Turkish Technic Provides Redelivery Check For IndiGo’s Airbus A320neo

Turkish Technic, a leading provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, and IndiGo, India’s largest airline, have signed an agreement covering the Redelivery Checks of 7 Airbus A320neos.

Under this agreement, Turkish Technic will provide Redelivery Check services for Airbus A320neo aircraft at Turkish Technic facilities in ?stanbul Atatürk Airport as well as Sabiha Gökçen Airport, with the first aircraft arriving in October 2024.

Regarding the agreement, Mikail Akbulut, CEO and Board Member of Turkish Technic, said: ‘‘We are pleased to further expand our partnership with IndiGo. This agreement stands as a testament to our technical expertise in aircraft services. With years of experience under our belt, we are fully equipped to ensure the smooth and timely redelivery of IndiGo’s Airbus A320neo aircraft, contributing to their continued operational success. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration and exploring new opportunities with IndiGo.”

Commenting on the continuation of the partnership, Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, COO of IndiGo said: "We are committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and efficiency through our partnership with Turkish Technic. This agreement for the Redelivery Checks of our Airbus A320neo underlines our trust in Turkish Technic's expertise and capabilities. This collaboration will support the seamless redelivery process, ensuring our aircraft are maintained to the highest global standards."

Operating as a one-stop MRO company with high-quality support, competitive turnaround times, and comprehensive in-house capabilities at its state-of-the-art hangars, Turkish Technic provides maintenance, repair, overhaul, engineering, modification, tailor-made component supply and reconfiguration to many domestic and international customers at five locations.

About Turkish Technic

Turkish Technic (IATP: TKT), an association of Turkish Airlines group companies (Istanbul Stock Exchange: THYAO), is one of the world’s leading aviation services providers, where comprehensive maintenance, repair, overhaul, modification, and reconfiguration services are performed with a highly qualified workforce of 11.350 staff within Istanbul Ataturk Airport, Sabiha Gokcen Airport and Istanbul Airport facilities on two separate continents. Aside from its engineering and maintenance activities, Turkish Technic supports aircraft operators and owners globally with encompassing component pooling, design, certification, and production services. For more information: visit our website or connect with us on Facebook, X, Youtube, Linkedin, and Instagram.

About IndiGo

IndiGo is amongst the fastest-growing low-cost carriers in the world. IndiGo has a simple philosophy: offer fares that are affordable, flights that are on time, and provide a courteous and hassle-free travel experience across its unparalleled network. With its fleet of 370+ aircraft, the airline is operating around 2100 daily flights and connecting 85+ domestic destinations and 30+ international destinations. India by IndiGo! For more information, please visit http://www.goindigo.in/ or download our mobile app. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Uber Auto And Moto Expected To Drive INR 36,000 Crores In Economic Activity In 2024: Report

-      Rides with Uber generated INR 80,000 crores in consumer surplus* for riders in Bengaluru

-      Rides with Uber created INR 130,000 crores in consumer surplus for riders in Delhi

-      As per estimates, Uber saves worker over 40 million hours a year

Uber, India’s leading ridehailing apps, has released its 2024 India Economic Impact Report, compiled by Public First. The report highlights Uber’s significant contribution to transform the on-demand economy in India. After more than a decade in India, Uber continues to evolve, offering a variety of services tailored to diverse travel needs, from local rides to intercity journeys and bus travel.

With the increasing popularity of two and three wheeler transport in facilitating last mile connectivity, Uber Moto and Uber Auto have become essential services in India. In 2024, these services supported an estimated INR 36,000 crores in economic activity, highlighting Uber's significant role in the country's transportation landscape. These services not only provide convenient options for commuters but also contribute to the overall growth of the economy by connecting people to jobs and opportunities.

The report takes a deeper look at the factors driving the economic contribution of Uber in India:

Key findings:

Supporting a wider economic footprint

*       Earning Opportunities:  In total, in 2024, we estimate that driver-partners earn an additional 60% a year in higher income through Uber, relative to their next best alternative type of work.

*       Uber Auto and Moto Expected to Drive INR 36,000 Crores in Economic Activity in 2024

*       Local Exploration: 70% of riders find it easier to explore new restaurants and bars, expanding their local experiences

Expanding opportunity 

*      Higher Earnings: Uber is estimated to boost drivers’ earnings by about 24% compared to working without a platform

*      Increased Opportunity: 65% of Uber drivers believe to have more opportunities thanks to the platform

Safety & Improving Access

*      Women’s Safety: 95% of female riders cite safety as their top reason for using Uber. 84% of female riders believe that taking an Uber is the safest way to get home

*      Transforming Urban Mobility: Uber has transformed urban mobility, with 84% of Indians stating that the app has improved quality of transportation in India

Congestion and Pollution

*      Delhi: A significant 74% of Delhi riders express a preference for electric vehicles, with 56% willing to choose an EV option even at a higher cost

*      Bengaluru: 93% of riders in Bengaluru consider time savings a key reason for using Uber, while 80% believe the service has improved travel speed

Commenting on the report, Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia, said: “We are committed to transforming the mobility landscape in India while driving economic growth. Our 2024 Economic Impact report highlights our role in supporting drivers, improving the travel experience of riders, and promoting sustainable options. We are proud to have made a significant contribution to India’s economy, showing our commitment to connecting communities and creating livelihoods.”

*One of the most important measures of economic welfare – the amount you would pay someone to voluntarily give up a good or service. If a good has a zero consumer surplus, that implies we can take or leave it – whereas goods with a high consumer surplus are playing an important role in our lives.

About Uber

Uber came to India in 2013 with a simple promise: press a button, get a ride. 10 years and over 3 billion trips later, we continue to build products to help people get where they need to be. Today, Uber is available across 125 cities in India and has become #IndiaKiRide where people can go where they have to on Moto, Auto, Cars and even Buses - designed for their various intracity and intercity travel needs. With just a swipe on the app we make mobility seamless for millions and support over 1 million Indians make a sustainable income by getting in the driver's seat. We continue to reimagine the way the world moves for the better in ever expanding ways and as we mark our ten-year milestone - we remain committed to keep India Moving Forward.

Tata Motors Inaugurates ‘Customer Care Mahotsav’, A Nationwide Engagement Program For Commercial Vehicle Customers

* Pan-India program will be hosted from 23rd October to 24th December, 2024

* Aims to offer enhanced after-sales experience, including vehicle check-ups, value-added services and driver training for the entire range of commercial vehicles

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, announced the launch of its Customer Care Mahotsav 2024, a comprehensive customer engagement program for commercial vehicle customers till 24th December, 2024. The unique and value adding programme will be held at over 2500 authorised service outlets across the country, bringing together fleet owners and drivers for insightful discussions. Through the Mahotsav, customers can avail a range of benefits, including thorough vehicle check-ups conducted by trained technicians, and access to value-added services. Additionally, drivers will receive extensive training on safe and fuel-efficient driving practices, along with tailored offerings under its Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative.

Launching the Customer Care Mahotsav 2024 edition, Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors highlighted, “We are excited to bring back the Customer Care Mahotsav this year, starting 23rd October. The day holds a special significance for us as we sold our first commercial vehicle in 1954, we now celebrate it as the Customer Care Day. This Mahotsav reflects our commitment to deliver the best-in-class service, through meticulous vehicle check-ups and by offering a wide range of benefits. By ensuring that the Mahotsav delights our customers at every touchpoint across the country, we aim to strengthen our relationships across all our stakeholders. We cordially invite all our customers to their nearest Tata authorized service centres, and I am confident that this initiative will add significant value to their businesses.”

Tata Motors’ widest commercial vehicle portfolio is complemented by a host of value-added services designed for comprehensive vehicle lifecycle management through its Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative. This all-inclusive solution begins with the vehicle purchase and supports every operational aspect throughout its lifecycle, including breakdown assistance, guaranteed turnaround times, annual maintenance contracts (AMC), and convenient access to genuine spare parts. Additionally, Tata Motors leverages Fleet Edge, its connected vehicle platform for optimal fleet management, enabling operators to maximize vehicle uptime and minimize total cost of ownership.

About Tata Motors

Part of the USD 165 billion Tata group, Tata Motors Limited (BSE: 500570 and 570001; NSE: TATAMOTORS and TATAMTRDVR), a USD 44 billion organization, is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, pick-ups,  trucks, and buses, offering an extensive range of integrated, smart, and e-mobility solutions. With ‘Connecting Aspirations’ at the core of its brand promise, Tata Motors is India’s market leader in commercial vehicles and ranks among the top three in the passenger vehicles market.

Tata Motors strives to bring new products that captivate the imagination of GenNext customers, fuelled by state-of-the-art design and R&D centres located in India, the UK, the US, Italy, and South Korea. By focusing on engineering and tech- enabled automotive solutions catering to the future of mobility, the company’s innovation efforts are focused on developing pioneering technologies that are both sustainable and suited to the evolving market and customer aspirations. The company is pioneering India's Electric Vehicle (EV) transition and driving the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions by developing a tailored product strategy, leveraging the synergy between Group companies and playing an active role in liaising with the Government of India in developing the policy framework.

With operations in India, UK, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia, Tata Motors markets its vehicles in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the SAARC countries. As of March 31, 2024, Tata Motors’ operations include 90 consolidated subsidiaries, two joint operations, five joint ventures, and numerous equity-accounted associates, including their subsidiaries, over which the company exercises significant influence. 

Kinetic Green Strengthens EV Presence In Mysuru With The Inauguration Of A New Dealership

Kinetic Green Energy and Power Limited Solutions, India’s premier electric two and three-wheeler manufacturer, is thrilled to announce the opening of a new dealership in Mysuru. Hindustan Enterprises Green, the dealership is owned and operated by Mr. Mangilal Padam Chand, and is situated at L397/A, L42/A, Irvin Road Laskar Mohalla, Mysuru 570001. This grand opening marks a significant milestone in the brand's commitment to expand its presence in the Karnataka state.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed presence of Mr. Pankaj Sharma, who is the President of 2 Wheelers division at Kinetic Green. During the event, Mr. Sharma discussed the pivotal role that electric vehicles (EVs) play in addressing climate change and pollution, highlighting their importance for a sustainable future and the need for their widespread adoption.

Kinetic Green's new dealership in Mysuru features a spacious facility, with dedicated service support. The dealership proudly displays Kinetic Green's diverse range of electric two-wheelers, including the E-Luna, E-Zulu, and E-Zing, designed to meet the specific needs of Indian consumers. These models seamlessly blend sustainability with cutting-edge technology, offering smart, sharp, and sleek designs as standout features.

Speaking on the dealership expansion, Pankaj Sharma, President 2-Wheeler Business, Kinetic Green said, “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new dealership in Mysuru, a key step in expanding our footprint across Karnataka. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to making electric mobility both accessible and mainstream throughout India. Our dedicated showroom team will assist customers with expert guidance, ensuring they receive seamless buying experience, service support & empowering customers to make informed decisions on their purchase.

Adding to the same, Mr. Mangilal Padam Chand, the owner of Hindustan Enterprises Green in Mysuru said, “We are extremely excited to partner with Kinetic Green and are grateful for the support and confidence they have shown in us. Our aim is to offer customers top-notch services and expert guidance to help them make informed decisions, while ensuring a world-class service experience. With the rapid growth of the EV market, I am confident that this dealership will play a pivotal role in promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions in Mysuru.”

About Kinetic Green:

Kinetic Green is one of the leading players in India’s electric vehicle sector, offering a wide range of electric 3-wheelers and electric 2-wheelers – manufactured in a 42-acre production facility in Supa, Maharashtra - to promote green mobility for the masses. For electric golfcarts and buggies, the company has formed a Joint Venture with the world’s leading luxury brand, Tonino Lamborghini of Italy.

Helmed by Ms. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, a third-generation scion of the Firodia family, Kinetic Green is dedicated to building a robust pan-India EV ecosystem and developing sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

Backed by over half a century of engineering excellence of the Kinetic Group, Kinetic Green has made its EVs accessible, thus democratizing electric mobility with quality products that feature top-tier technology and safety.

Kinetic Green has had several firsts to its name, including being the first company to develop ARAI approved electric three-wheelers and the first to offer Lithium-ion battery technology in their electric three-wheelers in India. The company recently secured $25 million in its Series A funding round and plans to raise another $15 million shortly.

First Advantage Releases Q2 2024 India Employment Screening Trends Report

* BFSI Sector Shows Discrepancy Trends in Q2-24.

First Advantage Corporation (NASDAQ: FA), a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions, announces the publication of its Q2 2024 India Employment Screening Trends Report. The 33-page document is a compilation of anonymized data and analytics from the Company’s background screenings performed for its customers in the Indian market during the second quarter of 2024.

In Q2-24, Industries such as BFSI, BPO, E-commerce and Logistics, Manufacturing and Retail sectors had discrepancies percentages that are much higher than the overall average of 8.15 percent.

In the Second quarter of 2024, there was a noticeable rise in discrepancies in the employment sectors of BPO, FMCG and Staffing compared to the previous quarter. Similarly, education discrepancies were higher in the BFSI, Manufacturing, Retail and E-commerce & Logistics industries. Employment verifications saw a shift, with sectors like BFSI, Consulting, Engineering & Infra, Manufacturing, and Services increasingly favoring alternate modes of verification. This trend highlights evolving industry practices and the growing emphasis on thorough background checks.

About First Advantage:

First Advantage (NASDAQ: FA) is a leading provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions. Enabled by its proprietary technology, First Advantage delivers innovative services and insights that help customers mitigate risk and hire the best talent: employees, contractors, contingent workers, tenants, and drivers. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, First Advantage performs screens in over 200 countries and territories on behalf of its more than 30,000 customers. For more information about how to hire smarter and onboard faster with First Advantage, visit the Company’s website at https://fadv.com/. 

Building India’s AI Ecosystem Through Open-Source Innovation

As AI continues to transform industries across the globe, open-source technology is a catalyst for innovation. This mission is particularly significant in India, where a thriving developer ecosystem, combined with a rapidly growing talent pool, is setting the stage for a revolution in AI-powered digital transformation. Today, as we host the Build with AI Summit in Bengaluru, we recognize the immense potential of the country’s digital ecosystem, which is poised to lead the charge in AI adoption and integration across sectors. Open-source models will fuel this evolution while also enabling developers, educational institutions, government agencies and enterprises to build cost-effective, scalable solutions tailored to India’s unique challenges.

As a lead up to the Build with AI Summit, we organized an AI Hackathon to empower developers and propel the future of innovation using Meta Llama's open platform. With over 1,500+ registrations, more than 350 proposals and 90+ participating teams, CurePharmaAI, CivicFix, and evAIssment emerged as winners, with a special mention to SheBuilds – an all-women team. Participants also had the chance to submit their proposals for the Llama Impact Grants, with potential funding of up to $100K and $500K, under the regional track and global track respectively.

Yann LeCun, VP and Chief AI Scientist at Meta said, “Meta's vision for AI is deeply intertwined with the principles of open-source, allowing us to tap into a global pool of creativity and innovation. From inference optimization to advancements in natural language processing, the open-source community consistently surprises us with breakthroughs. Our hope is to build AI systems that not only empower individuals but also drive societal transformation, creating a shared AI infrastructure that reflects the world’s diversity in languages, cultures, and values.

India holds immense potential in shaping the future of AI, not just in product development but also in cutting-edge research. With its rich talent pool and vibrant tech ecosystem, India is already making significant strides. The country's contributions to AI, particularly in areas like natural language understanding, are vital for advancing technologies that can serve diverse populations. As AI continues to evolve, India is poised to play a pivotal role in driving innovation on a global scale.”

Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President and Head, Meta India added, “At Meta, we believe in India's potential to lead the way in AI, just as it did with mobile internet. We’re deeply intertwined with India’s growth story, from partnering with government agencies to enabling millions of small businesses to scale. AI’s breakthroughs are giving us the tools to solve problems once thought impossible, and India’s readiness to embrace open-source AI is fueling this transformation. With our Llama models and AI assistants like Meta AI, we’re confident India will be at the forefront of this AI revolution, driving growth, innovation, and digital transformation across industries.”

Democratizing Access to AI models

Meta’s open-source AI models, such as Llama 3.1, provide Indian developers with the tools to create AI solutions that address local challenges across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and governance. By democratizing access to AI models, we are empowering developers to craft customized solutions, making technology more accessible and adaptable to India’s diverse needs.

Take for example, KissanAI that has launched Dhenu Llama 3, an AI model tailored for Indian farmers. Built on Llama 3 8B architecture, it is optimized for agricultural tasks and supports voice and text inputs. It is integrated with WhatsApp, accessible across India and is available in 22 languages, including 9 Indian languages.

Strengthening Government Services

Our ongoing work with government agencies amplifies how open-source AI can be tailored to enhance governance, ensuring efficiency of public services and citizen needs.

We have recently partnered with the Andhra Pradesh state government to enhance public service delivery using Meta’s WhatsApp Business Solution and open-source gen AI like Llama to provide citizen-centric services via WhatsApp, enabling seamless government-citizen communication. Additionally, in partnership with the Telangana state government, Llama models are being used to enhance public service delivery, optimizing processes for government departments and agencies.

We also collaborated with IndiaAI and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) last year to advance AI research and development, and with NLSIU and IIT Bombay on a project with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) to leverage LLMs for legal reforms, building a citizen-centric chatbot and decision-assist tools for consumer law.

Transforming Education and Skilling

In a country with a rapidly growing youth population, education and skilling are key to unlocking India’s potential in the global economy. Initiatives like the Skill AI Chatbot, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), are ensuring that AI-driven education reaches the masses. The chatbot, available in multiple Indian languages, helps citizens access job listings, skilling centers, and learning resources.

Our open-source models are also being used in education-focused initiatives such as Arivihan, India’s first fully automated online learning platform. Powered by Llama models, Arivihan generates personalized lecture scripts and answers to over 100,000 student queries, democratizing high-quality education at scale. Additionally, AI4Bharat and startups such as Sarvam AI are advancing AI for Indic languages, creating Hindi LLMs while operating under limited resources. By making educational resources accessible in Indic languages, students, particularly those in rural areas, are not limited by language barriers, while empowering millions to engage with AI tools in their native languages.

The Llama 3.1 Impact Grants, further supports startups in creating economically and socially impactful AI solutions. In 2023, Wadhwani AI, an Indian non-profit, was recognized as one of the global winners for its work on using Llama 3 to augment its AI-enabled oral reading fluency assessment solution to create personalized practice modules for students.

Empowering Indian Enterprises

Enterprises in India, from startups to large corporations, are increasingly turning to AI to optimize their operations, improve customer engagement, and drive business growth. AI models are playing a critical role in this transformation by providing businesses with customizable tools that can be adapted to their specific needs, enabling them to compete on a global scale.

Our collaborations with leading Indian companies like Infosys and PwC India demonstrates how open-source AI is being scaled for enterprise solutions. Leveraging Meta’s Llama stack, Infosys is advancing AI adoption across industries and launching a Meta center of excellence (COE) to accelerate enterprise AI integration and foster talent to create industry-specific use cases, and promote open-source contributions. As an early adopter of Llama 3.1 and 3.2 models, Infosys is integrating them with its Topaz platform to offer AI-powered solutions, such as a Llama-powered document assistant.

As Artificial Intelligence continues to reshape industries and economies worldwide, India is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem of innovation, our AI-driven solutions are accessible, inclusive, and adaptable to the country’s diverse needs. Meta remains committed to supporting India's journey as a global AI powerhouse, while continuing to partner with governments and stakeholders to create an equitable ecosystem towards solutions that drive progress, prosperity, and inclusivity for all. 

Photo Captain:  (L-R) Tanuj Bhojwani, Head, People + AI; Yann LeCun, Meta's VP & Chief AI Scientist; and  Nandan Nilekani, Non-Executive Chairperson at Infosys at a panel on ‘Culture of Open Science in democratizing AI’ at the ‘Build with AI Summit’ 

Edelweiss Life’s CDO: Pursuing Partners With Geographical Expertise To Improve Customer Accessibility

* Life insurer has inked partnerships with Capital Small Finance Bank and ESAF Bank in the recent past

With a focus on strengthening its distribution capabilities, Edelweiss Life Insurance is aggressively pursuing strategic partnerships to expand its footprint nationwide and enhance customer accessibility, said Chief Distribution Officer Anup Seth. The company has a higher focus on entities that can offer expertise in specific geographies or niche customer segments.

“We are looking at deepening our presence by partnering with entities that specialize in niche segments or hold geographic expertise. In our experience, such partners bring insights that allow us to craft more personalized, need-based offerings for our customers, giving us a distinct competitive advantage,” Seth said.

In the recent past, the life insurer has inked 2 bancassurance partnerships with ESAF Small Finance Bank and Capital Small Finance Bank, both of which boast a geographic stronghold in Kerala and Punjab respectively. In FY24, the company’s Bancassurance channel accounted for 21% of the business.

“We have a healthy and balanced distribution mix currently. While there is a focus on expanding our partnerships, we are equally focused on improving productivity across our existing ones. A blend of innovative product offerings and service excellence – from onboarding to post-sales service – has been critical to set us on an upward trajectory. We are committed to providing service excellence to all our partners to enable seamless customer experience,” Seth added.

In FY24, the company reported its highest-ever claim settlement ratio of 99.23%, a 13th month persistency ratio of 78%, and a Net Promoter Score of 56.

About Edelweiss Life Insurance:

Edelweiss Life Insurance (formerly Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance) established nationwide operations in July 2011 with an immovable focus on protecting people’s dreams and aspirations. The company has been focussed on bringing innovation, simplicity, and a new-age approach to life insurance, aligned with the expectations of the customer today. It has been offering need-based and innovative life insurance solutions to help customers live their #zindagiunlimited. With a customer-centric approach, the company has been operating as a multi-channel distribution business to effectively serve its customers across the country. As of March 2024, the company has 109 branches in 88 major cities.

Awards:

The company has earned recognition from several reputed industry forums over the years. Here are some noteworthy awards:

·         Recognized as Great Place to Work for 4 consecutive years

·         Employee Excellence Award 2023 by The Economic Times

·         Golden Peacock Award 2023 for Risk Management

·         Most Trusted BFSI Brands in 2023-2024 by the Marksmen Network

·         GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for collecting the highest number of pledges for organ donation in a single day

·         Won a total of 7 awards for the Organ Donation initiative, noteworthy among them were by Exchange4Media, Pitch BFSI Marketing Awards and Indian CSR Awards