MAM
Classmate All-Rounder (CAR) embraces NEP’s vision in 2764 schools for holistic development
Mumbai: Classmate a notebook brand with unmatched product quality and a strong commitment to partnering with students in their journey of learning and development, today organized the annual Classmate All-Rounder National Grand Finale in Delhi. Bringing alive the Government’s New Education Policy 2020, Classmate Allrounder was conceived and designed as a multi-skill inter-school challenge and a credible accreditation platform for the holistic skill development of students. In the 2023 edition, CAR was held over the last few months engaging 4.5 lakh students from 2764 schools, across 33 cities in the country.
Academics, CBSE director Joseph Emmanuel, the torch bearer of the National Education Policy in schools across graced the event as the chief guest. The occasion was also enriched by the presence of esteemed judges who have exhibited proficiency in diverse fields, such as Saina Nehwal (Former world no.1 Badminton player and currently training new talent), Swanand Kirkire (multi-faceted writer, actor, playback singer and 3 times National award winner) and Sangeeta Phogat (wrestler and dance show participant), who extended words of encouragement to all the finalists and winners.
Aligned with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes experiential, discussion-based, discovery-oriented, and enjoyable education, Classmate Allrounder aims to nurture students toward versatile skill development beyond academics. The CAR Platform, a novel Intellectual Property developed by Classmate, serves as a nurturing ground for school students to showcase multiple skills including general knowledge, writing, physical fitness, group discussion, public speaking, creativity and performing arts.
The challenge consisted of competitions in these multiple skills conducted across three rounds—School, City and National Finals. After rigorous evaluation of these multiple skills, students were awarded All-rounder scores, which are national percentile-based scores. This system aims to motivate students to benchmark themselves against their peers, making the All-rounder score an aspirational achievement to include on their resumes. The program also introduces the Star School Rating, assessing schools based on overall student participation in the All-rounder event, individual student scores and school infrastructure facilities. It encourages schools to develop comprehensive infrastructure, fostering a culture of innovation, interactive learning, flexibility, and practical application.
Speaking about CAR and the National Finale, ITC Ltd chief executive of the education and stationery products business division Vikas Gupta said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the CAR Challenge, and I wish every participant an educational journey filled with self-discovery, development of well-rounded capabilities and having a fulfilling learning experience. With a focus on these new ways of learning and recognizing students for their all-around accomplishments, along with rewarding schools that prioritize holistic development, Classmate Allrounder strives to establish an ecosystem where holistic development takes precedence. Classmate is dedicated to playing a key role in bringing the vision of the National Education Policy to fruition and fostering the comprehensive growth of students across India.”
“The guiding motto of Classmate is “Enjoy Learning,” and we aspire to be a constant companion in the learning journey of India’s student population. Our commitment involves close collaboration with CBSE, ICSE, state and other education boards. Classmate is dedicated to celebrating students and recognizing the unique potential within each child,” Gupta added.
Along with All Rounder, Classmate brings to life it’s motto of enjoying the learning and growth of students, through its entire range of other offerings, like Origami notebooks that encourage creativity and critical thinking, augmented reality notebooks educating students on important STEM concepts in an engaging immersive format, the Interaktiv Artscape, to let students unleash the true artist in them, and the new Myclassmate app, providing engaging games for skill development & capability-building.
MAM
Paramount set to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in $81 billion deal
Shareholders back merger, combined entity could reshape streaming and studios.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… consolidation, Hollywood’s latest blockbuster might be happening off-screen. Shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery have voted in favour of selling the company to Paramount in a deal valued at $81 billion rising to nearly $111 billion including debt setting the stage for one of the biggest shake-ups in modern media. The proposed merger, still subject to regulatory approvals, would bring together a vast portfolio spanning HBO Max, CNN, and franchises such as Harry Potter under the same umbrella as Paramount’s own heavyweights, including Top Gun and CBS.
At the heart of the deal is streaming scale. Executives have indicated plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+ into a single platform, potentially creating a stronger challenger to giants like Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video. Current market data suggests HBO Max holds around 12 per cent of US on-demand subscriptions, compared to Paramount+’s 3 per cent, together still trailing Netflix’s 19 per cent and Disney’s combined 27 per cent via Disney+ and Hulu.
Paramount CEO David Ellison has signalled that while platforms may merge, HBO’s creative identity will remain intact, stating the brand should “stay HBO” even within a broader ecosystem.
Beyond streaming, the deal would redraw the map for film production. Combining two of Hollywood’s oldest studios Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., the new entity aims to scale output to over 30 films annually, while maintaining a 45-day theatrical window. Warner Bros. currently commands around 21 per cent of the US box office, compared to Paramount’s 6 per cent, underscoring the strategic weight of the acquisition.
But scale comes with scrutiny. Critics warn that fewer players could mean reduced consumer choice, rising subscription costs, and potential job cuts as the combined company looks to streamline overlapping operations while managing billions in debt.
The news business, too, faces a reset. CNN would join forces at least structurally with Paramount-owned CBS, raising questions about editorial independence and positioning. The merger has already drawn political attention in the United States, particularly given perceived ties between the Ellison family and Donald Trump, though the company maintains that newsroom autonomy will be preserved.
If approved, the deal would mark another milestone in Hollywood’s consolidation wave shrinking the industry’s traditional “big six” studios to a “big four”, with Paramount joining Disney, Universal, and Sony at the top table.
In an industry built on storytelling, this merger may well become its most consequential plot twist yet.
