Brands
Aviva launches savings plus life cover plan for rural and small-town India
MUMBAI: In a world where aspirations are rising faster than premiums, Aviva India is scripting a small-town success story with its latest insurance offering. Aviva India has launched Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana, a life insurance savings plan tailored for families in India’s rural and semi-urban markets. With premiums starting at just Rs 1,000 per month, the plan aims to provide both financial protection and a secure path to children’s dreams whether that’s a college degree, a vocational course, or a business of their own.
Designed with flexibility and simplicity in mind, the non-linked, non-participating policy offers guaranteed maturity benefits and life cover. The entry age starts at 3 years, extending up to 50, with terms ranging from 12 to 30 years. Policyholders can pay premiums monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually, making it adaptable for diverse household budgets. The maturity age goes up to 80 years.
If the life insured passes away during the term, the nominee receives the highest of:
. The Death Sum Assured
. The surrender value (either Guaranteed or Special Surrender Value)
. A minimum of 105 per cent of total premiums paid
Aviva India, chief marketing officer, Vinit Kapahi noted, “This isn’t just another insurance product, it’s a bridge to ambition for families beyond metro cities. Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana is for parents who dream big for their children but don’t want to get lost in complicated financial jargon.”
The plan also offers guaranteed lump sum benefits upon maturity and comes with tax perks under prevailing laws making it not only emotionally reassuring but financially rewarding.
While urban India is spoilt for choice when it comes to financial tools, Aviva Bharat Bal Vikas Yojana is a welcome step in democratising protection and savings. It reflects the insurer’s push for financial inclusion by targeting the heart of Bharat where every rupee counts and every dream matters.
Brands
Malaika Arora launches accessories brand Maejoy
The Bollywood star’s lifestyle brand, built with Myntra and Exceed Entertainment, promises aspirational fashion without the high price tag
MUMBAI: Malaika Arora is not the first Bollywood star to put her name on a brand, and she will not be the last. But Maejoy, the accessories label she has launched in partnership with Myntra Jabong India Private Limited (MJIPL) and talent outfit Exceed Entertainment, at least has a sharper pitch than most. The brand drops with 250-plus styles spanning handbags and lab-grown diamond jewellery, two categories that sit squarely in the sweet spot between aspiration and affordability, and lands on Myntra’s platform from day one, putting it in front of millions of shoppers without breaking a sweat.
The handbag range covers the full gamut: crossbody bags, structured shoulder bags, bucket bags, totes, workwear classics, backpacks and clutches, rendered in synthetic leather, raffia, braids, satin, rhinestone and metallic finishes. The jewellery line runs to rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets and tennis bracelets in silver, gold and rose-gold tones, set in 925 sterling silver with IGI and GCI certified lab-grown diamonds. The brand’s guiding philosophy, “The Joy of Being Me,” stakes its claim on individuality and self-expression; its three brand pillars, Authentic, Empowering, Accessible, are the usual suspects, though the lab-grown diamond bet is savvier than it sounds. Lab-grown stones now sell at a fraction of the price of mined ones, and the category is growing fast in India as younger buyers wise up to the arbitrage.
“Maejoy is a labour of love. Throughout my career, whether on screen, in business, or through my personal style, I’ve championed the idea that fashion should be empowering yet effortless. The brand aims to democratise global fashion trends while offering women something that extends the feeling of luxury every day, be it a lab-grown diamond or a perfectly crafted handbag,” said Malaika Arora, founder of Maejoy
MJIPL, the B2B wholesale arm of Myntra, is putting its design and brand-building muscle behind the venture. Suman Saha, chief experience officer and head of house of brands at MJIPL, was bullish on the tie-up.
“Maejoy brings together Malaika Arora’s distinctive style perspective with a strong proposition in the accessible yet elevated accessories space. We believe the brand’s fashion-forward designs and thoughtful positioning will connect strongly with discerning consumers.”
Suman Saha, chief experience officer, head of house of brands, MJIPL
Afsar Zaidi, chief executive of Exceed Entertainment, the talent management firm that helped broker the deal, has worked with MJIPL before and was characteristically direct about what makes Arora an unusually bankable partner.
“Building celebrity-led brands requires a delicate balance of authenticity and market viability. Malaika is a rare talent who commands equal respect as a fashion icon and a savvy businesswoman. We are proud to facilitate this partnership that brings together her creative clout and Myntra’s brand-building excellence,” said Zaidi
Celebrity fashion brands live or die on one question: does the star actually wear it, or is the cheque the only thing they signed? Arora, who has spent three decades as one of Bollywood’s most-watched style references, has at least built a plausible case. Maejoy is live now on www.myntra.com and the Myntra app. The real test, whether shoppers buy the handbag or just the hype, starts today.
