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HarperCollins India is proud to have acquired the literary debut of the year, Vauhini Vara’s The Immortal King Rao

NEW DELHI, Feb. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — HarperCollins India is thrilled to announce the acquisition of award-winning writer-journalist Vauhini Vara’s keenly anticipated debut novel about family, modernity and techno-capitalism – The Immortal King Rao – set to release in India and the US on 3rd May 2022. To be published under the prestigious Fourth Estate imprint, this novel blurs the boundaries between literary and speculative fiction and is an expansive saga set across times and continents – from the coconut plantations of South India in the 1950s to the globalised arena of America in the near future – marrying Dalit history, the digital age and dystopia.

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The book is already creating a lot of buzz and is-

One Of Vulture‘s Books We Can’t Wait to Read in 2022

One Of The Millions Most Anticipated Books of 2022

One Of The Guardian‘s Fiction to Look Out For in 2022

One Of Lithub‘s Most Anticipated Books of 2022

An Indian Express Book to Look Out For in 2022

One Of India Today‘s Books You Will Need to Clear Shelf-Space For in 2022

A Times of India Most Anticipated Book of 2022

One of Vogue India‘s Debuts of the Season

About the Book –

In an Indian village in the 1950s, a precocious child is born into a family of Dalit coconut farmers. King Rao will grow up to be the most accomplished tech CEO in the world and, eventually, the leader of a global, corporate-led government. 

In a future in which the world is run by the Board of Corporations, King’s daughter, Athena, reckons with his legacy – literally, for he has given her access to his memories, among other questionable gifts. With climate change raging, Athena has come to believe that saving the planet and its Shareholders will require a radical act of communion – and so she sets out to tell the truth to the world’s Shareholders, in entrancing sensory detail, about King’s childhood on a South Indian coconut plantation; his migration to the U.S. to study engineering in a world transformed by globalization; his marriage to the ambitious artist with whom he changed the world; and, ultimately, his invention, under self-exile, of the most ambitious creation of his life – Athena herself.

The Immortal King Rao, written by a former Wall Street Journal technology reporter, is a resonant debut novel obliterating the boundaries between literary and speculative fiction, the historic and the dystopian, confronting how we arrived at the age of technological capitalism and where our actions might take us next.

Talking about the book, Vauhini Vara says, “In 2009, when I was studying creative writing in graduate school, I was on a train with my father, and he was teasing me about having not started a novel yet. I said, Give me an idea, then! And he said, Write about the coconut grove! He was referring to the coconut grove in Andhra Pradesh where he’d grown up – and that became the germ of the idea that became The Immortal King Rao. Publishing this novel in India has been a dream of mine, and learning that I would get to do so with Rahul Soni and the legendary Fourth Estate has been one of the greatest thrills and honors of this whole process.“

Rahul Soni, Executive Editor at HarperCollins India, says, “This is a novel that has been the talk of publishing circles internationally since the manuscript was first sent around, and I’m thrilled that Vauhini Vara ultimately decided that HarperCollins and Fourth Estate were the right home for The Immortal King Rao in India. It is rare to come across any novel – let alone a debut – that is as ambitious and as gripping, as daring and as accessible, as urgent and as topical as this. Through the story of the rise and fall of its eponymous protagonist, it traces the histories of immigration, capitalism and technology that have led to our current moment of economic and environmental crises, and hazards a guess as to what the future may hold – for the world, and for the human species. If you want to understand where we are and where we might be headed, read The Immortal King Rao.“

Udayan Mitra, Executive Publisher at HarperCollins India, says, “The Immortal King Rao is a stunning first novel that tells a story of our history, our present, and our (speculative) future. Vauhini Vara’s is a terrific new literary voice; internationally, this is one of the most eagerly anticipated novels of the year. We at HarperCollins India are very excited to be publishing The Immortal King Rao under the prestigious Fourth Estate imprint – I can confidently say that this is a must-read in the year that India turns seventy-five.”

Advance Praise for The Immortal King Rao –

“Vara comes out the gate with a masterwork: a book that is three great novels in one – the tale of a thriving and chaotic Dalit clan in the first decades of independent India; an immigrant success story in ’80s America; and a dystopian nightmare of the post-Trump future.” ― Karan Mahajan, author of The Association of Small Bombs

“A brilliant and beautifully written book about capitalism and the patriarchy, about Dalit India and digital America, about power and family and love.” – Alex Preston, The Observer

“An exacting writer of the digital age, journalist Vara makes her debut with a trippy novel that marries the family saga with a biotech satire … Vara has a gift for humanizing the invisible labor that happens behind our screens. Who, if anyone, can really separate themselves from the digital ties that bind us?” – Jessica Jacolbe, New York Magazine (Vulture)

“A sweeping, biting, elegant book for our time … that explores tech, race, class, politics, and power.” – Lydia Kiesling, The Millions

“Utterly, thrillingly brilliant. From the first unforgettable page to the last, The Immortal King Rao is a form-inventing, genre-exploding triumph. Vauhini Vara’s bravura debut has reshaped my brain and expanded my heart.” ― R.O. Kwon, author of The Incendiaries

About the Author –

Vauhini Vara has worked as a Wall Street Journal technology reporter and as the business editor for The New Yorker. Her fiction has been honored by the O. Henry Prize and the Rona Jaffe Foundation. From a Dalit background, she lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

About HarperCollins Publishers India –



HarperCollins Publishers India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers. HarperCollins India publishes some of the finest writers from the Indian Subcontinent and around the world, publishing approximately 200 new books every year, with a print and digital catalogue of more than 2,000 titles across 10 imprints. Its authors have won almost every major literary award including the Man Booker Prize, JCB Prize, DSC Prize, New India Foundation Award, Atta Galatta Prize, Shakti Bhatt Prize, Gourmand Cookbook Award, Publishing Next Award, Tata Literature Live Award, Gaja Capital Business Book Prize, BICW Award, Sushila Devi Award, Prabha Khaitan Woman’s Voice Award, Sahitya Akademi Award and the Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India has been awarded the Publisher of the Year Award four times: at Publishing Next in 2015, and at Tata Literature Live! in 2016, 2018 and 2021.  HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Egmont, Oneworld, Harvard University Press, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet.

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Vasant Masala and Anil Kapoor Rekindle Joy of Screen-Free Meals with ‘Khana Peena Mobile Bina’

AHMEDABAD, India, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a powerful blend of nostalgia, warmth, and purpose, Vasant Masala, one of India’s most trusted spice brands, has rolled out a heartfelt new initiative titled ‘Khana Peena Mobile Bina’. Headlined by their brand ambassador and Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor, the campaign tackles a modern dilemma—families glued to mobile screens even during meals—and offers a simple yet meaningful solution: bring back real conversations to the dining table. In an age where digital distractions dominate dining tables, Khana Peena Mobile Bina is Vasant Masala’s heartfelt effort to bring people back to the simple, soulful joy of eating together mindfully, minus the screens.

Speaking on the campaign, Mr. Chandrakant Bhandari, CMD of Vasant Masala, shared:

“At Vasant Masala, we believe that food is not just about taste—it’s about togetherness. Khana Peena Mobile Bina is a reflection of our values as a brand deeply rooted in Indian tradition. With this initiative, and with the support of a beloved icon like Anil Kapoor, we want to inspire families to rekindle real conversations over meals.”

With Khana Peena Mobile Bina, Vasant Masala reinforces its legacy—not just as a brand that enhances food, but as one that enriches the moments that matter. In a world increasingly divided by devices, the initiative serves as a timely reminder to preserve the traditions that bind us.

Watch the video: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ahJVzQ9tP/ 

About Vasant:

As a leading brand in the Indian spices market, Vasant remains dedicated to providing high-quality products while deepening its emotional connection with its consumers. The trusted brand has delighted millions of families for 55 years across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra—where it is already operational in Nashik, Jalgaon, and Buldhana, with plans to expand to Thane soon. With its diverse range of products such as Blended spices, Hing, Basic spices, Whole spices, and Powdered spices, Vasant has gained recognition on a global scale. Exported to five continents, Vasant is known for its unparalleled quality and widespread popularity. This trusted brand has consistently provided consumers with the finest spices, making it the top choice of housewives for the last five decades due to its unmatched flavour and health benefits.

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Harper Collins Publishers India Presents master storyteller Ashwin Sanghi’s latest adventure-thriller in the chart-topping Bharat Collection, The Ayodhya Alliance

Readers of smart adventure-thrillers and fans of the bestselling Bharat Collection need not wait any longer!

NEW DELHI, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — India’s master storyteller, Ashwin Sanghi, is back with a riveting new novel, the much-awaited eighth book in the Bharat Collection – The Ayodhya Alliance – set to release this June. Written in his signature style, blending mythology, history and intrigue into a compelling plot, this gripping read is perfect for fans of the genre and anyone looking for their next engrossing read. The Ayodhya Alliance is now available on preorder.

An ancient secret. A forgotten science. A battle for the future of humanity.

Talking about the new book, Ashwin Sanghi says, “What if the answers to today’s biggest questions were buried in the secrets of our past? The Ayodhya Alliance is a thriller that delves into legacy, legend, lineage and learning—told in my usual trademark blend of fact and fiction. It is my most ambitious project to date, and I hope that it will be relished by my readers.”

Poulomi Chatterjee, Executive Publisher – HarperCollins India, says, “I have long admired Ashwin for his special ability to connect dots that most of us will never notice – across civilizations and continents, races and religions, the past, present and future – in the most entertaining way possible. As far as adventure thrillers go, the novels in his Bharat Collection stand apart for the superlative imagination and craft he employs to make them riveting page-turners from the word go. The Ayodhya Alliance is undoubtedly the most accomplished and exciting book in the Collection yet. It brilliantly combines current political intrigue with an ancient mystery, and its unexpected twists and turns and frequent revelations will delight readers in the best possible ways. I’m especially glad to be publishing it alongside freshly rejacketed editions of the rest of the Bharat Collection for thriller fans everywhere.”

About The Ayodhya Alliance

An ancient secret. A forgotten science. A battle for the future of humanity.

Seven thousand years ago, as he lay dying on the battlefield of Lanka, Ravana whispered a secret to Lakshmana about a mysterious technology that held the key to Ayodhya’s prosperity and the world’s destiny.

For centuries, desperately sought by explorers, marauders and emperors alike, it has been kept hidden, safeguarded by warriors bound by an ancient oath.

Now, as tensions escalate along India’s volatile borders and a crucial defence project teeters on the brink of failure, Indian industrialist Aditya Pillai and South Korean technocrat Somi Kim are thrust into a mission that will upend everything they know.

The two realize they must act fast, but never once do they anticipate that they will stumble upon startling revelations about a miraculous force that once connected Ayodhya to Kailasa, the Pandyan Empire, Rome, Damascus, Thailand and Korea. As the forces of past and present collide, a question looms large: who will harness the power of the ultimate enigma, and at what cost?

The Ayodhya Alliance spans continents and centuries, seamlessly weaving together science, legend and history in a breathless race against time. In this sweeping, unputdownable story of intrigue, betrayal, survival and love, master storyteller Ashwin Sanghi casts his web wider than ever before, spinning once again a riveting, edge-of-the-seat thriller.

About the Author

Ashwin Sanghi is among India’s highest-selling English fiction authors. He has written several bestsellers in the Bharat Collection (The Rozabal Line, Chanakya’s Chant, The Krishna Key, The Sialkot Saga, Keepers of the Kalachakra, The Vault of Vishnu, The Magicians of Mazda) and two New York Times and The Sunday Times bestselling crime thrillers with James Patterson, Private India (sold in the U.S. as City on Fire) and Private Delhi (sold in the U.S. as Count to Ten). He has conceptualized the Kutta Kadam thriller series, with the first novel in the series, Razor Sharp, being a national bestseller. He mentors, collaborates and edits several non-fiction titles in the 13 Steps Series on Luck, Wealth, Marks, Health and Parenting. He also contributes to the opinion page of The Times of India. Ashwin has been included by Forbes India in their Celebrity 100 and by The New Indian Express in their Culture Power List. He is a winner of the Crossword Popular Choice Award 2012, Atta Galatta Popular Choice Award 2018, World Business Review Iconic Achievers’ Award 2018, the Lit-O-Fest Literature Legend Award 2018, the Kalinga Popular Choice Award 2021, the Deendayal Upadhyaya Recognition 2023, and an Honorary Doctorate from JECRC University, Rajasthan. He was educated at Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai, and St Xavier’s College, Mumbai. He holds an MBA from Yale University. Ashwin lives in Mumbai with his wife, Anushika, and son, Raghuvir.

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INFIDIGIT, INDIA’S LEADING SEO COMPANY, CONTINUES TO INNOVATE WITH CLIENT-CENTRIC DEVELOPMENTS THROUGH INFIGROWTH

MUMBAI, India, June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Infigrowth, the digital growth platform developed by Infidigit, India’s leading SEO agency, has introduced its SEO Audit Module — a comprehensive, AI-powered solution designed to help brands precisely identify and resolve SEO issues impacting online visibility and performance.

The SEO Audit Module offers a comprehensive site health checkup that helps brands gain clear insights into their website’s performance. By analysing critical SEO factors through advanced AI-driven technology, it highlights key areas for improvement and provides actionable recommendations. This empowers businesses to enhance their search rankings and maintain a strong digital presence.

The key features of our Automated SEO Audit Module include:

  • 200+ Pointers Checked — Covers speed, mobile-friendliness, content, backlinks, and user experience.
  • Weekly and Monthly Reports — Track SEO progress regularly.
  • Clear Fix Recommendations — Step-by-step guidance for quick fixes.
  • Issue Prioritisation — Focus on the most critical problems first.
  • Page-Level Insights — Analyse and optimise individual pages.
  • Team Collaboration — Share audits and work together in real-time.

Kaushal Thakkar, CEO, Infidigit, said, “With over a decade of experience in SEO and digital marketing, Infidigit has a deep understanding of the challenges brands face in today’s digital ecosystem. Infigrowth was created to address these challenges by offering a platform that combines AI-driven diagnostics with practical recommendations. Our SEO Audit Module enables brands to make data-driven decisions that lead to measurable growth, improved user experience, and a stronger online presence. It helps businesses stay agile and competitive in a constantly evolving landscape.”

Leveraging Infidigit’s deep industry expertise and Infigrowth’s AI capabilities, the SEO Audit Module delivers precise insights and actionable steps that enable brands to optimise their digital strategies, adapt swiftly to market shifts, and drive sustainable growth.

Beyond the SEO Audit Module, Infigrowth provides a full suite of AI-powered features — including AI Overview tracking, SearchSense, RankTracker, and SERP Comparison. They are complemented by AI-driven keyword suggestions, seasonal trend tracking, competitor benchmarking, comprehensive SERP insights, and instant ranking alerts. Together, these features provide brands with a comprehensive and proactive SEO management experience.

Looking ahead, Infidigit remains committed to continuous innovation and plans to introduce more advanced features on Infigrowth tailored to the evolving needs of digital marketers and businesses aiming to maintain a competitive edge.

About Infigrowth

Infigrowth is a cutting-edge digital growth platform developed by Infidigit, one of India’s premier Digital Marketing agencies. Specialising in AI-powered SEO and data-driven marketing solutions, Infigrowth helps brands optimise their online presence, improve search rankings, and achieve measurable business growth. With a focus on innovation, actionable insights, and comprehensive digital tools, Infigrowth empowers businesses across industries to stay competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

About Infidigit

Founded in 2017, Infidigit is an AI-enabled digital growth partner that empowers top brands to achieve impactful results across SEO, Content, PPC, ASO, CRO, Website Development, and data-driven marketing strategies. As a pioneer in AI innovation within marketing, Infidigit has developed Infigrowth — a SaaS platform designed to simplify SEO for businesses of all sizes. Over the years, Infidigit has partnered with startups, MSMEs, and enterprises across diverse industries, helping them thrive in the fast-evolving digital economy. The company’s commitment to excellence is demonstrated through over 65+ award-winning campaigns, recognised by prestigious platforms including SMX, APAC Search Awards, ET BrandEquity Shark Awards, Sparkies, and E4M IDMA.

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