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A Puja Tale of 2 cities: The Times of India’s Maa Aaschen. Tumi kothaye? celebrates togetherness this Durga Puja, even if separated by miles

KOLKATA, India, Sept. 30, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — The Times of India under their campaign Phirey Esho Kolkata, has launched a special edition of ‘Maa Aashcen. Tumi kothaye?’ on Durga Puja, celebrating togetherness and connection between loved ones during the festival.

‘Maa Aaschen. Tumi kothaye?’ literally means Maa Durga is coming home, where are you? Each year, during this time of the year, loved ones travel back to Bengal to be together for the biggest celebration of the year – to celebrate the homecoming of Goddess Durga. The beauty and the spirit of the festival is best enjoyed when it can be shared with families and friends. But there are many across the globe and in other Indian cities, who are unable to make it to their home this festive season. Though they will be celebrating the festival with passion in whichever part of the world they are, floods of memories will crowd the mind.

‘Maa Aaschen. Tumi kothaye?‘, an initiative of The Times of India is a celebration of this feeling of belonging, of togetherness, and of reaching out to near and dear ones, who can’t be with their near and dear ones this year. Loved ones will urge those separated to continue with the celebrations wherever they are. The idea is to remind them that they are with them this festive period and that is the real essence of Durga Puja. 

The print campaign brings this alive by showcasing visuals of two friends connecting through a symbol of joining their hands forming a heart. The campaign video is a tale of two friends, who now live in two different cities – Mumbai and Kolkata. The film features actress Priyanka Sarkar and dancer, actress Sreenanda Shankar as friends who share their story of separation and how Puja unites them.

The film begins with both friends reminiscing a promise that they made years ago that they will never spend any Durga puja without each other. But unfortunately, they have not been able to fulfil their promise. The video portrays the unconditional friendship between two friends, who, though settled in different cities, share the deep emotional bond among themselves. As a ritual and marker of their presence, they have sent each other Puja gifts – sarees and silver jewelry. The two of them might be physically apart as one will celebrate Durga puja in Lokhandwala and another in north Kolkata but in spirit they will be together as they take part in Sandhi puja, Dhunuchi naach and other rituals and traditions, wearing each other’s gifts. The film beautifully reminds us that the autumn sky is the same everywhere and it never allows us to be separated. The festive spirit of Durga puja unites everybody’s hearts wherever they are, in spite of the distances. 

“While shooting for the film, I was constantly thinking of my best friend, who is now settled in Kerala. I have innumerable memories of Durga puja from childhood to teenage years with her so during the festive season, I miss her very much,” said Sarkar, adding that she liked the story of the film because it celebrates the unconditional bond between two friends and also portrays how both of them understands each other’s circumstances of not being able to make it to the Puja in spite of making promises. 

Shankar echoes the same thoughts but is excited to be back in Kolkata to spend the Durga puja with her family. “There have been occasions when I had tours during puja so I could very well relate to the emotions portrayed in the video. But thankfully, this year, I will be able to spend the puja days with my loved ones at home in the City of Joy,” added Shankar. 

The film is partly shot in Mumbai with Shankar with Bandra Worli Sea Link as the backdrop and partly in Kolkata’s Kumartuli and iconic bonedi bari ‘Badan Chandra Roy’ with Sarkar. The palatial house hosts the 186-year-old Durga puja, which started in 1858. In front of the arched ‘Thakur Dalan’ there is a beautiful quadrangle marked by pillars and lamps.

In an endeavor to connect with readers to celebrate with missed loved ones, TOI invited them to share the pictures on www.phireyeshokolkata.com. Hundreds of entries from Kolkatans and Bengalis across the cities have been received. Select quotes have been featured in the newspaper.

Gini Majumdar, from Kolkata writes “My fifth puja without my son, as he is out of Kolkata for five consecutive years, three years in Bangalore and last two years in Glasgow. Missing him, and hope he joins us next year”

TOI & Languages Brand Director Kaustuv Chatterjee says “TOI, India’s most trusted news brand, has always celebrated the incredibly rich socio-cultural fabric of our country. Durga Puja is one of the largest festivals in the nation, in which people from all sections and communities participate and come together, not just Bengalis, to seek Durga Ma’s blessings. ‘Maa Aaschen. Tumi kothaye? Phirey Esho Kolkata’ is created for Durga Puja to celebrate and reinforce this value of coming together, more so with those most precious to us. The campaign is about celebrating togetherness even if they are miles apart from family and friends because our festival teaches us to celebrate ‘life’.”

This year the video has been scripted by music director, singer, lyricist Anindya Chatterjee, the video talks of Puja and how everyone carry the festivals in their hearts wherever they go, much like their loved ones. 

Watch the video here: www.facebook.com/TOIKolkata/videos/2620376601446122

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SPJIMR holds Annual Convocation 2025 with HUL’s Nitin Paranjpe as Chief Guest

802 graduates embark on a journey to lead with integrity, passion, and a growth mindset

MUMBAI, India, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, one of India’s leading business schools, hosted its Annual Convocation 2025 at its Mumbai campus on Saturday, 17 May. The event celebrated the achievements of over 800 graduating participants from across the Institute’s full-time and modular postgraduate programmes, including two (2) Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) scholars.

The Convocation was graced by Mr. Nitin Paranjpe, Non-Executive Chairman of Hindustan Unilever, as Chief Guest. Also, present were Mr. Deepak Parekh, Chair of SPJIMR’s Governing Council; Dr. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR; faculty and staff; and family members of the graduating participants.

Delivering the Convocation Address, Mr. Nitin Paranjpe drew upon his decades of global business experience to urge the graduating cohort to lead with purpose, resilience, and a commitment to continuous growth. Speaking of India’s bold aspiration to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047, he highlighted the need for a new kind of leadership—one that is ethical, compassionate, and driven by the common good.

Mr. Paranjpe shared three powerful life lessons drawn from his personal and professional journey: “There’s no such thing as a good job or a bad one — it’s the mindset you bring that shapes your experience. The real joy, and the foundation for excellence, lies in loving what you do. Don’t chase being the best in the world — strive to be the best version of yourself. Continuous self-improvement is your right, your responsibility, and your greatest opportunity. Purpose is that inner force that fuels your energy and passion. When you find what truly drives you, hold on to it — it’s the most precious gift you’ll ever have.”

In his address, Dean Dr. Varun Nagaraj shared a candid reflection on the challenges graduates face in an uncertain world—geopolitical tensions and the dual promise and peril of AI. He urged them to enter this complex landscape with confidence, guided by SPJIMR’s mission of value-based growth and wise innovation.

He reaffirmed SPJIMR’s commitment to nurturing leaders who combine knowledge with empathy and impact with purpose: “Tomorrow you will be a different and better person than today. Embrace a growth mindset—remember, you are a work in progress, not a finished product. The world offers no ready-made answers; solutions come only through hard work and wise innovation.”

Sixteen (16) top achievers across programmes were presented with Scholastic Medals by Chief Guest Mr. Nitin Paranjape, and 50 recipients from the Dean’s Honour List received their commendation certificates from the Dean. 

Diplomas were conferred across the Institute’s full-time and modular programmes, including the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM), PGDM (Business Management), Post Graduate Executive Management Programme (PGEMP), Post Graduate Programme in Development Management (PGPDM), Post Graduate Programme in General Management (PGPGM), and Post Graduate Programme in Marketing & Business Management (PGPMBM).

The Convocation ceremony concluded with the traditional hat throw, celebrating the graduates’ journey and the beginning of their next chapter as responsible, value-based leaders.

About SPJIMR

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) is a leading postgraduate management institute, recognised by the Financial Times MiM Global Rankings as India’s #1 business school, by Business Today as one of the country’s top five business schools, and by the Positive Impact Rating as one of the top five business schools worldwide for societal impact. Known for its innovative and socially conscious approach to management education, research, and community engagement, SPJIMR aims to influence managerial practice and promote the value-based growth of its students, alumni, organisations and their leaders, and society. SPJIMR holds the international ‘triple crown’ of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.

Visit SPJIMR.org for more information.

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12BET Brings the Aviator Craze to Players with Spribe’s Trending Games

MUMBAI, India, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 12BET, a trusted name in global iGaming since 2007, is excited to announce the addition of Spribe’s hit Crash games to its growing lineup. This new partnership introduces one of today’s fastest-growing and most engaging game formats to 12BET players, blending simple mechanics with high-stakes decision-making for a pulse-pounding experience.

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Crash Games: A New Player Favorite Now on 12BET

Spribe is widely known for pushing boundaries in casual, skill-based gaming. Its flagship title, Aviator, has quickly become one of the most buzzed-about Crash games worldwide. The format gives players full control as they decide when to cash out while multipliers climb—creating a unique mix of strategy, timing, and excitement.

By launching Spribe’s game suite, 12BET continues to expand its offerings to match the evolving interests of modern players. To mark the launch, the platform is rolling out an exclusive Daily Mission Challenge where everyone can win Rupees 488 everyday. However, one needs to have an account and be registered user to avail this exclusive offer.

Licensing Matters: Keeping the Fun Safe and Secure

With Crash-style games surging in popularity, a number of unofficial sites have begun to appear, offering deals that seem too good to be true. Even manipulating the outcomes of the crash games. 12BET encourages players to stay cautious and choose licensed platforms for the best experience.

As a fully regulated operator, 12BET works only with certified providers like Spribe. All games on the platform are thoroughly tested and certified by the regulatory body before they are integrated. Choosing a licensed platform means players can enjoy the action with peace of mind, knowing their data and winnings are protected.

A Trusted Platform for Next-Gen Gaming

Backed by nearly two decades of industry experience, 12BET remains focused on delivering innovative, secure, and player-first entertainment. The addition of Spribe’s Crash games is just the latest move in the brand’s mission to bring cutting-edge content to players worldwide in a safe and reliable environment.

About 12BET:

12BET, founded in 2007, is a pioneering igaming company with over a decade of experience delivering multilingual services across Europe and Asia. Recognized globally and ranked 17th by eGaming Review Magazine’s Annual Power 50, 12BET has become a major force in Asia’s igaming market. Built on the core values of sincerity, fairness, and kindness, 12BET provides a secure, reliable, and exceptional entertainment experience for users around the world.

Website: 12BET.com

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Herbalife India Releases Second Episode of Podcast Series – Live Your Best Life, Unscripted

‘Nutrition Simplified: Protein, Supplements, and Smarter Choices’ with Dr. Parag Singhal and Dr. Ratnesh Lal

BENGALURU, India, May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Following the impactful debut episode, Herbalife India, a premier health and wellness company, community, and platform, has released the second episode of its engaging podcast series — Live Your Best Life, Unscripted.

Titled ‘Nutrition Simplified: Protein, Supplements, and Smarter Choices,’ this episode brings together two distinguished voices from the health and wellness space:

  • Dr. Parag Singhal, a UK-based consultant physician and endocrinologist specializing in diabetes, obesity, and hormone-related disorders, and
  • Dr. Ratnesh Lal, a medical expert with Herbalife India and a leading advocate for science-backed supplementation.

In a conversation led by Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India, the episode explores foundational topics such as macronutrients, micronutrients, protein intake, and the science behind supplements. It aims to demystify nutrition, offer practical guidance, and help individuals make smarter, more personalized dietary choices.

Commenting on the episode, Mr. Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India said, “Live Your Best Life, Unscripted is our way of cutting through the noise and bringing clarity to the wellness conversation. This episode helps listeners decode their nutritional needs and highlights how simple, informed changes can drive lasting impact.”

From understanding protein requirements by age and lifestyle, to identifying safe and effective supplementation strategies, the episode offers tangible insights and a strong call for moderation, balance, and awareness.

Watch & Listen Now:

YouTube: https://shorturl.at/PlRF8

Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/Ni76S

Spotify: https://shorturl.at/7xeeP

Amazon Music: https://shorturl.at/P5ulX

The journey continues — ‘Live Your Best Life, Unscripted‘ will keep spotlighting voices that inspire smarter choices, healthier living, and empowered communities.

Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) is a premier health and wellness company, community and platform that has been changing people’s lives with great nutrition products and a business opportunity for its independent distributors since 1980. The Company offers science-backed food products to consumers in more than 90 markets through entrepreneurial distributors who provide one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle to live their best life.

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