* India’s top stand-up comedians come together with Vigil Aunty on JioHotstar
Ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day, HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, today announced the launch of ‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’, a fraud awareness campaign designed to encourage customers to pause before making impulsive decisions while transacting digitally. The campaign brings together some of India's most noted stand-up comedians along with Vigil Aunty, the Bank’s social media influencer on digital frauds, to deliver an important message: “When it comes to fraud, taking a pause can actually save you”.
‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’, a seven-episode comedy special, will start streaming exclusively on JioHotstar starting 15th August, 2026. The campaign addresses a common phenomenon across all types of digital frauds: fraudsters thrive on urgency. Whether it is a fake OTP request, a phishing link, or a digital arrest fraud, they want people to react instantly. ‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’ aims to spread simple fraud prevention habits across the country and encourage people to pause before reacting in a hurry. It positions ‘doing nothing’ as the smartest move when faced with a suspicious request. The series features popular stand-up comedians Aakash Gupta, Gaurav Kapoor, Ramkumar Natarajan, Harsh Gujral, Sonu Venugopal, Munawar Faruqui, and Kenny Sebastian.
Mr. Ravi Santhanam, Chief Marketing Officer & Group Head, HDFC Bank said, "Fraudsters use panic and urgency to manipulate people into making quick mistakes. 'Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves' intends to talk to audiences in a language they love - comedy. Vigil Aunty, along with India's top stand-up comedians, will spread awareness on the modus operandi used by fraudsters. We are delighted to leverage the network of JioHotstar in this endevaour to reach a wide audience to share the message of staying alert while transacting on digital platforms.”
‘Vigil Aunty Says - Laziness Saves’, conceptulised by the Bank’s creative agency FCBKinnect, is a pan-India initiative aimed at anyone who uses digital banking or online payments. While designed with Gen Z and digital-first audiences in mind, its core message is relevant across all age groups. By bringing fraud awareness to platforms where people already consume entertainment, the campaign aims to reach a wide audience nationwide and promote safer digital habits through content that is easy to remember and even easier to share. By leveraging comedy, the campaign makes fraud awareness far more relatable, memorable, and shareable.
Vigil Aunty is a fictional character created by HDFC Bank to make cyber safety simple and relatable through a familiar and conversational character who explains fraud risks in everyday language. Vigil Aunty has over 2.2 million followers across all social media platforms.
To watch, click here.
About HDFC BANK
For more information, click here: www.hdfc.bank.in
Monday, August 17, 2026
Onam Utsavam At Bhartiya Mall Of Bengaluru: A Weekend Of Kerala’s Culture, Traditions & Celebrations
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The celebrations on 22 August will feature an exciting line-up of Kerala’s traditional performances, including Chendamelam, Mega Thiruvathira, Theyyam and Pulikali. Visitors can also experience VR Vallamkali, a contemporary take on Kerala’s iconic snake boat races, offering an immersive glimpse into one of the state’s most celebrated traditions. A Community Pookkalam will invite visitors to come together and create one of the most recognisable symbols of Onam.
On 23 August, the festivities will shift into a day of contests and family-friendly activities, including a Payasam Making Competition, Pookkalam Challenge, Vadamvali Challenge and Sack Race, alongside several other activities designed to encourage participation and bring families and communities together.
With its blend of Kerala’s cultural heritage and contemporary experiences, Onam Utsavam at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru promises a vibrant weekend celebration that brings the colours, flavours and traditions of Kerala to Bengaluru.
Event Details
What: Onam Utsavam
Where: The Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru
Time: 1PM
Date: 22nd & 23rd August 2026
Registration: https://in.bookmyshow.com/activities/onam-utsavam-pookalam-competition/ET00510961
Turkish Airlines Strengthens Its China Network With Chengdu
Home to more than 21 million people, Chengdu is one of China's most prominent metropolitan centres. The city serves as a major hub for trade, logistics, and finance, hosting numerous multinational companies operating in strategic industries such as electronics, automotive, aviation, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
Recognized by UNESCO as a “City of Gastronomy”, Chengdu attracts millions of visitors every year with its world-renowned Sichuan cuisine, as well as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a natural habitat and conversation center for giant pandas.
Commenting on the launch of the Chengdu route, Turkish Airlines CEO Ahmet Olmuştur said: “China holds a strategically important position among Turkish Airlines’ key markets. With the launch of our flights to Chengdu, one of China's foremost tourism, technology, and aviation centres, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, we are further strengthening our flight network in the country. We believe this new route will contribute to the continued growth of commercial, cultural, and tourism ties between Türkiye and China.”
Turkish Airlines will operate three weekly flights on the Istanbul–Chengdu route on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while return flights from Chengdu to Istanbul will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The new route will provide a direct connection between Chengdu, Türkiye, and Turkish Airlines' extensive global network.
To mark the launch of the new route, Turkish Airlines is offering special fares starting from USD 540 in Economy Class and USD 1,991 in Business Class for travel between Istanbul and Chengdu. Fares are available on Turkish Airlines’ official website and may vary at sales offices and travel agencies.
Schedule details:
Turkish Airlines will operate its Istanbul–Chengdu flights to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport three times per week using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, configured with a total capacity of 300 seats, including 30 Business Class and 270 Economy Class seats.
For more information on Turkish Airlines and its flight schedules, please visit www.turkishairlines.com, call 444 0 849, or contact any Turkish Airlines sales office.
RONIN FC 3 Brings International MMA To Bengaluru, Fuses Global Competition With India’s Martial Heritage
Bengaluru witnessed a landmark evening for Indian combat sports as RONIN FC 3 – The Legacy Awakens brought international mixed martial arts to the city, with 146 athletes from India, Nepal, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan competing at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium on Saturday. Staged on Independence Day, the event brought together high-level international competition and a celebration of India’s rich martial arts heritage.
Organised by Sinhoi Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. in association with the All India Mixed Martial Arts Federation (AIMMAF), the third edition of RONIN FC featured 13 MMA bouts, comprising six preliminary contests and seven professional fights. The event drew a capacity audience, further reinforcing Bengaluru’s growing prominence as a destination for international combat sports.
Adding a distinct Indian identity to the fight night was a 45-minute Kalaripayattu showcase by Agastham Kalari. Integrated into the main programme, the performance brought the discipline, movement and heritage of the traditional martial art to an audience witnessing contemporary MMA competition. The showcase reflected the event’s central theme of connecting India’s martial legacy with the global evolution of combat sports.
The build-up to RONIN FC 3 began on August 14 with India’s first ever fight-week face-off at The Quad by BLR, Terminal 1, Kempegowda International Airport. The session featured official weigh-ins and head-to-head face-offs between the fighters, giving invited media and guests an early look at the matchups ahead of the main event.
The fight night on August 15 featured six preliminary bouts, followed by the Kalaripayattu showcase and seven professional contests. Fighters from across India competed alongside athletes from Nepal, Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, reflecting RONIN FC’s ambition to create a platform where Indian talent can compete alongside fighters from established and emerging MMA markets.
The night also saw standout performances across the fight card, with Shusmita of Nepal defeating Shalu Sharma, Ashish Rawat defeating Manoj Ramjali, Dipanjali of Kolkata defeating Lija of Kerala, and Rohit of Mumbai defeating Pankaj Mehra of Delhi.
Reflecting on the significance of the third edition, Arun Kumar Krishnan, Co-Founder & Promoter, RONIN FC, said, “Hosting RONIN FC 3 on Independence Day is deeply meaningful for us. As we celebrate the spirit of a nation built on courage and resilience, we’re proud to provide a platform where Indian athletes compete alongside international talent. Our vision is to build a lasting legacy for mixed martial arts in India and inspire the next generation of champions.”
The event was broadcast in partnership with Locker Room, with campaign metrics indicating a reach of more than 5.7 million, surpassing the audience recorded for the previous edition. The event was supported by SCAR as apparel partner, Aster Hospitals for medical services, CSR Global for travel support, and The Quad by BLR as venue partner.
About RONIN FC
RONIN FC is an AIMMAF-sanctioned mixed martial arts promotion built by Sinhoi Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. Its second edition, RFC2, reached over 5.7 million people through its campaign and drew more than 70,000 live-stream viewers, with athletes competing from 18 Indian states. With RONIN FC 3, the promotion expands its scale further, bringing together 146+ athletes from five nations for a night that pairs professional MMA competition with a celebration of India's martial arts heritage.
Friday, August 14, 2026
India’s Shift Towards Higher Life Insurance Coverage Signals Greater Financial Preparedness
An analysis of life insurance business data for FY2021–FY2025 compiled by the Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) of India points to an encouraging shift in India’s protection landscape.
The data shows that existing policyholders are progressively strengthening their financial protection by opting for higher levels of coverage. With changes in life cycle, responsibilities evolve. Recognising the same, increasingly, consumers are enhancing their coverage. These trends reinforce growing consumer confidence in life insurance as a long-term financial safety net. They also highlight the benefits of starting one’s protection journey early.
The IIB analysis shows a clear movement towards higher-value life insurance cover across all policy segments over the last five years. Between FY2021 and FY2025, higher sum assured categories witnessed consistent growth, reflecting a clear shift towards enhanced insurance protection and higher coverage levels among policyholders. The share of policies with a sum assured between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh increased by 5.6% points, while the ₹10 lakh–₹25 lakh category gained 2% points. At the higher end of the spectrum, the number of policies with a sum assured exceeding ₹50 lakh grew by 68% from 4.4 million in FY2021 to 7.4 million in FY2025, generating annual premium of ₹975 billion.
Meanwhile, in FY2021, nearly two-thirds (65.1%) of all in-force life insurance policies had a sum assured of ₹2 lakh or less. By FY2025, this proportion had declined significantly to 53.6%. Also, every higher sum assured category registered consistent growth over the same period.
The data also indicates that policyholders are consistently investing more towards their financial protection. While the total number of in-force life insurance policies has remained broadly stable at around 343 million over the five-year period, the average annual premium per policy increased by 42.6%, rising from ₹15,567 in FY2021 to ₹22,195 in FY2025. Together, these trends suggest that policyholders are strengthening their insurance cover over time rather than viewing life insurance as a one-time or tax-saving purchase.
Mr. Kamlesh Rao, Chairperson, Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC)- Life, said, “The IIB data clearly demonstrates that Indians who stay invested in life insurance increasingly recognise its value and strengthen their protection as their lives and responsibilities evolve. It is encouraging to see policyholders consistently moving towards higher levels of insurance cover, reflecting a growing commitment to financial security for themselves and their families. For those who have not yet begun their life insurance journey, the message is simple—the earlier you start, the more time you have to build comprehensive financial protection that can grow alongside your aspirations and responsibilities.”
Several factors are driving the shift towards higher coverage and premium outlay. Growing awareness of the importance of life insurance, rising incomes, inflation, and evolving life stages and responsibilities have all contributed to greater demand for comprehensive protection. The Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath further highlighted protection gaps, prompting individuals to reassess their financial resilience. At the same time, insurers have introduced more tailored solutions catering to diverse customer needs, making life insurance more relevant and accessible. Importantly, customers have understood the unique value proposition of life insurance. As a long-term protection and financial security tool, it complements other investment avenues. Most other traditional savings or investment products help create wealth whereas life insurance protects against the risks and volatility while doing the same.
The Insurance Awareness Committee – Life (IAC-Life) said these trends underscore the importance of viewing life insurance as a lifelong financial companion rather than a one-time purchase. Beginning early enables individuals to secure protection at a younger age, benefit from lower premiums, and gradually enhance their coverage as their income, responsibilities and long-term financial goals grow.
IAC-Life will continue to leverage insights from the IIB study to design targeted awareness initiatives that encourage more Indians to begin their life insurance journey early and build lasting financial resilience through adequate and evolving protection.
About Insurance Awareness Committee–Life Insurance:
87% of India continues to grapple with a significant life insurance protection gap, which continues to increase, exceeding 90% amongst those aged 18–35. This growing vulnerability is a threat to families’ financial security and aspirations. Addressing this challenge on a war footing is crucial to maintaining our society’s socio-economic resilience and security. The Insurance Awareness Committee was formed under the aegis of the Life Insurance Council to take action on this issue. Formed in 2019, 25 Life Insurance firms have come together to contribute under the guidance of six CEOs nominated to lead the agenda. Further comprised of a cross-industry marketing team supported by creative/ media agencies, the Insurance Awareness Committee researches, plans, creates and deploys nationwide campaigns that drive awareness, understanding and consideration of life insurance products.
The data shows that existing policyholders are progressively strengthening their financial protection by opting for higher levels of coverage. With changes in life cycle, responsibilities evolve. Recognising the same, increasingly, consumers are enhancing their coverage. These trends reinforce growing consumer confidence in life insurance as a long-term financial safety net. They also highlight the benefits of starting one’s protection journey early.
The IIB analysis shows a clear movement towards higher-value life insurance cover across all policy segments over the last five years. Between FY2021 and FY2025, higher sum assured categories witnessed consistent growth, reflecting a clear shift towards enhanced insurance protection and higher coverage levels among policyholders. The share of policies with a sum assured between ₹2 lakh and ₹5 lakh increased by 5.6% points, while the ₹10 lakh–₹25 lakh category gained 2% points. At the higher end of the spectrum, the number of policies with a sum assured exceeding ₹50 lakh grew by 68% from 4.4 million in FY2021 to 7.4 million in FY2025, generating annual premium of ₹975 billion.
Meanwhile, in FY2021, nearly two-thirds (65.1%) of all in-force life insurance policies had a sum assured of ₹2 lakh or less. By FY2025, this proportion had declined significantly to 53.6%. Also, every higher sum assured category registered consistent growth over the same period.
The data also indicates that policyholders are consistently investing more towards their financial protection. While the total number of in-force life insurance policies has remained broadly stable at around 343 million over the five-year period, the average annual premium per policy increased by 42.6%, rising from ₹15,567 in FY2021 to ₹22,195 in FY2025. Together, these trends suggest that policyholders are strengthening their insurance cover over time rather than viewing life insurance as a one-time or tax-saving purchase.
Mr. Kamlesh Rao, Chairperson, Insurance Awareness Committee (IAC)- Life, said, “The IIB data clearly demonstrates that Indians who stay invested in life insurance increasingly recognise its value and strengthen their protection as their lives and responsibilities evolve. It is encouraging to see policyholders consistently moving towards higher levels of insurance cover, reflecting a growing commitment to financial security for themselves and their families. For those who have not yet begun their life insurance journey, the message is simple—the earlier you start, the more time you have to build comprehensive financial protection that can grow alongside your aspirations and responsibilities.”
Several factors are driving the shift towards higher coverage and premium outlay. Growing awareness of the importance of life insurance, rising incomes, inflation, and evolving life stages and responsibilities have all contributed to greater demand for comprehensive protection. The Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath further highlighted protection gaps, prompting individuals to reassess their financial resilience. At the same time, insurers have introduced more tailored solutions catering to diverse customer needs, making life insurance more relevant and accessible. Importantly, customers have understood the unique value proposition of life insurance. As a long-term protection and financial security tool, it complements other investment avenues. Most other traditional savings or investment products help create wealth whereas life insurance protects against the risks and volatility while doing the same.
The Insurance Awareness Committee – Life (IAC-Life) said these trends underscore the importance of viewing life insurance as a lifelong financial companion rather than a one-time purchase. Beginning early enables individuals to secure protection at a younger age, benefit from lower premiums, and gradually enhance their coverage as their income, responsibilities and long-term financial goals grow.
IAC-Life will continue to leverage insights from the IIB study to design targeted awareness initiatives that encourage more Indians to begin their life insurance journey early and build lasting financial resilience through adequate and evolving protection.
About Insurance Awareness Committee–Life Insurance:
87% of India continues to grapple with a significant life insurance protection gap, which continues to increase, exceeding 90% amongst those aged 18–35. This growing vulnerability is a threat to families’ financial security and aspirations. Addressing this challenge on a war footing is crucial to maintaining our society’s socio-economic resilience and security. The Insurance Awareness Committee was formed under the aegis of the Life Insurance Council to take action on this issue. Formed in 2019, 25 Life Insurance firms have come together to contribute under the guidance of six CEOs nominated to lead the agenda. Further comprised of a cross-industry marketing team supported by creative/ media agencies, the Insurance Awareness Committee researches, plans, creates and deploys nationwide campaigns that drive awareness, understanding and consideration of life insurance products.
Air India Express Launches Freedom Sale, Offering Up To 20% Savings On Flights & Meals
As the country gears up to celebrate the 80th Independence Day, Air India Express announces its Freedom Sale, bringing special savings on flights and Gourmair meals across its expansive domestic network. Travellers can enjoy up to 20% savings on Xpress Lite and Xpress Value fares, alongside savings of up to 20% on meals. Additionally, guests making direct bookings on the airline's website, airindiaexpress.com, and mobile app can avail an extra 10% discount using the promo code FREEDOM.
The Freedom Sale is live across all booking channels until 16 August 2026 for travel between 16 August and 31 October 2026.
Members of Tata NeuPass and Maharaja Club can enjoy additional benefits and earn up to 8 NeuCoins or 12 Maharaja Club points for every INR 100 spent on their bookings.
The airline offers a range of fare options tailored to different travel preferences. Xpress Lite is the airline's zero check-in baggage fare, while Xpress Value includes a standard check-in baggage allowance. Guests can further customise their journey with add-ons such as Gourmair hot meals, preferred seats, additional baggage, and priority services.
With a growing fleet of over 100 aircraft and about 500 daily flights, Air India Express connects 48 domestic and 16 international destinations across Southeast and West Asia.
About Air India Express
Air India Express is A Tata Enterprise, operating about 500 daily flights that connect 48 domestic and 16 international destinations across Southeast and West Asia. The airline has a fleet of over 100 Boeing 737s and Airbus A320 aeroplanes. As India’s most vibrant and inclusive airline, Air India Express embodies the spirit and confidence of India - warm, expressive, and proudly authentic. Encouraging travellers to ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’, the airline transforms flying into an experience that is personal and memorable.
With thoughtfully curated touches - from ‘Gourmair’ hot meals, comfortable seats, and refreshed interiors to exclusive loyalty benefits for over 22 million members, Air India Express blends smart technology with heartfelt Indian hospitality.
Celebrate The Spirit Of Freedom At Phoenix Mall Of Asia, Bengaluru, This Independence Day
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This Independence Day, Phoenix Mall of Asia invites Bengaluru to come together for a celebration of patriotism, music and community as it hosts a special performance by the Indian Military Bands, featuring the Army Brass Band, Pipe Band and Jazz Band, at Fan Park, 2nd Floor. Beginning at 11:00 AM on 15th August 2026, the celebrations will also feature the AWWA Entrepreneurs Exhibition and Ramcharan Collectives Live.
From the powerful sound of the Army Brass Band and the stirring notes of the Pipe Band to the vibrant rhythms of the Jazz Band, the performance will bring three distinctive military music traditions together on one stage. Audiences can look forward to patriotic favourites, ceremonial marches, jazz arrangements and traditional pipe music, performed with the precision and energy that have made Indian Military Bands an integral part of the country’s most significant national celebrations.
With a legacy that extends from the Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path to military music festivals across the world, Indian Military Bands have carried India’s musical and ceremonial traditions to audiences at home and abroad. This Independence Day, that legacy comes to Phoenix Mall of Asia, offering Bengaluru an opportunity to experience the grandeur of Indian military music up close.
Adding to the celebrations, the AWWA Entrepreneurs Exhibition and Ramcharan Collectives Live will bring additional experiences to the day’s line-up at Fan Park.
This Independence Day, head to Phoenix Mall of Asia, Bengaluru, and be part of a celebration of freedom, music and the enduring traditions of the Indian Armed Forces. The event is open to all.
Event Details:
Event: Independence Day Celebrations at Phoenix Mall of Asia
Date: 15th August 2026
Time: 11:00 AM onwards
Venue: Fan Park, 2nd Floor, Phoenix Mall of Asia
Tickets: Open for all
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