iWorld
ChatWise, a new social media platform is all set to be launched in India
Mumbai: A social media network, ChatWise is to be jointly launched in the UK and India on 17 April. It will introduce a paradigm shift in social media by offering users an unprecedented level of ownership and influence over the company. Developed in the tech hub of Cambridge, UK by British Indian promoters, ChatWise offers unique features that have consistently been requested by public personalities, parents and politicians and are not yet available on any social network.
Many analysts believe that the ability to post anonymously is the main cause for the horrific abuse and disinformation seen online. ChatWise is designed to prioritize user safety by implementing strict measures to combat bots, misinformation, and malicious activity. All users join as ‘private’ accounts and only by submitting identification, can they post publicly. This will enhance online safety, disincentivize malicious behaviour, and eliminate the presence of bots commonly found on other social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and others.
“As a society, we are not ready for the AI and deep-fake with people posting anything hidden behind fake accounts. ChatWise is taking the world to a slightly different direction. With advancements in technology, it takes less than 1 minute to verify a user, then why not do it to protect our democracy and society? ChatWise will be a people-owned company and will do what is best for our children. We will only be satisfied when we can comfortably see our own children using ChatWise, that’s the bar we have set” said ChatWise co-founder Gagan Gulati.
The platform also provides ownership which is one of the key features. The first 10 lakh users will all receive shares in the company by undertaking basic tasks, allowing them to build wealth as the company’s market cap grows. In a future IPO, these early users will already have received free pre-allotted company shares. This ensures that users are directly invested in the success of the company.
“Facebook users in India create an immense amount of wealth by scrolling through social media pages. But that wealth is siphoned off to company shareholders in the US. Facebook/Meta shares are now collectively worth over Rs 100 lakh crores (nearly five times the value of Reliance industries), but this wealth stays in the US, even though Indian users create much of it with India being Facebook’s biggest and fastest growing market. Chatwise aims to turn that tide by giving company shares back to people.” said Gagan Gulati, who is a chartered accountant.
To experience, download android app from Google Playstore or visit, see: https://www.chatwise.co.uk/ and use referral code “intern”.
iWorld
Tech firms tweak office operations amid LPG shortage concerns
Infosys, HCLTech and Cognizant adjust cafeteria services and work policies.
MUMBAI: When geopolitics turns up the heat, even office cafeterias start feeling the burn. Several technology companies in India are adjusting workplace operations and food services as concerns over a nationwide shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) grow following escalating tensions in West Asia. Major IT firms including Cognizant, Infosys and HCLTech have begun rolling out contingency measures to reduce dependence on office cafeterias that rely heavily on commercial LPG.
The disruption stems from rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran after military action by the United States and Israel reportedly led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and gas supplies. The closure has disrupted the movement of LPG and liquefied natural gas across international markets, triggering concerns about supply constraints and price volatility.
According to a report by The Times of India, Cognizant has advised employees to bring their own meals to office where possible to reduce reliance on office cafeterias dependent on LPG based cooking.
The company has reportedly told staff that it is preparing for potential disruptions driven by supply prioritisation, price fluctuations and pressure on vendor networks.
As part of contingency planning, Cognizant is identifying alternative food vendors that do not rely on LPG. These include kitchens using induction based or solar powered cooking systems.
The company is also exploring partnerships with cloud kitchens that operate on electric or solar power to ensure uninterrupted food supply in case conventional cooking gas availability worsens.
Additionally, Cognizant is evaluating the possibility of expanding work from home or hybrid arrangements for non critical roles, partly to reduce commuting exposure if fuel prices rise sharply due to global energy disruptions.
Meanwhile, HCLTech allowed employees at its Chennai office to work from home on March 12 and March 13 after cafeteria vendors were unable to operate because of the LPG shortage.
Several food service vendors at the campus reportedly suspended operations as they struggled to secure cooking gas supplies, prompting the company to permit staff to work remotely for the two days.
Infosys has also issued internal advisories across multiple locations, including its campuses in Bengaluru and Chennai.
The company informed employees in Bengaluru that cafeteria services would continue but with reduced menu options due to concerns around commercial LPG availability.
As part of the temporary adjustments, live food counters have been suspended, and employees have been encouraged to bring home cooked food while the situation evolves.
While LPG shortages in India remain a developing situation, the measures taken by these technology firms highlight how global geopolitical disruptions can ripple through unexpected corners of the economy, even the humble office lunch.
For companies with large campuses and thousands of employees relying on daily cafeteria services, cooking fuel shortages can quickly turn into an operational challenge. Until global supply chains stabilise, many workplaces may find themselves rethinking everything from food sourcing to flexible work policies.
