MAM
Future Generali India Insurance celebrates Pride Month with creative zeal
Mumbai: Reinforcing its stance as a strong ally to the LGBTQIA+ community, Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd (FGII), has taken the PRIDE celebrations a notch higher this year by throwing the doors open to all allies of the community. The company, which has been organising PRIDE celebrations across its offices in India for the past two years, has moved beyond its workplace and has tied up with the renowned theatre group Tamaasha for the exclusive screening of “Be-loved” – a play on and by the people from the community.
In line with its strategic vision of embedding DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) into its culture, not only as an inclusive insurer and employer but also as an inclusive corporate citizen, FGII has partnered with Humsafar Trust for providing education and skill-building support to LGBTQIA+ individuals in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It has handed over a cheque of Rs 17 lakh to Humsafar Trust to provide support with English-speaking courses, training in computers etc for individuals from within the community to enhance their employability.
Since the last two years, FGII has been celebrating PRIDE month in support to the community with a series of events, workshops and PRIDE parade at its offices across India. This has helped FGII in sensitising employees and generate awareness regarding LGBTQIA+ issues with a view towards normalising the conversation at the workplace and providing a conducive environment for colleagues from the community.
Screened at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai, the production – “Be-Loved,” explored queer love and companionship through theatre, music, poetry, and movement and delved into desi stories of love, connection, and family, showcasing the rich cultural contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community. Some of the noteworthy guests who attended the event included Shreegauri Sawant, a transgender activist; Trinetra Haldar, actor and Karnataka’s first transgender doctor and Bani J, Indian VJ and actress, among others.
Speaking about the pride event, Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd. MD & CEO Anup Rau said, “This year, by taking pride beyond our offices, we aimed to reach a larger audience for education and sensitization. We think it’s great to showcase performances and queer stories, enacted by queer individuals, with most of the crew from the community. It’s a celebration more than anything else! The response to the show has been phenomenal and we will continue with our efforts to drive acceptance and belonging for the community.”
“At Future Generali, we are driven by our commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights as an inclusive employer, insurer, and corporate citizen. We’ve revolutionized our workplace culture and led the industry by being the first in India to include LGBTQIA+ and same-sex partners in our retail health insurance products. Our partnership with Humsafar Trust takes this further, providing crucial education and skill-building support to LGBTQIA+ individuals in Mumbai. Together, we’re forging a path towards a more inclusive and empowered future,” Rau added.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
