Brands
G-SHOCK’s 40 anniversary: Mumbai’s Shock the World with Vicky Kaushal and G-SHOCK founder
Mumbai: The heart of Mumbai pulsated with excitement as G-SHOCK, the trailblazing force in unbreakable watches, in collaboration with Vh1 India, brought Shock the World to India on 16 December 2023. This global phenomenon, which was held in major cities around the world throughout the year, concluded 2023 in Mumbai.
Marking G-SHOCK’s 40-year legacy of resilience and innovation, the event was led by Bollywood actor and G-SHOCK brand ambassador Vicky Kaushal, and witnessed the convergence of the emerging youth street cultures with innovation, resilience, and style, creating an unforgettable experience for the G-SHOCK loyalists, fans, watch enthusiasts and audiences alike.
Four decades ago, a visionary named Kikuo Ibe dared to dream of crafting an indestructible timepiece. After overcoming numerous challenges, he triumphed in giving birth to G-SHOCK, a brand that has now gained a global sensation. Over the past 40 years, G-SHOCK watches have seamlessly adapted to incorporate cutting-edge technology and meticulous Japanese craftsmanship, consistently pushing the boundaries of what a timepiece can be. Today, G-SHOCK has transcended beyond being just a watch brand; it has become a cultural icon, resonating with individuals from various genres such as fashion, sports, art, music, and more, who value toughness and authenticity.
The event celebrated the actor Vicky Kaushal as the Face of G-SHOCK in the esteemed presence of Kikuo Ibe – the Father of G-SHOCK, Shigenori Itoh – executive managing officer, Casio Computer Co., Ltd and Hideki Imai – managing director, Casio India. Together, they engaged in a captivating dialogue, sharing insights into the evening’s proceedings, reflecting on the brand’s remarkable journey, and offering a glimpse into the exciting future of G-SHOCK. The additional highlight of the event was the unveiling of the first-ever team G-SHOCK in India which includes a stellar assembly of athletes and artists who embody the epitome of ‘Absolute Toughness’. The young Cricketing Icon, Shubman Gill would be leading the pack along with the distinguished rally racer, Harith Noah, freestyle rapper and MTV hustle runner-up, Paradox, the skateboarding crew with The skateboarding squad with Sagar Waghela, Jay Singh, Nikhil Shelatka and Kushal Gaikwad, and break dancer and Redbull athlete, Arif Chaudhary.
This was followed by the Shock the World event, living up to its name with jaw-dropping feats by the Father of G-SHOCK, Kikuo Ibe showcasing the rugged durability of G-SHOCK watches, alongside the magnanimous presence of Vicky Kaushal. The night unfolded with TEAM G-SHOCK member Paradox dazzling the audience with his performance, followed by a concert featuring the sensational KR$NA and electrifying DJ sets by Kayan and OG Shez.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the event, Casio India managing director Hideki Imai said, “Shock the World serves as a vibrant celebration of an iconic brand, which brings together individuals who share the spirit and enthusiasm for the legendary timepieces. This global phenomenon, which has historically served as a dynamic platform for emerging and established artists from various genres, has made its appearance in India after a successful run in 34 countries. We are honoured to orchestrate G-SHOCK Shock the World in Mumbai with Vicky Kaushal who is a perfect embodiment of toughness, endurance and style. He truly echoes the spirit of G-SHOCK with his bold authentic choices and relentless pursuit of excellence.
G-SHOCK is deeply committed towards the growth and empowerment of the emerging sub-cultures across the globe, and we hope our endeavours such as Shock the World contribute towards the advancement of the dynamic spirit of youth culture in India.”
G-SHOCK brand ambassador Vicky Kaushal expressed his thoughts on this partnership. He said, “My warm wishes and congratulations to G-SHOCK on its 40 anniversary. I am honoured to represent a brand that has had such a profound impact on shaping youth culture globally. The brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries and its resolute ‘never give up’ attitude deeply resonate with me. Witnessing the energy and passion at the Shock the World event in Mumbai was truly exhilarating, and I look forward to embarking on this journey with G-SHOCK.”
The Father of G-SHOCK, Kikuo Ibe, expressed his thoughts on the event, saying, “I am thrilled to be part of Shock the World in Mumbai, where I witnessed the vibrant, confident, and dynamic youth of this incredible country. The event celebrated G-SHOCK’s enduring 40-year product legacy through an enigmatic fusion of sub-cultures. India, with its diverse melting pot of cultures, provides the perfect backdrop for hosting our event with the dynamic youth of the country. Meeting individuals across different genres – music, dance, sports, fashion – who fearlessly embrace the G-SHOCK spirit of ‘dare to dream and never give up’ was truly inspiring. We eagerly anticipate offering exciting experiences in India and remain committed to supporting and expanding the vibrant youth culture scene across the country.”
Brands
Samsung certifies 1,000 Maharashtra students in AI and coding
The South Korean electronics giant marks its first large-scale skilling push in the state, with women making up nearly half the national programme’s enrolment
PUNE: Samsung has put 1,000 students in Maharashtra through a certified training programme in artificial intelligence and coding, the largest such drive the South Korean electronics company has run in the state and a signal that corporate India’s skilling ambitions are moving well beyond the boardroom brochure.
The certifications were awarded under Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC), the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility programme, which launched in India in 2022 with the stated aim of democratising access to future-technology education. The 1,000 graduates were drawn from four institutions: 127 from Savitribai Phule Pune University, 373 from Pimpri Chinchwad University, 250 from D.Y. Patil University’s Ramrao Adik Institute of Technology and 250 from Anjuman-I-Islam’s Kalsekar Technical Campus. All completed training in either AI or coding and programming, the two disciplines Samsung has identified as the critical pillars of the digital economy.
The programme does not stop at technical training. Soft-skills development and career-readiness modules are baked into the curriculum, a deliberate attempt to close the gap between what universities teach and what employers actually want.
“India’s digital growth story will ultimately be shaped by the quality of its talent pipeline,” said Shubham Mukherjee, head of CSR and corporate communications at Samsung Southwest Asia. “As technologies like AI move from the periphery to the core of industries, skilling must evolve from basic training to building real-world capability. This milestone in Maharashtra reflects how industry and academia can come together to create a future-ready workforce that is both globally competitive and locally relevant.”
The Maharashtra drive sits within a rapidly scaling national effort. Samsung Innovation Campus trained 20,000 young people across India in 2025, hitting its stated target for the year. Women account for 48 per cent of national enrolments, a figure the company cites as evidence of its push for an inclusive technology ecosystem. The programme is implemented in partnership with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India and the Telecom Sector Skill Council.
Samsung, which is marking 30 years in India this year, runs SIC alongside two other initiatives, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung DOST, as part of a broader effort to build what it calls a generation of innovators with both the technical depth and the problem-solving mindset to thrive in a fast-moving digital world.
A thousand certified students is a tidy headline. Whether they find jobs that match their new skills is the harder question, and the one that will ultimately determine whether corporate skilling programmes like this one are genuine pipelines or well-photographed gestures.
