Brands
Maruti Suzuki, Ola tie up to train drivers
MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ola to train aspiring drivers-partners. Under the ‘Maruti Ola Training Program,’ the company aims at benefiting 40,000 Ola partner-drivers in safe driving, over a period of three years.
Maruti Suzuki and Ola partnership will create entrepreneurship opportunities for aspiring drivers¬ partners as well as make urban transportation safe, reliable and convenient. The pilot phase of the initiative will be rolled out in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and in NCR. The driving training programme will be gradually rolled out in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune.
Ola, as a technology platform will help create opportunities for these trained drivers by giving them access to infrastructure, financing and continuous revenue. Over the last 5 years, Ola has been successful in on-boarding over 5 lakh skilled driver-partners onto its platform.
Maruti Suzuki marketing and sales executive director R S Kalsi said, “Maruti Suzuki is committed to promote quality driving training in the country. Studies show that driver’s fault’ is the biggest reason of road accidents. We have evolved a comprehensive training program comprising simulators, theory and practical sessions, imparted through 370 Maruti Driving Schools and six IDTRs across India. The curriculum, besides driving skills, offers soft skills like grooming, manners, etiquette that develop a positive attitude among the drivers. We are glad that through this partnership with Ola, we will be able to expand quality driving training while creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. We target to train 40,000 individuals over three years.”
Ola COO Pranay Jivrajka said, “Mobility in India is a huge need and the industry has the potential to empower aspiring individuals from all walks of life to become micro-entrepreneurs. This partnership falls in line with Ola’s goal of skilling five million drivers in the next five years and continue to build a conducive ecosystem for them to grow as entrepreneurs. We are delighted to work with a trusted Indian brand like Maruti to create a unique solution to skill tens of thousands of aspiring driver entrepreneurs realize their dreams. This is yet another initiative from Ola towards creating a robust and balanced driver ecosystem; which is vital to realize our mission of creating mobility for a billion Indians.”
According to the MoU, Maruti Suzuki would help the individuals/Ola partner-drivers obtain commercial license and also assist in availing vehicle financing to purchase their own car, after the completion of their course. Ola will also provide qualified leads of potential driver-partners to Maruti Suzuki for facilitating them with commercial driving training.
All the aspiring drivers will undergo a 30-day driving training which includes a pre- and post- assessment tests to gauge the driving skills of these individuals.
The classroom sessions will familiarize the trainee with basic requirements such as vehicle controls and mechanisms, road signage, rules and markings, driving in difficult conditions, maintenance and fuel efficiency tips and traffic laws. Besides these dedicated sessions on soft skills like being a good road user, interactive case studies on the effect of bad driving habits, the importance of positive attitude, grooming tips, etiquette and good manners are imparted to instill safe driving habits and become a responsible driver.
The practical training sessions cover intensive training on safe and efficient driving, pre-checks before starting to drive, risk perception, defensive driving techniques, driving in difficult conditions, rules of the road and emergency handling.
Ola works closely with multiple state governments to create a skilled workforce that has access to capital, insurance and vehicle at discounted prices. Ola aims to add 50 lakh driver-partners on its platform by 2022 by mobilising, training and engaging with aspirants through such partnerships.
Brands
Zinema Media to issue new shares and acquire Beontyme Tech Stake
Board approves 1.93 crore share issuance and 60 per cent acquisition via share swap
MUMBAI: Zinema Media & Entertainment Limited has announced a series of significant corporate decisions following its board meeting held on 2nd March 2026. The company is proceeding with a substantial capital raise along with a strategic acquisition aimed at strengthening its footprint in the media services sector.
The Board has approved the issuance of 1,93,00,000 equity shares at a price of Rs 10 per share on a preferential basis. The shares will be issued against cash consideration and allotted to a group of 15 investors. Among the key allottees are Nova Film Studios LLP and Lords & Partners Property Management Service Private Limited, each receiving 50,00,000 shares. Additionally, M Kiran Kumar and Dean Estates Private Limited will be allotted 15,00,000 shares each. The proposed issuance marks a significant step in bolstering the company’s capital base.
In a parallel move, Zinema has also approved the acquisition of a 60 per cent equity stake in Beontyme Technologies Private Limited. The transaction will be executed through a share swap arrangement rather than a cash deal. Under this structure, Zinema will issue 6,000 of its own equity shares to the existing shareholders of Beontyme Technologies in exchange for the majority stake.
Beontyme Technologies, incorporated in December 2021, operates within the media services segment. While the company has reported nil turnover over the past three financial years, Zinema indicated that the acquisition is strategically aligned with its long-term growth plans and expansion objectives.
Both the preferential allotment and the acquisition are subject to shareholder approval. The company has scheduled an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Saturday, 28th March 2026, which will be conducted via video conferencing to seek formal consent for these proposals.
