) of almonds provides 4 g fiber and 15 essential nutrients, including: 77 mg magnesium (18.3% DV), 210 mg potassium (4% DV), and 7.27 mg vitamin E (50% DV), making them a great snack for balanced weight management eating plans. One serving of almonds (28 g) has 13 g of unsaturated fat and only 1 g of saturated fat.

GURUGRAM, India –6th October 2023 – Samsung India today announced its biggest festive sale ‘Fab Grab Fest’, with bumper offers and exciting cashback on Samsung Galaxy smartphones, tablets, laptops, accessories, wearables, TVs, digital appliances and smart monitors. These never-before-seen before offers will be available across Samsung.com, Samsung Exclusive Stores and the Samsung Shop App starting today.

During the ‘Fab Grab Fest’, consumers can get up to 45% off on select models of Galaxy Z series, S Series, A series, M series and F series smartphones. Consumers purchasing select models of Galaxy Tablets, accessories and wearables will get up to 41% off in addition to a cashback of up to 20% on credit and debit cards of HDFC, ICICI and other leading banks. The new range of Galaxy laptops can be purchased at up to 36% off during the Fab Grab Fest sale along with a cashback of up to 20% on credit and debit cards of leading banks.

The offers extend beyond smartphones with up to 54% off on Samsung TVs – select models of the flagship Neo-QLED, QLED, OLED, 4K UHD TVs and The Freestyle projector.

The offers extend beyond smartphones with up to 54% off on Samsung TVs – select models of the flagship Neo QLED, QLED, OLED, 4K UHD TVs, The Freestyle projector. Additionally, consumers purchasing the 98-inch models of QLED and Neo QLED TVs will be able to get their hands on a free Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G smartphone. Consumers can also get free Samsung Soundbars (Q900A or S800B) on purchase of select OLED, QLED and UHD TV models. Offers do not end here. On purchase of select Neo QLED models, consumers will get a 50-inch The Serif TV absolutely free.

The ‘Fab Grab Fest’ gets bigger and better this year by providing never-before offers and prices on a host of digital appliances such as Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Microwaves and Air Conditioners.

Select models of Samsung’s premium Side-By-Side refrigerators will be available at up to 40% off. On purchase of select Side-By-Side refrigerators, consumers will also get a 10 kg top loading washing machine worth INR 30000 free whereas consumers purchasing Samsung’s French Door Refrigerators will get a Galaxy S23 128GB smartphone with their purchase. Consumers purchasing select models of Samsung’s fully automatic washing machines and the Ecobubble range of washing machines will get up to 37% off.

During the Fab Grab Fest sale, digital appliances like microwaves will be available at up to 34% off and select models of Samsung’s Windfree air conditioners at up to 40%. Samsung’s M8 Smart Monitor and G5 Gaming Monitor will be available at up to 58% off. Additionally, you can avail cashback of up to 27.5% with a maximum limit of INR 25000 on debit and credit cards of HDFC, ICICI and other leading banks.

“This festive season, we are bringing back the Fab Grab Fest sale in a bigger avatar with not just cashbacks, offers, never-seen before prices & deals but also Buy More Save More platform. Customers can buy gifts for themselves and their loved ones from Samsung.com/Samsung ShopApp and save extra 5% off on both the products. For all those who love to make a difference, this Diwali, you can make it extra special by choosing from Special Edition colours available on Samsung.com and Samsung Exclusive Stores,” said Sumit Walia, Senior Director, D2C Business, Samsung India.

Other than the offers, consumers will also get up to 70% resale value with Assured Buyback, included free of cost with your purchase between October 1 to November 14, 2023 on select models of Galaxy Z series, S series and A series smartphones. Coming with a range of flagship devices, the latest range of products and easy financing options, the Fab Grab Fest guarantees consumers an unforgettable and premium shopping experience.

Fab Grab Fest Offers

Samsung Newsroom Link: Samsung’s Biggest Festive Sale ‘Fab Grab Fest’ is Back with Never-seen Before Deals & Offers on Smartphones, Digital Appliances, Monitors, Tablets & More

India-wide release, 6th October 2023: India’s thriving pop music artist Zaeden announces the start of his 2023 tour starting 6th October and will culminate on 3rd December. This multi-city tour kickstarts with its first show in Mumbai at the Jio World Drive and will be brought to 7 more cities including Kolkata, Delhi, Indore, Bhopal, Pune, Bengaluru and Nagpur. More cities are expected to be added as part of the tour in the coming weeks.

The tour has been curated by Paytm Insider in partnership with Represent and Re:Play.

Zaeden is a well-known name in India’s thriving pop music scene, known for his innovative and contemporary body of work. From the moment he released his first track, ‘Tere Bina,’ he established himself as a veteran in the music industry, achieving over 40 million streams on his debut album ‘Genesis 1:1.’ His impressive live performances include appearances on global stages such as ‘Tomorrowland’ and ‘Ushuaia,’ making him one of the first Indians to grace these platforms. In 2017, he even had the honour of opening for Justin Bieber’s Purpose Tour in Mumbai. Zaeden is not only a talented musician but also a fashion-forward artist and a favourite of many brands. He has played a pivotal role in leading the pop music revolution in India and is poised to make a global impact in the near future.

Through the ‘Revelation Tour’, the sensational singer returns to the stage, ready to captivate the audience with his hit songs including the chart-topping “Tere Bina.” Alongside Zaeden’s electrifying performance, the tour guarantees an exhilarating auditory journey that will undoubtedly mesmerise and delight all his fans.

Varun Khare, Business Head, Paytm Insider said, “Zaeden’s vocals and tunes have seriously hit home with the younger crowd. His previous tour, ‘A to Zae’ was quite successful and this one’s going to soar even higher. We’ve gone all out to make sure fans get an epic experience during the Revelation Tour and enjoy his live performances the way they should truly be enjoyed.”

The Revelation Tour will cover the following cities starting with:-

● Mumbai on 6th October at Jio World Drive

● Kolkata on 20th October at JW Marriott

● Delhi on 27th October r (Venue TBA)

● Indore on 18th November at Phoenix Citadel Mall

● Bhopal on 19th November (Venue TBA)

● Pune on 25th November (Venue TBA)

● Bengaluru on 26th November (Venue TBA )

● Nagpur on 3rd December at Dabo Club and Kitchen

The tickets for this start at ₹499. For more details and to book your tickets, log on to Paytm Insider now!

Ms. Preeti Bajaj, CEO, Connect X launch

New Delhi, 5th October 2023: Luminous Power Technologies, a leading provider of energy solutions, today launched its cutting-edge energy management solution, the ConnectX App. The App aims to provide Luminous’ customers a powerful tool for managing and monitoring their Luminous solar product range, specifically inverters and associated systems. The App was launched at the Renewable Energy India Expo held at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida where the company also showcased its widest range of roof-top solar solutions.

Packed with a suite of rich features, this innovative app is designed to empower consumers by providing them with real-time monitoring and data on energy consumption, solar energy generation, and inverter performance. In doing so, the application enables users to make informed decisions about their energy usage, fostering sustainable energy practices while reducing reliance on traditional grid sources.

According to Preeti Bajaj, CEO & MD, Luminous Power Technologies, “At Luminous, we envision a future where intelligent, interconnected solutions empower individuals and businesses through enhanced energy management. The user-friendly design, and features like real-time monitoring and data on energy consumption, make this App the perfect solution leading to optimised solar system performance. We are committed to simplifying energy management for the people and lead the way in smart energy solutions, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability,”

With the launch, Luminous Power Technologies aims to reach consumers across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The app’s versatility is designed to cater to a diverse consumer base and ensure that advanced energy management is accessible to users in various markets and sectors. The ConnectX App is compatible with Luminous’ range of Solar products, including Solarverter Pro, Hybrid, PCU, and NXI GTI Series. The users will benefit from access to real-time data and insights, informing them about power generation, energy usage patterns, as well as performance and health of the inverter through notifications and update.

The Luminous ConnectX App offers a user-friendly design, ensuring a smooth experience. It features an easy login process, effortless Wi-Fi configuration, seamless data synchronization, and intuitive visualization of energy flow. Detailed device information is easily accessible, and users can connect with Luminous through social media platforms and accessible assistance and support services. With a visually appealing colour scheme and both dark and light modes, the app caters to users with varying levels of technical expertise. Its intuitive interface ensures effortless navigation and access to essential information.

The Luminous ConnectX App sets itself apart by offering a comprehensive solution for energy management, combining real-time data visualization, historical analysis, insights, and customer support. It aims to establish a new benchmark for user-friendly and feature-rich energy management tools, some of which are as follows:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Users can immerse themselves in real-time energy flow with intuitive animations, gaining immediate insights into solar energy generation, consumption, and storage (battery back-up). Users can get access to comprehensive details about their inverter, battery, and solar system.

• Financial benefits: Users can make financially informed decisions with ROI calculations and track energy savings over time. The app empowers users with insights into energy consumption and solar power performance, enabling optimized energy usage. This can potentially reduce utility costs, improve system efficiency, and maximize solar energy utilization.

• Historical Trends: Analyse past data on solar generation, home consumption, and power cuts to fine-tune your energy strategy.

• Environmental Contributions: Stay connected to the green revolution with insights into your environmental contributions.

• Energy Independence: Reduce your dependence on traditional grid energy sources and minimize your carbon footprint.

• Customization: Enjoy a personalized experience with the option to switch between light and dark mode themes.

Currently available for Android users, Luminous is actively working towards developing an iOS-compatible version that is expected to be available by the end of this year. Future updates will include support for non-solar products and upcoming offerings from Luminous. The users can leverage FOTA or Firmware-over-the-Air whenever a newer Firmware version is available and upgrade the app whenever a newer version is available at play store. While users can currently monitor inverter and connected device data, control over connected devices will be made possible in future versions.

The consumers can download the Luminous ConnectX App from the Google Play Store, tailored for Android devices. The setup process involves creating an account, entering the unique inverter serial number, and configuring the IoT device for real-time data access.

Mumbai, October 5th, 2023: One of India’s leading D2C skincare brands, Foxtale has launched its very first 360-degree campaign #WorksWonders featuring Jennifer Winget as the face of the brand. The campaign is a celebration of all the big and small things that make people glow from within during the festive season. It focuses on how the bonds we build with our family and friends are what truly make us shine.

To bring out this message Foxtale has partnered with Jennifer Winget, one of India’s most recognized celebrities.

Through the years Jennifer Winget has epitomized the modern Indian women – ambitious yet rooted, talented yet humble, a go-getter and a wonder woman which made her the perfect partner for the campaign. In their 50 second digital commercial, they beautifully capture how even the simplest moments spent with friends and family bring the kind of happiness nothing else can. The digital commercial further focuses on how in the times of picture-perfect digital era, it’s the meaningful time spent off-camera that truly makes you glow.

Speaking on the campaign, Romita Mazumdar, Founder & CEO of Foxtale said, “Jennifer is a woman of wonder! Her timeless personality is something that truly resonates with our audience. They look up to someone like her because she is both aspirational and inspirational. So to do this campaign with her just felt right. That true glow comes from the strength and love of the relationships we foster. In a time when everyone is chasing the latest beauty trends, we want to remind our audience to focus on the real things that matter – family that comforts them, friends that always have your back and skincare that shows visible results.”

Enthusiastic about the campaign and association, Actor Jennifer Winget shares “I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Foxtale journey. I have followed the brand closely and it is great to see how a young brand has created such an impact on the Indian beauty sector in such a short span of time. Foxtale has always put out innovative, high-performing products with a vision that amplifies the narrative of authentic, real beauty by understanding the skin we’re in, enhancing it, and making a difference. With their #WorksWonders festive campaign, the brand is once again breaking barriers, focusing on the concept of true glow that exudes when we’re amidst joyous experiences with our loved ones. Because nothing makes our faces light up more than the people we love.”

The #WorksWonders digital commercial promises to engage the audience across various platforms. The campaign aims to create an impact across prime digital channels and social media platforms. Foxtale also plans multiple onground consumer experiences and activities across major Indian metros in the upcoming festive quarter as a part of this brand campaign.

Moradabad, October 4, 2023– Teerthanker Mahavir University marked a momentous occasion at Siddhi-Riddhi Bhavan with a grand celebration of Dev Shastra Guru Puja. The event, spanning seven days, saw the auspicious ceremony of ‘Shantidhara’ with a golden shower gracing the esteemed Kuladhipati family, including Mr. Suresh Jain, GC Manish Jain, and Executive Director Akshat Jain.

Under the auspices of Pratishthacharya Rishabh Jain Shastri, the event included revered rituals such as Dev Shastra Guru Puja, Solah Karan Puja, and intricate ceremonies following the Dashalakshan Vidhi Vidhan.

In parallel, an enlightening cultural evening unfolded in the auditorium, featuring soulful renditions of bhakti songs, including Parasnath Stotra. The medical college students presented captivating presentations on women’s empowerment and the harrowing consequences of gender-based violence, delivering a strong message against prenatal gender discrimination.

Speaking on the occasion, Pratishthacharya shared insights about Jain traditions and rituals, emphasizing the importance of ‘Swaha’ and ‘Swasti’ in invoking blessings and purifying the soul. He highlighted the significance of ‘Dana’ (charity) and its practice within one’s means.

Delving into the essence of Uttam Tap Dharma (supreme penance), he stressed that true purification of the soul can be achieved through rigorous self-discipline. Drawing parallels with nature, he likened Tap to rainwater purifying a snake’s venom and transforming banana leaves into camphor.

Furthermore, he explained the importance of performing rituals and ceremonies in accordance with dharma to manifest the desired outcomes. He encouraged the audience to recite the mantras of Uttam Tap Dharma and cultivate a sense of righteousness.

Pratishthacharya also narrated inspiring stories, including those of two brothers embarking on a pilgrimage to Shikharji Tirtha and the significance of ‘Swaha’ and ‘Swasti’ in the ‘Pratishtha Paath’ chapter.

Notable attendees included First Lady Veena Jain, Richa Jain, Nandini Jain, and many others who added significance to the event. The ‘Shantidhara’ ceremony was graced by Charitar Sethi, Rajesh Sethi, Chahat Jain, Kaavya Jain, Adish Jain, Sambhav Jain, Sarthak Jain, among others, with the blessing of a silver urn.

The event also witnessed the Abhishek ceremony with the first golden kalash performed by Adiraj Jain, the second by Sambhav Jain, the third by Aman Jain, and the fourth by Sanskar Jain. The eight Pratihar ceremony was performed by eight young girls – Sneha Jain, Suvidhi, Riya, Juhi, Raunak, Diya Kararangi, Anshika, Harshika, and Trisha Jain.

New Delhi, 5th October 2023: Shalimar Paints Ltd., a 120-year-old legacy paints company, has announced a significant step in its journey of transformation with strategic enhancements to its leadership team. The company has appointed accomplished leaders with a wealth of industry expertise and vision across the Marketing, Finance, HR, Technology, and Manufacturing domains. This strategic transformation underscores the company’s commitment to reinforce its efforts for market dominance and reaffirms its dedication to innovation, customer satisfaction, and unparalleled quality.

Building on their new vision, the company has onboarded Mr. Kuldip Raina, Director of sales and Marketing, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta as Director of research and Development and Mr. Rakesh Gupta as Director of Manufacturing, and Mr. Harcharan Singh as Chief Information Officer. These newly appointed leaders will play a pivotal role in driving a comprehensive transformation strategy for Shalimar Paints. Their collective expertise will enable the company to accelerate its research-driven innovation initiatives, expand product offerings, and strengthen its foothold in both domestic and international markets.

Talking about onboarding new leadership, Mr. Ashok Gupta, MD and CEO, Shalimar Paints, said “We are thrilled to welcome accomplished leaders to our organization as we continue to chart new paths and expand our horizons. Their addition reinforces our commitment to driving innovation, fostering operational excellence, and delivering unparalleled experience to all our customers. These strategic appointments mark a significant step forward in shaping the future of our organization, and we are confident that their contributions will play a pivotal role in propelling us to new heights of success.”

The new leadership will work together to empower Shalimar Paints into a new-age, tech-driven organization. The company has announced a capex of 200 Cr that will focus on 3 core segments- People, R&D, and Production. With 38-40% growth witnessed in the previous financial year, the company is now directing its efforts towards a consistent upward trend, targeting 25% year-on-year growth. Furthermore, the company plans to take its product offerings beyond national standards and manufacture international-level products within the country with modernized and automated facilities as the key pillars.

Bangalore, 5th October 2023 Introducing the Uber Camper – a limited-edition service for the most anticipated cricket match that will provide fans with an opportunity to seal their spot for a memorable and exciting stay for FREE! Uber has a special surprise for cricket fans gearing up for the epic cricket battle between India and Pakistan as part of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 on October 14.

After the crazy rush to get match tickets for the most anticipated clash is over, the focus has shifted to finding stay options in the host city Ahmedabad as hotels in the city are all sold out. As the d-day draws closer, many cricket lovers have been scrambling to find stay options for the match weekend and are exploring choices ranging from makeshift bread-and-breakfast places at sky-high prices to reportedly booking hospital beds.

Uber’s unmatchable offering is designed to beat the hotel booking blues while bringing unadulterated joy and hassle free experience of the iconic match on the cards.

The #UberCamper Contest

To win a stay in Uber Camper – Uber has launched a social media contest from October 4-October 7 where cricket fans have to post their pictures holding a placard with details on how they plan to support Team India. They can tag their squad – up to 3 friends or family members who are also joining them for the India Vs. Pakistan match in Ahmedabad- and tag @UberIndia. From the entries received, Uber will announce select lucky winners on October 8. Each winner will get an option to reserve their exclusive #UberCamper from the Uber app itself and have all their stay worries clean-bowled!

The #UberCamper, a memorable and exciting stay-on-wheels, will be stationed near the match venue so the fans can focus on the big day at hand.

Ameya Velankar, Head of Marketing, Uber India and South Asia, said, “There isn’t a bigger cricketing moment in the subcontinent than an India-Pakistan clash and at Uber we want to show up for the fans who are going to great lengths to support their teams. As #IndiaKiRide, we are thrilled to bring #UberCamper to Ahmedabad so that passionate Team India fans can focus on cheering for their teams while parking their accommodation worries with us. We can’t wait to welcome cricket-lovers aboard the #UberCamper for a memorable ride.”

The contest winners will be able to reserve an #UberCamper from October 13-October 15 and each #UberCamper has a capacity of up to 4 people which the winner can decide to bring along.

Important to note:

• · Having a valid and confirmed match ticket for the India Vs. Pakistan match is a prerequisite to participate in the contest. A winner can have upto 3 friends or family members stay with him/her in the Uber Camper – these members should also hold a match ticket
• · If a contest winner is travelling alone for the match or has lesser than 3 people accompanying him, he/she CANNOT share the stay with others or transfer the stay or sell the stay to someone else
• · The social media contest will run from 9:00 am on 4th October 2023 to 11:59 pm on 7th October 2023
• · The number of Uber Campers are limited – from the received entries, Uber will announce winners on 8th October 2023
• · Winners get access to the #UberCamper between Oct 13 to Oct 15. Winners will have to arrange for their own travel/flight to Ahmedabad

5th October 2023 – Toonsutra has launched the country’s biggest webtoon app that can be accessed and enjoyed by all Indian Android & iOS users. Webtoon platforms have become an explosive phenomenon across the world growing to US$4.7 bilion in 2021 and projected to excedeed US$60 billion a year by 2030*. The digital media startup spun out last year from Graphic India – the country’s leading original character entertainment company. Validating the timing and the potential this opportunity presents for the Indian webtoon market, Sony Innovation Fund recently became an investor in Toonsutra.

Through the Toonsutra app, comic fans can consume some of the best global and local comic content and stories in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and English languages in easy-to-read vertical scroll format optimized for mobile. Content in Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam and Kannada will also be available soon. Breaking the mold of traditional comic reading, Toonsutra provides readers comics in bite-sized snackable episodes, each of which deliver an enticing narrative leaving the hooked reader anticipating the next thrilling episode.

“Toonsutra plans to spark a new wave of pop-culture entertainment across India connecting millions and building the largest community of fandom across comics, webtoons, animation, genre and fiction,” commented SharadDevarajan, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphic India. “Just as we saw with the streaming video revolution, India’s entertainment audience is excited to experience and experiment with a wide variety of the best content from across the world, and also groundbreaking local originals from homegrown creators. Comics and webtoons are the next big visual storytelling medium for the country and Toonsutra is bringing the highest quality comic stories by the greatest global creators to India’s vernacular languages for the first time.”

The app will offer episodes from different genres including fantasy, romance, mythology, superhero, sci-fi, action and more. Toonsutra’s new storytelling home will showcase the highest quality web-toon and comic stories from top Indian and global creators, including stories from icons Stan Lee, Grant Morrison, Ryan Pagelow, Shekhar Kapur, Jeevan J. Kang, Monica Tata, Rohan Chakravarty, Alicia Souza. The platform will also promote emerging rising star creators from across India giving them a home to tell their stories.

“The webtoon mobile comic space has taken off globally and is projected to exceed US$60 Billion a year by 2030. India’s massive 700 million youth market is looking for new, engaging, snackable, high-quality experiences. Toonsutra’s web-toon bite-sized format will appeal to how this young consumer who consumes entertainment very differently today. A convenient vertical scroll is native to where everyone is on their phones 24×7!” said veteran mobile and media startup leader, Vishal Anand who recently joined as Toonsutra’s Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer. “With India’s media and entertainment market expected to grow from $23 billion to $100 billion by 2030, we believe web-toon comics are perfectly positioned to be one of the largest accelerants for that growth,” he added. Previously, as Chief Product Officer and part of the core initial team at Dailyhunt, Anand helped scale one of India’s most successful media platforms to over 100M active users and build and manage their product and tech teams. Most recently Anand was part of the product leadership team at Amazon Web Services.

As readers dive deeper into webtoons, they will earn coins, unlock rewards, and discover hidden bonus surprises and community features. The more they read, the more they are rewarded, enhancing the excitement of their storytelling journey. Readers can seamlessly enjoy their daily dose of entertainment without having to pinch, zoom or scale pages unlike other normal comic reader PDF apps. In addition to free daily content, fans can also purchase and binge on episodes for as low as INR 5, making comics finally accessible to everyone.

The vast library available on Toonsutra includes exclusive content with numerous global partners, including:

Graphic India’s leading Indian comic stories such as 18 Days, Devi, Shadow Tiger, Dragonfly, The Mighty Yeti and Chakra The Invincible; the epic comics based on Baahubali: The Lost Legends and more.

The vast Archie Comics’ library that will be made available in vernacular languages for the first time, featuring stories about Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the gang from Riverdale. Just in time to catch up on the original comics that inspired the upcoming ‘The Archies’ film coming in December to Netflix.

Superhero lovers in India can finally enter the world of Valiant Comics, one of the world’s largest superhero universes, and enjoy hit titles like X-O Manowar, Bloodshot, Harbinger, Ninjak and dozens more.

Cinema lovers can experience the Liquid Comics library with original comics made by some of the world’s most iconic filmmakers including Wes Craven’s ‘Coming of Rage’; Barry Sonnenfeld’s ‘Dinosaurs vs. Aliens’; Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Gamekeeper’; and John Woo’s ‘Seven Brothers’ to name a few.

Manga fans can enjoy, stories from Kenaz, a leading South Korean-based studio that specializes in vertical manga series in popular categories such as love, romance, fantasy, and action with acclaimed titles such as Evil Hunter, Blood Type Love, The Distance between Us, The Scent of Love and more.

Toonsutra will also be putting the spotlight on home-grown creators from India such as the inimitable Alicia Souza whose designs and comics have brought joy to millions; the amazing Mounica Tata who portrays life in India through an intelligent, satirical, and comic lens; and Rohan Chakravarty whose Green Humor comics highlight important environmental topics with hilarious wit; and new Indian creators being constantly added.

Toonsutra’s early backers include some of the biggest names in tech and media such as entrepreneurs, Patrick Lee, Co-Founder, Rotten Tomatoes; Kevin Lin, Co-Founder, Twitch; Kun Gao, Co-Founder, Crunchyroll; Jeremy Liew, Partner, Lightspeed Venture Partners; RishadTobaccowala, Fmr. Chief Growth Officer, Publicis Group; Michael Maher, Founder, Start Media; Benjamin Grubbs, Co-Founder, CreatorPlus; Holly Lui, Co-Founder, Kabam; Ray Chan, Co-Founder, 9GAG; Sandeep Kumar Sood, Co-Founder, Junglee Games; and others.