Brands
Trivandrum set for UST Marathon with Milind Soman
MUMBAI: Ready, set, go! Trivandrum is set to sprint into the record books. The Kerala capital will host its largest-ever marathon on 12 October 2025 with the second edition of the UST Trivandrum Marathon. Organised by tech giant UST in collaboration with NEB Sports, the event promises four action-packed categories: full marathon, half marathon, 10,000 run and 5,000 run, starting from the UST Thiruvananthapuram campus.
Adding star power to the race, actor, model, fitness icon and film producer Milind Soman will serve as the brand ambassador, joined by sports legends including former Indian badminton star Pullela Gopichand, athlete Reeth Abraham, and badminton player U Vimal Kumar.
With over 10,000 participants expected, the total prize pool tops Rs 22 lakh, making it Kerala’s most ambitious marathon yet. Registrations are open online at bit.ly/3ZnARUv and the official website trivandrummarathon.com.
UST, president, Alexander Varghese said “This marathon is our way of promoting a healthy society and raising awareness of physical and mental well-being. Marathons are a powerful tool for inspiring communities, and we are proud to host this annual event in Trivandrum.”
NEB Sports, cmd, Nagaraj Adiga added, “We are thrilled to host over 10,000 runners and welcome Milind Soman as our brand ambassador, adding extra charm to the event. Training runs earlier this year saw overwhelming participation, setting the stage for an unforgettable marathon.”
From fitness enthusiasts to seasoned athletes, the UST Trivandrum Marathon 2025 promises to blend endurance, excitement and community spirit in the heart of Kerala.
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.
