MAM
EC questions govt. morality, orders removal of ‘feel good’ hoardings
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission, responsible for overseeing the process of elections in India, has directed the government to pull down hoardings around the country, which had been put up by the government highlighting its achievements.
In a press briefing today, the EC said that it has conveyed to the government that hoardings depicting achievements of both the central and state governments would have to be removed.
The reason cited by EC is that such hoardings mean spending public money at a juncture when the outgoing government doesn’t have any moral authority to do so just before the elections.
The EC order may affect the campaign plans of parties in power both at the Centre and in the states – some states are ruled by the Congress and its allies – to the extent that government-sponsored outdoor hoardings constitute an important part of political campaign.
Though exact numbers of hoardings that have been put up are not forthcoming, but it is estimated that more than 1,000 hoardings could have been put up by the governments at the Centre and states.
At the time of writing the report, the BJP and the government had not come up with a reaction to the latest EC directive.
The latest missive from the EC on hoardings is in line with its proactive role since the time T N Seshan graced Nirvachan Sadan as the chief election commissioner in 1990s. Since then all successive CECs have cracked the whip during various elections, especially when it came to the media spendings of the government in power.
So much so that today the Election Commission said it was ”gathering facts” about the reported violation of the model code of conduct by deputy prime minister L K Advani at a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) function yesterday where he dwelt on the feel-good factor, which is being extensively by the government in the run-up to the elections.
MAM
Crocs and Lego launch new collaborative collection in India
Iconic brands bring playful creativity to footwear with first drop on 13 April 2026.
MUMBAI: Crocs and Lego have clicked together once again and this time, the bricks are heading straight for Indian feet. The global footwear brand Crocs has announced the India launch of its latest Crocs x Lego Group collection, following the excitement of their multi-year global partnership unveiled earlier this year. The collaboration celebrates creativity, play, and individuality, merging Crocs’ signature comfort with Lego’s iconic building-block spirit.
The collection will roll out in two phases. A digital-exclusive pre-launch begins on 13 April 2026 on crocs.in, featuring four styles: the Lego Masterbrand Creativity Clog, Lego Midnight Garden Creativity Clog, Lego Creativity Clog, and Kids’ Lego Creativity Clog. Each pair purchased during this phase will include an exclusive Lego minifigure as a collectible bonus.
From May 2026, the full collection will be available across select Crocs stores, VegNonVeg, and Foot Locker outlets nationwide.
The designs playfully blend Crocs’ classic clog silhouette with Lego brick-inspired details, complete with custom Jibbitz charms on the upper and sole. The collection encourages wearers to treat their footwear as a canvas for personal expression, without any set instructions just an open invitation to build, explore, and have fun.
Crocs chief marketing officer Carly Gomez said, “The Lego Group’s boundless imagination makes them the perfect match to Crocs’ wonderfully unordinary spirit. We are both brands that pride ourselves on being built different, celebrating self-expression and fuelling creativity.”
LEGO Group, head of licensing & extended line design & partnerships Satwik Saraswati added, “Our common mission to enable self-expression and wear it with pride only marks the beginning of a journey with endless possibilities.”
The campaign will extend beyond the product launch through creator-led seeding, elevated visual merchandising, and exclusive on-ground previews, supported by a deeper partnership with the Lego India team.
In a market that loves both comfort and fun, Crocs and Lego have built something special, a collection that lets every step feel like playtime. Get ready to click your heels (or rather, your clogs) because this collaboration is set to be a blockbuster hit with Indian fans.
