MAM
Kitkat installs ‘The Slooowest Vending Machine in the World’ in Hyderabad
Campaign encourages busy Indians to pause and take a mindful break.
MUMBAI: In a world that runs on instant everything, Kitkat has decided to hit the brakes literally. The iconic chocolate brand, in collaboration with global creative company VML and Delhi-based production house The Other Half, has unveiled “The Slooowest Vending Machine in the World” in one of Hyderabad’s busiest commercial hubs.
Instead of dispensing a Kitkat in the usual three seconds, this unique installation takes its sweet time. Once a coin is inserted, the chocolate bar embarks on a whimsical, slow-motion journey through miniature scenes inspired by everyday Indian life riding a toy train, spinning on a Ferris wheel, travelling in an iconic truck, floating down a river, and joining a festive procession.
The experience is designed to gently remind people to slow down and enjoy a mindful pause, even in the middle of a hectic day. “Have a break. Have a Kitkat.” has never felt more intentional.
Nestlé director of confectionery Gopichandar J said the idea was born from observing how even breaks in India are becoming shorter. “Vending machines are built for speed and convenience. We wanted to explore whether a small pause could feel meaningful.”
VML India chief creative officer Kalpesh Patankar added with a smile, “While the average vending machine pops out a snack in three seconds, ours takes a luxurious ride in no hurry at all.”
VML global chief creative officer for innovation & chief creative officer for EMEA Bas Korsten summed up the philosophy, “Everything today is about speed and multitasking. But what happened to taking a moment for yourself?”
The installation quietly drew crowds who lingered longer than usual, watching the journey unfold with smiles and a rare moment of stillness.
In a city known for its fast pace, Kitkat has created a delightful reminder that sometimes the best things like a good break are worth waiting for. A simple, clever idea that proves even a vending machine can teach us to slow down and savour the moment.
MAM
Womaniya on GeM opens government procurement market to women entrepreneurs
Over 2.1 lakh women-led MSEs tap public procurement via digital platform
NEW DELHI: The Womaniya Initiative is steadily reshaping how women entrepreneurs access government markets, with over 2.1 lakh women-led micro and small enterprises now registered on the Government e Marketplace.
Launched in 2019 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the initiative enables women entrepreneurs and self-help groups to sell directly to government buyers through a dedicated digital interface, cutting through traditional barriers such as limited market access and reliance on intermediaries.
Public procurement has long been one of India’s largest organised markets. With the rise of GeM, a fully digital, paperless and cashless procurement platform, the system has become more transparent and accessible. Womaniya builds on this foundation by creating a focused pathway for women-led enterprises to participate in government supply chains.
The scale of participation is already notable. In FY 2025-26, women entrepreneurs on GeM secured an order volume of 13.7 lakh, with contracts worth over Rs 28,000 crore awarded to women-led businesses. This accounts for 5.6 per cent of total procurement on the platform, comfortably exceeding the mandated 3 per cent target.
The initiative focuses on product categories where women entrepreneurs already have a strong presence, including handicrafts, handloom textiles, coir products, home décor and office accessories. These are grouped under curated storefronts, making it easier for government departments to discover and procure from women-led suppliers.
Beyond listings, Womaniya is also about capability building. Entrepreneurs are onboarded digitally through Udyam verification, supported by training workshops, buyer-seller meets and vernacular outreach programmes. The platform ensures standardised cataloguing, transparent bidding and time-bound payments, which are critical for small businesses operating with limited capital.
The initiative works in tandem with SWAYATT, a broader programme aimed at improving access to public procurement for startups, women, youth and marginalised groups. Together, they form a wider push towards inclusive economic participation.
At the grassroots level, self-help groups continue to play a vital role. With over 10 crore women mobilised into lakhs of SHGs nationwide, the pipeline of potential entrepreneurs is steadily expanding, strengthening the ecosystem further.
What began as a targeted inclusion effort is now evolving into one of the country’s largest organised procurement channels for women-led enterprises. By linking digital infrastructure with on-ground mobilisation, Womaniya is not just opening doors, it is helping women walk confidently through them into formal economic participation.
