Curefoods Gears Up For The Festive Season With Major Milestones And Exciting Campaigns Across House Of Brands

As the festive season approaches, Curefoods, India’s leading F&B house of brands, is set to make waves with a series of exciting initiatives and significant milestones across its flagship brands—EatFit, Olio, CakeZone, and Sharief Bhai. With a focus on indulgence, partnerships, and fresh brand ambassadors, Curefoods is positioned to captivate its audience this Diwali.

Olio and CakeZone - A Rapid Expansion Milestone

Olio and CakeZone have achieved a significant milestone, expanding to 150 stores across India. This growth reflects the increasing demand for both brands, with Olio offering a unique pizza experience and CakeZone becoming a go-to destination for desserts. Their expansion highlights the growing popularity of Curefoods' offerings, as the brands continue to establish a strong presence in multiple cities, catering to a diverse and expanding customer base nationwide.

Sharief Bhai - Authentic Dakhni Biryani Goes Big

Sharief Bhai, celebrated for its authentic Dakhni-style biryani, has reached a significant milestone of 50 stores across key regions in India. Building on this momentum, the brand is also expanding internationally with its first store opening in Dubai, bringing the rich flavors of Dakhni cuisine to a global audience. This festive season, Sharief Bhai is launching an exciting collaboration with Bigg Boss Kannada and Bigg Boss Tamil under the campaign “Yeh hai Dakhni Style Boss.” The high-profile partnership will feature branded visuals, banners, and social media amplification during the show’s most-watched moments, enhancing the brand’s visibility during the festive season.

Gokul Kandhi, Chief Business Officer, Curefoods, said, “This festive season is an exciting time for Curefoods as we continue to witness tremendous growth across all our brands. The festive period is a significant moment for us to launch innovative campaigns and strengthen our connection with customers through memorable food experiences. Our focus remains on delivering quality and authenticity while expanding our reach both in India and internationally. We’re proud of the milestones we’ve achieved this year and look forward to making this festive season even more special for our customers as Curefoods continues to grow as a trusted and loved brand.”

CakeZone Welcomes Palak Tiwari

CakeZone is set to captivate a younger audience this festive season by announcing actress Palak Tiwari as its new brand ambassador. Known for her vibrant personality, Palak will headline CakeZone’s festive campaign "With Love, Palak," which introduces a special range of curated hampers featuring her favorite desserts. Palak’s association with CakeZone promises to elevate the brand’s visibility and appeal during this joyous time of year.

EatFit - A Playful Festive Campaign

EatFit is joining the festive spirit with a unique twist on indulgence. The Diwali campaign, titled "This Diwali - Don’t EatFit", encourages customers to indulge guilt-free during the celebrations. Following Diwali, the narrative will shift to "Why EatFit after Diwali", promoting the brand's healthier options as people reset their routines. The campaign will run across various channels including social media, meme pages, Jio Saavn, and print ads, providing a fun yet thoughtful approach to festive eating.

A Season of Growth and Celebration

Through these milestones and festive campaigns, Curefoods continues to cement its position as a leader in the cloud kitchen space. From major store expansions to innovative brand partnerships, the company is ready to celebrate this festive season with its customers.

About Curefoods:

Curefoods is a leading house of F&B brands in India. It was founded by Ankit Nagori in 2020. It houses brands like EatFit, Cakezone, Nomad Pizza, Sharief Bhai Biryani and Frozen Bottle, among others. It has over 350 cloud kitchens and offline stores that cater to over 10 cuisines, across 30 cities in India. Curefoods is the second-largest cloud kitchen player in India in terms of footprint with the largest manufacturing capability in the fresh food space. Additional information on Curefoods is available at https://curefoods.in

Global Web3 Stakeholders To Explore Collaboration With Indian Tech Ecosystem At India Blockchain Week 2024

Top international Web3 players are coming to India Blockchain Week (IBW) from 30th November to 8th December 2024 in Bangalore, to foster purposeful collaboration with the Indian innovation ecosystem. Returning this year with over 100 exciting events, IBW is the country’s first-ever multi-chain platform catalyzing mass adoption of blockchain innovation across industries. Some of the events include the flagship IBW Conference, IBW chain-agnostic Hackathon, IBW Web3 Demo Day, ETH India Hackathon, and more, bringing together the brightest minds in the Web3 ecosystem along with policymakers to create a conducive environment for cross-border partnerships.

The Indian government's growing focus on blockchain innovation has driven initiatives like the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) to enhance information security, transparency, and efficiency for digital governance and service delivery. Launched under the same initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and  Information Technology (MeitY), the Vishvasya Technology Stack offers Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) through data centers across Pune, Hyderabad, and Bhubaneswar, supporting various permissioned blockchain applications. These efforts reflect the government's commitment to advancing and implementing blockchain solutions.

Hosted by Hashed Emergent, a Web3 Venture Capital firm, the 2-day flagship IBW Conference will take place on the 4th and 5th of December at the Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center, hosting prominent speakers including Sandeep Nailwal, Co-founder of Polygon, Avery Ching, Co-founder and CTO of Aptos, Keone Hon, CEO of Monad, and Chen Fang, COO of BitGo. Alongside Indian policymakers, entrepreneurs, and developers, the conference will facilitate discussions on India’s vibrant tech talent, its market adaptability for technological advancements, and the evolving regulatory landscape. 

Avery Ching, the Co-founder & CTO of Aptos Labs, commented, “India is home to incredibly talented developers and leaders who are advancing web3 in remarkable ways. It’s inspiring to see the impact builders in India have had on the entire Aptos ecosystem, and I hope to see more builders after our activation at IBW this year.”

"India is at a unique inflection point in Web3 adoption, with its thriving developer community, commitment to entrepreneurship, and pace of economic activity. I am excited to speak about opportunities for Monad Labs to collaborate with the local Web3 ecosystem in advancing blockchain innovation," added Keone Hon, CEO of Monad.

A consultation panel, led by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), is currently collaborating with industry stakeholders, including experts, companies, and the public, to establish regulations for cryptocurrency in India. IBW Conference will act as a vital platform for dialogue between policymakers and industry experts, providing a roadmap for India's potential in this sector.

“As a host of India Blockchain Week Conference, we are committed to amplifying India’s thriving web3 landscape on the global stage,” said Tak Lee, CEO & Managing Partner of Hashed Emergent. “Our goal is to foster collaboration across the Indian ecosystem by bringing together local innovators and global stakeholders. We’re excited to return with the second edition of IBW, continuing our work to nurture and grow the web3 community in India and other emerging markets.”

India’s innovation ecosystem is fueling global blockchain growth contributing to over 12% of the world’s Web3 developers and housing more than 1,000 startups, according to a joint report by Hashed Emergent and KPMG India. To further drive this momentum, IBW Demo-Day on December 4th will spotlight 15 leading Indian Web3 startups, showcasing their projects to an audience of investors, founders, and developers. ETH India Hackathon, running from December 6-8, will host over 1,500 developers, making it one of the country’s largest Ethereum hackathons. The IBW Hackathon will see 250+ participants, with the top ten projects competing for prizes and a chance to present at IBW2024 Conference.  

With sponsors like Polygon, Aptos, Starkware, and Starknet Foundation, IBW 2024 Conference will unite the largest ecosystems of start-ups, developers, and investors in the global web3 industry. Last year’s IBW Conference featured Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum), Jayant Sinha (Former Member of Parliament), Sebastien Borget (Sandbox), Charles Guillemet (Ledger) among others as speakers. 

About India Blockchain Week (IBW)

India Blockchain Week (IBW) is India’s largest series of blockchain and Web3 events, set to unify the global and local blockchain communities from November 30th to December 8th, 2024. With over 100 events, including the IBW2024 Conference, ETHIndia,  IBW Demo-day, IBW Hackathon, and other networking opportunities, IBW provides a platform for thought leadership and collaboration across the blockchain ecosystem.

About Hashed Emergent

Hashed Emergent is the venture capital arm of Hashed, backing builders from India and emerging markets shaping the on-chain frontier. It invests at the earliest stages of a web3 startup's journey, using its expertise, experience, and network to amplify their growth and success. The team is rooted in the cultural hubspots of web3 in emerging markets, spanning across Bangalore, Seoul, Singapore, Lagos and Dubai. Hashed Emergent drives web3 focused ecosystem and community expansion in these markets through its purpose-built initiatives. 

HDFC Life Achieves Overall Market Share Of 11.0%; Value Of New Business Grows By 17.4% Aided By Premium Growth Of 31%

The Board of Directors of HDFC Life approved and adopted the reviewed standalone and consolidated financial results for half year ended September 30, 2024. The Company delivered healthy performance across all metrics, maintaining positive momentum.

Performance Highlights:

Topline Growth: Delivered strong new business premium (individual APE) growth of 31%, supported by a 22% increase in number of policies sold and a balanced product mix

Market Share: Private sector market share (individual WRP) expanded by 60 bps to 16.3%. Overall market share touched a new peak of 11%

Value of New Business (VNB) grew by 17.4% to ? 1,656 crore, reflecting focus on writing profitable business

Assets under Management (AUM): AUM stood at ?3.25 lakh crore as on 30th September 2024, an increase of 23% in H1 FY25

Persistency: 13th and 61st month persistency ratios improved to 88% and 60% respectively, marking a material increase of 120 basis points and 730 basis points respectively versus the previous year, underscoring the company's ability to engage with and retain customers

Embedded Value (EV) crossed the ? 50,000 crore milestone during the quarter, with 16.0% operating return on EV, showcasing sustained long-term value creation for both policyholders and shareholders

Profit After Tax (PAT) of ? 911 crore was achieved in H1 FY25, clocking a steady growth of 15% year-on-year

Solvency Ratio stood at 181%, comfortably above the regulatory threshold of 150%. Post the subordinated debt raise of Rs 1,000 crore on 9th October 2024, solvency stood at 192%.

HDFC Pension Fund Management is HDFC Life’s wholly-owned subsidiary and India’s largest private pension fund manager. It achieved a significant milestone in H1 FY25, by crossing ?1 lakh crore in Assets under Management

Employee Focus: We were recognised for our inclusivity and employee-friendly policies, being awarded the Best Companies for Women in India 2024 in the BFSI sector and Exemplar of Inclusion (Most Inclusive Companies India 2024) by Avtar & Seramount

CEO’s Statement:

Vibha Padalkar, Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Life, commented: “The private sector and overall industry continued its strong momentum in Q2, growing in H1FY25 by 24% and 21% respectively on an individual weighted received premium basis. We have outperformed the private sector by growing at 28% during this period and 19% on a 2 year CAGR basis. We registered an increase of 22% in the number of policies, which was significantly ahead of the private sector growth of 13%. We experienced secular growth trends across Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 geographies.

On the regulatory front, we have successfully relaunched more than 40 top products contributing to about 95% of the business, in alignment with revised regulations as on October 1, 2024 and we plan to relaunch other products during the course of the quarter. We are thankful to the regulator in allowing us an additional time of three months for transitioning to the new product regulations.

Furthermore, we are happy to inform that HDFC Life continues to be recognised for its commitment to sustainability and responsible governance. HDFC Life's S&P Global ESG score saw an improvement of over 20% versus last year and we continue to be rated well amongst regional insurers. Our MSCI ESG Rating has also been upgraded to ‘A’.

We remain focused on driving sustainable growth and strengthening our leadership across key segments. We will continue to invest in customer-centric innovations to ensure we meet evolving needs and remain resilient in a dynamic market. We are confident in our ability to deliver long-term value for our stakeholders, whilst adapting to the evolving market landscape with agility and resilience.”

Definitions and abbreviations

Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE) - The sum of annualized first year regular premiums and 10% weighted single premiums and single premium top-ups

Assets under Management (AUM) - The total value of Shareholders’ & Policyholders’ investments managed by the insurance company

Embedded Value Operating Profit (EVOP) - Embedded Value Operating Profit (“EVOP”) is a measure of the increase in the EV during any given period, excluding the impact on EV due to external factors like changes in economic variables and shareholder-related actions like capital injection or dividend pay-outs

First year premium - Premiums due in the first policy year of regular premiums received during the financial year. For example, for a monthly mode policy sold in March 2024, the first monthly instalment received would be reflected as First year premiums for 2023-24 and the remaining 11 instalments due in the first policy year would be reflected as first year premiums in 2024-25, when received

New business received premium - The sum of first year premium and single premium, reflecting the total premiums received from the new business written

Operating expense - It includes all expenses that are incurred for the purposes of sourcing new business and expenses incurred for policy servicing (which are known as maintenance costs) including shareholders’ expenses. It does not include commission

Operating expense ratio - Ratio of operating expense (including shareholders’ expenses) to total premium

Operating return on EV - Operating Return on EV is the ratio of EVOP (Embedded Value Operating Profit) for any given period to the EV at the beginning of that period

Persistency - The proportion of business renewed from the business underwritten. The ratio is measured in terms of number of policies and premiums underwritten

Premium less benefits payouts - The difference between total premium received and benefits paid (gross of reinsurance)

Renewal premium - Regular recurring premiums received after the first policy year

Solvency ratio - Ratio of available solvency margin to required solvency margin

Total premium - Total received premiums during the year including first year, single and renewal premiums for individual and group business

Weighted received premium (WRP) - The sum of first year premium received during the year and 10% of single premiums including top-up premiums

About HDFC Life

Established in 2000, HDFC Life is a leading, listed, long-term life insurance solutions provider in India, offering a range of individual and group insurance solutions that meet various customer needs such as Protection, Pension, Savings, Investment, Annuity and Health. The company has more than 80 products (including individual and group products) and optional riders in its portfolio, catering to a diverse range of customer needs.

HDFC Life continues to benefit from its increased presence across the country, having a wide reach with branches and additional distribution touch-points through several new tie-ups and partnerships. The count of distribution partnerships is over 300, comprising banks, NBFCs, MFIs, SFBs, brokers, new ecosystem partners amongst others. The Company has a strong base of financial consultants.

For more information, visit www.hdfclife.com. You may also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

IIIT-Bangalore And NIMHANS Collaborate To Deliver The Tele MANAS App For 24/7 Mental Health Support

World Mental Health Day was observed on October 10, 2024, with this year’s theme as “It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health at the Workplace.” On this day, the Union Health Ministry celebrated the success of the National Tele Mental Health Programme, Tele MANAS, which has completed two years of service and has handled more than 14.5 lakh calls. The Tele MANAS toll-free helpline, available at 14416 or 1-800-891-4416, offers multilingual support in 20 languages and has been instrumental in connecting individuals with mental health professionals.

At the commemoration event in New Delhi, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary of MoHFW & Managing Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) launched the Tele MANAS mobile app and the video call facility in Tele MANAS.

The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-Bangalore) is proud of its role in the development of the Tele MANAS mobile app, designed to offer free and confidential 24/7 mental health support across India. Developed entirely in-house with content and guidance provided by the Tele MANAS Apex Centre at NIMHANS, the app is available on the Google Play Store, with an iOS version coming soon. The Tele MANAS app provides a comprehensive set of services aimed at promoting mental well-being and reducing stigma around mental health. Key features of the app include 24/7 mental health support, an extensive knowledge base, and user-friendly interface.

Video consultations in Tele MANAS represent a significant upgrade to the existing audio calling service. When necessary, mental health professionals can initiate video consultations, providing a more personalized experience and better care to the users. Initially, this service will be launched in Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, and Tamil Nadu, with plans to expand it nationwide in the future.

The Report of Tele MANAS Rapid Assessment by the World Health Organizations (WHO) was also released at the event.

"We are immensely proud of our colleagues'  contributions to the Tele MANAS mobile app. The Tele MANAS Apex Centre at NIMHANS and our team at the E-Health Research Center (EHRC) at IIIT-Bangalore have done exceptional work in developing the Tele MANAS mobile app. With content and guidance provided by NIMHANS, this innovative platform is a testament to our institute's commitment to leveraging technology for the betterment of society and the promotion of mental well-being", said Prof. Debabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore.

“We are pleased to be involved in the development of the Tele MANAS platform since the start of the program. The usage of the platform has steadily increased, with about 1 lakh calls being handled each month. We are now excited to have helped develop the Tele MANAS mobile app, as well as the video calling extension to the platform. It is gratifying to see that such digital solutions can help reach mental health services to people across the country”, said Prof. T K Srikanth, Professor of Practice and Head of the E- Health Research Centre (EHRC), IIIT-Bangalore.

For more information about IIIT-Bangalore, visit www.iiitb.ac.in

Tasva, The Mens Indian Wear Brand, Staged 'BAARAAT By Tasva' With Ranbir Kapoor Leading The Show

In a dazzling display of designer wedding wear, TASVA by Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Ltd in collaboration with ace designer Tarun Tahiliani, hosted an unforgettable fashion show, ‘BAARAAT' by Tasva unveiling its Autumn/Winter 2024 Wedding Collection. The grand event took place on Sunday, 13th October 2024, at the majestic Travancore Palace, New Delhi, and left an indelible mark on all who attended. The evening reached its dramatic conclusion with Bollywood icon Ranbir Kapoor leading the spectacular finale, celebrating the essence of Indian weddings with unmatched style and grandeur.

The ‘BAARAAT' by Tasva, was inspired by the lively and vibrant Indian wedding procession, reimagined as a fashion showcase that spotlighted the groom. The baaraat, traditionally symbolizing the groom’s joyous arrival, was presented in this unconventional and visually stunning fashion show.

Known for his impeccable style and charisma, Ranbir Kapoor perfectly embodied the Tasva man. He closed the show with a magnificent Indian wedding-style baaraat, making it the highlight of the evening. Reflecting on his participation in the event, Ranbir Kapoor shared, "Stepping onto the runway in the BAARAAT collection was an exhilarating experience, celebrating the fusion of tradition and modern flair! Today’s grooms are more than just part of the ceremony; they are the heart of the story. This collection gave them the opportunity to express their individuality while honoring their roots. With its luxurious textures and bold silhouettes, it redefines menswear and ensures every groom’s journey is unforgettable!" 

In addition, the runway was graced by a stellar lineup of personalities who brought their unique charm and style to the event. Rising star Vihaan Samat, celebrated comedian Anubhav Singh Bassi, Michelin Star Chef Suvir Saran and popular digital influencers, Mohak Narang, Manav Chhabra, Unnati Malharkar, and Apoorva (also known as "The Rebel Kid") showcased Tasva's exceptional wedding collection with poise and flair. Each of them embodied the spirit of the modern Indian groom in their own way, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary style. Their presence added a youthful, dynamic energy to the show, making the 'BAARAAT by Tasva' event a true celebration of individuality and fashion. With their distinctive personalities, they captured the essence of Tasva's ethos, making the event even more memorable for the audience. 

About the Collection

The Autumn Winter 2024 Wedding Collection presents an exquisite array of wedding wear designed for the modern Indian groom. This collection skillfully blends contemporary influences with traditional Indian artistry, drawing inspiration from Romanesque architecture, Baroque opulence, and abstract art. Featuring intricate Shikargah and Phulkari motifs, the collection brings flora and fauna to life with Aari work, mirror work, zardosi embroidery and pearl embellishments.

Featuring contemporary silhouettes like the angrakha sherwani, tailored dinner jackets, and asymmetrical designs, it presents a modern take on tradition. The collection offers a refined color palette, ranging from soft pastels like ivory, gold, lilac, salmon, and jade, perfect for wedding ceremonies, to deep jewel tones ideal for cocktail and mehendi events.

“The great Indian wedding culminates in the actual ceremony and the heart of this is the groom. The modern groom, who comes with joy, modernity, and individuality. My vision blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary tailoring, ease and comfort for a modern lifestyle, which allows the young man today to express their unique narrative through refined silhouettes and artistry, that they’ve got accustomed to while wearing western clothes. You want Indian clothing to be supremely comfortable. Each piece is not just a clothing to be endured, it is something that’s worn for the most important days, it’s a statement of one’s self, crafted for a significant moment, and we know that the answer is Tasva.”says Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer, Tasva

Tasva continues to push the boundaries of wedding fashion in India, elevating the groom’s style with every collection. “As a brand, our goal at Tasva has always been to make designer Indian wear accessible to more customers. With our AW ’24 Wedding Collection, we’re thrilled to offer modern grooms a stylish blend of tradition and contemporary flair. We are a brand for new age men who are looking for sophistication & elegance in their occasion wear – and our talented store stylists are always at hand to help each of them look their best. Baarat by Tasva represents the culmination of our teams’ efforts in bringing this proposition alive for the upcoming wedding season & we are very excited to finally host it” says Ashish Mukul, Brand head, Tasva

About Tasva

Tasva, a wedding and occasion wear brand for the modern Indian man, is a brand launched by ABFRL in collaboration with ace couturier Tarun Tahiliani. Tasva is dedicated to offering classy and comfortable Indian wear. With a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and contemporary style, Tasva is redefining Indian wear for the modern man. The brand offers an extensive range of kurtas, kurta bundi sets, sherwanis, Indo-western outfits, footwear, and accessories. The brand's exquisite products are available at exclusive Tasva stores across India and online at www.Tasva.com

About Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited

ABFRL is part of a leading Indian conglomerate, The Aditya Birla Group. With revenue of Rs. 13,996 Cr. spanning retail space of 11.9 million sq. ft. (as on March 31, 2024), it is India’s first billion-dollar pure-play fashion powerhouse with an elegant bouquet of leading fashion brands and retail formats.

The Company has a network of 4,664 stores across approximately 37,205 multi-brand outlets with 9,563 point of sales in department stores across India (as on 31st March 2024).

It has a repertoire of India’s largest brands in Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England, established over 25 years. Pantaloons is one of India’s leading fashion retailers.

Company’s international Brands portfolio includes - The Collective, Amongst India's largest multi-brand retailers of international brands and has long term exclusive partnerships with select brands such as Ralph Lauren, Hackett London, Ted Baker, Fred Perry, Forever 21, American Eagle, Reebok, Simon Carter and Galeries Lafayette.

The Company’s foray into branded ethnic wear business includes brands such as Jaypore, Tasva & Marigold Lane. The company has strategic partnerships with Designers ‘Shantanu & Nikhil’, ‘Tarun Tahiliani’, ‘Sabyasachi’ and ‘HouseofMasaba’.

In addition, to cater to the needs of digitally native consumers, ABFRL is building a portfolio of Digital-first brands under its technology led ‘House of D2C Brands’ venture TMRW. TMRW is on a path to building a portfolio of Digital First brands in partnership with founders of emerging brands in the E-Commerce market.

The Company in Sept 2023 completed the acquisition of 51% stake in TCNS Clothing Co. Ltd. TCNS is India’s leading women’s branded ethnic apparel company that designs, markets and retails portfolio of women’s branded apparel across brands W, Aurelia, Wishful, Elleven & Folksong.

Unwrap The Joy Of Riding With Festive Offers By BMW Motorrad India

* Exclusive festive offer on BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS.

* Zero Down-Payment, Zero Maintenance for 3 years, 5 Years of Complimentary Warranty.

* EMI’s Starting from INR 6,999 onwards.

* #MakeLifeARide #BMWMotorradIndia #SpiritOfGS #NeverStopChallenging

BMW Motorrad India is revving up the excitement of this festive season with irresistible offers on the popular G 310 motorcycles. BMW Motorrad promises an unparalleled ownership experience with its festive offers, complete with attractive finance options, comprehensive service packages, and extended warranty. The offer is valid from 15 October to 15 November 2024, exclusively at authorized BMW Motorrad dealerships.

The festive offer for the BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS includes zero down payment, zero maintenance costs for 3 years, 2 years of extended warranty in addition to the 3 years standard warranty and on-road financing.

Comprehensive EMI plans start from just INR 6,999 for the BMW G 310 R and INR 7,999 for the BMW G 310 GS onwards. The EMI cost incorporates ‘BMW Motorrad Service Inclusive’ that covers comprehensive maintenance of the motorcycle for 3 years and provides complete peace of mind. It includes periodic maintenance for 3 years with applicable labor charges.

BMW India Financial Services offers customized and flexible financial solutions for BMW Motorrad. Customers can get their loans approved before delivery takes place. Road-Side Assistance, a 24x7 365 days package is also available for customers which ensures prompt services in case of breakdown and towing situations.

A comprehensive range of original BMW Motorcycle accessories & gears are available for further individualization of BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS.

FlixBus India Partners With S.M. Kannappa Automobiles To Accelerate The Future Of Inter-City Bus Travel In India

·         Partnership focuses on developing advanced, tailor-made bus bodies to enhance passenger experience, safety, and operational efficiency

·         The duration of this MoU stands for a period of one year

FlixBus India, a global travel-tech leader of affordable and sustainable travel and S.M. Kannappa (SMK) Automobiles Private Limited, a pioneer in bus body manufacturing recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at an event held at The Ritz Carlton, Bengaluru. This strategic partnership is aimed at enhancing the mobility experience by combining SMK’s cutting-edge bus body manufacturing capabilities with FlixBus’s technology-driven platform for passenger transport. Over the next year, the collaboration will focus on developing a fully customized FlixBus product tailored to meet the needs of FlixBus India’s operating partners across India.

Commenting on this MoU, Surya Khurana, MD, FlixBus India said, "This thought through partnership with S.M.Kannappa Automobiles underscores our commitment to offer passengers best travel experience while empowering our operating partners with state-of-the-art vehicles. Together, we will not only drive technological advancement, but also be able to efficiently contribute to the transformation of long-distance travel in India."

Vaibhav Narang, Director, S.M.Kannappa Automobiles Private Limited, said, “This gives SMK a great Opportunity to show case the advancements made by Indian body builders. We thank FlixBus India for imposing their faith in the capabilities of SMK to provide a truly global product.”

The MoU sets the foundation for an exclusive partnership to deliver a new generation of FlixBus vehicles, incorporating top-tier quality standards and innovative designs. S.M. Kannappa Automobiles will bring its expertise in manufacturing high-quality, deluxe, air-conditioned sleeper and semi-sleeper coaches.

Key Aspects of the MoU are:

·         Customized bus bodies: SM Kannappa Automobiles will develop a bespoke range of buses exclusively for FlixBus’s operating partners, featuring unique designs, premium comfort, and the latest safety standards.

·         Priority support & services: FlixBus’s partners will benefit from priority order delivery, competitive pricing, and access to SMK’s dedicated service network across India.

·         Technology & innovation: Both parties will work together to integrate advanced technology and digital platforms, ensuring passengers have access to a seamless booking experience while operating partners benefit from optimized fleet management.

As FlixBus India continues its rapid expansion, this strategic partnership with SMK Automobiles is set to play a pivotal role in achieving its ambitious growth targets. Following the successful launch of operations in South India, connecting key cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai, FlixBus India aims to significantly increase its fleet size and expand its network to more regions across India. With an installed capacity of 6,000 units per annum, SMK’s state-of-the-art facilities in Lalbagh, Peenya, Mandya, and Narasapur, Karnataka will support the production of exclusive, high-quality buses for FlixBus’s growing network.  This collaboration will not only strengthen company's operational capacity but also support its mission to offer premium, tech-enabled travel experiences, solidifying FlixBus’s position as a leader in smart mobility solutions in India.