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Short Film To Fight Domestic Violence Menace Released In 150 Screens In MMR

– #MeraFarzHai 2.0 urges people to speak up in wake of the alarming rise in domestic violence cases exacerbated by lockdown
– Film by Viviana Mall and Thane Police to be released across 150 screens urging people to take responsibility and report incidents on 103 helpline number
– Online petition calling for further policy changes and enhanced safety
MUMBAI, India, March 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — As the nation adopted unprecedented lockdown measures during the pandemic and followed the stay-at-home directives for safety, many women experiencing violence found themselves trapped with their abusers, worsening the impact of their abuse. Domestic violence cases saw a dramatic rise in the past year. The violence continues unabated and a substantial number of cases are going unreported either to safeguard family’s reputation or due to fear of shame to identify oneself as a victim. To curb the menace of domestic violence and encourage people to take responsibility by reporting such incidents, the second edition of #MeraFarzHai was launched by Viviana Mall in partnership with Thane Police, ahead of International Women’s Day.
Although #MeraFarzHai began as a campaign in 2020 to safeguard women against those who violate their rights and space, the DNA of the campaign is to equip each one and all with the armour one needs, to carry out their Farz, and push them to take the very first step of reporting any incidents of violence against women.
As part of the campaign, a short film conceptualised by Viviana Mall and supported by Thane police will be showcased across 150 screens in the Mumbai Metropolitan region on the occasion of women’s day. The film urges people to not be mute spectators and call on them to think of it as their Farz (responsibility) to speak up against domestic violence. The core idea of the video is that one voice against domestic violence can change someone’s life, so don’t hold back, and #AwaazUthao against the act of abuse to create a safer space for women all around. The film has been released on YouTube and amplified on other social media platforms to ensure it reaches the right target audience, calling more people to join the movement against domestic violence.
The association with Thane Police aims to draw attention and make victims and people aware of the helpline number 103  available for women’s safety, thereby encouraging individuals to take action for every cause possible.
Further, to lend voice to the victims of domestic violence and call for national action to ensure a safe environment, Viviana Mall together with NatConnect Foundation has created an online petition seeking community support that victims desperately need. The petition addressed to the Union Ministry of Women & Child Development, makes an appeal for policy changes to protect whistleblowers who come forward to report such incidents, create safe shelter homes for victims and their children and the need to create counselling centres for couples and family members. The petition has been supported by various activists, NGOs and celebrities.  
Speaking about this initiative Ms. Rima Kirtikar, Chief Marketing Officer, Viviana Mall said, “Over the years, our social initiatives have focused on the welfare of women because we firmly believe that any social, political and economic development we seek centers around empowering women.  Through our unique property ‘ExtraordiNAARI’ we have launched some ground-breaking campaigns like Stop Acid Sale, Women on Wheelchairs, #MeraFarzHai, that have been lauded, helped provoke change and resonated with women from all walks of life. Domestic violence has been a serious issue faced by women in India and the recent figures suggesting the pandemic has worsened it further highlights the need that it is our responsibility as a society to find a solution together. Violence faced by women can affect every aspect of their lives, from their mental health, social life, financial security, relationship with their children and work life. Many women continue to live with the perpetrator, mostly their partners to safeguard the reputation, due to fear of shame or pressure from family. Through the campaign and support from Thane Police, we have created a film that will be rolled across 150 screens urging people to not ignore the woes of victims they may know in their vicinity, and report such incidents on the emergency help line number 103. The severity of domestic violence impacting the mental and physical health of women also stresses the need for policy changes concerning safety of the complainant, counselling measures to alleviate victim’s trauma and temporary protection and shelter homes for women. An online petition has been launched requesting for measures to create a safe environment for the victims of domestic violence.”
Launched in 2015, Viviana Mall through its flagship campaign – ‘ExtraordiNAARI’ aims to take up various women centric social causes and aims for the betterment of women in society by creating awareness and a long-lasting impact on society. 
In 2018 Viviana Mall launched #STOPACIDSALE campaign where they highlighted unheard and untold stories of acid attack survivors in India. The entire concept was taken a notch ahead, where the acid attack survivors walked the ramped at a leading Fashion Week. Viviana Mall was lauded for its innovative and socially relevant campaign against the sale of Acid aimed at prevention of an ever prevalent social malaise of scarring caused by Acid Attacks at the ICSC Gold Asia Pacific Shopping center awards 2018, followed by ICSC VIVA Best of Best  Award at Las Vegas in May 2019 for the same initiative.
In 2019, the Mall applauded Women on Wheelchair through their campaign #RespectWomenOnWheelchair. This campaign was in association with the NINA foundation, which aimed to portray women who have broken through the shackles of disability and achieved success in their respective fields despite facing challenges. Through ExtraordiNAARI Viviana Mall aims to facilitate changes in the society in the coming years. 
In 2020, MeraFarzHai, (it is my responsibility), was launched that focused on gender sensitisation and creating awareness among the people to stand against sexual harassment faced by women, especially in public places. To reach a larger audience, a video was created and released across 150 cinema halls in the MMR. The campaign received over 18 million views across different social media platforms. The campaign was recognised in India and abroad that led to similar campaigns being launched by Ontarion government and L’Oreal Paris. Inspired by Viviana Mall’s initiative, Ontarion government launched #WhoWillYouHelp in September 2020 followed by #StandUpAgainstStreetHarassment by L’Oreal Paris, in November 2020.The campaign film was also reposted by Telangana State Police on their social media handles.
Campaign link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWl43ybHaZc
Petition link: https://www.change.org/p/mrs-smriti-zubin-irani-fight-against-domestic-violence?recruiter=29763990&recruited_by_id=ee3a85c0-dca3-012f-61c2-4040f855b16c&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=petition_dashboard
ABOUT VIVIANA MALL:
Viviana Mall, a well-known ‘Destination Mall’ by the Ashwin Sheth Group, was built to give an experience to its audience. Encompassing one million square feet, Viviana Mall covers over 250 leading brands in its prime retail and leisure space. Established in 2013, the mall is India’s first and only visually impaired friendly mall and has also launched “XRCVC-Viviana Extension” a resource centre for visually impaired.

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IIT Delhi Spinout DeepLase Raises ₹6 Crore Seed Round co-led by Kavachh and Yali Capital

NEW DELHI, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DeepLase Technologies, an IIT Delhi–incubated deep-tech photonics startup developing advanced optical fiber platforms, high-performance fiber lasers, and integrated photonics systems, has raised ₹6 crore in seed funding in a round co-led by Mounttech Growth Fund – Kavachh and Yali Capital.

The company will use the capital to expand its engineering and manufacturing capabilities, accelerate product commercialization, and scale deployments across high-impact sectors including precision industrial automation, optical communications, advanced sensing, quantum technologies, and healthcare instrumentation.DeepLase was founded by Dr. Deepak Jain, a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, whose research focuses on advanced optical fiber technologies and laser systems. The company is focused on designing next-generation specialty optical fibers and fiber-laser platforms engineered for applications requiring exceptional stability, energy efficiency, spectral precision, and long-term operational reliability.As global data consumption accelerates and artificial intelligence infrastructure expands, optical technologies have become the backbone of modern digital systems. Data centers, telecommunications networks, and emerging AI hardware platforms increasingly depend on advanced photonic components capable of delivering higher bandwidth, lower latency, and improved energy efficiency. DeepLase is developing specialty optical fiber platforms designed to address these rapidly evolving performance requirements.Lasers today are foundational tools across precision manufacturing, sensing, optical communications, semiconductor fabrication, medical diagnostics, and emerging quantum systems. However, many existing laser platforms remain complex to integrate and are optimized primarily for laboratory environments. DeepLase aims to bridge the gap between scientific-grade optical performance and scalable, deployable industrial systems by developing robust laser architectures engineered for real-world applications. “Our goal is to build laser platforms that combine advanced optical fiber design, novel materials engineering, and robust system-level reliability,” said Dr. Jain, Founder and Director of DeepLase. “As industries and research domains become increasingly dependent on controlled light sources, the demand for stable, scalable, and application-ready laser systems is growing rapidly. We are developing technologies that deliver high performance while remaining practical for deployment in demanding industrial environments.”Investors believe DeepLase reflects a broader shift toward deep-technology innovation emerging from India’s academic research ecosystem, particularly in critical areas such as photonics and advanced manufacturing. “Photonics technologies are becoming foundational infrastructure for modern industry, powering everything from advanced manufacturing and telecommunications to sensing and next-generation computing systems,” said Raj Sethia, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Mounttech Growth Fund – Kavachh. “DeepLase is building core intellectual property in a strategic technology domain where global demand continues to grow rapidly. We are excited to support Dr. Deepak Jain and his team as they work to build globally competitive photonics technologies from India.””Photonic technologies hold enormous potential, and many of their most transformative applications are still emerging,” said Ganapathy Subramaniam, Co-founder & Managing Partner, Yali Capital. “DeepLase approaches photonics design from first principles, combining deep scientific expertise with a clear pathway toward commercialization. The team brings together strong research capability with an understanding of real-world deployment challenges, positioning them well to translate advanced photonics into scalable industrial platforms. We believe Dr. Deepak Jain and his team have the potential to deliver photonics technologies at a global scale.”Prior to this round, DeepLase received support through multiple government innovation and deep-tech commercialization programs, reinforcing its mission to develop indigenous, high-value photonics technologies with global relevance. The company’s long-term vision is to build globally competitive photonics infrastructure from India, enabling next-generation optical systems that power advanced computing, communications, industrial manufacturing, and scientific discovery.About DeepLaseDeepLase Technologies is a photonics startup incubated at the FITT, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi focused on developing next-generation specialty optical fibers and high-performance fiber-laser systems. Its technologies target applications in industrial manufacturing, optical communications, sensing, healthcare instrumentation, and emerging quantum technologies. DeepLase aims to translate cutting-edge photonics research into scalable industrial platforms that can power the next generation of optical systems worldwide.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937859/DeepLase_Founders.jpg 

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Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia’s book ‘The Power of Doing Good’ coming out this Vaisakhi, from HarperCollins India

The book talks about seva, rooted in Sikhism and relevant for all, which can lead everyone to a life of happiness and purpose.GURUGRAM, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Right ahead of Vaisakhi this year, HarperCollins India is delighted to announce the upcoming publication of Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia’s debut book, The Power of Doing Good: How Seva Can Change Your Life. Taking the reader through the inspiring journey of Hemkunt Foundation and foregrounding seva as a universal life philosophy — rooted in Sikh tradition but relevant to every reader seeking purpose — this book is one for these times where amidst all the chaos, people need something like this to anchor themselves in meaning and connect to shared humanity.

Talking about the book, Harteerath says, “Writing The Power of Doing Good has been a deeply transformative journey — one shaped not just by events, but by years of observing, participating in, and reflecting upon what it truly means to serve. Through the story of Hemkunt Foundation, I have attempted to capture something more enduring than action alone: the quiet discipline of seva, rooted in Sikh principles and guided by the timeless wisdom of our Gurus — ‘Sarbat da Bhala’, well-being for all, and ‘Chardi Kala’, to remain in a state of rising spirit. This book is not merely a record of what has been done; it is an offering, an archive of goodwill shaped with intention and care. It invites the reader to look inward, and to reconsider the nature of purpose — not as something to be found in grand gestures, but in consistent, conscious acts of compassion. I have come to believe, through lived experience, that doing good is a way of being that quietly reshapes both the giver, and simultaneously the world around them. This book serves as a reminder that even the smallest act, when done with sincerity, carries within it the power to transform lives — often beginning with our own.”Trisha Bora, Executive Editor – HarperCollins India, says, “There are very few people/organizations who are as inspiring as Harteerath Singh and Hemkunt Foundation. This is a story about how impactful selfless community service can be, especially in our troubled times. Anyone who reads this book will find their lives changed for the better.”About the book –In April 2020, as a sudden nationwide lockdown left thousands of migrant workers stranded and desperate, the Singhs, a Sikh family in Gurgaon, rose to the crisis. They began preparing rotis at home and distributing them along highways to those making the arduous journey back to their villages. Their compassion sparked a movement, and through the Hemkunt Foundation, thousands across Delhi-NCR and Haryana joined in.In The Power of Doing Good, Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia shares the inspiring story of why Sikhs are born to serve — through the legacy of their eleven Gurus, and the remarkable journey of Hemkunt Foundation. This book is a timely reminder of how practicing seva can lead all to a life of deeper happiness and purpose.About the author –Harteerath Singh Ahluwalia is one of India’s most influential young humanitarians and the driving force behind Hemkunt Foundation’s modern seva movement. Recognized across the country for his fearless on-ground work — from COVID relief to the Punjab floods as well as in farmer support, animal welfare, women’s dignity initiatives and nationwide emergency responses — he embodies the rare blend of leadership, service and storytelling.A founding team member of Hemkunt Foundation, Harteerath helped scale the organization into one of India’s fastest-growing grassroots NGOs. His work includes designing high-impact relief missions, building long-term rehabilitation models, crafting donor-ready MIS systems and mobilizing lakhs of people online and offline to participate in seva. Over the years, he has led some of the largest relief efforts in India: oxygen cylinder drives during COVID, twenty-one Mobile Medical Vans serving multiple states, large-scale flood rehabilitation in Punjab, and Gurukul-based education and livelihood programs in Khandwa.Beyond humanitarian operations, Harteerath is a widely followed content creator with over 500,000 supporters across platforms. Known for his raw honesty, clarity and emotional depth, he uses his voice to champion Sikh values, inspire youth to serve, and highlight real stories from the ground.His work and impact have earned him a place in the Forbes 30 Under 30, HT City 30 Under 30, World Economic Forum’s Top 50 Social Entrepreneurs of India, Femina’s Men We Love, and MensXP’s High Impact Men lists as well as recognition as Grazia’s Social Activist of the Year.About Harpercollins Publishers IndiaHarperCollins 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 has won the Publisher of the Year Award four times at Tata Literature Live! in 2022, 2021, 2018 and 2016, and at Publishing Next in 2021 & 2015. HarperCollins India is a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers.For more information, please write to – shabnam.srivastava@harpercollins.co.in Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937802/The_Power_of_Doing_Good_HarperCollins.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2105077/5820633/HarperCollins_Logo.jpg 

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Casio India launches music education CSR initiative in partnership with Manzil Mystics to empower young musicians and students from underserved communities

PATNA, India, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Japan, has announced the launch of a new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on music education and livelihood creation. In partnership with Delhi-based non-profit organisation Manzil Mystics, the initiative aims to promote skill-based musical training and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for children and musicians from underserved communities.

As a company deeply rooted in the music industry through its Electronic Musical Instruments portfolio, Casio India has consistently championed the role of music in education and creativity. Building on this legacy, the newly launched initiative seeks to integrate structured music learning into community spaces and schools while enabling aspiring musicians to develop professional skills in the performing arts and media ecosystem.Under this collaboration, the program will focus on providing structured musical training through Casio electronic keyboards, alongside curriculum-based modules designed to develop practical skills that can translate into future music education. The initiative will particularly target underprivileged students studying in government schools and young musicians from low-income communities, enabling them to access high-quality music education and professional development opportunities.Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Takuto Kimura, Managing Director, Casio India, said, “At Casio, we believe that music has the power to inspire creativity, build confidence, and transform lives. Through this CSR initiative, we aim to make music education more accessible to children and young artists from underserved communities. By partnering with Manzil Mystics, we hope to nurture musical talent while creating meaningful opportunities for individuals to build sustainable careers in the creative industry.”The event commenced with a welcome address for the Casio India leadership team and representatives from Manzil Mystics, followed by a felicitation ceremony recognising key contributors and educators associated with the initiative. The program highlighted the role of music as a powerful tool for learning and creative development among young students. As part of the event, Casio India also facilitated the students with instruments from its range of electronic musical keyboards, enabling them to begin their training and supporting the broader objective of promoting skill-based music education among children from underserved communities.Through this initiative, Casio India aims to equip young learners with vocational skills in music, encourage creative expression, and support aspiring artists in pursuing sustainable careers as educators, performers, and creative professionals. The program also seeks to foster an inclusive ecosystem that celebrates India’s diverse musical traditions while preparing artists for opportunities in the country’s rapidly expanding media and entertainment industry.About Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd:Casio India Co. Pvt. Ltd. (CIC) is the Indian subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Casio India has established a dynamic presence in the Indian market since 1996, emerging as a leading and cherished consumer goods manufacturer. Casio India’s range of products include sales and marketing of Timepieces, Electronic Musical Instruments, Desktop Calculators and Scientific Calculators.Setting the benchmark for excellence, Casio India is dedicated to embodying the spirit of innovation and quality that defines the Casio legacy. With a strong commitment to its corporate creed of ‘creativity and contribution,’ Casio has consistently translated this ethos into the creation of innovative products making a positive impact on society.For more information, visit https://www.casio.com/in/Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2937791/CSR_Event_Casio_India.jpg 

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