MAM
Parents frown on Internet, mobile phones for teens: survey
MUMBAI: With the explosion of gizmos and explicit content all around; parents of today’s teenagers sure are a wary lot. According to a recent survey findings released by Outlook-Synovate, it was found that parents and teens alike feel that there was a huge communication gap between them.
The study revealed that over 60 per cent parents give thumbs down to the Internet and mobile phones for teenagers. Also an equal number of parents feel that teenagers today have to contend with severe peer pressure making them break taboos. The concern is palpable as at least 63 per cent of the parents polled felt that they have a right to rummage through their teenage child’s cupboard – without asking him or her.
The poll also threw up a larger issue confronting both teens and parents – the inability to freely communicate with each other. Not surprisingly, talking about love life and sexual behavior emerged complete taboos for both teens and parents.
The survey was conducted by Synovate for the Outlook magazine and parents and teenagers in Bangalore, Chandigarh, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai were polled. In all, 422 boys and girls in the 13-17 age group were interviewed along with 415 parents of teenagers.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
