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<ul><li>All the nine athletes recommended for <keyword id="15575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-Vibhushan">Padma Vibhushan</keyword>, <keyword id="100507" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-Bhushan">Padma Bhushan</keyword> and <keyword id="25105" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Padma-Shri">Padma Shri</keyword> are women, reported the Times of India. </li><li>Boxing champion, <keyword id="56244" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="MC-Mary-Kom">MC Mary Kom</keyword> is nominated for Padma Vibhushan. </li><li>P V Sindhu, the first Indian to win gold at BWF World Championships is nominated for Padma Bhushan. </li></ul>The sports ministry has recommended nine people for Padma awards--India’s highest civilian honour — and all of them are women,<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sports-ministry-sends-9-names-for-padmas-all-women/articleshow/71088910.cms"> reported the Times of India.</a> Boxing champion, MC Mary Kom is nominated for Padma Vibhushan. The government had earlier awarded her with Padma Shri 2006 and Padma Bhushan in 2013. Further, P V Sindhu, the first Indian to win gold at BWF World Championships is nominated for Padma Bhushan. She earlier got a Padma Shri in 2015. The other seven athletes in the list are: Wrestler Vinesh Phogat, table tennis star Manika Batra, T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, hockey captain Rani Rampal, former shooter Suma Shirur and mountaineer twin sisters, Tashi and Nungshi Malik, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sports-ministry-sends-9-names-for-padmas-all-women/articleshow/71088910.cms">said the report.</a> The Indian government awarded three sportspeople with Padma Vibhushan -- Chess champion Viswanathan Anand in 2007, Sachin Tendulkar in 2008 and Sir Edmund Hillary in 2008. Sports Ministry has sent the list to Home Ministry. The government will announce the award on the upcoming Republic Day. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/a-look-back-at-pv-sindhu-journey-to-be-indias-first-badminton-world-champion/articleshow/70841055.cms">A look back at PV Sindhu journey to be India's first badminton world champion</a>

An all-women list for the highest civilian honours from India's Sports Ministry

Leaving behind the social customs of merely being labelled as good wives, home makers and mothers , <keyword id="42463" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-Women">Indian women</keyword> have time and again taken up chores essentially thought of being male-only, and proved that they are equal to their male counterparts, sometimes even better. 
 
On the occasion of International Women's Day, we bring to you the list of women who dared to step in the fields dominated by men and gave them tough challenges in terms of success and recognition. 
 
<keyword id="2109518" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Durgabai-Kamat">Durgabai Kamat</keyword> and <keyword id="2776412" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kamlabai-Gokhale">Kamlabai Gokhale</keyword> 
Known as the first female actors of Indian cinema, this mother-daughter duo is always regarded with utmost honour for breaking the stereotype of only male actors in the profession of performing arts. Starring together in Mohini Bhasmasura, the second venture of the legend Dadasaheb Phalke, they were cast as Mohini and Parvati, respectively. Both of them went on to become established actresses and their family members are still a part of the industry, veteran marathi actor Vikram Gokhale being one of them. 
 
<keyword id="121358" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karnam-Malleswari">Karnam Malleswari</keyword> 
Born in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnam is the most recognised woman Indian weightlifter. In a glorious career spanning over 10 years, she has won 11 gold and 3 silver medals, and a much-celebrated Olympic bronze in 2000 Summer Olympics. Known for her physique, skills and technique, she is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, first woman recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and also a recipient of Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. Nowadays, she runs her own academy, training others to do what she did and bring fame to the country. 
 
<keyword id="56244" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="MC-Mary-Kom">MC Mary Kom</keyword> 
Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, better known as MC Mary Kom, needs no introduction. A five-time World Boxing champion, she is the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships, a matter of sheer pride to the country. She achieved her much-awaited fame when she won the bronze medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics. A recipient of Padma Bhushan, Arjuna Award, Padma Shree, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, she has also penned down an autobiography called Unbreakable and is all set to be played by Priyanka Chopra in her biopic. 
 
<keyword id="36968" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zoya-Akhtar">Zoya Akhtar</keyword> 
Belonging to an influential family of Bollywood, with screenwriter lyricist Javed Akhtar as her father, screenwriter Honey Irani as her mother, producer-director-actor Farhan Akhtar as her brother and the talenthouse Shabana Azmi as her stepmother, it was obvious for Zoya to be a part of the industry but nobody had thought that this shy girl would one day become the most celebrated woman director of India. With critically acclaimed films like Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and Dil Dhadakne Do for her track record, she is very much a part of the young brigade of the industry. 
 
<keyword id="641463" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Premlata-Agarwal">Premlata Agarwal</keyword> 
Perhaps the most unheard name in the list, Premlata Agarwal is a mountain climber, who is mostly remembered as the oldest Indian woman to have scaled Mount Everest. Not only this, she is also the first Indian woman to scale the Seven Summits, the ultimate dream for any mountaineer. For her contributions, the Indian government facilitated her with Padma Shri in 2013. 
 
<keyword id="1801283" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ishita-Malaviya">Ishita Malaviya</keyword> 
Known as India’s first professional female surfer, Malaviya has been surfing since past 8 years. She runs a surf club with her partner Tushar Pathiyan, known as the Shaka Surf Club, in addition to this, she also runs a camp called Camp Namaloha in Coastal Karnataka in India. She wants to promote the Indian coastline as a worldwide surfing destination.

Indian women who said no to being typecast in conventional careers

World Championship medallists <keyword id="20376839" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nikhat-Zareen" source="keywords">Nikhat Zareen</keyword>, <keyword id="20376840" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lovlina-Borgohain" source="keywords">Lovlina Borgohain</keyword> and <keyword id="20420031" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nishant-Dev" source="keywords">Nishant Dev</keyword> will wade through draws that are at best tricky in their quest to achieve India's best Olympic medal tally in boxing when the competition kicks off here on Saturday. <keyword id="20287995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-boxers" source="keywords">Indian boxers</keyword> have fetched three medals in the Olympics so far, all bronze. While Vijender Singh remains the only male to have achieved the feat back in the 2008 Beijing Games, women stars MC Mary Kom (London, 2012) and Borgohain (Tokyo, 2021) later added to the overall haul. The six boxers in Paris were handed draws ranging from slippery to difficult on Thursday. Expectations are high from the group and two-time reigning world champion Zareen is at the forefront. The 28-year-old has an uphill task ahead as three of the top medal contenders in the light-flyweight (50kg) division -- China's Wu Yu, Thailand's Chuthamat Raksat and Uzbekistan's Sabina Bobokulov -- are in her half. Zareen opens her campaign against Germany's Maxi Klotzer on Sunday, following which she will meet top-seeded Asian Games and reigning flyweight world champion Wu. If Zareen crosses this hurdle, she may meet either eighth-seeded Asian Games silver medallist Raksat or Bobokulova. Both boxers have defeated the Indian recently. While Raksat got the better of Zareen at the Asian Games last year, Bobokulova beat her at the Strandja Memorial final in February. But the tenacious Hyderabadi would be up for the challenge and if she gets through two rounds, she would become a favourite for gold. The seasoned <keyword id="20499145" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amit-Panghal" source="keywords">Amit Panghal</keyword> (51kg) has had a rollercoaster of a ride this Olympic year -- from not being the first choice in his weight class in the national team to making the cut for Paris in the one and only chance he got. Time out from the national team deflated his confidence but he has unfinished business to address, having made a first-round exit in Tokyo. Panghal has received a first-round bye and meets African Games champion, Zambia's Patrick Chinyemba, who had lost to the Indian at the Commonwealth Games, in the round of 16. He faces Asian Games silver medallist Thitisan Panmod of Thailand in the quarterfinals and could potentially meet Rio Olympics and reigning world champion Hassanboy Dusmatov from Uzbekistan or Tokyo bronze-winner Kazakh Saken Bibossinov in the semifinal. The immensely talented Nishant, one of the most consistent performers in the Indian squad, has got the best draw. With a first round bye, the debutant will take on Ecuador's Rodriguez Tenorio in the pre-quarters on Thursday. If Nishant gets past Tenorio, he will meet Mexico's Pan American Games champion Merco Verde in the quarterfinals. He may come up against top seed Sewon Okazawa of Japan in the semifinals. Borgohain will be chasing history, to add to her 69kg bronze. The Assamese boxer, who has bulked up to 75kg, will clash with Norway's Sunniva Hofstad in the first round. However, Borgohain has a tough test waiting for her in the quarterfinal in the form of Chinsese Li Qian, the reigning Asian Games champion and also a two-time Olympic and world medallist. Although Borgohain defeated Qian at the world event last year, she lost in the previous two meetings -- Asian Games and the Czech Grand Prix. A win in the quarters may pit Borgohain against either fifth-seeded world silver medallist Australian Caitlin Parker or Morocco's heavyweight world champion Khadija El-Mardi. Asian Games bronze medallist Preeti Pawar (54kg), competing in her debut Games, will fight with Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh in the first round. A win will take her to the round of 16 where world silver-medallist Yeni Arias of Colombia awaits her. Another debutant Jaismine Lamboria, who has dropped from 60kg to 57kg just ahead of the final qualifier, has got perhaps the most difficult draw. She takes on Tokyo silver-medallist, former world champion Nesthy Petecio of Philippines, in her opening bout. Should she win, Jaismine would be up against France's European Games champion and world bronze winner Amina Zidani. The boxing events at the Paris Games will take place at two venues. The early rounds will be held at the North Paris Arena while the iconic Stade Roland-Garros will host the semifinals and finals.

All eyes on Nikhat, Lovlina as boxers open Olympic campaign hoping to negotiate difficult draws

World champion woman boxer and <keyword id="11932" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="olympic" source="Orion">Olympic</keyword> bronze medallist MC Mary Kom will head the government-appointed five-member <keyword id="199113" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="oversight-committee" source="Orion">Oversight Committee</keyword> for the Wrestling Federation of India (<keyword id="6437897" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="wfi" source="Orion">WFI</keyword>) which will have Olympic bronze medallist grappler <keyword id="157783" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="yogeshwar-dutt" source="Orion">Yogeshwar Dutt</keyword> and former India badminton star Trupti Murgunde as key members. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Anurag Thakur on Monday announced the composition of the Oversight Committee which will also include the former CEO of Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Capt Rajagopalan and former SAI Executive Director (Teams) Radhika Sreeman. Murgunde is a member of the government's Mission Olympic Cell member. "As I had earlier announced, the Oversight Committee will not only handle the day-to-day functioning of the WFI but also inquire into the serious allegations made by the wrestlers and submit a report," Sports Minister Anurag Thakur told the media on Monday. Thakur had on Saturday announced the formation of the Oversight Committee to handle the day-to-day activities of the WFI after a group of wrestlers led by Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dhaiya and Deepak Punia sat on a protest at the Jantar Mantar here alleging many irregularities by WFI including mismanagement of governance and sexual harassment of women grapplers by coaches and the WFI president. At the same time, the government also suspended WFI assistant secretary <keyword id="2210825" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vinod-tomar" source="Orion">Vinod Tomar</keyword>. On Monday, Thakur informed that Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been asked to cease functioning as WFI president till the inquiry by the Oversight Committee is completed and has been told not to interfere in the day-to-day functioning of the WFI. The Indian wrestlers had called off their protest late on Friday evening after a second meeting at Thakur's residence in the national capital. The meeting lasted beyond midnight, following which wrestler Bajrang Punia announced to the media that the other wrestlers are calling off the protest after assurance of action from Thakur against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The wrestlers have been staging a protest since Wednesday, accusing WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment of women wrestlers, sponsorship fund embezzlement, and athletes' mismanagement. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/full-dress-rehearsal-of-republic-day-parade-held/articleshow/97251791.cms">Full dress rehearsal of Republic Day Parade held</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/tricolour-was-hoisted-first-in-andaman-says-pm-modi-as-he-names-21-islands-after-param-vir-chakra-awardees/articleshow/97252114.cms">Tricolour was hoisted first in Andaman says PM Modi as he names 21 islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees</a>

Mary Kom to head Oversight Committee for wrestling federation; Yogeshwar, Murgunde named members

<ul><li>Kareena joins the brand’s roaster of dynamic women personalities like Adriana Lima, Selena Gomez, Cara Delevingne, Sara Ali Khan, MC Mary Kom, and Dutee Chand. </li><li>Puma’s last campaign in India was <keyword id="8238661" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Propah-Lady">Propah Lady</keyword>. It had started a conversation around redefining what a ‘proper lady’ is. It created a ripple effect on social media; women started sharing their ‘unconventional pictures,’ writing their own rules, and posing as ‘Propah Lady.’</li><li>After on-boarding Kareena Kapoor Khan, Abhishek Ganguly, General Manager, <keyword id="567332" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Puma-India">PUMA India</keyword> and Southeast Asia says the brand aims to ignite a stronger women’s narrative.</li></ul>Global sports brand PUMA has teamed up with Kareen Kapoor Khan as its brand ambassador. With this association, Kareena joins the brand’s roaster of dynamic women personalities like Adriana Lima, Selena Gomez, Cara Delevingne, Sara Ali Khan, MC Mary Kom, and Dutee Chand. Known for her dedicated fitness routine, Kareena will be the face for PUMA’s soon-to-be launched Studio Collection – a low-intensity training apparel collection perfect for Yoga, Barre, and Pilates workouts. Channelling her sartorial workout looks, the collection is sure to keep one moving from the studio to the streets with a practice in style. “What I connected most with PUMA is that they have always been pushing boundaries, encouraging women to be their unapologetic self. This resonates deeply with me because it’s something I’ve always believed in and followed for myself, whether in my personal or professional life,” said Kareena Kapoor Khan who has been brought on board as the brand ambassador. Kareena adds, “This new partnership with PUMA gives me an opportunity to connect with and encourage more women to lead a fit and healthy lifestyle. Fitness is an essential, integral part of my life and I truly enjoy it in its various forms whether its Yoga, Pilates or even just a morning walk. I’m looking forward to everything Puma and I have planned in the coming months.” Speaking about the association, Abhishek Ganguly, General Manager, PUMA India and Southeast Asia says, “Kareena personifies our philosophy ‘where the gym meets the runway’. She is not only an inspiration but is also a true embodiment of what it means for women to maintain a healthy lifestyle while donning multiple hats. We are thrilled to have her join the PUMA family. Through this association, we aim to ignite a stronger women’s narrative for the brand.” PUMA’s Studio Collection will be available from April 2020 on PUMA.com, PUMA Stores and selected retailers.

Puma tries to ignite a stronger women’s narrative by on-boarding Kareena Kapoor Khan as its latest face

New Delhi, Jul 13 () A doctor attached with the Indian boxing team on Monday tested positive for COVID-19 even as all the pugilists who have assembled for training in Patiala came out negative but stared at a possible suspension of the proposed camp due to the development. The 11 boxers, including Asian Games champion and world silver-medallist Amit Panghal, will be retested as they were at the same quarantine facility with the doctor. "Dr Amol (Patil) was in quarantine in a centre outside the main campus of national Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala. As per protocol, before he is allowed to enter main hostel and sports arena, he was given the COVID test on the 7th day (of quarantine) and tested positive," the Sports Authority of India said in a statement to when asked about the development. "He has been shifted to the state-run COVID centre. Those who are identified as primary contact will be tested tomorrow. The quarantine period for all persons staying in the same quarantine facility has been extended by one week. The centre has been sterilised as per protocol," it added. The boxers have, however, tested negative but will undergo a second round of testing on Tuesday. "Dr Patil is completely asymptomatic, not even mild symptoms are there. He will recover soon enough," said a source close to the team. Patil has been a regular in Indian boxing and travelled with the team to the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the world championships last year. The pugilists were due to start training later this month or early in August after the Boxing Federation of India got the SAI nod to conduct the national camp amid the pandemic. The conduct of the camp is currently being overseen by SAI after the Delhi High Court stayed the sports ministry's recognition to 57 national federations including the BFI. Nine Indian boxers have qualified for the Olympics, postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. They are -- Amit Panghal (52kg), Manish Kaushik (63kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg), Satish Kumar (+91kg), MC Mary Kom (51kg), Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), and Pooja Rani (75kg). Of these, Mary Kom continues to train at her home in Delhi as attending the camp was optional. As per the SAI's safety protocols for training, boxers have been barred from doing human sparring, told not to access the ring and use their personal equipment for all forms of training. They were to be offered cover for COVID-19 in their medical insurance, as per the SOP made by the BFI. The boxers and the federation also have to sign consent forms acknowledging the risk of resumption before being allowed back at the SAI centre. PM AH

Doctor with Indian boxing team tests positive for COVID-19

<ul><li>With an aim to understand what goes behind the lens and camera, Advertising and Media Insider introduces you to its video series, 'Behind The Ads.' </li><li>In our first episode, we get behind the scenes of Puma’s ‘Propah Lady’ campaign that was released last month and started a conversation around redefining what a ‘proper lady’ is. </li><li>It encouraged women to come forward, make their own rules and celebrate who they really are. </li><li>Debosmita Majumder, Head - Marketing, Puma India and Siddhi Desai, Creative Director, Digitas India told us how it all started — from a poem for Puma’s ‘Shatter’ range of shoes to a digital film that ended up getting 20 million views in less than a week.</li></ul>With an aim to understand what goes on behind the scenes, Advertising and Media Insider introduces you to its video series called 'Behind The Ads.' The video series will give you a deep insight into the behind-the-scenes of an advertisement and the entire creative process — from brainstorming, arriving on the ‘big idea’ to finally executing it. In our first episode, we look behind Puma's 'Propah Lady' campaign that broke social media with its insight into what makes a woman 'proper'. The campaign’s core narrative goes beyond breaking stereotypes and puts focus on how women are owning their stand and living unapologetically. With a fresh perspective, the fun and relatable direction aims to give women an expression to celebrate their individuality and live life through their own mantra — like a ‘Propah Lady.’ Puma partnered with Digitas to conceptualise and bring the digital campaign to life. Led and made by 90% women, this campaign also created a ripple effect on social media; women started sharing their ‘unconventional pictures,’ writing their own rules, and posing as ‘Propah Lady.’ Debosmita Majumder, Head - Marketing, Puma India and Siddhi Desai, Creative Director, Digitas India told us how it all started -- from a poem for Puma’s ‘shatter’ range of shoes to a digital film that ended up getting 20 million views in less than a week. They further revealed what is was like working with Indian Olympic boxer MC Mary Kom, International Athlete Dutee Chand, Bollywood actor Sara Ali Khan and model Anjali Lama on a single set. Let's get Behind the Ad and see how it all started in the first place: 
 <div type="Video" msid="72214381" hostid="261" title="Here's the story behind Puma’s empowering, unapologetic campaign, Propah Lady" thumbUrl="https://denmark.timesinternet.in/cmslite/api/app/images.jpg?msid=72214381"></div>

Here's the story behind Puma’s empowering, unapologetic campaign, Propah Lady

<ul><li>The Tokyo <keyword id="6360967" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="olympics">Olympics</keyword> are around the corner and brands have been coming up with campaigns around the tournament.</li><li>As the excitement continues to build up, we speak to <keyword id="156666" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Deepak-Gulati">Deepak Gulati</keyword>, Chief Marketing Officer, <keyword id="65654" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bridgestone">Bridgestone</keyword> India. The Tokyo-headquartered tyre brand, while supporting some of the biggest names from the Indian contingent, is also going deeper into the country, working with organizations that are helping athletes at the grass-root level.</li><li>He also tells us about the brand's areas of focus to ring in more growth, the pandemic's impact on its business and his biggest learnings from the last 1.5 years.</li></ul>We are finally just a few days away from the Tokyo Olympics and as people wait in anticipation, brands across categories have started rolling out their campaigns celebrating our athletes. In the past few weeks, we have seen brands tell us inspiring stories of many athletes from our contingent this year, and we are not complaining. It was in 2014 that the Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, became a <keyword id="4944880" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Worldwide-Olympic-Partner">Worldwide Olympic Partner</keyword>. In 2018, it became a <keyword id="11623885" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="worldwide-paralympic">Worldwide Paralympic</keyword> Partner. The company has global rights to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements through to 2024, a period that includes the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024. Considering this year, the games are happening in Tokyo, it is a double celebration for the brand. Bridgestone India launched its campaign, ‘Chase Your Dream’ celebrating the struggles and achievements of MC Mary Kom, <keyword id="501707" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="PV-Sindhu">PV Sindhu</keyword>, Sakshi Malik and Srikanth Kidambi. The brand has also launched a microsite (www.chaseyourdream.in) where viewers can see for themselves the challenges these sports icons overcame to reach where they are today. It also gives people a chance to tell and share the story of their struggle as they successfully chased their dreams. Recently, we caught up with Deepak Gulati, Chief Marketing Officer, Bridgestone India, where we spoke about its Olympics campaign, the importance sports marketing plays in its overall marketing strategy and how it is making its presence stronger in India. Chase Your Dream Chase Your Dream is Bridgestone’s global communication around its partnership with the Olympics. The aim of the campaign is to inspire people to overcome obstacles and persevere in pursuit of their goals. This is also part of the brand’s efforts to help create a more inclusive and sustainable society in alignment with its global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve. Throwing some more light on what the campaign will entail, Gulati said, “The campaign was first announced before the 2016 Olympic Games and it highlights the pursuit of performance that Bridgestone shares with the <keyword id="195082" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic-Movement">Olympic movement</keyword>. It honors the commitment necessary to stay the course to realize one's dream. That's the thought behind it. We are one of the top 13 global sponsors of the Olympic Games. We have translated the campaign for India by recognizing the inspirational stories of our <keyword id="6260493" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Team-Bridgestone">Team Bridgestone</keyword> athletes. We, as a brand, believe in the power of sports to motivate and encourage people to chase their dreams. And Team Bridgestone members have exhibited a lot of endurance and performance, which are key attributes of Bridgestone tyres as well, to reach where they are today and that’s the connect between the brand and our athletes.” On why sports marketing is important for the brand, Gulati said, “We firmly believe in the power of sports. We see it as one of the core ingredients to motivate people and to help them chase their dreams. The endurance and the performance required to achieve a certain level in sports marries well with the kind of attributes that are a part of our brand proposition. I also feel that the kind of sports we choose also helps us build a strong bond with our target consumers. We feel that sports has the ability to bring the best out of people and there is an insight and motivation behind each sport and each sporting personality and that helps us build a very special bond with our target consumers.” The brand is also working towards an ecosystem where it can support more athletes, and not just the ones that make it big. “Our vision is to bring the Olympic glory to the country. So while we have been working with some of the biggest names like PV Sindhu, Mary Kom, Sakshi Malik and Srikanth Kidambi, supporting them through sponsorships and training, we are also working with organizations that focus on building talent at the grass-root level. Also, in terms of our communication, while we still are a cricket-crazy nation, we are asking cricket fans to come forward and cheer for our athletes too,” he added. The Covid-19 impact While the auto industry had been witnessing a slowdown even before pandemic brought the world to a stop, things have been looking up for both the auto industry, and therefore the overall tire industry in India. The pent-up demand, and also the fact that people are giving more importance to personal mobility, has helped in recovery. On how the pandemic affected the brand in India, Gulati said, “It's been a hard time for the whole world, everyone was hit by the pandemic. We were hit too. But the way the Bridgestone team rallied together helped us come out of it. One of our core values is agility and our team responded to the situation with a lot of agility and collaboration. We were able to do the right things at the right time, and were able to come out of the crisis. The business impact it had on us would be similar to what the overall auto industry faced, the lockdown resulted in markets and our plants being closed, it hampered our production, but again, the pent-up demand when the lockdowns opened helped us make a good come-back.” According to recent figures from ratings agency ICRA, the Indian tyre industry's demand is expected to grow by 13-15% in the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) segment and 7-9% in the replacement market segment this fiscal. In line with the predications, Gulati said there has been a good demand. “Since people have been in their homes since the lockdown last year, it has led to a lot of pent-up demand for road travel. There is an increased focus on personal mobility because of concerns about public transport. All these factors have resulted in a tailwind for the industry. And since we are a key part of the industry, we've been able to support that tailwind,” he explained. On what the brand’s areas of focus will be in the future to bring in more growth, he said, “We are currently present in the PSR (consumer tyre business) and TBR (the commercial business) segments. We are a very strong player in the consumer business with a strong market position. The market is growing in India and we, being the leading player, will continue to grow in line with the mega trends as well as our own brand position. On the commercial side of the business, we are a relatively smaller player. But being a global powerhouse in this area, we have the right product propositions and the right go-to market ways to win in the segment. Thirdly, we plan to aggressively focus on mobility-centric solutions. With the global ecosystem driven by a lot of digital technologies, there is a different play happening in the overall mobility ecosystem and Bridgestone will be a key player in this ecosystem.” Learnings from the pandemic The pandemic brought with it a lot of lessons. It has changed the way we buy, consume, and communicate and the way we conduct business. Empathy has been a key to most businesses and one of the biggest learnings for leaders across the world. On what the last 1.5 years has taught him, both as a marketer and as a normal person, Gulati said, “Before a marketer, we are all human beings. So as a human being, this experience made us realize the value of being in the present, the value of your friends and family, and the value of having those human relationships which come to the fore at this time. Secondly, such times of crisis ask for a huge amount of empathy in anything and everything you do, be it in your marketing, or your interactions with your colleagues and customers. Empathy is the best way to connect. The unprecedented nature of the pandemic also made us realize the value of health and mental well-being. As a marketer, ensuring we had an open and constant communication with all our stakeholders was very important. It also taught us the importance of agility. You need to work towards making sure that you are ready for the future, that you can pivot quickly during a crisis like this.”

Our long-term vision is to support talent from grass-root levels and bring more Olympic glory to India: Deepak Gulati, Bridgestone India

The first poster of Omang Kumar’s upcoming movie Sarbjit was launched in the national capital yesterday. The event was attended by actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who plays Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur in the movie, along with Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah, eminent politicians from BJP. 
 
First, it was <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Randeep-Hoodas-transformation-for-Sarbjit-would-give-Christian-Bale-some-tough-competition/articleshow/50867953.cms">Randeep Hooda’s look in the movie</a> that had created news, because apparently, Hooda had lost 18kgs for his role in just 28 days. And now, Aishwarya’s de-glam avatar in the movie is creating a stir in the industry, as she looks desolate and yet determined to get her brother back. 
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en">
	
		Presenting the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SarbjitPoster?src=hash">#SarbjitPoster</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RandeepHooda">@RandeepHooda</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AishwaryaRaiBachchan?src=hash">#AishwaryaRaiBachchan</a> produced by Bhushan Kumar T-Series Films <a href="https://t.co/ZrMPFw2yUC">pic.twitter.com/ZrMPFw2yUC</a>
	— TSeries (@TSeries) <a href="https://twitter.com/TSeries/status/704335167196794883">February 29, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
The poster shows Rai in spectacles and sporting gray hair, while in the background, we can see Hooda, as Sarbjit, in the prison waiting for justice. 
 The movie has been directed by Mary Kom fame Omang Kumar, and also stars <keyword id="6366549" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Richa-Chadda">Richa Chadda</keyword>, last seen in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Yearender-2015-Best-Bollywood-posters/Masaan/slideshow/50390656.cms">Masaan</a>, as Sarbjit’s wife. 
 
A few months back, a few images showing Aishwarya as Dalbir Kaur had leaked online, but those pics couldn’t give us a clear idea of what her character would be like. Guess, a clear picture is worth more than a thousand words. 
 
Talking of the resemblance that her character from Sarbjit bears to the real Dalbir Kaur, we didn’t find much satisfaction there, and coming from <keyword id="1193899" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Omung-Kumar">Omung Kumar</keyword>, who had successfully transformed Priyanka Chopra into a girl from Mongolian face for playing <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Mary-Kom-Delivers-A-Big-Punch/articleshow/42041970.cms">MC Mary Kom in her biopic</a>, this is a bit disappointing. 
 
Here is how Dalbir Kaur actually looks like. 
 
 
 
Let’s hope that even though her character is not made to look like the real Dalbir Kaur, Aishwarya does justice to her role and we get to see the pain that Dalbir Kaur went through via her expressions. 
 
<a href="http://quintype-01.imgix.net/thequint%2F2015-06%2Fbdf8a8b5-8176-4a2f-b65a-16bb3cadfbd6%2FDalbir.jpg?auto=format&amp;q=60&amp;w=976">Image source</a>

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has never looked so visibly depressed before

Leaving behind the social customs of merely being labelled as good wives, home makers and mothers , Indian women have time and again taken up chores essentially thought of being male-only, and proved that they are equal to their male counterparts, sometimes even better. 
 
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we bring to you the list of women who dared to step in the fields dominated by men and gave them tough challenges in terms of success and recognition. 
 
Durgabai Kamat and Kamlabai Gokhale 
Known as the first female actors of Indian cinema, this mother-daughter duo is always regarded with utmost honour for breaking the stereotype of only male actors in the profession of performing arts. Starring together in Mohini Bhasmasura, the second venture of the legend <keyword id="6410992" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Dadasaheb-Phalke">Dadasaheb Phalke</keyword>, they were cast as Mohini and Parvati, respectively. Both of them went on to become established actresses and their family members are still a part of the industry, veteran marathi actor Vikram Gokhale being one of them. 
 
<keyword id="121358" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Karnam-Malleswari">Karnam Malleswari</keyword> Born in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, Karnam is the most recognised woman Indian weightlifter. In a glorious career spanning over 10 years, she has won 11 gold and 3 silver medals, and a much-celebrated Olympic bronze in 2000 Summer Olympics. Known for her physique, skills and technique, she is the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal, first woman recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and also a recipient of <keyword id="25105" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Padma-Shri">Padma Shri</keyword> and Arjuna Award. Nowadays, she runs her own academy, training others to do what she did and bring fame to the country. 
 
MC <keyword id="47387" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Mary-Kom">Mary Kom</keyword> Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, better known as MC Mary Kom, needs no introduction. A five-time World Boxing champion, she is the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships, a matter of sheer pride to the country. She achieved her much-awaited fame when she won the bronze medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics. A recipient of Padma Bhushan, Arjuna Award, Padma Shree, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, she has also penned down an autobiography called Unbreakable and is all set to be played by <keyword id="1655" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Priyanka-Chopra">Priyanka Chopra</keyword> in her biopic. 
 
<keyword id="36968" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Zoya-Akhtar">Zoya Akhtar</keyword> Belonging to an influential family of <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>, with screenwriter lyricist Javed Akhtar as her father, screenwriter Honey Irani as her mother, producer-director-actor <keyword id="5015" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Farhan-Akhtar">Farhan Akhtar</keyword> as her brother and the talenthouse Shabana Azmi as her stepmother, it was obvious for Zoya to be a part of the industry but nobody had thought that this shy girl would one day become the most celebrated woman director of India. With critically acclaimed films like Luck By Chance and <keyword id="6373898" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara">Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara</keyword> for her track record, she is very much a part of the young brigade of the industry. 
 
Premlata Agarwal 
Perhaps the most unheard name in the list, Premlata Agarwal is a mountain climber, who is mostly remembered as the oldest Indian woman to have scaled Mount Everest. Not only this, she is also the first Indian woman to scale the Seven Summits, the ultimate dream for any mountaineer. For her contributions, the Indian government facilitated her with Padma Shri in 2013.

Indian
Women With Offbeat Careers

While we all should be celebrating woman and womanhood every day, we all do it wholeheartedly on 8th March—the date which is marked as the International Women’s Day in all calendars. Maybe, it is just our way of reminding ourselves again and again that every home, every heart, every feeling, every moment of happiness is incomplete without her presence. Saying that every field is incomplete without ‘her’ won’t be an exaggeration. 
 So, as the Women’s Day nears, we decided to celebrate this special occasion with <keyword id="69300" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="nike">Nike</keyword>’s <keyword id="6356028" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sports">sports</keyword> divas, and share their <keyword id="2754483" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="bleed-blue-stories">bleed blue stories</keyword> with you. Here we go! 
 
1. Anisha Padukone, Golfer 
 The 24-year-old golfer, and younger sister of Bollywood actress <keyword id="598" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Deepika-Padukone">Deepika Padukone</keyword>, is working hard to bag an Olympic gold medal. Hailing from a family of sports persons, Anisha chose sports as her career when she was only ten. She says, ““I decided I was going to be an athlete when I was ten. And after playing multiple sports at various levels, I knew golf was the one I would play for the rest of my life. It made me want to prove myself today and then go out and prove myself tomorrow, the next day and the next. That is how I #bleedblue.” 
 ​ 
2. Jyoti Ann Burrett, Footballer 
 This Delhi girl holds a Masters degree in Sports and Health Science from England’s <keyword id="172203" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="University-of-Exeter">University of Exeter</keyword>, but the 25-year-old chose to represent India in football over a lucrative corporate career. Her reasons were simple: the feeling of pride and joy of representing India. “I remember clearly when I scored my first goal for India. That was a moment of personal triumph. Triumph and winning have taught me to enjoy the high, but also that it is temporary. It’s easy to reach a high and then vanish. Being consistent is what’s hard. That is how I’m going to #bleedblue,” she revealed. 
 ​ 
3. Nengneihat Kom, Boxer 
 The 19-year-old boxer is a product of five-time world champion MC <keyword id="47387" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mary-Kom">Mary Kom</keyword>'s academy in Manipur. This young woman has shown great potential and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her idol and coach and believes there are no shortcuts to success. She says, “There are no shortcuts. You have to work very hard to succeed. I give my 100% for my country whenever I am in the ring. The same as what our cricketers do when they’re on the field. The opportunities are immense. Sport can give you the chance to represent your country internationally and make your country proud. The fact that I am representing my country drives me. Representing my country - that’s what #BleedBlue means to me.” 
 ​ 
4. Shubhlakshmi Sharma, Cricketer 
 
Born in 1989, Shubhlakshmi Sharma is an all-rounder Indian cicketer. This right-hand batswoman and right-arm medium bowler love for cricket has no bounds and says, “When I wear the India national team jersey, I feel happy. I step onto the pitch feeling proud. There is pressure, but when I take the ball and begin bowling, it all just disappears. That is how I #bleedblue.” 
 
5.Dhanu Saini, Dentist &amp; Sportswoman 
 
A student of Mahatma Gandhi Dental College and Hospital, Jaipur, Dhanu is a gymnast and a volley ball player. While she is someone who corrects people’s smiles, her own face lightens up only when she indulges into her favourite sports. She says, “I’ve been a gymnast and volley ball player since I was a child. Being a female athlete all through my life has always had its share of struggles and challenges, but sport taught me to deal with them, on and off the field. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Sport has given me the strength to face it all. That’s how I #bleedblue.”

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