MAM
This Deepawali, Vi invites Mumbaikars to brighten up the lives of the underprivileged
Mumbai: Deepawali, the Festival of Lights is associated with brightness, beauty and bounty. It is a time for families, friends and communities to come together and rejoice in the festive spirit. As Maximum City – Mumbai, gets bedecked for the occasion, India’s leading telecom operator Vi is embracing the spirit of inclusivity with a special initiative to spread cheer amongst the less privileged.
Vi’s recent campaign, Be Someone’s We showcases that even a small gesture is enough to make someone feel less left out, less lonely and cared for. Infusing the joy of giving during this festive period, Vi’s Deepawali initiative urges Mumbaikars to gift clothes, toys and books that can help bring joy and smiles to those who do not have the privilege of receiving Deepawali gifts.
Starting 8 November, select Vi stores in Mumbai will accept contributions of gently used or new clothes, toys and books. For the convenience of those who might be travelling or caught up with festive chores, Vi stores in Mumbai will continue to accept such contributions till 17 November. Vi has partnered with local NGOs in Mumbai who will undertake the task of distributing these items to the needy in their locations.
Extending his Deepawali greetings to the residents of Mumbai, Vodafone Idea cluster business head – Mumbai Sumit Agarwal said, “Mumbaikars celebrate all festivals with fervor and enthusiasm and Deepawali is the biggest annual festival. This Deepawali, we are following the cadence of Vi’s campaign, Be Someone’s We. In the midst of this auspicious time of sharing, caring and giving, Vi is requesting citizens to be thankful for their good fortune and do their bit for the less privileged, bring a little joy to their lives. Together, we can ensure that everyone has a truly Happy Deepawali and no one feels left out or lonely”.
In the true spirit of the city that embraces all who come here and enables them to thrive, Vi requests Mumbaikars to open their hearts and participate in the Be Someone’s We Deepawali initiative, in large numbers.
Be Someone’s We reflects the collective effort to extend the joy and warmth of Deepawali to those who may be deprived of it due to various circumstances. It underscores the commitment of Vi to share the spirit of togetherness and inclusivity with all members of society. Vi wishes everyone a safe and happy Deepawali!
MAM
Sameer Nair shares heartfelt note as he exits Applause Entertainment
After nine years building the streamer’s content engine, one of India’s best-known TV men is moving on
MUMBAI: Sameer Nair is out. The chief executive of Applause Entertainment, the content studio backed by Kumar Mangalam Birla’s media empire, has announced his departure after nearly nine years at the helm, closing the chapter on one of Indian entertainment’s more quietly consequential careers.
Nair, who built Applause from the ground up in its current avatar, oversaw a slate that spanned Indian originals and international adaptations, threading together a hub-and-spoke business model that partnered with streaming platforms, broadcasters and production houses alike. The results were uneven, as they always are in content, but the ambition was not.
In a post on LinkedIn, Nair was generous to his outgoing patron. He thanked Birla for being an “inspirational boss and a great patron of the arts,” and signed off with a cheerful “Au Revoir” and a promise to remain Applause’s biggest cheerleader. Whether that sentiment survives the next chapter remains to be seen.
No successor has been named. Applause Entertainment did not immediately comment.
Nair built the machine. Now someone else has to run it — and in a streaming market that is simultaneously consolidating and convulsing, that is no small ask.
