MAM
Prasar Bharati makes just Rs 581 mn from CWG
MUMBAI: Prasar Bharati made Rs 581 million from the Commonwealth Games while it had set itself a target of Rs 1 billion.
The minister of state for information and broadcasting S Jagathrakshakan informed the Lok Sabha on this yesterday.
Doordarshan was not allowed to air advertisements during the closing ceremony of the CWG Games following complaints that there were too many ads during the opening ceremony.
Union Sports Minister MS Gill admitted in the Lok Sabha yesterday that The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) fell more than 80 per cent short of its revenue target.
While the OC was expected to generate Rs 17.08 billion, it only managed Rs 3.27 billion. On the other hand, the OC got more money from the government than originally expected, with its expenditure overshooting its budget by Rs 6.38 billion.
The revenue came in from three sources. The sale of tickets generated Rs 391.7 million. While the contracted value of sponsorship was Rs 3.75 billion, less than a third of that sum was realised, with just Rs 1.14 billion coming in so far.
Similarly, only Rs 1.74 billion has been received for the sale of the international television rights, against the contracted value of Rs 2.13 billion. That does not include the Rs.230 million withheld as tax deducted at source from the payments of Network Ten in Australia.
The number of visitors to the Games also fell short of the goal. While the OC had estimated 100,000 visitors and 8,000 participants, the actual numbers were lower.
The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Delhi in the first two weeks of October — not all of whom were necessarily in the city for Games-related tourism — was 75,606. The total number of participants was 6,572.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
