iWorld
ALTBalaji now available on Amazon’s Fire TV stick globally
MUMBAI: ALTBalaji, the exclusive and original content subscription service, is now available on Fire TV Stick, Amazon’s internet streaming device with voice remote recently launched in India. ALTBalaji will be providing a special introductory offer on their yearly subscription packs to Fire TV users worldwide and will be jointly marketing the service to its audience.
ALTBalaji launched on 16 April 2017 with five original shows and is adding new shows every month for its viewers to binge watch. The content is created by some of the best talent of the Indian entertainment industry, including critically acclaimed directors and actors. The long illustrious list of artistes comprises of Nagesh Kukunoor, Juhi Chawla, Nimrat Kaur, Rajkumar Rao, Hansal Mehta, Sakshi Tanwar, Ram Kapoor, Atul Kulkarni, Sameer Soni, Yudhishtar Urs, Dipannita Sharma Atwal, and more.
The Fire TV Stick with voice remote is a plug-and-play device that connects to the television’s HDMI port and allows users to access digital video content from a host of providers. ALTBalaji is one of the featured apps on the streaming device, allowing users to access 250 hours of original and exclusive content consisting of shows from all genres in addition to original kids content.
Speaking on the partnership, ALT Digital Media Entertainment CEO Nachiket Pantvaidya said, “ALTBalaji app on Fire TV Stick with voice remote allows Fire TV stick users worldwide to enjoy our original shows and provides the existing consumers the ability to stream the shows on TV screens using the Fire TV Stick with voice remote. This helps expand the reach of our content to smart TVs, which already sees significant traction. This is in line with our philosophy of providing our subscribers maximum options to catch our shows on the screens of their preference.”
ALTBalaji launched with shows like DevDD, Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat, Boygiri, Bewafaa Sii Wafaa, Romil & Jugal, and have added The Test Case starring Nimrat Kaur, and Maya Thirrai – the first Tamil original web series to the portfolio. ALTBalaji already has over 3 million downloads across iOS and Android users and was recently the No.3 top grossing app in iTunes in India in the Entertainment section.
iWorld
Tech firms tweak office operations amid LPG shortage concerns
Infosys, HCLTech and Cognizant adjust cafeteria services and work policies.
MUMBAI: When geopolitics turns up the heat, even office cafeterias start feeling the burn. Several technology companies in India are adjusting workplace operations and food services as concerns over a nationwide shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) grow following escalating tensions in West Asia. Major IT firms including Cognizant, Infosys and HCLTech have begun rolling out contingency measures to reduce dependence on office cafeterias that rely heavily on commercial LPG.
The disruption stems from rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran after military action by the United States and Israel reportedly led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and gas supplies. The closure has disrupted the movement of LPG and liquefied natural gas across international markets, triggering concerns about supply constraints and price volatility.
According to a report by The Times of India, Cognizant has advised employees to bring their own meals to office where possible to reduce reliance on office cafeterias dependent on LPG based cooking.
The company has reportedly told staff that it is preparing for potential disruptions driven by supply prioritisation, price fluctuations and pressure on vendor networks.
As part of contingency planning, Cognizant is identifying alternative food vendors that do not rely on LPG. These include kitchens using induction based or solar powered cooking systems.
The company is also exploring partnerships with cloud kitchens that operate on electric or solar power to ensure uninterrupted food supply in case conventional cooking gas availability worsens.
Additionally, Cognizant is evaluating the possibility of expanding work from home or hybrid arrangements for non critical roles, partly to reduce commuting exposure if fuel prices rise sharply due to global energy disruptions.
Meanwhile, HCLTech allowed employees at its Chennai office to work from home on March 12 and March 13 after cafeteria vendors were unable to operate because of the LPG shortage.
Several food service vendors at the campus reportedly suspended operations as they struggled to secure cooking gas supplies, prompting the company to permit staff to work remotely for the two days.
Infosys has also issued internal advisories across multiple locations, including its campuses in Bengaluru and Chennai.
The company informed employees in Bengaluru that cafeteria services would continue but with reduced menu options due to concerns around commercial LPG availability.
As part of the temporary adjustments, live food counters have been suspended, and employees have been encouraged to bring home cooked food while the situation evolves.
While LPG shortages in India remain a developing situation, the measures taken by these technology firms highlight how global geopolitical disruptions can ripple through unexpected corners of the economy, even the humble office lunch.
For companies with large campuses and thousands of employees relying on daily cafeteria services, cooking fuel shortages can quickly turn into an operational challenge. Until global supply chains stabilise, many workplaces may find themselves rethinking everything from food sourcing to flexible work policies.
