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Hindi story series ‘Kahani Train’ to reach over 1 lakh children in summer, 2022 A story a day for better literacy

NEW DELHI, May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Nayi Dhara, one of India’s oldest Hindi literary magazines, in collaboration with Pratham Education Foundation and Rekhta Foundation, has produced a series of audio stories for children, KAHANI TRAIN. KAHANI TRAIN is an innovative initiative to engage young children with language and literacy.
It is alarming that of the 26 million Indian children who enter first grade each year, half will reach fifth grade unable to read or write. This problem has been further exacerbated by school closures during the pandemic. Early years are the most significant period of growth and development in a child’s life. Strong foundations in learning in these years are building blocks for higher order skills that have a significant impact on later life outcomes. When children start out with low literacy and numeracy skills, they end up struggling to keep up year after year, and the benefits of later education are lost to them.
National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 has recognized foundational literacy and numeracy as an urgent and necessary prerequisite to learning. To this end, the Ministry of Education, Government of India launched NIPUN Bharat Mission for FLN with a call for attaining foundational learning for all children in grade 3 by 2027.
Stories are a joyful way to stimulate a young mind and the benefits of it are seen not only in developing language skills but in improving understanding  across  all subjects. Research shows that listening to stories strengthens comprehension, helps hone communication skills and fosters imagination and creativity in children. Once a child’s curiosity is piqued by a story they hear, they are more likely to pick up a book to read, ask questions and actively engage in their own education.
In its pilot phase, KAHANI TRAIN offers 40 Hindi stories for children between the ages of 5 and 10. The stories are a curated mix, diverse in their subject matter and cultural milieu, and will be disseminated through Pratham’s summer camp programme for children, where over one lakh children will benefit from them. The stories will be available for teachers and social workers to engage in discussions and to use as remedial tools.
For Nayi Dhara, the initiative is a part of the year-long celebration of the 100th centenary of Nayi Dhara’s founder, the well-known author, Shri Udaya Raj Sinha. Dr. Pramath Raj Sinha from Nayi Dhara said, “Growing up in a family of Hindi literature stalwarts, stories were a part of my foundational learning. With Nayi Dhara’s latest venture into stories for children, it is coming full circle now, combining my passion for education and my belief that stories can be a vital link in effective early education.”
KAHANI TRAIN series of Hindi audio-stories will be disseminated by Pratham state teams in Hindi-speaking states for use with children from Std 1 to 8. Volunteers, mothers, guardians and community members will all have the opportunity to hear and discuss an exciting new story every day.  Speaking  about  the  initiative,  Dr. Rukmini Banerji, CEO of Pratham Education Foundation said, “For a long time, I’ve had this dream that every child in India should be able  to  listen  to  one  story everyday. Today, it feels like Nayidhara, Rekhta and Pratham coming together will make this dream come true.”
Mr. Sanjiv Saraf who is the driving force behind the Rekhta Foundation’s efforts in promoting the cultural legacy of the country on a global platform says he is pleased with the launch of KAHANI TRAIN. “With this initiative Rekhta is venturing into the intriguing world of children! We intend to acquaint children with the rich cultural heritage of our past by imparting meaningful content and creating a  holistic language learning experience. We hope children enjoy this as much as we enjoyed creating it for them.”, he said.
The programme is also available free of cost here.
ABOUT NAYI DHARA
Set up in 1950, Nayi Dhara is one of the oldest Hindi literary magazines that has continuously been in print from Patna. With a mission to promote quality Hindi writing, Nayi Dhara has been a literary home for stalwarts of ‘Hindi Sahitya’ such as Mahadevi Verma, Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’, Rahul Sankrityayan, Ramavriksha Benipuri and Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’. The tradition of bringing high-quality Hindi literature in a variety of genres continues to this day with over 10,000 literary works having been published so far by over 3,000 authors.
Nayi Dhara is now available on digital platforms including its website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel. Nayi Dhara digital offers Hindi literature lovers a host of offerings in the form of webinars, podcasts, videos, literary posts and other media.
Nayi Dhara was founded by the well-known Bihari author Udaya Raj Sinha and is now helmed by his son Pramath Raj Sinha, founder and trustee of Ashoka University and founding Dean of the Indian School of Business (ISB).
ABOUT REKHTA FOUNDATION
The Rekhta Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Urdu language. Toward this end, in  2013, Rekhta (http://rekhta.org/) was launched and has become the world’s biggest and most promising citation site in Urdu poetry and Urdu prose. Apart from this, festivals like Jashn-e-Rekhta were also organized to bring diverse colors and flavors of Urdu to the world. The Urdu language soon became the centerpiece of this festival, celebrating its rich cultural heritage.
There have also been two new websites launched through the Rekhta Foundation under the names of ‘Hindwi’ (https://www.hindwi.org/) and ‘Sufi Nama’ (https://sufinama.org/). Just like Urdu, these initiatives were also taken to promote Hindi literature and Sufi traditions respectively. Hindwi is a feature-rich website dedicated to Hindi literature, whereas, Sufi Nama is an attempt to offer mysticismand devotional literature through a rich collection of unique Persian poems and prose. Having seen the unending success of the Rekhta website, the Rekhta Foundation is now working to develop similar websites for the other Hindustani languages, thus ensuring their preservation in due course.
ABOUT PRATHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Pratham is an innovative learning organization created to improve the quality of education in India. Established in 1995 to provide education to children in the slums of Mumbai, Pratham has grown in both scope and scale, with programs today reaching children and youth across the country.
As one of the largest  non-governmental  organizations  in  the  country,  Pratham focuses on high-quality, low-cost and replicable interventions to address gaps in the education system. Working directly with children and youth as well as through large- scale collaborations with government systems, Pratham programs  reach  millions  of lives every year. Pratham’s Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach has demonstrated proven impact on children’s learning outcomes  and  is  now  being adapted to contexts outside India.
For media queries, contact:Arti Jain arti.jain@nayidhara.in

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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 DigitalReliance 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 AppliedPhoto: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2964925/Reliance_Digital_All_About_Apple.jpg 

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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 StoreMUMBAI, 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/aldoshoesAbout ALDOFounded 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_shoesFacebook: ALDO ShoesWebsite: ALDO ShoesAbout 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 AppContactAmruta Khatavkaramruta.khatavkar@apparelgroup.in+91-9870337833Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963116/ALDO_app_Apparel_Group.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2827441/5662920/Apparel_Group_Logo.jpg 

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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.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2962994/Angel_One_Cricket_Park.jpg 

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