Archives June 2025

Patna, 30th June, 2025

In a powerful address delivered today, acclaimed sociolinguist and social reformer Dr Birbal Jha, Managing Director of British Lingua, described social media as “the modern-day Jan Sunwai”—a digital people’s court where every voice is heard, every truth finds a platform, and real social change begins.

Speaking on the transformative impact of social media on society, communication, and self-expression, Dr Jha said “Social media breaks the silence, builds confidence, and turns every voice into public power. From hesitation to articulation, it empowers individuals to speak out and stand tall.”

He emphasised that social media has democratised the right to communication, historically reserved for the privileged few. “Where traditional media gave the mic to a few, social media gives voice to the many. This is true freedom of communication,” Dr Jha declared.

Dr Jha stressed the importance of responsible use of social media, stating,“In the hands of the educated, social media is a torch. In the hands of the ignorant, it may become a wildfire. We must use it wisely—to educate, elevate, and enlighten.”

Calling it the “digital public square”, Dr Jha noted that social media has reshaped the landscape of discourse, allowing individuals from the remotest corners of India to connect with global conversations.

“Thanks to social media, a learner in a village and a professor in a university can now speak the same language of progress,” he added.

He concluded by urging users to embrace this powerful medium not for shouting, but for shining.

“Let our expression be thoughtful, truthful, and transformational.” The speech aligns with Dr Jha’s lifelong mission to empower people through English communication skills and to bridge social gaps through education and awareness.

This thought-provoking address is part of a larger initiative by British Lingua to promote digital literacy, public speaking, and responsible communication in the digital age.

About Dr Birbal Jha
Dr Birbal Jha is a noted linguist, author, and social entrepreneur, widely recognised for pioneering the English for Social Empowerment movement in India. He is the Founder and Managing Director of British Lingua, a leading institute promoting English communication and personality development.

The Adani Group has recorded an 82% increase in brand valuation over the past year, the highest growth among India’s Top 100 brands, according to Brand Finance’s list of Most Valuable Indian Brands 2025.

Brand Finance, headquartered in London, is the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. Its annual rankings are based on a comprehensive methodology that includes:

• Brand Strength Index – measuring consumer perceptions and behavioural insights
• Brand Impact – reflected in the applied royalty rate
• Forecast Revenues – estimating the brand’s future financial contribution

New Delhi, 30 June 2025 — As the demand for trustworthy mobile technology and services continues to grow in East Delhi, Mobile City, a mobile retail location in Vishwas Nagar, has become a popular place for residents of mobile phones, accessories, and on-the-spot solutions for devices.

Located in a densely packed residential area, Mobile City has seen a healthy amount of foot traffic from students, working professionals, and families. Residents state the best things include convenient location, variety across multi-brands, and face-to-face support for service on-the-spot; personal experiences are always more memorable.

The shop offers combinations of old and new models, either way they must have accessories which include ear & head phones, adapters, phone guards, and protective gear. Although a variety of brands’ stock is an important factor, it’s their location’s access, personal attention, and in the consultation when selecting phones, or minor issues they encounter such as screen guards or adapter problems. Locals have noticed that a change has taken place in shopping behaviour in Vishwas Nagar since the pandemic, with many residents continuing to buy phones offline, instead of just online, giving outlets such as Mobile City a chance to make a contribution to the local’s shopping habits and assist to promote the retail economy.

Mr. Hemant, Branch Manager at Mobile City said, “People want to see and know what it is they’re buying, especially regarding mobile, whether they’re buying a new phone, or not, we aim to be transparent and helpful.”

With mobile technology having transitioned from luxury to necessity, particularly for remote workers, these types of shops are cementing their status as a neighborhood fixture, not only as points of commerce but as important points of support for everyday connection.

Legendary filmmaker, painter, and cultural connoisseur Muzaffar Ali sits down for a rare, heartfelt conversation with Filmfare Editor-in-Chief Jitesh Pillai in the latest episode of In The Ring With Filmfare, now streaming on Filmfare’s YouTube channel. Celebrated for his poetic visual language and a worldview rooted in cultural synthesis, Muzaffar Ali takes us through the inspirations, philosophies, and creative forces that have shaped his multifaceted journey.

His artistic legacy spans far beyond the silver screen — while he gifted Indian cinema timeless gems like Gaman, Umrao Jaan, Anjuman, Zooni, and Jaanisaar, his contributions also include the revival of traditional crafts, textiles, and the curation of the iconic Sufi music festival Jahan-e-Khusrau. As the driving force behind the Rumi Foundation, Ali continues to weave together cinema, design, music, and cultural heritage into a seamless tapestry of artistic expression.

Revisiting the early chapters of his journey, Ali reflects, “I have tried to document my autobiography Zikar, but I would like to go a little further back to Calcutta. And then I moved to Calcutta from Aligarh, which is a City of Poetry, where I had gone to study science. When I was in Calcutta, I worked in an advertising group, and Mr. Ray used to be our director, so I used to watch him very carefully at the agency where I was. He was basically sketching and detailing his films, and that’s when I realized, why don’t I? My initial journey started from then.”

He also recalled his enriching tenure at Air India, during the time he was making Gaman, “When I was making Gaman, I was involved in Air India, the Air India job was very elevating for me. It gave me the freedom to promote art, to buy art, to send artists abroad. All the funny things I could do at that time. I also made films.”

Opening about his creative process while craftingUmrao Jaan and his collaboration with Rekha, he stated, “I think once Rekha agreed, it was very surprising to me that she agreed without any conditions. Maybe she saw beyond the moments, she could see more than we could. Then, from there, working backwards to prepare the whole thing was a big thing for her. The preparation was something else, she was the poetess in the film and the poetess of pain, the poetess of optimism, and inevitable spirits.”

Ali also addressed the frequent labeling of his films as “Muslim Social,” offering a clarion call for cultural unity, “I don’t like the word ‘Muslim Social’. I think it is all cultural expression; we are part of the same culture. In Umrao Jaan, there was nothing written that only Muslims can come, and Hindus can’t. The entire culture is called the Ganga-Jamuna culture. Milne ka, Judne ka, Mohabbat ka. Do not split it. Umrao Jaan started from Brahma Vishnu Mahesh as the taalim guru. There was no split culture; it is always a blending of culture, concepts, words, and thoughts. I think aesthetic detailing is missing in India.”

Discussing the change in today’s film marketing, he expressed his views, “Gaman is still alive. I am doing the art of marketing. If you know the art of marketing, you can market something that is nothing. You can market anything in terms of experience. What did not work out, I could not help. Now, people are using stardom, tested tools, etc. We use art for marketing.”

Giving advice to his younger self, he shared, “I would teach him patience, the importance of being rooted, deep humanism, and a keen eye for aesthetics. Discipline in one’s craft always pays off. The effort people put into their work shapes not just the craft but also their understanding of its impact. That is a huge space for learning.”

Lastly, sharing bits on being a father to three kids including filmmaker Shaad Ali, he says, “My kids have always had one complaint — that I didn’t give them enough time. You believe you’re giving them the best, but sometimes it turns out to be the worst. Still, nothing is ever so bad that it doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Murad’s inspiration comes from poetry — I believe he got that from me. Sama is following my journey of textiles. And Shaad has an amazing sense of music and humour.”

Mumbai, June 30, 2025: In a notable moment for the Indian digital entertainment industry, Amit Bhadana — India’s first ever individual YouTuber to cross 20 million subscribers — is now signed with Saregama in a multi-vertical deal as an exclusive artiste.

This exclusive partnership marks a significant turning point in Bhadana’s revolutionary journey, as he will be making his theatrical debut with a feature film produced and released under the Saregama banner. With this project, he becomes the first Indian YouTuber to sign a film as lead actor, director, and writer.

As part of the collaboration:

• A feature film marking Amit’s theatrical debut—as lead actor, director, and writer—is currently in development under the Saregama banner, marking a bold leap from digital screens to the cinematic stage.
• A high-energy music video is already in production under the label, combining Amit’s signature storytelling with Saregama’s musical legacy.
• Amit is now exclusively represented by Saregama for all live shows and branded content partnerships, paving the way for large-scale, cross-platform experiences across the country.

Amit Bhadana, with a massive fan-base across India, rose to fame in 2017 for his rooted, relatable content that stood out against a wave of western-inspired creators. Since then, he’s amassed over 24 million YouTube subscribers and 2.5 billion views, making him one of the most followed creators in the country. His content, celebrated for its family-friendly humor, sharp observations, and deep emotional undercurrents, has consistently resonated with audiences across age groups and geographies.

From award-winning tributes including Sipahi, the SSC web series and the Parichay music video to viral hits like Behan Bhai Ki School Life, Amit has successfully merged entertainment with authenticity—now set to bring the same magic to the big screen.

Speaking on the partnership, Amit Bhadana said, “This is not just a personal milestone but a moment for every creator out there who started with a phone and a dream. To have a legacy brand like Saregama believe in my storytelling across films, music, and live—this is the beginning of an exciting new chapter.”

Vikram Mehra, Managing Director, Saregama commented, “At Saregama, we’ve always seen ourselves as custodians of India’s entertainment legacy—while constantly evolving with the times. Partnering with creators like Amit, who are culturally rooted and connect effortlessly with today’s audiences, is a natural extension of that promise. Together, we aim to build stories and experiences that are familiar, fresh, and truly reflective of India’s evolving storytelling spirit.”

With this association, Amit Bhadana not only breaks new ground for creators but also signals the convergence of India’s booming digital creator economy with its traditional entertainment powerhouses.

Bengaluru, India, June 30 , 2025: DHL Express, a global leader in international express shipping, has announced the strategic expansion of its operations at the Bangalore airport, resulting in a consolidated footprint of over 130,000 sq. ft. This expansion includes the integration of a new, purpose-built service center at the AISATS Bengaluru Logistics Park within the Kempegowda International Airport This initiative addresses the increasing shipment volumes from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises across Southern India, driven by the region’s consistent economic growth and growing global trade engagement.

The new service center, spanning 17,900 sq. ft., is equipped with advanced material handling systems designed to enable faster and more efficient shipment processing. It also incorporates automation technologies, including telescopic conveyors, wheel sorters, and an operation logic-based conveyor sequence, to import and export processes. These enhancements are projected to reduce shipment processing times, enhancing throughput capacity to handle current and future volume growth.

Ken Lee, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific, commented, “The sustained economic dynamism across Asia Pacific, particularly the robust trade growth witnessed in India, continues to be a cornerstone of global commerce. Strengthening our operations in Bangalore is a response to this momentum. By enhancing our infrastructure in key markets like Southern India, we are not only reinforcing our commitment to facilitating seamless international trade but also ensuring our customers, from SMEs to established multinational corporations, that we have the necessary logistics setup to capitalize on these evolving opportunities.”

This expansion is part of DHL’s broader strategy to bolster its India network through strategic facility upgrades and aligns with DHL’s Strategy 2030: Accelerating Sustainable Growth.

R.S. Subramanian, SVP South Asia, DHL Express, said, “This new facility at the airport represents a strategic investment that reinforces our operational strength in a key market like Bengaluru. With closer proximity to the airport and cutting-edge automation, we can process shipments faster while reducing manual effort. The Bangalore expansion enhances regional productivity, placing us in a stronger position to manage future volume growth with greater agility. This reflects our continued commitment to raising efficiency and supporting the region’s dynamic growth trajectory.”

The facility features dedicated drive-in bays for pick-up and delivery vehicles, designed to optimize shipment handling and minimize manual effort, thereby reducing turnaround times. DHL Express’s total investment in this expansion project amounts to €3.43 million, reflecting the organization’s confidence in the region’s growth potential and its dedication to enhancing international trade linkages.

This expansion is strategically timed to leverage India’s significant geographic tailwinds, which is focused on accelerating sustainable growth in high-potential markets and diversifying global supply chains. Geographic tailwinds is also one of the growth areas DHL Group has identified as part of its Strategy 2030. As highlighted in the “DHL Trade Atlas 2025” report, India is projected to contribute a substantial 6% to global trade growth over the next five years, underscoring its escalating role in international commerce. India’s emergence as a popular multi-shoring destination, coupled with its robust and growing export sector, positions it as a critical area for DHL’s continued investment in advanced logistics and supply chain solutions. This commitment ensures that Southern Indian businesses can fully capitalize on these favorable trade dynamics, fostering greater connectivity and competitiveness on the global stage.

Mumbai- India, 30 June 2025: Amazon’s free streaming service, Amazon MX Player, is buzzing with praise for its refreshing new coming-of-age series, Gamerlog, a heartfelt story set against the energetic backdrop of India’s booming esports scene. With its youthful lens and sharp humour, the series captures the trials and triumphs of a ragtag team of gamers chasing glory, identity, and connection—all while surviving life inside a chaotic gaming bootcamp in Mumbai. At the heart of the story is 17-year-old Raghu, a runaway from Surat, trying to carve his place in the world of competitive gaming. With one mission—to take down reigning champions Wolfclan, Raghu joins a team of misfits and discovers that friendship, failure, and firepower go hand-in-hand. Directed by Arya Deo and produced by Abhinay Deo, Gamerlog boasts a powerhouse cast featuring Darsheel Safary, Anjali Sivaraman, Chinmay Chandraunshuh, Kunal Bhan, Chetan Dhawan, Shubroy Chowdhury, and Akash Menon in pivotal roles.

Reflecting on the series and his character Raghu, Darsheel Safary shared, “Passion has always been my compass. Whenever I’ve felt lost or overwhelmed, it’s that hunger to grow that’s guided me. Raghu’s journey in Gamerlog, his impulsive choices, and his hunger to prove himself instantly took me right back to the time I chose to step away from acting after school. I told everyone I wanted to live my college life, but deep down, I knew I wanted to hone my craft and grow as an actor.”

Opening up about his transformative years, he added, “Theatre changed everything for me, doing plays, improvising, feeling emotions in real time in front of live audiences. I worked with groups like NCPA and Out of the Box, performing across India, living those emotions on stage—it redefined storytelling for me. By the time I returned to the screen post-pandemic, I wasn’t the same person anymore. It’s easy to lose your footing when you grow up in the spotlight. But stories like Raghu’s remind me of why I started, and why I still love doing this. Gamerlog is truly a passion project made with love and honesty, and I hope it resonates with both gamers and anyone chasing something bigger than themselves.”

Gamerlog is now available for free exclusively on Amazon MX Player, available through its apps on mobile, Amazon’s shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Connected TVs.

Chandigarh, 30 June 2025: ACC, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, continues to uplift rural livelihoods through sustainable water infrastructure. In Halakatta village of Kalaburagi district, near ACC Wadi, the Company along with Adani Foundation has constructed a 500-metre-long check dam that is transforming lives by solving long-standing water scarcity issues and unlocking year-round farming potential for the local community.

With the ability to irrigate 30.8 hectares of land, the check dam has enabled farmers to grow multiple crops across all seasons, reducing their dependence on unpredictable monsoons. For Eranna, a smallholder with four acres of land, the shift has been life-changing. Previously restricted to a single seasonal crop, he now cultivates black gram, wheat, cotton, and vegetables—tripling his income to Rs. 30,000 annually and improving his family’s quality of life.

This intervention has had ripple effects across the village. With stable irrigation, farmers are diversifying into allied livelihoods such as goat rearing, building financial resilience and improving nutrition and food security. Through such impactful initiatives, ACC and the Adani Foundation reaffirm their commitment to fostering inclusive rural growth and sustainable agricultural development across India’s heartlands.

By-Dr. Lahari Surapaneni, CEO, Bangalore Hospitals

“Behind every life transformed, every anxious family comforted, and every breakthrough in healing, stands a Doctor who, in turn, needs healing too. On this Doctors Day, we honor the resilience of our doctors, those who mask their own challenges to care for others unwaveringly. Let us celebrate not only their skill and compassion, but also renew our institutional promise: to nurture their well-being, support their mental health, lighten their administrative load, and champion their work‑life balance. Because when we heal our healers, when we uplift the caregivers behind the mask, we’re not only caring for our doctors; we’re strengthening the very soul of our hospital and deepening our service to the community.”

New Delhi, 30 June – Fateh Education, one of India’s most trusted overseas education consultancies, is proud to announce its much-anticipated Pre-Departure Event Series 2025, scheduled across major Indian cities this July. The initiative is aimed at empowering students headed to the UK and Ireland with practical insights, reassurance, and peer-driven knowledge to navigate the volatility in currency exchange rates, changing employability trends, and evolving post-study visa regulations.

The events will be held in Pune (July 3), Mumbai (July 4), Chandigarh (July 5), Delhi (July 6), Chennai (July 11), Bangalore (July 12), Hyderabad (July 13), and Ahmedabad (July 19), and are expected to connect hundreds of aspiring students with each other and with experienced mentors.

With an emphasis on shared learning and peer-to-peer conversations, the Pre-Departure series offers a platform for students to discuss concerns, build early friendships, and ask practical questions about everything from part-time jobs to accommodation, cultural integration, and visa compliance.

This year also marks the launch of the Fateh Student Ambassador Initiative—a powerful mentorship model where current or soon-to-depart students share real-life insights and destination-specific advice, helping others gain clarity beyond the usual brochures and websites.

“At Fateh, we’re not just preparing students for university—we’re preparing them for life,” said Mr. Suneet Singh Kochar, Co-founder and CEO of Fateh Education. “With the UK and Ireland constantly evolving in terms of employability norms and visa frameworks, our Pre-Departure series delivers more than just information—it’s about confidence, emotional support, and community,” he added.

These invite-only events are curated exclusively for Fateh Education students who have secured offers or are in advanced stages of admission. The sessions will feature country-specific insights, embassy documentation tips, safety briefings, networking, and exclusive giveaways.