ITV News
MAV seeks probe into Riyan Parag vaping visuals during IPL
Group cites e-cigarette ban, urges BCCI action after IPL 2026 broadcast clip.
MUMBAI: A puff of controversy has drifted onto the pitch and it’s refusing to clear anytime soon. Mothers Against Vaping (MAV), a collective of concerned parents, has called for a formal inquiry after visuals from an IPL 2026 broadcast appeared to show Rajasthan Royals cricketer Riyan Parag holding a vape-like device during a match against Punjab Kings.
The group has raised concerns over the incident’s visibility on national television, arguing that it risks normalising a category of products that is explicitly banned in India. Under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, the production, sale, distribution and even possession of e-cigarettes can attract penalties ranging from fines of up to Rs 50,000 and imprisonment of up to six months, to stricter punishments including fines of up to Rs 1 lakh and jail terms of up to one year for broader violations.
MAV has also pushed back against claims that vaping in indoor settings may fall into a regulatory “grey zone”, calling such interpretations misleading. The Union Health Ministry has previously clarified that possession of e-cigarettes in any form violates the law.
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has acknowledged the matter and indicated it will seek an explanation, MAV said no formal notice has yet been issued. The group has urged the board to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, particularly given cricket’s vast young viewership.
The collective also invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2019 remarks, where he described e-cigarettes as a “new way of intoxication” and cautioned against their glamorisation. According to MAV, any appearance of such devices around high-visibility public figures risks sending the wrong message to impressionable audiences.
Raising broader questions, the group has called for clarity on whether the incident was inadvertent or part of a larger pattern of normalising banned products, especially amid ongoing debates and reported lobbying around vaping devices in India.
MAV added that if there was no intent to promote such products, Parag should cooperate fully with any inquiry. “No public figure can claim a different standard from the law,” the group noted.
As the IPL continues to command millions of viewers, the episode has spotlighted a larger issue, in a game watched as closely as cricket, even a fleeting visual can carry a long-lasting message.
ITV News
DSM Fresh Foods wins CII IPO Trailblazer 2025 recognition
Zappfresh honoured at CII Unicorn Summit 2026 for governance and growth
MUMBAI: From farm-fresh cuts to boardroom credibility, Zappfresh is clearly slicing its way into the big league. DSM Fresh Foods Limited, which operates Zappfresh, has been recognised as an “IPO Trailblazer 2025” at the CII Unicorn Summit 2026, an initiative by the Confederation of Indian Industry to spotlight high-growth companies demonstrating strong governance and long-term value creation. The recognition was awarded at a ceremony held at the Taj Mahal Hotel, attended by industry leaders, policymakers and business stakeholders. The honour was accepted by Prreya Manchanda, Director at DSM Fresh Foods.
The award category highlights startups and growth-stage firms that are not just scaling fast but are also building robust, compliant and future-ready businesses. For DSM Fresh Foods, it signals growing institutional confidence in its operating model within the fresh and processed food segment.
The company has been expanding its footprint through a customer-focused approach, strengthening quality-led operations and building an omni-channel distribution network to reach consumers more efficiently.
The recognition comes at a time when companies in the food-tech and fresh produce space are increasingly being evaluated not just on growth, but on governance standards and sustainability of operations key factors for any future public market journey.
For DSM Fresh Foods, the nod from CII adds another layer to its growth story, positioning it as a business that is not only scaling up but also shaping up for the long run.
