Blue Dart Encourages the ‘Bonds of Solidarity’ Thanking COVID-19 Warriors with Special ‘Rakhi Express’ Offer

Blue Dart, India’s leading logistics service provider and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL), announces the launch of its annual ‘Rakhi Express’ on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Straying from tradition, Blue Dart aims to go one step beyond the celebration of the bond between siblings. This year, Blue Dart encourages the ‘Bonds of Solidarity’ to ship rakhis, not just to siblings within India and internationally, but to go one step beyond and send your love and spread the joy of the festival to all protectors including our COVID-19 warriors who have safeguarded the nation through the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Blue Dart’s ‘Rakhi Express’ is a unique opportunity that has been loved by customers for years. Through its widespread Indian domestic network, Blue Dart will deliver rakhis to 34,000+ locations across India and to 220 countries and territories across the globe, as part of the DPDHL Group’s ‘Express Easy Rakhi’. Customers can avail a special rate of ₹200/- to send rakhis to COVID-19 warriors and ₹250/- to send rakhis to their loved ones between 10th July, 2020 and 05th August, 2020. The special rate applies for up to 0.5kg for domestic shipments (anywhere within India). These offers can be availed at any of the Blue Dart – DHL retail stores across India or by calling 1860 233 1234. Customers can send their rakhis through a specially designed ‘Rakhi Envelope’ and a greeting card for their personalized messages.

Speaking about the initiative, Ketan Kulkarni, CMO & Head - Business Development, Blue Dart said, “The year 2020 was different on every vertical. This year, the world crumbled around us, giving way to a Pandemic that shook businesses and individuals across the world. The only common underlying theme across industries, cities and nations was the ‘Bonds of Solidarity’ amidst people. While most of us stayed in the safety of our homes, our COVID-19 warriors geared up at their action stations to ensure the health and safety of all.

Our goal during this festive season is to ensure that Raksha Bandhan 2020 is more than a festival for sisters to send brothers their love; rather, it is to ensure that Raksha Bandhan 2020 is a festival that celebrates love in all its forms – to parents, to friends and most importantly to send gratitude to all our protectors including our COVID-19 warriors.

This initiative is a tribute to every Government Worker, Health Care Worker, every Armed / Paramilitary / Police Force personnel, every Civil Aviation / Railway / Bank employee who has tirelessly worked through the pandemic for the greater good.”

He further added, “We want to give families that live apart, the opportunity of experiencing Raksha Bandhan to the fullest by staying connected across the country and globe. In the world of social media, the Rakhi and personal note from a loved one delivered with care, holds a very special place. We strive to provide a hassle-free, accurate and timely delivery so that people may enjoy their Raksha Bandhan without any worries.”

Customers can register for the Rakhi Service at any of Blue Dart’s conveniently located stores across the nation. At the store, the customer needs to verbally confirm that the sender or receiver is a COVID-19 warrior. Blue Dart staff then offer the Domestic Rakhi Express at Rs.200/- on domestic Rakhi shipment up to 0.5kg. The Rakhi the customer brings is then inserted in the rakhi envelope along with the Blue Dart greeting card where the sender can write their personal message for their unwavered fighting spirit.

To avail our service or for any further enquiry, customers can call us on Customer Care Number - 1860 233 1234 or email us on - customerservice@bluedart.com.

PC's from ViewSonic now in India

US-based visual display product maker ViewSonic today unveiled its first all-in-one PC for the Indian market at a price tag of Rs 32,000.

The system 'VPC100' is the first of a new line of concept products that the company plans to launch in India. The PC allows users to watch HD movies, browse Internet, play games or view documents with crisp details. It is powered by Intel's 1.6GHz Atom processor, the company said.

ViewSonic Technologies India Country Manager Gautam Ghosh said ViewSonic's PC will be available in India through the company's authorised distributor Redington India at an MRP of Rs 31,999.

The domestic market is flooded with computers with basic features to advanced functions at a price range starting from Rs 8,000 onwards.

Agencies

India's IT export target of $50 bn will be delayed, says NASSCOM

IT industry association NASSCOM said the export revenue target of 50 billion dollar by 2010 will be delayed by 3-4 quarters due to the global economic downturn, and warned of uncertainties in the near future.

The NASSCOM-McKinsey, however, presented an ambitious scenario for the Indian IT industry for the next 11 years saying the total revenue from export is expected to expand to 175 billion dollars by 2020 and revenues from the domestic market could achieve the 50 billion dollar mark.

"This, however, needs a concerted effort by both the industry and the government to ensure swift and sustained reforms in critical areas of education and infrastructure," NASSCOM said.

On the economic scenario, the organisation said the "global economic crisis will have far-reaching and as yet uncertain impact on the industry. Near term volumes and pricing is likely to come under pressure."

Commenting on the opportunities for the industry, Som Mittal, President, Nasscom, said, "The Indian IT industry is in the midst of unprecedented times because of the current economic environment. We expect the next few quarters to be extremely challenging with companies doing everything required to effectively overcome the challenges."

NASSCOM is of the view that the 2020 business landscape would be different from the one that was witnessed in the last decade as now it would be driven by global megatrends.

There are likely to be new verticals in the public sector, healthcare, media and utilities (which have adopted global sourcing only to a limited extent) along with new customer segments in the small and medium businesses.

"These new opportunities will result in export revenues of 175 billion dollar by 2020. On the back of these megatrends the Indian domestic industry too will experience significant growth and record a four-fold increase in revenues from 12 billion dollar in 2008 to 50 billion by 2020," it said.

"80 per cent of the incremental revenue growth by 2020 will be driven by opportunities outside of the current core markets, verticals and customer segments and the industry needs to redefine its value proposition to capture these," Mittal said.

The NASSCOM-McKinsey report said that India has been the destination for global sourcing over the last 10 years and has garnered a 51 per cent share of the industry today. India continues to be the most competitive among 25-30 low-cost locations even today.

Agencies

Indian IT sector may be significantly hurt by global crisis

The Indian IT industry is likely to be impacted significantly by the global financial crisis due to the loss of overseas markets as well as protectionist trends, according to PM's special envoy Shyam Saran.

Saran further said that the sector has been focused on the export market so far. It has not looked at the domestic market as a significant business opportunity.

"Now could be the time to do this. More competitive conditions in both domestic as well as external markets require Indian industry to be more efficient and productive," he told at a seminar on 'GeoPolitical Consequences of Current Financial and Economic Crisis: Implications for India'.

This is where the country's IT industry can play a significant role, but this will require the dynamic sectors of economy, the services and the manufacturing sector, to come together to deliver a major punch, once the global economy settles down into a new and altered landscape, he said.

He suggested that there should be a willingness in business and industry to think through and come up with an ambitious and potentially winning strategy.

They should seek government support for delivering on such a strategy rather than looking only for short-term relief, added Saran.

Agencies

Kingfisher slashes air fares between 21 to 65 per cent

Kingfisher Airlines said it had slashed air fares between 21 per cent and 65 per cent on various routes across its network with effect from January 1, 2009.

"This is consistent with Kingfisher Airlines' mission to aggressively pursue increase in market share and to deliver India's only five star experience at highly competitive fares", a Kingfisher press statement said here on Friday.

The airlines will also offer significant discounts to its traditional corporate customer base, it said.

Its frequent flier programme, King Club, will now offer incentives and rewards including free overseas travel on its new launched international routes.

"The declining prices of ATF facilitate such consumer-benefitting initiatives that will also stimulate the industry", CEO and Chairman of the airlines, Vijay Mallya said in the statement.

"We will aggressively pursue sales and share and this will help sustain increased load factors in the shoulder season between February and April", he said.

Source: Agencies

V

Obama urged to appoint a cyber security czar

Report indicates that cyber security a major threat to US and has urged president-elect Barack Obama to appoint a cyber security czar.

Cyber security will pose a major threat to the US during the next administration, a new report has said, urging.

The report, Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency, issued by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, also urged president-elect Barack Obama to appoint a cyber security czar.

"Cyber security is now a major security problem for the US. Only a comprehensive national security strategy that embraces both the domestic and international aspects of cyber security will make us more secure," said the report.

Criticizing President George W. Bush for relying on the free market to secure the nation's networks, the report accused the Department of Homeland Security of being unable to protect the government from cyber attacks.

"In no other area of national security do we depend on private, voluntary efforts. We believe that cyberspace cannot be secured without regulation," it said.

The report recommended the creation of a White House office - Assistant to the President for Cyberspace - to coordinate responses to cyber threats across domestic, intelligence, military and economic elements of the government. It called for increased funding for research into cyber security.

Air fares in India fall in time for New Year

Air fares have finally begun their descent to more reasonable levels this holiday season. On Saturday, Vijay Mallya-owned Kingfisher and low cost carriers — IndiGo and SpiceJet — decided to follow Jet and Air India in cutting fuel surcharge for domestic flights.

While full service carriers have dropped surcharge by Rs 400, LCCs — that had not raised them in last two rounds of jet fuel price hikes — have also reduced by Rs 200 to Rs 300. Now all Indian carriers, whether full service or low cost, have uniform fuel surcharge: Rs 1,950 for short flights and Rs 2,700 for those over one hour flying time.

LCCs like IndiGo and SpiceJet and AI (domestic) don't charge the congestion fee of Rs 150 that Jet and Kingfisher do. In fact, with the difference in fuel surcharge gone, LCCs would be under pressure to cut basic fares. They are looking at re-introducing attractive advance booking fares to stimulate demand. At present, full service carriers' fares are about 20% higher than LCCs and the latter want this gap to be 25-30% to be significantly cheaper.

The airlines' worst fears are coming true as the combined impact of economic glut and terror alerts has cast its shadow on passenger numbers in the ongoing peak travel season. The number of fliers is going to further drop from January to March (traditionally the leanest travel season). "We have to stimulate demand by attractive fares," said SpiceJet director Ajay Singh.

Will the slowdown benefit BPO industry?

Indian industry will feel the real impact of the current meltdown in the US and other developed economies in the first quarter of 2009, with the business process industry likely to see job losses of up to a quarter of a million, said Samir Chopra, President, Business Process Industry Association of India (BPIAI).

Addressing delegates at a session on 'Surviving US Recession- Developing & Transforming Policies', Chopra, however, saw a silver lining in the ongoing recession for the BPO sector, saying that it would compel more companies in the US and Europe to look at outsourcing as a way cut their costs and improve efficiencies.

He said that urgent government measures were needed to boost the domestic business process industry, specially the medium and small enterprises. These included both fiscal and administrative measures, like extending the tax relief for the IT sector for another 5-10 years and export promotion steps, including a market development fund. The session was organised here today by BPIAI in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

According to him, the current situation had been impacted further by the recent terrorist carnage in Mumbai, which had hit sentiments across the board. "It has led to widespread cancellations of visit and even forthcoming international events. The government must now take suitable remedial steps to boost homeland security and the emergency response system."

For Anand Pillai, the current meltdown was an opportunity for the Indian BPO sector to add value to its services. This, he said, was important if they were to retain and expand their client base. Taking an optimistic view of the current slowdown, he said that a positive response and attitude would help shorten the recession cycle. "For this, it was important workplaces should engender learning, preparing employees for the turnaround, when it happens.

Citing the example of his company, HCL Technologies Ltd, Pillai said that "the core asset in any IT industry were its staff and cost-cutting through retrenchments was not the right policy to follow. The savings resulting from such job cuts are miniscule when compared to the damage they cause in terms of employee satisfaction and service delivery."

Disagreeing with Chopra that the current slowdown was temporary, Praveen Sengar, Head-Software, Services & Industry (Vertical Reserach), IDC India Ltd, said recovery from the last slowdown in 2001 had taken six quarters when the sectors affected were much less. "This time, I see a recovery only around the first half or the third quarter of 2010."

According to Sengar, the current slowdown was likely to slowdown expansion in the BPO industry, with the time taken for signing up new clients taking a longer period of time. "It will also result in greater consolidation and promote diversification into areas hitherto considered as non-core activities."

On his part, S N Zindal, former Director-General, Software Technology Parks of India, said that "it was not true that the Indian IT industry was in recession, though he agreed that there could be substantial decline in its growth rate. This is a period when the Indian IT industry, specially the BPO units, should build on their advantage by improving manpower, developing suitable infrastructure and having the right government policies in place."

Agreeing that the SMEs were the most vulnerable to any downturn, Zindal said that the right policies could help such units move up the value chain. He said that even as the slowdown continued in the US and other developed countries; such units could help tide over the crisis by expanding the domestic market.

Emphasizing the need for more reforms, Kiron Prabhakar, Partner, PAV Law Offices, said that amendments had been proposed several times to the Information Technology Act 2000, "but these are yet to see the light of the day". According to her, the other areas needing reform were Incomes Tax Act and the Stamp Duty Act apart from changes in the immigration laws.

Prabhakar also advocated doing away with the cap on royalty and knowhow fees, saying that were impeding technology transfer to Indian companies.Industry has been seeking a change in the labour regulations for quite some time and the government must ensure that these promote outsourcing, she added.

Proposing the vote of thanks, Deepak Ohlyan, Managing Committee Member, BPIAI, and Director, Dell International Services BPO, said that the recent terrorist incidents in Mumbai were a matter of great concern to Indian industry. He said that it was time for the domestic BPO industry to consolidate on its recent growth and prepare for the turnaround by upgrading both staff and services.

A panel discussion on the impact of the recent terrorist attacks on the business process industry was also organized on occasion, with participants seeking stronger government action and greater political will to tackle the situation.

Some participants in the discussion like Col K C Goswami, Consultant, Special Projects, G4S Security Services; Sanjog Gupta of NDTV, and Arjun Wallia, Founder & Chairman, Managing Director, Walsons -- A Securitas Partner Company, felt that the attacks were a wake-up call for the Indian industry to take immediate steps to improve physical security of their establishments. There was no time for complacency, they added.

Other speakers like Srinivas Pingali, EVP, Quatrro BPO Solutions Pvt Ltd, said that the BPO industry had been directly impacted by the attacks and "any such attack in the future could severely dent the prospects of the domestic industry. The immediate business impact has also been minimized by the forthcoming Christmas and New Year holidays."

Responding to a suggestion, Chopra agreed on the need for the association to come out with its own security standards for the BPO sector. This, he said, would reassure potential overseas investors and clients, even as they would enable domestic companies to be prepared for ongoing security audits and checks.

Source: Times of India