MAM
Mumbai girl will lead India on the field against Zimbabwe
MUMBAI: “Stand tall, don’t lose hope in victory or defeat, don’t get nervous. Just take the next step. Don’t blame it on destiny, as destiny is a matter of choice and not chance. Do build castles in the air but make a strong base for it.” These words of wisdom have given 14-year-old student from Arya Vidya Mandir Santa Cruz Akanksha Maker the opportunity to lead Saurav Ganguly and team onto the field against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
This comes courtesy the ‘Pepsi Badaa Shikari Hunt’ organised by Pepsi, Nickelodeon, MTV, Max. The channel claims to have received 12,000 entries so far.
When Indiantelevision.com caught up with her and asked about how she heard of the Pepsi Badaa Shikari Hunt contest she said, ” I watch Nickelodeon regularly and on that I heard about this competition. In school there was a competition and we got forms in school, which we had to fill up and submit. When I heard the news that I was chosen I couldn’t believe it because I had never won anything like this. I am not a lucky person and was therefore very excited to win something this big .
Talking about her television viewing pattern she said, ” I watch a lot of television which usually happens when I am not studying. I spend most of my free time in front of the telly. Usually my viewing lasts for around eight hours a week. Television can sometimes be a social event. I watch with both my friends and family. With friends it is mostly over the weekend when we get together. With family, which in my case is a joint one everyone watches cricket together. It is a family viewing experience. We even pray together to God that the team does well. Our Indian team deserves better than the best. We won in 1983 and this another chance for us.
Akanksha’s mother too chipped in saying, “My relatives watch Star Plus and Sony shows like Kkusum and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki. These shows are anyway too late at night for the kids. Not only do kids not watch soap operas they do not like it if we tune in. They like fun in the form of ‘Boogie Woogie‘ and ‘Khuljja Sim Sim‘.
Questioned about the appeal of Nick Akanksha says, “My younger sister is a bigger fan of Nickelodeon than me. So we watch it together. It understands what kid needs better that most other channels because it is very entertaining. Earlier I never used to watch it but when I started I got hooked. My favourite shows are Figure it out, Hey Arnold! The former is educative and the second one is entertaining. “
Interestingly while Akanskha plays Tennis she does not really watch it. This also applies to the four Grand Slams. “I do play tennis except that now studies are difficult so it is not easy to find too much time. We have games in school and so there is no need for me to play any other sport. I watch the Tata Open Tennis championship. My parents are very supportive. To practice tennis you need a proper court. It is not like cricket where you can play in any gully
Taking about whether pester power works she said, ” Ads that convey the message that if you buy a product you get one free attract children the most. I like ads that are funny. The Pepsi Blue ad as well as Pepsodent where the mother is scolding the child are entertaining.”
Asked whether other sports were being neglected due to excess attention to cricket she neatly deflected the question saying, ” Cricket is a good game and everyone should be equally interested in it. It attracts a lot of advertising.”
Weekend travel is becoming a bigger part of urban life in India. In cities where weekdays are shaped by long work hours, traffic pressure and fixed routines, weekends offer room for more flexible movement. This change is influencing how people approach car hire. Instead of treating it only as a backup travel option, many now consider it a convenient way to plan short breaks, city outings and personal travel on their own schedule.
Why Weekend Driving is Growing
Weekend travel is no longer limited to major holiday plans or long journeys. It often includes short drives, social visits, shopping trips, family outings and quick getaways within or near the city. This is where car hire in Pune and similar cities’ rental choices are becoming more relevant to changing travel habits.
The appeal of weekend driving comes from freedom and control. People often want to decide their own departure time, route and duration without depending fully on fixed transport schedules. A hired car can support that need more effectively for users who value convenience, comfort and flexibility in a short travel window.
Pune’s Weekend Travel Pattern
In Pune, weekend travel is often planned very differently from weekday movement. Office travel usually follows a set routine, but weekends leave more room for personal plans, short drives and flexible schedules. This shift is changing what people expect from rental options. Instead of looking only for availability, they may also look for convenience, simple terms and a vehicle that suits a more relaxed and self-planned journey.
Bangalore’s Weekend Shift in Mobility
In Bangalore, the idea of the weekend driver is closely linked to the need for a break from fixed weekday travel routines. After a week shaped by long commutes and tightly managed schedules, weekend plans often require greater flexibility and better control over time. This changes how users look at rental options, especially when the journey is planned around comfort, privacy and convenience.
In this setting, self-drive car rental in Bangalore becomes relevant to the way many urban users approach weekend travel. A smoother booking process, easier access and vehicle choice that suits personal plans can matter more when the journey is not routine. In this sense, weekend car hire supports a style of travel that is more independent, more flexible and more aligned with how people want to use their free time.
What Weekend Users Now Expect
As weekend driving becomes more common, users are paying more attention to the full rental process. They are not only looking at whether a car is available. They also want the service to be easy to understand and simple to manage. Clear booking steps, transparent pricing, flexible timing and suitable vehicle choice are now important parts of the travel decision.
Weekend plans are often made quickly, and people usually prefer arrangements that do not feel complicated. If the booking process takes too much effort or if service terms are not clear, the experience may feel less useful. For many users, ease of use matters as much as the vehicle itself.
Why Vehicle Choice Matters More on Weekends
Weekend travel also changes how people choose a vehicle. A weekday requirement is usually linked to basic commuting needs, but a weekend journey is often planned with comfort and purpose in mind.
Passenger space, luggage capacity, driving comfort and trip duration often become important before choosing a car. This shows that car hire is becoming more need-based. People are selecting vehicles more carefully because the journey itself matters more.
How MyChoize Adds Value to Weekend Travel
As weekend driving becomes more common in cities such as Pune and Bangalore, MyChoize fits into this shift by supporting travel that is planned around personal time and convenience.
For users arranging short drives, outings or day-long movement, it offers the benefit of better control over timing, more suitable vehicle choices and a car hire experience that can adapt more easily to different weekend plans. In this way, MyChoize becomes relevant not only as a rental option but as a more flexible and comfortable mobility choice for weekend travel.
Conclusion
The rise of the weekend driver in Pune and Bangalore shows a wider change in how urban India is approaching mobility. People are making more thoughtful travel choices and giving greater importance to flexibility, comfort and control over time. In both cities, this trend reflects a more deliberate and experience-led way of planning travel beyond the weekday routine.
