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Poonam – A Social Short by Shilpi’s Voice & Visuals and Epicreel

BANGALORE, India, Dec. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The saga of elderly care is full of hype, and nothing more. After sieving through and a soulful introspection of data and research on elderly care, more than living conditions, physical health and economic considerations, it is their happiness that matters most. It is their loneliness that has come around due to the joint families breaking down into nuclear ones that has caused such neglect. And, loneliness is a disease, just like any other. Poonam was conceived to inculcate the understanding and awareness of the elderly plight.

The data

The elderly numbers are slated to touch 12% of the total population in the next 2/3 years stressing the healthcare system. To elaborate, 68% of the elderly population live in the rural areas, of which 73% are illiterate and 40% live below the poverty line. To add, 90% of them have no form of social security [be it could be insurance, provident fund, gratuity, pension or schemes akin to them] and are economically dependent. No wonder, most elders have no option but to work, to make their ends meet.

Delving further into the healthcare system of the country – 73% of the elderly die of smoking, heart disease or cancer. They account for 30% of hospital bed occupancy, 20% of doctor visitations and 50% of bedridden patients. So, if 12% of the population, not to mention the absence of healthcare in rural areas, take up that kind of space, the system will be obviously stressed out, and the only this problem is headed, is north.

The government’s take

The Indian government passed the ‘Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act’ bill in 2007, which says, maintenance of senior parents or senior citizens is mandatory for children or relatives, failing which a penal provision is provided for abandonment and abuse. No exemplary action on this front has made the news, so it is anyone’s guess that it is only on paper.

Subsequently, the formulation of ‘National Program for the Healthcare of the elderly’ in 2011 ensured easy access to promotive, curative, preventive and rehabilitative care to all the elderly across all levels of the healthcare system. The ‘National Policy on Senior citizens’ made sure that the elderly were recognised as assets to the nation.

The policy introduced specific financial support to elders through pension and insurance schemes in addition to income generating activities. Though the financial schemes have seen the light of the day along with some proactive states implementing the healthcare initiatives through thir existing hospital networks.

Geriatric care is not a part of the formal medical school education and neither are we seeing trends to inculcate it into mainstream curriculum. Elder health needs are very different from standard health needs and it is important that we address them as specialty care.

What are we doing about it?

In India, over 20% of elder population is subject to abuse and abandonment. Abuse comes in different forms – emotional, physical and mental. Today, a major part of the population aged between 40 to 50 years [their elders need most care and would fall in the 65 to 75 year category] is either making money happily in some western country or have settled in Tier 1 cities, while their parents have opted to stay back in the village or their home cities with no support to fall back on.

Many children are also seen ‘dumping’ elders into old age homes. Old age homes, again, come in all shapes and sizes. The high-priced ones cater only to the affluent since there is this aspect of affordability. The smaller or low-priced ones are seeing waiting times that can be more than the expected longevity of elders in need.

There is the third option – retirement communities, that work solely with a commercial intent to build homes and sell along with requisite infrastructure for elders. Although good, these homes, again, are expensive to buy and sustain. And, whichever class or creed of the elderly abodes one chooses to put the elderly into, the question is are they content residing there, are they happy, can they sustain themselves.

Economic development, circumstances and life style changes may be the reason for such willing/unwilling abandonment, however, we need to address the issue of family elder care with more focus and care.

Why Poonam?

With the profound understanding that psychological health is more important for elders than just physical care and that loneliness is the main cause of elder issues, we have tried to address the issues in the form of a social short – Poonam.

Poonam is about combating loneliness through companionship and that companionship can address a lot of elder issues including holistic health and longevity.

Producer, Ms. Shilpi Das Chohan says, Elder Care has rather become a lucrative market than a social responsibility. Caring for the elderly is a highly overlooked cause among the social causes! We are all getting there. There will be aches and pains, sleeplessness, memory loss, loneliness. And there could be financial insecurities and abuse too as we keep losing physical strength. We felt the need to send a message, connect with a large audience at a global level, incite emotions and move to action. Stories are powerful. It’s something that connects mind to heart. We decided to go the visual storytelling way and tell it through this film – Poonam. We want the viewers of all ages to introspect and start taking responsibility.”

Executive Producer, Anil Kumar P, says, “Poonam is an effort to spread awareness of this silent disease – ‘loneliness’ that can exponentially improve the chances of disease and death, prematurely.”

The elders never complain and the children do not have the insight. End of it all, is the entire situation justified, if yes, to what extent.

Media Contact :

Shilpi Das Chohan

shilpi@shilpisvoiceandvisuals.com

+91-9902077066

Founder

Shilpi’s Voice & Visuals

Photo: https://oyefilmy.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/poonam-a-social-short-by-shilpis-voice-visuals-and-epicreel-2.jpg

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Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OOYQztkca4

 

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NAL Academy collaborates with QuantInsti to strengthen India’s Algorithmic and Quantitative Investing Ecosystem

MUMBAI, India, May 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — NAL Academy Limited (formerly known as NSE Academy Limited), a subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd., has collaborated with QuantInsti Quantitative Learning Private Limited (QI), to offer joint certificate self-paced courses and bootcamps focussed on workforce readiness and workforce development to equip the BFSI sector with skilled talent while upskilling the current workforce at scale.

This collaboration will deliver high-impact, industry-aligned bootcamps and top-notch training in quantitative finance and algorithmic investing, leveraging this partnership’s extensive knowledge and expertise. With a shared vision to create a robust Algorithmic Finance ecosystem in India, the partnership brings together top industry experts who will share their decades of experience through an interactive and practical learning platform, including QuantInsti’s pioneering programmes in agentic AI applications for financial strategies.

Programmes will be delivered through self-paced and blended learning formats, incorporating live sessions by subject-matter experts, hands-on learning, real-world case studies, and curated content drawn from global best practices. Participants will gain actionable insights and peer learning opportunities to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven financial environment.

NAL Academy Ltd. MD & CEO, Mr. Abhilash Misra, stated: “We are excited to partner with QuantInsti as this initiative aligns to our mission of building future-ready talent in the investment management space. Our objective is to provide an industry-driven learning experience that includes practical training, thereby offering talent solutions to the BFSI sector and financial institutions. Additionally, we seek to equip professionals with the necessary skills to succeed in the dynamic and technology-oriented financial landscape of today.”

Anupriya Gupta, Director, QuantInsti, said: “This partnership brings together two organizations that are deeply committed to learner outcomes. QuantInsti’s expertise in algorithmic and quantitative methods and our recent work in agentic AI applications for financial technology, combined with NAL Academy’s reach and credibility, means learners will have access to a truly world-class curriculum that is grounded in how markets work today. We are proud to build this alongside NAL Academy and look forward to equipping India’s BFSI talent with skills that are not just current, but future-proof.”

About NAL Academy Limited

NAL Academy Limited (formerly known as NSE Academy Limited) is a subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. NAL Academy Limited enables the next generation of BFSI and FinTech professionals with industry-aligned skills – through capacity building programs and certification courses, powered by an online examination and certification system. The courses are well researched and carefully crafted with inputs from the industry professional. NAL Academy Limited works closely with reputed universities and institutions across India in building a competent workforce for the future of BFSI and FinTech. NAL Academy Limited also promotes financial literacy as an essential life skill among youngsters – a contribution towards financial inclusion and wellbeing.

For more information visit: https://www.nseindia.com/

About QuantInsti Quantitative Learning Private Limited

QuantInsti is a pioneer in algorithmic and quantitative trading education, having trained finance and trading professionals across 150+ countries. As the creator of EPAT® (Executive Programme in Algorithmic Trading), one of the world’s most recognised programmes in the field, QuantInsti combines deep domain expertise with cutting-edge curriculum design. QuantInsti recently launched programmes focused on agentic AI applications in trading, keeping its learners at the forefront of the industry’s most transformative developments. Its team of industry practitioners, researchers, and pedagogy experts is committed to delivering measurable learning outcomes that translate directly into professional impact.

For more information, visit: https://www.quantinsti.com/

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BHIM App Encourages India to #AskHerAgain This Mother’s Day

Through the #AskHerAgain campaign, SoCheers brings alive BHIM’S Mother’s Day message celebrating meaningful interactions with mothers.

MUMBAI, India, May 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This Mother’s Day, BHIM App is encouraging people to look beyond predictable gifts and templated gratitude. Built around a deeply familiar cultural truth, where mothers almost always respond with ‘Nothing’ when asked what they want, the brand’s latest campaign, #AskHerAgain, urges people to pause, ask one more time, and pay closer attention to the needs mothers quietly set aside every day.

Conceptualised and executed by SoCheers, the campaign shifts the conversation away from symbolic celebration and towards attentiveness. At its core is a simple but emotionally resonant observation, for many mothers, ‘nothing’ is often less about not wanting anything, and more about being conditioned to ask for very little.

The campaign unfolded through creator-led storytelling, influencer conversations, and collaborations across fashion, food, travel, tech, and lifestyle categories. Across Instagram and LinkedIn, creators interpreted ‘Ask Her Again’ through everyday moments that reflected the emotional dynamics shared across Indian households, from mothers hesitating to express personal wants to families rediscovering the importance of simply listening a little more carefully.

Campaign collab post:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYHlLXZhzhG/?igsh=dGF6YzYwOHlqemUy

Brand collab post:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYHY74pFLmf/?igsh=Mm9zN3kyY2R6YzNv

While the cultural conversation remained at the forefront, BHIM App positioned itself quietly as an enabler, helping people turn intent into action, whether through meaningful gestures, thoughtful gifting, shared experiences, or everyday acts of care.

Speaking about the campaign, Lalitha Nataraj, MD & CEO, NBSL, said, “Mothers spend a lifetime putting everyone else first. We wanted to create something that didn’t just celebrate that, but gently questioned it too. #AskHerAgain is rooted in a moment most people instantly recognise. The moment you ask again, listen more carefully, and make space for her to want something for herself. Our role was simply to help make those moments easier to act upon.”

Siddharth Devnani, Co-Founder and COO, SoCheers, added, “Every year, Mother’s Day conversations tend to revisit the same emotional cues and executional patterns. This time, we wanted to begin with a behaviour so common that people rarely pause to think about it. Almost everyone has heard their mother say ‘nothing’ at some point. But once you stop taking that answer at face value, the entire dynamic changes. The campaign was designed to spark that moment of recognition.”

At a time when communication is often dominated by overt sentiment and formulaic gratitude, #AskHerAgain makes a quieter, more human point: sometimes the most meaningful thing you can do is simply ask one more time.

About BHIM: Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a payment app that enables simple, quick, and easy transactions using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). With the BHIM app, you can make direct bank payments to anyone on UPI using their UPI ID or by scanning their QR code. You can also request money from a UPI ID through the app.

Pioneered and developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), BHIM was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, on December 30, 2016. The app aims to promote financial inclusion and make India a digitally empowered society.

Built on trust and simplicity, BHIM sits at the intersection of accessibility and innovation, offering features like instant UPI transfers, bill payments, split expenses, spend analysis, and UPI Circle making everyday transactions seamless, secure, and inclusive.

About SoCheers: Founded by Mehul Gupta and Siddharth Devnani in 2013, SoCheers has grown into a creative powerhouse, leveraging technology, storytelling and data insights to craft unforgettable brand experiences. With a 250+ strong team, the agency is focused on shaping industry trends rather than following them.

Recognized at prestigious award shows like Clio Entertainment, The Webby Awards, The Drum Awards, and MMA Smarties, SoCheers continues to push creative boundaries and set new benchmarks for the future of advertising in India.

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Style Baazar Unveils New Community-First Marketing Blueprint

KOLKATA, India, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Style Baazar, one of India’s fastest-growing value fashion retailers, is rethinking how fashion brands connect with consumers across Tier 2 and Tier 3 India. Moving away from conventional mass advertising, the brand is building a more community-driven and culturally rooted marketing approach — one that focuses less on broadcasting messages and more on creating participation and belonging.

Baazar Style Retail Limited (BSRL) Logo

Over the last six months, Style Baazar has strengthened its digital-first strategy through regional storytelling, creator-led content, youth culture, AI-powered customer engagement, and hyperlocal campaigns tailored for emerging India.

This shift has translated into strong measurable impact for the brand. Style Baazar recorded a 3.8X growth in social media content views year-on-year, along with a 4.6X increase in engagement rates across platforms and a 4.1X rise in creator-led organic reach. The brand also saw an 11% increase in repeat consumer interaction during key campaign periods and a 30% growth in regional language content consumption. Notably, campaigns focused on Tier 2 and Tier 3 audiences delivered 35% higher engagement compared to metro-focused communication.

Creator collaborations have emerged as a major growth driver for the brand, contributing nearly 40% of total festive campaign reach. In the last four months alone, Style Baazar has worked with over 500 regional creators across fashion, lifestyle, family, and youth culture categories. The momentum has also reflected in business performance, with the company registering 6% business growth year-on-year and 35% CAGR growth over the last year.

Rather than focusing only on transactional campaigns and price-led messaging, Style Baazar has consciously invested in building stronger consumer communities in a highly cluttered retail environment where most communication often looks and feels similar.

Some of the brand’s recent initiatives included hyperlocal digital storytelling around festivals such as Poila Baishakh and Bihu, regional creator meets, influencer community programs, film integrations, celebrity-led cultural collaborations, and reimagined End of Season Sale campaigns inspired by youth-led hip-hop and street culture. The brand has also strengthened its AI-driven customer lifecycle management capabilities to enable smarter personalization, retention, and repeat engagement.

Style Baazar’s participation in platforms such as Calcutta Times Fashion Week further reflects its effort to balance aspiration with accessibility for consumers across emerging India.

Commenting on the evolving marketing philosophy, Rohit Kedia, Chairman, Style Baazar, said, “Consumers today want to feel seen and understood by the brands they engage with. Especially across India, fashion is deeply connected to culture, identity, language, and everyday aspirations. At Style Baazar, we are trying to build conversations and communities around fashion instead of relying only on one-way communication. Our focus is to stay culturally relevant, digitally agile, and closely connected to the people we serve.”

With digital consumption, smartphone penetration, and creator influence continuing to grow rapidly, Style Baazar believes the future of fashion retail marketing will be shaped by culture-led communities, regional relevance, and deeper consumer participation rather than traditional advertising alone.

About Style Baazar

Style Baazar (Baazar Style Retail Limited) is one of Eastern India’s fastest-growing value fashion retail chains, committed to making quality, trend-led apparel accessible to every Indian family. The Company operates a strong and expanding network of 250+ stores across 9+ states, catering to men, women, and children across diverse consumer segments.

Listed on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) and BSE Limited (BSE), Style Baazar offers a comprehensive portfolio spanning ethnic wear, western wear, kidswear, accessories, and seasonal collections—delivering a compelling blend of style, comfort, and affordability.

Backed by data-driven merchandising and deep consumer insights, the Company focuses on regionally relevant fashion aligned with evolving trends. With a customer-first approach, robust supply chain, and value-driven pricing, Style Baazar continues to drive sustainable growth while strengthening its position as a trusted fashion destination across Eastern India

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