MAM
Swiggy turns memories into instant gifts with Polaroid prints
MUMBAI: When memories need wrapping paper, Swiggy is printing them instead. As December’s festive blur hits top gear, Swiggy is leaning into nostalgia with a new Polaroid-style photo feature on its recently launched gifting platform, Giftables. The free, instant and shareable tool allows users to turn personal photos into retro-inspired keepsakes that can be delivered within minutes, blending emotion with quick-commerce speed.
The feature caught attention after Swiggy co-founder and CGO Phani Kishan shared Polaroid-like snapshots from the company’s early days from its home-office beginnings to its first million orders and tightly packed team photos. Calling them “simple, personal, and meaningful”, Kishan described the prints as reminders that some milestones live best in old photographs, now reimagined as year-end gifts.
Designed for ease, the Polaroid feature lets users pick an image from their gallery, add a caption and instantly create a stylised photo that can be saved, shared on Whatsapp or printed and delivered on demand. Launched just ahead of Christmas and New Year, it taps into a growing appetite for gifting that feels heartfelt rather than transactional.
Giftables, part of Swiggy’s quick-commerce expansion, focuses on instant and curated gifting across categories. The platform offers over 30,000 options, from chocolates, cakes and flowers to electronics, toys and jewellery, all delivered within about 30 minutes. Popular occasions in 2025 included Raksha Bandhan, Friendship Day and Valentine’s Day, with rose orders peaking at 666 per minute on 14 February.
By pairing speed with sentiment, Swiggy is nudging gifting beyond last-minute convenience towards something more personal. In a season crowded with boxes and bows, it is betting that memories printed, captioned and delivered might just be the most meaningful gifts of all.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
