Latest news with #Verna
Technical.ly
5 days ago
- Business
- Technical.ly
Let's Rallie brings Philadelphians together IRL — with a little help from their phones
For Robbie Verna, business is all about community. The 29-year-old, originally from Delaware County, has been reimagining how communities connect and celebrate through event technology platform Let's Rallie since 2021. His cofounder, Wendy Verna, a longtime entrepreneur and founder of Octo Design Group, also happens to be his mom. Both companies are located on South Street in Philly. 'We started it during COVID as a fun little startup,' Robbie told 'Since then, we have pivoted the business to our current business model with the same mission, to drive commerce to different neighborhoods.' The platform is an app to to help users navigate in-person community events, serving local organizations, nonprofits and community groups across the Philadelphia region. It supports everything from festivals to brewery tours, providing interactive features like scavenger hunts, voting and custom event maps. Embracing the city's community vibes Verna left his hometown of Media for college at a Connecticut university, where he studied marketing and entrepreneurship. After graduating in 2018, he was ready to move back home, but instead of suburban Delco, he moved straight into the city of Philadelphia and has been there ever since. Verna embraces life in Philly, from the strong sense of community to the easy access to networking events. Depending on the weather, he bikes, walks or takes the bus from where he lives in the Graduate Hospital area to the office. His desire to see the city's communities thrive fueled Let's Rallie. 'Our mission is to drive traffic to local businesses and also support neighborhoods and their operations,' he said. 'Our goal is to help different community teams with their event technology [and] to keep people in those areas, exploring new things.' Let's Rallie's bread and butter, Verna said, is a software service for local organizations looking for technology for their events. Some of its clients include The South 9th Street Italian Market, Manayunk Development Corporation and CampusPhilly, as well as regional clients including the New Jersey Tourism Association and Harford County, Maryland. Attendees download Let's Rallie to their phones, where they can access features like schedules, interactive maps, push notifications, raffles and scavenger hunts. A voting feature allows events to interact with attendees, who can use it to participate in things like pet costume contests at a Halloween event. 'We do a ton of festivals,' Verna said. 'We've done ice sculpture festivals, food truck festivals, the Italian Market Festival, and we also do a lot of tours and crawls, like a burger crawl, a seafood crawl. We're right now doing a brewery tour.' Now, he said, Let's Rallie is expanding into multi-day events like restaurant weeks and soccer tournaments, too. 'We started out in the East Falls and Manayunk area, and they took a chance on us,' Robbie said. 'And then from there, some people from South Philly heard about us, and it just snowballed.' Born into entrepreneurship Both of Verna's parents are business owners, something he says has been a benefit as he launched his own startup. 'It was certainly helpful to have both of my parents in my corner,' he said. 'It let me know that it was possible, and made it a little less scary.' Wendy Verna's 25 years of doing business in Philly and making relationships gave the business insight into how things work in the city, like having a built-in mentor. Logistically, the Vernas had to start by building the app, which they did with the help of a friends and family round of funding. Since then, they've been bootstrapping. 'We did join an accelerator with Philly Startup Leaders early on,' Verna said. 'They helped us with our business model and making sure everything was buttoned up and ready to go. They were certainly a big help, with connections as well, so that helped us grow.' As clients started signing up, they learned to listen to their needs to keep the business growing. 'As we got those clients, we reinvested that money back into what would be helpful for them, so trying to be as nimble as possible,' Verna said. 'We're ear-to-the-ground, listening to clients, and making sure that we weren't just building something and trying to make it fit.' Ultimately, he said, the clients are communities, in a city and region where community is a big part of its identity. 'The creativity and the true community energy that the city has, and the willingness to help each other, is definitely something that has been very beneficial to our business,' Verna said. Rallie -ing to the future In the future, Verna would like to see the app evolve into an all-purpose events tool that community members can take with them and use, even after a specific event has passed. The map feature, for example, could be used to show a user all of the events happening in the area on a given day. A tool that a user can open when they go to a new town in the region — or, eventually, beyond the mid-Atlantic. 'We're growing, one relationship at a time,' Verna says, 'and now, with people expecting an app for their events — we're right where they want us to be.'
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
2015 Verka case: Cops in civilian clothes firing at vehicle occupant cannot be considered official duty, says SC
Police personnel 'surrounding a civilian vehicle in plain clothes and jointly firing upon its occupant by its very nature bears no reasonable nexus to the duties of maintaining public order or effecting lawful arrest,' the Supreme Court observed in its April 29 order, dismissing the plea of nine Punjab policemen, challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order of May 20, 2019 where it refused to quash the murder case against them in a 10-year-old alleged fake encounter case. 'The availability of official firearms, or even an erroneous official objective, cannot transmute acts wholly outside the colour of authority into those 'done while acting or purporting to act in the discharge of official duty',' the detail SC order uploaded recently reads. According to the case, on June 16, 2015, a police team, travelling in a Bolero, an Innova and a Verna, intercepted a white Hyundai i20 on the Verka-Batala road in Amritsar, Punjab. After giving a brief warning, they allegedly opened fire on the car using pistols and AK-47 rifles, killing driver Mukhjit Singh, alias Mukhha. The complainant (then riding a motorcycle nearby) and another witness claimed to have seen the shooting and raised an alarm that drew locals to the spot. The complaint alleged that after the firing incident, the then Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Parmpal Singh arrived at the scene with additional personnel and ordered the removal of the vehicle's registration plate. Hearing the matter, the division bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta restored the charge of 'destruction of evidence' against DCP Parmpal Singh, observing 'actions taken under the guise of official duty, but aimed at obstructing justice, cannot be deemed related to police duty'. The court also clarified that 'no prior sanction is required to prosecute DCP Parmpal Singh and the other police officials for their alleged actions'. The bench rejected the submission of eight police personnel that cognisance of the complaint against them cannot be taken as it was barred under Section 197 of CrPC under which prior permission was needed to prosecute public servants. 'An act that is per se directed to erasing a potential exhibit, if ultimately proved, cannot be regarded as reasonably connected with any bona-fide police duty. The test consistently applied by this Court is whether the impugned act bears a direct and inseparable nexus to official functions. We believe that where the very accusation is suppression of evidence, the nexus is absent on the face of the record. In such a situation the bar of Section 197 CrPC is not attracted, and sanction is not a condition precedent to cognizance. The cloak of official duty cannot be extended to acts intended to thwart justice as held by this Court in Gauri Shankar Prasad v State of Bihar,' the SC order reads. 'The part of the impugned order of the High Court dated 20.05.2019 that set aside Criminal Complaint No. 112 of 2016 and the summoning order of 17.08.2017 in respect of Deputy Commissioner of Police Parampal Singh, is set aside. Proceedings against the respondent stand restored, to be continued in accordance with law,' the order reads. In the separate petition by the rest of the eight officials, the court said, 'The contention that the death, even if established, resulted from a mistaken identity and therefore attracts no culpability is a matter of defence; whether the petitioners acted in good faith, or whether they fired at all, are questions of fact that can only be resolved on evidence at trial. At the stage of summoning or of framing of charges the Court is not expected to weigh the probative value of the materials in microscopic detail but merely to see whether the facts, taken at their face, disclose the commission of an offence. The order of the Magistrate summoning the petitioners, and the subsequent order of the Sessions Court framing charges, proceed on an appreciation that there exists prima facie evidence of concerted firearm assault. No error of law or perversity of approach is shown. Therefore, we are not inclined to interfere with the impugned judgment and order. The Special Leave Petitions are, accordingly, dismissed.' After the victim's family reached the court, Parmpal Singh was summoned into the case. Besides, Parmpal Singh, eight other police personnel had challenged the HC order of May 20, 2019, wherein the court refused to quash the case registered against them, in the Supreme Court. Human rights activist and lawyer Sarabjit Singh Verka said, 'The SC order was uploaded on June 15. The order has opened the doors for justice the victim's family has been seeking for a decade.' G Nageswara Rao, then Inspector General of Police (Crime), Punjab, headed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry into FIR No. 242 dated June 16, 2015, registered under section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. Based on the findings, the SIT concluded that the allegations made in the FIR against the deceased, Mukhtjit Singh, alias Mukha, relating to offences under IPC section 307 and the Arms Act, were not substantiated. Instead, the SIT recommended filing a police report under section 173(2) of the CrPC for offences punishable under Section 304, read with Section 34 of the IPC, against several police officials. These include SI Ramesh Kumar (No. 1382/GSP), ASI Joginder Singh (No. 2639/ASR), HC Ranbir Singh (No. 821/ASR), HC Rajesh Kumar (No. 3564/ASR), HC Sandeep Kumar (No. 2176/ASR), HC Jasbir Singh (No. 669/ASR), C-II Navjot Singh (No. 2895/ASR), and Ct. Satwinderjit Singh (No. 3894/ASR). The report also mentioned that the prosecution would require necessary sanctions under Section 197 of the CrPC. Additionally, the SIT noted procedural violations and recommended departmental action against other officers. 'Ct. Love Kumar (No. 3568/ASR) was found to have allowed HC Rajesh Kumar to use his issued AK-47 rifle (No. 88320625) during the incident. Both officers were recommended for departmental action for this lapse. Furthermore, MHC Baljit Singh (No. 70/ASR) was found to have permitted the misuse of a Malkhana vehicle (PB-08-BP-4613) by SI Ramesh Kumar. Similarly, HC Kanwaljit Singh (No. 1957/ASR), in charge of the Cyber/Computer Cell, misused another official vehicle, a Verna car (PB-33A-7979). Departmental action was recommended in both these cases,' the SIT recommended.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
2 more held in HDFC bank robbery case
Two more miscreants have been arrested in the case involving robbery at HDFC bank branch at Phagwara's Rehana Jatttan village. On May 31, in a broad daylight armed robbery, three masked miscreants robbed cash from the HDFC Bank branch situated at Rihanna-Jattan village situated on Phagwara-Hoshiarpur road in Kapurthala district. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kapurthala, Gaurav Toora has said that in connection with the bank robbery at Rehana Jattan in Phagwara, three accused have been apprehended so far, and ₹28.67 lakh of looted money have been recovered. During a press conference held today, SSP stated that two accused involved in the incident were nabbed from Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh. A Verna car, an Innova, two 32-bore pistols, two live cartridges, and ₹28.67 lakh of looted cash have been recovered till now. On June 7, Gurmindar Singh was arrested and ₹13.10 lakhs of looted money, one .32-bore pistol, and two live rounds were recovered. 'Upon further interrogation, Navjot Singh of Kahalwa village and Jorawar Singh Sodhi Dhaliwal Qadian of Jalandhar were arrested. 'Navjot and Jorawar were apprehended from Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) along with an Innova Crysta (registration number PB 08 FB 0039), and ₹2.02 lakh of cash was recovered from them. During investigation, the Verna car used in the robbery (unregistered), ₹13.55 lakh cash, and one .32-bore pistol were also recovered,' SSP Toora said.
United News of India
08-06-2025
- United News of India
Punjab : Prime accused arrested, Rs 13.10 lakh recovered in bank robbery case
Phagwara, June 8 (UNI) In a major breakthrough, Punjab police have arrested the prime suspect in the sensational HDFC Bank robbery that took place in Rawalpindi under Kapurthala district on May 30, a senior officer said on Sunday. Acting on technical and field intelligence, the police recovered Rs 13.10 lakh in stolen cash and a country-made pistol allegedly used in the crime. State police DIG Naveen Singla said herethat the accused, identified as Gurminder Singh of Kahlwan village in Jalandhar district, was apprehended during a raid on June 7. His arrest follows an intensive investigation spanning multiple districts, led by a dedicated police team under the supervision of SSP Gaurav Toora. According to SSP Toora, Gurminder Singh confessed to his role in the robbery during interrogation. He also provided information that led to the recovery of the stolen funds. Police have also identified his two accomplices, and efforts are on to locate and apprehend them. Notably, the robbery occurred on May 30, when three masked men entered the HDFC Bank branch in Rawalpindi at gunpoint, fled with a large sum of cash in a white Verna car with altered number plates. UNI GS XC SSP
Mint
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
Hyundai's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto adapter now available for Venue, i10 NIOS and other models
Hyundai has introduced a nifty new gadget for its car users that will allow for a more convenient and seamless connection between their mobile phones and the infotainment systems. Applicable to all models, including the Grand i10 Nios, Exter, Verna, Aura, Venue N Line, and Venue, this gadget will now offer wireless connectivity, enabling Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The new gadget is an adapter that costs about ₹ 3,800. It was first introduced for the Hyundai Alcazar and the manufacturer is now making it available for other models as well. With this latest development, all Hyundai models in India can now be equipped with wireless mobile phone connectivity. The new wired-to-wireless adapter is said to improve the convenience and ease of usage, whether navigating maps or streaming music. The wireless adapter allows users to access their mobile apps (as supported by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) directly through the vehicle's OEM-fitted infotainment system. Hyundai Motor India Limited continues to focus on delivering cutting-edge features, smart technology, and future-ready mobility solutions that meet the evolving needs of Indian customers. Tarun Garg, Whole-Time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor India Limited, stated that the Wired to Wireless Adapter reaffirms the company's commitment to providing accessible and advanced connectivity solutions across its product range. Alongside the introduction of the wired-to-wireless adapter for the Grand i10 Nios, Exter, Verna, Aura, Venue N Line, and Venue, Hyundai had also updated the Verna lineup with new variants. The new Hyundai Verna SX+ is priced from ₹ 13.79 lakh (ex-showroom). Meanwhile, the higher-spec iVT variant is priced at a premium to the manual, at ₹ 15.04 lakh (ex-showroom). The new variant of the Hyundai Verna features a range of amenities, including a Bose 8-speaker system, leather seat upholstery, ventilated and heated front seats, front parking sensors, LED headlamps, and more modern conveniences. Previously, the carmaker had updated the Hyundai Alcazar lineup with a new variant. The Verna is available with either a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine or a 1.5-litre turbo petrol unit. The 1.5-litre NA petrol engine is available with a six-speed manual gearbox and IVT, producing 114 bhp peak power and 143.8 Nm of maximum torque.
