Makers of Tech-Enabled Educational toys takes innovative ways of understanding concepts around Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) to the First World

Smartivity Labs, India’s leading edu-tech start up with a focus on delivering play-filled STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, (Arts) and Math) learning through tech-enabled toys and activities, has expanded its horizons to discerning and demanding global markets like USA, Australia, Spain and Portugal, among others.

Since its inception in 2015, Smartivity has emerged as the most loved and trusted brand of over 500,000 children and their parents in India, through its innovative educational toys and activities, enabling them to understand concepts around STEM in a hands-on, engagement-driven, play-filled manner. Their portfolio spans the entire physical - digital spectrum including STEM educational DIY toys made from recycled wood, Augmented Reality enabled activities, Virtual Reality learning experiences, Robotics and IoT games.  Ensuring safety for children Smartivity produces toys that are environment friendly and made from recycled wood and cater to children between 3 to 14 years of age group.

Conceived and produced by a team of passionate designers from India’s premier technology and design schools like IITs, NID, NIFT and J J School of Art, Smartivity is working to make a difference to education through innovative technologies. Smartivity products are designed to provide digital native children with physical activities that are extended to digital world.

Speaking on the announcement Mr. Tushar Amin Co-founder Smartivity said, "We believe that the future will be shaped by those who have a thorough understanding of STEM subjects. At the heart of every Smartivity offering are our core beliefs that experiential, playful 'smarter learning' is the best antidote to rote learning; that the right balance of analytical, practical and creative skills is critical for real world success; and that, every child should experience the joy and pride of making things with their own hands. Our innovative toys and activities bridge the physical and digital worlds. We are happy to expand our horizons and take this global.” 

Today Smartivity is available across all large format & online stores across India and also has a tie up with leading international retail store Hamleys. In 2015, Smartivity raised US $1 million in a pre-Series-A round of funding from VC funds, led by India's largest textbook publishing firm S Chand. They are in talks with investment firms for next round of funding.

Through its innovative portfolio that combines physical activity with technological innovations, Smartivity is emerging as the favourite brand of STEM educational toys for parents and children across the world.

About Smartivity: Pioneers of Augmented Reality activities for children and designers of the most unique, cool and world-class S.T.E.M. learning based educational D.I.Y. Toys for children between 3 to 14 years of age, Smartivity Labs is driven by the mission to make learning "smarter" for children. Smartivity designs toys, engagement activities and playful learning tools that serve as the bridge between the physical and the digital worlds for children. From S.T.E.M. learning based Educational D.I.Y. Toys to Augmented Reality enabled activities to Robotics to Internet of Things, every Smartivity product is designed to thrill, delight and impart fundamental learning to your child.

INDIA'S MOST FAMOUS CHAIN OF CHOCOLATE CAFÉ, THE CHOCOLATE ROOM LAUNCHES THIER 5th STORE IN BANGALORE

India’s distinctive boutique café, The Chocolate Room launched its much awaited 5th store in Bangalore, center of India's high-tech industry. The new store is located in HSR Layout, relatively new suburb located in south-east Bengaluru. Seen gracing the grand launch was Indian Paralympic swimmer from Bangalore, Mr. Sharath Gayakwad. 

The store is renowned for being a specialist chocolate indulgence café, offering customers a unique chocolate experience. For over 10 years India’s most famous chain of chocolate café is delighting its customers with irresistible treats and has been creating a new wave of chocolate culture worldwide. The Chocolate Room store has completed 10 years in the industry and is one of the most loved cafes in India. 

Speaking at the launch of the store, Mr. L.C. Kumar, Managing Director, The Chocolate Room said, “The launch of our second Bangalore outlet marks the 10th anniversary of The Chocolate Room. Since past 10 years, we have endeavored to create an unmatched chocolate experience. Today with over 240+ stores spread across geographies we are extremely pleased to have received an immense response by chocolate lovers across the globe. We aim to open another 10 more stores in Bangalore by end of 2018 and another 260 stores by end of 2020 to reach 500 stores mark pan India.” 

A treat for all foodies from all age groups, The Chocolate Room is an ideal café for everyone with a passion for not only chocolate but also mouthwatering offerings such as Mexican Bells, Fusion Sandwiches, Burgers, Mouth Watering Pancakes, Frozen Coffee, Fruit Frappers, Chocktails, Side Serves, Sundaes, Colada, Iced Tea, Waffle Wonders, Affogato, Pastries & Desserts to name a few. 

About The Chocolate Room:

The Chocolate Room India Pvt. Ltd. entered the Indian Market in 2007 and is now on an expansion spree with over 242 stores with 250+ variety of food product at stores across the country.

The Chocolate Room is present Pan India across 63 cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, Gurgaon, Lucknow, New Delhi, Pune, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam and many more. Having been recognized by The Times of India, Times Food award in the category of Best Dessert for the year 2009 & 2011. Additionally in 2012, it was ranked among the organization that provide top 100 franchise opportunities and received Indian Power Brand and The Rising Star award in 2012. In 2014, The Chocolate Room was awarded with the Indian Restaurant Award 2014 for best regional café of the month, and in 2015, it was recognized as Café Franchisor of the year. Recently the café has been awarded as “Fastest Growing Café Chain 2017 by 94.3MY FM”.

Actor Tarun Khurana to support the campaign ‘Rally for Rivers’

Television Actor Tarun Khurana who is popularly known for his roles in ‘Ghumrah’  ‘ Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya ‘ & Savdhaan India  won the hearts of many and made his fans head over heels with his latest show Chandra Nandini on Star Plus.

The young and talented actor along with many other celebrities  supported  the campaign ‘Rally for Rivers’ . Rally for Rivers is a nation-wide campaign of Isha Foundation — founded by spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev — to save rivers in the country . The rally began on 3rd September and will end on 2nd october covering 23 states to create awareness on the issue.

To support the cause students across various colleges such an NM , UPG have organized a event called ' Cyclython'  promoting fitness through this event. Television actor Tarun Khurana along with many other celebrities will be a part of this event bringing enthusiatic  youngsters across the city  together making this event a successful one. The money collected out of this event will be donated to the cause.

Tarun mentioned,”  The initiative taken by the Isha Foundation to save rivers is one of the best campaign held  by far. Its  amazing how  students across various colleges are out there supporting such a great cause..its amazing to see such an enthusiastic crowd and I would like to wish the team all the very best  for the rally and hope they get wonderful success for this amazing intiative".

Feel The Other Side of Cinema with &Privé HD - Channel to go live on 24th September, 2017 at 1 pm

Discerning cinema lovers are in for a treat as Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL) announced the launch of its premium English movie channel - &Privé HD. The channel is specially designed for those who venture into the depths of cinema, who crave for the alternate…who feel the other side! &Privé will go LIVE across major DTH HD platforms on September 24th at 1 pm with the premiere of 2017’s Oscar winning movie, Moonlight.

With an aim to drive conversations around fine cinema and its nuances, &Privé held a grand launch at Royal Opera House, Mumbai which saw some of India’s most celebrated non-conformist film personalities -  actors Vidya Balan and Konkona Sen Sharma along with film-maker Vishal Bhardwaj and producer Manish Mundra come together to celebrate ‘The Other Side’ of cinema. Moderated by Samar Khan, the panel discussion witnessed these artists share their cinematic journey as they revealed the movies and artists who had a deep impact on their craft. It also brought to the fore an interesting perspective on movies like Moonlight, Jackie and Pele, amongst others, as how they have showcased multiple layers of emotions compelling cinema lovers to unravel each layer and feel the soul of the movies.

Derived from the French word Privé which means a personal or private place, &Privé promises to become your personal favourite destination for fine cinema. The channel will showcase premieres of award winning films such as Jackie, Arrival, Lion, The Founder and Pele to name a few. The channel will celebrate fine cinema with two properties, ‘True Side’ and ‘100 Sides at 9’. ‘100 Sides at 9’ will present viewers with 100 days of unmissable cinema, highlighting the 100 different sides of films at 9 pm every day. The ‘True Side’ property will bring to life the captivating real-life stories and biographies of some of the most inspiring individuals every Saturday at 11:00pm. &Privé HD will be premiering 40 critically acclaimed films and have 350 celebrated titles in their line-up. 

Speaking about the launch, Punit Misra, CEO – Domestic Broadcast, ZEEL, said, “For audiences who have a mind of their own, who chart their own path and take the road less travelled, we are proud to present &Privé HD. It’s a premium destination especially created for these non-conformists who aren't happy with just scratching the surface of movies, but love to dive deeper into their souls those who go beyond the obvious and feel the other side. The brilliantly curated library boasts of movies with multiple layers that will stay with you. We are confident that &Privé will find a place in the hearts of our free-thinking discerning viewers.” 

Powerhouse performer Vidya Balan shared, “There were two things which appealed greatly to me when I heard about &Prive – First, the concept and ideology on which the channel was based and second being, the challenge they were addressing by targeting the mindset of the audience. Movies like Moonlight, which is a personal favourite, pushes viewers to be more accepting of people’s upbringing and sexual preferences. These movies will make you ‘feel the other side’ of the characters themselves and that’s what I think &Prive HD is all about.” 

The talented Konkona Sen Sharma said, “It's high time that a channel like this was created! As an actor, I feel our job is to not just entertain but to push the boundaries of emotion to a deeper level. Films like Moonlight and Lion do that, they open doors to new possibilities, new cinema. I applaud Zee for creating this much-needed space.” 

Film-maker Vishal Bhardwaj shared, “I think it is a great initiative by Zee to launch a channel like this. &Privé has a fantastic line up of titles, some of them being my personal favourites! With the experience that I have in film making, I can assure that the movies which will be showcased are not just films, they are works of art. They cater both to your rational and emotional side and will truly make you ‘feel the other side’ of cinema. It’s something I personally try to do through my movies and I am glad the Indian audiences are getting a chance to experience this at their homes now, thanks to &Privé.” 

With channel partners Fiama and Vaseline, &Privé HD will ensure that Indian viewers are treated to the fine cinema through collaborations with two of the biggest studios in Hollywood – Sony Pictures and Paramount. 

So, get set to indulge the non-conformist in you with riveting cinema and an unforgettable experience with &Privé HD starting 24th September at 1:00pm

Nagpada Godmother’s Grandkids To Feature In ‘Haseena Parkar’

Shraddha Kapoor will essay the role of dreaded don Dawood Ibrahim’s sister Haseena Aapa in Apoorva Lakhia’s upcoming film ‘Haseena Parkar’ and we have learned that the film also features actual grandkids of the real Haseena Parkar, who was referred to as the ‘Godmother of Nagpada’. 

Confirming the same, director Apoorva Lakhia said, “The story spans across 40 years. So, we needed 17 kids to portray various stages of Haseena — from a newborn to the age of 25. While casting, I realized that some of Haseena's grandchildren fit that age bracket. That's how they ended up in the film." ‘Haseena Parkar’ has six of Haseena's grandchildren playing the various ages of the protagonist, essayed by Shraddha. 

Swiss Entertainment presents Apoorva Lakhia's Haseena Parkar, co-produced by Sameer Antulay and Babu Tyagi and produced by Nahid Khan starring Shraddha Kapoor, Siddhanth Kapoor and Ankur Bhatia is set to release on 22nd September 2017.