Udaan | Business Upturn

Urban Company report reveals two-wheeler ownership boosts women’s earnings by 14%

Yash Agarwal — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:00:04 +0000

Urban Company has released its ‘Ride to Rise’ report, highlighting the impact of its Udaan initiative, which has significantly enhanced earning opportunities for women service professionals by providing access to independent mobility. The initiative has empowered approximately 1,800 women, with over 1,100 trained to ride and more than 700 purchasing two-wheelers.

The report underscores that mobility is a critical factor affecting women’s income growth. Without personal transport, women face increased travel costs, reduced flexibility, and limited access to peak earning hours, all of which compress productivity and earnings. The Udaan initiative addresses these challenges by building an end-to-end mobility ecosystem, encompassing training, licensing, financing, and ownership.

According to the report, women service professionals at Urban Company who own a two-wheeler earn, on average, 14% more in net monthly earnings compared to those relying on public or hired transport. This increase is attributed to faster travel between service bookings, reduced waiting times, fewer cancellations, and improved access to peak-hour demand.

Abhiraj Singh Bhal, CEO of Urban Company, commented on the report’s findings, stating, “Mobility is not just a logistical input; it is a powerful economic enabler. When women gain control over their mobility, they gain greater control over their work and time. Udaan has supported around 1,800 women service professionals, many of whom are first-time riders and borrowers. The initiative not only scales impact but also boosts confidence and independence.”

The report also includes a five-year cost analysis, showing that two-wheeler ownership can convert recurring travel expenses into long-term financial gains. Over five years, women who own a two-wheeler can save approximately ₹2.7 lakh and create a tangible asset, making ownership a cost-efficient model.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

This article is written by Yash Agarwal and reviewed by Markets Desk before publication.

Udaan actress Kavita Chaudhary passes away due to cardiac arrest at 67

Shukrta Vaigankar — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:22:03 +0000

Kavita Chaudhary, the star of the famous Doordarshan drama “Udaan,” died at a hospital here on Thursday night after suffering a heart arrest. She was 67. The actor, who was also known as the homemaker Lalita Ji in Surf detergent commercials in India in the late 1980s, was admitted to the hospital a few days ago. She died at the hospital in Amritsar after suffering a heart arrest last night about 8.30 p.m. She was brought to the hospital a few days ago with low blood pressure.

“Her condition became critical later,” Chaudhary’s nephew, Ajay Sayal, told PTI. The final rites were performed here on Thursday morning. Sayal and her niece are the actor’s survivors.

Chaudhary was well recognised for her role as IPS officer Kalyani Singh in “Udaan,” a progressive drama about women’s empowerment that aired on Doordarshan from 1989 and 1991.

In addition to starring, she created and directed the serial, which was inspired by the life of her elder sister, police officer Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya.

“Udaan,” which also starred Shekhar Kapur, followed the struggles of a woman aiming to be an IPS officer. The critically acclaimed show, which inspired a generation of women to go into public service, was re-aired on Doordarshan during the pandemic.

Actor Amit Behl was one of the colleagues who paid condolences on Chaudhary’s demise. “RIP Kavita Chaudhary, is baar aapne lambi udaan bhar li,Naman @CintaaOfficial @nsd_india,” he wrote on X. Later, Chaudhary produced Doordarshan shows “Your Honour” and “IPS Diaries.”

From 3 Idiots to Wake Up Sid; here’s a list of the top 5 motivational movies you can watch on Netflix

Sheetal Choudhary — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 13:04:59 +0000

Movies are meant to convey certain messages. At times, they depict crucial events that drive various emotions in us. Films have the power to motivate us and make us more confident about our choices. They are a way of expressing a sense of accomplishment and adversity that makes the viewers less vulnerable.

To make you feel more motivated and enthusiastic, we have curated a list of motivational films that you can watch on Netflix.

1. Taare Zameen Par (2007)

Pic credits: Pinterest

Taare Zameen Par is an iconic film that showcases the true ability of a child. It revolves around an 8-year-old boy Ishaan. He is made felt inferior by his peers and teachers due to his inability to study. Therefore, he is even sent to a boarding school. That’s when his life takes an interesting turn when the right teacher approaches him and brings out his actual self.

2. 3 Idiots (2009)

Pic credits: Pinterest

3 Idiots is one of the best films of Hindi cinema that has proved to be praised in huge numbers. Though the film has the power to make you laugh your heart out, it also touches on some vital topics. The movie rightfully showcases the struggle that students face while showcasing their self-worth. 3 Idiots is a perfect watch if you are feeling motivated, it will surely make you laugh and feel grateful at the same time.

3. Udaan (2010)

Pic credits: Pinterest

Udaan is a heart-wrenching movie that will make you sob uncontrollably. The film revolves around Rohan and his younger brother Arjun. Rohan is expelled from his boarding school and that results in him staying with his alcoholic father Bhairav. His father pressures him to pursue engineer. However, Rohan is disappointed by his father’s behavior towards him and his brother. He decides to run away with Arjun, to put an end to the atrocities done by his father. Udaan will help you to take a stand for yourself and fight against wrongdoings.

4. Wake Up Sid (2009)

Pic credits: Pinterest

Wake Up Sid is a beloved movie which continues to leave the audience spellbound with its aesthetics. It revolves around a lazy guy Sid, who doesn’t acknowledge the importance of money and struggle. Within the movie, Sid paves his way through many odds and turns his passion into his career. The film also marks Ayan Mukerji’s directorial debut.

5. Lakshya (2004)

Pic credits: Pinterest

Lakshya is one most relatable movies that every teenager will resonate with. The film focuses on Karan, who is a chilled carefree guy. He is interested in various things but is unable to decide what to pick as his career choice. Karan joins the army, for no specific reasons. However, when he enrols in the regiment, Karan finds it difficult to cope with the atmosphere there. However, as the movie proceeds he finds his true passion for the army and fighting for the nation.

Indian startups funadraises: Lenskart, DMI Finance, and CleanMax lead with massive fundraises

Dimple Gehlot — Sat, 30 Dec 2023 04:13:04 +0000

A report from Ndtv quoting data from Privatecircle Research revealed that several Indian startups have successfully raised substantial amounts in an attempt to boost their growth and expansion plans.

Lenskart

Lenskart finalized a deal to raise $500 million from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA). ADIA’s investment involves acquiring additional shares from Lenskart’s early supporters. Established in 2010, Lenskart is India’s largest eyewear retailer with an omnichannel presence, serving customers not only in India but also in Singapore, the UAE, and other locations.

DMI Finance

DMI Finance successfully raised $400 million in a funding round led by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, facilitated through its subsidiary MUFG Bank. Founded in 2008 by Shivashish Chatterjee and Yuvraja C Singh, DMI Finance operates as a pure-play digital lender, offering various loans, including those for consumption, personal use, and MSMEs. The company conducts its operations through digital channels and serves as a digital finance partner for major entities like Samsung, Google Pay, and Airtel.

CleanMax

CleanMax, a Mumbai-based renewable energy company, raised $360 million from Brookfield Renewable through the Brookfield Global Transition Fund. The funding will be utilized to achieve CleanMax’s growth plans, aiming for a platform with over 5 GW capacity in the next three to four years. CleanMax, under the leadership of Managing Director Mr. Kuldeep Jain, is a prominent provider of green, clean energy to corporate consumers in Asia, with a national presence and offices in India, the UAE, and Thailand.

PhonePe

PhonePe raised $350 million in a funding round led by General Atlantic. The funds are earmarked for infrastructure investments, including data center development, and the expansion into new business verticals such as insurance, wealth management, and lending. Fintech giant PhonePe has secured $350 million in a new funding round led by General Atlantic. Founded in 2015 by former Flipkart executives Sameer Nigam, Rahul Chari, and Burzin Engineer, PhonePe boasts over 400 million registered users and leads the market in Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions.

Udaan

Udaan, India’s largest B2B e-commerce platform, raised $340 million in Series E financing. Udaan plans to utilize these funds to enhance customer experience, expand market penetration, build strategic vendor partnerships, and strengthen long-term capabilities in supply chain and credit. The company aims to solidify its position amid competition from giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance’s JioMart.

Builder.ai

Builder.ai, a leading software development platform, raised $250 million in Series D funding, with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) at the forefront. The funds raised will be used to sustain Builder.ai’s industry leadership and innovation initiatives, focusing on further investments in talent, partnerships, and technology. Builder.ai facilitates both small and large businesses in constructing web or mobile apps in a modular fashion, boasting partnerships with major entities such as JP Morgan & Chase and Etisalat UAE.

Ohmium International

Ohmium International, a player in the hydrogen production industry, announced $250 million in Series C growth equity financing. Led by TPG Rise Climate, the funding will enable Ohmium to expand its manufacturing capacity and deploy projects globally, catering to industries in the U.S., Europe, India, and the Middle East. Ohmium specializes in manufacturing modular interlocking PEM electrolyzers, producing pressurized high-purity hydrogen—an ideal energy source for challenging-to-tackle light and heavy industries.

Zepto

Zepto, a rapidly growing Indian delivery service, secured $200 million in a new funding round led by StepStone Group. Known for processing over 300,000 orders daily across seven Indian cities, Zepto offers a diverse range of products, from groceries to electronic gadgets.

Veritas Finance

Veritas Finance announced a significant investment of INR 1,050 Crore from Multiples Private Equity and co-investors, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC). This deal involves a primary issuance of INR 400 Crore and offers a partial exit to early investors British International Investment (BII) and Lok Capital. The Avendus Future Leaders Fund (FLF) also participated, investing INR 150 Crore. Veritas Finance focuses on addressing the financial needs of India’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in underserved areas. Originating in Tamil Nadu, the company has expanded its footprint across eight states and one union territory, currently operating 285 branches and serving 115,000 customers.

Udaan actress Malvi Malhotra stabbed on the stomach by jilted lover, says ‘It will take 2-3 months before I am alright’

Agatha Boustin — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 08:30:57 +0000

Malvi Malhotra, the Udaan serial actress, was rushed to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Monday after her being brutally stabbed. Recently, she opened up about her encounters with Yogesh and the stabbing during an interview with ETimes.

When asked about the stabbing, Malvi spoke about the incident with the stabber, Yogesh Mahipal Singh, who is now under hospitalization. On her way home from a coffee shop at Andheri, Yogesh pulled over and forced the to get in the car. After Malvi refused, he stabbed her on her stomach, right wrist, and left finger. She said that he was aiming for her face but failed to reach as she protected it. Malvi was quoted as saying, “I told him to stop the tamasha. Instead, he got down from the car and stabbed me in my stomach. Next, he wanted to injure my face. I kept my hand on the face to avoid any injuries but his knife went deep into my right hand and wounded it badly. The fingers region in my left hand also got inflicted with bruises. I went down on the ground as I had started to bleed profusely.”

Malvi stated that she came across Yogesh a few times early this year for work. She started avoiding him after a meeting in Ooty during a shoot for a Tamil film. “At this third meeting, he told me that he loves me and wants to marry me. I politely told him that is not possible but we can still remain friends. After that, I refrained from meeting him,” she said. He still continued showing up at her door unannounced, sending in bouquets and cards. But, she was adamant with her refusal.

When asked about how she felt right now, Malvi informed that it could take her up to 3 months to heal. “I think it will take 2-3 months before I am alright. Right now, the fingers of my left hand are not moving. The knife incision in my stomach was about 1.5 inches,” she concluded.