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The <keyword id="20478869" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Initial-Public-Offer" source="keywords">initial public offer</keyword> of <keyword id="1469523" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Allied-Blenders-and-Distillers" source="Orion">Allied Blenders and Distillers</keyword>, the maker of <keyword id="20067872" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Officers-Choice-Whisky" source="keywords">Officer's Choice Whisky</keyword>, received 51% subscription on the first day of bidding. The Rs 1,500-crore initial share sale received bids for 2,01,69,680 shares against 3,93,71,669 shares on offer, as per NSE data. <br /><br />The category for <keyword id="706105" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="non-institutional-investors" source="Orion">non-institutional investors</keyword> received 87% subscription while the retail individual investors (RIIs) part got subscribed 63%. The Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) portion received 2% subscription. <br /><br />The Initial Public Offer (<keyword id="19898327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPO" source="keywords">IPO</keyword>) has a fresh issue of up to Rs 1,000 crore and an offer for sale of up to Rs 500 crore. The initial share sale has a price range of Rs 267-281 per share. <keyword id="20258893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Allied-Blenders" source="keywords">Allied Blenders</keyword> and Distillers Ltd also announced that it has raised Rs 449 crore from anchor investors. <br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Lion's share in Indian-made foreign liquor" comment="subhead" text="Lion's share in Indian-made foreign liquor"><span data-til="noop">Lion's share in Indian-made foreign liquor</span></cmsannotation><br />Proceeds from the fresh issue worth Rs 720 crore will be used for payment of debt, and a portion will be used for general corporate purposes. <br /><br />With a market share of over 8% in the Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (<keyword id="20485471" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IMFL" source="keywords">IMFL</keyword>) market by sales volumes in fiscal 2023, Allied Blenders and Distillers is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of alcoholic beverages in India and abroad. The product portfolio of the firm comprises several brands of IMFL in whisky, brandy, rum and vodka. <br /><br />Some of the major brands of the company include Officer's Choice Whisky, <keyword id="14551555" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sterling-Reserve-Whisky" source="Orion">Sterling Reserve Whisky</keyword>, Jolly Roger Rum and <keyword id="1469526" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Class-21-Vodka" source="Orion">Class 21 Vodka</keyword>. ICICI Securities, Nuvama Wealth Management Limited (formerly known as Edelweiss Securities Limited) and ITI Capital are the book running lead managers to the offer. The equity shares of the company are proposed to be listed on the BSE and NSE.

Officer's Choice whisky maker Allied Blenders' IPO subscribed 51% on 1st day of IPO

Allied Blenders and Distillers Ltd, the maker of Officer's Choice whisky, on Thursday fixed a <keyword id="19911460" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="price-band" source="keywords">price band</keyword> of Rs 267 to Rs 281 per share for its Rs 1,500-crore <keyword id="19913114" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="initial-public-offering" source="keywords">initial public offering</keyword> (IPO). The initial share-sale will open for public during June 25-27 and the bidding for anchor investors will open for a day on June 24, the company announced. <br /><br /> Broking firms have pegged the company's <keyword id="20000950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="market-capitalisation" source="keywords">market capitalisation</keyword> to Rs 7,860 crore post-issue. <br /><br /> The initial share-sale comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 1,000 crore and an Offer-for-Sale (OFS) of shares to the tune of Rs 500 crore by promoters. <br /><br /> As a part of the OFS, Bina Kishore Chhabria, Resham Chhabria Jeetendra Hemdev and Neesha Kishore Chhabria will sell shares. <br /><br /> Proceeds from the fresh issue worth Rs 720 crore will be used for the payment of debt. Besides, a portion will be used for general corporate purposes. <br /><br /> The total debt on the the company's books was around Rs 808 crore as of December 2023. <br /><br /> Half of the issue size has been reserved for qualified institutional investors, 35 per cent for retail investors and the remaining 10 per cent for non-institutional investors. Further, investors can bid for 53 shares and in multiples thereof. <br /><br /> With a market share of over 8 per cent in <keyword id="20830317" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Made-Foreign-Liquor" source="keywords">Indian-Made Foreign Liquor</keyword> (IMFL) market by sales volumes in fiscal 2023, Allied Blenders and Distillers is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing and sale of alcoholic beverages in India and abroad. The product portfolio of the firm comprises several brands of IMFL across whisky, brandy, rum and vodka. <br /><br /> Some of the major brands of the company include Officer's Choice whisky, Sterling Reserve whisky, Jolly Roger rum and Class 21 vodka. <br /><br /> ICICI Securities Ltd, Nuvama Wealth Management Ltd, and ITI Capital Ltd are the book running lead managers to the issue. The equity shares of the company are proposed to be listed on the BSE and NSE.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/webstories/nvidia-dethrones-microsoft-to-become-the-worlds-most-valuable-company/slidelist/111102218.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/webstories/nvidia-dethrones-microsoft-to-become-the-worlds-most-valuable-company/slidelist/111102218.cms" target="_blank">As Nvidia dethrones Microsoft, check out the world's top 10 most valuable companies</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/hyundai-motor-india-files-draft-papers-with-sebi-for-indias-biggest-ipo/articleshow/111014559.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/hyundai-motor-india-files-draft-papers-with-sebi-for-indias-biggest-ipo/articleshow/111014559.cms" target="_blank">Hyundai Motor India files draft papers with SEBI for India’s biggest IPO</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/tata-group-reportedly-looking-to-acquire-a-majority-stake-in-vivo-india/articleshow/110987274.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/tata-group-reportedly-looking-to-acquire-a-majority-stake-in-vivo-india/articleshow/110987274.cms" target="_blank">Tata Group reportedly looking to acquire a majority stake in Vivo India</a></b><br />

Whisky maker Allied Blenders IPO to open on June 25 as it looks to raise ₹1,500 crore

<ul><li>Shares of some of the top breweries and distilleries have witnessed strong uptrend in the last one year.</li><li>Analysts believe unlocking activity across the country will boost <keyword id="467119" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="beer-consumption" source="Orion">beer consumption</keyword>.</li><li>Although the pandemic restricted mobility, in-home consumption and premiumisation increased as per a top executive at a leading alcoholic beverages firm.</li></ul>Beer seems to be losing popularity among Indians since the pandemic hit the country early last year. On the other hand, sales of spirits have picked up ever since Indians had to stay at home.<br /><br />So, have people shifted to premium alcoholic beverages or is this just a temporary blip?<br /><br />It could well be a temporary phenomenon as bars in India have been mostly shut for the last 18 months. There are few reasons for this change. One is that beer is widely consumed outdoors like bars, pubs, parties etc. This also has to do with the not so common Indian family culture of hoarding beer at home. <br /><br />Bars have been shut for almost 18 months in the country. While that has hurt beer sales, companies covered for all of it and more with increased demand for whisky, vodka and rum. The combined June quarter revenue of the top five listed companies in this space jumped 72% year-on-year.<br /><br />As per Elara Securities, the <keyword id="1577673" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="spirits-segment" source="Orion">spirits segment</keyword> has outperformed beer due to reasonable product pricing in some states versus premium beer. Also, spirits don’t have any storage issues like refrigeration. <br /><br /><strong>Top 5 <keyword id="34531" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="liquor-companies" source="Orion">liquor companies</keyword> in terms of market cap</strong><br /><table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Stock gains last one year<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Market Cap (as of 18 Aug 2021)<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Revenue (Apr 2020 to June 2021)<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Profit (Apr 2020 to June 2021)<br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">United Spirits<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">22%<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹52,652 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹33,586 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹360 cr<br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">United Breweries<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">46%<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹39,528 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12,894 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹144 cr <br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Radico Khaitan<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">123%<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹12,078 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹13,230 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹338 cr<br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Globus Spirits<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">496%<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,730 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹2,229 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹196 cr<br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">GM Breweries<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">41%<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,055 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹1,535 cr<br /><br /></td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.8333325pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹91 cr<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Data source: BSE<br /><br />McDowell’s owner <keyword id="6355394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="united-spirits" source="Orion">United Spirits</keyword>, Kingfisher maker <keyword id="81868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="united-breweries" source="Orion">United Breweries</keyword>, Magic Moments vodka manufacturer <keyword id="61385" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="radico-khaitan" source="Orion">Radico Khaitan</keyword>, Country Club whisky seller <keyword id="163727" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="globus-spirits" source="Orion">Globus Spirits</keyword> and <keyword id="1068936" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gm-breweries" source="Orion">GM Breweries</keyword>, which owns brandy brand Pioneer Doctor, are the top five liquor companies in India. United Spirits is the liquor giant in the country with the highest revenues and a $7 billion market capitalisation. <br /><br />“As the pandemic restricted mobility, in-home consumption and premiumisation increased – consumers discovered that drinking at home was safer and lighter on the wallet, leaving them with more to spend on better quality alcohol. Restricted overseas travel also resulted in a shift from duty-free to duty-paid purchases,” said Anand Kripalu, managing director and chief executive officer of United Spirits, in the company’s FY21 annual report. <br /><br /><strong>Spirit industry pick up while beer business slows down<br /></strong><br />Analysts say that the beer industry has been affected due to lack of on-premise drinking since the pandemic. “Beer has also been severely affected due to work from home, which in turn has marred on-premise volumes,” said a report by Elara Securities. The report stated that the beer industry volumes have declined 30% in FY21 primarily due to COVID-19 lockdown in the months of April-July 2020.<br /><br />But hope floats ⁠— as infections fall and vaccinations rise ⁠— that bars will reopen again and beer will be back in demand.<br /><br />It helped these companies that some states including Delhi have announced home delivery of liquor due to COVID-19. However, even that has not helped beer sales because retailers like to push for high-margin hard liquor, said analysts at Elara Securities. <br /><br />Business has been so good for Radico Khaitan ⁠— which sells brands like Magic Moments, Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin and 8 PM whisky⁠ — it has repaid most of its debt and the stock has more than doubled in the last one year. “Radico Khaitan is the leader in vodka in India – with over 45% volume and value market share – and an emerging competitor in <keyword id="6396190" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="whiskey" source="Orion">whiskey</keyword>, brandy, rum and gin. It has seen a steady improvement in cash generation and repaid most of its debt,” said a report by Goldman Sachs on August 10 while it initiated coverage on the company’s stock with a “buy” rating.<br /><br />The market value of Globus Spirits, the company behind Country Club and French Castle, has grown nearly 6 times in the last one year.<br /><br />Amarjeet Maurya, assistant vice president, mid caps at Angel Broking said the broking firm is positive on the company’s stock because of healthy revenue growth of nearly 61% and profit growth of close to 197% in June quarter. Going forward, he expects the company to report healthy income and profit on capacity expansion plan and newer product launches. <br /><br />      <div type="image" title="liquor revenue chart" height="900" width="1200" msid="85469105" hostid="261"></div><br />“The outlook for Indian alcoholic beverages continues to remain positive due to favourable demographics, expanding middle class, rising disposable income levels, greater preference for premium food and drink experiences and greater acceptance of alcoholic beverages in social circles. Increased consumption of liquor in rural areas will be another major reason for the growth in the market,” United Spirits said in its FY21 annual report. <br /><br />SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/oyo-is-looking-to-hire-over-300-engineers-in-the-next-6-months-to-clear-path-to-profitability/articleshow/85456655.cms">OYO is looking to hire over 300 engineers in the next 6 months to clear ‘path to profitability’</a><br /><br /><a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/emcure-pharmaceuticals-to-raise-1100-crore-via-fresh-issue/articleshow/85453985.cms">Emcure Pharmaceuticals to raise ₹1,100 crore via fresh issue; Bain Capital to sell stake via IPO</a>

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<ul><li>As the number of Covid-19 cases keep going up in India, various brands and business tycoons have come ahead to donate to help the government in its drive to control the spread of the virus.</li><li>While many companies have created funds to contribute to the PM Cares Fund, a lot of other brands are contributing by donating sanitizers, masks and even food, to help those in the need.</li></ul>The world, as we knew it even till a month back, has changed. With the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword> outbreak, our country, along with many other countries across the world has announced complete lockdown. The effects of this pandemic, both on the economy, and on human life, will be massive.<br /><br />At the time of writing this report, the number of positive cases in India crossed 1,050, and the death toll stands at 29. And the number is growing with each passing day.<br /><br />While governments across the globe are working tirelessly to come up with ways of minimizing the impact of this pandemic, we have seen many brands come forward, and contribute in different ways, to help out in these trying times.<br /><br />Since we are seeing a lot of brands come up with many initiatives almost every day, we will keep updating this space with the latest happenings.<br /><br /><strong>Tata Group:</strong><br /><keyword id="6360722" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ratan-tata">Ratan Tata</keyword>, Chairman <keyword id="6383155" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Trusts">Tata Trusts</keyword> and Chairman Emeritus Tata Sons, pledged Rs 500 crore to protect and empower all affected communities. The money will be spent on personal protective equipment for medical personnel, respiratory systems for treating increasing cases, testing kits to increase per capita testing, setting up modular treatment facilities for infected patients and knowledge management and training of health workers and the general public.<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="RNTata2000" handlename="Ratan N. Tata" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1189494401359208448/AwbXHtpn_normal.jpg" favoritecount="199569" retweetcount="59205" status="The COVID 19 crisis is one of the toughest challenges we will face as a race. The Tata Trusts and the Tata group co… https://t.co/GQ6H6sSFcF" createdat="1585392484000" id="1243852348637605888"></div><br /><br /><strong>Mahindra Group:</strong><br /><keyword id="46425" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Anand-Mahindra">Anand Mahindra</keyword>, Chairman, Mahindra Group said he will donate 100% of his salary to create a fund to help small businesses and self-employed people who are expected to be impacted the most due to the outbreak. He also urged our businesses to also set aside contributions for those who are the hardest hit in their ecosystem.<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="anandmahindra" handlename="anand mahindra" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1053583782584807425/-7IRmY5u_normal.jpg" favoritecount="48372" retweetcount="13478" status="Going by various reports from epidemiologists, it is highly likely that India is already in Stage 3 of transmission… https://t.co/hBSwnUb9Vp" createdat="1584860752000" id="1241622104778268672"></div><br /><strong>ITC:</strong><br />ITC is setting up a Contingency Fund of Rs 150 crore to address and manage the challenges arising out of the Covid-19 outbreak. The fund will be utilised primarily to provide relief to the vulnerable and most needy sections of society who have been harshly impacted by the pandemic and have faced significant disruption in their livelihoods. Additionally, the fund will collaborate with District Authorities to provide assistance to the district health and rural healthcare eco-system that reaches out to the weakest sections of society. Furthermore, the brand added that the resources under this fund could also be channelised towards the protection and well-being of the ground forces doing commendable work to reach medicines, groceries, other essential goods, sourcing of agri-commodities and so on for people across the country during the lockdown, by providing protective personal gear and hygiene products to such frontline warriors.<br /><br /><strong>Reckitt Benckiser:</strong><br />Reckitt Benckiser has launched the RB Fight for Access Fund to improve access to health, hygiene and nutrition for all. As part of this fund, an additional £32 million has been mobilized to address the urgent collective fight against the spread of Covid-19 by breaking the chain of this fast-spreading infection. In India, the brand will be distributing 10 million units of Dettol Soap to the most vulnerable. RB will also be donating 1 million litres of its disinfectant products including Lizol disinfectant liquid and Harpic toilet cleaners to aid India’s states in fighting this crisis especially in public health institutions and at the frontline with health and sanitation workers. It will donate critical protection equipment, 3.5 million N95 masks with a focus on pharmacists and health care workers. These will be distributed across their major markets. Dettol is also partnering with Bollywood actress, Madhur Dixit to release an engaging public service announcement #ApniSurkashaApneHaath to encourage viewers to practice handwashing.<br /><br /><strong>Godrej Group:</strong><br />The Godrej Group announced that it is earmarking a fund of Rs 50 crore for community support and relief initiatives in India. This is an initial outlay and the corporate said that it hopes to supplement it over time. It has been buying and supplying medical equipment and protective supplies for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As a part of the initiative, the group has donated Rs 5 crore to the BMC, donated 115 hospital beds to Maharashtra government hospitals and helped set up a 75-bed quarantine center at the Seven Hills Hospital.  Moreover, it has supported the free distribution of 1 million packets of Godrej Protekt Mr. Magic powder-to-liquid hand wash in Maharashtra through partnership with the BMC and Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), partnered with communities linked to their CSR programmes to support 1.12 lakh beneficiaries across 8 states with hand wash, sanitisers and soap, donated sanitisers to the Mumbai police force, begun ramping up capacity to meet the demand for soap, hand wash and sanitisers and initiated outreach through various networks and hand wash education programmes.<br /><br /><strong>Reliance Group:</strong><br /><keyword id="3820" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mukesh-Ambani">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> has pledged to donate Rs 5 crore to Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Led by Nita, Ambani Reliance Foundation has promised to provide a free meal to needy people across the country. Additionally, Ambani has also donated a hospital for the patients battling with infection of Covid-19 and will set up a dedicated 100-bed centre at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai, along with a fully-equipped isolation facility in Lodhivali, Maharashtra.<br /><br /><strong>Paytm:</strong><br />Paytm said that it is aiming to contribute ₹500 crore to the PM CARES Fund. For every contribution, or any other payment done by consumers on Paytm, the online payment app said it will contribute an extra up to ₹10.<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="Paytm" handlename="Paytm" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1242803598083395585/4cWZptzw_normal.jpg" favoritecount="9431" retweetcount="2966" status="Paytm is aiming to contribute ₹500 Crore to the PM CARES Fund.   For every contribution, or any other payment done… https://t.co/JrSAJTnO1J" createdat="1585411759000" id="1243933194556248064"></div><br /><br /><strong>PhonePe:</strong><br />PhonePe has launched a #100CrorePledge, urging 10 crore Indian citizens to donate to the PMCARES Fund to show their solidarity in fighting the menace of COVID-19. PhonePe has pledged to contribute Rs 10 for every Indian who donates even Rs 1 to the PMCARES Fund via the PhonePe App using UPI by April 30, 2020. In total, PhonePe has pledged to contribute a maximum of up to Rs 100 crore.<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="PhonePe_" handlename="PhonePe" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1228394203421372416/4X3QZazb_normal.jpg" favoritecount="834" retweetcount="306" status="Join our #100CrorePledge &amp; donate to the PMCARES FUND using contactless UPI payments. Remember no contribution is t… https://t.co/b6Z4yD3rMh" createdat="1585405072000" id="1243905146087542785"></div><br /><br /><strong>Zomato:</strong><br />Along with announcing measures to help its partner restaurants, delivery staff, and other daily wage workers in India who are currently income-starved due to the lockdown, Zomato set up ‘Feeding India’, a fund to support families of the daily wage workers in India in the absence of employment opportunities. Known as ‘Feeding India’, the initiative has successfully received more than Rs 6 crore in funds.<br /><br /><div type="twitter" handle="deepigoyal" handlename="Deepinder Goyal" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/980757579360972800/TWg-KSki_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1727" retweetcount="1399" status="Please help by donating to 'Feed the Daily Wager' by Zomato Feeding India (@FeedingIndia) and provide food support… https://t.co/8vQRliTLtM" createdat="1585054814000" id="1242436058748317697"></div><br /><br /><strong>Parle:<br /></strong>Parle, makers of the much loved Parle-G biscuits announced that it is joining hands with the government to give away 3 crore packets of Parle-G to people in need over the next 3 weeks. The brand made the announcement after PM Narendra Modi made an announcement of the country’s lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus.<br /><br />      <div type="javascript" title="Instagram" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[ ]]></cdata></div><br /><br /><strong>Diageo:</strong><br />Diageo India, the liquor firm that sells McDowell’s whisky and Smirnoff vodka, will produce 3 lakh litres of hand sanitizers to help overcome its shortage in the country due to the Covid-19 outbreak. A stock exchange filing by the company stated that 15 of the liquor firm’s manufacturing units are being repurposed to manufacture hand sanitisers and donation of extra neutral alcohol (ENA). <br /><br /><strong>Kansai Nerolac:</strong><br />Kansai Nerolac Paints has announced that it will do an early disbursement of funds to its painter community falling under the Nerolac Premium Painter Pragati (NPP Pragati) Programme. Over 30,000 painters can benefit from Nerolac’s initiative, upto Rs 36,000 approximately.<br /><br /><strong>Mankind Pharma:</strong><br />Mankind Pharma has pledged to donate Rs 51 crore to CM Relief fund to manage the outbreak. The brand will be donating ventilators, Personal protective equipment (PPE) and medicines to the states reporting maximum number of positive cases. Mankind Pharma will be working closely with the Governments of Kerala, Maharashtra, UP, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AP, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana, HP, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal J&amp;K and Orrisa.<br /><br /><br />

How brands are contributing to the fight against Coronavirus

<p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p><span>In the summer, New York's rooftops make for the perfect place to grab an ice-cold drink and enjoy the sunshine. </span></p><p><span>But there's more to New York's rooftops than just a place to drink outside. </span></p><p><span>From outdoor art exhibits to mini-golf and yoga, here are 13 rooftops where you can do much more than just drink.</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><h2><span>Walk through art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art garden</span></h2><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></span><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/dining-at-the-museum/roof-garden-cafe-and-martini-bar">1000 5th Ave #5</a></p><p>From early May through October, the <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/dining-at-the-museum/roof-garden-cafe-and-martini-bar">Metropolitan Museum of Art</a> opens its rooftop garden, cafe, and bar to the public. On weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 8:15 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy refreshing cocktails, panoramic views of Manhattan, tasty treats, and curated exhibits amidst lush greenery.</p><p>This year's exhibit will feature French artist, Pierre Huyghe, whose work will be a focus on civilization and its role on the natural world. The outdoor gallery will include a large aquatic system where you can view live manta rays, eels, shrimp, and other marine life while enjoying a cocktail.</p><h2>Watch a rooftop film</h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="rooftopfilms.com">Rooftop Films</a> has been dedicated to showcasing independent movies across some of the city's most breathtaking locations for over 19 years. The company hosts screenings across beaches, parks, and most notably, rooftops. This year's 2015 Summer Series runs every weekend from May 29-August 22 with screenings at <a href="http://rooftopfilms.com/2015/schedule/">various times</a>. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">There's a total of eight different venues, with four different rooftop locations: two of the rooftop screenings take place in the Industry City building at 220 36th Street in Brooklyn, and the other two screenings are in The Old American Can Factory at 232 Third St. in Brooklyn, and the Trilok Fusion Center for the Arts at 143 Waverly Ave. in Brooklyn. </span><a href="http://rooftopfilms.com/2015/venues/industry-city-1/"><span><br /></span></a></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Films include everything from Sundance favorites to shorts, with most of them being either New York, America, or world premiers. The majority of screenings include a discussion session with the filmmaker. From documentaries, dramas, comedies, and animations, the outdoor showings offer the chance to watch a movie in an airy setting under the sunshine. </span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Practice your yoga moves </span></h2><p class="p1"><a href="http://www.zhotelny.com/"><span class="s1"><span>43rd Avenue, Long Island City</span></span></a></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">For the second year, the Z Hotel offers its Sunset Rooftop Yoga Series, where you can sign up to take weekly rooftop classes every other Monday from June through September. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Classes go from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a reception afterwards including cocktails and hors-d'oeuvres until 9:30 p.m.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">You'll also find outdoor yoga every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the <a href="http://www.jameshotels.com/new-york">James Hotel</a>. Hosted by <a href="http://www.serenesocial.com/home/">Serene Social</a>, a monthly rooftop yoga series, classes are $25. </span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Have an interactive brunch at Gallow Green </span></h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><a href="http://www.mckittrickhotel.com/#McKittrick">542 W 27th St</a></p><p>Located on top of the McKittrick Hotel, home to interactive show <a href="http://www.sleepnomore.com/#share">Sleep No More</a>, is Gallow Green, the venue's rooftop bar and brunch restaurant. Besides offering eccentric drink choices like its Foreign Affair, a combination of Peruvian brandy, grapefruit, homemade almond milk, and blueberries, the bar offers an extension of the interactive experience with staff members who continue the act upstairs. </p><p>You might find yourself being asked to assist the house botanist, Annabel, in her planting, or dance with the house band. Sometimes, you'll even be given a plant by Annabel to take home for yourself. Plus, you can eat <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">modern American-style cuisine, like ricotta fritters and fried green tomatoes.</span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Go on a camping adventure with Bivouac New York</span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><a href="http://www.bivouacnyc.com/">Bivouac New York</a> is an outdoor urban rooftop campsite started as an art project by Brooklyn artist <a href="http://thomasjs.com/">Thomas Stevenson</a>.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">There are six canvas tents that comfortably fit two people, but guests are only allowed to stay for one night. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The installation doesn't list an address, and you'll have to get in touch with the artist via </span><a href="mailto:thomasjsite@gmail.com">email</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> to join the community and learn about upcoming dates, but the 15-hour adventure includes the opportunity to meet fellow newcomers and a communal dinner and breakfast. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">It's free to attend, but each camper is asked to bring at least one item of food for the dinner. You won't have access to internet, electricity, or a shower, but toilets are provided. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The project typically takes place in late spring and early fall for a week each time. </span></p><h2>Listen to live jazz at Hotel Chantelle </h2><p class="p1"><a href="http://www.hotelchantelle.com/"><span class="s1">92 Ludlow Street</span></a></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Hotel Chantelle hosts a live jazz brunch, where t</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">he catchy tunes usually lead to rooftop dancing every Saturday.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Munch on brunch classics like lobster benedict or a truffled grilled cheese while enjoying a great cocktail like the</span><span class="s1" style="line-height: 1.5em;"> Easy Passage, made from an Acai berry vodka and sparkling wine. </span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Brunch is every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  </span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Swim at the McCarren Hotel &amp; Pool</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The <a href="https://happenings.chelseahotels.com/">McCarren Hotel &amp; Pool</a> is home to New York City's only saltwater pool. It's also one of the largest pools in New York City, with 4,800 square feet of deck space. Starting May 15, the pool is open to both hotel guests and non-guests from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. </span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">For non-hotel guests, admission is $45 Monday through Thursday and $60 Friday though Sunday. For guests, admission prices are $30 Monday through Thursday and $40 Friday though Sunday with a limit of two guests per room. </span></p><p class="p1">A<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">dmission include access to the pool, towel service, and complimentary Wi-Fi with daybeds offered on a first come first served basis. </span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">If you're not a hotel guest, you'll need to be over the age of 21 to enter, and reservations for parties of ten or more can be made through the hotel's </span><a href="https://happenings.chelseahotels.com/pool/">events department</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. The pool is typically open until the end of August or September, depending on weather conditions.</span></p><h2>Farm at Eagle Street Rooftop Farm</h2><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table center"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://rooftopfarms.org/"></div><p></p></div></div><a href="http://www.subwaysets.com/">Subway Sets</a> brings talented subway musicians to rooftop venues in New York City. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The concerts take place on rooftops across the city all week long; follow them on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/subwaysets">@SubwaySets</a> to see the schedule.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Tickets are typically around $18, with music varying from classical and drumming to bluegrass, indie, and jazz. </span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Host a private BBQ at The Kitano </span></h2><p class="p1"><a href="http://www.kitano.com/Dining/Rooftop-BBQ-Holiday-Party"><span class="s1">66 Park Avenue at 38th Street</span></a></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">You can host a private BBQ with a trained chef who will grill meats, vegetables, and seafood choices for three hours at The Kitano hotel's rooftop. The 1,400-square-foot penthouse has floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto the terrace with views of the Empire State, MetLife, and Chrysler buildings.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Grill options range from simple burgers and hot dogs to more elaborate seafood feasts with shrimp, little neck claims, and blue point oysters. Costs range from $85 to $115 per person, depending on the package, plus an additional fee for the chef and bartender.</span></p><h2 class="p1"><span class="s1">Play mini-golf at Putt Putt Park</span></h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><a href="https://www.morganshotelgroup.com/hudson/hudson-new-york/eat-drink/putt-putt-park">356 West 58th Street</a></p><p>For one month in April, the Hudson Hotel offers Putt Putt Park, a mini-golf pop up on the rooftop where you can play a nine-hole game.</p><p>It's one of only two mini-golf courses in Manhattan,<span> and you can enjoy the game while sampling some golf-inspired dishes, like the Masters Classic Pimento Cheese Sandwich and an old-fashioned Arnold Palmer. </span></p><p>The mini-golf park runs from 2:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily in April and costs $10 per game.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-floyd-mayweather-spends-his-money-boxing-2015-4">Here's how Floyd Mayweather spends his millions</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="NiaGVpdDqdBR4NCmtjL5odLe14N1R4Hp" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

11 New York rooftops where you can do more than just drink 

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>It took nearly 20 years for Roger Stone to realize his dream.</p><p>Since the 1980s, the self-described "<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/02/the-dirty-trickster">dirty trickster</a>" who's been in and around Republican <keyword id="6358883" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Politics">politics</keyword> for half a century, had made it something of a mission to make Donald Trump president.</p><p>Despite parting ways with the Trump campaign in August 2015 - Trump <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/08/politics/donald-trump-campaign-roger-stone/">says he fired Stone</a> for hogging the media spotlight; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/08/08/did-roger-stone-jump-or-was-he-pushed-from-trump-campaign/">Stone says he quit</a> because Trump attacked Megyn Kelly - Stone has remained one of Trump's most loyal true believers. And it's Stone's communications with a Russian hacker and his alleged communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange that have put him in the crosshairs of the FBI as investigators look for connections between Trump's campaign and Russian meddling in the 2016 election.</p><p>Stone says he has nothing to do with Russia, but messages he has sent to the hacker accused of a cyberattack on the Democratic National Committee, as well as Stone's own provocative statements, continue to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/us/politics/trump-russia-associates-investigation.html?_r=0">raise questions</a>.</p><p>"It's rare that I'm accused of something that I'm not guilty of," Stone told the New Yorker in 2008. Now it's up to investigators to test that.</p><h2>Stone and the Russians</h2><p>On August 12, nearly a year after he left Trump's campaign and a few weeks after WikiLeaks published the first set of stolen emails from the DNC, Stone reached out through a private message to a Twitter user named "Guccifer 2.0."</p><p>Earlier that August, Stone had written on the alt-right website <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/08/05/dear-hillary-dnc-hack-solved-so-now-stop-blaming-russia/">Breitbart</a>, then controlled by Steve Bannon, that it was "a hacker who goes by the name of Guccifer 2.0" - and not the Russians - who hacked the DNC and fed the documents to WikiLeaks.</p><p>But experts quickly linked Guccifer 2.0 back to Russia and concluded that the so-called hacker was <a href="http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/07/26/new-evidence-strengthens-guccifer-2-0s-russian-connections/">the product of a Russian disinformation campaign</a>.</p><p>In his messages with Guccifer 2.0, Stone asked if the hacker could retweet his Breitbart column about the 2016 presidential election possibly being "rigged."</p><p>Guccifer 2.0 responded: "i'm pleased to say that u r great man. please tell me if i can help u anyhow. it would be a great pleasure to me."</p><p>Stone <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/roger-stone-dnc-hacker-guccifer-democratic-party-2017-3">later told Business Insider</a> that the interaction he had with the hacker was so "brief and banal" that he "had forgotten it."</p><p>"Not exactly 007 stuff even if Gruccifer [sic] 2.0 was working for the Russkies," Stone said. "Meaningless."</p><p>Stone's tweets in the days after his communications with Guccifer 2.0 have raised questions about whether he knew in advance that Podesta's emails would be imminently published by WikiLeaks.</p><p>On August 21, Stone sent a series of famously prescient tweets. "Trust me, it will soon the Podesta's time in the barrel. #CrookedHillary." On October 1 Stone tweeted: "Wednesday @HillaryClinton is done."</p><p>On October 3 he tweeted: "I have total confidence that <a href="https://twitter.com/wikileaks" data-mentioned-user-id="16589206"><strong>@wikileaks</strong></a> and my hero Julian Assange will educate the American people soon <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LockHerUp?src=hash" data-query-source="hashtag_click"><s>#</s><strong>LockHerUp</strong></a>."</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/updated-trump-russia-election-timeline-fbi-2017-3?r=DE&amp;IR=T">Four days later</a>, WikiLeaks published its first set of emails stolen from Hillary Clinton's campaign manager, John Podesta.</p><p>In October, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/updated-trump-russia-election-timeline-fbi-2017-3">Stone said</a> he had "back-channel communication with Assange," but has denied having any direct contact with WikiLeaks, saying that he had been getting his information from a mutual friend he shares with Assange.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div>Stone <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/roger-stone-dnc-hacker-guccifer-democratic-party-2017-3">told Business Insider</a> in early March that he "had no contacts or communications with the Russian State, Russian Intelligence or anyone fronting for them or acting as intermediaries for them," he said. "None. Nada. Zilch. I am not in touch with any Russians. don't have a Russian girlfriend, don't like Russian dressing and have stopped drinking Russian Vodka."</p><p>Seventeen US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia had interfered in the US election by hacking into the DNC and John Podesta's inbox and leaking the stolen documents to WikiLeaks to undermine Hillary Clinton.</p><p>US intelligence agencies and the House and Senate intelligence committees are investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with, or was complicit in, Russia's election-related meddling. They have found no evidence so far that the Trump campaign actively collaborated with Russia to influence the outcome of the election.</p><p>In March, Stone <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/page-manafort-and-stone-volunteer-to-testify-about-russia-before-intel-committee-2017-3">volunteered to be interviewed</a> by the House Intelligence Committee as part of its investigation. Stone has also been asked to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee and preserve any relevant documents about contact he may have had with Russians during the election.</p><p>The White House, for its part, is attempting to distance itself from Stone. During <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/20/press-briefing-press-secretary-sean-spicer-3202017">a press conference</a> on March 20, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that Stone and Trump talk occasionally but that Stone's work for the campaign ended in August 2015.</p><p>"I don't know at all when the last time they even spoke was," Spicer said.</p><p>If they're not speaking now, that would be a departure from nearly four decades of close friendship.</p><h2><strong>'Admit nothing, deny everything'</strong></h2><p>Stone was perhaps the first, and most influential, person to believe in Trump's political potential.</p><p>In 1988, Stone tried to persuade him to run for president. Trump decided against it, but 12 years later he launched a presidential exploratory committee, which Stone chaired.</p><p>Since the 1980s, Stone and Trump have fostered a close professional and political relationship. Stone <a href="https://twitter.com/costareports/status/630073742228590592" target="_blank">has been characterized</a> as Trump's longest-serving adviser.</p><p>Stone and Trump share remarkably similar worldviews and approaches to politics. Like Trump, Stone has a penchant for making bold, unsubstantiated claims, promoting conspiracy theories, and being unafraid of controversy. He <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/02/the-dirty-trickster">told The New Yorker in 2008</a> that "The only thing worse in politics than being wrong is being boring."</p><p>Stone <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/03/us/politics/donald-trump-birther-obama.html">encouraged</a> Trump's infamous "birther" conspiracy, which claimed that President Obama wasn't born in the US, and promoted unsubstantiated theories that Bill Clinton was a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/24/us/politics/roger-stone-david-brock-trump-clinton.html">serial rapist</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/latest-from-the-trump-conspiracy-factory-bill-clintons-black-son/2016/11/01/d05e321e-a070-11e6-a44d-cc2898cfab06_story.html?utm_term=.836a9174fa24">fathered a son</a>.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Trump has apparently adopted many of Stone's ideas and methods. <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/02/the-dirty-trickster">Stone told The New Yorker in 2008</a> that "Politics is not about uniting people. It's about dividing people. And getting your fifty-one per cent." One of his cardinal rules was "Attack, attack, attack-never defend" and "Admit nothing, deny everything, launch counterattack."</p><p>"It takes a certain kind of consultant who could work for a candidate like Donald Trump and it takes a certain kind of candidate to hire a consultant like Roger Stone," says Chris Barron, a Washington-based political consultant who has worked with Stone in the past, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/422353/donald-trump-roger-stone-interview">told the National Review in 2015</a>.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IPyv4KgTAA">the trailer</a> for a Netflix documentary "Get Me Roger Stone," which will be released in May, Trump says of Stone: "He loves the game, he has fun with it, and he's very good at it."</p><p>Both Stone and Trump are preoccupied with the <keyword id="6355005" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="News">news</keyword> media, and they rail against it as being biased, but both also court publicity. Stone is known for being easily accessible, and he seems to relish providing reporters with provocative sound bites. As Stone <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/fashion/roger-stone-rides-donald-trumps-well-tailored-coattails.html">told The New York Times</a> in 2015 of his life philosophy, "Never miss the opportunity to have sex or be on television, as Gore Vidal said."</p><p>The media has, in turn, portrayed Stone as everything from a "<a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/08/jacob_weisberg_s_classic_new_republic_profile_of_trump_adviser_roger_stone.html">state-of-the-art sleazeball</a>" to a dangerous conspirator. But Stone relishes these descriptions - the more unflattering the better.</p><p>"I revel in your hatred, because if I weren't effective you wouldn't hate me," Stone says in the trailer for "Get Me Roger Stone."</p><p>Stone, who has been a Republican operative for almost 50 years, has long treated politics and campaigning as a battle to be won at any cost. As a junior in high school and vice president of the student government, he forced the president out and succeeded him.</p><p>''I built alliances and put all my serious challengers on my ticket," Stone <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/18/nyregion/public-lives-the-ego-behind-the-ego-in-a-trump-gamble.html">told The New York Times in 1999</a>. "Then I recruited the most unpopular guy in the school to run against me. You think that's mean? No, it's smart.''</p><p>Notably, Stone has remained an unapologetic Nixon supporter to this day. After working for Nixon's campaign in the 1970s, he maintained a close relationship with the president and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/fashion/roger-stone-rides-donald-trumps-well-tailored-coattails.html">regularly dined</a> with him at his home in the years following the president's resignation. Stone has a tattoo of Nixon's face across his back and a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/fashion/roger-stone-rides-donald-trumps-well-tailored-coattails.html">large photograph </a>of the former president over his bed.</p><p>Among many, Stone is better known for his eccentricities than his political work.</p><p>Throughout his career, Stone has cultivated what he calls his "extraordinary wardrobe," which includes a taste for seersucker suits and <a href="http://nymag.com/selectall/2017/03/roger-stone-inauguration-outfit-twitter-roast-is-hilarious.html">top hats</a>, a style that The New Yorker <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/news/ryan-lizza/roger-stone-versus-the-deep-state">has said</a> makes Stone look "like a Prohibition-era mobster."</p><p>"If life is a stage, then you should always be in costume," <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/27/fashion/roger-stone-rides-donald-trumps-well-tailored-coattails.html">Stone told The Times</a>.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><h2>'He always tries taking credit for things he never did'</h2><p>Stone and Trump have had a rocky relationship. In 2008, Trump called Stone a "stone-cold loser," <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/02/the-dirty-trickster">telling The New Yorker</a> that "he always tries taking credit for things he never did."</p><p>In August 2015, Stone <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-roger-stone-2015-8">parted ways</a> with Trump's campaign. While Trump announced that he had fired Stone, accusing him of attempting "to use the campaign for his own personal publicity," Stone said that he resigned, making public a letter he said he had sent to Trump arguing that the campaign was being derailed by "controversies involving personalities and provocative media fights."</p><p>Stone's departure came as Trump faced scrutiny surrounding his <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-blasts-erick-erickson-megyn-kelly-2015-8">controversial comments</a> about Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly.</p><p>Some conservatives believed Trump's campaign would suffer without Stone to guide it.</p><p>"It's hard to overstate just how close Trump and Stone have been over the years," the <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/422353/donald-trump-roger-stone-interview">National Review wrote</a> after Stone had left the campaign. "Trump without Stone is akin to George W. Bush without Karl Rove or Barack Obama without David Axelrod."</p><p>But even after Stone left the campaign, he remained a strong supporter, <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/422353/donald-trump-roger-stone-interview">calling himself</a> "the ultimate Trump loyalist." In January, Stone <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/roger-stone-trump-put-on-this-earth-to-be-president/article/2613406">published a book</a>, "The Making of the President 2016: How Donald Trump Orchestrated a Revolution," in which he says Trump was "put on Earth" to be president.</p><h2>From Nixon to Bush</h2><p>Stone was raised in Lewisboro, New York, in a white working-class family. He told The New Yorker that while growing up adjacent to New Canaan, a wealthy Connecticut suburb, he saw himself as "living in kind of a bridge between two cultures, the white working class and the white upper class."</p><p>Stone remains convinced that both groups of white Americans should be politically united against what he sees as an overreaching government.</p><p>After high school Stone moved to DC to attend George Washington University. He never graduated.</p><p>Stone made his debut in national politics at 19, when he sent campaign contributions in the name of a socialist organization to Richard Nixon's rival in the 1972 Republican presidential primary. He then sent a letter to The New Hampshire Union-Leader with the donation receipt, in an attempt to undermine Nixon's competitor.</p><p>In a <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/02/the-dirty-trickster">2008 New Yorker article</a>, Stone told reporter Jeffrey Toobin that Nixon started the "exodus of working-class people from the Democratic Party" and realigned the Republican Party's platform to one founded on antielitism.</p><p>"We were the party of the workingman! We wanted lower taxes for everyone, across the board," Stone said. "The point that the Democrats missed was that the people who weren't rich wanted to be rich."</p><p>As Toobin wrote, "Stone represents the less discussed but still vigorous legacy of Richard Nixon."</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>In 1976, Stone joined Ronald Reagan's first, unsuccessful run for the Republican presidential nomination as national youth director. Four years later, Stone took on the role of political director of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, helping pave Reagan's path to the White House.</p><p>But Stone, ever the campaigner, didn't take a position in the Reagan administration and instead started a political consulting and lobbying firm, Black, Manafort, Stone &amp; Atwater, along with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-paul-manafort-and-why-is-he-at-the-center-of-the-trump-russia-probe-2017-3">Paul Manafort</a>, who, decades later, would become Trump's 2016 presidential campaign chairman.</p><p>Stone's corporate clients included Trump businesses and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., on whose behalf Stone lobbied his former campaign colleagues in the administration, and more controversial characters, including dictators in Zaire and the Philippines, and rebels in Angola.</p><p>Stone and his firm were on the forefront of a new era of political operatives lobbying their former campaign colleagues, now in powerful positions in the administration, to serve their private-sector ends.</p><p>But Stone was drawn back into campaigning when George H.W. Bush ran for president in 1988, serving as a senior consultant to Bush. Stone continued jumping between the campaign trails - for Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter and Kansas Republican Bob Dole - until he was kicked off Dole's presidential campaign after Stone and his wife were caught <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/02/the-dirty-trickster">soliciting</a> "similar couples or exceptional muscular" men for group sex. (Stone denied the accusations at the time but later admitted they were accurate.)</p><p>After Stone left Black, Manafort, Stone &amp; Atwater in the mid-1990s, he ran various campaigns, including a billionaire's bid for New York governor, and then moved down to Miami. In 2000, he was instrumental in orchestrating the so-called Brooks Brothers riot - a chaotic pro-Bush protest outside the Miami recount center - which helped shut down the Florida recount in the presidential election, securing George W. Bush's victory over Al Gore.</p><p>While he may still be living life in Fort Lauderdale, far from the epicenter of American politics, Stone continues to show up in the midst of scandal. The question is, will he find a way to skirt consequences this time?</p><p><em>Natasha Bertrand contributed reporting.</em></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/watch-trump-walk-executive-order-signing-ceremony-without-signing-orders-2017-3">Watch Trump walk out of an executive-order signing ceremony without signing any orders</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="BlanlsYTE6qS4cVOgTU728alnk6du42l" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

Meet Roger Stone: One of Donald Trump's most loyal supporters who is now being investigated by FBI

TOO DRUNK TO CONSENT: A Leaked Sexual Assault Investigation Highlights The Latest Campus Debate

<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/syracuse-university-is-the-top-party-school-in-the-country-2014-8" target="_blank">Syracuse University just nabbed the top spot</a> on The Princeton Review's list of the best party schools in the U.S.</p>
<p>Although Syracuse <a href="http://news.syr.edu/statement-from-syracuse-university-regarding-princeton-review-party-school-ranking-47005/" target="_blank">isn't particularly proud of the title</a>, any Orange-man or woman will assure you that there are plenty of explanations why Syracuse deserves the place of honor. We would know, we both are proud alums. </p>
<p>Here are a few reasons why Syracuse is the best party school in the country:</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Melia Robinson</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>1. Mayfest, Syracuse's all-day outdoor celebration, is the biggest party of the year.</h3>
<p>After braving a long winter and nearly making it all the way through second semester, Syracuse students get to let loose with a gigantic, free-for-all party that spans down Comstock, up Euclid, and on every street in between. Everyone party hops from yard-to-yard (and bouncy house to keg stand) until the night culminates in Block Party, a big concert held in the Dome, which has included recent performances by 2chainz and Kesha.</p>
<p>The University even started giving out free beer and food at Walnut Park in 2012."Mayfest is the happiest day of the year," <a href="http://www.thenewshouse.com/story/bounce-houses-beer-and-glitter-make-mayfest-2013-memories" target="_blank">Syracuse alumna Megan Corbet says</a>."It's like Christmas." (Ironically, Mayfest is almost always held in April.)</p>
<h3>2. Juice Jam starts first semester off with a wild time.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFlwcEbJHG0">YouTube/Daily Orange</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Earlier in the school year, the university puts together <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFlwcEbJHG0">Juice Jam</a>, a gigantic outdoor concert, although sans free beer.</p>
<p>Sweaty students gather in the sunshine of a large field on South Campus and dance their faces off to headliners like Phish, Avicii, and Lupe Fiasco.</p>
<h3>3. If you get lucky at Faegan's Flip Night, all your beers could be free.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/melonhugh/8606646577/in/photolist-">Flickr/Zixi Wu</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Every Wednesday, Faegan's Pub right off Marshall Street hosts Flip Night.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">When you order a drink, the bartender flips a coin, and if you call it correctly, your beer is free.</span></p>
<p>Faegan's is also known for Senior Sundays, which means a super-cheap Long Island Iced Tea special, and World Beer Tour Tuesdays, where you pay $3 for a pint and try to drink every beer on the menu throughout the course of the semester.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Isa Alcantara" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53dfd4aeecad04f763f4aa06-960/syracuse-snow.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Isa Alcantara</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>4. Syracuse is one of the <a href="http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/02/post_1000.html" target="_blank">snowiest cities in the country</a>, which leads to plenty of outdoor shenanigans.</h3>
<p>Syracuse winters may be almost unbearably freezing, but they also mean sledding on cafeteria trays down Crouse hill, building giant snow creatures in your front yard or at your dorm, and snowball fights in Thornden Park.</p>
<p>(And yes, even when it's freezing, you'll still see students trekking across slippery sidewalks at 11 p.m. to "warm up" at parties.)</p>
<h3>5. You can always find a house party (often with a theme).</h3>
<p>Because Syracuse has a lot of student housing close together on several streets (like Euclid, Ackerman, Livingston, Sumner, and Clarendon, to name a few), you can always find something going on and open on a Friday or Saturday night, even when you're an underclassman.</p>
<p>Whether you're packed into an attic or a basement, you'll be greeted by some combination of flip cup, beer pong, dancing, and Jungle Juice. Ugly sweater party, anyone?</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL2KN2dlUos">Screenshot / YouTube</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<h3>6. Castle Court parking lot parties are a great way to celebrate outside.</h3>
<p>Because the Castle Court apartment complex is so close to all the sororities and fraternities on Walnut, a lot of members live there, and will host big outdoor parties that fill the entire lot.</p>
<p>Bouncy houses (and Afroman) have been known to make appearances.</p>
<h3>7. Pre-gaming, literally</h3>
<p>On game days all across campus, massive tailgating sprees break out. Fraternities even host all-day ragers, like Alpha Tau Omega's annual pig roast, to kick-off specific rivalries or just a season in general.</p>
<p>And of course, the aforementioned Castle Court gets involved. Claustraphobics or anti-social types should avoid the area entirely.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span></p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Ben Glidden </span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<h3>8. Students camp out in "Boeheimburg" outside the Dome for a week or more before a big game.</h3>
<p>"Bleeding Orange" is a major part of the SU experience.This year, students camped out for 14 days in subzero temperatures before the Duke game.</p>
<p>Basketball coach Jim Boeheim himself even made an appearance: He and his staff handed out donuts and coffee to all the dedicated (and exhausted) fans.</p>
<h3>9. Playing beer pong in your South Campus apartment.</h3>
<p>After freshman years spent in tiny dorms, hordes of students turn to South Campus living for their sophomore (and even junior) years. Located by the athletic complex, South campus acts as its own little community, complete with a dining hall, gym, and laundry facilities, all just a five minute bus ride from main campus.</p>
<p>With no RAs and mostly athletes living there, kitchen tables converted to beer pong games become a routine sight. The Inn Complete, a bar(n) with a trivia night, also resides on South Campus for the 21-and-over crowd.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/WXez-giIOt/?modal=true">Christina Sterbenz</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div>10. Buying beer at the Dome on your student ID.</h3>
<p>Once you get inside the Carrier Dome, more shenanigans await. Not only is Syracuse's stadium loud, it's one of the few that sells beer. And believe it or not, students can buy brews using their university accounts.</p>
<p>Even though the money you add to your "SUpercard" (See what the administration did there?) comes straight from your own bank account (or your parents'), it still feels like you're drinking on the university's dime.</p>
<p>And trust us, no sight parallels a sea of orange at the record-breaking 2010 Cuse-Villanova basketball game.</p>
<h3>11. Trivia night at the Inn Complete lets you feel like a brainiac while downing free popcorn and cheap brews. </h3>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://vimeo.com/60465084">Screenshot / Vimeo</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<p>Every Thursday, the South Campus bar puts on a trivia night where teams of 10 students put their knowledge to the test with tough questions on any topic, while endlessly refilling their bowls of free popcorn and buying each other rounds of beer. (Added bonus: Because Inn Complete bartenders get paid through the school as an on-campus job, there's no tipping required!)</p>
<p>The grand prize: A jumbo plate of delicious appetizers, a free bar tab, and a whole lot of glory.</p>
<h3>12. The annual <a href="http://www.thenewshouse.com/story/totally-fabulous-drag-show-2013-crowns-winner" target="_blank">Totally Fabulous Drag Show</a> brings out the best burlesque students have to offer.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://orgs.syr.edu/prideunion/2014/01/23/do-you-think-you-have-what-it-takes-to-become-the-next-performer-of-the-hill/">Pride Union</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p>Every winter, Pride Union hosts the fiercest competition on campus, encouraging teams of students to dress in drag and put on a lip-synced, choreographed show. While the performers bump and grind on stage, students throw tips and faculty judges rate their acts.</p>
<p>Shangela Laquifa Wadley, a former contestant on "RuPaul's Drag Race," has emceed the event several times, as has another former contestant, Jujubee.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Emily Kristine</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></h3>
<h3>13. If you want some variety from the typical 'Cuse party, ESF students know how to have a good time, too.</h3>
<p>Because Syracuse and SUNY ESF practically share a campus, it's easy to become friends with students from the other school, which means a whole new group of people to meet and party with.</p>
<p>Every year ESF students have their own version of Mayfest, called Redfest, which features live music and lots of body painting.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_left"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Instagram</span></p></div><p></p></div>14. Fishbowl's at Lucy's </h3>
<p>Although under new management recently, another bar, Lucy's, kept the best item on the menu - the Fishbowl.</p>
<p>Fishbowls, which actually come in classic fishbowl-shaped glass containers, formerly sold in two sizes: small (one pint) and large (about two and a half pints). They also came in about 20 different flavors,the <a href="http://www.thenewshouse.com/restaurant-review/lucys-retired-surfers-bar">Newshouse</a>, an SU publication reports. Personal favorites include the "Georgia Peach" and "Key Lime Sunset."</p>
<p>The bartenders would also throw in multiple straws, sometimes of the bendy variety, so you could share with your homies. Braving the rum/vodka drink alone might be too much and not enough all at the same time.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_left"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span>Facebook</span></p></div><p></p></div>15. Write on the walls of the campus' favorite bar at a gloriously cheap happy hour.</h3>
<p>Ask anyone - students fondly look upon Chuck's Cafe, a divey bar just a short walk from both the dorm and residential areas on campus - oh, and Jimmy John's.</p>
<p>From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every weekday, Chucks-goers can throw down $3.50 for a pitcher of Honey Brown Lager, poured with love by their favorite bartenders, Thor and Flower. The fried pickles ain't too shabby, either.</p>
<p>Once they've gorged themselves on carbs, students can grab an aerosol can or permanent marker and leave their marks on the graffiti-ed walls. The bouncers will probably turn the other cheek. Or you can play it safe with the pool table, basketball shooting-game, and dart board.</p>
<h3><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_NB0ziFeQ0">YouTube / Screenshot</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div>16. Riding (and falling off) the Bull at Daisy Duke's</h3>
<p>Not only the campus bars offer the opportunity for tipsy memories. Benjamin's on Franklin, the Syracuse SUDS Factory, and The Blue Tusk all give students a taste of downtown Syracuse. One of these bars, however, Daisy Duke's, stands out.</p>
<p>On the side of the bar opposite from the laser-soaked dance floor, patrons can ride a mechanical bull for free. But first, you have to lose your shoes - and your dignity.</p>
<h3>17. Sampling the finer drinks in life at Al's Wine and Whiskey Bar.</h3>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://agoodhostess.com/2012/01/27/ladder-up/">Wordpress/A Good Hostess</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Speaking of downtown Syracuse, Al's Wine and Whiskey bar adds an element of class to the usual drinking scene.</p>
<p>Usually reserved for "over-it" seniors and grad students, the hip speakeasy offers a literal wall of whiskey, live music, perfectly worn leather couches, and a pool table in the back.</p>
<h3>18. The "Heaven and Hell" Party</h3>
<p>Speaking of fraternities, Phi Psi's annual Halloween event, the Heaven and Hell party, is about as exclusive as events get on a college campus.</p>
<p>Students plan weeks in advance to find a guy who knows a guy who knows a brother in the house who can give them some tickets - which you actually need. Phi Psi keeps a pretty strict guest list, with hired security guys checking tickets, along with student IDs, at the entrance.</p>
<p>For the record, we're both GDI's (or in Cuse speak, "god damn independents") not involved in Greek life. But who can resist the chance for a ridiculous costume, free beer, and a slippery dance floor?</p>

Here's Why Syracuse Really Is The Best Party School In The Country 

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Heath Padgett" title_caption="Heath Padgett, 23, will work 50 jobs in 50 states." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54628b846bb3f74f05bc743f-960/heath-padgett-6.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Heath Padgett</span></p><p class="caption">Heath Padgett, 23, will work 50 jobs in 50 states.</p></div><p></p></div>Hourly workers make up almost three-fourths of the US workforce - yet certain stigmas associated with these workers still exist, and they don't always get the recognition they deserve, says Heath Padgett, a 23-year-old recent college graduate.</p>
<p>To explore the world of hourly work, break those stigmas, and shed light on the importance of these under-appreciated employees, Padgett and his wife, Alyssa, decided to embark on a seven-month, cross-country journey in their RV. On the trip, he's trying out 50 jobs in 50 states for his upcoming documentary, "<a href="http://www.hourlyamerica.com/">Hourly America</a>."</p>
<p><span>The newlyweds, who are on what's been called an "</span><a href="https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/25411418/epic-honeymoon/">epic honeymoon</a>,<span>" <span>left their hometown of Austin, Texas, on June 1 - just a week after their wedding. So far, they'</span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">ve visited 38 states.</span></p>
<p>Padgett and Alyssa, his videographer, have found<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> most of the 38 hourly gigs he's worked through </span><a href="http://www.snagajob.com/">Snagajob.com</a><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;">, America's largest network for hourly employment.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p>Padgett, who graduated from Concordia University Texas with a major in business and entrepreneurship in 2013, recently spoke to Business Insider about his favorite moments, his biggest challenges, and the best and worst jobs he's worked throughout his "Hourly America" journey.</p>
<p><em>This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.</em> </p>
<p><strong>Business Insider:</strong><strong> Can you tell me what inspired you to embark on this "50 jobs in 50 states" journey?</strong><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p>Heath Padgett: After college I took a sales job with a software company and quickly realized that I wasn't built for sitting in an office all day. I wanted to do more meaningful, creative work and figure out what kind of work made me happy. I've always had a desire to travel and the idea of pursuing a mission along with traveling intrigued me. I decided to make this more of a quest and work a job in all 50 states so I could learn more about different kinds of work and meet a lot of people along the way.</p>
<p><strong>BI: Can you walk us through how this all works?</strong></p>
<p>HP: On average I work two to three different jobs per week. I show up and work for one day in each different place. I obviously don't become a pro at these jobs - I'm more concerned with getting to know my coworkers, interviewing them about their job and their overall philosophy on work. Why do they do what they do? What do they love most about being a bartender, cook, electrician, etc.?</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Heath Padgett" title_caption="Padgett in front of Bob's Clam Hut in Maine, where he worked as a fish fryer." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/546288ba6bb3f75a78bc743f-960/bobs-2.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Heath Padgett</span></p><p class="caption">Padgett in front of Bob's Clam Hut in Maine, where he worked as a fish fryer.</p></div><p></p></div>I've worked everything from a martial arts assistant to a pizza delivery guy, and even had short stints on a couple different farms.</p>
<p>A lot of my jobs have been in the service industry, as I'm particularly interested in learning more about how to fill the void between employees and customers. I want to find more ways for customers to acknowledge and recognize service industry workers outside of purely tipping them. <span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p>I've found most of my jobs through Snagajob.com. I reached out to them before my trip begun with a crazy idea of working a different job in every state, and I asked if they would help me find jobs along the way. They've opened the doors to a lot of the bigger companies for me, where as it might have been a lot more difficult for some random guy to come in for the day. </p>
<p><strong>BI: Where are you now, and and how many jobs have you done so far?</strong></p>
<p>HP: As of today I've worked 38 jobs in 38 states. I'm in Kentucky, and today I worked at a KOA campsite. My wife and I made this trip in our 1994 Coachmen Class C motorhome, and we've attracted a lot of attention from fellow RVers who find these 23-year-old newlyweds pretty fascinating. So today we took their advice and spent a day working at a KOA, cleaning bathrooms and all that good stuff.<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>BI: Did you plan ahead of time which jobs you'd have in each state? Or do you figure it out as you go?</strong><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p>HP: We fly by the seat of our pants. For instance, I called KOA yesterday along with several other companies. I give them my pitch, tell them why I'm doing what I'm doing, and if they understand or believe in my mission then they let me come in and work for the day alongside their employees.<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>BI: What's been your favorite job, and why?</strong></p>
<p>HP: One of my favorite jobs was working for the Inland Empire 66ers. They are a minor league baseball team in Los Angeles. I spent all day outside working in the bleachers and cleaning the locker room. I played college baseball at Concordia University Texas, and spending a day outside working on a field was the dream. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Heath Padgett" title_caption="Padgett working for the Inland Empire 66ers." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54628998ecad04e016049b4a-960/heath-padgett.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Heath Padgett</span></p><p class="caption">Padgett working for the Inland Empire 66ers.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>BI: What's been the worst, or hardest job, and why?</strong></p>
<p>HP: Well two days ago I was "fired" from a job. I wasn't really fired, but there was a miscommunication between the manager who I spoke with on the phone and the other manager working the day I came in. Apparently, she had no idea I was going to actually work there and wasn't the kind of person who was flexible to curveballs being thrown at her. </p>
<p>Two hours into my shift I received a call from the owner saying that she also didn't know I was going to be working there that day. They thought I was going to get in the way, and I honestly don't think they had done any research on our "Hourly America" project, nor did they know our mission.</p>
<p>It was a little bit embarrassing having to leave halfway through a shift. But on the other side of things it was a valuable lesson - a lot of people aren't going to believe in what you're doing, especially when it breaks the norm. Leaving that job and still having a firm faith in this project to make a difference in the world was affirming to say the least because it showed me how strongly I believe in our mission of sharing stories from everyday workers.</p>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Heath Padgett" title_caption="Padgett and his wife/videographer, Alyssa." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/546289f669bedd1c77c57849-960/heath-padgett-1.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Heath Padgett</span></p><p class="caption">Padgett and his wife/videographer, Alyssa.</p></div><p></p></div></div>BI: What's been the best moment of this experience so far?</strong></p>
<p>HP: There have been a few different moments along our trip where someone I'm working with looks at me and just says, "Thank you." Maybe these are the people who understand that we are here because we want to show the people from the other side of the counter's point of view. It feels really good to know your mission has inspired someone in some way.</p>
<p><strong>BI: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced?</strong></p>
<p>HP: Traveling the country in a 20-year-old motorhome in the first year of marriage while working a job in every single state is a huge undertaking. We've broken down, had fights when the GPS gets us lost, and experienced so much of the world at a rapid pace. But I would say the biggest challenges are sticking to this project when our RV keeps breaking down.</p>
<p>We don't have a ton of money, and early on, there was no telling if anything positive was going to come from "Hourly America." Would anyone ever care what we are doing? Does this work matter? It was the internal battle, which was the hardest. I've never been a full-time RVer, writer, or filmmaker. All these things are new to me, but going from the unknown to a place of feeling confident in my skills was a huge undertaking.</p>
<p>It helps to realize that most people aren't entirely sure of themselves no matter what it is they are doing, we are all learning. If you meet a person who "has it all together," then they're the smartest person I've ever met or a really good actor. Life is about practice, not perfection.<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Heath Padgett" title_caption="The newlyweds." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/546292486bb3f7a81cdc66e0-960/heath-padgett-7.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Heath Padgett</span></p><p class="caption">The newlyweds.</p></div><p></p></div>BI: What has surprised you most?</strong></p>
<p>HP: People's openness. It's been incredibly easy to find businesses that are willing to let me come in for the day. A lot of businesses have said yes before even taking a look at our website or media coverage. Some places think we are just crazy kids who are trying to do something meaningful with their lives, and they would be right.<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p>However, it just proves there are a lot of people out in the world who will accept you if you're willing to take a few blows in the process. A good friend of mine always says, "Once you open yourself up to the world, the world opens itself up to you." I now know that statement to be very true.<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>BI: What's the biggest lesson you've learned??</strong></p>
<p>HP: Being able to effectively communicate a simple idea is a learned and valuable skill set. It's one that I am still working on. </p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Heath Padgett" title_caption="Padgett, right, working in a kitchen." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5462930469bedd3623dc66db-960/heath-padgett-8.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Heath Padgett</span></p><p class="caption">Padgett, right, working in a kitchen.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>BI: What do you plan to do when this journey concludes?</strong></p>
<p>HP: We will release the film in August 2015, and until then I'm going to be working part time consulting with Jia Jiang, who is an author with an upcoming book launch in April 2015. Jia is a mentor who first gave me the idea to work a different job in every state. He looked me up several months after we talked about it over coffee and realized I had taken his advice and pursued this quest. He then offered me a job because he said that he had received hundreds of inquiries of people asking for guidance, but only a few people had actually taken action from those meetings. I was one of them.</p>
<p><strong>BI: Anything else you want to share about your experience?</strong><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p>HP: Don't let people tell you there is a set way to go about your career. I've found that the safe and normal way rarely yields the results of stepping outside of the box. I had so many people tell me I was crazy for pursuing this 50-state-50-job quest, however, I've had more opportunities open up because of it then I would have ever had if I'd stayed in my office job back in Texas.</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container click-to-enlarge"><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Heath Padgett" title_caption="Padgett and the RV." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54628942eab8ea8d54af342c-960/heath-padget.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span></a><p class="source"><span>Heath Padgett</span></p><p class="caption">Padgett and the RV.</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p>Here are all the jobs Padgett has worked so far:<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>Job #1</strong>: Project Dojo, <em>Martial Arts Instructor</em>  <br> <strong>Job #2:</strong> Buffalo Wild Wings, <em>Server</em> <br> <strong>Job #3:</strong> Habitat ReStore, <em>Paint Mixer</em> <br> <strong>Job #4:</strong> American Red Cross, <em>Lifeguard</em> <br> <strong>Job #5:</strong> Inland Empire 66ers Baseball Stadium, <em>Cleaning Crew Member</em> <br> <strong>Job #6:</strong> Domino's Pizza, <em>Delivery guy and Pizza Maker</em> <br> <strong>Job #7:</strong> Portland Art Museum, <em>Security Guard</em> <br> <strong>Job #8: </strong>Downtown Missoula Association, <em>City Ambassador</em> <br> <strong>Job #9:</strong> Mike's Music Shop, <em>Sales Associate</em> <br> <strong>Job #10: </strong>Persephone Bakery, <em>Bread Baker</em> <br> <strong>Job #11:</strong> La Vita Bella, <em>Barista</em><br> <strong>Job #12:</strong> Oh My Cupcakes! &amp; Shop Dog Boutique, <em>Cupcake Ninja &amp; Cashier</em> <br> <strong>Job #13:</strong> Würst Bier Hall, <em>Line Cook</em> <br> <strong>Job #14:</strong> Carlos Creek Winery, <em>Wine Pourer</em> <br> <strong>Job #15:</strong> Hinchley's Dairy Farm Tours, <em>Dairy Farmer</em> <br> <strong>Job #16:</strong> Pizza Rustica Chicago, <em>Busboy</em> <br> <strong>Job #17:</strong> Hog Stop BBQ, <em>Meat Handler</em> <br> <strong>Job #18:</strong> Lucky Bucket Brewing Company, <em>Vodka Bottler</em> <br> <strong>Job #19:</strong> Schlegel's Bicycles, <em>Bicycle Mechanic</em><br> <strong>Job #20:</strong> Kansas Humane Society, <em>Poop Scooper</em> <br> <strong>Job #21:</strong> The Fountain on Locust, <em>Waiter</em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FountainOnLocust"><br> </br></a><strong>Job #22: </strong>The Fountain Square Brewing, <em>Keg Filler</em> <br> <strong>Job #23:</strong> Ann Arbor Tees, <em>T-Shirt Printer</em><strong><br> Job #24: </br></strong>Society Lounge, <em>Bar Back</em><strong><br> Job #25: </br></strong>Shelburne Orchards, <em>Apple Picker</em><strong><br> Job #26: </br></strong>The Juicery, <em>Juice Master</em><strong><br> Job #27: </br></strong>Bob's Clam Hut, <em>Fish Fryer</em><strong><br> Job #28: </br></strong>The General Store, <em>Event Staff</em><strong><br> Job #29: </br></strong>TEN31 Productions,<em> Costumer</em><strong><br> Job #30: </br></strong>Downtown Yoga Studio<em>, Mat Cleaner<br> </br></em><strong>Job #31: </strong>The Vitamin Shoppe,<em> Health Enthusiast<br> </br></em><strong>Job #32:</strong> White Castle, <em>Grill Master</em><br> <strong>Job #33:</strong> Fuel After School, <em>After School Counselor</em><br> <strong>Job #34: </strong>Hagley Museum and Library, <em>Electrician<br> </br></em><strong>Job #35:</strong> Six Flags America, <em>Zombie</em><br> <strong>Job #36:</strong> Lumber Liquidators, <em>Warehouse Assistant<br> </br></em><strong>Job #37: </strong>Stardust Cafe,<em> Dishwasher<br /></em><strong>Job #38:</strong> KOA, <em>Janitor</em></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></br></p>

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