TIMES GLOBAL (टाइम्स ग्लोबल): मई 2023

बुधवार, 31 मई 2023

MTV announces the 19th season of its unrivalled youth adventure reality show MTV Roadies - ‘Karm ya Kaand’

~ Host Sonu Sood and Gang Leaders Prince Narula, Gautam Gulati and Rhea Chakraborty promise an epic adventure brimming with twists and turns ~

~ The 19^th season of the country’s most-anticipated adventure reality show starts on 3^rd June, and thereafter every Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM only on MTV and JioCinema ~

Mumbai, India, 1^st June 2023 (TGN):

MTV Roadies, India's most iconic youth reality show, is back with a bang! India’s leading youth entertainment channel, MTV, a part of Viacom18’s Youth, Music, and English Entertainment (YME) cluster is thrilled to announce the latest season of the unrivalled youth adventure reality television show MTV Roadies - ‘Karm ya Kaand’. With an aim to scale up action, the 19^th season of MTV Roadies is all set to redefine entertainment with high-octane action, daredevilry, and electrifying competition! As host Sonu Sood and gang leaders Prince Narula, Gautam Gulati, and Rhea Chakraborty bring unmatched entertainment to fans across the nation, watch the highly anticipated journey of T.A.C MTV Roadies - Karm ya Kaand co-powered by Wildstone with Yamaha as the Riding Partner and Eeken as Associate Partner, premiering on 3^rd June, and thereafter every Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM only on MTV and JioCinema.

Known for its thrilling challenges and relentless pursuit of adventure, MTV Roadies has been the ultimate platform for young enthusiasts to prove their mettle and showcase their true spirit. The phenomenal response to the multi-city on-ground auditions and personal interviews, which stood as a testament to the show’s unceasing popularity, set the tone for the power-packed new season. With higher stakes, the metaphorical journey will see contestants grapple with a heady mix of colossal challenges and unexpected twists and turns on the road to triumph, the daring odyssey will span from Kurukshetra to Kaza, including destinations like Patiala, Chail, Kullu, and Sissu en route.

The journey promises a staggering new format, beginning with a brand-new element, the Sonu Astra, akin to the twist of fate, completely overturning a decision – thereby determining and even altering the destiny of Gang members in the game. Roadies’ currency ‘Roadium’, which was introduced last season will continue to play a pivotal role in enabling contestants to power up and get special advantages. The journey of Karm Ya Kaand will follow a cycle of Roadium Tasks, Immunity Tasks, Buyouts, and Vote outs.

Commenting on the launch of MTV Roadies 19 Karm Ya Kaand, Anshul Ailawadi, Business Head –Youth, Music, and English Entertainment, Viacom18 said, “MTV Roadies is back and it’s bigger than before. Fans are going to be awed by the level of intensity and competition this season. Roadies Karm Ya Kaand is going to be a manic ride - packed with entertainment.”

With its unique blend of drama, action, and adventure, the upcoming season of MTV Roadies promises to be bigger, better, and more exciting than ever, with Sonu Sood leading the way and Gang Leaders Prince Narula, Gautam Gulati, and Rhea Chakraborty adding their tadka to the mix!

Get ready to witness the ultimate battle as T.A.C MTV Roadies - Karm ya Kaand co-powered by Wildstone, with Yamaha as the Riding Partner and Eeken as Associate Partner, starting June 3^rd, every Saturday and Sunday at 7 pm only on MTV and JioCinema.

Shopsy delivers value to 16 mn transacting customers in Q1 2023 with 3X growth in units and sellers

Shopsy by Flipkart

Shopsy by Flipkart has a strong presence in India's heartland, with 70% of its customers hailing from Tier-2 and Tier-3 areas

During this quarter, Shopsy has expanded its reach by including 350 new pin codes, such as Ghazipur, Cachar, Hamirpur, Una, and Pratapgarh.
New sellers hail from cities across India, including Agra, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajkot, and Surat

Bengaluru – May 31, 2023 (TGN): Shopsy, Bharat’s fastest-growing hyper-value e-commerce platform, has provided value to millions of customers across India. The platform has witnessed an uptick of 3X growth in units, customers, and sellers in the last year, with over 175 million app downloads.

In the past quarter alone, Shopsy has expanded its last-mile delivery to 350 new pin codes in the country across tier-2 and tier-3 regions, including Cachar, Ghazipur, Hamirpur, Pratapgarh, and Una, among others. Many new customers commencing their e-commerce journey with Shopsy are female shoppers aged 26-45 years, homemakers from tier-2 and tier-3+ cities across India. In March 2023, Shopsy crossed over 175 million app downloads, with 90% of new transacting customers belonging to the under 35 years cohort.

Currently, Shopsy gets nearly 70% of customers from tier-2 and tier-3 regions in the country and contributes over 40% of first-time customers to the overall Flipkart group. The traffic from T2+ regions is mainly driven by the youth of India. Shopsy is enabling these customers to explore e-commerce with its budget-friendly offerings. Propelled by its latest marketing campaign, ‘Aaj Shopsy Kiya Kya’ and the second edition of its flagship shopping carnival, the ‘Grand Shopsy Mela’, the platform continues to gain momentum across the country steadily.

Kapil Thirani, Head of Shopsy, Flipkart, said, “Shopsy is a story of an aspiring India, a population keen to make the most of its smartphones, high data speeds, and fast-rising incomes. We at Shopsy are delighted to see the strong growth and heightened participation of customers across the country. Shopsy is designed to provide value for budget-seeking customers, combined with an extensive selection and easy accessibility across all serviceable pin codes of India. This has made Shopsy one of the most preferred online shopping destinations for shoppers as well as sellers in the country.”

Ruchika Singhal, Owner of Paryag Hosiery based in Delhi and a Shopsy seller, said, “E-commerce is a boon for budding entrepreneurs as it involves minimal investment and allows flexibility of hours. I started my business in men’s fashion after having my first child. Despite being able to maintain a work-life balance effortlessly, it has been an incredible journey for our business on Shopsy. I am highly appreciative of Shopsy’s unique seller initiatives and the support and guidance of the team to reach audiences from across the country. My business has skyrocketed with 10X growth in orders and revenue since expanding to Shopsy and continues to steadily gain momentum. In the coming years, I want to scale my business to new heights and become a role model for others.”

Over 60% of Shopsy’s product portfolio is below the price point of INR 200. The platform’s hyper-value positioning helps customers seamlessly transition from an offline shopping experience to a virtual one where they can access an expansive product catalogue to fulfil their nuanced needs. Men’s wristwatches have emerged as the fastest-growing product, their demand growing by over 75X this quarter. Additionally, jumpsuits, trimmers, and mobile covers clocked over 3X growth individually. Apart from this, 4,000+ product categories, including men’s vests, kid’s t-shirts, women’s kurtis, camera tripod stands, fitness grips and hair accessories, have shown positive growth as Shopsy continues to cater to the demand from consumers.

Since its launch in July 2021, Shopsy has aimed to make digital commerce accessible across India by enabling a wide range of hypervalue product selections and a zero-commission marketplace. Today, the platform provides 150 million products spanning 800+ categories for customers across India.

About the Flipkart Group

The Flipkart Group is one of India’s leading digital commerce entities and includes group companies Flipkart, Myntra, Flipkart Wholesale, Flipkart Health+, and Cleartrip.

Started in 2007, Flipkart has enabled millions of sellers, merchants, and small businesses to participate in India's digital commerce revolution. With a registered customer base of more than 450 million, Flipkart's marketplace offers over 150 million products across 80+ categories. Today, there are over 11 lakh sellers on the platform, including Shopsy sellers. With a focus on empowering and delighting every Indian by delivering value through technology and innovation, Flipkart has created lakhs of jobs in the ecosystem while empowering generations of entrepreneurs and MSMEs. Flipkart is known for pioneering services such as Cash on Delivery, No Cost EMI and easy returns, which are customer-centric innovations that have made online shopping more accessible and affordable for millions of Indians.

For more information, please write to media@flipkart.com

Capri Loans Acquires 51% Stake in CarLelo Paving the Way for Digital Transformation in the Indian Automotive Market

Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd (CGHL)

Strategic investment of Rs. 150 crores
A whopping number of 60,000 car loans in the last financial year

Mumbai, 31st May 2023 (GPN): - Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd (CGHL), the holding company for Capri Global Capital Limited - a prominent non-banking financial company with the brand name Capri Loans, has expanded its national footprint by acquiring 51% stake in CarLelo, India's leading online new car selling platform. This strategic investment, amounting to Rupees 150 crore, reinforces Capri Loans' position as a key player in the Indian automotive financing market while driving digital transformation and enhancing the consumer experience.

Capri Loans is the No. 1 new car loan aggregator in the Car Loan industry, clocking a whopping number of 60,000 car loans in the last financial year itself. As a prominent player in the financial services industry, Capri Loans recognizes the immense potential in the online new car financing segment. This acquisition is a natural progression towards cementing Capri Loans commitment to customer convenience and its dedication to meet the evolving needs of Car Loan customers nationwide.

Emphasizing the company's customer-centric approach and this acquisition, Mr Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director & Founder, Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd stated, "At Capri Loans, customer convenience lies at the core of our operations. This investment is a testament to our commitment to driving growth of the online new car sales & financing market while empowering new-age techpreneurs to overcome existing market challenges. Through our partnership with CarLelo, we aim to cater to the ever-evolving needs and requirements of customers across the nation. Capri Loans recognizes this investment as an opportunity to foster the expansion of the burgeoning online new car sales market, all while prioritising utmost convenience in terms of financing for customers and propelling forward cutting-edge solutions within the industry."

With this fresh influx of capital, CarLeLo will improve its presence, services and technology which will be utilised to acquire new customers. The robust services that CarLelo provides will also work towards improving relationships with existing consumers. CarLelo currently has 1,200 associates strategically placed across 34 cities in India who regularly interact with customers, delivering them end-to-end services for all their new vehicle-related needs. In addition, the company will also handhold 8,000+ authorized dealerships in the country to enhance customers’ digital buying and selling experience. Further, CarLelo, with its innovation in online new car sales, intends to sell around 7,000 to 8,000 cars every month, making it the go-to platform for customers seeking a hassle-free car buying experience. The online platform also offers a catalog of 32 brands, 265 models and 1,700 variants.

Gaurav Aggarwal, the visionary CEO of CarLelo, expressed his excitement about the association with Capri Loans, said, "Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd.’s investment serves as a resounding validation of CarLelo's vision to revolutionize the new car selling and buying experience for

today's tech-savvy generation, ushering in unprecedented transformations in the online auto sales market. With the increasing prominence of digital sales and the anticipated rise to an 80% market share within the next two years, driven by the rapid penetration of the internet and smartphones, as well as the shifting consumer sentiments towards online purchases of high-value items, this investment will bolster our endeavours to enhance our services and facilitate seamless car transfers by leveraging cutting-edge technologies. The digital car sales realm represents an untapped and abundant market opportunity, and together, CarLelo and Capri Loans can forge new frontiers within this domain.”

Capri Loans understands that today's customers seek convenience, transparency, and competitive pricing when purchasing a new car. With CarLelo's user-friendly platform, customers can easily research and compare different car models, obtain quotes and loan options and even book test drives online.

About Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd:

Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd. is the holding company for Capri Global Capital Limited (CGCL). CGCL is a diversified Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) and is part of the NIFTY Small Cap 250 Index. The Company operates in high-growth segments such as MSME Loans, Affordable Housing Finance, Gold Loan, and Construction Finance. The Company also acts as a corporate distributor for car loan products of six leading commercial banks. CGCL offers its loan products to the unbanked and underserved masses across Northern and Western geographies of the country, through its strong network of 700+

branches spread across 15 States and Union Territories with a workforce of ~8,000 employees. The tech-enabled processes and recently introduced business analytics ensure that CGCL offers products tailored to meet the requirements of borrowers with a solid governance and risk-control framework. CGCL enjoys a robust credit rating of ‘CARE A+ (Outlook Stable)’ for its long-term borrowing program and NCDs and the highest rating of ‘IVR A1+’ for its short-term borrowing program. The Housing Finance business is rated ‘CARE A+ (Outlook Stable)’ for its long-term borrowing program. The Company has bagged ‘Best BFSI Brand 2021’ by The Economic Times and received certification as a Great Place to Work from Great Place to Work Institute for 2023-24 for a second consecutive year.

About CarLelo:

CarLelo is an online platform that is revolutionizing the new car buying experience through its seamless and hassle-free methods. It is India's first multi-brand virtual car showroom, where you get the best car deals. CarLelo strongly believes that buying a new car is a unique escapade that does not happen every day and its vision is to provide an overall bespoke experience to customers, all from the comfort of their home. One can visit the CarLelo website, select the desired brand and choose a model based on variant, colour, features and mileage.

While doing this from a large, curated catalogue of brands and models, the customer is directly connected to a relevant dealer based on his location without physically having to visit a dealership.

Further, they can avail the best offers and deals on their new car by connecting with multiple dealers. For the ones looking to finance their dream car, CarLelo offers the best low-interest rate and minimum paperwork for their customers. CarLelo, today has grown to become a leading marketplace for new cars.

For further information, please visit:

www.capriglobal.in | www.caprihomeloans.com | www.carlelo.com

SINGAPORE AIRLINES EXTENDS UNLIMITED COMPLIMENTARY IN-FLIGHT WI-FI TO CUSTOMERS IN ALL CABIN CLASSES

MUMBAI, 31st May, 2023 (TGN): Singapore Airlines (SIA) customers will enjoy the most comprehensive free unlimited Wi-Fi access in the airline industry from 1 July 2023, when the service is extended to all travellers in all cabin classes, including Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.

This enhanced Wi-Fi offering will be available virtually across the entire aircraft fleet and almost the entire global SIA route network.

As a result, customers across all cabin classes will be able to stay connected with loved ones, work online, or keep up to date with the latest news or their social media feeds, even from 36,000 feet in the sky.

To enjoy this service, customers must enter their KrisFlyer membership details at the point of booking through the Manage Booking online option, or at check-in. Non-KrisFlyer members may also sign up for their free membership online or on board their flight via the SIA digital content portal on their personal mobile devices to enjoy the complimentary in-flight Wi-Fi.

Suites, First Class, and Business Class customers, as well as PPS Club members will continue to enjoy access to free unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi. Since February 2023, KrisFlyer members travelling in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class have enjoyed complimentary three- and two-hour Wi-Fi surf plans respectively.

Mr Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “In today’s increasingly hyper-connected world, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity is one of the most important requirements for our customers. Giving them access to free unlimited Wi-Fi is yet another milestone in SIA’s continuous effort to offer an exceptional end-to-end travel experience. With this enhanced offering, our customers will be empowered to stay connected, entertained, and productive, even at 36,000 feet in the sky.Ends

RENAULT INDIA ACHIEVES REMARKABLE MILESTONE OF 9 LAC SALES

Mumbai, 31^st May, 2023 (TGN): Renault, the leading European brand in India, is proud to announce a remarkable achievement of surpassing 900,000 vehicles sales in the country. Renault India is one of the youngest and fastest carmakers to achieve this feat.

Renault India has attained this significant milestone by offering innovative and disruptive product portfolio, persistent commitment towards customer satisfaction, network expansion, rural focussed strategy, and pioneering marketing initiatives.

This accomplishment highlights the unwavering commitment of Renault India to deliver unique products, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled customer experiences. With a strong emphasis on quality, safety and innovation, the company has captivated consumers sentiments and gained the trust of customers in India.

Renault India in the past 11 years has consistently pushed limits and introduced some industry-first, advanced and enhanced safety features across its product offerings. The company's diverse product portfolio has catered to the varying needs and preferences of customers in the country. In addition to offering exceptional products range, Renault India has also fostered strong partnerships with dealerships across the country, ensuring an unmatched ownership experience for customers. The company's dedicated network of over 450 plus sales and 530 service touchpoints, played a crucial role in providing support and personalized service to every customer.

According to Venkatram Mamillapalle, Country CEO & Managing Director, Renault India Operations, “We are extremely thrilled to have crossed the 9-lac sales milestone in India. This incredible journey has been made possible by the unwavering support and belief in the brand from our esteemed customers, dedicated dealer partners, valued suppliers, and our exceptional team of employees, and engineering professionals. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have contributed to this remarkable achievement. Over the last few years, we have established a strong foundation in India. Company’s commitment to the Indian Government's 'Make in India' vision is unwavering and Renault aims to attain 90% localization for its upcoming products.”

“India is a strategic and among the top 5 markets for Groupe Renault and we have a clear long-term strategy in mind for the country. We have formulated a strong product-offensive plan for India, with heavy emphasis on localisation in future range of products. With a long-term commitment to the Indian market, Renault plans to bring several new innovations in products and services, to meet the evolving needs and preferences of customers”, added Mr. Mamillapalle.

As Renault India celebrates this remarkable milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles and exceptional customer experiences. With a strong foundation, an expanding network, and a customer-centric approach, Renault is poised for continued success and growth in the Indian automotive market.

Renault’s leading product line-up in India includes KIGER, TRIBER and KWID.

Renault KIGER launched in India in 2021 has already established itself as a Stunning, Smart and Sporty B-SUV. Renault KIGER is one of the most affordable offerings in the compact SUV segment with cost-effective maintenance. The company recently refreshed KIGER’s variant portfolio with enhanced value proposition and class leading safety features. Powered by a world-class turbocharged 1.0L petrol engine, KIGER not only offers more performance and a sporty drive, but also boasts best in-segment fuel efficiency of 20.62 KM/L. Renault KIGER has also been awarded with the 4-Star Safety Rating for Adult occupant safety by Global NCAP, the foremost global car assessment programme.

Renault TRIBER has been valued for the proposition that it offers in terms of outstanding quality, modularity, and attractive design with superior value packaging. Renault TRIBER offers the best level seating space in all rows that can accommodate one to seven adults in comfort in less than 4 meters. It also offers one of the largest boot space of 625L in its category. Renault TRIBER is built with best level safety features and boasts of a 4-Star Safety Rating for Adult occupant safety by Global NCAP.

Launched in 2015, Renault KWID is a breakthrough product in terms of design, innovation, and modernity. Renault KWID has redefined the entry segment in India led by its contemporary SUV-inspired design language offering best-in-class features and an economical cost of ownership. Enabled by its 98% localisation levels, Renault KWID makes it a strong ‘Make in India’ testament.

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THE ART FAIR – 50 Art Galleries from all over India Come Together At Nehru Centre, Worli From 1st to 4th Jun, 2023

MUMBAI, 31^st MAY, 2023 (TGN): ICAC & J S Art Gallery present ‘THE ART FAIR (TAF)’ from 1st to 4th June, 2023 at Nehru Centre, Discovery of India Building, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli. The Art Fair is a very economical platform for artists since its beginning. It is a unique bridge between great masters, emerging artists and art students that enlightens one and all. THE ART FAIR (TAF) features approximately 50 Art Galleries from all over India showcasing a range of modern and contemporary art including paintings, drawings, sculptures, Installations, prints, photography & digital art by various artists.

THE ART FAIR is being organized by Mr. Ravindra Mardiya – ICAC (International Creative Art Center) who have organized several such Art Fairs, Art Camps & Exhibitions in India as well as abroad to promote Indian artists & J S Art Gallery, Director Mr. Suraj Laheru who has been active for decades in the field of Trading in and Handling Group Art Exhibitions in different parts of India and Abroad. He has successfully curetted and organized more than a ‘half-a-century’ Art shows so far, to an overwhelming response and appreciation from Art Patrons, connoisseurs as well as, Art Collectors of Indian Art of the globe. Our mission is to democratize art viewing and buying by creating quality public art platforms and facilitate collaborations and networking amongst art buyers, art galleries, art dealers, artists, art collectors and connoisseurs. We bring all stake holders in the art market together under one roof.

The Art Fair will be inaugurated by Mr. Ashish Shelar (President of BJP Mumbai), Mr. Vinod Shelar, Mr. Amiet Barut, Mr. Himanshu Shah (Chairman, IIID MRC), Dr. Mudassir Khwaja (Multiple Chairperson) at 5 pm on 1st June, 2023 (Thursday) & will continue up to 4th June, 2023 (Sunday) from 11 am to 8 pm.

Some of the major Art Galleries that have already confirmed their participation: – Rabi art Gallery (Shantiniketan), Dolna Art Gallery (Mumbai), Tulika Art Gallery (Mumbai), Eminent Art Gallery (Delhi), Gallery 16 (Delhi), Jade Art Gallery (Mumbai), Desert Art Gallery (Dubai), Kala Sanskruti Art Gallery (Mumbai), Prachi Art Gallery (Mumbai), Shrijan Art Gallery (Navi Mumbai) etc. Artworks of some of the Master Artists of India’s artworks will also be displayed: Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Binode Behari Mukherjee, Ramkinkar Baij, M.F.Husain, F.N.Souja, Ganesh Pyne, Somnath Hore, Suhas Roy, Sakti Barman, Jamini Roy, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Lalu Prasad Shaw, K.G. Subramaniyan, K. Laxma Goud, Jogen Chowdhury, Bose Krishnamachari, Madhavi Parikh, Paresh Maity.

The Fair is 100% run by volunteers. More than 100 community members of all ages create the transformation. Local volunteers work and look forward to this weekend all year long, which is why the person handing you a map as you enter the fair is beaming, and why the folks at the grill are laughing and dancing as they serve up thousands of burgers. Fairgoers tell us the fun and enthusiasm are contagious. Visitors can park along the Fair Ground and also in the reserved parking in the vicinity at designated locations very close by.Ends

मंगलवार, 30 मई 2023

From Biryanis and condoms to Jalebi-Fafda and bowls of soup: Here is what India Swiggy’d this cricket season

~ Indians ordered 212 Biryanis per minute on Swiggy this cricket season ~

~ A single user from Delhi ordered a whopping 701 samosas throughout the season ~

~The highest single order was for ₹26,474 ~

MUMBAI, 30 MAY, 2023 (TGN): India's match season witnessed an astounding display of ordering frenzy alongside some nail-biting match endings. As Chennai walked home with the coveted trophy last night, another crowd favourite, the Biryani too clinched the title for the ‘Most ordered dish’, as customers placed a whopping 12 million or 212 biryani orders per minute this cricket season. For every veg biryani ordered, a staggering 20 non-veg biryanis graced tables across the nation.

From the first match to the grand finale, the tournament showcased exceptional cricketing talent. Swiggy’s users also took food and grocery orders to the next level.

Swiggy’s fleet of delivery partners traveled a mind-boggling 33 crore kilometers to satisfy those food and grocery orders, bringing convenience and joy to people's doorsteps throughout the season.

The fastest delivery this season took only 77 seconds and was done in Kolkata. Not the cricketing chart but Bangalore dominated the food leaderboard with over 12 million orders during this cricketing season.

Swiggy India joined the finale’s excitement, sparking a social media frenzy with tweets on ordering trends, many of which went viral. Here is a compilation of Swiggy India’s tweets unveiling ordering trends on the app during the cricket season:

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663201821509263362?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663191294901116929?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663184208058257410?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1662796997492105217

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663218310140383234?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663230884433244161?s=20

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs1K63whyOQ/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663277057365647361?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663208283270963205?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1663188940487110659?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1662836030498652162?s=20

https://twitter.com/Swiggy/status/1662168712340963329?s=20