MAM
Ganesh Chaturthi inspires Mumbai Traffic Police’s initiative for safer streets
Mumbai: In a unique and innovative effort to address the issue of reckless behaviour on the road and promote traffic safety, Mumbai Traffic Police joined forces with Marolcha Maurya, one of Mumbai’s beloved Ganesh Chaturthi pandals. The collaborative initiative sought to harness the power of one of India’s most cherished festivals to inspire a change in how Indians approach road safety.
During this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi festival, Marolcha Maurya, with the creative support of FCB Ulka, introduced a captivating and thought-provoking concept to draw attention to traffic safety. The centrepiece of the pandal was Lord Ganesh himself, who was depicted wearing a seat belt, setting an example for all to follow. Additionally, his faithful vaahan, the mice, were adorned with bike helmets, emphasising the importance of protective gear.
FCB Ulka played a pivotal role in creating an engaging activation that complemented the theme of the pandal. They rewrote the popular prayer “Sukh karta, dukh harta” to incorporate the message of traffic safety. Devotees were given booklets containing the revised prayer, encouraging them to sing it during the festivities. This transformed the religious mantra into a powerful reminder of the significance of following traffic rules. The underlying message was clear: If Lord Ganesh adheres to traffic rules, so should you.
Traffic Police Mumbai joint commissioner Shri Pravin Padwal praised the initiative, saying, “Citizens should follow traffic rules. It is for their own safety. What I like about this Road Safety Aarti is that through a traditional tune, you get to know about the traffic rules. I hope people get inspired and start following all traffic rules all the time.”
FCB Ulka executive creative director Shailesh Khandeparkar, shared his insights about the innovative campaign, stating, “Most humans will do things out of fear of God. We just added our little twist to it, asking people to follow traffic rules for the love of God. And as it is based on a popular prayer, it is easily hummable, making it easy for everyone to follow the rules.”
The collaboration between Marolcha Maurya and the Mumbai Traffic Police is an inspiring example of how tradition, culture, and creativity can be harnessed to address pressing social issues. It demonstrates that change is possible when we all unite for a common cause. As Indian citizens continue to enjoy the festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi, they are reminded that even during celebrations, safety on the road should not be forgotten.
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
