Make Valentine’s Special with PAYBACK; Redeem Points to Win Movie Tickets, Vouchers & Hotel Bookings

Celebrate the month of love with exclusive offers at PAYBACK Partners:

Highlights

* Five lucky couples stand to win Bookmyshow voucher worth Rs. 5000 every day from 10th – 14th Feb on buying Instant vouchers worth at least Rs 1,000 via PAYBACK VoucherWorld; Assured bonus Rs. 10 Amazon voucher for everyone who buys at least Rs 1,000 Voucher 
* Discounts on Travel Tickets & Hotel Bookings, over & above discounts via PAYBACK points redemption on Cleartrip & Goomo
Valentine day special products on the Rewards Catalogue, to gift to loved ones


This month of love, PAYBACK loyalty program, is running numerous offers, for its members. Five lucky couples stand to win Bookmyshow voucher worth Rs 5000 daily till Feb 14th. To qualify, members just need to purchase Instant vouchers worth at least Rs 1,000 via PAYBACK VoucherWorld. What’s more, they also get an assured Bonus Rs. 10 Amazon voucher on the same purchase. Members will additionally get access to exclusive discounts & exciting offers on vouchers from 100+ top brands on PAYBACK Voucherworld.

In addition, PAYBACK’s online travel partners like Cleartrip and Goomo are offering special discounts, which are over & above PAYBACK points redemption for air-tickets and hotel booking.

Remarking on the occasion, Mr. Ramakant Khandelwal, CMO, PAYBACK India said, “PAYBACK program is about adding joy and rewards to the lives of our 100+ million members. We collaborate with all our partners to launch exclusive offers during special occasions such as Valentine’s day. Our members look for the best deals & offers and we do hope they will find it again at PAYBACK”.

PAYBACK VoucherWorld offers instant vouchers of 100+ leading brands, which, can be bought by redeeming points for free. Members get a chance to enjoy discounts up to 25% or BOGO offers on favorite vouchers. PAYBACK members even get access to an impressive collection of top branded products on the Rewards Catalogue that can be bought only via points redemption on the portal and app.

PAYBACK is a unique loyalty program, designed to engage with customers and provide them with an experiential journey while shopping and rewarding them for their purchases, with loyalty points, that can be redeemed later. The varied portfolio across multiple categories such as retail, fuel, banking, payments, entertainment, hospitality and travel covers over 80% of the popular consumer spend areas. PAYBACK program is accepted at over 12,000 Point of Sale available in 100+ cities.

Xiaomi India Unveils Desh Ka Dumdaar Smartphone, Redmi 8A Dual

Xiaomi, India’s number one smartphone and smart TV brand, today launched the next iteration of their bestselling Redmi A series smartphone - Redmi 8A Dual with a new Aura XGrip Design and dual rear cameras. Redmi also expanded its portfolio with Redmi Power Bank 10000mAh and Redmi Power Bank 20000mAh.

Redmi 8A Dual: Desh Ka Dumdaar Smartphone

Redmi 8A Dual takes a step further and brings dual cameras to the Redmi A series for the first time. It features a 13MP primary sensor supported by a 2MP depth sensor resulting in perfect portraits. The hardware is coupled with Xiaomi’s capable AI Scene Detection and AI Portrait mode. On the front, selfies, video calls and AI face unlock are facilitated by the 8MP camera.

Redmi 8A Dual brings an all-new Aura XGrip Design, improving on the much appreciated Aura Wave Grip Design which was introduced on the Redmi 8A. Aura XGrip Design brings a premium experience with a mesh pattern on the rear enabling better grip while keeping fingerprints at bay.

The 15.8cm (6.2) Dot Notch HD+ IPS display on Redmi 8A Dual has an aspect ratio of 19:9 providing an immersive experience. It is powered by a 5000mAh high-capacity two-day battery with support for 18W fast charging (10W fast charger inside the box). It also supports reverse charging through the Type-C port. The entire Redmi smartphone portfolio now features Type-C port and support for 18W fast charging. Performance is taken care of by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 439 octa-core chipset. It is available in two variants, 2GB+32GB and 3GB+32GB, with a 2+1 dual SIM slot. The dedicated microSD card support allows storage expansion up to 512GB.

With a promise of the highest quality, Redmi 8A Dual is built to last thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and P2i’s nano-coating ensuring protection against accidental falls and spills respectively. 

Anuj Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer, Xiaomi India said, “We have continuously focused on making the best of technology available to everyone with the Redmi A series smartphones. Redmi’s A series has been one of the leading smartphone series with Redmi 6A being one of the highest shipped smartphones of 2019 nationally according to IDC’s Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Q4 2019. Redmi 8 series also contributed towards the 15.9% YoY growth of Xiaomi according to IDC’s Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Q4 2019.  We are sure that the Redmi 8A Dual too, will be loved by our consumers and fans alike. With the Redmi Power Bank, Redmi is moving beyond smartphones and will continue to expand its portfolio.’’

Redmi Power Bank: More Power to Redmi

As part of growing its categories beyond smartphones, Redmi also launched its first accessory, Redmi Power Bank in 10000mAh and 20000mAh variants. Redmi Power Bank features a minimalistic design with anti-slip edge grip design reducing the chances of accidental falls.

Redmi Power Bank features two input and output ports. The type-C and micro-USB ports can be used for charging the power bank and the two USB Type-A ports enable simultaneous charging for two devices. Redmi Power Bank uses Lithium-Polymer batteries which are not only safer but also have higher longevity as compared to Lithium-Ion batteries. Every Redmi Power Bank features best in class 12 layers of circuit chip protection across voltage, temperature, current and electrostatic anomalies. Redmi Power Bank 20000mAh supports 18W fast charging and the 10000mAh variant supports 10W fast charging.

Emirates Welcomes you to World Class Experiences with Free Two-Night Stay in Dubai

Travellers flying with Emirates are in for a treat. The airline announced today that it is offering a complimentary two-night hotel stay in the vibrant city of Dubai to all Business and First Class passengers travelling from India to Europe, the Americas or Africa.

This exciting offer is valid on all new bookings made between 11th and 24th February 2020, for travel between 20th February and 31st March 2020.  Business Class fares to Europe during the promotion period start at INR 152,011 to Manchester.

Travellers taking advantage of this unique opportunity will get to enjoy some of Dubai’s most prestigious 5-star properties. Address Fountain Views and Address Sky Views are situated in the heart of the city and offer an unparalleled level of service. The offer includes a complimentary two-night stay at one of the properties, or equivalent categories, on room-only basis, subject to availability.

The twin-tower Address Sky View is walking distance from the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, while the Address Fountain Views, described as a “three tower marvel” and as a “premium entertainment gateway,” offers excellent views of the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain, as well as unfettered access to the Dubai Mall.

Named by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s best cities for travellers to visit in 2020, Dubai is a melting pot of luxury and culture. Whether driving F1 cars, sampling a rich variety of cuisines or diving with sharks, Dubai has something for everyone. The city is also renowned for its architecture, home to some of the world’s most awe-inspiring skyscrapers.

Travellers to Dubai can download and use Skywards Everyday, a location-based app that gives members the power to earn Skywards Miles anytime, every day at their favourite retail, entertainment and dining outlets across the UAE, covering 1,000+ outlets and 250 brands. What’s more, members can see their Skywards Miles racking up in real-time, which they can spend instantly on flights, upgrades and more.

To take advantage of the Dubai Stopover promotion, customers should add Dubai as a stopover while booking their tickets on emirates.com. When the flight booking has been paid for and confirmed, travellers simply need to enter the promotional code and the request for a complimentary stay will automatically be processed within 72 hours. The hotel offer is on a room-only and single- or double-occupancy basis, with up to one child under 12 years old sharing the same room for Business Class and First Class bookings. The offer is inclusive of taxes and is subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Passengers requiring a UAE entry visa are responsible to apply for and be in possession of a valid visa prior to entering the UAE. 

Tinder Anticipates a Swipe Surge and Increased Activity Close to Valentine’s Day Based on Past Usage Trends

Tinder, the world’s most popular app for meeting new people, is anticipating increased activity in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day. This time of year is peak Swipe Season, which means Tinder activity reaches an all-time high between January 1 and February 13.

During Swipe Season, Tinder members will swipe an average of 100 more times per person than other similar length time periods. Compared to other similar 6 week periods, the total number of matches worldwide during Swipe Season 2019 was more than 40 million higher on average. Based on Tinder trends from the past year, Tinder anticipates a Swipe Surge later this week as Swipe Season draws to a close.

There are times when activity on Tinder naturally surges;  It happens during festivals; it happens during Valentine’s day; it happens any time people in your area are lighting up Tinder.

The concept of Swipe Surge is simple: if there are a high number of people using Tinder during one specific period or area, Tinder will alert people nearby. Swipe Surge can happen at any time, and users will receive a push notification with real-time updates during a Swipe Surge. Users who join a Swipe Surge will have their profile appear in the front of the line and will be able to see which other users are currently active. During a Swipe Surge, activity is up to 15x higher! This increases match-making potential by 250%, and the chance to spark a new conversation 33% faster.

So how can you make the most of this Swipe Season? Here are a few hacks to help you change your perspective just in time for V Day 2020.

●        Stop and read the bios. For those looking for a new kind of connection in 2020, it might be time to slow your swipe. In fact, people who spend more time on each profile they pass enjoy nearly double the matches and have nearly 20% more mutual conversations than folks who speed through. Try pausing longer on each profile and taking time to read the bios to potentially improve matches

●        Look for someone who champions your cause. Causes are growing as a connector on Tinder. Climate Change mentions in bios alone increased 80% in the last year. And topics like the environment, equality, volunteer, equality and of course, politics, all popped in 2019. So come 2020, look deeper into someone’s profile to see if they call out the causes you care about.

●        Follow the (star) signs. The use of astrological signs in bios grew 16% on Tinder this past year. Interestingly, 18-24 year olds are 43% more likely to name a star sign.

French Students Learn Wooden Toy Making from Channapatna Artisans

A batch of 21 students from France have come to Bengaluru and as a part of their visit they made a day trip to Channapatna, also known as ‘Gombegala Nagara’ or Town of Toys, to specially learn the art of wooden toy and doll making from the local artisans in the small town.

The students got hands-on experience with wood-turning techniques with the beauty of lacquer to enhance the visual aesthetic of the craft.

“The visit of French students to Channapatna was a great learning where they could spend enough time with the craftsmen and understand the development process of the old and traditional craft of Karnataka. They have presented their research work by communicating their design solutions through a series of projects works like photographs, videos, and illustrations,” said Avi Keswani, Director, LISAA School of Design which has organised this visit.

"There is an element of timelessness about the design of these Channapatna toys. We are curious to see what this 'east meets west' exploration of indigenous techniques of the local artisans combined with the design sensibilities of the French students, brings about,” says Girish Keswani, Co-director, LISAA School of Design.

“Our overall understanding of the unique craft of toy and doll  making in wood gave us a bigger picture of the craftsmen and their lifestyle which revolve around the craft and the raw material and we can drive our research projects based on the information,” .said Margaux Cortin, one of the French students who was totally fascinated by the art.

Channapatna which is a small town located on the Bengaluru - Mysuru highway in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka is world famous for its traditional wooden toys. Channapatna toys are manufactured in traditional & advanced small-scale industries. This craft brought in ample attention to the small town of Channapatna. Now more and more enterprises are seeking for such exceptional safe toys available in the town.

The French students will in Bengaluru till 18th February 2020 and many workshops and visits to different heritage and cultural centres have been arranged during this time.

LISAA School of Design is a premier Design institute over 35 years of existence in France. The aim of LISAA School of Design is to nurture their students to become not only technically professional but also be sensitive to the aesthetics, culture and spiritual ethos of the society for whom they design. Spread across 11 locations globally, LISAA School of Design is built on heritage, excellence and opportunities. It was set up in India in 2013 with state-of-the-art infrastructure and campus in Bangalore.

LISAA - Bangalore is owned and operated by CREO Valley, the school of creativity and innovation recognized by Qualifications & Assessments International (QAI), UK, Federation of European School (FEDE) and Jawaharlal Nehru Technical Education - Council of Skill Development (JNTE) in higher education. LISAA School of Design has a multidisciplinary approach to design education that promotes both creativity and experimentation, studying and learning in this environment helps the students to develop a unique perspective.

LISAA Bangalore is recognized by the University in Bangalore to offer Degree Courses in Fashion & Textile Design, Interior & Product Design and Graphic & Web Design. It also offers Student Exchange program with more than 7 other locations in France.

Impressive Office Leasing Activity to Boost Hotel Sector in India

Highlights

* According to the fourth quarter Hotel Momentum India (HMI), nine out of top 11 markets in the country witnessed a rise in Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) performance during the October * December 2019 period; Mumbai continued to rank on top in absolute terms
* Hyderabad led in RevPAR percentage change in fourth quarter
* Gurugram continues to lead in occupancy growth change during the same period

Heightened commercial leasing activity across top 7 business cities in India leading to higher demand for rooms has been the key driver of growth in RevPAR across most top Indian markets. 9 out of top 11 markets witnessed a continuous rise in RevPAR performance during the October–December 2019 period according to the HMI Q4 2019, a quarterly hospitality sector monitor, released today by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group.

As per the HMI, while Mumbai has emerged as the leader in terms of RevPAR in absolute terms, Hyderabad is the leader in RevPAR percentage change in Q4 as well as in CY2019 over the same period last year. Both supply and demand has seen growth with supply up by 2.7% and demand by 4.3%
                     
A fundamentally strong market has enables Hyderabad to move to the top of the chart in terms of RevPAR percentage. High room night demand on the back of increased grade ‘A’ office leasing activity coupled with limited new hotel supply, has improved hotel performances significantly. It is believed that first occupancies grew followed by growth in room rates.

Jaideep Dang, Managing Director, Hotel and Hospitality Group - India, JLL, said, “The announcement of building of 100 new airports until 2024 underlines endeavour to connect India under the Udaan scheme, which will likely boost tourism prospects in smaller cities and lesser known destinations. This will certainly create employment at the local level and help micro economy. Tourism and hospitality is amongst the largest employment generator in the country. This move in particular will provide a fillip to employment, drive tourism demand, and will encourage investors to build hotels in smaller cities.”

“Demand continues to be robust due to growth in office sector. Another area of growth is the Warehousing and Logistics sector, which could push room night demand to Tier II industrial locations and suburban areas of Tier I cities. Mixed use IT parks, industrial parks and corporate offices will lead demand for hotels in 2020,’ he added.

While Hyderabad has witnessed a RevPAR change of 13.8%, cities like Ahmedabad with a RevPAR change of -12.5% and Pune with -3.0% have emerged as the laggards in this quarter.

Electric Vehicles Start-Up EV Motors India Announces Appointment of Arvind Gujral as New Chief Executive Officer

EV Motors India has announced the appointment of Arvind Gujral as Chief Executive Officer – EV Charging Infrastructure, as the company enters its next phase of growth. With a mandate to lead the EV charging infrastructure business, Arvind will strategically support the setting up of EV charging franchise network across India, through appointment of Master Franchise, identify new business opportunities and partnerships for providing EV Charging solutions for Passenger Cars, two-wheeler and three-wheeler industry. The appointment will further establish EV Motors India as the leading force in today's electric vehicle charging market.

Arvind comes with an extensive experience of more than three decades in Sales, Business Development, Operations, General Management, and Leadership with large organizations in the power sector and consumer businesses. In the past, he has been associated with prominent companies such as CESC, an RPG group company and BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd.  He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi and the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.

Commenting on his appointment, Arvind Gujral said, “Electric vehicle space in India is still at a nascent stage, and this is an exciting time in the marketplace. I am delighted to have the opportunity to develop ‘PlugNgo’ brand and work to build an ecosystem that can accelerate the adoption of electric mobility across India. Our focus will also be to introduce cutting-edge technologies in mobility and deliver exceptional value to our partners."

Vinit Bansal (Managing Director - EV Motors India) said “We are delighted to have Arvind on board and he will play a significant role in scaling up the company’s recently launched Public EV Charging brand ‘PlugNgo’. EV Motors is seeking to install over 6500 charging outlets, each with multiple charging stations, spread across cities, businesses and residential complexes of India, over the next five years.”