RuPay Kicks-Off IPL 2023 With The ‘RuPay Credit Card On UPI’ Campaign

*  The campaign conceptualised by DDB Mudra Group highlights the benefits of RuPay Credit Cards linkage on UPI platform.

*  The campaign will engage the audience all through the league season with 4 powerful ad films featuring iconic cricketer Dinesh Karthik

*  RuPay is an Associate Sponsor with Star Sports and with Jio Cinema

*   #AskForRuPayCreditCard #RuPayCreditOnUPI #AskForRuPayCredit

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in partnership with the Indian Premier League (IPL) kicks-off the 2023 season with ‘RuPay Credit Card on UPI’ campaign that has been conceptualised by DDB Mudra Group. The campaign focuses on creating greater customer awareness of the game-changing product offering from NPCI which allows users to access their RuPay credit cards through the UPI platform.

The opening day of the season features Dinesh Karthik in a humorous advertisement highlighting the benefits of RuPay credit card linkage on UPI, encouraging the viewers to ask their bank for the same. Additionally, as part of the campaign, 3 other films developed by DDB Mudra Group will also be released throughout the league season.

This seminal development will provide customers with the best of both worlds, integrating the reliability and convenience of UPI with the unmatched incentives that the feature has to offer, thereby creating an unrivaled consumer experience. The films playfully describe how customers will be able to use UPI, while also enjoying rewards and the loyalty points program of their favorite credit card.

The use of this card is live on cards issued by HDFC Bank, BoB Financial Services, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, and Axis Bank. Other banks like Kotak Mahindra Bank shall soon be live with their UPI functionality on RuPay credit cards in a few days. Currently, the UPI apps offering this service are BHIM, MobiKwik, Paytm, Slice and PhonePe.

Commenting on the campaign, Praveena Rai, COO, NPCI, said, “We, at NPCI, are proud to share this path-defining offering of RuPay Credit Cards on UPI and believe it would play a significant role in India’s credit journey. We have always looked to create innovative products facilitating convenience for better payments systems for the nation. Our partnership with IPL, just like the partnership between RuPay and UPI, will amplify our efforts in consumer awareness on the benefits of having access to credit on UPI. The RuPay campaign is witty and breaks clutter. We hope consumers enjoy the ads, as they do IPL.”

Rahul Mathew CCO & Executive Director, DDB Mudra Group, said, “RuPay is the first credit card that allows you to pay through UPI. It’s such a breakthrough and disruption in the category. We felt a product that’s so differentiated and is a standout, needs work that is the same.”

Campaign Credits:

Creative agency: DDB Mudra

Link to the ad film: YouTube - https://youtu.be/anbB2z50wiU

Kotak Mahindra Bank Launches A Safe Banking Awareness Campaign Featuring Veteran Actor Gulshan Grover

Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL”/Kotak) today announced that it has launched a campaign to create awareness on Safe Banking practices, featuring veteran actor Gulshan Grover.

In today's digital age, it has become more important than ever to stay vigilant and keep one’s personal information safe.

To raise awareness on the importance of safe banking practices, Kotak Mahindra Bank has chosen April Fools’ Day to remind customers that fraudsters don't wait for a specific day to strike – they are always on the lookout for new ways to fool people.

The message of the film is simple yet effective - always keep your guard up, be cautious of suspicious emails, messages & phone calls, don't click on links or download attachments from unknown sources, and if you come across any such scam, report it to the bank immediately.

Known for his ability to create an impact with his powerful character portrayal in Indian Cinema, Gulshan Grover, in this role, shows us how to stay one step ahead of fraudsters.

“In this digital age, the importance of safe banking practices cannot be overstated,” said Ms Elizabeth Venkataraman, Joint President – Marketing & Alliances, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. “Fraudsters find ways to trick people into giving out their banking/personal details not only by creating panic or fear of getting their accounts blocked but also by luring one with too good to be true offers. When it comes to money, the Bank urges one and all to be cautious in sharing any sensitive banking information like account details, Debit/Credit Card numbers, CVV, OTP, PIN, passwords, etc., or click on suspicious links. Banks will never ask for such information. By following some simple rules, we can safeguard our confidential financial information and enjoy safe & secure banking experiences.”

To report a fraud, Kotak customers can call on 1800 209 0000 or visit https://kapps.kotak.com/FraudPreLogin/

For safe banking tips & information on types of frauds, visit - https://www.kotak.com/en/safe-banking/safe-banking-tips.html

About Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

Established in 1985, Kotak Mahindra Group is one of India's leading financial services conglomerates. In February 2003, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the Group's flagship company, received banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), becoming the first non-banking finance company in India to convert into a bank - Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.

The Bank has four Strategic Business Units – Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking and Treasury, which cater to retail and corporate customers across urban and rural India. The premise of Kotak Mahindra Group’s business model is concentrated India, diversified financial services. The bold vision that underscores the Group’s growth is an inclusive one, with a host of products and services designed to address the needs of the unbanked and insufficiently banked. As on 31st December, 2022, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has a national footprint of 1,752 branches and 2,814 ATMs, and branches in GIFT City and DIFC (Dubai).

ONGC Contributes Rs 100 Crores To PM CARES Fund To Strengthen Nation’s Fight Against COVID-19 And H3N2 Virus

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), India's Energy Maharatna contributed Rs 100 crores to the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) on 31 March 2023. This contribution will facilitate the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure, specifically with respect to fighting COVID-19 and H3N2 influenza virus.

Earlier, ONGC contributed Rs 300 crore to the PM CARES Fund in April 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and also contributed another Rs 70 crore to this fund in Financial Year (FY) 2021-22 for maintaining the medic equipment purchased by Oil Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) during the two waves of the pandemic.

s a socially responsible organization, ONGC supports the government's efforts to ensure the health and safety of all its stakeholders, including communities. This contribution will help provide much-needed resources to amplify the government's efforts in healthcare.

The contribution to the PM CARES Fund is a part of ONGC's ongoing efforts to support society and the nation in these difficult times. The company remains committed to its core values of social responsibility, sustainability, and excellence in all its operations.

TKM Continues To Deliver Robust Performance - Records Best Wholesales In The Last Decade By Clocking 1,74,015 Units

* Achieves monthly wholesales of 18,670 units in March 2023

* Y-o-Y growth stands at 41%

* FY 2022-2023 marked significant introduction of new product offerings which played a crucial role in contributing to higher volumes

TKM has recorded its strongest domestic wholesales in the last 10 years in Financial Year 2022-2023 by selling 1,74,015 units. The company witnessed a growth of 41% over the last FY where it sold 1,23,770 units. TKM also sold 18,670 units in the month of March 2023 alone, resulting in the year-on year-growth of 9% over the month of March 2022, where it had sold 17,131 units.

In the last quarter of the current Fiscal Year, TKM posted sales of 46,843 units which is a 41%  increase over the same period last year where the company had sold 33,204 units. This growth trajectory thus reflects impressive performance by all its products across segments. Major contributions coming from strong consumer demand  generated for the recently introduced Innova Hycross, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, The New Innova Crysta and Hilux.

Commenting on the sales performance, Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President, Sales and Strategic Marketing, TKM said, “We are extremely pleased to close this Fiscal Year on a positive note and expect continued momentum and growth in fiscal of 2024-2025. The passenger vehicles segment witnessed a steady growth last year, and TKM was prepared to ride the wave by making deeper inroads into the market to meet the varied mobility needs. Our new product launches, introduction of newer, greener and advanced technology options and reaching closer to customers , enabled us to successfully sustain the continued growth momentum.

We are grateful to our customers for their growing interest on all our product offerings. All variants of recently launched Innova Hycross and Urban Cruiser Hyryder are gaining popularity and continuing to witness huge acceptance from the market. The recently introduced globally acclaimed Hilux has attracted a excellent customer response from the time of its launch, as it continues to shine - all thanks to its versatility, all terrain capability, backed by great styling and driving comfort, be it in the personal or business segment. We also opened bookings for the much-loved New Innova Crysta Diesel which has strongly contributed to our achievements in the month of March’23. Additionally, segment leaders like the Fortuner and Legender remain undisputed, while other products like, Camry Hybrid, Vellfire and Glanza have also sustained the positive sales momentum.

Given the strong customer demand for all our products, we remain optimistic towards an even better year. Our strong efforts will be to continue to closely serve our customers thus strengthening the bedrock for long-term value based relationship in the coming time.”

Vahak Collaborates With SecureNow To Ease Access To Cargo Insurance For Indian Trucking Community

* As per NITI Ayog, India transports approx. 4.6 Billion Tonnes of freight annually, generating transport demand of 2.2 Trillion Tonne-km.

* As this demand grows, associated road freight movement will increase to 9.6 Trillion Tonne-km by 2050, and so will the need to safeguard the cargo transported.

Vahak, India’s most-trusted transport community platform, has announced a collaboration with SecureNow, a leading tech-enabled insurance platform for businesses, to offer cargo insurance to the Indian trucking community.

Vahak, co-founded by IITians Karan Shaha and Vikas Chandrawat, is on a mission to digitise the Indian logistics sector, which contributes over 14% to India’s GDP. This logistics tech company is fostering India’s largest ecosystem of transport SMEs, shippers, and lorry/fleet owners on its website and app, amid the fast-growing $250 Billion logistics sector in the country.

Karan Shaha, Co-Founder, and CEO at Vahak, said, “Our vision is to build a trusted transport community platform that addresses the needs of transporters, fleet owners, and truckers for growth. While the Indian trucking business remains fragmented and unorganised, and largely not covered under social security benefits, we want to bring peace of mind to the demand and supply sides, helping them mitigate the financial risks associated with transporting goods.” 

Discussing the need of the hour, Shaha elaborates, “India transports nearly 4.6 billion tonnes of freight annually, generating transport demand of 2.2 trillion tonne-km, as per NITI Ayog. As this demand grows, associated road freight movement is likely to increase to 9.6 trillion tonne-km by 2050. And as road freight travel grows, the number of trucks is likely to more than quadruple, to roughly 17 million trucks by 2050. And, so will the urgent need to safeguard the transported cargo.”

Cargo insurance can protect trucking companies and shippers against losses due to theft, accidents, natural disasters, and other unexpected events that can cause damage or loss of cargo. This can help mitigate the financial impact of these losses and provide peace of mind to both parties. Many shippers and manufacturers may require trucking companies to carry cargo insurance in order to comply with regulations or contractual obligations. Failing to have proper insurance coverage can lead to penalties and legal issues. Having cargo insurance gives fleet owners and truckers competitive advantage over those that do not, as they can offer load owners and manufacturers an added level of protection and reassurance, improving customer satisfaction and building trust in the long run.

India is home to around 60 million MSMEs, many of whom lack the knowledge necessary to purchase reliable transit insurance at the time of booking confirmation. Abhishek Bondia, Co-Founder of SecureNow, explains, “Unfortunately, while small businesses are most vulnerable to accidents, they are unable to give a large share of mind to insurance. Our collaboration with Vahak will help to bring them into the coverage net. Through this partnership, we will make transit insurance more contextual. Firms can buy their insurance at the time of booking the transport. This will ensure higher compliance rate for these businesses, better coverage and lesser administrative overheads.”

SecureNow’s tech-enabled platform offers comprehensive insurance solutions with limited exclusions and low prices. The pre-buying and post-sale process allows businesses to manage their policies with multiple insurers and raise claims through one common platform. With this collaboration, Vahak has added another key feature to safeguard transporters. Vahak had recently announced its collaboration with Coverstack making digital vehicle insurance processes efficient, fast and cost-effective. 

About Vahak

Vahak is India’s most-trusted transport community, co-founded by IITians Karan Shaha and Vikas Chandrawat in 2019. The platform fosters India’s largest ecosystem of transport SMEs and lorry owners. Enabling truck and load bookings at 0% commission, Vahak matches diverse loads with the right sectoral requirements of trucks, containers, light commercial and specialised vehicles. Vahak’s vision to digitise the Indian Logistics Sector has been well-backed by investors – Nexus Venture Partners, Foundamental, iSeed Ventures, Leo Capital, RTP Global, Titan Capital and Work Universe – to become the go-to digital solution for India’s road transport logistics. Know more on www.vahak.in  I  LinkedIn   I  YouTube   I  Instagram  I  Twitter  I  Facebook

About SecureNow

SecureNow is a leading tech-enabled insurance platform for businesses, offering comprehensive insurance solutions with limited exclusions and low prices. The platform leverages technology to make the pre-buying and post-sale process seamless, allowing businesses to manage their policies with multiple insurers and raise claims through one common platform.

To know more: www.securenow.in

Airtel And India Post Payments Bank Launch WhatsApp Banking Services

*  To empower customers PAN India to access banking services on their mobile phones in just a few clicks

*  Delivered on Airtel IQ, the messaging solution will augment the Govt.’s Digital India mission by enabling IPPB customers across the country to seamlessly connect with their bank on WhatsApp

Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), a leading telecommunications service provider in India and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) today announced the launch of WhatsApp Banking Services for IPPB customers, enabling them to access banking services on their mobile phone.

The WhatsApp messaging solution will be delivered to customers through Airtel IQ - a cloud communications platform as a service that enables brands to engage with their customers across voice, SMS and WhatsApp channels. Airtel is the first telecom company in the world that serves as a Business Service Provider (BSP) for WhatsApp.

Airtel will enable IPPB customers to seamlessly connect with the bank on WhatsApp and effortlessly avail a host of banking services including –doorstep service request, locating nearest Post Office and much more. In line with the Govt.’s ambition to bring digital and financial inclusion to citizens of India in their language, the Airtel – IPPB WhatsApp Banking solution is also working on to build multi-language support, enabling added convenience to customers especially to those in the rural parts of the country to access banking services in their preferred language.

Airtel has been working with IPPB to deliver as many as 250 million messages per month to the bank’s customers many of whom are located in mofussil towns and tier 2,3 cities. The addition of the WhatsApp messaging will add to customer’s accessibility to connect with the bank on their fingertips, furthering Digital India mission of GoI, as part of which IPPB has been working tirelessly to deliver banking services in the rural pockets of the country.

Gursharan Rai Bansal, CGM & CSMO – India Post Payments Bank said, “We are delighted to work with Bharti Airtel as our partner in driving digital and financial inclusion in India. We believe that financial services driven by technology have great potential and can go a long way in ensuring that the best financial products reach the farthest corners of the country”.

Abhishek Biswal, Business Head - Airtel IQ said, “Airtel IQ is a robust, intuitive and secure cloud communication suite. With the addition of WhatsApp messaging to the existing SMS and voice communication that we offer to India Post Payments Bank customers, we will further enable a two-way communication between the bank and their customers.  We are delighted to continue our association with IPPB  to contribute significantly in making banking services more accessible to tier2,3 cities in the country. We promise to continue delivering customer centric solutions that offer greater convenience to customers”.

IPPB and Airtel IQ are working towards further integrating a LIVE interactive customer support agent into the WhatsApp solution which will enable customers to access 24X7 support and get quick resolutions for their queries.

About Bharti Airtel Limited

Headquartered in India, Airtel is a global communications solutions provider with over 500 Mn customers in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa. The company ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally and its networks cover over two billion people. Airtel is India’s largest integrated communications solutions provider and the second largest mobile operator in Africa. Airtel’s retail portfolio includes high speed 4G/5G mobile broadband, Airtel Xstream Fiber that promises speeds up to 1 Gbps with convergence across linear and on-demand entertainment, streaming services spanning music and video, digital payments and financial services. For enterprise customers, Airtel offers a gamut of solutions that includes secure connectivity, cloud and data centre services, cyber security, IoT, Ad Tech and CPaaS (Airtel IQ). For more details visit www.airtel.com

About India Post Payments Bank

Communication with 100% equity owned by Government of India. IPPB was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on September 1, 2018. The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India. The fundamental mandate of India Post Payments Bank is to remove barriers for the unbanked & underbanked and reach the last mile leveraging the Postal network comprising 155,000 Post Offices (135,000 in rural areas) and 300,000 Postal employees.

IPPB’s reach and its operating model is built on the key pillars of India Stack - enabling Paperless, Cashless and Presence-less banking in a simple and secure manner at the customers' doorstep, through a CBS-integrated smartphone and biometric device. Leveraging frugal innovation and with a high focus on ease of banking for the masses, IPPB delivers simple and affordable banking solutions through intuitive interfaces available in 13 languages.

IPPB is committed to provide a fillip to a less cash economy and contribute to the vision of Digital India. India will prosper when every citizen will have equal opportunity to become financially secure and empowered. Our motto stands true - Every customer is important, every transaction is significant and every deposit is valuable.

MAHE, Bengaluru Campus To Host The 4th Edition of Manipal International Literature And Art Platform

* The three-day-long event is slated to be held from April 6 to April 8, 2023

* The festival will be representative of the sustained efforts of MAHE to promote arts, literature, and culture.

* m.i.l.a.p. 2023 intends to provide a vibrant space for writers, artists, academics, literary critics, filmmakers.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bengaluru campus to host the fourth edition of Manipal International Literature and Art Platform (m.i.l.a.p), which is scheduled from 6 April to 8 April 2023, at the MAHE Bengaluru campus, Yelahanka. m.i.l.a.p is an annual festival inspired by the long-standing efforts of the MAHE towards appreciation of literature, art, and culture. 

After three successful editions at MAHE, the coveted Manipal International Literature and Arts Platform (m.i.l.a.p.) has now reached the city of Bengaluru.  m.i.l.a.p. 2023 – “In Conversation with Bengaluru: Spaces, Intersections, Transitions, and Imaginaries” (SITI) brings together a multitude of voices ranging from educators, poets, and critics to activists, filmmakers, and theatre personalities. m.i.l.a.p. aims to provide a non-commercial space for writers, artists, literary critics, and students to share ideas, connect and initiate dialogue.

Prof. Ganesh. N Devy, a renowned literary critic, scholar, and recipient of the Padma Shri Award, will deliver the keynote address. The festival includes a series of Panel discussions, Masterclasses, Workshops, Film screenings, Competitions, and Performances. Masterclasses held across 3 days include Bengaluru in the Cultural Imaginary of Kannada by Prof. Rajendra Chenni, Ecologically Responsible Bengalurean: An Oxymoron by Sharachchandra Lele; and Urban Life of Caste by Janaki Nair. Additionally, the festival will play host to engaging panel discussions by scholars, Filmmakers and writers like Girish Kasaravalli, H S Shivprakash, Prithvi Konanur, Banu Mushtaq, and Deepa Bhashthi amongst others. The first two days of the festival also include Katha Kammata - Short Fiction Workshop by Vasudendra and My Body Is the City - A Theatre Workshop to Explore Body, Expression, Self, and Stories by Nisha Abdulla, Debosmita Dam. Each of the days culminates in performances like Desdemonda Rupakam by Nalanda Arts Studio, The Caretaker by Nagna Theatre and Padmavati Kalaga, Taalamaddale by Yaksha Durga Mahila Kalaa Balaga.

Inviting the connoisseurs of art and literature to the event, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, MAHE remarks, “As an institution of eminence, we are committed to nurturing intellectual and creative endeavors. m.i.l.a.p is a unique event where you will witness the perfect amalgamation of art, literature, and culture of the land. It promises to be an enriching experience for those who attend”.

Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of MAHE, Bengaluru campus says, “This is the first time a Private University is hosting a non-commercial literature and art festival in Bengaluru. The festival celebrates literary, performance, and visual arts. We welcome the local community, readers, and art enthusiasts across the city to join us. As a nascent campus, we want to create a culturally vibrant atmosphere in this part of the town and what better way to start other than striking up a conversation with Namma Bengaluru.”

Teachmint Launches TeachPay; A Verticalized Fintech Solution For Education

* With TeachPay, the company expands its Integrated School Platform to offer schools end-to-end management solutions for their needs on a single platform

Teachmint, a leading education infrastructure provider and creator of the Integrated School Platform, today unveiled TeachPay, a verticalized fintech solution for education which offers schools an efficient method to regulate their fee collection. With this, school administrators will now have a comprehensive visibility of cash flow in their institute, without the hassle of collections. TeachPay caters to end to end fee management for schools with two key features:

TeachPay Credit: A zero-cost monthly fee payment facility for parents where they have the option to pay in smaller installments while the school receives the entire fee upfront.

TeachPay Auto: A feature to automates fee payments, minimizing the need for multiple reminders or a miss in payment.

Being a 100% digital process, TeachPay can collect and settle the fees in different bank accounts with auto split and can even use new-age payment modes such as QR Codes, UPI, Net banking etc. to collect ancillary fees. With this, Teachmint becomes the first SaaS solution that caters to every operational need of a school including fee collection, transport management, attendance, exam management and more. Moreover, the platform is end-to-end encrypted to ensure the privacy of personal credentials of parents, students, and schools.

Commenting on the launch, Payoj Jain, Chief Product Officer, Teachmint, said, “Teachmint is on a mission to enable schools with a world class digital infrastructure that creates efficiencies at every stage of operations. TeachPay is one such addition to our gamut of offerings which eases one of the most complex operations in a school – fee management. What makes this product even more special is that, while it boosts cash flows in a school, it will also help parents immensely by giving them a reliable alternative to upfront fee payment. We believe that technology is a great problem solver and can help schools reduce the time spent on operations and instead spend more time focusing on student engagement and making classrooms and lessons more innovative. At Teachmint, we are building the digital infrastructure for education and are committed to introducing many more such products that can take school digitization to the next level.”

TeachPay joins other features on the platform like Fee Management, Attendance Management, Exam Planner, Admission Management, Teacher Training, Transport Management and more. Teachmint’s Integrated School Platform is designed to power schools and institutes and enable NEP-readiness through infrastructure innovation with a combination of advanced administrator tools, a modern LMS and digital content unified into a comprehensive offering.

About Teachmint

Teachmint is an education infrastructure startup and the creator of the Integrated School Platform, an all-in-one school digitization solution. We have enabled millions of educators and thousands of schools to create global, future-ready classrooms with our proprietary technology and school software solutions. Today, Teachmint is available in 20+ Indian and International languages and has served 2 crore+ users from 30+ countries through its platform.

Teachmint’s flagship product, the Integrated School Platform, empowers every stakeholder of the school with its one-stop solution equipped with advanced administrator tools, a modern learning management system, premium learning content, and a unique all-in-one fee payment solution. We believe that the right integration of technology can help school leaders unlock the highest potential of their institutes and bring the best out of their teachers, students and even drive better parent engagement.

Teachmint was founded in 2020 and is backed by leading International and Indian investors such as Rocketship.vc, Lightspeed, Learn Capital, Goodwater Capital, Vulcan Capital, Better Capital, CM Ventures, Epiq Capital and Titan Capital.

Air India Launches Premium Economy Class On Select Boeing Flights

·         Becomes India’s first and only airline to offer choice of four cabins 

·         Available on select flights operated by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft 

Air India introduces an all-new Premium Economy experience for travellers, offering a superior cabin product, world-class inflight services, and added on-ground convenience. The airline has opened sale for the new cabin, for travel starting May 15, 2023, becoming the first and only Indian carrier to offer the choice of four cabin classes – First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.  

Air India’s Premium Economy class will be initially available to customers travelling on select routes operated by its fleet of Boeing 777-200LR aircraft: Bengaluru-San Francisco, Mumbai-San Francisco, and Mumbai-New York.  

Mr. Campbell Wilson, CEO & MD, Air India, said: “The popularity of Premium Economy has grown among travellers around the world, as people are increasingly opting for upgraded, yet affordable flying experiences. We are delighted to introduce a distinctive Premium Economy experience for our customers on select flights for now, with a plan to extend it to many more routes soon, as we rapidly expand and modernise our fleet. This is another step forward in our sincere, ongoing effort to transform Air India into a modern, global carrier of world-class products and service standards.” 

Air India’s Premium Economy offers an exclusive travel experience designed for customers who do not mind paying a reasonable premium over Economy Class fares to fly in style and enjoy a lot more space, comfort, and convenience.  

Fast-track airport experience: Premium Economy customers will be able to check-in at dedicated counters and have priority tags affixed to their check-in baggage, and also be amongst the first to be invited to board the aircraft. 

Separate, spacious cabin with wider seats: Premium Economy class on Air India’s Boeing 777-200LR aircraft features 48 leather-upholstered, memory foam seats that have 19 inches of width, 38 inches of pitch, and 5 inches of recline with adjustable leg rest and footrest, and winged headrests. The seats provide extra legroom for customers to stretch out during flight, enabling customers to rest or work in comfort.  

Amenities: Premium Economy customers receive a complimentary, elegant TUMI amenity kit (specially designed for Air India) consisting of a pair of flight socks, an eye mask, MALIN+GOETZ lip moisturizer, and a pen, in addition to carpet slippers. Customers also receive noise-cancelling headphones for use during flight to complement the experience of Air India’s In-flight Entertainment (IFE) system.  

Onboard dining: Customers will be welcomed on board Air India’s Premium Economy class with a welcome drink served on an elegant silver tray and a menu card reflecting a glimpse of a delectable culinary experience during the flight. On board, customers will be able to choose from a delicious selection of three meal choices for the main course, served on fine chinaware casserole, accompanied by an appetizer and dessert. The drinks menu includes a fine selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  

Seats on the newly added Premium Economy class are now on sale on the Air India website, mobile apps, as well as through travel agents and other booking channels. 

About Air India: 

Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India pioneered India’s aviation sector. Since its first flight on October 15, 1932, Air India has an extensive domestic network and has spread its wings beyond to become a major international airline with a network across USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Far-East, South-East Asia, Australia and the Gulf. Air India is a member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium. After 69 years as a Government-owned enterprise, Air India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata group in January 2022. The present management at Air India is driving the five year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI to establish itself as a world-class global airline with an Indian heart. 

Vihaan.AI is Air India’s transformational roadmap over five years with clear milestones.  It will be focussing on dramatically growing both its network and fleet, developing a completely revamped customer proposition, improving reliability and on-time performance. The airline will also be taking a leadership position in technology, sustainability, and innovation, while aggressively investing in the best industry talent. Vihaan.AI is aimed at putting Air India on a path to sustained growth, profitability and market leadership. 

Mivi Launches Commando X9, The World’s First Gaming TWS Earbuds With Dual RGB

Mivi, India’s leading homegrown electronics company, has announced the launch of the Commando X9, the world’s first gaming TWS with Dual RGB. The first product of the Commando series, the X9 is also the nation’s first-ever entirely Made-in-India Gaming TWS and will be available on both the Flipkart and Mivi website. Priced at just Rs 1,499, the X9 has five attractive color options - Black, White, Red, Yellow and Grey.

For the first time ever, gamers will have options to customize both the case and the pods. The Commando X9, inspired by the Aurora Lights, offers gamers the freedom to personalize their experience, in line with their gaming set-ups. Equipped with seven different in-built color effects, the X9 is all set to take gaming aficionados on an unforgettable, immersive journey.

With a dedicated gaming mode and 13mm drivers for exceptional sound quality across a broad frequency range of 20Hz to 20KHz, the Commando X9 is built for marathon gaming sessions.  With 72 hours of unbeatable playtime, the X9 is the ultimate gaming companion that every gamer must possess. When charged for a mere 10 minutes, the X9 can deliver 15 hours of uninterrupted music, games and calls.

The 35ms ultra-low latency will ensure no lag between a player's actions and the corresponding feedback on the screen or audio output, making it an ideal choice for gamers who demand the highest level of performance from their audio device. The device is equipped with AAC and SBC codecs to ensure uncompromising compatibility with both iOS and Android users so that everyone can enjoy the same high-quality audio experience. With Bluetooth 5.3 technology and a range of 10 meters (30 feet), one can enjoy uninterrupted connectivity while gaming.

Ms. Midhula Devabhaktuni, Co-founder and CMO, of Mivi, said, “At Mivi, we are dedicated to delivering exceptional audio products that elevate our customers' listening encounters. We are excited to unveil India's maiden indigenous gaming TWS earphones, purpose-built for avid gamers. Our foray into the gaming category with this unparalleled product seeks to transform the Indian audio industry and establish a benchmark of excellence. With our innovative approach and unwavering commitment to quality, we are confident that our gaming TWS earphones will surpass our customers' expectations. As we strive to evolve with our customer's changing needs, we will continue to focus on advancing our technology and broadening our product range.”

The ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) technology ensures that one can fully immerse themselves in the audio experience without any distraction. The IPX 4 rating makes Commando X9 resistant to water splashes, sweat, and dust so that you can enjoy unhindered & intense gaming sessions. The Quad mic system in Commando X9 makes it an ideal choice for uninterrupted communications and game calls between players and teammates.

About Mivi

Founded in 2016, Mivi, the brainchild of Viswanadh Kandula and Midhula Devabhaktuni, strives to take the Indian electronic gadgets industry to the next level by fulfilling the need for high-quality electronic gadgets at affordable prices in the Indian market. Mivi is a one-of-a-kind company specializing in the audio category, from TWS to sound bars, which have gone from a luxury to a necessity for everybody with a smartphone. The brand aspires to create a difference in the Indian electronics market by introducing high-quality ‘Made in India’ products coming from its Hyderabad manufacturing factory. Mivi currently has a 1500+ strong team and is looking to expand its presence PAN India – from tier 1 to tier 4 cities.

LG Electronics Launches Its New 2023 Range Of DUALCOOL Inverter Air Conditioners Under Its AI+, Health And Hygiene Portfolio

LG Electronics, a consumer durable & air conditioner major in India, today announced the launch of its new 2023 range of DUALCOOL Inverter air conditioners under its AI+, health and hygiene portfolio. Under the latest range, LG is introducing air conditioners that come equipped with features such as AI +, Plasmaster Ionizer++, Hot & cold, and LG ThinQ (WIFI AC’s) that can be operated with voice command, thus making them touch free. The 2023 range also comes with a New BEE star rating for improved energy efficiency.

The new line up of 81 models from LG, is set to bring Advance technology that delivers convenience to consumers. There has been an increased demand for energy efficient air conditioners. Addressing this need LG has introduced AI+ Dual Inverter air conditioner which provide cooling based on the usage pattern of the consumer. These air conditioners also come with convertible technology that reduces the power consumption and provide faster cooling. Consumer can operate these AC from 40% to 110% of capacity. Aesthetically pleasing, the new range of AC is in floral and regal pattern design.

LG has also introduced 2 New Models of Air Conditioner with Hot & Cold Features under its new range, a better alternative to Oil Heaters, these ACs deliver clean and pure air along with reduced energy consumption. Additionally, the new line-up also includes 2 models of Plasmaster Ionizer++ ACs that offers Air Purification basis Ion diffuser & Filtration system.

The air conditioner giant enhanced its technology LG ThinQ (WIFI AC’s) range of ACs in 5 star range from 7 to 17 which takes consumers’ convenience to the next level. Now more customers can experience LG ThinQ technology, which allows users to control & monitor AC at any time and from anywhere with an app on the phone.  LG ThinQ offers compatibility with Smart App, Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant AI .Apart from control, consumers can also get filter cleaning notification & control multiple home appliances through LG’s smart ThinQ. The latest range also comes equipped with a Low gas detection system that detects low refrigerant level, notifying the user and shutting down the system.

Announcing launch of this new range of air conditioners Mr Kulbhushan Bhardwaj- Senior GM & Business Head- Air conditioners- LG Electronics India, said; “Health & hygiene with AI enabled AC has become a key parameter for consumers when purchasing home appliances. Addressing this evolving need, our new line up of air conditioners are equipped with features that ensure a clean and healthy environment. The 2023 models come with a new BEE rating, offering our consumers with the best energy efficiency solutions. We are committed to Self-reliant India initiative, the vision of new India envisaged by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our entire new range of split AC’s are made in India.”

Some of the key features of the 2023 AC lineup are given below –

•       AI+ Dual Inverter- AI+, with its revolutionary technology and robust sensing mechanism, understands your environment condition, your lifestyle trait and usages pattern to adjust the cooling system accordingly. Thus providing your optimum comfort and convenience your lifestyle deserves, for longer period

•       AI Convertible 6-in-1 -By taking advantage of LG DUALCOOL AC with Super Convertible 6-in-1 Cooling Control, you can not only save a lot of energy by stepping down the cooling capacity from 100% to 80%, 60% or 40%, but even increase the cooling capacity to 110% when faster cooling becomes most important and with AI/AI+ mode you can let AC automatically governs various parameters and ensure perfect cooling to the user 

•       Plasmaster Ionizer++ - This is revolutionary technology which removes 99.9% of adhering bacteria and deodorizes the indoor space, thus keeping you home free from bacteria, germs and bad odor

•       Viraat Mode: LG introduced high quality air conditioning, a next level Viraat mode with minimum 110% cooling capacity to provide instant cooling for an infinite time, which will deliver consistent cool air in area being used with a powerful fan speed and maximum user comfort.

•       Mute function: It gets irritating at times when a shriek beep sound comes whenever a button is pressed on your remote. You need not to worry about the shriek beep sound anymore. With just the press of a button, the AC starts functioning silently  and doesn’t produce any sound

•       HD Filter with Anti-Virus Protection- protection layer fitted HD Filter. The filter mesh is coated with Cationic Silver Ions (AgNPs) that deactivates more than 99%Virus# and bacteria* in contact. To be precise, it demobilizes up to 99.76% Virus# and up to 99.99% bacteria* cleansing.

•       UV Nano- UV Rays emitted by LEDs beneath the fan/ blower sterilizes the air from microorganisms by rupturing their DNA and produces clean air, also making it impossible to generate and multiply.

•       Ocean Black Fins-In order to offer unbeatable protection against humidity, dust, sand, smoke and chemicals present in environment, LGDUALCOOL Air Conditioners come with Ocean Black Fins. This helps to attain increased lifespan for your air conditioners and ensures superior performance compared to conventional fins.

•       100% Copper with Ocean Black Protection- Special Ocean Black Protection applied to both indoor &outdoor unit provide exceptional durability for the air conditioner in typical Indian regions affected from sand, salt, industrial smoke & pollutants.

•       LG ThinQ - Enjoy new ways to control your home with LG Smart ThinQ; a future-ready open platform with a widest assortment of Wi-Fi enabled application. Also, one can easily monitor and control their ACs at any time and from anywhere with LG’s exclusive home appliance control app on the smartphone.

•       10 Year Warranty on Compressor – With LG’s 10 Year warranty, you can enjoy cool fresh air for a relatively longer period including the Gas charging.

•       5 Year PCB Warranty- applicable on Split and Window Air Conditioner Models.

•       Cools at 52oC – Scorching heat render many Air Conditioners useless as they stop functioning, however, LG Air Conditioners with superior technology keeps you cool even when the temperature outside rises to 52oC.

•       Superior Design- While technological innovation stays at the heart for LG, the design and the look of the Air Conditioners are as appealing. The new and improved Regal and Floral Design in AC’s will add an attractive feel and look in the homes of the consumers.

Price and Availability –

The new range of Split AC’s will be available in various capacities & Star Rating price starting at INR 33,490 to INR 72,990 per unit

Consumers will be also able to purchase the Window Inverter AC’s at price starting from INR 43,990 to INR 61,490 per unit.

About LG Electronics India Pvt Ltd               

LG Electronics India Pvt. Ltd. (LG Electronics), a wholly owned subsidiary of LG Electronics, South Korea was established in January 1997 in India. It is one of the most formidable brands in consumer electronics, home appliances, HVAC, IT hardware. In India, LG has earned a premium brand positioning and is the acknowledged trendsetter for the industry. LGEIL's manufacturing unit at Greater Noida is one of the most eco-friendly units among all LG manufacturing plants in the world. The second Greenfield facility is located at Ranjangaon; Pune has the capacity to manufacture LED TVs, air conditioners, commercial air conditioning systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and monitors.

*Home Appliances include- Refrigerator, Washing Machine, AC, Water purifier, Microwave, Fan, Dishwasher & Air purifier.

Spotify Launches RADAR Tamil Playlist For Emerging Independent Artists To Showcase Their Music

* As the Tamil music industry grows beyond Kollywood, Spotify is expanding its global RADAR program to bring local non-film artists and their fans closer

Given the increasing popularity of Tamil music on Spotify over the last few years, the audio streaming platform today announced the launch of RADAR Tamil, a program that puts the spotlight on the Tamil independent artist community. This is the first time Spotify’s global flagship RADAR program is going regional in India. RADAR is Spotify’s global program for emerging artists to help them deepen their connections to new and existing audiences around the world.

With music beyond films, including that produced by labels and independent artists, coming to the forefront and listeners increasingly consuming this music, Spotify sees a huge opportunity to help artists grow their fan base not just in India, but across the world.

So far, RADAR India, which features a new artist every month on the cover of the playlist, has enabled artists and bands from Chennai to showcase their music, leading to growth in their music streams, listeners, and exposure to international markets. Some of these artists include:

The F16s saw a jump of 35% in the first month of getting inducted as a RADAR India artist. Following this, they went on to feature on global playlist covers such as Borderless & .ORG

Maalavika Manoj, aka Mali, was Spotify’s first RADAR India artist. She saw an increase of 40% in her listenership, and today is one of the most recognizable faces in the Indian Indie scene

Kevin Fernando, a Chennai-born, Toronto-based indie artist, saw a mammoth 225% increase in listenership in the first month of his induction in 2021. He also made a big crossover to the global stage, getting featured in Curve Magazine, UK, hailed as one of the five up-and-coming musicians about to go viral.

“Tamil music is a key focus for us at Spotify, and Tamil listeners are amongst the most engaged on our app. We have seen tremendous growth in Tamil music consumption since our launch in India. Some of our previous marketing initiatives, such as the Ilaiyaraaja campaign, and partnerships with films such as PS1 and Vikram have been very successful for us. With a dedicated RADAR program for Tamil artists, our intent is to provide these artists with a platform, help them grow, and put a spotlight on music beyond the films,” said Rahul Balyan, Head of Music, Spotify India. He added, “We’re also celebrating three years of RADAR in India this year, and hope to enable more artists to find their audience and showcase their talent through this program”.

Spotify also hosted a Spotify for Artists masterclass, followed by a panel discussion on the emergence of non-film music in Tamil. Independent artists Marshall Robinson, Iykki Berry, and Martin Kartenjer, set the mood for the RADAR Tamil launch with their soulful music.

Celebrate The “Ramadan Feast With Mother’s Recipe” Range Of Products

The holy month of Ramadan is here. Food is an important aspect of celebrating Ramadan where families, friends everyone come together to rejoice in the spirit of this holy festival. While it is the time for prayers and devotion, you can also look forward to easily plan the menu for your Iftar and Suhoor to make it delicious and nutritious. Want to enjoy a homemade Iftar this Ramadan, but don’t have the energy to cook? You needn’t toil through the entire day to make the lip-smacking delicacies but prepare them easily in the comfort of your home with as much love. In the spirit of making home cooking more convenient, Mother’s Recipe has put together an assortment of dishes that are popular during Ramadan.   

Mother’s Recipe as a brand always strives to bring in the traditional taste of age-old recipes in the most convenient form through its range of products, especially crafted keeping in mind the food preference of different regions and making cooking a less cumbersome process. Ginger garlic paste is one of the most loved and famous ingredients for any Indian cuisine. To save on your cooking time Mother’s Recipe has Ginger Garlic paste a crucial ingredient for Biryani and an essential part of the marinade, with no added preservatives and thick consistency. For the perfect mixture of all things flaky and crispy, sweet, tangy, and spicy for the Iftar, Mother’s Recipe offers an array of chutneys ranging from Tamarind Date Chutney, Bhelpuri Chutney, and Dhaniya Pudina Chutney to concoct a mouth-watering snack. 

The brand has an exquisite range of authentic and traditional Ready-To-Cook Spice Mixes & Instant Mixes with no added preservatives, no artificial colours, no added MSG. The exhaustive range includes snacks/ starters, main courses, and sweets ranging from products such as Butter Chicken to Chicken Moghalai, Chicken Chettinad,Chicken Biryani, Chicken Nawabi, Mutton Curry, Malabar Fish and Chicken curry Instant Seviya Kheer that takes you on a unique culinary voyage and ensuring the perfect consistent taste.  

A quintessential part of the festival Seviyan Kheer is the perfect sweet dish. Mother’s Recipe Seviyan Kheer is very easy to prepare need to boil 1 litre of milk and add the entire contents of the pack. Mix and cook on a medium flame for 15 minutes and it is ready. Mother’s Recipe also offers Rose Sharbat which is made with rose syrup and water. Rose Sharbat has a special place in Iftar meals. After a whole day without food and water, the sharbat serves as a perfect drink to quench one’s thirst, giving an instant hydration boost and cooling effect.  

About Mother’s Recipe  

Desai Foods Private limited owns the brands Mother’s Recipe, ELMAC, Spread On & Dabee. The company with a robust distribution network across the country caters to diverse formats ranging from mom & pop stores, modern trade outlets, multi-functional outlets, e-commerce, Defense and to Hotel Restaurants & Cafes (HORECA) / Food Service outlets. The company is one of the largest providers of traditional & authentic Indian taste exported to more than 45 countries in the world. The current product portfolio in India consists of Pickles, Condiments Pastes, Blended Spices, Ethnic Chutneys, Papad, Ready to Cook Spice Mixes and Instant Mixes. The company has 3 state of the art manufacturing facilities – in Pune, Kolkata & in Bharoda and is certified under ISO 9001-2008 and ISO 22000-2005. Mother’s Recipe have won various awards like the Consumer Voice Award, the Superbrand Award, Product of the Year award along with ‘Two Star Export House’ status by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.  

All the products are available to buy online on www.mothersrecipe.com  

Odysse Electric Vehicles Launches “VADER”, India’s First Electric Motorcycle Powered By 7” Android Display

* Comes equipped with 3000-watt electric motor and top speed of 85 KMPH 

* First Electric Motorcycle with a 7-inch android display and Google Map navigation 

* Offers a whopping 18 litres of storage space and maximum colour options in Electric bike segment 

* Prices start from Rs. 1,09,999* (ex-showroom Ahmedabad) 

Odysse Electric Vehicles, India’s fastest-growing premium electric vehicle manufacturer announced the launch of its new electric motorbike “VADER”. Odysse VADER is India’s first motorbike to be powered by 7-inch android display and can be controlled by an App and Bluetooth connectivity.  VADER motorcycle comes with a range of 125 km on Eco mode and is powered by the Odysse EV App which is available on Android. “Odysse VADER”, completely made in India, has been launched at an introductory price of INR 1,09,999* (ex-showroom Ahmedabad). 

Odysse VADER is powered by the newly introduced Odysse EV App. This app comes with connectivity features such as Bike Locator, Geo fence, Immobilization, Anti-theft, track & trace, Low battery Alert among many other utilities that are essential for ease in navigation for two-wheeler users. The electric motorbike comes with several exciting new features, new engine technologies and is available in exciting five new colours such as Midnight Blue, Fiery Red, Glossy Black, Venom Green and Misty Grey. 

Odysse VADER is powered by a 3000 Watts electric motor that has a top speed of 85 kmph. With a kerb weight of 128 kgs, the electric bike features combi braking system (CBS),240mm disc brake at the front and 220mm disc brake on the rear side. For ease of charging, the company has included IP67 AIS 156 approved Lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in 4 hours. The AIS-156 approved battery pack ensures incomparable fast charging and makes it highly reliable for daily commuting.  

Odysse VADER electric motorbike features a 7-inch Android display, Google Maps navigation, a whopping 18 litres of storage space, OTA update, Bluetooth connectivity and multiple color options - making it one of the most comprehensive e-bike package available today. With advanced technology such as LED lighting, regenerative braking and an easy-to-use battery management system, VADER offers exceptional safety measures along with the latest features at affordable price. These unique specifications make VADER stand out from other EVs in the market and demonstrate why it will be so impactful in changing perceptions about green transportation in the future. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nemin Vora, CEO, Odysse Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., “I am thrilled to introduce VADER, a technologically advanced and innovative motorbike. Our goal is to provide sustainable and affordable mobility that can be accessible to everyone. The first step towards achieving this goal is creating an affordable product that everybody can operate. We believe that VADER will help make transportation more efficient for all riders by introducing cutting-edge technology into the market at an unbeatable price. Odysse’s new VADER offers seamless connectivity and powerful running capabilities giving riders complete control over their journey making it convenient yet fulfilling mode of transport.” 

“We have an exciting new product line-up planned for 2023, along with the FAME-II approved High-Speed motorbike VADER. We plan to launch an electric scooter in the third quarter of 2023. We also intend to increase our dealership network to over 150 by the end of the year, and we anticipate that this initiative will increase our sales by at least 300%”, Mr. Vora added. 

The electric bike is offering a 3 years warranty on battery, and 3 years warranty on Powertrain. Odysse VADER will be available for booking Online and across the company’s dealership network of 68 outlets at a booking amount of INR 999. The deliveries of Odysse VADER will commence from July this year. 

L&T Construction Wins (Significant*) Orders For Its Power Transmission & Distribution Business

The Power Transmission & Distribution (PT&D) Business of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured multiple domestic EPC orders. As the country’s power generation evolves, Large Renewable Energy (RE) zones are being developed that house several solar and wind projects from various developers in contiguous land parcels. The power generated from such individual projects is collected at pooling substations, located in the vicinity, and then re-distributed to intra-state and inter-state transmission networks. One such RE zone, the Khavda RE park being developed in Gujarat’s Kutch region, will be one of the largest of its kind in the world. The PT&D Business has secured orders to establish 765kV and 400kV gas insulated substations, to serve as pooling substations, in the Khavda RE zone.

Another upcoming RE zone is in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh where gigawatts of solar and wind energy generation projects are being developed. The Business has won an order to establish 765kV gas insulated and air insulated substation bays at the pooling and remote end substations.

The combined scope of these substation packages includes more than 7 km of gas insulated bus ducts, bus reactors and protection & automation systems.

Further, the PT&D Business has also bagged orders to develop distribution infrastructure in two circles of Rajasthan’s prominent discom.

Background:

Larsen & Toubro is an Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing and Services. It operates in over 50 countries worldwide. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality has enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for eight decades.

Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc Limited Signs MoU With RCA To Set Up Anil Agarwal International Cricket Stadium In Jaipur

*  Vedanta’s HZL will invest INR 300 crore to build India’s second Largest Cricket Stadium

*  The 100-acre stadium facility will have state of the art infrastructure for sports training

Vedanta's Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) signed an MoU with the Rajasthan Cricket Association for the development of the world’s third-largest cricket stadium in the village of Chonp in Jaipur. Vedanta’s HZL will spend INR 300 crore on the stadium, one of the largest corporate investments in India’s sports infrastructure. The stadium would be named as “Anil Agarwal International Cricket Stadium, Jaipur.

The MoU was signed by Shri. Bhawani Shankar Samota, Honorary Secretary, Rajasthan Cricket Association and Mr. Arun Misra, CEO Hindustan Zinc in the presence of Dr. C.P. Joshi, Hon’ble Speaker, Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha and Chief Patron, RCA, Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd. and Shri. Vaibhav Gehlot, President, Rajasthan Cricket Association. The stadium facilities will be spread across 100 acres and have a seating capacity of over 75,000. Only Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium and Melbourne Cricket Ground have been seating capacity them this stadium. In terms of the size of playing field area this stadium would be larges in the world.

On this occasion, Dr. C.P. Joshi, Hon’ble Speaker, Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha and Chief Patron expressed happiness at the generous offer from HZL and signing of the MOU. He said that this would accomplish the long felt dream of construction of a modern International Cricket Stadium at Jaipur. He thanked Sh. Anil Agarwal and Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar for their support and MOU for 1st Phase of Stadium. He hoped 2nd Phase of stadium would also be supported by Vednata. The new stadium would develop talent of new players. He also hoped that Vedanta would help young entrepreneur to come up in Rajasthan.

On the occasion, Vaibhav Gehlot, President, Rajasthan Cricket Association said, highlighted the history and achievement of RCA. He warmly welcomed Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar for joining the important function. He profusely thanked Sh. Anil Agarwal, Chairman Vedatna, Group for extending their support towards the construction of the stadium. He hoped that similar support would be forthcoming for the construction work of the second phase and also thanked the State Government for allotting 100 acres of land for the stadium at concessional rates. He expressed his gratitude to Dr. C.P. Joshi, Chief Patron, RCA for the continuous support extended by him in this journey.

Sh. Kumar Sangakkara, Head Coach of Rajasthan Roayls expressed happiness at the Construction of the proposed stadium. He hoped that this venture would give encouragement to the new talent.

Vedanta Chairman, Shri Anil Agarwal shared his vision for this contribution, "Sport gives us the best life lessons in leadership, teamwork, competition and hunger to succeed. If India's youth participates wholeheartedly with energy and passion, nurtured by world class infrastructure, they will become an unbeatable talent pool. Vedanta dedicates this stadium and its facilities to new India. Let's play."

Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Limited and Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd.  said, "Cricket is a national passion. We are proud and privileged to have the opportunity to set up this world-class facility which will benefit players and spectators. India has huge potential as a sporting nation. Vedanta and HZL are committed to creating a best-in-class enabling environment for the flourishing of our country’s talent and interest in sports."

The stadium will be completed in phases. A 40,000 capacity is set to be completed by October, 2023. The overall project of first phase will cost Rs. 400 crores, out of which Rs. 300 crores will be borne by Hindustan Zinc Limited and the remaining amount of Rs. 100 crores will be taken care by RCA. The stadium will have an indoor games’ facility, training centers for other sports, a clubhouse, and parking for three and a half thousand vehicles. She also assured of support from HZL towards contraction of second phase of the stadium with 35000 capacity.

The Anil Agarwal International Cricket Stadium will host national and international matches, including games of the IPL. The stadium and its facilities will help the development of Rajasthan as a major hub for cricket and other sports.

Some highlights of the new stadium are as follows :-

A             WORLD CLASS INFRASTRUCTURE AS PER BCCI AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

·         Biggest Cricket playing field in the world.

·         One of the world's biggest Cricket stadiums with a seating capacity of 75,000. (2nd largest in India and 3rd largest in the world)

·         Spread over 100 acres (4,04,685 sqm) biggest playing area.

·         Well connected via Delhi-Jaipur Express Highway.

·         Offers ample activity space.

·         11 match-level pitches besides practice pitches.

·         Two separate practice grounds with small pavilion areas.

·         Four Dressing Rooms for players so that back-to-back games can be played on the same day.

·         Two podium concourses at different levels at the stadium periphery for smooth movement of the spectators and services.

·         Grand pedestrian entry – ramps and stairs, for smooth entry and exist.

·         Ample Parking.

·         38 VIP Corporate Suites.

·         36 VVIP Corporate Suites.

·         One Presidential Suite.

·         4 RCA Suites.

·         2000 Premium Corporate seats.

·         VIP Function/Banquet and dining space of 1900 sqm.

·         415 seats capacity for broadcasters and commentators.

·         340 seating capacity for media.

·         280 wheelchair seats as per green guide for disability.

B.            World Class Cricket Training Academy with residential facilities. It will have two practice ground with 5 pitches each. In addition there will be 20 indoor pitches for outdoor net practice. A small pavilion and gym for players will also be set up.

C.            Five-Star Hotel and Convention Centre.

D.            Club House with Indoor Sports facilities and Sports Outlets.

About Hindustan Zinc Limited

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group Company, is one of the world’s largest and India’s only integrated producer of Zinc-Lead and Silver. The Company has its headquarters at Udaipur in the State of Rajasthan where it has its Zinc-Lead mines and smelting complexes. Hindustan Zinc is self-sufficient in power with captive thermal power plants and has ventured into green energy by setting upwind power plants. The Company is ranked 1st in Asia-Pacific for the fourth consecutive year and globally 3rd in S&P Global Corporate Responsibility Assessment in 2022 amongst Mining & Metal companies. Hindustan Zinc is a certified Water Positive Company and is the only Indian company to be recognised at the S&P Global Platts Metal Award 2022 and has won the two prestigious awards for ‘Industry Leadership Award – Base, Precious and Specialty Metals’ Award and ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ Award.

The company takes pride in having some of the best-in-class people practices and employee-centric initiatives, which have certified Hindustan Zinc as – ‘Great Place to Work 2022’, ‘Company with Great Managers 2022’ by People Business and the People-first HR Excellence Award. As a socially responsible corporate, Hindustan Zinc has been relentlessly working to improve the lives of rural and tribal people residing near its business locations. The company is amongst the Top 15 CSR Spenders in India and are currently reaching out to 1.4 million people in 234 villages out of which 184 in Rajasthan, and 34 in Uttarakhand. As a market leader, Hindustan Zinc governs about ~80% of the growing Zinc market in India.

Learn more about Hindustan Zinc on -https://www.hzlindia.com/home/ and follow uson LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook , and Instagram for more updates.

About Vedanta Limited

Vedanta Limited (“Vedanta”), a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading natural resources companies spanning across India, South Africa and Namibia. The Vedanta Group has significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, Nickel, Aluminium, Power, Renewable Energy, Display glass and is foraying into Semiconductors business. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector, is committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner and aims to spend $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate this transition. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on various social impact programs and its flagship project, Nand Ghar is setting up model anganwadis across India. Vedanta Ltd. has been listed in Dow Jones Sustainability World Index 2022, conferred Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange. 

For more information, visit www.vedantalimited.com.

Essar Project Chosen For Vertex Hydrogen By The UK Government

·         Vertex Hydrogen, a leading low carbon hydrogen production project, chosen by UK Government.

·         Vertex Hydrogen is a key part of Essar Energy Transition which is planning investment of US$3.6 billion in developing a range of low carbon energy transition projects to support the UK’s decarbonisation strategy.

Essar welcomes the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ), cluster sequencing Phase-2 announcement confirming that EET’s Vertex Hydrogen project has been chosen as part of one of the two hydrogen plants that will help build the UK’s hydrogen economy. 

The announcement follows the UK Government’s commitment to providing up to £20bn in funding for early deployment of carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) to help meet its climate commitments.  The funding supports private investment and job creation in locations including the North West of England, Essar’s UK home.  This development supports Essar’s commitment to major investment in the UK in support of the UK Government’s net zero ambitions.

Recently, Essar launched Essar Energy Transition (EET) to invest US$3.6 billion in developing a range of low carbon energy transition projects over the next five years, of which US$2.4 billion will be invested at the Stanlow site in Ellesmere Port, between Liverpool and Manchester.

This plan includes Vertex Hydrogen which will produce some 350MW of hydrogen from 2026, making it one of the UK’s leading low carbon hydrogen businesses.  Some 600 thousand tonnes of CO2 will be captured and stored using HyNet’s carbon-capture infrastructure - the equivalent to taking around 250,000 cars off the road.

Vertex provides vital but ‘hard to abate’ industrial and power generation businesses with a route to decarbonise delivering job certainty and growth in a globally emerging sector.  The direct investment in the production plant will be nearly £500 million and is a critical first step in building a hydrogen economy in the North West.

Vertex is also rapidly progressing a second plant (HPP2) for 700MW into Front-End-Engineering-Design.  This will be completed in 2023, positioning Vertex as the enabler of a broader hydrogen economy in the North West. The HPP2 plant has today received support from the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund as part of its development.

Prashant Ruia, Director, Essar Capital, said: “I welcome and thank the UK Government for their support to our investment. This enables us to confidently move forward with our plans in EET to build a premier energy transition hub in the North West of the UK, anchored around our Stanlow Refinery.  Today, huge progress has been made.  We are more confident than ever in the potential of our UK site, with its core contribution to HyNet, to play a vital role in the UK’s decarbonisation strategy and to act as a catalyst for significant investment in our region.  We are demonstrating how legacy industrial businesses can become part of the solution, and drive decarbonisation across the North West’s industrial heartlands”. 

EET will include:

Essar Oil UK, the company’s refining and marketing business in North West England;

Vertex Hydrogen, which is developing 1 gigawatt (GW) of low carbon hydrogen for the UK market, with follow-on capacity set to reach 3.8GW;

EET Future Energy, which is developing 1 GW of green ammonia in India, targeted at UK and international markets;

Stanlow Terminals Ltd, which is developing enabling storage and pipeline infrastructure; and

EET Biofuels, which is investing in developing 1 MT of low carbon biofuels.

EET’s strategy is founded on the fact that hydrogen and biofuels are fast becoming globally significant fuels of the future and that the UK is positioned strongly to spearhead the rapid growth of the European low carbon fuels market.  The UK already benefits from an advanced regulatory and policy framework to support low carbon energy production, including the UK government’s target of achieving 10GW of hydrogen production by 2030. 

Such is the scale of the market growth opportunity that EET estimates approximately two-thirds of its aggregate cash flows could come from diversified low carbon sources before the end of the decade.  As a core part of the HyNet cluster, Essar’s Stanlow site is in one of the only two hydrogen clusters in the country to potentially be supported through to full operations.  The Stanlow refinery itself will also achieve a 75% reduction in carbon emissions before the end of this decade and net zero by 2040.

In addition to the US$2.4 billion investment in the UK, EET will also invest US$1.2 billion in developing a cost-efficient global supply hub for low carbon fuels in India

About Essar Energy Transition (“EET”)

Essar Energy Transition was launched in February 2023, by the Essar Group to drive the creation of the UK’s leading energy transition hub in North West England.  EET plans to invest a total of US$3.6 billion in developing a range of low carbon energy transition projects over the next five years, of which US$2.4 billion will be invested across its site at Stanlow, between Liverpool and Manchester and US$1.2 billion in India. 

EET’s investment programme will play a major role in accelerating the UK’s low carbon transformation, supporting the government’s decarbonisation policy and creating highly skilled employment opportunities at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse economy.

The investments, across a range of hydrogen production technologies, decarbonisation, biofuels (road and aviation), and infrastructure projects, will contribute to North West England quickly becoming one of the leading post-carbon industrial clusters in Europe.  EET believes that these investments will support the reduction of around 3.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, around 20% of the total industrial emissions in North West England.

Vistara, Became India’s First Carrier To Operate A Wide-Body Aircraft Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

* The special flight, using SAF, was operated on Vistara’ s brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in partnership with Boeing and GE Aerospace

Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier and a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, today became India’s first carrier to operate a wide-body aircraft using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a long-haul route. The ground-breaking ferry flight from Charleston International Airport, South Carolina to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi was operated in partnership with The Boeing Company and GE Aerospace, on Vistara’ s newest GEnx-powered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, the fourth in its fleet. By using a blend of 30% SAF with 70% conventional jet fuel, Vistara was able to reduce approximately 150,000 pounds of CO? emissions over the fuel’s life cycle.

Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We take immense pride in carrying out another pioneering initiative to operate a wide-body aircraft on a long-haul route using SAF, as we took delivery of our all-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This is an important milestone in our commitment towards achieving carbon neutrality. We thank our partners, Boeing and GE Aerospace, for their support and hope that initiatives such as this, open up more avenues for the industry to increasingly adopt sustainable technologies. Since the very beginning, Vistara had decided to invest in modern and advanced new aircraft with fuel efficient engines, and we remain committed towards reducing carbon emissions across all areas of our operations.” 

Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India said, “We congratulate Vistara on the significant achievement of becoming the first Indian airline to operate a wide-body aircraft, the Boeing 787-9, on a long-haul route using SAF. This is a major milestone in the Indian aviation industry's journey towards decarbonization, and we are proud to have been a partner in this endeavour. Boeing remains committed to working with Vistara and other partners to promote the use of SAF in the Indian aviation industry and around the world, in support of our collective goal of achieving a sustainable future for air travel.”

Mr. Vikram Rai, Country Head – South Asia & Indonesia, GE Aerospace said, “GE Aerospace congratulates Vistara on this milestone. The GEnx engine, like all GE Aerospace engines, can operate on approved SAF blends today. Compatibility with existing aircraft engines is one of the reasons SAF is critical to helping the aviation industry reach its goal to be net zero by 2050 and collaborations like this encouraging greater adoption of SAF globally helps bring us closer to this target. The GEnx is also up to 15% more fuel efficient than its predecessor, helping reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in flight in addition to the benefits of SAF.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to conventional jet fuel, lowering carbon emissions by up to 80% over the fuel’s life cycle, depending on the feedstock. Vistara is constantly looking at improved ways to do business, keeping sustainability at the heart of those innovations and this ferry flight on SAF, another industry first initiative in India, is a testament to that.

The airline is currently working under the TATA Aviation Sustainability Working Group along with the other aviation arms of the TATA group for reducing carbon emissions. Vistara, along with other airline companies of the Tata group – Air India and Air Asia India, recently signed an MoU with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Indian Institute of Petroleum to collaborate on the research, development and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). The airline would also be jointly working through the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), to lower CO2 emissions for international flights and to curb the industry’s impact on climate change. 

Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and it has been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards, besides being lauded for world-class cabin cleanliness and upholding high safety standards. The airline has recently been featured amongst World’s Top 20 Airlines while being recognised as the ‘Best Airline in India and Southern Asia’ for the second time in a row, ‘Best Airline Staff Service in India and Southern Asia’ for the fourth consecutive year, ‘Best Cabin Crew in India and Southern Asia’ for the second time in a row and ‘Best Business Class in India and Southern Asia’ at the coveted Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022. Vistara also recently received the ch-aviation Asia’s Third Youngest Airline Fleet award for the second consecutive year.

About Vistara (TATA SIA Airlines Limited): TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a 51:49 joint venture between Tata Sons Private Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA). Vistara brings together Tata’s and SIA’s legendary hospitality and renowned service excellence to offer the finest full-service flying experience in India. Vistara commenced its commercial operations on January 9, 2015, with an aim to set new standards in the aviation industry in India and it today connects destinations across India and abroad. The airline has a fleet of 59 aircraft, including 45 Airbus A320, eight Airbus A321, two Boeing 737-800NG and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and has flown more than 45 million customers since starting operations.

For more information about Vistara, visit www.airvistara.com

LMW ATC Has Contributed To The ISROs Successful LVM3 Mission

Lakshmi Machine Works - Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) had contributed to ISRO's successful LVM3 -M3 OneWeb India- 2 mission by producing a flight critical and complex 4m Dia Hat stiffened composite Equipment Bay Shroud that houses sensitive equipment for LVM3, as well as Assembly, Structural Testing, and Non Destructive Testing of 24 Composite tubular members for the Inter Tank Structure that connects the liquid oxygen tank and liquid hydrogen tank of C25 Cryogenic Upper Stage. This Launch Vehicle carries 36 One Web Gen-1 satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Srihari Kota into a circular Low Earth Orbit at 450 km altitude.

LMW produced 4 Interstage assemblies (S2V, S2S, S3C1 & S3C2) and a sub-assembly called the Piston Cylinder assembly for the separation of the Payload fairing for India Space Research Organization's (ISRO) successful SSLV-D2 mission earlier this year.

On the occasion of achieving flight heritage for the Composite and Metallic Structures manufactured by LMW- ATC for Launch Vehicles, we wish to emphasize that LMW - Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) is a one-stop shop for Aerospace & Defence customers. ATC has world-class infrastructure and capabilities, including Quality Assurance aligning with AS9100 D certification and NADCAP certification for more than 25 special processes, including Composites Process, Chemical Process, NDT, Welding, and Heat treatment. This Composites facility is currently being upgraded with cutting-edge equipment, including a C-Scan for quality assurance and a Hot Air Oven for production.

Godrej Group And SBI Sign A Strategic MoU To Deepen Partnership

Godrej Group, through its financial services arm, Godrej Capital and State Bank of India (SBI) today signed a strategic MOU to deepen their partnership wherein State Bank of India would provide various financial products and offerings.

For decades, both SBI, its group companies, and the Godrej Group have played an important role in the growth of our country's economy. With this partnership, they hope to continue their contributions to building the nation.

Speaking on the development, Pirojsha Godrej, Chairperson of Godrej Capital, said, "This partnership is a big step forward in making financial solutions more accessible and affordable. Together, we aim to unlock opportunities for financial inclusion and build a long-term, sustainable franchise, helping drive India's growth story forward.”

Dinesh Khara, Chairman of SBI, speaking on the announcement, said, "We are happy to embark on this exciting partnership with Godrej Capital. We aim to capitalize on synergies that will empower our customers and accelerate the growth of our economy. In addition, we will focus on delivering financial solutions to the Godrej group."

This association leverages the strengths of both groups by facilitating a gamut of financial services provided by the Bank, including, and not limited to, banking products, credit cards, wealth management, Life Insurance, and General Insurance as preferred partners.

Manish Shah, MD and CEO of Godrej Capital added, "We are excited about this partnership between two of the most reputed brands in the country. Financial services have always been the leading indicators of growth of the economy, and the two groups coming together is a milestone we want to leverage in building a sustainable organization."

Godrej Capital has, so far, disbursed over INR 5000 crores since inception in November 2020 across housing, SME, and MSME loans. It has expanded its presence across 11 cities in India and aims to expand its footprint to 30 cities across India in the next 12 months.

About Godrej Capital

Godrej Capital is the financial services arm of the Godrej Group. It is a subsidiary of Godrej Industries and is the holding company for Godrej Housing Finance & Godrej Finance. With a digital-first approach and a keen focus on customer-centric product innovation, Godrej Capital offers home loans and Loans Against Property. It is positioned to diversify into other customer segments and products. The company is focused on building a long-term, sustainable retail financial services business in India, anchored on the Godrej Group's 125- year legacy of trust and excellence. Godrej Capital focuses on learning and development across its employee base and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a guiding principle. Its entity, GHF, is Great Place to Work®- Certified and was recognized by Economic Times as the Best Organization for Women for 2022. Godrej Capital currently has its footprint across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore, Surat, and Jaipur.

About SBI:

State Bank of India (SBI) a Fortune 500 company, is an Indian Multinational, Public Sector Banking and Financial services statutory body headquartered in Mumbai. The rich heritage and legacy of over 200 years, accredits SBI as the most trusted Bank by Indians through generations. SBI, the largest Indian Bank with 1/4th market share, serves over 45 crore customers through its vast network of over 22,000 branches, 62617 ATMs/ADWMs, 71,968 BC outlets, with an undeterred focus on innovation, and customer centricity, which stems from the core values of the Bank - Service, Transparency, Ethics, Politeness and Sustainability. The Bank has successfully diversified businesses through its various subsidiaries i.e SBI General Insurance, SBI Life Insurance, SBI Mutual Fund, SBI Card, etc. It has spread its presence globally and operates across time zones through 229 offices in 31 foreign countries. Growing with times, SBI continues to redefine banking in India, as it aims to offer responsible and sustainable Banking solutions..