Brands
Aviva launches savings plus life cover plan for rural and small-town India
MUMBAI: In a world where aspirations are rising faster than premiums, Aviva India is scripting a small-town success story with its latest insurance offering. Aviva India has launched Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana, a life insurance savings plan tailored for families in India’s rural and semi-urban markets. With premiums starting at just Rs 1,000 per month, the plan aims to provide both financial protection and a secure path to children’s dreams whether that’s a college degree, a vocational course, or a business of their own.
Designed with flexibility and simplicity in mind, the non-linked, non-participating policy offers guaranteed maturity benefits and life cover. The entry age starts at 3 years, extending up to 50, with terms ranging from 12 to 30 years. Policyholders can pay premiums monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually, making it adaptable for diverse household budgets. The maturity age goes up to 80 years.
If the life insured passes away during the term, the nominee receives the highest of:
. The Death Sum Assured
. The surrender value (either Guaranteed or Special Surrender Value)
. A minimum of 105 per cent of total premiums paid
Aviva India, chief marketing officer, Vinit Kapahi noted, “This isn’t just another insurance product, it’s a bridge to ambition for families beyond metro cities. Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana is for parents who dream big for their children but don’t want to get lost in complicated financial jargon.”
The plan also offers guaranteed lump sum benefits upon maturity and comes with tax perks under prevailing laws making it not only emotionally reassuring but financially rewarding.
While urban India is spoilt for choice when it comes to financial tools, Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana is a welcome step in democratising protection and savings. It reflects the insurer’s push for financial inclusion by targeting the heart of Bharat where every rupee counts and every dream matters.
Brands
Abhinav Rastogi named global marketing director for YouTube Shopping
Google veteran to scale creator commerce and expand shopping across global markets
SINGAPORE: Abhinav Rastogi has stepped into a new role as global marketing director for YouTube Shopping, marking the latest chapter in a more than decade-long career at Google.
Rastogi, who took on the position in February and is based in Singapore, will lead global marketing for YouTube Shopping, a platform designed to connect creators, viewers and merchants in a single ecosystem. His remit includes expanding the service into new markets and strengthening its positioning as a growth channel for both creators and brands.
In a reflective note on the transition, Rastogi pointed to a simple but powerful idea driving the role. For years, creators have quietly built trust with audiences through consistent and authentic content, and that trust often shapes purchasing decisions. What is changing now, he said, is the infrastructure around that behaviour. YouTube Shopping aims to make it easier for viewers to discover and buy products recommended by creators they already follow.
The scale is already significant. More than half a million creators have joined the programme, with recent expansion into Japan through a partnership with Rakuten signalling further global ambitions.
Rastogi believes the future of shopping on YouTube will be driven by a blend of creators, content and communities. In his view, it is the human voice behind the screen, not just the product, that ultimately builds trust and drives discovery.
Prior to this role, he served as director of marketing, YouTube Asia Pacific, where he led regional marketing across creator engagement, brand building and reputation. During that time, he played a key role in launching and scaling YouTube Shopping across eight markets in the region.
Earlier stints at Google include group product marketing manager, consumer apps, overseeing growth for products such as Search, Maps and Assistant across India and Southeast Asia, and product marketing manager roles spanning consumer apps and YouTube, where he contributed to launches including YouTube Music, YouTube Originals and YouTube Shorts.
Rastogi began his career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney, before moving into the technology sector. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Alongside his corporate role, he is also an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups in consumer technology and electric mobility across India and Southeast Asia.
As he settles into the new role, Rastogi is betting on a future where every video can double up as a storefront, and where commerce feels less like a transaction and more like a recommendation from a trusted voice.
