Gaming
Games24x7 Foundation unveils ‘Wheels of Change’ on national girl child day
Mumbai: Games24x7 Foundation, the non-profit arm of Games24x7, one of online skill gaming companies, is reshaping the landscape of education for underprivileged girls with the launch of ‘Wheels of Change’ on National Girl Child Day. A response to the staggering challenge of over 5.5 Lakh out-of-school girls in India1, this initiative addresses the prevalent issue of distance acting as a deterrent for girl students, often a decisive factor in their unfortunate dropout.
In unveiling the ‘Wheels of Change’ initiative, Games24x7 co-founder and CEO Bhavin Pandya declared, “The Games24x7 Foundation passionately commits to dismantling barriers faced by aspiring girl students in an effort to promote education for all in our country. A small step towards this large endeavour is taken in the distant towns of Dharashiv, Maharashtra of ensuring access to high school education for girl students. At the Games24x7 Foundation, our vision is to empower the youth, catalysing lasting impact for future generations. Through the ‘Wheels of Change’ initiative, we aim to empower a cultural transformation, fostering a society where learning and aspiration know no bounds. This endeavour is fuelled by the unwavering support of the Ministry of Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Maharashtra, propelling our mission to build an inclusive and progressive future.”
Maharashtra’s student dropout rates stand at a 10.7 per cent annual rate at the secondary level (national average 12.6 per cent) in 2021-2022. However, in five districts, it soars past 15 per cent. Recognising this as a barrier to the new National Education Policy 100 per cent enrolment goal by 2030, Games24x7 Foundation is set to distribute 1000 bicycles in Dharashiv district—specifically Bhoom, Washi, Paranda. The initiative aims to offer a sense of independence, security, and shorter commutes, breaking barriers to education for deserving girls.
The ‘Wheels of Change’ is Games24x7 Foundation’s impactful stride, building on Games24x7’s successful ventures in education, hunger, and healthcare. Collaborating with local authorities, the foundation will host orientation sessions on road safety and will compile data on attendance, punctuality, and educational aspirations, offering valuable insights into the initiative’s transformative impact. This marks a pivotal step in the Foundation’s mission for building a framework to stimulate impact for generations to come.
Games24x7 Foundation stands strong with its parent organisations’ previous collaborations with Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation (KSCF), Hemkunt Foundation, Christel House and many more non-for-profit organisations driving impactful initiatives. Notably, Games24x7’s partnership on a child trafficking study with the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation lending their tech for good, brought forward a tool for KSCF and its partners to analyse data collected from the vulnerable children in real time. These initiatives lay the foundation for meaningful change in countless lives across the nation.
Learn more about our initiatives and the Science of Gaming ethos at https://www.games24x7.com/csr
Gaming
Roblox appoints Sunil Rao as India managing director to drive growth
Former AWS leader to lead creator ecosystem, partnerships and local strategy
MUMBAI: Roblox has appointed Sunil Rao as managing director for India, as the company looks to deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets.
Rao, who will join in May, will serve as the senior-most representative for Roblox in India, leading local strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations. His mandate includes strengthening the platform’s presence, supporting the creator ecosystem and aligning India’s market needs with global priorities.
A key focus area will be nurturing India’s growing community of developers and creators, enabling local studios to leverage Roblox’s tools for scaling and monetisation. Globally, the platform’s creator community earned over $1.5 billion in 2025, underlining the economic potential of user-generated content ecosystems.
“Roblox is at the forefront of enabling a new generation of creators and games. India’s scale, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy present a massive opportunity,” said Rao. “I’m excited to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that empowers developers and creators across the country. Ensuring child safety and aligning closely with India’s regulatory framework will be among my top priorities.”
Welcoming the appointment, Roblox vice president international Zhen Fang said India represents a high-potential market for the company. “Sunil brings deep expertise in building operations across diverse markets, and his passion for community-centric platforms makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth in the country.”
Rao brings over two decades of experience across technology platforms, venture capital and developer ecosystems. He was previously part of the leadership team at Amazon Web Services, where he led strategy and corporate business development across Asia-Pacific and Japan. He also served as a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, working closely with startups and founders.
Earlier in his career, Rao played a key role in building developer ecosystems at Symbian, Nokia and Google, contributing to the growth of major mobile and internet platforms.
With India’s large youth population and rapidly evolving digital landscape, Roblox’s latest leadership move signals a sharper focus on long-term growth, local relevance and creator-led innovation in the market.
