CHENNAI PLUS

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME ) continued its flagship International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE) India 2025, the world’s largest mechanical engineering congress, hosted for the first time in Hyderabad . The event has spotlighted India’s leadership in engineering and innovation, with thought-provoking keynotes, policy dialogues. The event also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) between ASME & ICT Academy of Kerala, aimed at strengthening collaboration in research, education, and advanced manufacturing. Featuring keynotes and insights from distinguished leaders, including Dr. Shanmuga Sundaram , Congress Vice Chair, IMECE India 2025 ; Dr. Lester K. Su , President, ASME; Hon. Chief Guest - Shri Srinivas Kondapalli, Minister, MSME, SERP, and NRI Empowerment & Relations, Government of Andhra Pradesh , IMECE 2025, Shri Tammireddy Sivasankara Rao, Andhra Pradesh MSME DC Chairman and Mr. Pawan Kumar Cha...

Tamil Nadu forest department,  announced the trailer release of “Wild Tamil Nadu”, a pioneering wildlife documentary that captures the State’s breathtaking natural diversity. Unveiled at Taj Connemara, Chennai, this CSR initiative produced by Sundram Fasteners, Directed by Mr. Kalyan Varma, Nature inFocus and supported by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, aims to foster pride and conservation awareness among viewers. Mist rolls down the Ghats as waterfalls echo through the valleys. In untouched forests, elephants gather at riversides, while leopards travel silently across ridgelines. Flocks of flamingos ascend from sunlit wetlands, their pink wings shimmering against the sky, and fireflies transform the night into a constellation. These glimpses are featured in the “Wild Tamil Nadu” trailer, previewing a full documentary that is set to premier in Chennai and then travels to major cities and international film festivals. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Kalyan Varma, the hou...

In a step toward reaffirming its status as India’s premier protection destination for car owners, ACKO has launched a highly anticipated brand campaign featuring two of the country’s most loved and trusted stars -  MS Dhoni  and  R Madhavan , for the very first time. The films, directed by the renowned film director and screenwriter, Vasan Bala , also feature the popular creator  Viraj Ghelani , blending humor, action, and real-life driving scenarios to showcase ACKO’s promise of making sure that your car’s action never stops. Conceptualised by Leo Burnett , the campaign highlights ACKO’s promise of being a true end-to-end insurance and car-care partner. To bring this alive, the film reimagines everyday driving challenges in a larger-than-life, action-packed manner where ACKO is always by your side, ensuring that it is your ‘ C ar ka Action hero’ . Sharing his views about being part of a first-of-its-kind role in a brand campaign,  MS Dhoni, Investor &...

ITC Candyman , the beloved confectionery brand known for its playful spirit, vibrant flavours, and mischievous charm, has unveiled a truly unique initiative for children – ‘Once Upon a Time by Candyman.’ With this innovative platform, ITC Candyman aims to set a new benchmark for immersive, child-centric brand experiences in India. In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, parents often struggle to find meaningful ways to engage with their children. With this initiative, the brand aims to build stronger bond between parents and children blending creativity with digital innovation. ‘ Once Upon a Time by Candyman’ , allows a parent to create personalised storybooks featuring their child’s name, picture, and a starring role in delightfully illustrated tales. Accessible to everyone via the Candyman club website, parents can choose from pre-set,stories brimming with lovable mischief and epic adventures. With just a few clicks, a child’s name and photo are seamlessly woven into the stor...

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has appointed  Gaurav Laghate as its new Head of PR and Corporate Communications , effective September 2025. In this role, he will lead the Company’s communications strategy, with a focus on enhancing SPNI’s corporate reputation and stakeholder engagement across businesses. He will report directly to Gaurav Banerjee, MD &CEO, SPNI.   With over 17-years of experience in journalism, Gaurav has a proven track record of shaping high-impact narratives and will bring a wealth of industry insight and strategic direction toSPNI. Prior to his appointment, he was Senior Editor and Head of the Consumer Bureau at Mint, where he extensively covered the media and entertainment sector spanning linear and OTT platforms along with covering regulatory affairs and the advertising sector. With his deep understanding of the industry,Gaurav is well positioned to shape the narrative for the Company in a fast-evolving media landscape.   During his jou...

Pilgrimage travel is emerging as one of the fast-growing segments of India’s travel and tourism industry. According to MakeMyTrip’s Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25*, accommodation bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations grew by 19% in FY24-25.   The pilgrimage travel trends highlight broad-based momentum, with 34 destinations recording double-digit growth and 15 destinations growing by over 25%, underscoring how spiritual journeys are becoming a powerful driver of travel demand.   The breadth of growth across pilgrimage destinations can be seen in centres such as Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Puri (Odisha), Amritsar (Punjab) and Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), which continue to grow. At the same time, places like Khatushyam Ji (Rajasthan), Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) and Thiruchendur (Tamil Nadu) are also registering strong momentum, reflecting the widening canvas of spiritual travel in the country.   The strong growth ...