iWorld
News9 Plus introduces attractive subscription offers to viewers
Mumbai: News9 Plus, the world’s first news OTT, launched by TV9 Network, has announced a range of subscription plans, designed to provide unparalleled value to subscribers seeking diverse and engaging content. With News9 Plus, subscribers gain access to a wide range of offerings, making the platform an exceptional investment for those eager to stay informed and entertained.
Subscribers can choose from flexible subscription plans tailored to suit their preferences and needs. Options include 30-day, 90-day, and 365-day plans, priced at Rs 99, Rs 289, and Rs 999, respectively. Each plan grants subscribers access to an array of premium content across formats, including short documentaries, lifestyle content and cerebral talk shows.
In addition to exclusive content, subscribers to the annual plan on News9 Plus receive complimentary gifts valued at Rs 3,000 and gain access to 17 exclusive brand benefits. This comprehensive offering ensures that subscribers not only receive exceptional content but also enjoy a range of additional perks and rewards.
“News9 Plus is at the frontier of a much-needed paradigm shift in the news industry. Over-reliance on advertising revenue has brought this industry to a situation where the viability of the business is under pressure. Subscription as an added revenue source is a low-hanging fruit. We need to revive the habit where consumers subscribe for premium content. The news industry will thereby be able to tap into India’s biggest strength, the consuming middle class, through direct commerce”, said TV9 Network MD and CEO Barun Das.
The platform’s commitment to delivering value extends beyond its subscription plans. From an editorial standpoint, News9 Plus has garnered praise for its innovative approach to storytelling and world-class production standards. Always ahead of the curve, the OTT platform goes beyond traditional news headlines, offering in-depth, exclusive stories across various genres, including geopolitics, business, sports, lifestyle, and infotainment.
The platform also offers a user-friendly interface, ensuring seamless navigation and self-curation. Both the News9 Plus app and its website have received accolades for their intuitive layout and engaging features.
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.
