American icon and founder of Playboy Enterprises, Hugh Hefner, aged 91, passed away on September 27. According to an official statement, Hefner died of natural causes, surrounded by loved ones at the Playboy Mansion.
Born in Chicago, Hefner introduced America to Playboy in 1953 and today, it is one of the most recognizable brands in the world which revolutionized the adult entertainment industry. He published the historic first undated issue, which featured Marilyn Monroe before her stardom, after raising $ 8,000 from friends and family and sold almost 54,000 copies at 50 cents each. His first publisher’s message was,“We don’t expect to solve any world problems or prove any great moral truths.”
Originally titled “Stag Party,” Playboy challenged puritanical convention and fought for women’s rights including birth control. He advocated freedom of speech in all its aspects, supported progressive social causes and also booked black artists in defiance of segregation laws. He has stated in multiple interviews that his life and Playboy were a reflection of the conflicts that exist in America related to sexuality.
Playboy magazine spun into a media and entertainment industry giant, advertised as the emblem of the sexual revolution and became the most successful men’s magazine in the world. He wrote 25 installations of the Playboy Philosophy championing abortion rights and repealing 19 century sex laws. Playboy also published articles and short fiction by some of the most celebrated writers such as Ray Bradbury, Ian Fleming, Carl Sagan, John Updike and Vladimir Nabokov. The magazine is also known for publishing lengthy interviews with high profile figures like Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon and Jimmy Carter.
Hefner built an empire that included TV shows, a jazz festival and a string of Playboy Clubs and created a niche for upscale men’s magazine, combining images of nude women with in depth articles, interviews and fiction by a variety of well known writers. Watch how Playboy became the world’s most sensational brands in the world here –
PhonePe’s PINCODE app has launched a 24×7 online medicine delivery service in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune, promising delivery of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines within 10 minutes from nearby local medical shops. Unlike conventional e-pharmacies that use dark stores, PINCODE partners exclusively with neighborhood pharmacies, enabling faster deliveries and supporting local businesses in the digital economy.
Customers without prescriptions can select a “no prescription” option when ordering; a qualified doctor then provides a free teleconsultation and issues a digital prescription compliant with telemedicine guidelines, ensuring seamless access to medicines. The app offers competitive pricing by passing discounts from local pharmacies directly to customers and charges no delivery fees.
PINCODE’s hyperlocal model enhances healthcare accessibility and convenience while empowering local pharmacies, helping them remain integral to their communities and stimulating local economic growth. Launched in 2023, the app focuses on quick commerce with an emphasis on speed, reliability, and supporting local sellers.
In summary, PhonePe’s PINCODE app is transforming medicine delivery in major Indian cities by combining ultra-fast 10-minute delivery, free doctor consultations, and a hyperlocal sourcing model that benefits both consumers and neighborhood pharmacies.
Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.
In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.
Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.
Jeyandran Venugopal, the outgoing Chief Product and Technology Officer of Flipkart, is set to become the CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the retail arm of Reliance Industries. His appointment, expected to be finalized in May after his exit from Flipkart, signals Reliance’s push to strengthen its retail business with a technology-first approach.
Venugopal brings extensive experience from leading roles at Flipkart, Myntra, Yahoo, Snapdeal, and Amazon, where he focused on scaling technology platforms and driving innovation. At Flipkart, he managed product, engineering, data science, and more, helping build robust systems and improve user experience.
His move comes as Reliance Retail undergoes transformation, including cost-cutting and a renewed focus on digital growth. Venugopal’s leadership is expected to accelerate Reliance’s ambitions in omnichannel and tech-driven retail, positioning the company for continued dominance in India’s evolving market.