Turkish Airlines Named "Most Sustainable Flag Carrier Airline" In World Finance’s Sustainability Awards 2024

Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Türkiye, continues to set an example in the aviation sector with its pioneering sustainability initiatives. Once again, Turkish Airlines has been honored with the “Most Sustainable Flag Carrier Airline” award by World Finance, marking the prestigious recognition for the third consecutive year.

Amid the significant challenges posed by the climate crisis to the aviation industry, Turkish Airlines stands out with its voluntary carbon offset platform CO2mission, use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), sustainable in-flight products, waste management practices, and the sustainable travel experience it offers to its passengers.

Commenting on the award, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, said: “Receiving the Most Sustainable Flag Carrier Airline award for the third-year running is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Turkish Airlines has set a strategic goal to become one of the world's top 3 airlines in terms of digitalization. In line with our commitment to becoming a Carbon-Neutral Airline by 2050, we incorporated the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into our climate change mitigation plans in 2022, and we further expanded our use of SAF to new routes in 2023. We will continue to add new routes to our SAF-powered network and pursue our commitment to sustainable practices throughout our operations.”

Since 2008, Turkish Airlines has conducted over 100 operational optimization projects to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2023, the airline achieved significant successes in fuel savings and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The World Finance Sustainability Awards are recognized as a significant reference by global finance and business circles and are awarded to organizations that showcase best practices in the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. Since 2008, World Finance has aimed to identify the best institutions in various sectors based on evaluations by expert jury members.

About Turkish Airlines:

Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 458 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 347 worldwide destinations as 294 international and 53 domestics in 130 countries. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website www.turkishairlines.com or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, Youtube, Linkedin and Instagram. 

About Star Alliance:

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, based on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a focus on improving customer experience across the Alliance journey. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers more than 10,000 daily flights to almost 1,200 airports in 184 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partners Juneyao Airlines and THAI Smile Airways. 

Bisk Farm Googly Launches New TVC with Hrithik Roshan; Echoes The Brand Slogan ‘Taste With A Twist’ In This Quirky Ad

* Expands Its Portfolio with reintroduction of Rs. 10 Pack

Bisk Farm, one of India’s leading biscuit & bakery brands from the house of SAJ Food has launched a new TVC Campaign with Hrithik Roshan, the brand ambassador for its Googly range of biscuits. Keeping up with the Brand slogan ‘Googly- Taste with a Twist’, the TVC revolves around a fun banter between the husband and wife. 

The key differentiator of Googly range of biscuits is it promises an unthinkable twist in the taste. That’s why, Googly is a category disruptor in the biscuit segment offering a distinct taste with a perfect blend of sweet & salt, available in a mix of unique flavours and variants.

The TVC shows Hrithik Roshan engaging in a friendly banter with his wife, invoking jealousy in her. Staying true to its core for Googly biscuits, Hrithik’s tongue-in-cheek response to his wife’s question on why he doesn’t love her as much as their neighbour loves his spouse, brings about a hilarious twist in the conversation. 

Bisk Farm Googly- Hrithik Roshan- Taste With A Twist 2

With a sharp focus to create awareness of the product amongst mass audience base, the TVC is being launched in 7 different languages- Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Odiya, Kannada, and Assamese.

Link to the Hindi TVC: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8oLQHeuzAz/?igsh=YmFjOGNqZjg2NG5v

Further to this TVC, Bisk Farm also re-introduced a Chhota Pack of Googly Biscuits at an affordable price of Rs. 10, thus making the product available in five different price points. With this, Googly biscuits will be now be available in across price range from Rs. 5 to Rs. 35.

In order to create awareness of the Chhota Pack, Bisk Farm also launched another TVC with Hrithik Roshan.

Link to the TVC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWue0Ere0xE

Vijay Singh- MD, SAJ Food Products - Low ResCommenting on the campaign, Mr. Vijay Singh, Managing Director, SAJ Food, said "We are thrilled to launch our new TVC campaign for the Googly range of biscuits with our brand ambassador, Hrithik Roshan. The campaign perfectly encapsulates the fun and unexpected twist that Googly biscuits bring to the table, just like Hrithik's playful banter in the ad. With this launch in seven different languages and the re-introduction of our new Chhota Pack at just Rs. 10, we are committed to making Googly biscuits accessible to a wider audience."

Credit List for the TVC:

Film Director : Abhishek Burman | Producer : Karim Morani & Shaza Morani (Morani Media Works)

Script – Ravinder Siwach, Godzilla

ABOUT SAJ Food Products

SAJ Food Products Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Kolkata is one of India’s leading FMCG Companies. Founded in 2000, SAJ Food has attained the position of becoming India’s fourth-largest biscuit and bakery manufacturing company with a presence across 23 states in India. Currently, SAJ operates with six state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities spread across three states – Maharashtra (Nagpur), Karnataka (Bengaluru) and West Bengal (Siliguri, Uluberia, Dhulagarh).

Bisk Farm, the flagship brand of the company is one of India’s most loved biscuit & confectionery brands known for its delectable Biscuits, Cookies, Cakes, Wafers and Rusks.

Indiaah is the brand for its Namkeen and Sweets category. It has products like Bhujia, Moong Dal, Chana Dal, Chira, Masala Mixture and Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun, Soan Papdi etc.

Ongo Enables ATM Cash Withdrawals On Its PPI Platform; Enhances Reimbursement Experience Of Corporate Users

* Facilitates Direct Cash Withdrawals From Ongo prepaid Card Across 2.6Lakh+ ATMs On NPCI Network

*  Ongo, the digital payments platform of AGS Transact Technologies (BSE: 543451 & NSE: AGSTRA), one of the largest integrated omni-channel payment solutions providers in India, today announced the launch of ATM cash withdrawals facility on its prepaid payment instrument (PPI) platform. Ongo will provide versatility and seamless accessibility to funds across all 2.6lakh+ ATMs on NPCI network through cash withdrawals. Ongo prepaid cards are open-loop RuPay cards designed to offer enhanced convenience to cardholders. Through this initiative, Ongo aims to enrich the reimbursement experience of corporate users. The Company will earn revenue in the form of service fee for this facility.

Ongo PPI users can enjoy instant access to funds in their Ongo wallet, both digitally and at ATMs, ensuring a streamlined and secure transaction experience. In India, where many professionals maintain secondary bank accounts to safeguard their primary bank account details from potential frauds during small value transactions, Ongo Prepaid cards offer a compelling solution. It eliminates the need to expose any bank account information during transactions and funds are deducted directly from the Ongo prepaid wallet.

Vinayak Goyal, Managing Director, India Transact Services Limited (Ongo) and Executive Director, AGS Transact Technologies Limited, "At Ongo, we recognise the pulse of modern India, and therefore the need to offer a blend of digital and cash payment options. We're thrilled to introduce the ATM cash withdrawal feature for our Ongo PPI users, adding a new dimension of convenience. This will simplify financial transactions by seamlessly integrating digital and cash transactions. We're confident that Ongo PPI's unique value proposition, along with the convenience to make easy payments across retail, fuel, and transit sectors and now ATM withdrawals, will strike a chord with modern-day corporate employees."

Ongo users with full KYC can load up to INR 2,00,000 in their Ongo Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI), of which Rs 50,000 can be cash-based top-ups. Further, Cash withdrawals at ATMs are capped at INR 2,000 per transaction, and up to INR 10,000 in a month, as specified in the RBI guidelines for non-bank PPIs.

Ongo is a non-bank Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI). Recently, Ongo launched open-loop cobranded Rupay prepaid cards enabled with NCMC for customers of a leading conglomerate. Also, it is pilot testing open-loop contactless fuelling solution for a leading OMC on the Ongo app, available on iOS and Playstore.

About AGS Transact Technologies Limited (AGSTTL)

Established in 2002, AGS Transact Technologies Limited (BSE: 543451| NSE: AGSTRA) is one of the largest integrated omni-channel payment solutions providers in India in terms of providing digital and cash-based solutions to banks and corporate clients. AGS Transact provides customised products and services comprising ATM and CRM outsourcing, cash management and digital payment solutions including merchant solutions, transaction processing services and mobile wallets. The company operates in three broad business segments, namely, Payment Solutions; Banking Automation Solutions; and Other Automation Solutions.

Ongo is a fast-growing omnichannel digital payment platform by AGS Transact Technologies, which offers convenient payment solutions. Launched in 2015, Ongo offers merchant Acquiring and Prepaid Issuance services. Furthermore, Ongo is a non-bank prepaid payment instrument and offers dedicated open-loop Prepaid solutions for consumers in segments.

AGS Transact Technologies serves diverse industries such as banking, retail, petroleum, toll and transit, cash management and fintech in India and other select countries in Asia. As of March 31, 2024, the company has deployed 248,585 payment terminals and was one of the largest deployers of PoS terminals at petroleum retail outlets in India, having rolled out 41,756 terminals at various petroleum retail outlets.

For more information, please visit www.agsindia.com

Air India’s Flagship A350 Will Fly Twice Daily On DEL-LHR From September 1, 2024

·         14 of 17 weekly Delhi-London Heathrow flights to be operated by Air India’s A350-900

·         90% of all Air India flights to London Heathrow will offer new or upgraded interiors from September

·         All Air India flights between Mumbai and London Heathrow already offer upgraded cabin interiors including First class cabins

Air India is set to transform the on board experience for its guests on twice-daily flights between Delhi and London Heathrow with the deployment of its brand-new Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Starting from 1 September 2024, this route will mark the long-haul international debut of Air India’s flagship product.

The A350-900 will replace the currently deployed Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on 14 of 17 weekly flights. As a result, an additional 336 seats will be available on the Delhi-London Heathrow route each week.

With the deployment of the A350-900 to London Heathrow in September, Air India will have upgraded 90% of all its flights to London Heathrow. From April 2024, Air India started deploying its recently inducted Boeing 777-300ERs with elevated cabin interiors on all flights across its Mumbai-London Heathrow route to provide upgraded cabin interiors and inflight entertainment systems, while bringing First class back on the London Heathrow-Mumbai route. This makes Air India the only carrier to offer the choice of First class travel between the two cities as well as between the UK and India.

Introducing Premium Economy and an all-new Air India experience across cabins

Air India will introduce its Premium Economy class experience for the first time on the Delhi-London Heathrow route with A350-900. It will offer guests the choice of 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration in a dedicated, upscale cabin.

Air India’s A350 flights will also feature new soft products and award-winning guest enhancements unveiled earlier this year. These enhancements include new chinaware, new tableware and glassware, new bedding, and updated amenity kits for Business and Premium Economy guests, exclusively designed by Ferragamo and TUMI, respectively. 

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “The deployment of our flagship A350s and the B777s with upgraded cabin interiors to London Heathrow marks a significant milestone for Air India. It demonstrates our commitment to elevating the travel experience of our guests to truly world-class standards and to going beyond just meeting customer expectations as we continue to renew our fleet.”

“With our industry-leading cabin products on the A350 including a new Premium Economy experience and a host of new on board enhancements rolling out, we are confident that these daily flights between India and London Heathrow will soon be the preferred choice for travellers,” Wilson added.

Booking Air India A350 flights to London Heathrow

The A350 seats on the Delhi-London Heathrow route are now available to reserve on Air India’s website and mobile app or via travel agents.

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.

Hitachi Payment Services Receives RBI’s Final Authorisation For Online Payment Aggregator Licence

Hitachi Payment Services, India’s foremost end-to-end payments and commerce solutions provider, today announced that it has received the final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an Online Payment Aggregator, under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

This significant landmark enables the company to expand its digital solutions & services stack to encompass a comprehensive suite of innovative and merchant friendly payment options including UPI, Netbanking, Cards and Wallets along with value-added services such as EMI, Paylater, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), Link Based payments and loyalty solutions to merchants.

Anuj Khosla, Chief Executive Officer – Digital Business, Hitachi Payment Services, said, “Receiving the Payment Aggregator licence is an important milestone for us and we are grateful to the RBI for their trust and approval. Receiving the licence is not just a validation of our capabilities, but a catalyst for us to bring innovative solutions and broaden our offerings. Our state-of-the-art platforms and end-to-end services coupled with our expanded capabilities, uniquely positions us to cater to the diverse needs of banks and fintechs, enhance merchant adoption and make digital payments more pervasive.”

Hitachi Payment Services has played an important role in establishing a robust nationwide payment infrastructure through its secure and advanced payments and commerce solutions. Some of its innovative offerings include UPI Solutions, SoftPOS, Value Added Services, AI & ML based solutions, next-gen mobile based merchant platform, UPI ATM on android platform and Upgradable ATM.

Currently, the company processes over 2.5 billion digital transactions annually for some of India's leading banks and fintechs. In 2023, the company had announced the launch of its Accelerator Program – HPX, to collaborate with fintech start-ups across India to propel digital payment innovation.  

About Hitachi Payment Services Pvt. Ltd.

Hitachi Payment Services is an end-to-end payments and commerce solutions provider empowering financial institutions, payment aggregators and fintechs with a comprehensive array of solutions focused on security, reliability and innovation. A pioneer in the Indian payments space, it has over 76,000 ATMs under management (including 27,500 Cash Recycling Machines and 10,000 White Label ATMs). In addition, it caters to over 3 Mn merchant touch points and processes over 7 Mn digital transactions daily.

For more information on Hitachi Payment Services, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi-payments.com

Sadaf Sayeed Appointed As Co-Chair of Sa-Dhan

Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, CEO of Muthoot Microfin, has been appointed as the Co-Chair of Sa-Dhan, the largest and oldest association of microfinance and impact finance institutions in India. The re-election took place during Sa-Dhan's 26th Annual General Body Meeting.

Mr. Sadaf Sayeed's appointment underscores his significant contributions and ongoing commitment to the microfinance sector. His valuable insights, rich perspectives and experience will contribute significantly to the cause of microfinance and inclusive growth in India.

Sa-Dhan, recognized as a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has been a pivotal force in the microfinance sector, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The AGM was presided over by Mr. K Paul Thomas, MD of ESAF Small Finance Bank and the current Chairperson of Sa-Dhan.

Commenting on this development Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, said, “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Co-Chair of Sa-Dhan. This organization has played a crucial role in shaping the microfinance landscape in India. During my tenure, I will work with the board towards ensuring the growth of the microfinance sector and servicing the most underserved constituency of India as well as promoting livelihood solutions and entrepreneurship at the bottom of the pyramid.”

Sa-Dhan has about 220 members working in 33 states/UTs and over 600 districts, which includes both, for Profit and Not for Profit MFIs, SHG promoting institutions, banks, rating agencies, capacity-building institutions etc. Sa-Dhan is also recognized as a National Support Organization (NSO) by National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

About Muthoot Microfin Limited:

Muthoot Microfin Ltd. is a part of Muthoot Pappachan Group (also known as Muthoot Blue) and is one of the leading listed MFIs in India. It has inherited values, principles of integrity, collaboration, and excellence to take forward the legacy of 137 years. The microfinance operations of the Company are designed to promote entrepreneurship among women and inclusive growth. It provides financial assistance through micro loans such as income generating loans to women engaged in small businesses. It is involved in delivering financial services to masses including underprivileged and disadvantaged people, living in the rural sectors of the Indian society at affordable terms, in quick turnaround time and with hassle-free processing is the aim of our financial inclusion drive. As on 31st March 2024, the Company had 3.35 million active customers served through 1,508 branches spread across 19 states and 353 districts with a Gross Loan Portfolio (GLP) of 12,193.5 Cr. It is also part of S&P BSE Financial Services Index.

New App "Speak Kumaoni" Launches To Promote Regional Language

A new website and app, "Speak Kumaoni," designed to teach the Kumaoni dialect, was officially launched. The platform offers an easy way to learn the reading and pronunciation of the Kumaoni language, available in ten Indian languages including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Hindi, and English.

The development of 'Speak Kumaoni' is credited to Dr. R. K. Thukral, a Punjabi native of Rudrapur with a PhD in Economics from Kumaon University, Nainital. Dr. Thukral, who is  the founder-director of a 24-year-old ITeS company in Delhi, also resides in the village of Managher-Sundarkhal in Nainital District. Notably, the website and app are offered completely free of charge.

The content for the platform is derived from the book "Kumaoni Pahari Boli" by Haldwani-based educationist, musician, and Kumaoni folk expert Hema Harbola. Radio Journalist Sunita Bhaskar of 'Hello Haldwani' at Uttarakhand Open University provided the Kumaoni voiceovers, while AI technology generated the audio for the other ten languages. The project received special support from various individuals and institutions in the Kumaon division.

Last week, Dr. Thukral presented the app to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Uttarakhand Sadan in New Delhi. Chief Minister Dhami commended Dr. Thukral's initiative, emphasizing the significance of offering the app for free. He expressed optimism that the app would benefit tourists, travelers, and the Kumaoni youth living in other states, and strengthen the promotion and propagation of the Kumaoni language.

Prominent figures such as Surendra Singh Rawat, General Secretary of the Kumaon Language, Literature and Culture Society, Dr. Hayat Singh Rawat, Editor of the Kumaoni monthly from Almora, Dr. Saraswati Kohli, Editor of Kumaoni monthly "Adli Kushli" published from Pithoragarh, Damodar Joshi, editor of Kumaoni monthly "Kumgarh" published from Nainital district, Charu Tiwari, editor of Kumaoni quarterly "Dudboli" published from New Delhi, Hem Pant, Himanshu Pathak and Dayal Pandey,  conveners of Creative Uttarakhand and Kitab Kautik, Kumaoni folklore-Singer duo Govind Digari and Khushi Joshi, Rajiv Ghai, former President of Kumaon Garhwal Chamber of Commerce, Neeraj Bewari of Business Uttarayani and other local dignitaries and institutions have congratulated Dr. Thukral on his efforts to promote the Kumaoni language.

Dr. Thukral demonstrates the “Speak Kumaoni” app to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.