iWorld
Lokmat Media Group announces the third edition of Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023
Mumbai: Lokmat Media Group proudly presented the much-awaited third edition of the Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023, continuing its dedication to recognising outstanding work in the digital media realm. Established in 2021 by Lokmat, the annual event serves as a proactive community of influencers and enthusiasts who are committed to fostering the growth of digital influencers across the state.
The selection process for the winners was a comprehensive three-step procedure. Participants first submitted their applications to compete in the prestigious awards. Subsequently, a panel of judges evaluated the contestants, shortlisting three finalists and winners in each category. The official announcement of the competition results and the names of the exceptional winners across various categories followed suit.
As the Lokmat Social Media Awards enters its third edition, Lokmat takes pride in introducing several new and exciting categories this year. The award categories include Influencer of the Year, Rising Star, Viral Creator, Beauty, Celebrity, Comic, Dance, DIY, Education, Entertainment, Parenting, Fashion, Food, Gaming, Luxury, Macro, Micro, Finance, Music, Photography, Regional, Social Cause, Tech, Travel, Health Care, Fitness, and others.
To maintain the highest level of integrity in the judging process contestants were evaluated by an esteemed panel of independent judges, each representing the top experts in the industry. Each nominee underwent a rigorous assessment based on various criteria, such as creativity, engagement, multiplatform presence, execution, consistency, trendsetting abilities, and virality.
This year’s final jury comprises notable personalities, including Humans of Bombay founder Karishma Mehta; Nikhil Chandwani, author; Madhura Bachal, renowned Youtuber (Madhura’s Kitchen) and Krishna Prakash, chief of Maharashtra Police Force one.
The Lokmat Social Media Awards commenced with a warm welcome speech from Sunjay Awate, Editor, Lokmat, Pune. The presence of notable personalities like Punit Balan, chairperson of Punit Balan Group; Saurabh Ghadge and Karan Sonawane, Orange Juice Gang; Pravin Tarde, director and actor; and Girija Oak, actress added to the allure of the event.
The evening was further elevated by captivating performances by the incredible Mentalist Vivek Desai, as well as the talented members of the Orange Juice Gang. Their enchanting acts left the audience mesmerised, making the event truly memorable.
The event was graced by the presence of esteemed individuals, including the Title partner of the event Rahul Talele, Group CEO of Kolte Patil Developers Ltd. The event was powered by Lokmanya Society Pune, Sushil Jadhav, zonal head, while Dr Sanjay Chordiya, chairman of Suryadatta Group of Institutes, played the role of the Academic Partner. Additionally, Dr Saagar Balwadkar, director of Kings Royal Riders, played a pivotal role as the driving partner of the event.
Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023 winners list is given below with the category and the winner’s name:
The Lokmat Social Media Awards 2023 serves as a platform to honour and appreciate the remarkable efforts of digital media influencers who have left an indelible mark on the industry. Lokmat Media Group remains committed to fostering a vibrant community of influencers and enthusiasts, making significant contributions to the digital landscape.
Gaming
Roblox appoints Sunil Rao as India managing director to drive growth
Former AWS leader to lead creator ecosystem, partnerships and local strategy
MUMBAI: Roblox has appointed Sunil Rao as managing director for India, as the company looks to deepen its footprint in one of its fastest-growing markets.
Rao, who will join in May, will serve as the senior-most representative for Roblox in India, leading local strategy, partnerships and day-to-day operations. His mandate includes strengthening the platform’s presence, supporting the creator ecosystem and aligning India’s market needs with global priorities.
A key focus area will be nurturing India’s growing community of developers and creators, enabling local studios to leverage Roblox’s tools for scaling and monetisation. Globally, the platform’s creator community earned over $1.5 billion in 2025, underlining the economic potential of user-generated content ecosystems.
“Roblox is at the forefront of enabling a new generation of creators and games. India’s scale, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy present a massive opportunity,” said Rao. “I’m excited to build a vibrant and inclusive ecosystem that empowers developers and creators across the country. Ensuring child safety and aligning closely with India’s regulatory framework will be among my top priorities.”
Welcoming the appointment, Roblox vice president international Zhen Fang said India represents a high-potential market for the company. “Sunil brings deep expertise in building operations across diverse markets, and his passion for community-centric platforms makes him the ideal leader to drive our next chapter of growth in the country.”
Rao brings over two decades of experience across technology platforms, venture capital and developer ecosystems. He was previously part of the leadership team at Amazon Web Services, where he led strategy and corporate business development across Asia-Pacific and Japan. He also served as a partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, working closely with startups and founders.
Earlier in his career, Rao played a key role in building developer ecosystems at Symbian, Nokia and Google, contributing to the growth of major mobile and internet platforms.
With India’s large youth population and rapidly evolving digital landscape, Roblox’s latest leadership move signals a sharper focus on long-term growth, local relevance and creator-led innovation in the market.
