Recently, the brand launched its latest Diwali campaign, ‘Har Tarakki Mein Saath’, showing how KreditBee continues to enable individuals and families to move ahead without compromise. In Maharashtra alone, the platform has disbursed over Rs. 11,000 crore across all products, serving over 70 lakh customers. The 25-34 age group represents the most active demographic, underscoring how young professionals are embracing digital credit to fuel upward mobility and achieve their aspirations.

“As India’s digital lending ecosystem matures, we’re witnessing remarkable adoption in emerging cities where aspirations are rising rapidly. At KreditBee, we are proud to serve over 8 crore customers nationwide. The strong demand we see from Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets underscores how consumers are embracing responsible, tech-driven credit to meet both festive and long-term aspirations. As we continue to expand our reach, our focus remains on empowering individuals and families to celebrate progress without compromise,” said Madhusudan E, Co-founder and CEO, KreditBee.

The brand’s campaign is designed to connect with consumers through relatable humour over the theme of festive aspirations. The campaign underscores KreditBee’s role as a trusted financial partner, empowering families to upgrade their lifestyle, take meaningful steps toward achieving their dreams, and celebrate without compromise. It features KreditBee’s personal loan, two-wheeler, and business loan offerings, showing how these products support customers in meeting their financial needs during festivals and beyond.

In addition to its core lending offerings, the platform provides value-added services such as 24K Digital Gold and Credit Report solutions, catering to the evolving financial needs of its customers.

By leveraging its tech-based approach and deep understanding of India’s diverse demographic landscape, KreditBee reaffirms its mission to provide fast, secure, and trusted credit access to millions of Indians, helping them celebrate life’s milestones with confidence.

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The festive store was transformed into a hub of colour, lights, and excitement, perfectly capturing the joy of Diwali. From stunning festive wear to statement accessories, dazzling jewellery, and beauty essentials, the new Diwali Collection is designed to make every celebration shine.

Kavindra Mishra, Customer Care Associate, Managing Director & CEO at Shoppers Stop, said, “Shoppers Stop has always been the ultimate shopping and gifting destination for our customers. This year’s Diwali Collection has been curated with care to bring together premium brands, festive fashion, and thoughtful gifting options for the entire family. We are delighted that actor Tejasswi Prakash unveiled the collection at our Wakad store, adding sparkle to the festive celebrations and making the launch even more special for our customers in Pune and across India.”

Speaking about the launch, Tejasswi Prakash said: “Diwali is my favourite festival because it’s all about lights, laughter, and love. The Shoppers Stop Diwali Collection is exactly what you need to celebrate in style, and their ‘Gifts of Love’ collection makes finding the perfect gift for your loved ones effortless. It’s elegant, trendy, and has something for every occasion. I loved meeting fans and sharing this festive moment with them. It truly felt like a Diwali celebration inside the store!”

The event was full of festive cheer, and fans had the chance to interact with Tejasswi. She explored the new collection, shared her favourite picks, and encouraged everyone to embrace their festive style. With over 500+ premium brands and 120,000+ styles, Shoppers Stop ensures that customers can find everything they need under one roof — from ethnic wear and accessories to home décor and fragrances — making it the ultimate destination for festive shopping.

Whether you prefer shopping online or in-store, Shoppers Stop offers a seamless shopping experience. Visit your nearest store or discover our latest collections and exclusive offers online at www.shoppersstop.com.

The post Shoppers Stop Launches Exclusive Diwali Collection Featuring Tejasswi Prakash appeared first on NRI News.

NEW YORK: On October 31st, 2024, people of Indian descent worldwide celebrated Diwali, the auspicious festival symbolizing the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and wisdom over ignorance. Diwali is becoming a mainstream event all over America and across the world. Diwali was celebrated at the White House, at Capitol Hill, with Governors, Mayors, and County officials. Several state governors declared the day a state holiday. New York City observed Diwali as a public school holiday. Indian Diaspora groups have been celebrating the event from October to November.

GOPIO chapters have been promoting the Diwali celebration at city, county, and state levels as well as through public institutions such as public libraries. Extending the festivities to November, the Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) and Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, on Sunday, Nov. 17th, 2024, at Stamford’s Ferguson Library.

The program started with a welcome by GOPIO-CT Executive Vice President Mahesh Jhangiani who reiterated GOPIO’s mission of fostering cultural exchange and ideas within the community. This was followed by the Library’s ELL, Citizenship & Cultural Programs Manager Yelena Klompus, and Ms. Ana Gallegos, Secretary of Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council. This is the fourth year that the Library and GOPIO-CT have partnered to organize Diwali at the library.

The event celebrated the warmth and unity of the community. Attendees gathered to experience lively and colorful performances, from dances to Hinduism myth-busters. It showcased fifteen captivating performances with a wide variety of local dance schools and Hindu organizations. As if it couldn’t get any better, a Mehendi booth was set up, inviting guests to embrace the beauty and artistry of traditional Indian designs.

About 75 children performed Indian classical, folk, and Bollywood dances. The event brought a festive atmosphere with a lot of Diwali decorations in the library. Many from the American community participated in the celebration.

Groups of dancers at the GOPIO-CT and Ferguson Library Diwali event

Groups of dancers at the GOPIO-CT and Ferguson Library Diwali event

Children who performed at the Diwali Event with event coordinators

After the performances, everyone gathered to enjoy a variety of delicious Indian dishes including crispy samosas, keeping the buzz of excitement alive as they shared food and laughter. The afternoon was interspersed with music, dance, and learning. Participants mingled with each other building cherished memories and a sense of belonging that lit up the faces and hearts of everyone present. All speakers in the beginning highlighted the importance of raising awareness of Indian culture through events like these – Ana Gallegos, Carmen Hughes, Shobhna Bhatnagar, Meera Banta, and Sonal Patel represented the Stamford Mayor’s multicultural council team.

The program was coordinated by GOPIO-CT Board Member Sonali Gannu along with Yashaswi Jhangiani and the MC was Mirat Joshi who introduced all the groups and kept the guests engaged with spirits high. He also introduced GOPIO as a non-profit non-partisan organization and acknowledged its other officials present, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-CT Immediate Past President Ashok Nichani and Board Members Meera Banta, Totty Narang, and Anita Mathur.

GOPIO Executive VP Mahesh Jhangiani concluded the program by thanking everyone and announcing the upcoming programs of the chapter which include a seminar on December 13th – an informational session on tax and financial planning due to government changes and on December 24th – A session for high school students (juniors and seniors) to meet up with young adults who have just graduated from college and young professional to learn how to prepare for their next step(s) ahead.

Mehendi artist at work and the audience at Ferguson Library Diwali show

Over the last 19 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policymakers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic, and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs, and contributions of people of Indian origin through community programs, forums, events, and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.

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The film aims to showcase the true meaning of acceptance and equality in relationships, by portraying the emotional journey of a same-sex couple. In a world where stereotypes and prejudices continue to persist, Godrej L’affaire seeks to challenge these biases through a compelling brand film. The story centers around young Shlok’s interaction with his neighbor Aunt, who helps with his understanding of love and family. As the Diwali celebrations unfold, Shlok encounters different family dynamics and customs. His neighbor Aunt teaches him that traditions are best enriched by embracing all types of relationships and Shlok becomes a catalyst for acceptance.  

Featuring Ankit Andulekar (Animesh) & Shailesh Gupta (Jay) as the same sex couple, the brand film beautifully delivers a powerful message about love, acceptance and the importance of understanding and nurturing inclusive relationships. Godrej L’affaire, with this campaign, aims to emphasize the importance of relationships alongside traditions, highlighting that, ‘Riwaazo se Rishte nahi Bante’ (Relationships aren’t built on traditions), but instead ‘Hum rishton se Riwaaz banate hai’ (We create traditions through relationships). Through the innocent curiosity of five-year-old Shlok, we see complex themes like love and acceptance gently simplified. Shlok’s neighbour imbibes the message of celebrating all forms of love through a beautiful metaphor, ‘Brown ho ya colourful, hai toh dono mitti ke diye na.’ (Brown or Colourful, after all every diya is made from the same clay).This perspective allows Shlok to absorb diverse relationships without bias. This film reminds us that acceptance begins with understanding and that, sometimes, the simplest metaphors can impart the deepest lessons.

Diwali is all about the joy we bring to each other’s lives. After all, when each diya shines its unique light, the festival becomes even more meaningful. Shlok becomes an ambassador of change, learning and imparting the true spirit of inclusion at a young age. The message is clear: Diwali is for everyone, and every relationship should be celebrated with Pride.

Speaking on the campaign, Sujit Patil (he/him), Chief Communications Officer, Corporate Brand and Communications, Godrej Industries Group, said, “Festivities in India are deeply entrenched in tradition. With this film, Godrej L’Affaire aims to generate conversations around widening traditional norms. We hope to spark meaningful conversations around love that transcends norms. Diwali is a time of celebration and connection, and we believe that the light of acceptance should shine equally bright for everyone—regardless of who they love. At its heart, this film reflects the beauty of relationships built on authenticity, reminding us that true joy comes from embracing one another just as we are. We hope it inspires people to celebrate relationships in all their forms and create traditions that are rooted in love.”

Further adding to this, Parmesh Shahani(he/him), Head – of Godrej DEI Lab, said, “Godrej Industries Group has a dedicated diversity and inclusion vertical, the Godrej DEI Lab, committed to workplace inclusion and we were delighted to collaborate on this important project. Through this campaign, we hope to encourage viewers to expand the idea of tradition and love their family members in all their beautiful diversity, just as the mother in this video has done. Our efforts in this direction coincide with the recent steps of the government’s Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), which had invited inputs of stakeholders and the public at large, to ensure that policies and initiatives regarding the LGBTQI+ community are inclusive and effective. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has issued an advisory that there are no restrictions for persons of the queer community to open a joint bank account and to nominate a person in queer relationship as a nominee, while the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued letters to all stakeholders including all States/UTs to take measures to ensure the rights of LGBTQI+ community. We believe that through videos like this, we can share with viewers how invaluable support from family members empowers the LGBTQIA+ community to truly make every milestone in their lives a celebration of inclusion.”

Aadie Sawant (He/Him), Senior Content Creator – AGENCY09, the Ideator & Screenplay writer for this campaign added, “Familiarizing children to different concepts, different perspectives is important. Most queer individuals spend their childhood being indoctrinated to a “straight” way of living. Letting them know that it’s okay to pursue what seems right to you is crucial, to not affect their adult life. I’m happy that I got to share this narrative of acceptance and love.”

This Diwali, join Godrej L’affaire in embracing a significant step towards fostering a society where love knows no bounds and where all relationships are cherished.

The post Godrej L’Affaire Champions LGBTQIA+ Inclusion with Heartwarming Diwali Film #CelebratingAcceptance appeared first on NRI News.

Event Details:
Date: 31st October 2024
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: The Market, The Westin Pune, Koregaon Park

Join us for a delightful evening of culinary celebration!

For Reservations: Contact 7066200300

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The event opened with devotional singing, creating a serene atmosphere that set the stage for a day centered around giving. The host added to the warmth with a touching sentiment: “mere zopadi pe Ram aaye”—symbolizing divine presence in the humblest of spaces.

At the Mela, new clothes and footwear were distributed ensuring every man, woman, and child left feeling the spirit of Diwali through gifts that made them feel cherished. Colorful diyas and sweets added festive joy. Each person received a stamp with a smiley face on the back of their palm—a gesture meant to spread a touch of happiness. A five-year-old boy exclaimed, “One hundred smiley stamps would not be enough to explain my happiness after collecting these goodies,” and the stamp became a cherished memento of the day.

The event touched the lives of 500 children, and their 700 parents, bringing the total number of people served to nearly 1300. One child happily shared, “This is the best Diwali shopping experience ever!” Despite not being a typical shopping outing, the day’s joyful atmosphere gave the children and their families a true Diwali experience. Parents, too, were beaming as they witnessed their children’s excitement.

The Mela was the result of weeks of dedicated planning and preparation. Volunteers worked tirelessly, ensuring that every detail—from arranging the items to setting up the space—created a welcoming experience for all. One volunteer expressed, “Seeing the happiness in their eyes, all those tireless weeks of planning and execution seem worth it.”

The post Sadhu Vaswani Missions Vibrant Diwali Mela appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI: DHL Express, the global leader in international express services, is adding to the festive cheer of Diwali by offering customers discounts on international and domestic outbound shipments. This limited-time offer, valid until 02nd November 2024, allows customers to share festive greetings and gifts with their loved ones across the world while enjoying up to 50% off on international shipments and up to 40% off on domestic shipments. Customers can visit https://express-resources.dhl.com/Diwali2024_DHLExpress.html to receive the promotion code and avail of the offer.

As one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, Diwali, the festival of light, is an occasion for families to come together and exchange sweets and gifts. DHL Express recognizes the importance of togetherness during these times. It aims to bring loved ones together despite being miles apart, by providing customers with reliable and cost-effective shipping solutions. Customers can enjoy up to 50% off on international shipments weighing between 3 kg and 25 kg; while a 40% discount is offered on domestic shipments weighing between 2kg and 10kg. The offer is available at over 650 DHL Express service points across India.

Notably, customers can opt for an environmentally friendly shipping option. Through the DHL GoGreen Plus service, which uses the book-and-claim method, the buyer ‘books’ a specific quantity of sustainable aviation fuel at the time of purchase and then ‘claims’ the greenhouse gas emissions reduction toward their sustainability targets. Sustainable aviation fuel reduces Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions for DHL’s customers. The initiative aligns with the company’s broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its global logistics network.

Sandeep Juneja, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at DHL Express India, said, “Diwali is a time to celebrate and connect, and we are proud to present an offer that brings our customers closer to their loved ones while delivering value through competitive rates. At DHL, we understand the importance of seamless, reliable logistics, particularly during festive seasons, when timely and efficient deliveries are paramount. We remain committed to delivering superior logistics solutions that ensure these connections are maintained. Additionally, our continued focus on sustainability through initiatives like GoGreen Plus underscores our dedication to offering innovative solutions that allow customers to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on quality or efficiency.”

Utilizing DHL’s extensive global network, which spans more than 220 countries and territories, customers can easily send their Diwali gifts. The offer ensures complete shipment visibility, with proactive SMS and email updates ensuring smooth and hassle-free deliveries worldwide. To inquire about this offer, customers can contact DHL Express via the toll-free number 1800 11 1345 or visit the DHL website at https://mydhl.express.dhl/in/en/home.html#/createNewShipmentTab to get a quote and book a shipment online.

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Vi’s Deepawali initiative spanned across seven cities in Maharashtra, including Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik, Akola, Nagpur, Solapur, and Kolhapur. The campaign aimed to infuse the joy of giving during the festive period make people feel included and spread positivity.

Vi employees interacted with and presented gifts to local municipal workers, firefighters, traffic police, and hospital attendants, recognizing their efforts and contributions with gratitude. The initiative aimed to make their celebrations more memorable and spread festive cheer amongst these essential workers.

Vi employees also presented Deepawali sweets and gifts to transgender communities, senior citizen homes, and children from orphanages in Maharashtra, spreading joy and warmth to these communities.

Rohit Tandon, Cluster Business Head – Maharashtra & Goa, Vodafone Idea said, “The Festival of Lights is celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm across the country. In line with the philosophy of our ongoing campaign Be Someone’s We, this Deepawali, our efforts have been to make people feel included and spread positivity. We hope Vi inspires people to bring a little joy to someone’s lives and ensure that everyone has a truly happy festive season and no one feels left out or lonely”. 

The campaign, Be Someone’s We, reflects Vi’s commitment to sharing the spirit of togetherness and inclusivity with all members of society. Vi is committed to delivering delightful customer experiences and contributing towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow.

In conclusion, Vi’s Deepawali initiative aimed to spread festive cheer and inclusivity across Maharashtra, reflecting the company’s commitment to sharing the spirit of togetherness and inclusivity with all members of society. The campaign, Be Someone’s We, saw Vi employees interact with and present gifts to various communities and groups, including essential workers, transgender communities, senior citizen homes, and orphanages. Vi is committed to delivering delightful customer experiences and contributing towards creating a truly ‘Digital India.’

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The event will feature a Pottery Zone where visitors can engage in live pottery art classes, learn ancient techniques from Gujarat and Rajasthan, paint and personalize clay diyas, and explore a diverse range of pottery styles from different states. Visitors can also marvel at a breathtaking display of beautifully crafted diyas from various regions of India and test their pottery-making skills by competing to create the tallest, widest, or most creative pot within a time limit.

The event will also feature a Clay Sculpture Contest where visitors can let their creativity flow as they sculpt clay according to specific themes. Visitors can participate in different fun and entertaining games like the “Pull the Tissue Game” and the “Touch and Tell” challenge to win prizes from renowned brands such as Parle-G, Kinder Joy, MOD, Nutella, Frooti, and Britannia The Laughing Cow.

Visitors can also test their knowledge with an exciting Diwali-themed quiz game for adults and decorate their thali and create beautiful rangolis, celebrating Diwali traditions. Additionally, visitors can learn to create their very own Diya Coasters and get creative with upcycling to make unique home decor items.

Rahul Dhamdhere, Chief Marketing Officer of KidZania India, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating that “Family Diwali KidZania Wali” at KidZania is more than just a celebration; it’s a vibrant tapestry of tradition, artistic expression, and a chance to strengthen family and community bonds. It offers a precious opportunity to reconnect with the profound essence of Diwali, honor our rich cultural heritage, and support talented artisans. Participating in ‘Family Diwali KidZania Wali’ creates lasting memories and contributes to the preservation of our cultural roots.“

KidZania is an interactive family entertainment and learning center that empowers, inspires, and educates through real-life role-playing activities. The event aims to provide an authentic and powerful developmental platform where children can discover, explore, and learn about the real world. KidZania represents industries in the real world like private services, public services, entertainment, airline, automobile, retail, restaurants, and factories where children can play the role of Pilot, Surgeons, Detectives, Chef, Engineer, TV Producer, Radio Jockey, and much more from over 100 role-playing activities.

The “Family Diwali KidZania Wali” event at KidZania India is a celebration of the art and craftsmanship of India’s potters, bringing back the charm of clay diyas and supporting these talented artisans. The event offers a precious opportunity to reconnect with the profound essence of Diwali, honor our rich cultural heritage, and support talented artisans. Let’s light up the festival with creativity, culture, and joy!

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The Declutter and Donate Drive initiative encouraged people to declutter their homes and donate items they no longer used, to help those less fortunate. With Love recognizes the importance of reusing and recycling and organizes this drive as a means of redistributing these resources to those who need them most.

Pune residents were encouraged to participate by contributing items such as clothing, toys, books, kitchenware, and other household items that they no longer need.

“We believe in the power of collective generosity,” said Dimple Somji, founder, and trustee of the NGO, “Through the Declutter and Donate Drive, we aim to bridge the gap between those who have more than they need and those who struggle to make ends meet. It’s an opportunity for our community to come together and create a positive change.“

Another key project the NGO undertook was the JoyBag Drive. This heartfelt initiative focused on collecting essential kitchen grains to support underprivileged diabetic kids and their families in need.

Amidst economic challenges, many families struggle to put meals on the table during Diwali. The JoyBag Drive helps to organize essential kitchen grains such as rice, wheat, lentils, and more; for these families so that the festivities are stress-free for them as well.

Neelima Ladkat, another key trustee of the NGO, expressed gratitude, saying, “The overwhelming response from our community demonstrates the incredible compassion and unity of purpose. The JoyBag Drive is about more than just providing food; it’s about creating a stronger, more supportive community.“

These initiatives not only aim to provide essential support but also raise awareness about the challenges faced by underprivileged families struggling to make ends meet. It encourages a spirit of empathy and understanding within the community, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society.

With Love, the NGO extends its heartfelt appreciation to the community, partners, and supporters for their invaluable contributions. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children and their families, ensuring a brighter future for all.

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