MAM
Allen Online releases new ‘Rise to the Top’ episode with MS Dhoni
Cricketing legend shares wisdom on second chances with NEET and JEE Advanced toppers.
MUMBAI: When life gives you a second innings, even MS Dhoni knows the real game begins after you’re exhausted. Allen Online has released the fourth episode of its inspiring podcast series Rise to the Top, featuring former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in conversation with two determined students who cracked competitive exams on their second attempt.
Hemant Sharma from Bhiwani, Haryana, improved his NEET rank dramatically from AIR 29,284 to AIR 2,095 in just one year and is now pursuing MBBS at AIIMS Raebareli. Veeram Shah from Mumbai raised his JEE Advanced rank from AIR 8,068 to AIR 2,600 and is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur.
The episode, available on the Allen Online YouTube channel from 7 PM today, dives deep into what a genuine second attempt demands not just academically, but mentally and emotionally.
Hemant talks about rebuilding after a rank that haunted him, focusing only on his weak areas instead of starting from scratch. Veeram shares how he battled FOMO by quitting social media entirely and relying on one trusted friend while his peers celebrated college life.
When the students asked Dhoni about handling setbacks, the cricketing icon delivered a powerful message, “If life is giving you a second chance, then utilise it. Hard work counts only when you are fully exhausted… How much hard work you did after that, that defines you.”
Dhoni also spoke about treating criticism as useful information rather than judgement advice that resonated strongly with the students’ own journeys of stopping comparisons and focusing on self-improvement.
Through Rise to the Top, Allen Online continues to create a valuable platform where aspiring students can learn directly from role models about the mindset, discipline and resilience required to succeed in India’s fiercely competitive exam landscape.
In a conversation packed with candid stories and life lessons, this episode proves that second attempts aren’t just about trying again, they’re about rising stronger. Perfect timing for students gearing up for their own comeback stories.
Brands
Domino’s Q1 profit falls 6.6 per cent, announces $1 billion buyback
Sales rise 3.4 per cent as pizza giant balances growth and shareholder returns
NEW YORK: Domino’s reported a mixed start to 2026, with first-quarter net income slipping even as global sales and store expansion held steady. The company also announced a fresh $1 billion share buyback, underlining its continued focus on shareholder returns.
Global retail sales rose 3.4 per cent on a constant-currency basis to $4.74 billion. The US remained a key growth engine, with same-store sales inching up 0.9 per cent, supported by a 1.5 per cent rise at company-owned outlets.
International markets, however, painted a more uneven picture. While Domino’s added 161 net new stores overseas during the quarter, international same-store sales declined 0.4 per cent. Overall revenues still climbed 3.5 per cent to $1.15 billion, driven by higher supply chain revenues and a 2.6 per cent increase in food basket pricing for franchisees.
On the profitability front, net income fell 6.6 per cent to $139.8 million, compared to $149.7 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share dropped to $4.13 from $4.33. The decline was largely attributed to a $30 million unfavourable swing in unrealised gains linked to its investment in DPC Dash Ltd.
Despite this, operational performance showed resilience. Income from operations rose 9.6 per cent to $230.4 million, supported in part by a $7.8 million pre-tax gain from the sale of a corporate aircraft.
Domino’s footprint continued to expand, with the company ending the quarter at 22,322 stores across more than 90 markets. In the US, digital orders remained dominant, accounting for over 85 per cent of retail sales in 2025.
The company also maintained its dividend payout, declaring $1.99 per share, payable on 30 June 2026. After repurchasing $75.1 million worth of stock during the quarter, the new authorisation lifts the total available for buybacks to $1.29 billion.
Domino’s chief executive officer Russell Weiner said the company’s scale and store-level economics position it well to capture further market share in 2026, even as competition intensifies.
As Domino’s leans into expansion and capital returns, the latest results show a business managing short-term pressures while keeping its long-term growth strategy firmly in play.
