MAM
Fankind’ announces the winner of their first campaign with actor Varun Dhawan
MUMBAI: Anshula Kapoor’s online fundraising platform ‘Fankind’ which was launched in August has announced the winner of their first campaign with actor Varun Dhawan. Amitesh Kulkarni, a 20 year old student from Hyderabad along with his sister will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to play paintball with Varun. In addition to this, 100 lucky winners have been selected who will get Fankind merchandise.
A unique platform, Fankind unites celebrities, fans and charities thus giving fans an opportunity to experience a fun activity with the celebrity they adore; while also supporting a noble cause.
Through this association with Fankind, Bollywood star Varun Dhawan has helped raise funds for farmers in Maharashtra. The total amount donated through this campaign is Rs 8,95,950. The proceeds will be used to provide resources to the NGO, Manavlok Foundation. The amount raised will be used by the NGO to develop their horticulture project which will help the farmers receive drip irrigation systems and learn how to cultivate non-traditional crops which are best suited for their climate and land, thereby helping them earn an extra income.
“I would like to thank every individual who participated in the campaign and donated for this virtuous cause. Water crisis has always been an issue in our state, Maharashtra and the worst affected are the farmers. I am elated to know that we have raised sufficient amount to support Manavlok in its endeavours for their horticulture project,” said actor Varun Dhawan in a statement. “I am excited to meet the winner of my campaign and can’t wait to play a fun game of paintball with him.”
To participate in a Fankind campaign, fans have to donate to the cause in multiples of Rs 100 which enables them to receive entries for a chance of a lifetime to spend the day with their favourite celebrity. The winner for each experience is chosen at random by a third party.
Speaking about the campaign, Anshula Kapoor, Founder of Fankind said, “I am thrilled to announce our first winner! Fankind aims at spreading goodwill across the country through this initiative thus, showcasing that a little support from everyone goes a long way. We are glad that through this campaign we were able to raise funds and also give one lucky fan an opportunity to play paintball with Varun. Our second campaign which is with actor Alia Bhatt just concluded and the winner of this campaign will get a chance to bake a cake with her.”
GiveIndia, India’s most trusted online donation platform is Fankind’s philanthropy partner which will keep Fankind’s mission alive by achieving the desired goal and ensure that the donations received is directed to the right NGO thus, helping them in their endeavour. GiveIndia is responsible for keeping the entire process transparent and will also provide tax benefit certificates (80g) to the fans in order to certify the individual as an active donor with Fankind.
Fankind’s campaign with Prajakta Koli who is supporting ‘The Banyan Foundation’ and Sonakshi Sinha who is raising funds for ‘The Little Hearts Programme’ by the Being Human foundation is currently live. People can support the cause by logging onto Fankind.org/MostlySane and Fankind.org/aslisona.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
