Albinder Dhindsa, co-founder and CEO of Blinkit, on December 31 night shared insights on the most popular items ordered through the quick commerce company’s app on New Eve. His post drew a sharp rebuke from comedian Kunal Kamra, who questioned the average wages paid to Blinkit’s delivery partners in 2024.

Dhindsa, in a post on X, highlighted that Zomato-backed Blinkit, which claims to deliver products within ten minutes, experienced record-breaking metrics: the highest daily orders, the most orders per minute, the most orders per hour, and the highest total tips for delivery partners in a single day. He noted: “1,22,356 packs of condoms, 45,531 bottles of mineral water, 22,322 Partysmart, 2,434 Eno are enroute right now! Prep for after party?”

In response, Kamra criticised Dhindsa, asserting that quick commerce platforms exploit gig workers and are not true job creators. “They are landlords without owning any land,” he asserted, referring to the owners of such platforms. Last year, Kamra had a public disagreement with Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal regarding the after-sales and service issues of Ola’s electric scooters.

He described these company leaders as “thugs” who utilise data like oil without compensating for the resources they draw upon. “One day, there will be regulations that humble them,” Kamra added, urging Dhindsa to provide clarity on the average wages received by Blinkit’s delivery partners in 2024.

Earlier, Kamra had engaged in a heated exchange with Ola’s CEO about customer service complaints and the delivery of defective products.

The quick commerce sector has experienced significant growth in India over recent months, with major players like Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto delivering groceries and household items within minutes. While customers appreciate the convenience, Kamra highlighted the troubling aspects of this rapid service, focusing on the exploitation of gig workers through low wages and extended working hours.

In a follow-up post, Kamra elaborated on the adverse effects of quick commerce, stating that platform owners take advantage of gig workers. “While we enjoy the convenience of quick commerce, I want to highlight the darker side,” he reiterated on X, asserting that platform owners are not true job creators and exploit people under the guise of offering them freedom.

“Without any ownership or accountability, they simply take advantage of their economic superiority,” he continued, emphasising that there are currently no regulations in place to protect gig workers from such exploitation.

A user named “Gig Workers Union from Hyderabad” supported Kamra’s sentiments, thanking him for being their voice and pointing out that these platforms operate without oversight, burdening poor delivery partners with excessive costs and unfair conditions. It tagged @TelanganaCMO and @TelanganaCS, calling for urgebt attention to the situation.

In another post, Kamra referenced the Indian Contract Act of 1872, highlighting that contracts benefiting parties with a significant economic advantage could potentially be invalidated if found exploitative. He lamented that democratic institutions that should uphold dignity, safety, and equality are preoccupied with other matters.

As Mumbai ushered in 2025 with grand celebrations and a bustling atmosphere, the city’s traffic police were busy keeping a close watch on road safety. The result: a staggering Rs 89 lakh worth of traffic fines issued throughout the night. A total of 17,800 traffic violations were recorded across various parts of the city, serving as a powerful reminder about the importance of adhering to road safety rules, even during festive times.

Major violations and fines

Mumbai’s streets, known for their usual traffic chaos, saw a number of violations that continued to add pressure on the already congested roads. Some of the key violations recorded include:

1. Obstructing the Flow of Traffic: A total of 2,893 drivers were fined for obstructing traffic. These instances often cause severe disruptions, especially on New Year’s Eve when the roads are flooded with partygoers and celebratory traffic.
2. Riding Without Helmets: Helmets are essential for the safety of two-wheeler riders, yet 1,923 individuals were caught violating this basic traffic safety rule.
3. Jumping Traffic Signals: Another common offence, 1,731 individuals were penalized for ignoring red lights, further risking accidents at busy intersections.
4. Refusal to Use Public Transport: 1,976 instances were recorded where people refused to use designated public transport vehicles, contributing to unnecessary congestion.
5. Speed Limit Violations: Speeding remained a critical issue, with 842 challans issued to drivers for exceeding the speed limits, a potentially dangerous violation, especially on busy roads during the celebrations.
6. Driving Without Seatbelts: Despite being a fundamental safety measure, 432 drivers were fined for not wearing seatbelts while driving.
7. Drunk Driving: With alcohol often playing a major role in New Year’s Eve celebrations, 153 drunk drivers were apprehended, highlighting the ongoing issue of driving under the influence.
8. Mobile Use While Driving: Distracted driving continues to be a concern, with 109 challans issued for drivers caught using their mobile phones while behind the wheel.
9. Triple Riding and Wrong-Side Driving: 123 challans were issued for triple riding, and another 40 for driving on the wrong side of the road, both of which significantly increase the risk of accidents.
10. Dangerous Driving: Two offenders were charged with dangerous driving, a violation that can lead to severe consequences if left unchecked.

Total fines and enforcement measures

In total, traffic authorities issued Rs 89,19,750 worth of fines, underlining the scale of traffic violations on New Year’s Eve. The heavy fines were a result of vigilant enforcement by Mumbai’s police force. In anticipation of the large crowds and increased traffic, the police deployed a significant number of personnel:

• 8 Additional Commissioners
• 29 Deputy Commissioners
• 53 Assistant Commissioners
• 2,184 Inspectors
• Over 12,000 constables

Ensuring safety amid celebrations

To ensure that New Year’s Eve was enjoyable yet safe, the police set up several checkpoints across the city, aimed at detecting drunk drivers and maintaining smooth traffic flow in crowded areas. Regular patrolling and surveillance were conducted, especially in locations where people gathered for celebrations.

While Mumbai’s traffic police worked tirelessly to ensure safety, other major cities like Delhi and Bengaluru also adopted similar measures. These cities increased patrolling and set up checkpoints to curb drunk driving and other traffic violations, ensuring that people rang in the New Year responsibly.

Key takeaways: What we can learn

The incident serves as a stark reminder about the need for responsible driving, particularly during celebrations when road traffic spikes. Some key points for road users to remember include:

1. Follow Traffic Signals: Ignoring traffic signals endangers lives. It is crucial to stop at red lights and wait for the signal to turn green before moving forward.
2. Wear Helmets and Seatbelts: Wearing a helmet while riding and a seatbelt while driving can prevent serious injuries in case of accidents.
3. Avoid Using Phones: Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Keep phones out of sight while driving to avoid accidents.
4. Don’t Drink and Drive: Always arrange alternate transport if you plan to drink. Drunk driving can have fatal consequences.
5. Respect Public Transport: Using public transport not only reduces road congestion but also promotes safer travel for everyone.
6. Obey Speed Limits: Driving within the speed limit is essential for maintaining control over your vehicle and avoiding accidents, especially in heavy traffic conditions.

The need for awareness

The fines issued on New Year’s Eve act as a wake-up call for road safety in Mumbai and other cities across India. While the festive spirit is important, the need to maintain law and order on the roads remains crucial for ensuring that everyone enjoys a safe and happy New Year. The police’s actions serve as a stern reminder that traffic rules are in place to protect us all, and violations will not be tolerated, no matter the occasion. Let this be a lesson for all road users to be more responsible and considerate while on the road.

KGF star Yash has appealed to his fans to refrain from extravagant displays and large gatherings for his birthday on January 8, emphasising the need to “change our language of love.”

In an Instagram post, the 38-year-old actor expressed his wishes for fans as the New Year approaches and remarked that this is a time for reflection, resolution, and planning for the future.

“The love you all have shown me over the years has been truly remarkable, but there have also been some unfortunate incidents,” Yash stated. “It’s time for us to redefine our expression of love, particularly regarding my birthday celebrations. Instead of grand gestures and gatherings, the most meaningful gift to me is knowing that you are safe, setting positive examples, accomplishing your goals, and spreading happiness.”

He also mentioned that he would be busy and unavailable on his birthday. Earlier this year, a tragic incident led to the deaths of three fans while they were putting up a large cutout of Yash, prompting him to call for safer celebrations then as well.

Currently, Yash is filming “Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-ups,” a project he is co-producing with Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, with Geetu Mohandas as the director.

At a very young age, he began his career as an assistant director on a film project. However, just two days into shooting, the project was unexpectedly put on hold, leaving him in a challenging situation. Following this setback, Yash received guidance to enhance his acting skills by joining the Karanth theatre. He became a member of the Benaka Drama Troupe, earning Rs 50 a day while working backstage. During this time, he took on various tasks, from serving tea to fulfilling other roles.

Yash managed to balance his theatrical work with his education, enrolling at KLE College in Bangalore to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. After spending years as a backup actor on stage, he finally received his big break in the television series Nanda Gokula, where he starred alongside his future wife, Radhika Pandit.

Following his success on television, Yash made his debut in the Kannada film industry with Jambada Hudugi. He went on to appear in several successful films, including Moggina Manasu, Drama, Googly, Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari, and Masterpiece. However, it was the KGF franchise that truly propelled him into the realm of superstardom.