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Zee 24 Taas launches ‘Fakt Ladh Mhana’ to protect education of flood-hit kids
MUMBAI: When the floods washed away crops, Zee 24 Taas stepped in to save futures. Maharashtra’s most trusted news channel has launched a powerful campaign, Fakt Ladh Mhana, to ensure that children of flood-affected farmers in Marathwada don’t lose their right to education.
The recent floods devastated the region, destroying acres of soybean and cotton crops and crippling families’ ability to pay for rent, mess, or tuition fees. For hundreds of students studying in cities like Pune and Mumbai, the tragedy threatened to cut short their education and with it, their dreams of lifting their families out of poverty.
Recognising the gap, Zee 24 Taas created a transparent, direct-aid model: the campaign shares the personal journeys of over 400 identified students, broadcasting their stories in prime time along with their bank and Google Pay details live on air. This allows viewers to contribute directly, ensuring every rupee reaches the student without delay.
The impact was immediate. Within just three hours of their stories airing, students Mahesh Jadhav (Nanded) and Mahesh Mate (Beed) received nearly Rs 50,000 each from generous viewers. The funds covered their urgent rent, food, and education expenses, with both pledging to help fellow students if donations exceeded their needs.
“Education is the strongest weapon of empowerment,” said Zee 24 Taas editor Kamlesh Sutar. “Through Fakt Ladh Mhana, we are not only reporting hardships but creating solutions by connecting citizens directly with students.”*
Echoing the vision, ZMCL CEO Karan Abhishek Singh added, “Our role as media goes beyond reporting. With this campaign, journalism becomes a bridge of hope, mobilising communities for real change.”
By spotlighting two to three fresh cases daily, Fakt Ladh Mhana is designed as a sustained movement, a rallying cry to citizens across Maharashtra to stand up for education.
Because when young minds are safeguarded today, a resilient tomorrow is built for all.
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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.
