MAM
Aulerth launches Towards Selfless Service initiative with CRY
Mumbai: Aulerth, a multi-designer house for couture-inspired, consciously crafted jewellery, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest creation, the Altruist Kada Bracelet. Designed by JJ Valaya, this exquisite jewel embodies the powerful concept of ‘Towards Selfless Service,’ serving as a beautiful reminder of the profound impact of giving to others.
In a world where existential questions often lead to introspection, where we are constantly driven to seek personal validation and success, the Altruist Kada Bracelet serves as a reminder of a simpler, yet profound thought – that Selfless Service gives our lives more meaning. Thereby, this exquisite jewel embodies the powerful concept of “Towards Selfless Service.” One of the inspirations for this jewellery was taken from the Sikh community’s ethos of selfless service; the Altruist Kada Bracelet serves as a constant reminder that giving back to others can enrich our lives and bring a deeper sense of purpose.
Aulerth has partnered with CRY (Child Rights and You) for the “Towards Selfless Service” initiative. With the sale of each Altruist Kada Bracelet (priced at Rs 3,500), Aulerth will donate 100 per cent of its net proceeds, i.e., Rs 1,500, to CRY’s drive to empower 3 underprivileged girls in rural India to resume their education.
Speaking on the launch of the Kada, Aulerth, founder & CEO Vivek Ramabhadran said, “Our growing community at Aulerth is passionate about making a positive change to the world we live in. Along with our community, we wish to create a reminder of this simple and powerful thought – ‘Selfless service gives us our lives more meaning.’ And beyond the symbolism, there’s a direct opportunity to make a broader difference – to educate and empower girl children by joining hands with CRY.”
On the other hand, JJ Valaya said, “The Altruist Kada Bracelet is a labour of love. It fulfils a long-time desire to create something meaningful using the iconic Valaya Shifting Leaves Chevron. This beautiful ornament combines the strength of steel and the warmth of brass creating a blissful harmony. This unique blend evokes a powerful new sentiment and is destined to be a treasured wrist accessory whilst capturing many hearts. We are thrilled to continue our ongoing creative journey with Aulerth for the last several years. Finally what truly makes this project truly special is its partnership with CRY, one of Idia’s most incredible NGOs.”
Similarly, Puja Marwaha, CEO at CRY shared, “Did you know? In India, a staggering 13 million girls under 19 are married, and 29 per cent of them are forced to leave school. Early marriage is a critical issue holding back our nation’s potential. Another 12 million girls are pressured into child labour when they should be learning. These numbers can change. Organizations like CRY, with their 45 years of relentless work, and Aulerth, with their commitment to social good, are coming together to make a difference. I’m thrilled to announce this special partnership! Aulerth is launching a beautiful jewel designed by JJ Valaya – The Altruist Kada Bracelet. The funds raised will directly empower girls in rural India by helping them return to school. By supporting this initiative, you can be a part of the solution. Together, we can empower every girl child in India.” (Source: As per last census)
The Altruist Bracelet Kada portrays a unique layering of brass on steel, meticulously outlined with the iconic Valaya Shifting Leaves Chevron pattern. Brass, chosen for its symbolic meaning, represents purity, abundance, positivity, and dependability.
The launch of the Kada Bracelet was celebrated on a memorable and elegant evening at Olive Kitchen & Bar in Delhi on June 18, 2024. The event was attended by JJ Valaya, renowned influencers, media personnel, and top change-makers from the corporate world. The event celebrated the “Towards Selfless Service” initiative, as everyone came together to be a part of the cause.
MAM
VML India lands two finalist spots at Cairns Hatchlings 2026
The Mumbai agency is back in Australia with two teams, a UN brief and 24 hours to impress
MUMBAI: VML India is heading to Australia again. The Mumbai-based creative agency has secured two finalist spots at the Cairns Hatchlings 2026 competition, one in the Audio category and one in Design, making it the only Indian agency to have reached the finals in both editions of the contest since its launch in 2025.
Four people will make the trip. Senior copywriter Shilpi Dey and senior art director Raj Thakkar will compete in Audio. Art directors Shabbir and Shruti Negi will go head-to-head with the world’s best in Design. The finals take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 13th May, culminating in an awards ceremony on 15th May.
The work that got them there is worth examining. For the Audio category, Dey and Thakkar tackled a brief for LIVE LIKE MMAD with a campaign called Inner Voice, Interrupted. Using spatial audio techniques, the campaign recreates the overwhelming self-doubt that descends after a long workday, physically panning negative thoughts left and right before cutting the noise entirely to reveal a confident inner voice. Strategically targeted at commuters via Spotify during evening rush hours, the campaign reframes the hours after work as an opportunity for personal growth and charitable action.
For the Design category, Shabbir and Negi worked on a brief for Canteen’s Bandanna Day, a campaign highlighting how cancer pushes teenagers out of their own defining moments. Using a pixelated design language to create stark contrast between a blurred world of isolation and a focused world of connection, the campaign, titled The Flipside of Cancer, shows teenagers fading into the background of birthdays, skateparks and school proms. As a Canteen bandanna appears, the blur flips and the teenager snaps back into sharp focus.
Kalpesh Patankar, group chief creative officer of VML India, made no attempt to disguise his satisfaction. “We are immensely proud to see our teams consistently excel on the Cairns Hatchlings platform since its inception,” he said. “They have masterfully tackled challenging briefs across diverse categories, demonstrating both layered storytelling and a unique creative approach. This exceptional teamwork is truly inspiring.”
Dey and Thakkar, returning to the finals after last year’s run, were candid about the demands of the audio medium. “It’s one of the most demanding mediums, where we only have a few seconds to capture a listener’s world with sound alone, so absolute clarity is essential,” they said. “The true measure of creative work is its ability to create positive change, and our audio submission was made to help those who need it most while encouraging people to silence the inner voices that hold them back.”
Shabbir and Negi, competing in Design for the first time, described the experience as “a completely different beast.” “We see it as an opportunity to showcase our expertise, raise the bar, and challenge ourselves in new ways, while also learning from creative minds from across the globe,” they said.
In Australia, the four finalists will face a live 24-hour brief from the United Nations before presenting in a live pitch session. Twenty-four hours, one brief, one shot. VML India has been here before. It knows exactly what is at stake.
