Mumbai, 09 October, 2026: Vashi Parivaar Foundation, the CSR arm of Vashi Integrated Solutions Ltd, has launched a Tailoring Skills Development Programme for family members of Indian Army personnel at the Vocational Training Centre under the Colaba Army Unit.

The programme was inaugurated with a batch of 30 women trainees, in the presence of representatives from the Indian Army, Vashi Parivaar Foundation and Naigaum Social Service Society, the knowledge Partner for the initiative. The workshop will be conducted for 6 months, followed by a government-recognized examination.

Designed to provide participants with practical, job-oriented tailoring skills, the programme aims to create opportunities for livelihood generation, enhanced household income, and greater financial independence among the participating women. Through structured vocational training, the initiative seeks to equip trainees with skills that can be used for employment or independent income-generating opportunities.

Adding a formal credential to the programme, registered trainees who successfully complete the training will receive a passing certificate under the Maharashtra State Vocational Training framework. This provides participants with recognised documentation of the vocational skills acquired through the programme.

Speaking on the initiative, Shweta Dodeja, Managing Director, Vashi Parivaar Foundation & CSR Head for Vashi Integrated Solutions Ltd., said, “We feel honoured to serve the army who serve the nation so selflessly. It’s a privilege for Vashi Parivaar Foundation to implement this program with Naigaum Social Service Society and contribute in a small way for the people who protect us while we sleep peacefully in our homes.”

The Tailoring Skills Development Programme is part of Vashi Parivaar Foundation’s broader commitment to skill development, women’s empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. By creating access to vocational training and formal skill recognition, the Foundation aims to support individuals and communities in building greater economic resilience.

The programme has been designed with the specific needs of Army families in mind, with vocational skills offering women the flexibility to explore livelihood opportunities alongside family responsibilities and the mobility often associated with military service.

The initiative also reflects Vashi Parivaar Foundation’s focus on extending the impact of its CSR efforts beyond immediate support, towards programmes that enable long-term capability building and livelihood opportunities.

As part of the association, Matix’s branding will feature prominently on the pendant of the first team’s jerseys during matchdays. The brand will also have a strong presence across the Club’s training base at the NMSA Ground in Navi Mumbai and its home venue, the Mumbai Football Arena.

The partnership will further extend beyond matchday visibility, with a series of curated digital and content-led initiatives planned through the season. These initiatives will showcase the competitive ethos of Mumbai City FC while highlighting Matix’s support for the Club and the growth of the sport.

Mr. Bimal Parekh, Co-Owner of Mumbai City FC, said:

“Matix has been a valued partner of Mumbai City FC, and we are delighted to continue our association with them. Their support came at an important time for Indian football, and we are grateful to have partnered with an organisation that shares our commitment to performance, growth and excellence. We have built a strong foundation together, and we look forward to building on this partnership, creating greater impact and achieving new milestones together.”

Commenting on the partnership, Nishant Kanodia, Chairman of Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, said:

“Our first year with Mumbai City FC strengthened our belief in the power of football to inspire discipline, ambition, and teamwork. We are pleased to continue this partnership, reflecting our confidence in the club and the relationship we have built. At Matix, we share Mumbai City FC’s drive for excellence and look forward to supporting the club’s continued success and growth of Indian football.’’

Think about the last time you ordered something instead of going to the store, paid extra for fast delivery or booked a cab rather than taking a longer route. The product may be the same or the destination may be the same , what changes is the time it takes to get there. And sometimes, that time is worth more than the money we spend.

This is the idea behind the growing economy of convenience. From food delivery and ride-hailing to quick commerce, businesses increasingly sell something beyond their actual product: the ability to make our lives a little faster and easier.

Economically, the choice is simple. We trade money for time because time has an opportunity cost. Thirty minutes spent travelling to a store is thirty minutes we cannot spend doing something else.

But what is that “something else”?

It could be finishing an assignment. Calling a friend we haven’t spoken to in weeks. Sitting down for dinner with our family. Reading a book we’ve kept aside for months. Going for a walk. Practicing a hobby. Or simply doing nothing at all.

These moments don’t appear on a price tag but they are often the moments we value most. India’s growing quick-commerce industry is a striking example. Consumers can now have everyday essential items delivered within minutes , thus the sector has expanded rapidly as people increasingly value speed and convenience. Businesses have recognized that consumers are often willing to pay for the time they get back.

But convenience comes with a paradox.

The more efficiently we use our time, the more we seem to feel that we don’t have enough of it. We save ten minutes here, twenty minutes there—and then fill those minutes with something else. Our lives become faster, but not necessarily fuller.

Perhaps that is why the real question isn’t “How much does convenience cost?”

It is:“What will you do with the time it gives you back?” 

Because the greatest luxury may not be getting your delivery in ten minutes.It may be having ten extra minutes to sit with someone you love. And unlike money, time never comes back.

The cruise, which sailed from Mumbai, brought the group’s employees together for team interactions, celebrations and informal gatherings. The initiative reflected the organisation’s focus on recognising its people and giving employees an opportunity to connect beyond their day-to-day professional engagements.“Fifteen years is not just a milestone for an organisation; it is a reflection of the people, relationships, ideas and collective effort that have shaped its journey.

We wanted to celebrate this milestone differently. Taking our team offshore was our way of stepping away from the conventional and creating an experience that everyone could be a part of and remember. PR is an industry built around people, relationships and experiences, and it felt only right that our 15th year should be celebrated together, in a setting that was as memorable as the milestone itself,” said Dr. Sarvesh Tiwari, Founder & Managing Director, PRP Group.

Founded in 2011 by Dr Sarvesh Tiwari, a veteran communications professional, PRP Group has grown from a public relations agency into an integrated communications organisation with a team of over 250 professionals, more than 500 brands served, 14 offices across India and six international offices. Its service portfolio spans public relations, corporate communications, digital and social media, video production, advocacy, reputation management, crisis communications and strategic brand communications.

Dr. Tiwari has led PRP Group’s growth, bringing over two decades of experience across the media, government and corporate sectors. Alongside his professional responsibilities, he serves as the General Secretary of Nirbhaya Jyoti Trust, founded by Nirbhaya’s parents, Asha Devi and Badri Nath, and has been at the forefront of the campaign seeking justice for Nirbhaya. PRP Group has also undertaken social welfare initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation provided food and ration support to around 500 stranded migrant workers and advocated for hundreds of Indians stranded in Japan, helping bring their concerns to the government. It also took responsibility for the educational expenses of 135 children who lost their parents during the pandemic, with support intended to continue until the eldest earning member of each family becomes financially independent.

In Gurugram, the group launched #IOwnGurugram, a community-led initiative encouraging citizens, corporates and communities to take greater ownership of the city’s well-being. The campaign aims to promote citizen participation and collaboration with authorities to address civic and infrastructure challenges.

The cruise celebration marks 15 years of the group’s operations, with the organisation bringing its geographically dispersed workforce together to commemorate the milestone in a setting that departed from conventional corporate anniversary formats.

Tagged: Cordelia Cruise Cordelia Cruise Mumbai PRP Group PRP Group 15 years

India, 28 September 2026: What if an old pair of jeans could stay out of a landfill—and help a woman earn a livelihood?

That is the idea driving 21-year-old Maharashtra innovator Yogeeta Kishore, who has spent the past year-and-a-half working to turn denim waste into opportunity.

Her initiative, Indiejeanous, transforms discarded denim and textile scraps into lifestyle products while creating livelihood opportunities for women artisans. Now selected among the Top 20 teams of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026, Yogeeta is working to develop a prototype and explore how her community-led idea can grow into a scalable venture.

For Yogeeta, the selection has marked a turning point.

“I am grateful to be a part of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Getting reviews and feedback has been amazing, and it feels like a great platform for young changemakers,” she said.

From Upcycling Waste to Building a Viable Solution

Before joining the programme’s bootcamp, Yogeeta’s approach was largely focused on giving discarded textiles a second life. Interactions with mentors, experts and fellow innovators encouraged her to examine the entire journey of textile waste—and think more closely about the people who would ultimately use or benefit from her solution.

“There is a huge difference in my idea. Earlier, we were only focused on upcycling, but now we are looking more deeply at how that waste can be utilised. We have also started prototyping,” Yogeeta said.

The experience helped her recognise that a meaningful idea must work not only environmentally, but also for its customers and the community it seeks to support.

“You have to understand the customer and make sure the solution genuinely addresses the community’s needs,” she added.

Presenting Indiejeanous before a jury and discussing it with young innovators from across India also expanded Yogeeta’s sense of what the initiative could become.

“When I presented my idea and shared it with my peers, I realised that I was not just solving a problem within my own community,” she said. 

Finding the Confidence to Think Bigger

The most important change, however, has been personal.

Yogeeta says that building an idea largely by herself often left her questioning whether it could create real impact. At Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, she found a community of young people navigating similar challenges.

“When I talk to my peers, I feel that I am doing something real. I feel inspired and confident. Earlier, I was not so confident,” she said.

That sense of belonging has been particularly meaningful for Yogeeta, who says she did not always find the support she needed during the early stages of her journey.

“Having people around me who understand my idea feels empowering,” she said.

With access to mentorship, constructive feedback and potential grant support, Yogeeta is now refining the Indiejeanous model, developing its prototype and examining how it can generate measurable environmental and social impact.

What began with discarded denim in one community is steadily becoming something larger: a circular-economy idea capable of reducing textile waste, supporting women artisans and demonstrating how young innovators can turn overlooked problems into new possibilities.

At 21, Yogeeta may still be at the beginning of that journey. But she no longer feels that she has to build alone.

Link to the ad film: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdQLLXDMacH/?stkn=MWE1a2lkM2dpZjk0dA==

Mumbai, 28^th September 2026: This Ganesh Chaturthi, Marathi Zee 5 celebrates the spirit of the festival with an AI-led ad film, conceptualized by TheSmallBigIdea (TSBI). The film brings together a series of everyday moments and experiences to show the many roles that Bappa plays in the lives of his devotees.

From being a source of strength during uncertain times to sharing moments of joy and new beginnings, the ad film captures the different ways people turn to Bappa through the course of their lives.  As part of Zee 5’s commitment to experimenting with unconventional storytelling formats, the film has been created using AI, lending a fresh, contemporary visual treatment to the familiar elements of Ganeshotsav. It captures the belief that the connection with Bappa extends beyond the days of the festival, remaining a source of strength and positivity through different moments and journeys.

The film is currently live across digital platforms.

Film Link:  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DdQLLXDMacH/?stkn=MWE1a2lkM2dpZjk0dA==

Majumdar after a courageous battle with cancer. Celebrated as a true people’s communicator, Mr. Majumdar left an indelible mark on the industry through his exceptional ability to foster meaningful relationships, bring people together, and mentor the next generation of communicators. Colleagues, friends, and leaders across the media landscape have expressed heartfelt condolences to his family, paying tribute to a legacy defined by warmth, integrity, and outstanding professional contributions.

The PR fraternity is mourning the untimely demise of Mr. Bhaskar Majumdar, a respected leader, mentor and a true people’s person.

Known for his ability to bring people together, build meaningful relationships and contribute with warmth and sincerity, Mr. Mazumdar leaves behind a lasting impression on the industry and everyone who had the opportunity to know him.

His passing after a courageous battle with cancer is deeply heartbreaking. At a time like this, words feel inadequate.

Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the entire PR fraternity. His contributions and the relationships he built will be remembered with great respect.

May his soul rest in peace.

A hospitality professional with housekeeping at the heart of his career, Mukund’s journey began in Goa with an internship at Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa. He went on to work with reputed properties including The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Hotel Sahara Star, The Orchid Hotels, Siesta Hospitality Services and Kohinoor Continental Hotel, The Lemon Tree taking on leadership roles across housekeeping, laundry, quality management, team development and hotel operations.

His return to Goa is a full-circle moment, bringing him back to the destination where his hospitality journey first began. At The Astor Goa, he will lead the housekeeping function with a focus on maintaining high standards while ensuring that the property’s relaxed, boutique character remains personal and effortless.

“Mukund brings a wealth of operational experience along with a strong understanding of what truly shapes a guest experience. His journey beginning in Goa makes his appointment at The Astor Goa especially meaningful. We look forward to his leadership in further strengthening our service standards and creating a culture of excellence within the team,” said Vaibhav Gupta, General Manager, The Astor Goa.

For Mukund, housekeeping goes well beyond maintaining spotless spaces. It is about the details guests may not always notice, but always feel—from fresh linen and thoughtful amenity placement to the right ambience, comfort and sense of ease.

“Returning to Goa as Executive Housekeeper feels like a full-circle moment. At The Astor Goa, I look forward to building a strong team and creating an experience where guests feel genuinely cared for. For me, luxury is found in the quiet details—everything feels effortless, nothing feels out of place, and the guest simply knows they have been well taken care of,” said Mukund Kumar, Executive Housekeeper, The Astor Goa.

As he takes on his new role, Mukund will also champion responsible housekeeping practices, with a focus on resource efficiency, waste reduction and sustainable everyday operations. His people-first approach, meanwhile, places equal emphasis on training, mentorship and empowering the team to take pride in their work.

With his experience, grounded leadership and deep connection to Goa, Mukund looks forward to further shaping the housekeeping experience at The Astor Goa—one that reflects the property’s ethos of relaxed luxury, thoughtful service and understated attention to detail.

·        National Membership of WCEPC

·        The WCEPC International Ambassador Award

·        Bharat Gaurav Ratna Samman (Certificate of Excellence & National Honour)

The recognition acknowledges his decades of professional excellence in the aviation and airport management sector alongside his sustained engagement in public welfare, cultural preservation, and environmental initiatives.

The WCEPC International Ambassador Award recognizes Bawa’s dedication to excellence in Civil Aviation and Airport Management, while the Bharat Gaurav Ratna Samman celebrates his key contributions toward social welfare, nation-building, healthcare, and environmental conservation. His induction as a National Member of WCEPC further cements his alignment with the organization’s ongoing global mission.

Commenting on the recognition, Hon. Amb. Gurmukh Singh Bawa said:

“I am deeply humbled to receive this triple honour, which I view as a tribute to the entire PR fraternity and PRSD’s core mission — ‘We are Mentor & Incubator to IGNITE PR.’ I dedicate this recognition to our colleagues in Civil Aviation and Airport Management who work tirelessly for the nation, as well as to the larger vision of a Viksit Bharat. I remain firmly committed to supporting world culture, environmental protection, and social impact initiatives.”