MAM
Sunrise Spices celebrates Poila Boishakh with grand ‘Haal Khata Utsav’ in Kolkata
MUMBAI: Sunrise Spices has turned over a fresh page this Poila Boishakh quite literally, with a giant hand-painted Haal Khata that brought the streets of Kolkata alive. The ITC brand, a leading name in West Bengal’s spices category, organised ‘Sunrise Haal Khata Utsav’ at Gariahat to celebrate the time-honoured tradition of Haal Khata, which symbolises fresh beginnings and renewed relationships for the Bengali New Year.
The highlight of the event was a massive, intricately hand-painted Haal Khata created by trained Sunrise Spices artists using whole and ground spices. The installation was unveiled with much fanfare by Padmashree Gokul Dhaki and a troupe of 10 dhakis, including five female performers, whose rhythmic beats filled the air and drew enthusiastic participation from traders, shoppers, and the local community.
The celebration also featured continuous live dhak performances, interactive games, and a Sandhya Aarti, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere. In a nod to empowerment, female dhakis and spice artists played a prominent role throughout the event.
Extending the spirit of the occasion, Sunrise distributed over 2,000 branded Haal Khata kits to grocery store owners, hawkers, and retailers across Kolkata. Each kit included a special Haal Khata marked with an auspicious Swastik symbol using haldi and sindoor, along with traditional sweets, calendars, turmeric samples, and estimate pads.
ITC Ltd. Business Head, Sunrise Spices Piyush Mishra said, “Haal Khata is a beautiful reflection of Bengal’s spirit. Through the Sunrise Haal Khata Utsav, we are proud to honour this cherished tradition and the communities that keep it alive.”
Padmashree Gokul Chandra Das added, “Haal Khata is not just a ritual, it is a celebration of our roots and relationships. I truly appreciate Sunrise Spices for taking this initiative to revive and celebrate such traditions.”
The event reinforced Sunrise Spices’ deep connection with Bengal’s cultural and culinary heritage while celebrating the essence of Bangaliana through community participation and artistic expression.
In a season of new beginnings, Sunrise Spices has reminded everyone that the best way to start the year is with tradition, togetherness, and a generous sprinkle of flavour. The giant Haal Khata may have been painted with spices, but the real magic was in the memories it helped create.
Brands
Pocket FM elevates Lalit Gangwar to COO to drive global growth
Founding member to lead operations, monetisation and expansion across markets
MUMBAI: Pocket FM has elevated Lalit Gangwar to chief operating officer, tasking the founding team member with leading global business operations as the company sharpens its international growth strategy.
In his new role, Gangwar will oversee end-to-end operations across markets, including growth, monetisation and execution for the company’s audio business. The appointment comes as Pocket FM looks to strengthen its operating foundation and build a more predictable, scalable global business.
Gangwar has been closely involved in shaping the company’s trajectory from its early days. He played a key role in building the growth and marketing playbook in India, helping the platform scale to over 150 million users within its first year and establish a strong foothold in the audio storytelling category.
He later led Pocket FM’s expansion into the United States, where he set up teams, defined market strategy and drove scale, contributing significantly to the company’s international ambitions.
Pocket FM co-founder and CEO Rohan Nayak said, “Lalit has been central to Pocket FM’s journey from the very beginning. He has built our growth engine and scaled our business across markets.” He added that the company’s focus on nurturing internal talent makes Gangwar a natural choice to lead the next phase.
Gangwar said, “Pocket FM has always been driven by a simple belief that powerful stories can travel across borders and create meaningful impact.” He noted that the company will continue to focus on scaling markets, investing in AI-led storytelling and strengthening monetisation.
As COO, Gangwar is expected to bring greater operating discipline while building systems, talent and processes to support long-term growth.
With leadership continuity and a clear global focus, Pocket FM appears to be turning the page to its next chapter, one that aims to take its storytelling playbook well beyond home turf.
