GECs
Rising Ahmedabad kicks off Network18’s urban growth series in style!
MUMBAI: What happens when a city with a rich history meets cutting-edge innovation? Well, Ahmedabad transformed into a hub of progress, sustainability, and inspiration!
Network18’s Rising Cities series debuted with Rising Ahmedabad on 10 January 2025 at the vibrant Binori Hotel, marking the start of an ambitious journey to spotlight India’s urban evolution.
Presented by Maruti Suzuki and backed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, this inaugural event gathered government leaders, industry visionaries, and community champions to celebrate Ahmedabad’s transformation. From discussing Sadak Suraksha (road safety) to driving Swachh Bharat (cleanliness), the event showcased the city’s dynamic efforts in urban excellence. But this wasn’t just a corporate shindig—it was a celebration of how cities can rewrite the playbook on sustainable living and urban growth.
The event featured an illustrious line-up of speakers who brought Ahmedabad’s inspiring journey to life:
. Ahmedabad mayor Pratibhaben Jain hailed the city’s transformation into a model of sustainable urban living.
. Municipal commissioner M. Thannarsan shared insights on innovative urban planning.
. AMC’s Standing Committee chairman Devang Dani provided a peek into projects redefining cityscapes.
. Architects Hiren Patel and Ashish Trambdia envisioned a greener Ahmedabad.
. Historian Rizvan Kadri beautifully juxtaposed the city’s heritage with its modern aspirations.
. Adding corporate wisdom were Deepa Builders MD Nilay Patel and CREDAI-India Youth Central Zone coordinator Parth Patel who explored the role of real estate in shaping sustainable cities.
So, what was on the menu for discussions? A smorgasbord of themes that resonate with urban dwellers:
1. Sadak Suraksha (Road Safety): Practical measures to make commuting safer for everyone.
2. Swachh Bharat: A cleaner Ahmedabad, one initiative at a time.
3. Sustainability: Designing an eco-friendly urban framework.
4. Skill Development: Empowering Ahmedabad’s youth for future challenges.
The event wasn’t just talk. Real solutions and actionable insights emerged, providing a blueprint for other Indian cities to follow.
The Rising Cities series has just begun its journey. After Ahmedabad’s grand start, the series plans to visit Gurugram, Pratapgarh, Mumbai, Lucknow, and beyond. Each city will get its moment to shine, as the series explores their unique challenges, celebrates their strengths, and sparks dialogues on their growth trajectories.
Ahmedabad’s story is more than just a case study; it’s a blueprint for what’s possible when communities embrace innovation and collaboration. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to create cities that balance heritage with modernity, Rising Ahmedabad has the answers. Plus, who doesn’t love a good underdog story? From bustling streets to green city dreams, Ahmedabad is proving that the future of urban India is brighter than ever.
Missed the event? Don’t worry—you can still be part of the dialogue! Share your thoughts and vision for India’s cities with #RisingAhmedabad and #UrbanInnovation.
What’s your city doing to catch up?
GECs
Sahara One reports financial results, notes director exit and business realignment
Muted revenues, steady expenses and strategic adjustments shape company’s current phase
MUMBAI: In a tale where the sands seem to be slipping faster than they can be gathered, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited has reported another quarter of wafer-thin income and widening losses, even as a boardroom exit adds to the unease.
The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its board, in a meeting held on April 4, approved its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025. The numbers paint a stark picture. Total income for the quarter stood at just Rs 0.13 lakh, unchanged sequentially and sharply down from Rs 0.26 lakh a year earlier.
Losses, meanwhile, deepened. The company posted a net loss of Rs 24.16 lakh for the quarter, compared to Rs 18.81 lakh in the June quarter and Rs 39.69 lakh in the same period last year. For the six months ended September 2025, the cumulative loss stood at Rs 39.69 lakh, while the full-year loss for FY25 was reported at Rs 60.72 lakh.
Expenses continued to outweigh income by a wide margin. Total expenses for the quarter came in at Rs 24.30 lakh, led by employee benefit costs of Rs 6.51 lakh and other expenses of Rs 17.78 lakh. Earnings per share remained in the red at Rs (0.11) for the quarter.
The balance sheet reflects a company with significant assets on paper but limited operational momentum. Total assets stood at Rs 23,065.57 lakh as of September 30, 2025, broadly unchanged from March 2025. Equity share capital remained steady at Rs 2,152.50 lakh, while total equity was reported at Rs 18,004.85 lakh.
Cash and cash equivalents saw a modest uptick to Rs 6.75 lakh from Rs 4.68 lakh earlier, supported by a positive operating cash flow of Rs 180.01 lakh for the period.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a more complex narrative. The company’s auditors flagged their inability to obtain sufficient evidence to form a conclusion on the financial statements, citing lack of access to records. They also raised concerns over the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, pointing to insufficient funds, delayed recoveries, and stalled content investments.
Adding to the governance overhang, the company disclosed that Rana Zia has resigned as whole-time director, effective October 16, 2025, citing other professional commitments. The resignation, noted and accepted by the board, also brings an end to her role across company committees.
Regulatory pressures continue to loom large. The Securities and Exchange Board of India has already initiated penal actions for non-compliance with listing norms, with trading in the company’s shares remaining suspended. There is also a risk of promoter demat accounts being frozen.
Legacy legal issues remain unresolved. A substantial deposit of Rs 694,027.88 thousand linked to the long-running OFCD dispute involving Sahara group entities is still under the purview of the Supreme Court of India. Restrictions on asset disposal continue to weigh on the company’s financial flexibility.
Operationally, challenges persist across multiple fronts. Advances worth Rs 1,92,916 thousand given for film content remain stuck, with delays in project completion and uncertain recoverability. The company’s YouTube channel, despite being operational, has generated no revenue for over three years due to compliance lapses. In a further twist, management has indicated that revenues may have been fraudulently diverted through unauthorised changes to its AdSense account, with a police complaint in the works.
There are also missed revenue opportunities. Television content rights continue to be used by a related party despite the expiry of the licence agreement, with fresh negotiations still underway.
For now, Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited appears caught between legacy disputes and present-day operational hurdles. As losses linger and governance questions mount, the road to recovery looks less like a sprint and more like a slow trudge through shifting sands.
