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India's Urban Company launches maid service in India for 50p an hour

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The service offers domestic help at customers' doorsteps within 15 minutes, charging 59 rupees (50 pence) per hour.

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URBAN COMPANY, a Mumbai-based firm known for providing services such as plumbing, electrical work, and beauty treatments, has introduced a new feature called "Insta Maids."

The service offers domestic help at customers' doorsteps within 15 minutes, charging 59 rupees (50 pence) per hour.


The app displays images of household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and ironing to indicate the services available.

While quick commerce has become popular in India, the launch of instant maid services has received mixed reactions. Some have objected to the use of the word "maid," while others see it as a convenient solution when regular help is unavailable.

Akansha Basra from Delhi supports the idea and plans to use it when available in her city. "If drivers and plumbers can be hired, what is the difference with a maid? It’s a service like any other," she said to The Times. However, she stressed the importance of proper background checks for security reasons.

Ramendra Kumar, head of the Delhi domestic workers' union Shramik Sangathan, criticised the 59-rupee (50p) hourly wage, calling it too low. He told The Times that while some workers may prefer flexible work, higher pay is necessary.

Urban Company has stated that it offers free health insurance and guarantees workers an income of 20,000 rupees (£180) for 132 hours of service.

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UK’s first major South Asian music

Homegrown marks a new moment for South Asian music talent in the UK

Instagram/playbackcreates

Playback Creates announces Homegrown as UK’s first major South Asian music development push for new talent

Highlights:

  • New platform aims to support South Asian creatives in Wolverhampton and the Black Country
  • Homegrown will mentor up to ten emerging music artists aged 16–30
  • Funded by Arts Council England with Punch Records as a key partner
  • Final live showcase scheduled for March 2026

Playback Creates has launched its new Homegrown programme, a move the organisation says will change access and opportunity for young British South Asian artists. The primary focus is South Asian music development, and there’s a clear effort to create space for voices that have not been supported enough in the industry. It comes at a time when representation and career routes are still a challenge for many new acts.

UK\u2019s first major South Asian music Homegrown marks a new moment for South Asian music talent in the UK Instagram/playbackcreates

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