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HarperCollins presents The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
Longlisted for the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction, Parini Shroff’s The Bandit Queens is a razor-sharp debut of humor and heart that readers won’t soon forget.
Paperback | 352 pp | Rs 499
Available wherever books are sold | Releasing 10th April 2023
NEW DELHI, March 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ —
About the book
“A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women.”—THE NEW YORK TIMES
Five years ago, Geeta lost her no-good husband. As in, she actually lost him—he walked out on her and she has no idea where he is. But in her remote village in India, rumor has it that Geeta killed him. And it’s a rumor that just won’t die.
As it happens, being known as a ‘self-made’ widow comes with some perks. No one messes with Geeta, harasses her, or tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It’s even been good for business: no one dares to not buy her jewelry.
Freedom must look good on Geeta, because now other women are asking for her ‘expertise’ making her an unwitting consultant for husband disposal. And not all of them are asking nicely.
What happens next sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything, not just for Geeta but for all the women in the village.
Filled with clever criminals, second chances, and wry and witty women, Parini Shroff’s The Bandit Queens is a razor-sharp debut of humor and heart that readers won’t soon forget.
Author, Parini Shroff, says, “The Bandit Queens began ten years ago as a short story about women in a microloan group and the power of money. When I wrote it as a novel during the pandemic, it blossomed into a dark comedy about wickedly funny, sharp and clever women making their own choices in a world trying to snatch those choices. Once the ensemble cast of female characters had been drawn, there was no stopping these rambunctious women. Isolated, they felt powerless; but together, the strong bonds of their female friendship made the impossible suddenly achievable. It was then that I realized the heart of this book isn’t about what money can do, it’s about what friendship can. I grew to love and admire these sassy, fierce women and their escalating antics, and it is my hope readers will as well.”
Associate Publisher, Rahul Soni, says, “Parini Shroff’s The Bandit Queens is a dark, funny, sharp, wicked debut that deals with many weighty themes with a light but sure hand. It’s a book that I’ve been supremely excited about ever since I read the early draft, and one that I’ve chased a long time to be able to publish. I’m so glad that we’re bringing it out in India, where I know it will resonate with and delight many, many readers. The longlisting for the Women’s Prize for Fiction will be just the first of many richly deserved accolades coming Parini’s way, I’m sure!“
About the Author
Parini Shroff received her MFA from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied under Elizabeth McCracken, Alexander Chee, and Cristina García. She is a practicing attorney and currently lives in the Bay Area. The Bandit Queens is her debut novel.
Praise for the book
“With acuity, wit, and a certain kind of magic irreverence, Parini Shroff captures the complexity of female friendship, turning on a dime from humor to horror, horror to heart, and then back again, exhilarating her reader until the very last line. Tender, unpredictable, and brimming with laugh-out-loud moments, The Bandit Queens heralds a prodigious and sophisticated literary talent.”
—Téa Obreht, bestselling author of The Tiger’s Wife and Inland
“Not since Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger has the rotten core of modern India been exposed in quite such blackly antic fashion as Parini Shroff manages here in this intermittently absurd, feminist revenge caper about a group of snarky, much-abused, predominantly Hindu wives…sheer gutsy verve.”
—The Times
“The Bandit Queens is an original, memorable, and endearing story, at times deeply serious, then laugh-out-loud funny. Parini Shroff has written a sobering but hopeful exploration of womanhood, social injustices, and second chances.”
—Charmaine Wilkerson, author of Black Cake
“Parini Shroff’s splendid The Bandit Queens is a hilarious romp about serious things—as serious as a novel gets, and as funny, too, with characters who are dear and maddening and indelible and gorgeously drawn. Twisty, compulsive, bold, surprising, moving, it’s a wonderful book.”
—Elizabeth McCracken, author of The Souvenir Museum and The Hero of This Book
“Parini Shroff’s debut novel is a rollicking mash-up of adventure story, thriller, dark revenge, and comedy. Rooted in a rural village in India—and led by the pariah widow Geeta, whom everyone believes to have killed her husband—this is an immensely enjoyable read about a handful of women who band together to take back their lives, and take down the patriarchy.”
—Cristina García, author of Dreaming in Cuban and The Lady Matador’s Hotel
“A radically feel-good story about the murder of no-good husbands by a cast of unsinkable women…A tale that demonstrates how the antidote to bleak circumstances is female friendship.”
—The New York Times
“Shroff cleverly considers how women might achieve autonomy within rural India’s patriarchal society through shrewd, if complicated, female friendships.”
—The Washington Post
“This debut has captured our hearts with its wit and tenderness, and it’s an unforgettable story about a ‘self-made’ widow who gets requests from other wives to help them also get rid of their no-good husbands. Twisty and bold with a dark edge, The Bandit Queens is one we don’t think we’ll ever stop talking about!”
—Barnes & Noble Book Club
“Shroff’s debut is a darkly hilarious take on gossip, caste, truth, village life, and the patriarchy…clever, subversive storytelling.”
—Booklist, Starred Review
“This funny, feel-good read is a rollicking ride rife with memorable characters involved in ill-fated hijinks. It also serves up commentary on class, power dynamics and the role of women in society, with a feminist history lesson to boot.”
—Good Housekeeping
“Laugh-out-loud…This is a deeply human book, with women surviving and overcoming in their culture while still remaining a part of it.”
—Library Journal, Starred Review
“In Shroff’s acerbic debut, a woman helps other women escape their abusive marriages in their small village in India, often through murder…Readers are in for a razor-stuffed treat.”
—Publishers Weekly
About HarperCollins India
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, Sahitya Akademi Award and Crossword Book Award. HarperCollins India also represents some of the finest publishers in the world including Harvard University Press, Gallup Press, Oneworld, Bonnier Zaffre, Usborne, Dover and Lonely Planet. HarperCollins India is now the recipient of five Publisher of the Year Awards – In 2021 and 2015 at the Publishing Next Industry Awards, and in 2021, 2018 and 2016 at Tata Literature Live. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.
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Reliance Digital’s ‘All About Apple’ Campaign Brings Best Apple Deals and Price Drops on iPhone 17, MacBook & More
MUMBAI, India, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Reliance Digital announces limited-period offers on the latest Apple products with significant price drops and consumer finance offers.
The All About Apple campaign by Reliance Digital is bringing high-quality products to consumers at affordable prices. The initiative aims to make premium Apple products more accessible to a broader segment of buyers during the ongoing promotional window. From the mighty iPhone 17 to the ultra-light MacBook Air (M5), upgrading is more accessible than ever.
Customers can experience the best technology without straining their budgets with attractive exchange bonuses, instant in-store discounts and flexible EMI options. These combined benefits substantially lower the effective acquisition cost, especially for buyers trading in older smartphones or laptops.
One of the spotlight offers includes the iPhone 17 256GB (Magichromatic finish), listed at an MRP of Rs. 82,900. With applicable cashback, combined with exchange benefits of up to Rs. 15,000 and an additional exchange bonus of Rs. 6,000, the effective price can go as low as Rs. 59,990.
Apple’s MacBook lineup has also become more affordable in the ongoing sale, particularly with the introduction of newer-generation processors and pricing benefits. The latest models, powered by the next-generation M5 chip, aim to deliver faster processing, improved battery efficiency, and seamless multitasking. The MacBook Air (M5) can be owned with EMIs starting at just ₹2,803*, inclusive of student and teacher discounts, exchange benefits, and financing schemes. Exchange bonus of 10,000 rupees is also available to MacBook Neo buyers.
This promotional campaign is time-bound, with all major offers scheduled to conclude on 23rd May. Customers are advised to hurry and verify eligibility for cashback, exchange benefits, and coupon discounts before completing their purchase, as terms may vary across models and store locations.
About Reliance Digital
Reliance Digital is one of India’s leading consumer electronics retail chains, offering a wide selection of smartphones, laptops, home appliances, and digital products. With a strong omnichannel presence, it provides customers access to competitive pricing, authorised products, and after-sales support through services such as Reliance resQ.
*Terms and Conditions Applied
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Apparel Group Strengthens Digital Footprint with the Launch of ALDO App for the Indian Market
Express Delivery, Curated Style & Seamless Digital Experience Now Live on Google Play Store & Apple App Store
MUMBAI, India, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Apparel Group, the leading global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate, announces the official launch of the ALDO India mobile app. This strategic rollout marks a significant milestone in Apparel Group’s mission to redefine omnichannel retail and enhance the digital shopping ecosystem for premium footwear and accessories in India.
Now available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, the dedicated app is designed to bring ALDO’s world-class style directly to the fingertips of the Indian consumer. By leveraging Apparel Group’s robust retail infrastructure, the app introduces express delivery services, ensuring that fashion-forward shoppers receive their favourite pieces with unprecedented speed and efficiency.
Built with modern consumer expectations in mind, the ALDO app empowers users to explore the latest collections, access exclusive product drops, and enjoy a streamlined shopping experience tailored for fast, effortless browsing. A defining feature of the app is its express delivery service, designed to get fashion essentials into customers’ hands as swiftly as possible, reflecting a new era of immediacy in style and service.
Apparel Group is committed to integrating advanced technology with high-street fashion, providing a secure and effortless checkout process tailored to the evolving needs of the modern, connected shopper. Whether discovering trend-led silhouettes or selecting everyday staples, shoppers now enjoy smooth navigation, secure checkout, and personalised recommendations all supported by ALDO’s commitment to quality and design excellence.
Tushar Ved, President of Apparel Group India, said: “The launch of the ALDO app is a definitive step in Apparel Group’s journey to pioneer a tech-forward retail environment in India. By integrating our cutting-edge logistics with a seamless interface, Apparel Group continues to set the pace for the future of commerce in the region, ensuring our customers enjoy speed, style, and convenience like never before.”
With the introduction of this dedicated platform, Apparel Group continues to solidify its position as a retail leader, focused on localized digital innovation and superior customer engagement.
The ALDO app is now live and available for download.
Download: https://onelink.to/aldoshoes
About ALDO
Founded in 1972, ALDO, the group’s flagship brand, delivers fashion to a diverse customer base at prices that make keeping up with seasonal styles a luxury within reach. ALDO’s 53-year history has seen the brand become one of the world’s leading fashion footwear retailers with a presence in 110 countries, a global fleet of 1400 locations and more than 250 million customers visiting our stores each year.
For more information, please visit www.aldogroup.com and follow @aldo_shoes and #AldoCrew on social media for updates.
Instagram: @aldo_shoes
Facebook: ALDO Shoes
Website: ALDO Shoes
About Apparel Group (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Apparel Group is a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate residing at the crossroads of the modern economy – Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Today, Apparel Group caters to eager shoppers through its 2500+ retail stores and 85+ brands on all platforms while employing over 27,000+ multicultural staff.
Apparel Group has carved its strong presence in the GCC and expanded thriving gateways to market in India, South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Egypt. Additionally, clear strategies are in place to enter emerging markets such as Hungary and Philippines.
Apparel Group India has created an omni-channel experience, operating brands originating from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The brands in India include leading names in fashion, footwear, and lifestyle such as Victoria’s Secret, Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, Victoria’s Secret PINK, Charles & Keith, Crocs, ALDO, ALDO Accessories, Bath & Body Works, Cotton On, Levis Kids, Tim Hortons, Inglot, Call It Spring, Nike Littles, Jordan Kids, Anne Klein, Herschel, R&B, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Carrefour, and Daiso Japan. Apparel Group has a multi-brand partnership with Marquee Brands for the licensing of BCBG, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli, Sur la table, and Martha Stewart brands, across GCC and India. With 300+ stores and 20+ brands, the company serves thousands of customers across 50 cities in India.
Apparel Group owes its amazing growth to the vision and guidance of its dynamic Founder and Chairwoman, Mrs. Sima Ganwani Ved, who has taken the company from strength to strength since its inception in the last two decades.
For more information, please visit:
Apparel Group India | LinkedIn | Download Club Apparel App
Contact
Amruta Khatavkar
amruta.khatavkar@apparelgroup.in
+91-9870337833
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Angel One’s ‘Cricket Park’ sparks strong participation, brings a generation back to the pitch
MUMBAI, India, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Angel One Limited, India’s intelligent investing companion and Official Associate Partner of the Tata IPL (2024–2028), recently hosted “Cricket Park”, an immersive cricket-led experience that brought alive a simple yet powerful idea – Chalo, Cricket Khelte Hai. Held at TSG Sports Arena in Mumbai, the event witnessed strong participation and high on-ground energy, bringing together around 300 attendees, including India’s top digital creators and cricket enthusiasts, to rediscover the joy of playing the game.
At a time when cricket is widely consumed but rarely played, Cricket Park tapped into a deep cultural insight, that while the love for the game remains strong, the reasons to step out and play have steadily declined. By creating the right environment and format, Angel One turned passive fandom into active participation.
Designed as more than just a tournament, Cricket Park reimagined the childhood cricket experience into a dynamic, interactive format. The experience was paired with 14 interactive cricket installations and 5 live pitches, including Khidki Tod, Zero Kaata Bhaago, Ziddi Target, Bat Pakad and Ringa Ringa Catches, each crafted to bring back the spontaneity and thrill of the game. The event followed a unique flow, with creators arriving early to engage with and take over the installations, setting the tone for the experience, while fans stepped in at sundown, with matches continuing till late.
The event also saw participation from impactful personalities, adding to the overall energy and appeal of the experience. Notable digital creators including Jake Jeakings, Vyom (vyom25), CA Deepak Bhati (cadeepakbhati), Shrishti Gosavi (nerd_in_you), and Anmol Sharma (financebyanmoll) were part of the experience, further amplifying the event both on-ground and across digital platforms. With moments crafted for shareability, Cricket Park extended well beyond the venue, resonating strongly with a wider audience online.
Assisted by Badass Media and designed by Doodle Mapuls, Cricket Park was designed as a high-energy, community-led experience that blends culture, community, and digital storytelling.
Cricket Park is rooted in Angel One’s larger philosophy of enabling action. Much like how the platform simplifies investing for a new generation, the initiative aimed to remove friction from participation, meeting people where their interest already exists and giving them a compelling reason to act. In doing so, the brand’s invitation, “Chalo, Cricket Khelte Hai,” became more than a line, it turned into a lived experience on-ground.
Zameer Kochar, Chief Marketing Officer, Angel One, said, “Cricket Park is built on a very simple insight, people don’t lack interest, they lack the right trigger to act. Whether it’s investing or something as personal as cricket, the gap often lies between intent and action. With this initiative, we wanted to create an experience that feels intuitive, inclusive, and engaging enough for people to step in and participate. The response we’ve seen has been extremely encouraging.”
With Cricket Park, Angel One has taken a step towards building a scalable, community-led property that blends culture, participation, and digital amplification and redefining how brands can create meaningful engagement beyond the screen.
About Angel One Limited:
Angel One Limited, (NSE: ANGELONE) (BSE: 543235) is the largest listed retail stock broking house in India, in terms of active clients on NSE. Angel One is a technology-led financial services company, providing broking and advisory services, margin funding and distribution of third-party financial products to its clients. The broking and allied services are offered through online and digital platforms to clients acquired directly and through assisted business.
Angel One Limited extensively uses Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science to create a superior digital experience. The company has built a host of digital properties like Angel One Mobile App, ‘SmartAPI’ a free-to-integrate API platform and ‘Smart Money’ an investor education platform of 37.4 million clients.
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Reliance Digital’s ‘All About Apple’ Campaign Brings Best Apple Deals and Price Drops on iPhone 17, MacBook & More
Reliance Digital’s ‘All About Apple’ Campaign Brings Best Apple Deals and Price Drops on iPhone 17, MacBook & More
Apparel Group Strengthens Digital Footprint with the Launch of ALDO App for the Indian Market
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