Nagpur’s Joshi, Mumbai’s Govind elected MSBA president, secretary

 Nagpur’s Joshi, Mumbai’s Govind elected MSBA president, secretary

 

The Maharashtra State Basketball Association (MSBA) was reinstated into the BFI fold after a gap of six years and Sandip Joshi, former Mayor of Nagpur, MLC and president of the Nagpur District Basketball Association (NDBA) was elected as the new president of MSBA in its AGM held in Friday, July 4, 2025.

 

While Sandip Joshi became the first official from NDBA Nagpur to become the president of the MSBA, Mumbai’s Govind Krishnan Muthukumar retained the post of Hon Gen Secretary and Ibrahim Lakdawala will serve as the Treasurer of the MSBA.

"I am committed to developing national and international level players in Maharashtra. Our priority is to build modern and efficient infrastructure for the players to train and hone their skills," said President Sandip Joshi.

A total of 31 District associations affiliated with MSBA attended the AGM and elections. The returning officer for the elections was Adv Abhishek Salian. The Observers for the election were Shakti Sinh Gohil from the BFI and Pradeep Gandhe from the Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA). The body will administer the sport in the State from 2025-2029. 

 

The four vice presidents of the MSBA include Vikrant Patil, S Ramakrishnan, M Venkatesh and Bhavesh Kuchanwar. Pune’s Lalit Nahata and Amravati’s Jayant Deshmukh have been elected as the two associate secretaries. The new executive members of the MSBA include Shrinivas Sape, Manoj Reddy and Ashwin Chandel. The four District Representatives of the committee include Ratnagiri, Nanded, Jalgaon and Beed.

Salesforce to Advance AI-Led Processes for Godrej Capital’s Lending Business

 Salesforce to Advance AI-Led Processes for Godrej Capital’s Lending Business

 

● Collaboration brings together Salesforce’s AI-led platforms and Deloitte’s implementation expertise to accelerate the digital lending process of Godrej Capital’s subsidiaries.

● The collaboration integrates Salesforce's AI-driven Loan Origination System (LOS) to complement and strengthen the existing AI-led infrastructure of Godrej Capital subsidiaries, accelerating digital onboarding, risk intelligence, and operational agility.

 Mumbai, July 4, 2025: Godrej Capital, the financial services arm of the Godrej Industries Group, and Salesforce, the #1 AI CRM*, today announced a strategic collaboration to deepen Godrej Capital’s subsidiaries’ technology edge in digital lending infrastructure and drive superior customer experience across its portfolio in India. Deloitte India has been onboarded as the implementation partner for this initiative, facilitating  seamless integration and accelerated deployment of Salesforce’s advanced platforms across Godrej Capital’s lending ecosystem.

 Known for its consistent focus on innovation and early adoption of GenAI-driven solutions, this collaboration with Salesforce reflects a shared vision to build a future-ready, digitally agile lending ecosystem. With Deloitte’s proven expertise in delivering large-scale technology transformations, the partnership is expected to significantly enhance operational agility, customer experience, and risk intelligence across the company’s product portfolio.

 

As a part of this collaboration, the company is enhancing its lending infrastructure by consolidating its Loan Origination System (LOS) into best-in-class AI-driven platforms, powered by Salesforce, across its entire product line, alongside its existing core customer relationship management (CRM) platform. This modernized infrastructure enables the delivery of highly intelligent, seamless, and personalized lending journeys - right from initial application to disbursement. These enhancements are aimed at further improving turnaround times, driving accuracy, and strengthening credit delivery for individuals and enterprises across India.

 By leveraging Salesforce’s AI-driven insights, the company is creating a more agile, data-lending process to support smarter cross-selling strategies, sharpen risk management, and deliver more tailored experiences at scale. With a unified 360-degree view of customers across products, channels, and touchpoints, the company is well-positioned to continue offering exceptional customer service, operational agility, and minimized manual interventions across its lending lifecycle.

 Comments on the news:

Manish Shah, MD & CEO, Godrej Capital, said, “At Godrej Capital, our technology-first approach and ongoing investments in GenAI have been key to how we scale financial solutions. Our continued association with Salesforce, a global leader in AI-driven platforms complements these efforts, enabling us to deliver even smarter credit experiences, improve operational efficiency, and create new opportunities for personalization and speed. More importantly, this partnership reflects our shared focus on applying technology to solve real-world challenges in financial services and supporting India's broader economic growth through a more inclusive, agile lending ecosystem.”

 Arundhati Bhattacharya, President and CEO, Salesforce - South Asia, shared, “The financial services industry is at a defining moment — where technology is not just enhancing systems, but fundamentally reshaping how institutions engage, decide, and serve their customers. In a digital-first world, the future will belong to those who lead with int…

‘सैराट फेम’ अभिनेत्री रिंकू राजगुरू नुकतीच आषाढी वारीमध्ये सहभागी झाली

सैराट फेम’ अभिरूनेत्री रिंकू राजगु  

                                                                                                                   

‘सैराट फेम’ अभिनेत्री रिंकू राजगुरू नुकतीच आषाढी वारीमध्ये सहभागी झाली. वारीचा भाग बनत तिने श्रद्धेने पालखी सोहळ्याचे दर्शन घेतले. तसेच वारकऱ्यांसोबत भजनगायनात, फुगडीतही सहभाग घेत, एक वेगळाच अध्यात्मिक अनुभव घेतला. पारंपरिक पोशाखात, भक्तिभावाच्या वातावरणात रिंकूचा हा सहभाग सर्वांनाच भावला.

Birla Opus Paints illuminates Indian heritage sites with the power of colors

 Birla Opus Paints illuminates Indian heritage sites with the power of colors

 A touching short film presentation on how beauty can change one's world

Mumbai: Birla Opus Paint, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Group's Grasim Industries, has launched a new brand campaign based on its motto 'Let's Colour the World' . The campaign will revive India's historical heritage. The campaign will start from the Gateway of India. It will show how colours can awaken a sense of pride, beauty and transformation across the country.

A new advertising campaign has been launched on the lines of the organization's successful 'Opus Boy' campaign. 'Let's color the world' This is the next installment in the series. It shows that colors have the power to change not only the appearance of a place, but also thoughts and perspectives.

 

In this heartwarming animated short film, 'Opus Boy' tries to spread joy by coloring the world. The idea of ​​transformation through colors will be further entrenched through this. It will showcase India's famous monuments in a new way. It will show that beauty can give birth to thoughts and stories in an amazing way. These monuments of ours are very magnificent and historically important. Yet, the campaign based on the philosophy of 'Let's color the world' will artistically reimagine the monuments. This will encourage people to look at these familiar monuments in a different, colorful and new way.

Speaking at the launch of the film , Rakshit Hargave, CEO, Birla Opus Paints said, “After the overwhelming response to our previous campaign, we are proud to present this new campaign. It highlights the potential of transforming heritage sites in India with a variety of colours and beautiful designs. The film will reinforce the power of colours and our commitment to beautifying a place. It will also strengthen the sense of patriotism and national pride.”

Indrapreet Singh, Marketing Head, Birla Opus Paints, added, “The ‘Duniyet Rang Bharuya’ campaign has always focused on the profound impact of colours. With this new campaign, we are taking this idea to the national level. We aim to write a new story of hope by showcasing the power of colours at national heritage sites and culturally significant places. This will remind every Indian of the beauty around them and the transformative power of colours.”

Sachin Kamble, Chief Creative Officer, Leo India, said, “After the success of the previous film, this new film from Birla Opus reinforces the idea of ​​‘Let’s colour the world’ . Under this, we have tried to provide a rich and engaging experience using 3D film animation . The film’s set was created by choosing one of the most iconic scenes in India. These monuments are grand and timeless, inspiring the audience to reimagine the world using the transformative power of colours. For this, these scenes have been used as a backdrop.”

The concept of this new campaign was presented by Leo India and Zombie Studio, Brazil. The campaign is being implemented through various media such as TV, digital media, hoardings, print and radio. So that the campaign can be spread across the country and become more widespread.The short film begins with a familiar scene at the Gateway of India. A photographer is trying to attract people to take his picture by captivating the monument. But he is not very successful. Seeing this, the young Opus Boy is inspired to bring about change.With the touch of Opus, the monumentlights up in different colors and styles. It captivates the viewers. This reawakens the desire to see the beauty of the monument. This change brings joy and new purpose not only to the monument but also to the photographer. It shows that beauty can change not only the walls but also one's world.     

                                                                                                                        Video link: Birla Opus Paints | Celebrating Colours of India | Mumbai

 

आषाढी एकादशीला रंगणार ‘कोण होणार महाराष्ट्राचा लाडका कीर्तनकार’ रिअॅलिटी शोचा अंतिम सोहळा

 आषाढी एकादशीला रंगणार ‘कोण होणार महाराष्ट्राचा लाडका कीर्तनकार’ रिअॅलिटी शोचा अंतिम सोहळा

सोनी  मराठी वाहिनीने उत्तम मालिकांसोबतच अनेक दर्जेदार कथाबाह्य कार्यक्रमही प्रेक्षकांना सातत्याने दिले आहेत. प्रेक्षकांनीही या मालिकांवर  भरभरून  प्रेम केलं आहे.  सोनी मराठी वाहिनीच्या  ‘कोण होणार महाराष्ट्राचा लाडका कीर्तनकार’ या लोकप्रिय रिअॅलिटी शो ने अवघ्या काही दिवसातच प्रेक्षकांची मने  जिंकली.  यात सहभागी  झालेल्या स्पर्धक कीर्तनकारांचा प्रवास हा प्रेक्षकांना अचंबित करणारा होता. सोनी मराठीवरील ‘कोण होणार महाराष्ट्राचा लाडका कीर्तनकार’च्या पहिल्या पर्वाला प्रेक्षकांचा भरभरुन प्रतिसाद मिळाला. आपल्या भारावून टाकणाऱ्या कीर्तनाने या सगळ्या कीर्तनकारांनी महाराष्ट्राला मंत्रमुग्ध केलं.यात सहभागी सर्वच कीर्तनकारांच्या कीर्तन सादरीकरणाला प्रेक्षकांच्या पसंतीची पोचपावती  मिळाली.  महाराष्ट्राच्या कानाकोपऱ्यातून आलेल्या अनेक उत्तमोत्तम कीर्तनकारांमधून सहा सर्वोत्तम कीर्तनकार स्पर्धकांनी आता अंतिम फेरी गाठली आहे. 

हरिनामाचा गजर करीत दर्शनासाठी आतुरलेला वारकरी आणि लाखोंच्या संख्येने होणारा टाळमृदंगाचा नाद अशा भक्तिमय वातावरणात गेली कित्येक वर्षे पंढरपूरची वारी अविरतपणे सुरू आहे. कीर्तनातून संतवाणी ऐकण्याची सुवर्णसंधी या निमित्ताने वारक-यांना मिळते. यंदा हीच संधी प्रेक्षकांना घरबसल्या सोनी मराठी वाहिनीमुळे  मिळणार आहे. ‘कोण होणार महाराष्ट्राचा लाडका कीर्तनकार’ कार्यक्रमाचा अंतिम सोहळा येत्या ६ जुलैला आषाढी एकादशीच्या दिवशी रंगणार आहे.  

सहा स्पर्धकांमध्ये ही महाअंतिम लढत रंगणार आहे. अप्रतिम कीर्तन सादर करुन प्रेक्षकांची मन जिंकलेल्या पहिले कीर्तन रत्न - ह.भ.प.सोमनाथ महाराज पाटील, दुसरे कीर्तन रत्न - ह.भ.प.प्रमोद महाराज डुकरे , तिसरे कीर्तन रत्न - ह.भ.प.हर्षद महाराज भागवत,  चौथे कीर्तन रत्न- ह.भ.प.सोमनाथ महाराज बदाले, पाचवे कीर्तन रत्न- ह.भ.प.कल्याणी महाराज मोरे, सहावे कीर्तन रत्न- ह.भ.प.लक्ष्मण महाराज लटपटे या सहा कीर्तनकार रत्नांपैकी कोण बाजी मारणार? हे पाहणं औत्सुक्याचं ठरणार आहे. यातील विजेत्या स्पर्धकाला मुख्यमंत्री मा. देवेंद्र फडणवीस यांच्या हस्ते अनावरण  झालेल्या वीणेच्या रूपातल्या चांदीची आकर्षक ट्रॉफी  मिळणार आहे.  आषाढी एकादशीच्या दिवशी रविवार ६ जुलैला  हा अंतिम सोहळा सकाळी ८.०० वा. सोनी  मराठी वाहिनीवर पाहायला मिळणार आहे.    

'कोण होणार महाराष्ट्राचा लाडका कीर्तनकार' या माध्यमातून सोनी मराठी वाहिनीने उत्तम  प्रतिभा  आणि गुणी हिऱ्यांना योग्य ते व्यासपीठ उपलब्ध करून दिले.   सोनी मराठी वाहिनीने  कायमच अभिनव अशा प्रकारच्या संकल्पनांना  प्रोत्साहन दिले आहे. 'कोण होणार महाराष्ट्राचा लाडका कीर्तनकार’ हा रिअॅलिटी शो ही त्याचाच एक भाग होता. सोनी  मराठी वाहिनीच्या या अभिनव संकल्पनेला कीर्तनकार स्पर्धकांनी, परीक्षकांनी आणि महत्त्वाचं म्हणजे  प्रेक्षकांनी  तितच उत्तम  साथ दिली.

'एक तिची गोष्ट' नाटकाचा शानदार प्रिमियर

 'एक तिची गोष्ट' नाटकाचा शानदार प्रिमियर

'एक तिची गोष्ट' नृत्यनाट्याचा शानदार प्रिमियर सोहळा रविंद्र नाट्य मंदिर येथे नुकताच संपन्न झाला. सिनेनाट्य, राजकारण, साहित्य, उद्योग व सामाजिक क्षेत्रातील अनेक मान्यवर यावेळी आवर्जून उपस्थित होते.

'मधुसूदन कालेलकर प्रोडक्शन्स' या निर्मिती संस्थेने, 'थिएटरऑन एंटरटेनमेंट' आणि 'पी एस डी जी स्टुडिओज प्रोडक्शन' यांच्या साथीने ‘एक तिची गोष्ट’ रंगमंचावर आणली आहे. ज्येष्ठ लेखक कै.मधुसूदन कालेलकर यांचा वारसा समर्थपणे पुढे नेत गौरी कालेलकर-चौधरी आणि सिद्धेश चौधरी यांनी 'मधुसूदन कालेलकर प्रोडक्शन्स' या निर्मिती संस्थेची स्थापना केली आहे. संस्थेचे सदस्य परी तेलंग आणि शंतनू तेंडुलकर ह्यांचे सहकार्य यासाठी लाभले आहे. 

या सृजनशील कलाकृतीचे खास आकर्षण म्हणजे सुप्रसिद्ध  नृत्यदिग्दर्शिका फुलवा खामकर आणि त्यांची मुलगी आस्मा खामकर यांच्या  संगीत, अभिनय, नृत्याची बहारदार अदाकारी रसिकांना अनुभवायला मिळणार आहे. या  दोघींसोबत अभिनेता ओंकार गोखले या नाटकात आहे. याचे लेखन अभिनेता विराजस कुलकर्णी तर सूरज पारसनीस, विराजस कुलकर्णी  यांनी दिग्दर्शन केले आहे. 

'एक तिची गोष्ट' या नावावरूनच हे नाटक काहीतरी निराळं असणार याची कल्पना येत असली तरी त्याचे सादरीकरण नक्कीच वैशिष्ट्यपूर्ण ठरले आहे. 'एक तिची गोष्ट' च्या संपूर्ण टीमचं सध्या नाट्यरसिकांकडून कौतुक होतयं. अचाट, अफाट उर्जा असलेल्या या नाटकाचा हा रंग उत्तरोत्तर असाच चढेल हे निश्चित.

आर्या आंबेकर, वैशाली सामंत, ऋषिकेश रानडे यांनी यातील गाणी स्वरबद्ध केली आहेत. संगीत निषाद गोलांब्रे यांचे आहे. चाळीशीतली अनया आणि तिच्या आयुष्यात आलेली एक किशोरवयीन मुलगी या दोघींच्या भावविश्वातून या नृत्यनाटिकेची कथा उलगडते

”The mic gave me my voice, but the camera gave me my soul”

 ”The mic gave me my voice, but the camera gave me my soul” says Devangana B Chauhan, the Actress Who's Redefining Versatility with Vibe, Verve & Vision

In a world where reinvention is the real superpower, Devangana B Chauhan emerges as a tour de force—an electric blend of grit, grace, and unfiltered talent. Though many first met her through the airwaves and grand wedding stages, today, she stands tall and unapologetically proud as an actor first—a chameleon on screen who slips effortlessly into every character she plays, leaving behind a spark that lingers.

Having made her mark as a winner in Drive With Nano -Season 3 and hit television dramas like Dhadkan Zindagi Ki and Sapno Ki Chhalaang on Sony TV, and Saaviki Sawaari on Colors TV, Devangana has proved she's no passing breeze—she’s a storm of skill, nuance, and depth. Her performances are rooted in emotional honesty, laced with charm, and always delivered with a pulse that makes you feel something.

A born performer, Devangana's acting isn’t just dialogue—it’s energy. It’s that head-turning presence, that blink-and-you-miss-it detail in her expressions, that makes you pause and rewind. Her growing fanbase isn’t just watching her—they’re feeling her.

While she once lent her voice to the world as a celebrated RJ and set global stages ablaze hosting over 1000 weddings, today she’s letting her acting do all the talking. And it’s loud, it’s bold, and it’s here to stay.

”For me, acting isn’t about pretending—it’s about feeling every breath of the character. Whether it’s two minutes on screen or twenty episodes, I dive in with my whole heart. I’ve lived many lives through my roles, and each one has shaped the artist I’m becoming. The mic gave me my voice, but the camera gave me my soul” says Devangana

As casting conversations widen and the need for real, rooted female leads grows, keep your eyes on Devangana. She's not just acting—she’s arriving.