iWorld
Firework India to onboard various content creators like Faye D’Souza
MUMBAI: After getting into a partnership with Faye D’Souza, Firework India plans to rope more creators to generate quality and genuine content on the platform. Recently, former Mirror Now executive editor Faye D’Souza launched a new channel called Facts First with Faye, wherein she will be speaking on global and national news in 30-second videos.
Firework India chief executive officer Sunil Nair, speaking exclusively to indiantelevision.com, said: “In the coming months we have plans to onboard several such creators. We will not restrict ourselves from any categories as long as it makes sense to our users and is tastefully done.”
Google-owned Firework is a short-video sharing app that was launched in India in October 2019.
While commenting on the revenue sharing model between the platform and D’Souza, Nair said: “The revenues will only grow with her channel’s popularity. As her partner, we will promote this channel. She produces compelling content and I am certain this will see rapid growth in the next one month.”
Meanwhile, stating it as a revenue-sharing model between the platform and her, D’Souza had said, “We will also be looking at the branded content aspect going forward as the channel gets more traction.” The Facts First with Faye has already garnered 727 followers and the videos shared on the platform have her piece-to-camera interspersed with graphics.
Content creators on digital platforms are, lately, being targeted by people in power to remove content or restrict them for posting something that’s controversial. In this regard, the Firework India CEO, talking on the independence of content creation, said: “We do not have any affiliations or favour anybody and let users decide and form an opinion. And, it’s the fundamental reason to come out with 30-second programming.”
He added, “We are aware that India is a sensitive nation and have put together a very strong moderation team. With the collaboration of AI and human intervention, we have the ability to restrict any content that may hurt Indian sentiments.”
With news being broadcast in 30-second video format, the Firework India CEO said, “We are certain that our purpose is only to deliver the message, what our users make of the message is their decision. Hence, yes, 30 seconds is enough to do that. We have integrated news in our product – as a channel- with the objective of being unbiased with absolutely no other agenda.”
Pointing out that the country has very informed and aware citizens, Nair said: “The urban youth are opinionated and we must respect and understand that young India can make their own decisions and conclusions and they don’t need many hours of repetitive debates or be told what opinion to form.”
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.
