Asian Paints continues to celebrate the stories behind remarkable homes with Season 8 of ‘Asian Paints Where the Heart Is‘. The latest episode invites viewers into the warm and inspiring world of Manu Bhaker, an Olympic medal-winning shooter and Indian sports icon. A young icon who has brought immense pride to the nation, Manu offers a heartfelt glimpse into the values that shape her life and her home.

Asian Paints Where The Heart Is – Manu Bhaker

Rooted in humble beginnings in Goria Village, Haryana, Manu Bhaker’s story is one of grit and gratitude-shaped by cherished memories of growing up with her mother and brother while her father worked at sea in the merchant navy. Her home beautifully reflects this journey, combining modern minimalism with traditional warmth. “I have come a long way, and I’ve realized that it’s not just the athlete who wins a medal for the country, but the entire family that makes sacrifices to make it possible. This house is my way of honoring their love and support,” Manu shares with heartfelt emotion.

Asian Paints Where The Heart Is – Manu Bhakers home

Transformed with the expertise of Asian Paints Beautiful Homes Service, Manu’s home radiates warmth and love. Designed as a tribute to her parents, the makeover seamlessly blends minimalism with personal touches, creating a truly special space. “When I think of home, it means comfort, belonging, and most importantly, my mom,” she adds with a smile.

The living room, a cozy yet elegant space, features the Gokul Pichwai wallpaper from the Asian Paints Sabyasachi for Nilaya range. The striking wallpaper adorns motifs of cows and trees, paying homage to her rural roots and her mother’s fondness for these symbols. Muted ivory tones complement the centrepiece, creating a calm and sophisticated vibe. “Mom absolutely loved this wallpaper. It’s the only bold element here, while everything else is subtle,” says Manu.

A corner of the home proudly displays Manu’s sporting achievements, including a selection from her vast collection of medals. “”These medals represent just 10% of what I’ve achieved, but they hold immense sentimental value,” she remarks. Thoughtfully, she has left room for more medals, symbolizing her ongoing journey as an athlete.

Manu’s bedroom is a sanctuary of pastel hues that reflect her personality and preferences. “I wanted the vibe of my room to flow seamlessly from the wallpaper, with colours that are soothing and close to my heart,” she says. Accented with green tones and a hand-painted doodle wall, the space mirrors her calm and focused approach to life. The doodle reflects her creative side serving as a unique focal point in the room. Manu shared, “This doodle wall makes the space feel truly mine. It’s playful, lively, and every time I look at it, it reminds me of the joy and creativity that I wanted in my home.”

For Manu, her home embodies strength and love, values she attributes to the women in her life. A striking line she holds dear says it all: “Strong women raise strong girls.” Her journey, much like her home, is a story of determination, resilience, and family.

Manu’s home is more than a space-it’s a sanctuary that reflects her personality, values, and journey. Designed with her family’s involvement, it embodies strength, creativity, and love. From the soothing pastels of her bedroom to the sophisticated living room design, every detail tells a story of shared memories and resilience. Her home stands as a heartfelt haven, inspiring others to infuse their spaces with personal touches and meaning.

For those inspired by Manu’s creative space, Asian Paints Where the Heart Is provides a style guide on bit.ly/ManuBhakerHomeStyleGuide, helping viewers recreate similar looks in their own homes.

Asian Paints Where The Heart Is S8 E6 | Featuring Manu Bhaker’s Minimalist Style Home

Delve into the world of Manu Bhaker’s beautifully curated space, watch the full episode here: www.youtube.com/watchv=hDtSLvsfi7o&t=257s

About ‘Asian Paints Where The Heart Is’ Season 08

Asian Paints is back with the new season of its beloved original home dcor digital series,Asian Paints Where the Heart Is. Season 8 brings a wealth of home dcor inspiration to audiences through captivating personal stories shared by admired celebrities. In this season, prominent personalities like Ananya Panday, Arshad Warsi and Maria Goretti, Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani, Taapsee Pannu, Manu Bhaker, and Joseph Radhik and Devika Narainhave warmly opened their homes, offering viewers the opportunity to discover their design ideas and gather dcor inspiration that have shaped their living spaces. The episodes also delve into the significance of relationships and what ‘home’ means to them. To further enhance the viewer experience and provide them with a seamless way to recreate the celebrity-inspired look in their own homes, Season 8 introduces convenient style guides in each episode. This engaging segment directs viewers to BeautifulHomes.com, Asian Paints comprehensive decor services platform, offering a wide range of home and dcor items. Experience the new season on Asian Paints’ digital platforms or stream it on Jio Cinema.

Catch the latest season on Asian Paints’ digital platforms and stream it on Jio Cinema, one of India’s leading OTT platforms.

About Asian Paints Limited

Since its foundation in 1942, Asian Paints has come a long way to become India’s leading and Asia’s second largest paint company, with a consolidated turnover of Rs. 34,489 crores (Rs. 345 billion). It continues to uplift spaces, transcend the boundaries of colour & design, creating a positive impact in the lives of customers. The organization operates in 15 countries and has 27 paint manufacturing facilities in the world, servicing consumers in over 60 countries. Asian Paints has always been a leader in the paint industry, innovating and introducing new concepts in India like Colour Ideas, Beautiful Homes Painting Service, Colour Next and Asian Paints Beautiful Homes Stores. Asian Paints manufactures a wide range of paints & coatings for Decorative and Industrial use and also offer specialized painting and interior design services. The decorative business portfolio also includes SmartCare range for waterproofing, WoodTech products for wood finishes and Adhesives range for all surfaces. Asian Paints also offers a wide range of Home Dcor products and is the leading player in the Integrated Dcor space in India offering Modular Kitchens and wardrobes, Bath Fittings and Sanitaryware, Decorative Lightings, uPVC windows and doors, Wall coverings, Furnitures, Furnishings, Rugs, etc.

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. (CGCEL), one of India’s leading consumer electrical companies, has been recently honoured with the esteemed National Safety Award 2024 at the 12th Global Safety Summit organized by the Fire and Safety Forum (HQ- World Safety Forum London, United Kingdom) and United Nations Global Compact Network India. The company was recognized under the category of Large Enterprises – Electrical Consumer Durables Sector for its outstanding performance in the field of safety of its fan division at its Bethora, Goa Plant.

From L-R: Vivek Naik, Sr. Manager, EHS, Fans Division, and Nikunj Mevada, Assistant Vice President, Plant, Fan – Bethora, Crompton, being felicitated at the National HSE Awards 2024

Honoured for a second consecutive year, the award highlights Crompton’s strong focus on safety, as well as its commitment to maintaining high standards across its operations. This recognition further reflects the company’s efforts to implement effective safety practices and ensure a safe working environment for its employees.

The award was presented to Crompton by Mr. Nihal Anwar Siddiqui, Professor and Director of COE, Occupational Health, Safety, Fire & Environment, GD Goenka University.

The Global Safety Summit (GSS) is the flagship annual conference and award ceremony, organised by Fire and Safety Forum, a duly registered NGO in India, founded in 2009 which is India’s First International Certification & Assessment Body, developing the certification guidelines as per American National Standard Institute, United State of America. The GSS awards are the most prestigious recognitions, showcasing the achievements of industries in environment, health, safety and CSR. This significant event unites global experts and professionals, fostering discussions on the latest trends and best practices in safety, sustainability, and ESG. Distinguished personalities in the ESG field graced the occasion alongside top companies across various sectors from India. The summit culminated with the presentation of the award winners, including the Safety Award, ESG & CSR Awards, acknowledging exceptional contributions in safety and sustainability.

Speaking on the occasion, Manoj Kumar, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. said, “Winning the National Safety Award for the second consecutive year is a significant achievement for us. It reflects the collective commitment of our teams and business partners, and manufacturing facilities-towards maintaining the highest safety standards. This accomplishment demonstrates that safety is not just a matter of compliance, but a core principle deeply embedded in our company culture. By prioritizing safety, we not only protect the health & safety of everyone involved in our operations but also drive sustainable growth and operational excellence.”

The companys dedication to safety goes beyond simple compliance, as demonstrated by the Bethora, Goa plant, which is Cromptons hub of technological innovation. The 2024 National Safety Award highlights Cromptons steady efforts to promote a culture of accountability and security. Crompton assures worker safety while continuously providing its consumers with high-quality products by enabling staff to put their health first and putting in place a number of important EHS measures like:

• Proactive safety culture: Culture developed with the support of the CGCEL safety management system which covers aspects like leadership & accountability, risk assessment, design, operational control, incident reporting, investigation & learning.

• Enhancing workplace safety: Workplace safety enhanced by engagement at all levels through relevant subcommittees.

• 100% compliance: Ensuring 100% compliance with applicable rules & regulations.

• Continual improvement: Achieved through self- assessments of facilities like IS 14489, electrical safety, fire safety, machine level & ranking to identify gaps and taking actions to ensure continual improvement in safety.

• Empowering through training: Learning & sharing done across levels related to EHS empowering employees with the knowledge and skills required for a safer workplace.

• Cultivating safety awareness: Recognizing and rewarding employee participation in safety campaigns, fostering a culture of safety awareness and responsibility

About Crompton
With a brand legacy of over 85 years, Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. is India’s market leader in the category of fans and residential pumps. Over the years, the organization has continuously strived to produce a range of innovative products that cater to the modern consumer including superior quality and high-performance fans, pumps, lighting solutions and a range of other categories like water heaters; air coolers; small kitchen appliances like mixer grinders, air fryers, OTG, electric kettles etc.; other home appliances like irons & built-in kitchen appliances. The company has further invested in brand and innovation to not only better understand and meet consumer needs, but to also help drive energy efficiency. The consumer business also has a well-established and organized distribution network driven by a strong dealer base across the country offering a wide service network and robust after sales service to its customers.

The companys consistent dedication to developing energy-efficient products has led to significant recognition. It has been honoured with three prestigious National Energy Consumer Awards (NECA) by BEE, Ministry of Power. The recent award was presented by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu for the companys storage water heater in 2023. In 2019, the brand won in two categories: Ceiling Fans and LED Bulbs. Additionally, it was recognized as one of Indias Best Managed Companies 2022 by Deloitte Private and listed among ‘India’s Top 500 companies 2022‘ by Dun & Bradstreet India. The company has also been featured in Brand Top 75 most valuable Indian brands list for 2020 released by WPP and Kantar. Furthermore, Crompton was also recognized as the Brand of the Decade 2021 by Herald Global and BARC Asia in the Consumer Electrical category.

The Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) Gandhinagar will organise the Tri-City Property Fest, showcasing the finest real estate opportunities across the booming tri-city region of Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and GIFT City, on January 10, 11 and 12.

CREDAI Gandhinagar to organise Tri-City Property Fest from January 10 to 12

The event will feature over 120+ projects by 65 top developers under one roof, offering unparalleled choices for prospective homebuyers and investors. The fest also offers several exciting attractions, including on-the-spot home loan approvals, instant offers with discounts of up to Rs. 1 lakh, and an hourly prize draw. Moreover, visitors can participate in the mega lucky draw and explore a dedicated stall for unsold inventory, making it a golden opportunity for buyers.

Pravin Patel, Chairman of CREDAI Gandhinagar, said, “The tri-city region encompassing Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and GIFT City is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country due to limitless business opportunities and the influx of migrants. The Tri-City Property Fest is the perfect destination to showcase and witness the regions best and most promising real estate offerings. Developers can connect with a large number of buyers, who in turn, can explore a variety of real estate projects suited to their budget and requirement.”

Spread over 8,650 sq. mt space, the Tri-City Property Fest is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors, reflecting the growing interest in the region, a rapidly emerging hotspot for real estate, driven by robust infrastructure, a thriving business ecosystem and fast-track connectivity. The venue boasts parking space for more than 1,000 cars and close to 450 two-wheelers.

Gandhinagar, the administrative hub, boasts a growth trajectory fuelled by projects like the 80-metre Ring Road, the new Knowledge Corridor, Sabarmati Riverfront Phase 2, and inflow of investments in various emerging sectors like semiconductors, AI, Biotechnology, and more. The improved connectivity between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad due to the Metro Rail project is also expected to boot the real estate market in the state capital.

GIFT City, home to India’s only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), has emerged as an investment magnet unlike any other, attracting some of the biggest global corporations and financial institutions. Ahmedabad, with its cosmopolitan culture and growing urban infrastructure like Metro Rail and BRTS, and the largest real estate market in Gujarat, perfectly complements Gandhinagar and GIFT City.

“The Property Fest will highlight the tri-city region’s transformation into India’s fastest-growing real estate market. With enhanced connectivity, world-class infrastructure and a booming economy, the region is the ideal location for home buyers and prospective investors. This is the right time to invest in the property market of the region and benefit from its immense growth,” said Jashu Patel, President of CREDAI Gandhinagar.

The Tri-City Property Fest will showcase a range of properties across the residential and commercial segment, catering to different budgets. Seven banks are also taking part in the property fest, ensuring on-the-spot approvals for interested buyers. Five companies from allied sectors are also participating. The fest will take place near PDEU Metro Circle in Gandhinagar from January 10 to 12.

Timezone, the global leader in family entertainment, has expanded its footprint in India with its latest venue in Agartala. Located at the Polo Mall, this state-of-the-art entertainment destination is set to become a vibrant space for families and friends, offering unforgettable experiences that create lasting memories.

Timezone expanded its footprint in India with its latest venue in Agartala

Spanning over 9,000+ square feet, the new venue invites guests to immerse themselves in a world of excitement with more than 70+ world-class games and attractions, thrilling VR rides, and dynamic bowling experiences. A highlight of the venue is its bustling prize shop, filled with unique merchandise waiting to be won, adding an extra layer of fun to every visit.

What truly sets Timezone Agartala apart is its exceptional party offerings. The venue features two vibrant party rooms that provide the perfect backdrop for special occasions, whether it’s a child’s birthday, a corporate event, or any milestone celebration. These lively spaces are designed to create unforgettable moments, ensuring that every event is memorable. Enthusiastic and energetic party hosts are dedicated to providing a seamless and hassle-free experience from start to finish. Every aspect of the party is crafted with care, allowing guests to focus on celebrating and creating cherished memories with their loved ones.

Timezone aims to create safe, fun, and memorable spaces where families can bond and friends can come together. The contemporary design and vibrant atmosphere of Timezone Agartala make it the perfect place for celebrations, casual hangouts, or a day of joy and laughter.  

Mr Abbas Jabalpurwala, CEO of TEEG, expressed his excitement about the launch, “We are thrilled to bring Timezone to Agartala, a city in the Northeastern part of India known for its rich culture and vibrant community. Our goal is to provide the people of Agartala with a world-class entertainment experience and a place to create cherished memories with their loved ones.”  

Timezone Agartala promises an array of experiences for guests of all ages. Guests are invited to visit today and discover the best entertainment experience.

About Timezone

Timezone was founded in 1978 in Perth, Australia, and is the leading chain of Family Entertainment Centres in the Asia-Pacific region, offering state-of-the-art interactive games, rides, and attractions. Timezone provides a social experience filled with non-stop fun for all ages. Our best-in-class venue design and well-trained Fun Squad ensure a safe, friendly, and fun environment for all our guests. Timezone internationally operates over 320 locations across 7 countries, with 66 venues in India. Join us for an exciting, unforgettable experience at any of our locations, or visit www.timezonegames.com to learn more.  

This has been a great year for Netrack, hosting and attending events that further enhanced Netrack’s glory in the global market. Netrack, a leading provider of data center rack solutions and network infrastructure solutions, proudly hosted a Pan-India System Integrator event from 4th to 7th December 2024, at the scenic city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event was meticulously planned to add value to each participant. It brought together 50 esteemed participants from across India, including top system integrators and key industry stakeholders.

Netrack Successfully Hosted Pan-India System Integrator Event in Almaty, Kazakhstan

A highlight of the Pan-India System Integrator event can give a glimpse of the detailed, engaging, and insightful presentation delivered by Mr. U.N. Krishna Raj. Krishna Raj doesn’t need any introduction being an active and distinctive part of the Netrack family. He represented Netrack in the event and brilliantly showcased the company’s latest cutting-edge solutions for data centers and network infrastructures. Through his well-planned presentation he elaborated on Netrack’s innovative product designs and emphasized on the sustainability model Netrack believes in.

Further, with an engaging discussion he mentioned how Netrack’s advanced solutions are helping businesses across sectors to optimize their operations and enhance efficiency. This encouraged the participants in the event to engage in discussions related to the evolving needs of the system integration industry. To this Krishna Raj addressed the crowd with Netracks solutions and explained how these innovative solutions are aligned with the emerging demands.

Such an in-depth discussions offered an excellent platform to exchange knowledge and ideas on how system integrators can leverage Netracks expertise to provide their clients with robust and future-proof solutions.

The event ended with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Mr. Raviraj. He expressed his sincere gratitude to all participants and contributors for their active involvement and commitment in the event and mentioned that such engagement made the event a grand success where the industry experts could connect with each other over a common platform. In fact, this collective effort of all the participants created a broader scope for knowledge exchange that further shaped the chance for future collaborations.

The Pan-India SI Event in Almaty enhanced Netrack’s visibility as a global leader for data center rack solutions and network infrastructure solutions, empowering partners with a commitment to excellence.

• Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune bag the top five positions.

• South India emerges as the most gender-inclusive region, with 16 South Indian cities featuring in the Top 25

Avtar group, India’s pioneer in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) solutions and India’s leading workplace culture consulting firm, announced the third edition of ‘Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI)‘ index today. Karnatakas State Capital Bengaluru, reigns supreme by topping the ranking for being the most inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities for working women. Bengaluru has scored high in skilling and employment for women, infrastructure and caregiving support.

‘Top Cities for Women in India 2024’ Survey conducted by the Avtar Group

Speaking at the press conference, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President, Avtar group said, “Cities are the foundations of opportunity. They shape how women live, work, and thrive. So, a clear understanding of the core principles and cultural fabric of our cities is crucial for advancing women’s progress and inclusion. Avtar’s annual index ‘Top Cities for Women in India” does precisely that, using a data-centric and evidence-based approach. And, to realize our dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, we need the Indian Women Professionals to succeed on par with men. This is possible only if cities are truly gender-inclusive and offer an atmosphere where women’s strengths can be optimized. This means not just providing safe streets, accessible healthcare & education and affordable living to women, which are largely reparatory measures, but also competitive avenues for women’s economic success and opportunities for them to thrive as business leaders. Let’s invest in women-led projects and optimize women’s lives and careers.“

About TCWI index
Top Cities for Women in India (TCWI) index identifies role model cities and best practices, and provides a framework for organizations, policymakers and individuals to foster well-rounded development in our cities, which is a pivotal driver of women’s progress nationwide. The index has been compiled by assimilating various data sources including the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE), the World Bank, crime records and Periodic Labour Force Survey, along with Avtar’s primary research. Avtar’s research included FGDs and a nation-wide survey that was conducted from February 2024 to November 2024 in which 1672 women from 60 cities participated.

The Top 10 Cities for Women in 2024 include: Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Gurugram, Coimbatore.

Criteria for selecting the top 10 cities for Indian women in 2024
120 cities across India were considered for the study, based on their economic contribution to the country. The cities were ranked based on an overall ‘City Inclusion Score’ assigned to every city, inferred from Avtar’s research and existing governmental data. The City Inclusion Score (CIS) is derived from three pillars – Social Inclusion Score (SIS), Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS) and Citizen Experience Score (CES).

• The Social Inclusion Score is a cumulative score of four indicators that include city livability, safety, women’s representation in employment and women’s empowerment.

• The Industrial Inclusion Score evaluates the extent to which organizations in the city across industries are inclusive of women.

• The Citizen Experience Score captures women’s assessment of their cities and is calculated from the responses collated from women across India through FGDs and surveys. It covers six pillars: Skilling and employment, caregiving support, transport and accommodation infrastructure, quality of life, efficiency of government bodies, and safety.

While the first two editions of the TCWI index featured two lists of cities – ‘Million-plus’ cities and ‘Less than a million’ cities, this year’s report has a single unified ranking because of several factors such as outdated population data, rapid urbanization and migration, and to simplify the execution process for stakeholders.

The findings
Regional analysis:
The South emerges as the most inclusive region, scoring comparatively higher in both social and industrial inclusion. The average city inclusion score of the South is 18.56. The South is closely followed by the West (16.92). The Central and Eastern regions lag, with averages of 11.79 and 10.55, respectively. This is a result of limited industrial development and opportunities.

The North is at 14.00 – It is worth noting that while the industrial inclusion scores of Northern cities like Delhi and Gurugram are high, there is scope for improvement in their social inclusion scores.

State-wise analysis:
Kerala leads with the highest average City Inclusion Score of 20.89, followed by Telangana at 20.57, Maharashtra at 19.93, Tamil Nadu at 19.38 and Karnataka at 17.50.

Women’s ratings of cities:
Skilling and employment: Gurugram is rated the highest (7.68 – out of 10) by women. Among the bigger cities, Mumbai (7.60) and Bengaluru (7.54) score highest in skilling and employment, while Chennai (7.09), Hyderabad (6.95) and Thiruvananthapuram (5.51) lag slightly behind.

Infrastructure: Hyderabad (8.01) secures the highest score for infrastructure (a well-connected public transport system and other travel amenities). Hyderabad is closely followed by Mumbai (7.64) and Bengaluru (7.52). Among the smaller cities, Coimbatore (7.75) and Kochi (7.41) score high in infrastructure.

Efficiency of government bodies: Thiruvananthapuram (8.15) and Pune (7.06) top governance efficiency. Gurugram at 6.48 has room for improvement.

Quality of life: Coimbatore (7.54), Pune (7.50) and Chennai (7.05) report the best quality of life. Gurugram scores relatively low (6.34), which may be attributed to environmental challenges.

Safety: Thiruvananthapuram (7.43), Mumbai (7.19) and Hyderabad (6.95) lead in safety, while women rate Bengaluru (6.17), Kochi (6.02) and Gurugram (5.60) comparatively low in safety.

For more details, refer to the Top Cities for Women in India 2024 report – www.avtarinc.com/extend/twci

About Avtar
Avtar, founded in 2000 by Dr Saundarya Rajesh, is one of India’s leading workplace culture consulting firms, supporting hundreds of companies in creating diverse and supportive workplaces. Avtar is credited with introducing the concepts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to Indian corporates, and is also the country’s largest provider of second career opportunities for women.

An ISO 20700 certified firm, Avtar’s biggest research project is its annual benchmarking study – the 100 Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) and the Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI). Done in partnership with Seramount, BCWI and MICI are India’s largest DEI benchmarking studies, which have paved the way for the employment of more women and other under-represented groups. Avtar also promotes diversity hiring through MyAvtar, India’s first diversity job portal.

To know more, visit www.avtarinc.com | www.myavtar.com

A snapshot of Avtar’s work in the last 24 years

• Provided advisory services in inclusive practices to 500+ organizations

• Conducted 20,000+ training programs in companies of different sizes, spanning industries and locations

• Coached more than 25,000 managers in DEI

• Facilitated the re-entry of 1,00,000 second-career women into the workforce through MyAvtar.com

• Provided Intentional Career Pathing training to 200,000+ women, preventing them from leaving the workforce

• Offered unique skilling programs such as DigiPivot (a prestigious course in digital marketing, conducted in partnership with Google, HUL, and ISB) to hundreds of women.

• Provided career intentionality training, employment guidance, and access to industry leaders every year to 10,000+ girls from underprivileged backgrounds through Project Puthri.

• For its transformational impact in the realm of DEI, Avtar Group was listed in the prestigious Steward Leadership 25 Listing by Strait Times & INSEAD at Singapore in 2022.

Parimatch, the #1 global gaming platform, is thrilled to announce its new exclusive partnership with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, a renowned South African T20 cricket team from Gqeberha. This strategic alliance marks a significant collaboration between two powerhouses in their respective fields, united by their shared passion for excellence, innovation, and fostering deeper connections with their passionate fan communities.

Parimatch Announces Exclusive Partnership with Sunrisers Eastern Cape as Title Sponsor

This sponsorship further strengthens Parimatch’s presence in the dynamic world of cricket by partnering with one of South Africa’s most celebrated teams.

The collaboration serves as a powerful testament to the trust Parimatch has earned from the world’s most exceptional athletes and teams. From Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine to the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons, and now the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, it reinforces Parimatchs reputation as a premier iGaming platform where champions place their faith.

When the best in the game trust Parimatch, fans know they’re part of something truly special. This includes exciting meet-and-greet sessions with their favorite players, exclusive interviews, and other initiatives designed to bring sports fans closer to the action and their cricketing heroes.

“We are delighted to welcome Parimatch as our Title Sponsor, marking an exciting new chapter for our team. This partnership reflects the growing popularity of cricket in South Africa and celebrates the incredible passion of our fans. With Parimatch’s commitment to innovation and excellence, we are confident this collaboration will strengthen the Sunrisers Eastern Cape brand and create exceptional experiences for our fans both on and off the field. Together, we look forward to delivering unforgettable moments and inspiring the next generation of cricket fans,” commended Mr. K. Shanmugam, CEO of Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

“Partnering with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape is a proud milestone for Parimatch as we continue to expand our support for cricket globally. The Sunrisers’ passion, resilience, and dedication align perfectly with our values, and we are excited to work together to deliver unique initiatives that bring sports fans closer to their favorites,” said the Parimatch Press Office.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape is a South African professional Twenty20 cricket franchise team that competes in the SA20 tournament. They made history by winning the inaugural SA20 title in 2023 and reaffirmed their dominance with a second championship in 2024.

With two SA20 trophies, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape has firmly established its place as a powerhouse on the international stage. Known for their passionate and loyal fanbase, the team enjoys unwavering support that brings vibrant energy both to the stands and across social media.

By collaborating with leading cricket teams like the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Parimatch continues to drive the growth of the sport and nurture a vibrant cricket culture across the South African region and over the globe.

About Parimatch

Parimatch is the #1 global gaming platform, that provides a complete suite of sports and casino online betting services to its customers. Since 1994, Parimatch has grown to be enjoyed by 3,000,000 active users worldwide. It is trusted by the worlds top athletes: Trinidadian cricket stars Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine are among their brand ambassadors. Parimatch is the Regional Sponsor of the Argentine Football Association, the Title Sponsor of the Antigua & Barbuda Falcons cricket team, a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise, and the Title Sponsor of the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, a South African professional Twenty20 cricket franchise team. Since 2019, Parimatch has been one of the leading betting brands in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

thePack.in, India’s first pet parenting community and educational startup, has successfully raised $125K in its angel funding round. The round was backed by seasoned entrepreneurs as well as passionate pet parents, including Rohit Kalsi, Rushil Kalsi, apart from a network of friends and family. This round of funding will enable thePack to grow its 10k+ pet parent community, expand its library of educational content & resources, and introduce its line of products, to help pet parents provide a happier and healthier life for their pets.

thePack.in team

Shobhit Mohanty, Founder of thePack, said, “India is home to a growing number of first-time dog parents. Without proper guidance, the journey to raise dogs can be quite overwhelming for first time parents. Limited access to expert advice, essential information and resources has led to India boasting the world’s highest pet abandonment rate. Were committed to bridging this gap. Our goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and support they need to raise happy, healthy dogs. With this funding, well expand our reach, strengthen our community and solidify our position as Indias most trusted educational platform for pet parents.”

As per industry reports, the pet population in India stands at approximately 35 million, growing at a CAGR of 15%. However, India also boasts the highest pet abandonment rate in the world with nearly 50% current and previous pet owners stating they have relinquished a pet, compared to 28 per cent globally. As per thePack team, most of these abandonments are due to preventable health and behaviour issues in dogs, which can be solved through a more informed and pro-active approach. By democratizing access to expert advice and pet care education, and by creating a supportive pet parents’ community, thePack seeks to make it easier for pet owners to raise dogs and reduce the pet abandonment rate in India.

Rohit Kalsi, Investor, added, “As passionate pet parents and entrepreneurs, we see immense potential in thePack to democratize access to quality dog care in the country. By making it easy for first-time pet parents to receive qualified expert guidance, we’re confident that thePack will not only simplify pet parenting but also fuel industry growth and bring a positive change to the ecosystem. We’re proud to be a part of this movement.”

thePack.in was started in Nov 2020 by a group of first-time pet parents who faced innumerable challenges in raising their dogs. Over 4 years, thePack has helped 20,000+ pet parents learn more about their dogs and adopt best practices. Their team of certified experts have hosted thousands of online and in-person events, consultations and other interactive educational sessions to solve the challenges that pet parents face in raising their dogs.

About thePack

thePack.in is a petcare startup that is dedicated to helping Indian pet owners live happier lives with their pets. We make it easy for pet parents to get expert help, access educational tools and resources, and learn more about their dogs with a like-minded and supportive pet parent community. Our goal is to solve the problems faced by pet parents all over India & reduce the pet abandonment rate.

Since starting up in Nov 2020, thePack.in has directly interacted with and helped over 20,000+ parents in their journey. The team is made up of India’s most qualified petcare experts, who boast a collective experience of 100+ years of working & have worked with 3000+ dogs.

Midea Group proudly announces the appointment of Mr. Siddharth Saxena as the Country Head for its India operations. Mr. Siddharth brings extensive leadership experience and a strategic vision to his role as Country Head, where he will focus on further strengthening Midea’s well-established position in the Indian market. He will drive the company’s strategic initiatives, expand its consumer base, and enhance brand presence across the country.

Siddhart Saxena, Country Head, Midea India

Central to his approach will be continuing to build on the company’s success by delivering innovative products and services that bring significant value to both channel partners and consumers. Additionally, Mr. Saxena will lead efforts to deepen consumer trust, optimize operational efficiencies, and foster robust partnerships across the value chain, strengthening Midea’s reputation as a trusted brand in the market.

Sharing his vision, Mr. Siddharth Saxena, Country Head, Midea India, remarked, “India stands as a cornerstone of Midea Group’s global growth strategy, with its dynamic economy, expanding consumer base, and rising demand for innovative solutions. The nation’s emphasis on digitization and smart technologies aligns seamlessly with our vision of creating intelligent and modern living spaces.“

“I am excited to leverage my experience to further strengthen Midea’s position in India and contribute to the company’s continued success by delivering exceptional value to both Indian consumers and our valued partners,“ Mr. Saxena added further.

Mr. Siddharth Saxena brings over 25 years of international experience in the home appliances industry, having worked extensively across the Middle East, Africa, and India. During his 14-year tenure with Midea Group, he has held several key roles. Prior to Joining India Operation he was the Regional Director for Middle East, where he led strategic initiatives to expand market presence and drive revenue growth.

Building on his extensive experience, Mr. Saxena brings a wealth of knowledge in navigating diverse markets, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven track record in driving market expansion and sales growth. His deep expertise positions him ideally to lead Midea’s India operations, ensuring the company’s continued success and growth in this key market.

About Midea India Private Limited
Midea India Private Limited is a 100% subsidiary of the Midea Group which produces a wide range of Smart Home Appliances – residential & commercial air conditioning, large & small kitchen appliances, laundry & refrigeration products, water & heating appliances as well as floor care.

About Midea & Midea Group
Midea is one of over 10 brands within the Smart Home Business of Midea Group.

Midea Group, established in 1968, is a leading global high-technology company ranked #277 on the 2024 Fortune Global 500 list, and one of the world’s largest home appliance manufacturing companies which businesses go beyond smart home appliances. In early 2021 the company streamlined its core units into five high-growth business pillars to pave the new future growth path: Smart Home, Electro-Mechanical, Building Technologies, Robotics & Automation and Digital Innovation.

All businesses of Midea Group are striving for one credo: #HumanizingTechnology