Accor And International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) Sign Strategic Partnership In India

In a significant milestone towards enhancing the education in the hospitality field, Accor and the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at IIHM’s prestigious Global Campus in Salt Lake, Kolkata. The MoU establishes a long-term collaborative relationship of providing enhanced hospitality education and empowering students with employment opportunities throughout India. 

Formally executed by Puneet Dhawan, Senior Vice President, Operations, Accor India &  South Asia and Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder and CEO of IIHM, the partnership brings together one of the world's largest hospitality companies with the world's preeminent hospitality education brand, to promote mutually beneficial ties.

Puneet Dhawan, Senior Vice President Operations, Accor India & South Asia,  shared his thoughts on this transformative alliance, saying, "Our partnership with IIHM 

represents a significant step towards nurturing future talents within the hospitality sector. We are dedicated to empowering young minds with the skills and knowledge 

needed to thrive in the dynamic world of hospitality." Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder and CEO of IIHM, talks about the historic collaboration by stating, “Becoming a top professional in the hospitality industry is a journey that requires dedication, education and hands on experience. The partnership with Accor India is a testament to our commitment to providing students with the best education and industry exposure. Together, we are crafting the future of hospitality, where education meets excellence.”

IIHM will be offering 1-Year Certificate/Diploma course, including industrial training and exams, in accordance with Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) and the,Government of India requirement, with the courses being offered in Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Goa, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Hyderabad.

Accor will provide essential inputs to IIHM to support the design of the industry-relevant  curriculum, offering industrial training opportunities, delivering guest lectures, facilitating faculty development programs, providing internships and placements in Accor-managed hotels, and providing operational exposure across its properties in India. This collaboration between IIHM and Accor holds great promise for the future of  hospitality industry in India, emphasizing on education, skill development, industry  engagement, and most importantly, providing future talent with real-world exposure to  the hospitality industry.

About Accor

Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110  countries in 5500 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well  as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, visit  www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

About IIHM

The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) is a renowned hospitality education institution in India, dedicated to nurturing the talents and skills of future leaders in the hospitality industry. IIHM offers a range of hospitality and culinary programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in the global hospitality sector.

Switch To Electric With Complete Peace Of Mind. Own The All-Electric MINI For One Year With An Unbeatable Value Proposition

First of its kind one year assured buy back campaign on MINI Electric.

#SwitchToElectric #ChargedWithPassion #BIGLOVE #MINIElectric #MINIIndia

MINI India announced a first of its kind one year assured buy-back campaign on the MINI Electric. This campaign sets a new standard in the electric vehicle segment ensuring peace of mind and exceptional value.

The MINI Electric is now available for Equated Monthly Instalments (EMIs) totalling to an annual amount of INR 8.5 Lakhs* with zero down payment and an assured buy back value of INR 45.5 Lakhs after 1 year with MINI 360°. The MINI Electric also comes with one-time installation of the MINI Smart Wallbox charger and a portable DC charging cable.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India said, “At MINI India, we understand that investing in an electric vehicle is a significant decision. We are thrilled to introduce the one year assured buy back campaign on the MINI Electric, setting a new benchmark in accessing premium Electric mobility, customer satisfaction and peace of mind. Our MINI 360° assured buyback program is designed to address all concerns by guaranteeing the future value of the vehicle. This campaign aligns with our commitment of delivering not only an exceptional electric vehicle, but also a hassle-free ownership experience. We invite customers to experience the MINI Electric and witness the legendary go-kart feeling, instant torque, distinctive design and premium quality with emission-free driving.”

The one year Assured Buy Back Offer is available to all customers purchasing a new MINI Electric till 31 October 2023.

*Terms and conditions apply. All offers are from MINI Authorised Dealers. Please contact your nearest MINI Authorised Dealer for detailed terms and conditions. The above offer is calculated for an ownership tenure of 1 year. All taxes are additional. Calculations for the following are for a specific tenure, mileage and finance amount. Finance is at the sole discretion of BMW India Financial Services Private Limited. For further details, contact your MINI Authorised Dealer.

For more information on this campaign,  visit https://minicampaign.co.in/mini_ev/.

The MINI Electric ownership experience is hassle free as the high voltage battery is covered by a warranty valid for 8 years or up to 100,000 kilometres. The car comes with a standard two-year warranty for unlimited kilometres, Repair Inclusive can extend warranty benefits from third year of ownership to a maximum fifth year without any milage limitation. 5 years 24x7 Road-Side Assistance provides complete peace of mind while on the move with facilities like portable roadside charging. These benefits are transferrable along with the ownership of the car.

BMW Group offers the best charging infrastructure in the premium segment with fast chargers at BMW Group Dealer Network across 35 cities in India. The MINI Electric can be serviced across 36 BMW Group touchpoints across the country.

MINI has established nine authorized Dealerships in India including Bird Automotive (Delhi NCR), Bavaria Motors (Pune), EVM Autokraft (Kochi), Gallops Autohaus (Ahmedabad), Infinity Cars (Mumbai), Krishna Automobiles (Chandigarh), KUN Exclusive (Chennai), KUN Exclusive (Hyderabad) and KUN Exclusive (Bengaluru).

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Continues To Report Record Sales Performance, Sells 23,590 Units In September 2023

·       Registers highest monthly sales again in September 2023

·       Grows by 53% over September 2022 and 3% over the last highest registered monthly sales in August 2023

Toyota Kirloskar Motor registered yet another remarkable month of performance, selling 23,590 units in the month of September 2023. This represents a strong growth of (+) 53% over the same period last year where the company sold 15,378 units. Total sales achieved include domestic units of 22,168 and export of 1,422 units. In the previous month of August 2023, the company achieved its highest monthly wholesale figures ever by selling 22,910 units.

TKM’s impressive performance is further highlighted by a substantial growth of (+) 35% by selling 1,23,939 units in the first 6 months of the current fiscal year, compared to the same period last year when the company sold 91,843 units. This remarkable growth is attributed to the continued success of Toyota Kirloskar Motor's recent models including Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross, Hilux and the New Rumion which is the latest addition to the portfolio in the B-MPV segment. We are thrilled with the continued positive reviews for the Hilux. As a global icon, the Hilux is specially designed to meet the needs of customers seeking a versatile utility vehicle suitable for off-roading adventures on tough terrains as well as everyday city use. TKM has also maintained its segment leadership with the New Innova Crysta, Fortuner, and Legender models. Furthermore, Camry Hybrid and Glanza also continue to contribute to the resounding success. Expanding reach and enabling easier access to our entire lineup of products has also significantly contributed to the upward trajectory in the sales numbers. In the first 6 months of the fiscal year, TKM expanded its reach from 577 to 612 touchpoints across the country.

Commenting on the sales momentum, Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President of Sales, and Strategic Marketing at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s sales numbers of 23,590 achieved in the month of September’2023 underlines the growing acceptance of the company’s diverse portfolio of products and robust service offerings that is allowing customers a choice that fits their lifestyle and mobility needs. We are witnessing sustained demand across our product line-up which is leading to the company’s record-breaking performance. In a key product milestone, we also began customer deliveries of the New Rumion.

As we move forward in the festive season, we are expecting a promising period with demand continuing to grow thus further enhancing our sales performance. TKM remains committed to building a strong customer centric brand by providing unforgettable memories, thrilling adventures, and a stronger bond with all our customers. We are certain that our value-added services like the newly introduced 5-Years of Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program and specialised schemes will enable patrons to realise their dreams of owning a Toyota vehicle whilst ensuring a joyful ownership experience for existing customers.”

In the month of September, TKM also successfully concluded its 'Great 4X4 Expedition’ in the West and North regions by offering captivating experiences to 4X4 enthusiasts and showcasing Toyota's commitment towards creating unforgettable memories. The formidable convoy, which was represented by 4x4 SUVs, featuring the iconic Hilux, LC300, Fortuner, and the Hyryder AWD (All Wheel Drive) not only delivered power packed performance but also offered adventurous memories to all the participants.  The upcoming drive which is scheduled to take place in the East region in the month of October is expected to offer extraordinary experiences for passionate motoring enthusiasts.

Air India Launches Sale To Offer Special Fates On India-US Routes

·         Special fares starting INR 42999 (one-way) and INR 52999 (return)

·         Offer available on 47 weekly flights to 5 destinations in the U.S.

Air India has launched a limited-period, #FlyAirIndiaSale, to offer highly attractive fares on all India-U.S. routes in Economy Class and Premium Economy Class (available on select U.S. routes).

All-inclusive Economy Class fares start from INR 42,999 (one-way) and INR 52,999 (return).

All-inclusive Premium Economy fares start from INR 79,999 (one-way) and INR 1,09,999 (return). Air India’s Premium Economy class is currently available to guests travelling on select routes: Bengaluru-San Francisco, Mumbai-San Francisco, and Mumbai-New York.

Bookings under the sale are open for only five days, from 01 October to 05 October 2023, for travel between 01 October and 15 December 2023.

Air India operates 47 non-stop flights every week from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to five American cities: New York, Newark (New Jersey), Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The sale fares are also available from several other Indian cities for one-stop flights to the U.S. via Delhi, Bengaluru, or Mumbai. This enables travellers from cities across India, such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Chennai, Kochi, and Kolkata, among others, to travel seamlessly to the U.S. at the highly discounted fares.

Bookings under the sale are open on all channels, including Air India’s website (www.airindia.com), iOS and Android mobile apps, and through authorised travel agents. The seats available on sale are limited and available on a first come, first-served basis.

The fares may marginally vary in different cities, due to applicable rates of exchange and taxes.

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 built an extensive domestic network with non-stop flights to cities around the world, across the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Far East, South-East Asia, Australia, and the Gulf. After 69 years as a government-owned enterprise, Air India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata group in January 2022.

Air India is navigating through a major five-year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI, with an ambition to become a world class airline with an Indian heart. The first phase of this transformation, the taxi phase was recently concluded, and focused on fixing the basics. These included bringing back to service many long grounded aircraft, addition of talent across flying and ground functions, rapid upgradation of technology and strengthening of customer care initiatives amongst others.

A member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium of leading international airlines, Air India offers seamless connectivity and facilities to passengers all over the world.

Winners Revealed At The "5th World Coffee Conference 2023" : Coffee Championships Attracting Enthusiastic Youth Participation

·    Winners announced for National Barista Championship, International Latte Art Championship, Women's Star Brewer Skills Championship, Great Indian Filter Coffee Championship, and Flavour of India - The Fine Cup Award Cupping Competition 

·      The winners of the National Barista Championship and National Latte Art Championship will proudly represent India on the global stage at the prestigious World Barista Championship and World Latte Art Championship organized by World Coffee Events 

·      Priti Pradhan wins the Women's Star Brewer Skills Championship for redefining the art of brewing 

The International Coffee Organization (ICO), in partnership with the Coffee Board of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the Government of Karnataka, and the coffee industry, announced the National Latte Art, Barista, Filter Coffee, Women’s Star Brewer and Fine Cup Award Championships on the last day of the 5th World Coffee Conference 2023 at Bengaluru Palace. 

WCC 2023 hosted competitions and championships during the 4-day event the most coveted of which is the National Barista Championship. The prestigious competition is designed to recognize the most technically proficient and talented baristas in the field. It is dedicated to promoting excellence throughout the entire coffee value chain, fostering skill development, and cultivating a thriving café culture in India. The winner will represent India in The World Barista Championship to be held in South Korea, and a cash prize was also awarded. Mr. Hrishikesh Mohite from Café’ De Meet won the National Barista Championship 2024 at the WCC 2023. 

At the Women's Star Brewer Skills Championship, female baristas and home brewers were offered a platform to proudly display their coffee brewing prowess, demonstrating their skills. Participants were allowed to craft a 'Signature Beverage' utilizing home brewing equipment. The Women’s Star Brewer Skills Championship is awarded to Priti Pradhan. 

The National Latte Art Championship made its debut in India, bringing an exciting blend of artistic expression and barista skills to the forefront. This unique competition challenges baristas with on-the-spot performances that showcase their creativity and precision. From over 150 contestants, Mr. Mohammad Afsar was awarded as the champion who will now participate in the International Latte Art Championship in Taiwan. 

The Great Indian Filter Coffee Championship is a celebration of traditional Indian coffee craftsmanship, designed to promote and nurture the art of brewing the quintessential Filter Coffee. From 27 participants went head-to-head Vani Shree N from Brown Bean Artistry was declared the winner. 

1758 contestants participated in the ‘Flavour of India - The Fine Cup Award Cupping Competition’ which was on a mission to award the production of high-quality coffees in India. The winner of Best Washed Arabica is awarded to Mrs. Killo Aswini, Best Arabica Naturals is awarded to M/s. Kruthi Coffee, Kindriguda Tribal Farmers Group, Best Washed Robusta is awarded to Mr. Jacob Mammen, M/s Badra Estate Balehonnur Estate; Best Robusta Naturals is awarded to Mr. Jacob Mammen M/s. Badra Balehonnur Estate. 

The 4-day international event featured Conferences, Skill Building Workshops, a Growers Conclave, CEOs and global Leaders Forums, Startup Conclave, Competitions, and awards, and an Exhibition showcasing cutting-edge coffee products and services.  

Visit www.wccindia2023.com 

Two-Day Vignanothsava - Science Fair - Launched In JV By B.V.Jagadish Science Centre And Nehru Planetarium"

* Models of Chandrayaan-3 to trigger interest among students in Space Science.

* Special arrangements to watch the sky during the night in the two-day Science fair.

"Science in Action" named two-day Vignanothsava - Science Fair jointly organised by B. V. Jagadish Science Centre and Nehru Planetarium - was inaugurated by NAL Scientist Dr V. Shubha here in National High School Grounds on Saturday.

The two-day Science Fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Dr Shubha is the alumni of the prestigious National College between 1968 and 1972 where she studied B.Sc   Physics and obtained Gold Medal. Currently, she is Scientist in NAL after obtaining Fellowship.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shubha said there is a lot of difference between learning Science in theory and doing practical. "Science Fairs of this kind triggers interest and passion among the students to take up Science as career," Dr Shubha added.

Venkatashiva Reddy, Secretary of National Education Society of Karnataka (R) said in his speech that B.V.Jagadish Science Centre is a premier institution that has taken up pro-active works in creating awareness in Science, Technology and Engineering.

"There is an exhibition as well as a laboratory that provides both education as well as entertainment besides creating curiosity among students in Science," Venkatashiva Reddy added.

Prof Bharathi Rao, Director, B.V. Jagadish Science Centre, said the Centre has been functioning in partnership with ISRO Innovation and Science Promotion, Param Innovation Science Experience Centre and Karnataka Science and Technology Encouragement Society and Agasthya International Organisation

It is estimated that more than 8000 students are going to participate in the two-day Vignanothsava, the Science Fair.

Human being-type robots, models of the basic foundation for Scientific development, models of Chandrayaan - 3 vehicles, music, sky and space watching are other attractions in the Science Fair, said Professor Bharathi Rao.

The Science Fair will take place on October 1 also.

Godrej Agrovet To Set Up Integrated Palm Oil Complex In Telangana

* To invest INR 300 Crore over the next 3-4 years

Godrej Agrovet Limited’s (GAVL) Oil Palm business today announced that the company will be setting up an Integrated Palm Oil Complex in the state of Telangana. To be set up in the Khammam district, it will consist of a state the of art Crude Palm Oil mill along with the provision of setting up a refinery in the near future. The company will also establish a nursery with a capacity of up to 7 Lac saplings per year in addition to the seed production & research unit.

Present on the occasion of laying the foundation stone for Crude Palm Oil mill were Shri K. T. Rama Rao, The Hon’ble Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana; Burjis Godrej, Executive Director and COO-Crop Protection Business, GAVL; Sougata Niyogi, CEO – Oil Palm, GAVL and Rakesh Swami, Group President Corporate Affairs, Godrej Industries Limited.

“Telangana’s ambitious oil palm mission aims to bring 20 lakh acres under cultivation across the state. The mission will improve income for more than 5 lakh farm households while at the same time contributing to the nation's deficit for edible oils. Along with being the rice bowl for the country, Telangana is all set to become the largest edible oil producer in India. We are delighted to partner with a strong and reliable partner like Godrej Agrovet in this endeavour. Their expertise in the oil palm sector will definitely help us achieve our goals of unleashing a yellow revolution”, said Shri K. T. Rama Rao, The Hon’ble Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana.

At the complex, GAVL will be setting up first-ever seed garden in India. This seed garden can provide seeds for the planting of ~90,000 acres of area and shall help Telangana state to achieve targets for oil palm plantation.

Commenting on the announcement, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, GAVL said, “We are thankful to the Government of Telangana for creating an eco-system and giving us an opportunity to contribute to nation’s journey of reducing its dependency on oil palm imports in the coming years.”

“Leveraging our expertise of more than three decades in the oil palm business, we intend to handhold oil palm farmers by providing them access to quality seedlings and nursery. With our plans of commissioning of Crude Palm Oil mill in the coming years, it is our honor to set up country’s first integrated palm oil complex in the state of Telangana,” he further added.

GAVL will be investing INR 300 Crore over the next 3-4 years in setting up the integrated palm oil complex. Additionally, through its Samadhan Centers – a one stop solution for oil palm farmers, the company would also provide advisory services on best practices / modern technologies, farm inputs (such as fertilizers, drip irrigation, pesticides, seeds, and harvesting tools) and services under one roof. The company’s partnership with the State Bank of India would also support Oil Palm Plantation farmers during the gestation period.

With 65,000 hectares of palm oil under cultivation across the country, GAVL plans to increase cultivation to 1.2 Lac hectares by 2027.

About Godrej Agrovet:

Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL) is a diversified, Research & Development focused food and agri-business conglomerate, dedicated to improving the productivity of Indian farmers by innovating products and services that sustainably increase crop and livestock yields. GAVL holds leading market positions in the different businesses it operates - Animal Feed, Crop Protection, Oil Palm, Dairy, Poultry and Processed Foods. GAVL has a pan India presence with sales of over a million tons annually of high-quality animal feed. Our teams have worked closely with Indian farmers to develop large Oil Palm Plantations which is helping in bridging the demand and supply gap of edible oil in India. In the crop protection segment, the Company has strong presence in the B2B segment through its subsidiary Astec Lifesciences and through its extensive distribution network pan-India delivers innovative agrochemical offerings catering to the entire crop life-cycles. In Dairy and Poultry and Processed Foods, the company operates through its subsidiaries Creamline Dairy Products Limited and Godrej Tyson Foods Limited. Apart from this, GAVL also has a joint venture with the ACI group of Bangladesh for animal feed business in Bangladesh.

For more information on the Company, log on to www.godrejagrovet.com.