Brands
Pokémon Go onboards Riteish & Genelia Deshmukh as brand faces in India
Mumbai: Pokémon Go, an augmented reality mobile game by Niantic, has announced Indian cinema couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh as brand ambassadors for India. The couple will engage with the game’s growing fan base in the country.
Genelia Deshmukh, an avid Pokémon Go player, made a special appearance at the Pokémon Festivities celebrations in Mumbai, where Pikachu wearing a saree was showcased to highlight the cultural collaboration. Genelia, known for her family values and blending tradition with modernity, is excited about her partnership with Pokémon Go.
“As a mom and a proud Indian, the Festival of Light event is a beautiful blend of tradition and technology. It’s incredible to see Pokémon Go celebrate Indian culture in such a fun and engaging way, with characters like Pikachu wearing a saree! Pokémon has always been special to me, and Pikachu is also both my kid’s favourite Pokémon. Seeing it in a saree is a wonderful experience and being able to share this joy with my family and the world through such an innovative approach is truly exciting,” said Genelia.
Riteish Deshmukh echoed her excitement, adding, “As someone who loves technology and gaming, being part of the Pokémon Go family feels like a natural fit. Playing this game for so long since it came to India in 2016 and now associating with the brand to promote it truly thrills me as it not only encourages fun but also keeps our cultural heritage alive in such an interactive way.”
Niantic’s senior director, strategic partnerships & special projects, Yuki Kawamura stated, “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Riteish and Genelia D’Souza Deshmukh to the Pokémon Go family. Their deep connection with Indian culture and passion for gaming makes them the perfect ambassadors. We’re always striving to create experiences that resonate with our diverse player base, and with this unique celebration, we’re bringing a special piece of Indian heritage to our global platform.”
As part of their ambassadorship, fans can look forward to special videos featuring Riteish and Genelia sharing their experiences with Pokémon Go.
Additionally, Pokémon Go is hosting exciting festival of lights celebrations, including a special event in Bengaluru on 2 November 2024, at Phoenix Marketcity, where Pikachu will appear in a saree, alongside surprises and giveaways for trainers.
A sweepstake on Instagram will also offer two lucky winners from India a chance to attend the Pokémon GO City Safari in São Paulo.
This partnership emphasises the couple’s appeal and Pokémon Go’s commitment to cultural localization in India, enhancing gaming experiences for its diverse player base. In September 2023, Niantic added Hindi language support to the game, reinforcing its focus on inclusivity and encouraging more players to join their Pokémon Go adventures.
Brands
Trump announces $300bn Texas oil refinery with Reliance, calls it the biggest in US history
First new US refinery in 50 years planned at Brownsville port with Reliance
WASHINGTON: The United States may soon see the first brand-new oil refinery built on its soil in half a century.
Donald Trump announced a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Texas, calling it a landmark moment for American energy production and jobs.
Posting on Truth Social on 10 March, Trump said the facility would be built at the Port of Brownsville and developed by a company called America First Refining, with major investment from India’s Reliance Industries.
The announcement frames the project as a centrepiece of the administration’s push for “energy dominance”, with Trump claiming it would deliver thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity to South Texas.
If realised, the plant would mark the first all-new major refinery constructed in the United States since the 1970s. In recent decades, oil companies have largely chosen to expand existing facilities rather than build new ones, citing high costs, regulatory hurdles and environmental scrutiny.
Trump described the proposed investment as the “biggest in US history”, positioning it as proof that policy changes such as streamlined permits and lower taxes are drawing large-scale energy investments back into the country.
The refinery is planned for the Port of Brownsville, a strategic Gulf Coast location that provides easy access to shipping routes and export markets.
A key partner in the project is Reliance Industries, controlled by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The company already runs the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, India, making it one of the most experienced operators in large-scale petroleum processing.
The Texas venture would mark a significant step for the group into America’s domestic refining sector, potentially strengthening industrial ties between the US and India.
The proposed refinery is being promoted as a next-generation facility capable of processing American shale oil while maintaining high environmental standards. Trump said it would be “the cleanest refinery in the world”, although the specific technologies behind that claim have not yet been detailed.
Industry observers also note that the $300 billion figure is unusually large for a refinery project, and analysts are waiting for more clarity on whether the number reflects total construction costs, long-term infrastructure investment, or broader economic impact estimates.
As of 11 March, Reliance Industries had not publicly confirmed the investment size or the structure of its involvement.
For now, the announcement has sparked equal parts excitement and curiosity in energy markets. If the plan moves from promise to pouring concrete, the refinery could reshape the Gulf Coast energy landscape, and reopen a chapter in American refining that has been quiet for nearly fifty years.
