Abhijit Chakravorty- Takes Charge As The New "Managing Director And CEO" Of SBI Card

SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer, announced that Mr. Abhijit Chakravorty- has taken charge as the company’s new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Chakravorty has taken over from Mr. Rama Mohan Rao Amara, who is returning to the bank after successfully leading SBI Card for over two and a half years. 

Mr. Abhijit Chakravorty is a Deputy Managing Director with the State Bank of India. With a rich experience of 34 years in the banking sector, he has adeptly worked with various divisions of the bank that include retail and corporate banking, overseas operations, and IT infrastructure. 

Commenting on the development Mr. Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman, State Bank of India said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Abhijit Chakravorty as the new MD and CEO of SBI Card. He has a rich and diverse experience as a banker and has a strong track record in various strategic and leadership positions that he has held over the years with SBI. We congratulate him for his new role and wish him all the best. We are confident that he has the right vision and strategic approach to steer SBI Card towards new milestones of success.” 

Expressing his enthusiasm as he assumes his new role, Mr. Abhijit Chakravorty, Managing Director and CEO, SBI Card shared, “I am pleased to be a part of SBI Card and look forward to being one of the contributors in its journey of success. The company has shown great resilience and grown exceptionally over the years. The credit card industry continues to offer immense growth opportunities and I look forward to working closely with my colleagues at SBI Card to take advantage of this vast potential, with a sharp focus on achieving sustainable and profitable growth.” 

Prior to joining SBI Card, Mr. Chakravorty was leading the IT operations of the customer facing channels and payment systems as Chief General Manager (Channels & Operations) at the Global IT Centre of SBI. One of his previous assignments with the bank include his long stint with Commercial Credit Group of SBI where he was involved in high value corporate lending. Mr. Chakravorty has led the operations of SBI in Bangladesh as CEO and Country Head. He has also served at SBI’s Hongkong branch. 

Mr. Chakravorty is a postgraduate in Applied Chemistry and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB)

Bank of Baroda Launches 251 Gold Loan Shoppes Across India

* The Bank now has a total of 1,238 Gold Loan Shoppes across the country as it accelerates growth of the Gold Loan business 

* The Bank has opened 36 new Gold Loan Shoppes in Karnataka 

Bank of Baroda (Bank), one of India’s leading public sector banks announced the launch of “251 new Gold Loan Shoppes” across the country. The Bank’s Gold Loan Shoppe is a dedicated, private enclosure within a bank branch to exclusively service gold loan customers. The Gold Loan Shoppe provides customers quick service in a personalised manner, as well as ensures privacy for customers. With this launch, the Bank now has a total of 1,238 Gold Loans Shoppes across the country. In Karnataka, the Bank has opened 36 new Gold Loan Shoppes. 

Each Gold Loan Shoppe has an officer in charge of the shoppe as well as a minimum of two appraisers, to ensure that uninterrupted assayer services are available on all working days. Further, the officer in charge has discretionary loan sanctioning authority that enables quick approval and faster turnaround time in loan processing.  

Shri Ajay K. Khurana, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda said, “We are pleased to launch 251 new Gold Loan Shoppes. As the Bank’s Gold Loan business gathers further momentum, we believe that our Gold Loan Shoppes will play a key role in helping us scale and build a quality Gold Loan Portfolio. Bank of Baroda offers very competitive interest rates on Gold Loans, with enhanced loan limits and zero processing charges for loans up to Rs 3 lakh, while ensuring that customers get the best value for the gold pledged.” 

The 251 new Gold Loan Shoppes have been opened in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab & Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.  

About Bank of Baroda 

Founded on 20th July, 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of ~165 million through over 70,000 touch points spread across 17 countries in five continents. Through Its state-of-the-art digital banking platforms, it provides all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s bob World mobile app provides customers with a saving, investing, borrowing, and shopping experience, all under one single app. The app also serves non-customers by enabling account opening through video KYC. The Bank’s vision matches its diverse clientele base and instills a sense of trust and security. It is moving well in that direction and bob World is a testimony of its roadmap towards Digital Transformation,

Godrej Agrovet Organizes Oil Palm Plantation Drive In Chintampalli

~ Being the world's highest yielding oil crop, the output of palm oil is 5-10 times greater per hectare, offering a better land-use efficiency than other vegetable oils

The Government of India launched a ‘Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive’ under the National Mission on Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) across the country. The objective was to further encourage and increase oil palm cultivation in sync with the objective of making our country self-reliant in the production of edible oils.

To support the cause, Godrej Agrovet Ltd. (GAVL), a diversified agri-business company, today organized an oil palm plantation drive in Chintampalli, Andhra Pradesh.

Witnessing participation from 200 farmers each from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the event was also graced by  Dr. PK Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India; Kothagiri Sridhar, Member of Parliament, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh; Dr. K. Suresh, Director, ICAR- Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR) and Sougata Niyogi, CEO-Oil Palm Business, GAVL.

India is the world’s largest importer and the 2nd largest consumer of Palm Oil. With the local production of 300,000 tons, the country currently imports 7,500,000 tons.

Commenting on the nation-wide Mega Oil Palm Plantation Drive, Dr. PK Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India said ,”The plantation drive which coincided with the rainy season has received encouraging response from the oil palm processing companies and farmers. Covering approximately 3500 ha. of the area and planting more than 5.00 lakh planting material during the drive, this will further assist us in achieving the target of bringing an additional area of 6.5 lakh ha. under oil palm production by 2025-26. Collaborating with players like Godrej, we are confident of enhancing productivity and creating sustainable income sources for the oil palm farmers.”

Kothagiri Sridhar, Member of Parliament, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh emphasized the importance of import duty for better price realisation of oil palm farmers which in turn would aid increase the oil palm area under cultivation.

Sougata Niyogi, CEO-Oil Palm Business, GAVL, expressed his enthusiasm on the plantation drive stating, “At GAVL, we are committed to promoting sustainable and responsible oil palm cultivation. This drive is a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in edible oil production and uplifting the farming community. Having distributed more than 2.5 Lacs saplings of oil palm across 20 districts in 10 states, we will continue to provide a number of resources to oil palm farmers in addition to training them on sustainable oil palm plantation practices by leveraging more than 30 years of our experience. We are confident that through Samadhan – our one-stop solution center for oil palm farmers, we will not only uplift the Indian oil palm farmers with small land parcels but also generate employment in their region.”

Highlighting the impact of oil palm cultivation on the local ecosystem and the environment, Dr. K. Suresh, Director, ICAR-IIOPR said, “As a highest vegetable oil yielding crop, oil palm cultivation enables farmers to have an additional source of income through intercropping and could generate more employment opportunities in their area of development. The crop sequesters more carbon than any other plantation crop and doesn’t impact the environment too. I am delighted to see the collaborative efforts among the oil palm stakeholders like this plantation drive wherein we all are focused on a common objective of reducing the dependency on imports for edible oils in achieving ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT in vegetable oil production and driving the economic growth of India.”

Recently, GAVL inaugurated an edible oil refinery at Chintalapudi, Eluru district, its first downstream project for value-added products. The same was followed by allocation of potential area of 47,000 Acre in Sangareddy District of Telangana to expand cultivation of Oil Palm and set up Oil Palm processing units.

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, 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.

Air India Launches Special 96-Hour Network-Wide Sale Open From Today Till Aug 20 2023

* Zero convenience fee on bookings made on Air India website and mobile app

* Flying Returns members earn double loyalty bonus points

Air India, India’s leading global carrier, has launched a special, 96-hour sale across its domestic and international route network, offering travellers a chance to plan their upcoming trips at attractive fares.

On domestic routes, the one-way, all-inclusive fares start from INR 1470 for Economy, and INR 10,130 for Business Class. Similar attractive fares are available for select international routes.

All bookings made under the sale through the Air India website (airindia.com) and mobile app are free of convenience fee. Air India’s Flying Returns members can earn double loyalty bonus points on all tickets.

Bookings under the sale are open from today and will end at 2359Hrs on 20 August 2023, for travel between 01 September 2023 and 31 October 2023 on select domestic and international routes. Blackout dates apply through the travel period.

In addition to the Air India website and mobile app, the bookings under the sale can also be made through authorised travel agents and Online Travel Agents (OTAs) without the special benefits associated with the direct channel bookings. The seats on sale are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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.

GOVO Launches Its Brand-New TWS GoBuds 445 At Just Rs. 1,299/-

·         Indulge in a world of incredible sound with the brand-new GoBuds 445

Introducing GOVO GoBuds 445 True Wireless earbuds, the highly anticipated earbuds, poised to redefine the way we experience sound. This new addition to the earbuds category goes beyond previous limitations, completely transforming bass performance to offer an exceptional audio experience that is guaranteed to leave users in awe. Step into an unmatched realm of captivating sound as these brand-new TWS earbuds make their debut.

In 2022, the global market for earphones and headphones was worth USD 58,259.2 million. This value is expected to grow by 12.6% annually from 2023 to 2030, thanks to the rising demand for earbuds driven by technological advancements and convenience. Leading this trend, the GOVO GoBuds 445 earbuds are changing the way we experience sound, with its unique design, advanced sound quality, and strong bass. These earbuds also come with the latest Bluetooth V5.3 technology and features catering the requirements of the ever demanding market

Commenting on the launch of the GOVO GoBuds 445 True Wireless earbuds, Mr. Piyush Jalan, Co-Founder and COO of GOVO, shared his insights, stating, “We’ve taken a step beyond the previous version by enhancing the bass performance to provide an even more impressive audio quality. These highly anticipated earbuds offer a significant upgrade, ensuring even better music enjoyment with added features and better connectivity. The GOVO GoBuds 445 serves as a testament to our commitment, showcasing an unmatched design, remarkable sound quality, and skilful handling of music elements, all coming together to create an exceptional audio experience for our users”

Here are the salient features of the GOVO GoBuds 445 True Wireless earbuds:

·         Bluetooth V5.3: Enjoy seamless connectivity up to 30 feet away, coupled with convenient access to the Voice Assistant

·         Rich Sound: Experience a finely tuned sound that delivers impactful punch, even at a 20 Hz frequency

·         Water-Resistant: Crafted to endure water and splashes, these earbuds proudly boast an IPX5 water resistance rating.

·         Fast Charge: A mere 5-minute charge grants you an uninterrupted 120 minutes of music and call time

·         Voice Assistant: Effortlessly activate your Google or Siri voice assistant with a simple touch on your earbud

·         Super Touch Control:  Operate your earbuds with ease through intuitive touch control, leaving your device behind

·         Gaming Mode: Immerse yourself in your favourite games with the 50ms Low Latency mode, erasing lag for a seamless gaming experience

·         72 Hours Battery: Elevate your audio journey with an impressive 72 hours of playtime, made possible by the substantial 600mAh battery capacity

·         Quad Mic Enclosure: Elevate your entertainment with noise cancellation and effective background noise suppression, ensuring crystal-clear audio quality

The GOVO GoBuds 445 True Wireless earbuds is priced at Rs. 4,999/- and can also be easily purchased from Amazon at an introductory limited-time price of just Rs 1,299/- . This product comes with a one-year warranty and is available in the colour Platinum Black.

About GOVO:

GOVO is an emerging audio technology company that is making waves in the industry. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to delivering exceptional audio experiences, GOVO is quickly gaining recognition for its cutting-edge products. From wireless Bluetooth speakers to powerful soundbars, GOVO seamlessly integrates advanced technology with sleek designs to create immersive audio solutions. With a strong emphasis on quality, performance, and customer satisfaction, GOVO is poised to become a leading player in the competitive audio technology market.

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts Partners With The Indian Dental Association To Offer Exclusive Membership Discounts

Club Mahindra, the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, has partnered with the Indian Dental Association (IDA) to provide IDA members with exciting benefits and special privileges on Club Mahindra memberships. This collaboration aims to extend well-deserved relaxation and family bonding opportunities to dental professionals who tirelessly dedicate themselves to the oral health and well-being of others.

Club Mahindra, India’s leading vacation ownership company, offers 125+ resorts across India and abroad, with 2000+ unique experiences. The resorts provide happy family experiences and believe in the credo of making every moment magical. Club Mahindra's commitment to offering exceptional holiday experiences makes it an ideal partner for IDA, enabling dental professionals and their families to unwind and rejuvenate.

The demanding nature of the dental profession often subjects professionals to long working hours and significant stress throughout the year. Recognizing the need for these diligent individuals to take a well-deserved break, Club Mahindra presents an array of offerings that cater to the diverse interests of every family member. Whether it's a relaxing spa session for parents, thrilling outdoor activities for children, or serene landscapes for the entire family to enjoy, Club Mahindra Resorts have something for everyone.

The exclusive benefits extended to IDA members as part of this collaboration include special discounts and freebies on Club Mahindra vacation packages. Members can now plan their dream vacations with ease, taking advantage of the exclusive privileges tailored specifically for dental professionals.

Mr. Bharat Sundaresan, Chief Customer Acquisition Officer of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited stated "We are delighted to partner with the Indian Dental Association to provide exceptional family holidays to its esteemed members. At Mahindra Holidays & Resorts, we believe in creating lasting memories for families through enriching holiday experiences. This is a testament to our commitment to nurture the well-being of dental professionals who play a vital role in our community's healthcare. We look forward to providing IDA members and their families with exclusive benefits and unforgettable vacations, allowing them to unwind, rejuvenate, and create magical memories together."

Dr Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, IDA, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, "As dentists, we devote ourselves to the care of others' oral health, but it's equally crucial to prioritize our well-being. Vacations provide much-needed rejuvenation, allowing us to return to our profession with renewed energy and passion. We are thrilled to partner with Club Mahindra to offer exclusive benefits that enable our dental fraternity to enjoy well-deserved vacations, fostering a healthier work-life balance and creating cherished memories with loved ones."

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts and IDA are excited about this collaboration and look forward to empowering dental professionals with memorable vacation experiences, enhancing their work-life balance, and ultimately contributing to their overall well-being.

About Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India's leading company in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand with a 25-year membership, the other products offered by the company are – Bliss, Go Zest, Club Mahindra Fundays and Svaastha Spa.

As on June 30, 2023, MHRIL has 102 resorts across India & abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy (HCR), Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 Timeshare Properties (Including 9 Spa Resorts) across Finland, Sweden, and Spain.

Visit us at www.clubmahindra.com

About Mahindra

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federations of companies with 260,000 employees in over 100 countries. It enjoys a leadership position in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India and is the world's largest tractor company by volume. It has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and real estate. 

The Mahindra Group has a clear focus on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, to drive positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.

Learn more about Mahindra on www.mahindra.com/ Twitter and Facebook: @MahindraRise/ For updates, subscribe to https://www.mahindra.com/news-room

Rapido Auto Is Coming Up With Micro Loans, Family Health Insurance And Pick Up Charge Compensation For Its 5 Lakhs+ Auto Captains

* As part of its ongoing Auto Dost Initiative, Rapido Auto announces the introduction of Family Health Insurance, Micro Loans, and Pick Up Charge Compensation enabling Bengaluru's Auto Captains with financial empowerment within the auto-rickshaw community.

* With a focus on the well-being of auto captains, Rapido Auto launches a holistic range of incentives, including Unlimited Cancellations, Customer Cancellation Incentives, and Transparent Fare Price Policy.

Rapido, an aggregator platform which provides auto services, as part of their ongoing Auto Dost initiative, has announced the launch of new benefits that includes Unlimited Cancellations, Customer Cancellation Incentives, and Transparent Fare Price Policy, at the recent Rewards and Recognition (R&R) event in Bengaluru. These measures are aimed at benefiting 5 lakhs Rapido auto captains who are currently based out of Bengaluru city. It will ensure that the auto Captains are provided with more flexibility, enabling them to navigate the constant dynamic landscape of ride-hailing.

During the recent Rewards and Recognition (R&R) event, Rapido unveiled an array of innovative initiatives, with a primary focus on creating a more supportive and rewarding environment for their valued Auto Captains. The event celebrated the outstanding dedication of Bengaluru's Auto Captains, pivotal to Rapido's citywide success. Exceptional performers were recognized and other tokens, highlighting their unwavering commitment to maximizing city rides. This event reinforces Rapido's commitment to cultivating optimal working conditions for their auto captains by introducing these incentives to enable their professional growth.

As part of its ongoing Auto Dost Initiative, which prioritises the satisfaction of its Auto Captains and passengers, Rapido Auto has introduced the following initiatives:

* Pick-Up Charge Enhancement: Rapido Auto understands the significance of time and effort invested by its Auto Captains in reaching passengers promptly. In this regard, the company is introducing a nominal pick-up charge of 10 rupees for every order

* Lowest Commission Structure: With commissions upto 15 rupees, Rapido Auto is committed to ensuring that its partners retain a significant portion of their earnings, allowing them to achieve higher financial stability.

* Customer Cancellation Incentive: To further value the time and efforts put by Auto Captains, Rapido Auto is introducing a customer cancellation incentive of 10 rupees. The amount is paid to the captain on Rapido’s behalf as an attempt to recognise and acknowledge their service. 

* Transparent Fare Pricing Policy: This initiative empowers Auto Captains to better understand the fare structure and provides them with transparent insights into their earnings, fostering a sense of trust and reliability.

* Fare Guarantee Policy: For rides concluding early, when the captain covers less distance than planned, the initiative guarantees payment of the full original fare to the auto captains. For any travel beyond the original distance, a recalculated fare is provided, ensuring that the auto captains are fairly compensated for their efforts.

* Captain cancellations: In order to offer greater flexibility to their Auto Captains, Rapido Auto helps them manage their rides by allowing them to cancel orders as per their convenience everyday

According to Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido, the event celebrates commitment and quality among their driver-partners, who contribute to the company's success. He further adds, “Innovation has always been at the core of Rapido Auto's mission, and these new features falling under Rapido’s ongoing Auto Dost initiative reflect our commitment to revolutionising the ride-hailing experience for both Auto Captains and passengers. The introduction of a nominal pick-up charge, unlimited cancellations, the lowest commission structure, a customer cancellation incentive, and our transparent fare price policy are not just improvements; they're steps towards transforming the way Bengaluru's auto-rickshaw community operates. These initiatives are a win-win for everyone involved. For our Auto Captains, they mean enhanced income and a more predictable earnings structure, allowing them to better plan for their future.

Furthermore, in the upcoming months, Rapido Auto is poised to roll out a series of transformative initiatives, including Micro Loans, Travel Time Charge Compensation, and Family Health Insurance. These initiatives are strategically designed to empower Bengaluru's Auto Captains, fostering financial independence within the dynamic auto-rickshaw community. The introduction of unlimited cancellations addresses a longstanding concern – making rides even more accessible and flexible for our passengers.