Tag: allycaral

TechPulse

Godrej Reimagines India’s First Refrigerator for Design-Forward Modern Homes

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

As Indian homes increasingly become extensions of personal style, consumers are seeking appliances that balance aesthetics with innovation and everyday convenience. Responding to this shift, the Appliances business of Godrej Enterprises Group has introduced the Eon Inspire and Edge Impress range of frost-free and direct cool refrigerators—reimagining one of the most essential household appliances as a design statement for contemporary living spaces.

Rooted in the brand’s legacy of manufacturing India’s first refrigerator in 1958, the new range pays subtle homage to this milestone through its seamless fluid curved door design. Moving away from conventional straight lines and standard forms, the refrigerators feature a minimalist yet visually striking silhouette that enhances the overall harmony of modern interiors. Floral motifs inspired by nature add a sense of freshness, while a thoughtfully curated colour palette allows consumers to choose models that reflect their personality and complement diverse home décors.

Available in capacities ranging from 194 litres to 330 litres, the Eon Inspire and Edge Impress range blends visual appeal with advanced technology. A key highlight is India’s first direct cool refrigerator with touch controls integrated into the door handle. This industry-first feature introduces a handle-mounted digital control panel that is water-resistant, intuitive, and seamlessly built into the design, enabling users to adjust temperatures and activate modes without opening the refrigerator.

Speaking about the launch, Anup Bhargava, Product Group Head – Refrigerators at the Appliances business of Godrej Enterprises Group, said the focus was on simplifying everyday life through thoughtful innovation. He noted that from easy-to-use controls to features that adapt to changing needs, the refrigerators are designed to deliver smarter cooling and a seamless user experience for modern households.

Echoing this sentiment, Kamal Pandit, Head of Design at the Appliances business of Godrej Enterprises Group, highlighted that today’s consumers want appliances that look good, feel contemporary, and enhance ease of use. By revisiting the essence of Godrej’s first refrigerator and reimagining it for today’s homes, the design team aimed to create products that are minimalistic, display-worthy, and technologically intuitive.

Priced between ₹29,000 and ₹56,000, the Eon Inspire and Edge Impress range will be available across leading e-commerce platforms and pan-India retail stores. With this launch, Godrej continues to reinforce its philosophy of ‘Things Made Thoughtfully,’ combining human-centric and planet-centric design while shaping appliances that align with evolving lifestyles and design-conscious homes.

Travel

Music-Led Travel Is Reshaping How Gen Z Explores India, Airbnb Insights Reveal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Music is fast becoming a defining force behind how India’s Gen Z travels, with live concerts and festivals now shaping not just where young people go, but how they experience destinations. According to Airbnb’s Experience-Led Travel Insights, nearly 62 percent of Gen Z travelers in India plan to travel specifically for concerts and music festivals in 2026, signalling a significant shift in travel motivation.

Live events are also influencing first-time visits to cities. An overwhelming 76 percent of Gen Z respondents said they had travelled to a city for the first time because of a concert or festival, turning music into a gateway for discovery. For many, the journey extends well beyond the event itself. While 65 percent prefer accommodation close to concert venues, more than half use the opportunity to explore local cafés, nightlife spots, and surrounding neighbourhoods, contributing directly to local economies.

Group travel plays a central role in this trend. Around 70 percent of Gen Z concert-goers attend live events with friends, reinforcing the social nature of music-led travel. These trips are carefully planned lifestyle choices rather than impulsive getaways. Nearly six in ten Gen Z travelers are willing to spend between 21 and 40 percent of their monthly income on event-led travel, with the average spend per journey estimated at ₹51,000. The appetite for global experiences is also growing, with over 40 percent open to travelling internationally for live music events.

Commenting on this shift, Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, noted that the rising interest in concerts and festivals has given rise to a new kind of traveler—one who views music as a lens through which to discover destinations. He highlighted how concert tourism is opening up neighbourhoods and communities to young travelers, creating meaningful local impact while driving demand for group-friendly stays that encourage shared experiences.

Reflecting this momentum, Airbnb has entered its first-ever global live music partnership by collaborating with Lollapalooza India. As part of the association, the platform will offer fans unique stays and experiences during the 2026 edition of the festival, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on January 24 and 25. The partnership underscores how deeply music and travel are now intertwined for Gen Z, marking a cultural shift where playlists, passports, and purpose increasingly move in sync.

Human Interest

Fifty Years, Three Continents: The Fernandes Family’s Remarkable Return to Divar

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

For the Fernandes family of St. Mathias, Divar, January 3 holds a meaning far deeper than a date on the calendar. It is a marker of movement, memory, and a lifelong commitment to Goa’s cultural soul. The day is the birthday of Genevieve Fernandes, the eldest daughter of family matriarch Antonetta Fernandes, and it also commemorates January 3, 1976—the day Antonetta travelled from Santa Cruz airport in Bombay to London with her six children to join her husband, the late Bernard Fernandes.

At a time when overseas migration meant uncertainty and sacrifice, Antonetta’s decision required courage and resolve. This, however, was not her first transcontinental journey. Nearly a decade earlier, in 1967, she had sailed from Mombasa, Kenya, to Marmagao, Goa, navigating life across continents long before such mobility became common among Goan families.

The family later settled in Leicester in the United Kingdom, where Antonetta raised six children while remaining deeply connected to the Goan diaspora. She was actively involved in organising tiatr performances and cultural programmes, and ensured her children participated in the Scouts and Guides movement, grounding them in discipline, service, and cultural pride.

Recalling those years, her eldest son Marius Fernandes speaks of values passed down quietly but firmly. He remembers his mother insisting that wherever one lives, one must give something back—especially one’s culture. Even far from Goa, the family was never allowed to forget who they were or where they came from.

Marius went on to work with British Telecom, building a stable life in the UK, but the connection to Goa never faded. In 2000, he returned to Goa with his family, followed soon after by his parents, completing a journey that spanned Kenya, Goa, the United Kingdom, and finally, a return home.

Back in Goa, Marius Fernandes—now widely known as Festakar—channelled his global experiences into cultural action. Over the years, he has played a key role in organising 104 festivals across the state, from intimate village celebrations to large-scale cultural showcases highlighting Goan music, art, heritage, and local talent. For him, festivals were never just about size or spectacle, but about giving villages confidence, offering Goan artistes a platform, and reclaiming public spaces for culture.

Reflecting on his journey, Fernandes sees migration as deeply connected to his cultural mission. Living abroad, he says, teaches one the true value of what was left behind. Returning to Goa was not about slowing down but about responsibility—towards people, culture, and community.

At the heart of this story stands 94-year-old Antonetta Fernandes, whose quiet strength shaped the lives of her children. Looking back at her extraordinary journey today, her words remain simple and deeply Goan. She speaks of celebrating the move to the UK, but more importantly, of celebrating the return to Goa to live a sussegado life.

Fifty years on, the Fernandes family story is not just about migration across continents. It is about adaptability, cultural continuity, and the enduring idea of home—proof that no matter how far one travels, some journeys are always meant to end where they began.

Films

Childhood Era Comes to an End as Doraemon Officially Exits RCTI After 37 Years

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

After an extraordinary 37-year run, Doraemon has officially ended its broadcast on Indonesian television network RCTI, bringing an emotional close to a chapter that shaped the childhoods of multiple generations. First airing in 1989, the iconic Japanese anime quickly became a household staple, accompanying viewers through school days, weekends, and family evenings for nearly four decades.

The absence of Doraemon from RCTI’s programming schedule was noticed by viewers in late 2025 and early 2026, with the show no longer appearing on the channel’s traditional time slots or digital platform. Though no formal announcement was initially made, the removal confirmed what many fans feared — the beloved series had quietly exited one of its longest-running broadcast homes.

For millions, Doraemon was far more than an animated show. Through the friendship between Doraemon and Nobita, and the imaginative gadgets pulled from the robot cat’s four-dimensional pocket, the series delivered humor, emotional depth, and gentle life lessons. Its stories transcended age, language, and time, making it one of the most culturally influential animated series in Asian television history.

The end of Doraemon on RCTI also reflects a broader shift in media consumption. As audiences increasingly move toward streaming platforms and digital content, traditional television schedules continue to evolve, even for legacy programs with deep emotional resonance. While Doraemon continues to live on through other platforms, films, and global broadcasts, its departure from RCTI marks the end of an era that defined childhood for generations in Indonesia.

Though the screen may have gone quiet, the memories of Doraemon, Nobita, and their adventures remain timeless — reminding viewers that while broadcasts may end, stories that shape our growing years never truly fade.

Social

Canara Robeco AMC Launches ‘Nivesh Bus Yatra’ Across Maharashtra and Goa to Educate Investors

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Canara Robeco Asset Management Company Limited, the investment manager to Canara Robeco Mutual Fund and India’s second-oldest mutual fund house, has launched the ‘Nivesh Bus Yatra’ across Maharashtra and Goa to promote investor education and financial literacy. The initiative aims to simplify mutual fund investing, clear common misconceptions, and encourage long-term wealth creation by directly engaging with communities.

The Nivesh Bus Yatra will operate through two dedicated routes across Maharashtra before concluding in Goa. One bus commenced its journey from Pune, covering key cities including Nashik, Aurangabad, Jalna, Akola, and Nagpur, while the second bus began from Kolhapur, travelling through Ratnagiri, Kankavli, Kudal, and Sawantwadi before reaching Goa. The buses will visit prominent community locations, allowing residents to interact with experts and gain practical insights into mutual fund investments.

Speaking on the initiative, Rajnish Narula, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Canara Robeco AMC, highlighted the importance of informed investing in today’s evolving financial landscape. He stated that an informed investor not only makes better financial decisions but also contributes to strengthening the broader financial ecosystem. He added that the Nivesh Bus Yatra is designed to take financial education directly to people, making investment knowledge accessible, actionable, and relevant to everyday life.

Gaurav Goyal, Head – Sales & Marketing at Canara Robeco AMC, emphasised that the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to empowering investors through practical and community-focused education. He noted that by engaging investors in their own environments, the initiative aims to simplify investing concepts, address doubts, and encourage disciplined, long-term financial planning.

Through interactive sessions, simple demonstrations, and digital tools, the Nivesh Bus Yatra seeks to build investor confidence and promote responsible investing habits. The initiative reinforces Canara Robeco AMC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen financial inclusion and investor awareness across emerging and underserved regions in India.