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Viacom18, BARC India nurture positivity through work-from-home system
MUMBAI: There is hope, resilience, and an overwhelming we-can-overcome-it sense when all of us feared that we were headed for a cul-de-sac. Despite all the fear and uncertainty surrounding the spread of the pandemic COVID-19, there are instances worth celebrating. One such is the transition from full-time office to a work-from-home mode, which, necessitated under the circumstances, gives tiny epiphanies and new learning to organisations.
Knowing very well that many employees may find the transition hard, companies are also offering them a helping hand to cope with it. Viacom18 is prioritising employees’ safety and well-being in this crisis period. Viacom18 corporate marketing communications and sustainability head Sonia Huria says that the company has always believed that testing times like these provide them with a reason to reflect, rethink and innovate. “We have been promoting and ensuring that employees and their families practice social distancing and are working from home. Working remotely over the past week has been more of a learning than a challenge,” she says.
According to her, support within the team has risen across personal and professional levels like never before. This has given rise to a distinct sense of positivity and created a sense of belonging and dependence. She said that they have been able to identify strengths and implement processes which have never been tested before.
“For instance – a daily VC scrum has been working extremely well. It’s quick, focussed and very action-driven. While we have always stressed on the importance of open and clear communication, we have understood the benefits of 'over-communication’ too,” she adds.
The proactive work-from-home initiative from Viacom18 seems to have sparked an increase in productivity, too. “What we have realised is that by taking away the niggling concern of contamination in a public space (through the work-from-home directive), employees are focussing on productivity and proactive closure of tasks well before deadlines. Collaboratively, the past one week has restored determination to break barriers and has strengthened the outlook of the organisation to do more, innovate, experiment and take on new challenges,” Huria states.
Having your own small working corner at home is essential to focus. BARC India is ensuring that positivity is well in check even while working from home through its #ShareYourWorkstationAtHome challenge for employees. It encourages them to share pictures of their home office.
According to a BARC India spokesperson, the environment has changed, but the dedication and commitment is intact and it continues to be the responsible and reliable currency of the broadcast industry. The spokesperson said that strong technological support and infrastructure help it to effectively serve the industry while employees work from home safely.
Working from home doesn’t have to mean boring or distracting and so it came up with this cheerful initiative. Employees across the country are participating in the challenge.
(If you would like to get featured in our range of positive stories during the COVID-19 crisis, reach out to us right away!)
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UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
