Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off the "Start Run, Stop Drugs" anti drug awareness marathon at Chennai's Marina Beach on Friday, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In a first for a sitting Chief Minister of the State, Vijay ran the entire 6 km route alongside participants, reinforcing the government's commitment to promoting a drug free Tamil Nadu through active public engagement.

The marathon was organised by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and witnessed the participation of Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior IAS and IPS officers, government officials, sportspersons, students, youth, NCC cadets, volunteers and thousands of members of the public.

Before flagging off the marathon, the Chief Minister administered an anti drug pledge, urging participants to stay away from narcotics, create awareness among family and friends about the harmful effects of drug abuse and support those working towards recovery. He also signed the campaign commitment board with the message, "Sports Edu, Drugs Vidu," encouraging young people to embrace sports as a positive way of life.

The awareness initiative formed part of a statewide campaign, with similar anti drug runs and mini marathons organised across districts in Tamil Nadu. The event highlighted the government's focus on youth empowerment, healthy living and collective efforts to eliminate substance abuse from society.

As destinations increasingly promote wellness tourism and responsible travel, initiatives that encourage healthy living and community participation align closely with the hospitality industry's vision of creating safer, healthier, and more welcoming environments for guests and local communities. The anti drug awareness marathon led by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay reflects the growing emphasis on public wellness, with sports and fitness serving as powerful tools to inspire positive social change.

McDonald’s India – North & East has introduced a limited-edition FIFA World Cup Meal range in collaboration with Coca-Cola, bringing football-themed excitement to fans across the region.

The initiative builds on the long-standing partnership between McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, designed to create shared cultural moments that go beyond food and beverage. The new campaign aims to extend the spirit of football beyond stadiums and screens by combining signature menu items with exclusive collectibles inspired by the FIFA World Cup.

Each FIFA World Cup Meal includes a McDonald’s favourite, a Coca-Cola beverage, and a limited-edition football collectible designed as a keepsake for fans. The offering is positioned as a way to enhance the fan experience and create lasting memorabilia tied to the global sporting event.

The limited-time meal range includes McVeggie Dragon FIFA World Cup Meals and McChicken Dragon FIFA World Cup Meals, paired with Coca-Cola beverages and collectible football merchandise. Pricing for the range starts from INR 209 and goes up to INR 289 depending on the variant and collectible included.

Speaking on the launch, Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North & East, said the initiative is designed to bring fans closer to the action and celebrate the shared spirit of football and togetherness that defines both the sport and the brand experience.

Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, added that football continues to serve as a powerful connector of people and experiences, and the collaboration aims to deepen fan engagement through immersive, everyday moments.

The FIFA World Cup Meal range is now available for a limited time across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India, offering fans both a themed dining experience and exclusive collectibles while supplies last.

About McDonald’s India – North & East

McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India are operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. The brand serves millions of customers annually across more than 300 restaurants and McCafé outlets, offering locally sourced ingredients and a variety of menu options tailored to Indian tastes. The company operates across multiple formats, including standalone restaurants, drive-thrus, and 24/7 outlets, with a strong focus on convenience, consistency, and customer experience.

Rumour, the wine-forward speakeasy in Vasant Vihar, has unveiled a new seasonal cocktail menu that places wine at the heart of its beverage programme while exploring fresh flavours, seasonal ingredients, and contemporary mixology techniques.

Known for its approachable take on wine culture, Rumour has built its identity around creating drinks that are social, accessible, and enjoyable for a broad audience. The new menu continues that philosophy by blending familiar flavours with thoughtful craftsmanship, offering cocktails that are both comforting and unexpected.

Wine plays a central role throughout the collection. In some drinks, it serves as the primary ingredient, while in others it works alongside traditional spirits to add depth, texture, and balance. The menu has been designed for guests who appreciate great drinks regardless of category, reflecting Rumour’s belief that memorable cocktails should be approachable and easy to enjoy.

Curated by Head Bartender Sumit, the seasonal menu introduces a stronger focus on fresh produce and house-made elements. Seasonal fruits, wine foams, wine reductions, infusions, and handcrafted liqueurs feature prominently across the cocktail programme, adding layers of flavour while maintaining simplicity and balance.

A notable feature of the new collection is Rumour’s exploration of wine and whisky within the same cocktail programme. The menu marks the first time the bar has intentionally paired the two categories, creating drinks that challenge conventional expectations while remaining accessible to guests.

The collection features ten signature cocktails, each offering a distinct interpretation of the bar’s wine-forward approach. Highlights include On Cloud Wine, which combines gin, passionfruit, kaffir lime, and white wine foam, and Barrel Rouge, a blend of whisky, seasonal berries, and wine reduction. Other creations include Pink Harvest, Citrus Cuvée, Vineyard Picante, Gossip in the Greens, Just Between Us, Caught Red Handed, Off the Record, and Midnight Cellar.

Ingredients such as gondhoraj lime, kaffir lime, seasonal berries, house-made limoncello, peanut whiskey, basil foam, and wine-based preparations appear throughout the menu. Rather than relying on novelty, the focus remains on presenting familiar flavours with precision and creativity.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the menu, Sumit said the objective was to create cocktails that feel familiar at first sip while gradually revealing unexpected layers of flavour. He noted that wine naturally became an important part of the creative process, allowing the team to experiment with foams, reductions, and unique spirit pairings while keeping the drinks approachable.

Rhea Parekh Jain, Founder of Rumour, explained that the menu has been designed to make wine more accessible to a wider audience. She highlighted that while some cocktails position wine as the hero ingredient, others use it to complement familiar spirits and introduce new flavour dimensions.

Nishchay Jain, Founder of Rumour, added that the focus remains on creating a beverage programme that guests return to because they genuinely enjoy the experience, rather than simply following industry trends.

The seasonal cocktail menu is now available throughout the day at Rumour, Vasant Vihar. Cocktails are priced between INR 825 and INR 995, with an average spend of approximately INR 2,000 for two guests.