MAM
udChalo announces General Manoj Mukund Naravane as newest advisory board member
Mumbai: udChalo, a leading consumer tech firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gen (Dr) Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd) 28th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) (Former Chief of the Army Staff), to its advisory board. As part of the advisory team, General Naravane will guide the company, playing a pivotal role in making strategic decisions that aligns seamlessly with the needs and preferences of its customer base and beyond. udChalo is the only Online Travel Agency (OTA) to be winning the ‘National Start-Up Award’ by the government of India. The company has recently expanded its platform to be accessed by broader spectrum of users beyond armed forces, after realizing that over 70 per cent of the travel market in India is controlled by Chinese Investors.
General Naravane, served as the 28th COAS and is a highly decorated officer with over four decades of experience in the Indian Army. Leading from front, he has also held several other prestigious positions, including Vice Chief of Army Staff, and Eastern Army Commander. He is known for his strategic thinking, leadership skills, and commitment to the welfare of the armed forces personnel.
“We are honoured to welcome General Naravane to the udChalo team,” said udChalo CEO Ravi Kumar. “His extensive experience and profound expertise will prove invaluable as we persist in our journey to expand and enhance our services for the benefit of the armed forces community and now beyond that, serving entire nation. We are confident that General Naravane’s unmatched leadership will play a pivotal role in advancing our mission of delivering seamless and cost-effective travel experiences to the armed forces and beyond.”
General Naravane said, “I stand resolute in aligning forces with udChalo, a 100% Indian company in the travel industry that has dedicated its services exclusive for the armed forces. Through a range of products and services, udChalo is steadfastly making life easier for our armed forces community, extending its support not only at the national borders but also beyond, ensuring assistance wherever they may be. With over 35 lakh fauji families placing their trust in udChalo, it is poised to become the epitome of ‘Desh Ka Bharosa’ by extending its platform to other users as well”
He further added, “udChalo’s vision aligns well with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, demonstrating its capacity to revolutionize the online travel technology industry through local innovation and entrepreneurship. Having dedicated my life to defending our borders, I now aspire to contribute to the progress and prosperity of our nation by supporting start-ups like udChalo. Recently, India emerged as the fourth nation globally for tech venture capital investments, reaffirming its start-up ecosystem. I encourage everyone to avail themselves of udChalo’s services, as indirectly, you will be supporting our veterans who find employment opportunities with udChalo. Together, we all can forge a brighter future for our fauji families and our entire nation.”
udChalo is committed to providing its customers with the best possible travel experience. The company’s team of experienced travel experts, formed primarily by veterans and veer naris, is always available to help customers plan their trips and get the most out of their travels.
Brands
Ather Energy doubles service network to 500 centres nationwide
EV maker scales support alongside growth to keep riders on the road
MUMBAI: Ather Energy is quietly building more than just scooters. It is building the backbone to keep them running.
The electric two-wheeler maker has expanded its service network to 500 authorised centres across India, nearly doubling its footprint in a year from 277. The move mirrors its growing retail presence and signals a clear focus on one often overlooked part of EV ownership, what happens after the purchase.
From the outset, Ather has prioritised service support in every city it enters, aiming to make ownership as smooth as the ride itself. Its Gold Service Centres bring in upgraded customer lounges, modern equipment and processes designed to make servicing more transparent and reliable.
Speed, too, is part of the pitch. Through its ExpressCare initiative, riders can get periodic maintenance done in about an hour, now available across 82 centres, turning what used to be a chore into a quick pit stop.
Ather Energy chief business officer Ravneet Singh Phokela said, “Crossing 500 service centres is an important milestone as we scale across the country. Reliable after-sales support is central to the ownership experience, and our focus remains on consistent service quality and accessibility.”
The expansion comes as demand grows for models like the Ather 450 and the Rizta, which have helped the company reach a broader set of riders across metros and emerging cities alike.
Alongside servicing, Ather continues to power up infrastructure through the Ather Grid, now one of the largest fast-charging networks for two-wheelers, with over 4,300 charging points.
With plans to scale further and deepen its presence, Ather’s approach is clear. Selling the scooter may start the journey, but keeping it running smoothly is what sustains it.
