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Oben Electric honours Bengaluru traffic Police at red signals
BENGALURU: In a city where red lights usually test patience and tempers, Oben Electric decided to give them a new job. For one week, Bengaluru’s busiest junctions became unlikely stages for gratitude, as commuters paused not just for traffic, but for the people who manage it.
Marking National Road Safety Month, the electric motorcycle maker rolled out Salute At Signal, a city-led initiative that invited motorists to acknowledge Bengaluru Traffic Police at red signals. The idea was disarmingly simple. At selected junctions, drivers and riders were encouraged to switch on their parking or hazard lights for a few seconds, stay still, avoid honking and quietly recognise the officers on duty.
The result was a rare sight in peak-hour Bengaluru. Calm intersections, collective stillness and a moment of shared respect where chaos usually reigns.
The initiative ran for a week at Sony Signal in Koramangala and Vydehi Signal in Whitefield, two pressure points that handle tens of thousands of vehicles daily. Between 6 pm and 9 pm, public announcements nudged commuters to take part, transforming routine red lights into small but meaningful gestures.
At Sony Signal, the spotlight fell on Shanoor Nadaf (PC 15996) of the Adugodi Traffic Police Station. With nine years of service, he manages traffic for close to eight hours a day, including nearly five gruelling peak hours, at an intersection that sees close to one lakh vehicles per shift. Over in Whitefield, Sangamesh Desai (PC 18308) was recognised for his nine years with the Bengaluru Traffic Police, overseeing around 15,000 vehicles per shift during long daily duty hours at Vydehi Signal.
Informational boards at both junctions laid out the realities of the job. Names, years of service, duty hours and vehicle volumes were displayed for all to see, turning anonymous uniforms into recognisable faces and stories. For many commuters, it was the first time the scale of effort behind smooth traffic became visible.
Thousands participated over the week, proving that even in a city famed for gridlock, empathy can travel faster than frustration.
For Oben Electric, the campaign fits neatly with its broader focus on safety and responsible urban mobility. Designed and manufactured at its Bengaluru facility, the company’s electric motorcycles and patented LFP battery technology are built with everyday city riding in mind. Its Rorr range is tailored for Indian road conditions, where reliability and safety are not optional extras.
With more than 85 showrooms across 70 cities and plans to scale up to 150 by March 2026, Oben Electric’s ambitions are clearly national. But Salute At Signal kept things refreshingly local, reminding Bengalureans that road safety is not just about rules and machines. Sometimes, it starts with a pause, a light switched on and a simple thank you at a red signal.
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KPMG names Gary Wingrove as global chairman and CEO from October
Record Gmada bids signal rising demand as Rs 1,000 crore bet reshapes Tricity skyline
MUMBAI: KPMG has chosen continuity with a forward tilt. The firm has announced that Gary Wingrove will take over as global chairman and CEO of KPMG International, beginning a four year term from 1 October 2026. Currently serving as global chief operating officer, Wingrove steps into the top role after being nominated by the global board and elected by the global council.
A KPMG veteran with over 25 years at the firm, Wingrove has been closely involved in shaping its recent trajectory. As global COO, he has helped drive the firm’s Collective Strategy, focusing on operational integration, global investments and the steady expansion of the KPMG Delivery Network. He has also been at the forefront of KPMG’s digital push, including the rollout of AI enabled solutions across its global operations.
Before his global role, Wingrove served as CEO of KPMG Australia for nearly a decade, where he led a period of strong growth, almost doubling revenue, profitability and headcount while steering a cultural reset.
He succeeds Bill Thomas, who has led KPMG since 2017 and will work alongside Wingrove over the next six months to ensure a smooth transition.
Thomas leaves behind a firm that looks markedly different from when he took charge. Under his leadership, KPMG’s global revenues have risen by 55 per cent, and its workforce has expanded to more than 276,000 people. He also unified the network of member firms under the Collective Strategy, aligning priorities and strengthening governance.
His tenure saw heavy investment in technology and partnerships, with alliances spanning Microsoft, Google Cloud, SAP, Oracle and ServiceNow. These collaborations, along with platforms like KPMG Clara, have helped the firm scale its AI-led offerings and sharpen its competitive edge.
Beyond growth, Thomas also pushed improvements in audit quality and sustainability. Initiatives such as a multiyear global sustainability strategy and the Our Impact Plan have aimed to embed long term thinking into the firm’s operations and client services.
For Wingrove, the brief is clear but evolving. He has signalled a focus on agility, deep expertise and technology driven solutions as clients navigate an increasingly complex business landscape. He also emphasised KPMG’s identity as a people first organisation, supported by technology and unified through its global network.
The timing of the leadership change comes as KPMG continues to grow, reporting a 5.1 per cent rise in global revenue in FY25, with gains across tax and legal, audit and advisory services. Growth was recorded across all regions, despite a challenging macro environment.
As Wingrove prepares to take charge, the firm appears set on a familiar path with a sharper digital edge. Same playbook, perhaps, but with a renewed focus on speed, scale and smarter solutions.
