Swiggy Dineout turns GIRF into The Great Indian Ravi Festival with Ravi Kishan

Swiggy, India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform announced the return of Swiggy Dineout’s flagship dining property, the Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) but with a twist. This year, GIRF has been reimagined as The Great Indian Ravi Festival, built entirely around the internet's current obsession, Ravi Kishan. The campaign is anchored by the line "Discount Followsss My Brothaaaar", a twist on one of Ravi Kishan's most viral dialogues, tying the internet's favourite movement directly to GIRF's core promise: unbeatable dining discounts. This edition of GIRF will be live from September 14, 2026 to October 24, 2026. Customers can enjoy up to 50% off across 57,000+ restaurants in 84+ cities across India, including a range of cafés, pubs, bars, luxury dining and family restaurants. Diners can also get an additional 10% instant discount on all HDFC Bank cards, along with 10% back as DineCash on every booking made through Dineout.

The renaming of GIRF is much more than a branding exercise. It is Swiggy Dineout's response to a cultural moment that is already unfolding online. Ravi Kishan, a household name in Indian cinema for decades, has recently been trending across social channels with his dialogues, expressions and mannerisms remixed and shared widely by a wide generation of internet users. Swiggy Dineout has not just tapped into that moment, it has built an entire festival around it.

As part of the campaign, Ravi Kishan moves beyond the role of a conventional brand ambassador to become the face, voice and personality of the entire festival. The flagship campaign film reimagines him as a larger-than-life figure, a philosopher dispensing his own brand of life wisdom, weaving in recognisable internet-favourite references such as "Jaldi the Late" and "Home from Work" into the world of dining out, in a style that mirrors the content his fans already love him for.

Speaking on GIRF, Dhruvish Thakkar, AVP Marketing and Revenue, Swiggy Dineout said, "GIRF continues to be one of India's largest dining movements, and every year our aim is to meet consumers where they already are. We have partnered with trending personalities and internet icons for GIRF over the last few years. This time, we have gone a step further by rechristening GIRF as Great Indian Ravi Festival. Ravi Kishan isn't just having a moment right now — he is the moment and has been trending across social media for the past few weeks! This is the reason why instead of simply riding that wave, we decided to build this year's entire festival around him. We hope that GIRF in its new avatar will appeal to a larger audience, as the discount really does follow the brothaa.”

The festival spans across 84+ cities including India's established dining capitals like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai, alongside emerging culinary destinations including Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Udaipur.

This edition features participation from leading brands including Good Flippin' Burgers, Punjab Grill, YouMee, One 8 Commune, Mainland China, Paradise Biryani and Absolute Barbecues among other popular dining destinations.

The Great Indian Ravi Festival will roll out across digital, social and creator ecosystems, alongside in-app storytelling formats on the Dineout platform, with Ravi Kishan integrated throughout the campaign to make him feel as omnipresent across the festival as he currently is across the internet.

Olympian Pranati Nayak from Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre to represent India at Asian Games 2026

Olympian Pranati Nayak, who trains at the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre (Odisha AM/NS GHPC) in Bhubaneswar, has been selected to represent India at the 20th Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

Pranati is the only Indian gymnast selected for the Asian Games and will compete in the Women’s Vault and Women’s All-Around events in Artistic Gymnastics. Her selection follows a strong run of performances, including a silver medal in the Women’s Vault at the FIG World Challenge Cup 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

 Ashutosh Telang, Director & Vice President – HR & Administration, AM/NS India, said, “Pranati’s selection as India’s sole gymnast for the Asian Games is a significant achievement and reflects her consistency, discipline and determination. At the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre, our focus is on providing athletes with the training and support required to compete at the highest level. We wish Pranati the very best as she represents India in Aichi-Nagoya.”

Pranati represented India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and has consistently delivered strong performances at national and international competitions. In 2026, she won silver at the FIG World Challenge Cup in Tashkent and gold at the 54th All India Railway Gymnastics Championship, besides representing India at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

In 2025, she won bronze at the Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships and the FIG Apparatus World Cup, and secured one gold, one silver and one bronze at the 38th National Games. She has also won multiple medals at national championships and international FIG events over the past few years.

The Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar supports the development of high-performance gymnasts through specialised coaching, training infrastructure and athlete support, with the objective of enabling Indian athletes to compete successfully at national and international levels.

HCLFoundation and Uttar Pradesh government extend Samuday partnership until 2031 to accelerate and scale rural transformation

HCL Foundation, which drives the corporate social responsibility agenda of HCLTech in India, announced the renewal of its partnership with the Department of Rural Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh, for its flagship rural development program Samuday for another five years through 2031.

Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the renewal of the partnership at an event in Lucknow today. Shri Keshav Prasad Marurya, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Rural Development, Uttar Pradesh; Shrimati Vijay Laxmi Gautam, Minister of State, Rural Development, Uttar Pradesh, top government officials and other dignitaries attended the event.

“The Uttar Pradesh government is committed to integrated rural development. In partnership with HCLFoundation, the Rural Development Department has done monumental work in Hardoi district over the past 11 years through the Samuday program. With this MoU, we together aim to usher in similar transformation across other districts of Uttar Pradesh,” said Shri Keshav Prasad Marurya, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Rural Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Launched in Uttar Pradesh in 2015, Samuday by HCLFoundation has evolved into one of India's largest government-CSR partnerships. Since its inception, the program has expanded from Hardoi district to 579 Gram Panchayats across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh, benefiting more than 3 million people. The program is also implemented in 95 Gram Panchayats in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district, impacting over 140,000 people.

The renewed partnership will focus on strengthening livelihoods and rural economic opportunities, improving education and healthcare outcomes, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, advancing water and sanitation initiatives, strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions, enhancing convergence with government schemes and expanding the program to other districts across Uttar Pradesh.

“HCLFoundation works closely with communities and government institutions to strengthen rural ecosystems, build local ownership and develop scalable development models that can be replicated across geographies. Over the last decade, Samuday has demonstrated how government, communities and the private sector can work together to create lasting impact at scale. We look forward to deepening this partnership and accelerating rural transformation across Uttar Pradesh,” said Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, Director, HCLFoundation.

 Samuday’s achievements (2015-2026):

1.99 million+ individuals reached through health and nutrition interventions

534,000+ students benefited from improved learning environments

113,000+ farmers supported through improved agricultural practices

85,000+ youth and women supported through livelihood initiatives

2,224 kWp renewable energy infrastructure created

2,300+ households supported through waste management interventions

 

25 Young Chess Aspirants Live Their Dream, Take on Magnus Carlsen

The clocks were ticking, the boards were set, and across them sat some of the biggest names in chess. 25 young chess players from Bengaluru and Chennai, aged 13 to 19, got the chance fulfill their dream and play against World No. 1 and five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen, Indian chess icon Koneru Humpy, Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi and Indian Grandmaster Pravin Mahadeo Thipsay at the YiPPee! Checkmate Challenge, held at ITC Windsor, Bengaluru.

Vivaan Sachdev was named the best player of the YiPPee! Checkmate Challenge by Grandmaster Pravin Thipsey, coach of the Alpine APL Pipers, after holding the strongest board position against three Grandmasters. For the other young players, it was a chance to step into an environment where every move mattered and put their own skills to the test. The challenge was about more than finding the right move. It was about holding their nerve, trusting their instincts and staying composed under pressure, bringing the intensity of high-level chess closer to a new generation of players.

 

Magnus Carlsen from Alpine APL Pipers said, “It is always nice to see the joy that kids have in chess. The young players here were very good, and you could see the amount of energy and effort they brought to the games. It was great to see them get the opportunity to play and experience chess in this way.”

 

While the children walked away with memories that will last a lifetime, the event was equally special for their parents and coaches. Watching their children sit across the board from global champions such as Magnus Carlsen, Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh was a proud and gratifying moment.

 

Atul Pujar, Head of Marketing, Snacks and Noodles, Foods Division, ITC Ltd., said, “It was wonderful to see the excitement and confidence of the young participants as they played against some of the biggest names in world chess. As a brand it is our constant endeavour to support and inspire young minds of India, and we are happy to have played a small part to bring these kids closer to their dreams”.

 

The opportunity was created through YiPPee!’s Cook. Share. Checkmate! contest, which ran from August 26 to September 2 across Bengaluru and Chennai. Chess enthusiasts aged 13 to 19 were invited to make a bowl of YiPPee! noodles and share a memorable chess moment, with 25 finalists selected for the Checkmate Challenge. The initiative is also part of #BeyondTheMove, YiPPee!’s campaign celebrating the passion, stories and experiences that go beyond every move on the chessboard.

"கடலில் நீந்துவது ஒரு தனி கலை": அலைகளின் சவாலை முறியடித்து தங்கம் வென்ற அஷ்மிதா சந்திரா விளக்கம்.

சென்னை : ஓபன் வாட்டர் அல்லது கடல் நீச்சல் என குறிப்பிடப்படுவது பொதுவாக சகிப்புத்தன்மையுடன் கூடிய ஆற்றல் மிக்க நீச்சலில் கவனம் செலுத்துகிறது, இது பல தசாப்தங்களுக்கு முன்பு ஆங்கிலக் கால்வாயைக் கைப்பற்றிய மிஹிர் சென் மற்றும் புலா சவுத்ரி போன்றவர்களால் பிரபலப்படுத்தப்பட்டது. அப்போதிருந்து, நீச்சல் ஆர்வலர்கள் அலைகளைத் துணிந்து கடந்து தரம்தரில் இருந்து இந்தியாவின் கேட்வே வரை நீந்தி கடந்து வருகின்றனர், கடலை வென்று, அந்த தூரத்தை நீந்திக் கடந்து சென்ற வயதில் இளையவர் என்ற சாதனையை முறியடித்து தங்களுக்கு என ஒரு பெயரைப் பெற வேண்டும் என்ற நம்பிக்கையில் முயற்சிக்கின்றனர்.

2026 ஆம் ஆண்டு கேலோ இந்தியா கடற்கரை விளையாட்டுப் போட்டியில், உத்தரப் பிரதேசத்தைச் சேர்ந்த அனுராக் சிங் மற்றும் கர்நாடகாவைச் சேர்ந்த அஷ்மிதா சந்திரா ஆகியோர் ஆண்கள் மற்றும் பெண்கள் 10 கி.மீ. ஓட்டப்பந்தயங்களில் தங்கப் பதக்கங்களை வென்றனர். இவர்கள் கடந்த காலங்களில் கேலோ இந்தியா இளைஞர் விளையாட்டுப் போட்டிகள் மற்றும் கேலோ இந்தியா பல்கலைக்கழக விளையாட்டுப் போட்டிகளில் பதக்கங்களை வென்றவர்கள்.  அனுராக் மற்றும் அஷ்மிதா இருவரும் நீச்சல் குளத்தில் இந்தப் போட்டிக்காகப் பயிற்சி செய்தனர், ஒரு நாளைக்கு இரண்டு அல்லது மூன்று முறை தண்ணீரில் கிட்டத்தட்ட ஆறு முதல் ஏழு மணி நேரம் வரை செலவிடும் ஆற்றல்மிக்க பயிற்சியில் கவனம் செலுத்தினர். தங்கத்தை வெல்ல அனுராக் 2:22:02 வினாடிகளை நிர்ணயித்தாலும், அஷ்மிதா 2:46:34 வினாடிகளில் இறுதிக் கோட்டைத் தொட்டார்.

ஏற்கனவே நான்கு ஓபன் நீச்சல் உலக சாம்பியன்ஷிப் போட்டிகளில் பங்கேற்றுள்ள அஷ்மிதா, குளத்திலும் கடலிலும் நீந்துவதற்கு இடையிலான தொழில்நுட்ப வேறுபாடுகள் குறித்து விளக்கினார்.  "கடலில் தூரத்தை விட அலைகளும், ஓட்டப் பாதையும் தான் மிகவும் சவாலானது. பந்தயத்திற்கு ஒரு நாள் முன்பு, மோசமான நிலைக்குத் தயாராக இருக்குமாறு நானே எனக்குள் சொல்லிக் கொள்கிறேன். பொதுவாக அலையைப் புரிந்துகொள்ள எனக்கு ஒரு சுற்று ஆகும், அதன் பிறகு நான் என் வேகத்தில் கவனம் மீது செலுத்துகிறேன்."

ICWO Distributes Sports Apparel to 150 Marginalized Children with Support from CAUSE India

The Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO) distributed sports shoes, hoodies, track suit and T-shirts on 3 January 2026 to 150 children from marginalized communities 90% of them are girls at its office in Anna Nagar, Chennai, with the support of CAUSE India (Changing Attitudes Using Social Energy) under its flagship campaign “Right to Play.”

The sports apparel, through CAUSE India’s initiative, was provided to children who have limited or no access to sports wears due to socio-economic challenges. The initiative aims to promote physical fitness, nurture sporting skills, and create opportunities for holistic development through sports.

Mr. Sathish Nagappan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), CAUSE India, highlighted the vision behind the initiative, stating that “Right to Play focuses on creating a sports platform for underprivileged children where their sports skills can be identified, developed, and supported. Through this initiative, CAUSE India strives to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds receive the right sportswear support to grow and excel in sports.”

Ms. V. Neeta Maria, Director – Operations, CAUSE India, emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusion, stating that “Our focus is on children who are vulnerable and have limited or no opportunities. By empowering them with access, support, and encouragement, we aim to help them discover their potential and excel beyond their circumstances.”

The initiative is further strengthened by the support of SG Sports (Sanspareils Greenlands), a globally recognized sports brand and one of the major international sports equipment suppliers. Through its social initiatives, SG Sports actively supports grass root sports development and has extended significant support by sponsoring sports apparel for CAUSE India’s ‘Right to Play’ campaign, ensuring quality equipment reaches children at the community level.

Mr. A. J. Hariharan, Secretary, Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), said, “Building strong, physically fit, and healthy young people is essential, as they are the future of our nation. This support will go a long way in nurturing their confidence and competitive spirit, helping them prepare, face challenges, and succeed in life. ICWO is proud to be part of this initiative, and I sincerely thank CAUSE India and SG Sports (Sanspareils Greenlands) for their invaluable support in empowering children through sports.”

Children’s Voices from the “Right to Play” Initiative;

One of the beneficiaries shared, “I always wanted to play sports like other children, but I did not have proper shoes. Today, I feel very happy and confident.”, said Miss.Nandhini

Another child expressed, “This is my first sports shoe. I never thought I would get one like this. Now I can play without fear and participate in competitions.” Said Miss.Jeevitha 

A young recipient said with excitement, “I am very happy. I have been asking my mother for sports shoes for a long time, and today I finally received them.” Said Miss.Karthika

The program directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), by promoting physical activity, life skills, and social inclusion among children from under served communities.

Both ICWO, CAUSE India & SG Sports reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaborations that empower children, promote healthy lifestyles, and build inclusive communities through sustainable, sports-based interventions.

Bharti Airtel Announces Leadership Changes

Gopal Vittal has led Bharti Airtel as Managing Director CCEO for the last thirteen years. As part of a structured succession process, Gopal, in addition to being the Managing Director, was appointed Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel Ltd in October 2024. Shashwat Sharma was appointed CEO designate of the Company.

In line with the planned succession, Gopal Vittal will move into the role of Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel on the 1st of January2026 overseeing Bharti Airtel and all its subsidiaries.

Following a well-structured and successful transition process, Gopal will be succeeded by Shashwat Sharmaas MD and CEO of Bharti Airtel India on the1st of January2026.

Additionally, Soumen Ray, currently the Chief Financial Officer for Bharti Airtel India, will be appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer reporting to Gopal.

AkhilGarg, currently Financial Controller, Bharti Airtel will be appointed as Chief Financial Officer for Bharti Airtel India.

RohitPuri, currently Joint Company Secretary CCompliance Officer, will be appointed as Company Secretary CCompliance Officer for Bharti Airtel. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel said:‘I am extremely pleased with the succession and transition of leadership at Airtel and there could not have been a better time, where change and continuity will go hand in hand. I have no doubt both Gopal and Shashwat will continue to build on the momentum and I wish them much success in their roles."