WinZO Enters U.S. Market and Launches Short Video Content Format, Accelerating India’s Journey to Global Digital Leadership

Writing the Indian tech exports story 2.0, WinZO is now live in three of the world’s top four gaming markets

 

WinZO, India’s largest homegrown digital entertainment platform announced its official launch in the United States, marking a decisive milestone in its mission to export Indian technology and gaming innovation, intellectual property, and talent to global audiences.

 

The U.S. debut follows WinZO’s successful foray into Brazil in 2023, placing the company at the intersection of three of the world’s four largest mobile gaming markets, India, Brazil, and the U.S., with a combined market size of USD 65–70 billion and more than 20 billion annual mobile game downloads.

 

Scaling India’s Tech Export Story: From leading the world’s largest market by user base (India), WinZO has now entered the world’s largest gaming market by revenue (U.S.). With India accounting for just 1% of the global gaming market, WinZO’s international expansion represents a Tech Exports 2.0 story: Indian game developers, building culturally relevant games and enabling competitive esports experiences, can now access one of the most mature and lucrative gaming markets through WinZO’s proven plug-and-launch distribution model.

 

WinZO’s global competitiveness is anchored in its robust ecosystem of 250 million users engaging with 100+ competitive games in esports and social formats across 15 languages, fortified by more than 100 proprietary technology patents, including its Live streaming technology, Real-Time Game Engine, GenAI-powered vernacular culturally relevant companion, one-click game integration, and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. Backed by its $50 million ZO Fund supporting early-stage technology ventures, WinZO is scaling India’s innovation to the world while serving as a conduit for the exchange of talent, culture, and IP across India, Brazil, and the U.S. While expanding globally, WinZO will continue to serve its Indian audience with multiple offerings lined up through its platform, while responsibly withdrawing limited services impacted by evolving regulations.

 

“The launch of WinZO in the United States is a proud milestone for us and for India’s digital entertainment ecosystem. Our vision has always been to empower Indian game developers to reach global audiences. Entering the U.S., the world’s largest and most influential gaming market, is a decisive step towards that mission.We are equally excited to introduce ZO TV, our new short video format, which further diversifies our content offerings and strengthens WinZO’s position as a global hub and one stop destination for interactive entertainment,” said Saumya Singh Rathore and Paavan Nanda, Co-Founders of WinZO.

 

WinZO’s expansion to the US is a critical part of its strategy to become the global go-to consumer tech platform for all new-age content consumption. After format and monetization diversification, WinZO is leapfrogging into geographical diversification. Eventually, as the company scales, product offerings and features will continue to expand, reflecting its deep bench strength in tech, IP patents, strategic investments, and experience of working in and with frontier tech.

Coca-Cola’s Bottling Partners Bolster India’s Logistics Network With Fleet, EV Expansion, And Welfare Push

Coca-Cola, along with its bottling partners, is redefining green logistics by expanding one of the nation’s largest truck fleets, featuring over 5,000 EVs nationwide. This strategic investment not only delivers refreshment to every corner of India but also fuels job creation and underscores a commitment to operational excellence and social impact.

Nationwide Fleet Expansion Powers Growth and Opportunity

Coca-Cola’s products traverse several hundred  kilometers daily, reaching both urban and rural markets efficiently. This vast distribution network relies on a dedicated workforce of thousands of truck drivers, whose roles are pivotal in ensuring the timely delivery of beverages across the country. The ongoing expansion of the logistics fleet directly translates into stable employment opportunities, reinforcing Coca-Cola’s position as a significant contributor to India’s supply chain workforce.

 

Bottling Partners Accelerate Innovation and Impact

Superior Drinks Pvt. Ltd., a key Coca-Cola bottler, has bolstered its fleet with close to 200 state-of-the-art trucks and EVs added this year. This move has significantly increased distribution capacity and quality from plant to shelf. Meanwhile, SLMG Beverages, another major bottling partner within the system, has scaled up its electric vehicle fleet adding over 3000 EVs in the last three years to support last-mile delivery. Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) has also strengthened the network by deploying approximately 500 EVs across 10 states, improving regional coverage and operational efficiency. Collectively, the scale of the bottling partners’ fleets is only expected to rise in the years ahead.

 

Championing Driver Welfare and Road Safety

In addition to workforce growth, Coca-Cola emphasizes driver welfare through a comprehensive program that includes annual road safety trainings, tailored for India’s diverse road conditions, regular medical and vision check-ups, and wellness seminars focused on road safety and stress management. Additionally, each vehicle is routinely assessed to meet operational standards. These initiatives aim to enhance driver safety and health, reduce operational risks, and improve overall job satisfaction.

 

Sundeep Bajoria, Vice President, Coca-Cola India said, “India’s logistics landscape is evolving and we’re evolving with it, responsibly. Our trucking ecosystem is a living engine of economic opportunity and impact-led progress. It creates livelihood opportunities across states, fuels micro-economies in transport hubs, and ensures that our beverages reach every lane and locality, from metro cities to rural kirana stores. As we scale our capabilities, we remain equally focused on enabling the people who power this network with safety, skill-building, and support.”

 

Vinay Nair, Chief Commercial Officer, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. said, “At HCCB, we're constantly evolving to meet the dynamic demands of India’s beverage landscape. Fleet augmentation not only strengthens our last-mile deliveries but also reinforces our commitment to agile, tech-enabled supply chain solutions that serve our retailers faster and better, while contributing to the local economies."

 

Ashish Sethi, CEO Superior Drinks Pvt. Ltd. said, “Our focus has always been on operational precision and market readiness. With this fleet expansion, we’re building a delivery powerhouse that delivers unmatched speed, scale, and reliability. We’re setting new standards in execution to keep pace with one of the world’s most demanding supply chains.”

 

Rahul Kumar, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, SLMG said, “Expanding our EV fleet is a deliberate move to improve delivery speed and capacity in line with the Coca-Cola system’s growth objectives. This investment strengthens our ability to meet increasing consumer demand, especially in rural markets, with improved cost-to-serve.”

 

As Coca-Cola’s products journey across the country, every kilometer represents not just refreshment for consumers, but also new opportunities, livelihoods, and growth for countless Indians. By integrating a growing driver workforce with comprehensive welfare support, the company contributes to socioeconomic development in India, providing meaningful employment and fostering community wellbeing across regions.

 

About Coca-Cola India

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Thums Up XForce, Charged, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Sprite Zero, Kinley Soda, Rim Zim,  Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Kinley Copper, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water. Premium products constitute Schweppes’ range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 5 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water and packaging initiatives, sustainable agriculture and emission reductions across its value chain.

 

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Taronish Karkaria Takes The Helm as General Manager Of Taj West End, Bengaluru

Taj West End, Bengaluru, a landmark of timeless luxury and legendary hospitality, is proud to announce the appointment of Taronish Karkaria as its new General Manager. A second-generation hotelier with over two decades of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Taronish brings with him a dynamic leadership style, deep operational expertise, and a passion for crafting unforgettable guest experiences.

A prominent leader within the IHCL group, Taronish has successfully led some of its most iconic properties, most recently serving as the pre-opening General Manager of Taj Gandhinagar Resort & Spa. Prior to this, he held the role of Director of Operations at Taj Palace, New Delhi—India’s largest luxury convention hotel.

Taronish’s illustrious career also includes key leadership roles at renowned hotels such as The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, and Taj Lands End, Mumbai. His operational acumen is complemented by a commitment to guest satisfaction, revenue optimization, and team mentorship.

Mr. Satyajeet Krishnan, Senior Vice President – Operations, South, IHCL, said, “Taronish brings forth an extensive expertise across operations and proven ability to elevate guest experiences. His leadership will play a key role in further strengthening the hotel’s position as one of the city’s most distinguished luxury destinations.”

“Taj West End is a true icon of Bengaluru’s hospitality landscape. I am excited to continue its legacy while crafting meaningful experiences for our guests, blending warmth and innovation with the hotel’s timeless charm,” shares Mr. Taronish Karkaria, General Manager, Taj West End.

In his new role, Taronish will focus on advancing strategic operations across the property, enhancing bespoke guest experiences, and introducing initiatives that uphold Taj West End’s legacy as one of Bengaluru’s most treasured hospitality landmarks.

Inaugural Kolar Open Powered By ZION Hills Gets Underway From August 26

• PGTI to stage its first event at ZION Hills Golf County

* Field to feature Angad Cheema, Udayan Mane, Om Prakash Chouhan, Manu Gandas, Arjun Prasad

* Prize Purse of INR 1 crore on offer

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), the official sanctioning body of professional golf in India, and ZION Hills Golf County today jointly announced the Kolar Open 2025 Powered by ZION Hills which will be held at the magnificent ZION Hills Golf County in Kolar, Karnataka, from August 26 – 29, 2025. 

The total prize purse for the event is INR 1 crore.

With the staging of the Kolar Open, the PGTI makes its debut at the ZION Hills Golf County.

The leading Indian professionals participating in the event include Angad Cheema, Olympian Udayan Mane, Om Prakash Chouhan, Manu Gandas, Arjun Prasad and Shaurya Bhattacharya, to name a few.

The prominent foreign names competing are Sri Lankans N Thangaraja and K Prabagaran, Bangladeshis Jamal Hossain and Badal Hossain, Italians Michele Ortolani and Federico Zucchetti, Czechia’s Stepan Danek, American Koichiro Sato, Nepal’s Subash Tamang as well as Uganda’s Joshua Seale.

Mr. George Menomparampil, Managing Director, ZION Hills Golf County, said, “We recently completed construction of the back nine holes at the course, and we are delighted to welcome the first Kolar Open PGTI tournament here - that carries Official World Golf Ranking Points. We look forward to an exciting contest and to offering players a memorable experience. It is our hope that this becomes a regular feature on the PGTI calendar and helps attract more golfers and tourists to the region.”

Mr. Amandeep Johl, CEO, PGTI, said, “We are delighted to partner with ZION Hills Golf County in launching the inaugural Kolar Open as part of our continued efforts to expand the footprint of professional golf across India. We thank ZION Hills Golf County for their support to our endeavour of growing the sport and creating maximum playing opportunities for Indian professionals. With the recently-constructed back-nine of the course being unveiled for the first time, the golfing skills of India’s top professionals will be tested this week as the length of the course, the huge greens, the numerous penalty areas and the wind factor will pose a stiff challenge.”

Challenging, championship level 18-hole golf course designed by the legendary architect Ronald Fream forms the centrepiece at Zion Hills. Expansive granite shelves, rusty boulders and abundant lakes  interweave with rolling greens to create a course that challenges experts and yet inspires learners, guaranteeing the mix of exhilaration and the indomitable spirit that makes golf such an addiction.

The two Pro-Am events played on Sunday, 24th August, were won by the teams led by professionals Jamal Hossain and Varun Parikh. Jamal’s team won the morning session of the Pro-Am with a score of 52 and consisted of amateurs Advith Sunil, Rajagopal Koushik and Akhil Khorana. Varun’s team won the afternoon session of the Pro-Am with a score of 53.7 and consisted of amateurs Sandeep Syal, B K Nihal and Arnav Chatterjee.

Vedanta Sesa Recognised For Employee Focused Policies In India

Vedanta Sesa Goa has been certified as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year (2022-2025), establishing its position among India’s leading organizations that uphold excellence in workplace culture. The recognition was conferred by the Great Place to Work® Institute, a globally renowned authority on building, sustaining, and recognizing high-trust and high-performance workplace environments.

 

This certification is based on a rigorous, independent assessment that evaluates organizations on employee feedback and the effectiveness of people-centric policies and practices. It highlights Vedanta Sesa Goa’s continued focus on fostering a culture built on trust, respect, safety, and opportunities for professional growth.

The recognition comes alongside a significant achievement for the parent organization, with Vedanta Group being named India’s Best Employer Among Nation-Builders 2025, by Great Place to Work® further validating its long-standing contribution to human capital development and nation-building.

Across its multiple sites, spanning four states-Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Vedanta Sesa Goa has implemented several structured initiatives that contribute to its sustained certification, including strengthening safety culture, promoting technical & operational excellence, advancing diversity and inclusion, and structured leadership and performance development programs to enable capability enhancement and future readiness

On the occasion, Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO – Vedanta Sesa Goa, stated: “We, at Vedanta Sesa Goa, believe in the unique abilities of our diverse workforce & prioritise their professional & personal well-being. To be acknowledged as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth consecutive year, testifies to our strong employee-centric culture developed over the decades. At Sesa Goa, each member of the workforce is equally valued & forms part of our resilient & motivated workforce which is committed to the creation of a #ViksitBharat.”

Expressing his sentiments, Mr. Praveen George, CHRO, Sesa Goa stated: “It is a great feeling for Vedanta Sesa Goa to be declared as a “Great Place to Work” for the fourth successive time. This recognition is a testament to our incredible employees, who are the backbone of our success and growth. This also reflects the consistent focus that the organization lays upon building a progressive and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing, innovation and a shared sense of purpose across all our locations.”

Sesa Goa runs operations in the states of Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Odisha & Karnataka and has an over 6600 strong workforce. The diversity quotient in the company is on a steady rise with women employees tenanting roles in both operations and enabling functions.

The Great Place to Work® Institute is a global authority on workplace culture, having surveyed over 100 million employees worldwide to define what makes a great workplace. Organizations that are certified demonstrate consistently high levels of trust, employee engagement, and leadership effectiveness.

Vedanta Sesa Goa remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing employee experience and aligning its people practices with global ESG and sustainability goals, while continuing to contribute meaningfully to India’s socio-economic progress.

India Aligns With Shift In Global Guidelines For Influenza Vaccination, Urgent Need To Prioritise Preventives

Transition in accordance with WHO recommendation for flu vaccination

 

Zydus Lifesciences Limited (including its subsidiaries/affiliates hereafter referred to as “Zydus”) an innovation-led global lifesciences company held a health symposium at Bengaluru to create a convergence of leading healthcare professionals who spoke on the transition to a new influenza vaccination guideline, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Northern hemisphere 2025-26.

 

Global influenza remains a significant public health concern, causing an estimated 400,000 respiratory and 300,000 deaths across the world annually1. In US and Europe almost 50% of the population is vaccinated for seasonal flu annually1. India which successfully leads the universal immunisation programme (UIP), has been able to counter several debilitating childhood vaccine preventable diseases. However, in India the flu vaccination is an unmet need and has less than 1.5 % of the population getting vaccinated.

 

Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Limited said, “Good health starts with prevention, and vaccines play a key role in protecting people and improving health. Influenza continues to pose a recurring challenge, leading to seasonal outbreaks and placing a considerable burden on healthcare systems. Vaccination plays a vital role in reducing the spread of infection, lowering the severity of disease, and preventing complications, especially among high-risk and vulnerable groups. At Zydus, we are committed to advancing preventive healthcare by promoting timely vaccination and raising awareness about its importance in controlling influenza and safeguarding public health.”

 

As per WHO's 2025-26 recommendations of NH strains, the persistent absence of naturally occurring B/Yamagata lineage viruses since March 2020 indicates a very low risk of infection2. Consequently, the inclusion of a B/Yamagata antigen in quadrivalent influenza vaccines is no longer considered necessary. Aligning with this, the CDC has excluded the B/Yamagata component from all U.S. influenza vaccines starting with the 2024–25 season3. This decision reflects global surveillance data and aims to streamline vaccine composition for improved efficacy and production efficiency. 

 

National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), India has also recommended to follow the WHO guidelines to adopt the latest strain of the vaccine, to prevent influenza and influenza-like illnesses which is emerging as a serious health concern4. The disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and individuals with chronic conditions.

 

Seasonal influenza infections happen in India throughout the year, with twin peaks during the monsoon and winter seasons5. Every year influenza causes substantial disease and deaths, but estimating the number of deaths due to influenza is challenging as routine testing and robust surveillance for influenza is not carried out and it is rarely certified as a cause of death5. Significantly, out of 1.27 lakh deaths attributed to influenza per year, almost 65% of the deaths occurred among older persons above 65 yr and 15-20 per cent were among children under five5. This necessitates annual vaccinations of the nationally defined target groups with vaccine composition depending on the current circulating strains.

 

Zydus, which is one of the largest manufacturers of flu vaccines in India has been advocating preventive health and timely vaccination to prevent influenza, influenza like illnesses and other related complications in high-risk group in vulnerable population. Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses which spreads from person to person, mainly through airborne respiratory droplets generated from coughing and sneezing or direct contact with an infected surface or individual.

 

About Zydus Lifesciences

Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. with an overarching purpose of empowering people with freedom to live healthier and more fulfilled lives, is an innovative, global lifesciences company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of healthcare therapies. The group employs over 28,000 people worldwide, including 1,500 scientists engaged in R&D, and is driven by its mission to unlock new possibilities in lifesciences through quality healthcare solutions that impact lives. The group aspires to transform lives through path-breaking discoveries. For more details visit www.zyduslife.com 

 

References

 

1.       https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal), downloaded from internet, last accessed on 22/08/2025 at 13:11 hrs.

2.       Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2025-2026 northern hemisphere influenza season; downloaded from internet; last accessed on 22/08/2025 at 13:14 hrs.

3.       Trivalent Influenza Vaccines | Influenza (Flu) | CDC downloaded from internet; last accessed on 22/08/2025 at 13:16 hrs.

4.       Seasonal Influenza – National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) downloaded from internet; last accessed on 22/08/2025 at 13:19 hrs.

5.       Krishnan A. Need for a robust public health response to seasonal influenza in India. Indian J Med Res. 2023 May;157(5):421-426. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_184_23. PMID: 37955218; PMCID: PMC10443721.

BoB Organizes Mega Camp In Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh Under Financial Inclusion Drive

Presence of Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance and MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda highlights importance of the Nationwide Campaign

 

Bank of Baroda, one of India’s leading public sector banks, organized a Mega Camp at Amhat village in Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, on 23rd August 2025. The camp was held as part of the nationwide Saturation Campaign launched by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. The campaign, which runs from July 1 to September 30, 2025, aims to ensure 100% coverage under financial inclusion and social security schemes at the Gram Panchayat (GP) and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) level.

 

As the convenor of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) in Uttar Pradesh, Bank of Baroda played a key role in organizing the event.

 

The programme was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS – Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance; Shri Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Baroda; Shri Ankur Kaushik, IAS, Chief Development Officer, Sultanpur; Shri Shailendra Kumar Singh, Convenor of Uttar Pradesh State Level Bankers’ Committee & Zonal Head, Lucknow Zone and Shri Mithlesh Kumar, General Manager & Zonal Head, Varanasi Zone. Over 1,000 local citizens attended the event.

 

In his keynote address, Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary , DFS emphasized the importance of financial inclusion and accessibility of banking services to every citizen. He highlighted how the Government’s Financial Inclusion schemes play a pivotal role in empowering underserved segments of society by providing equitable access to formal financial services. The Government remains committed to every section of society by extending the flagship initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY). He further shared that the saturation campaign reflects their resolve to reach every Gram Panchayat and Urban Local Body to ensure that all eligible citizens benefit from these schemes. He also interacted with Business Correspondents (BCs), Self Help Group (SHG) members, and other participants at the camp.

Commenting on the initiative, Shri Debadatta Chand, MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda, said,
"At Bank of Baroda, we believe that true financial inclusion goes beyond account opening—it is about empowering individuals to actively participate in the financial system and benefit from government-backed schemes. This Mega Camp in Sultanpur reflects our commitment to strengthening trust and ensuring that every household has access to essential banking services. The energy and involvement of the community here is very encouraging and motivates us to take this mission forward with greater resolve."

 

As part of the programme, claim cheques under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) were handed over to beneficiaries. Certificates of Insurance under PMJJBY and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), along with enrolment acknowledgment receipts under the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), were distributed to newly enrolled beneficiaries. Re-KYC process under eligible PMJDY accounts were carried out.  The Chief Guest also visited the stalls. In addition, Business Correspondents (BCs) and BC Sakhis were felicitated for their excellent performance. 

 

Representatives from all banks operating under the Uttar Pradesh State Level Bankers’ Committee actively participated in this Mega Camp.

 

This Mega Camp exemplifies unwavering commitment of Banking fraternity to furthering the Government of India’s vision of universal financial access and comprehensive social security coverage. 

About Bank of Baroda

Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of over ~180 million through around 65,000 touch points spread across 17 countries in five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instill a sense of trust and security in all their dealings with the Bank.

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