Chandigarh – 11th December 2024: At the fifth edition of its annual ‘Smbhav Summit’, Amazon announced a series of initiatives strengthening its commitment to ‘Viksit Bharat’. The Smbhav Summit is part of Amazon’s efforts to celebrate, support, and empower India’s small businesses, aiming to accelerate their growth across India and the world. As part of this, Amazon has signed an MoU with DPIIT to accelerate government’s key priority of establishing India as a global manufacturing hub. Amazon has earmarked $120MM from its Smbhav Venture Fund to invest in startups that digitize consumer goods manufacturing in India and cater to domestic and global demand, creating thousands of jobs. Amazon is also increasing its exports commitment four-fold and plans to enable over $80 billion in cumulative exports from India by 2030. This significant milestone will be driven by a combination of enabling exports through Amazon’s Global Selling program for Indian MSMEs, manufacturers and D2C startups as well as sourcing Made-in-India products to be sold on Amazon’s global marketplaces. Amazon will continue to enable exports from various sectors, including Home & Kitchen products, Apparel & Textiles, Toys, Health & Nutrition Supplements, Ayurveda products etc.

In addition, Amazon will now offer its world class, reliable and cost-effective logistics services to businesses across India. The Company has launched ‘Amazon Freight’ for intra-city and inter-city transportation services nationally with full truckload options ranging from 5 ft to 40 ft to accommodate varied capacity requirements and ‘Amazon Shipping’ for last-mile delivery services covering 14,000+ pin codes with best in class promised delivery dates and pick up experience.

Union Minister Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India said, “Realizing Government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat requires the active contribution of all stakeholders. Amazon’s initiatives in manufacturing, AI, and exports are greatly appreciated. We value Amazon’s efforts to leverage its logistics expertise across India, empowering businesses from urban centers to rural areas. Such collaborative efforts by the private sector are instrumental in fostering innovation, driving exports, and strengthening logistics infrastructure, propelling India’s journey toward becoming a global economic powerhouse.”

Amit Agarwal, Senior VP, Emerging Markets at Amazon said, “I am incredibly excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Amazon in India. As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India is a key market for Amazon and our focus areas align well with the Government’s vision and priorities of digitizing small businesses, boosting exports and creating jobs. We are committed to investing in these key sectors and look forward to contributing to India’s economic growth and the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Amazon is on track to fulfil its pledges

Amazon had pledged to digitize 10 million MSMEs, generate $20 billion in cumulative exports from India and create 2 million jobs in India by 2025. The Company is on track to fulfil these pledges. In fact, Amazon has now increased its Exports pledge four-fold and plans to enable $80 billion in cumulative exports by 2030. Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India said, “Over the last four years, we have invested significant time and effort towards the pledges we announced at the inaugural Smbhav Summit in 2020. We are humbled to share that we have hit our pledge to digitize 10 million small businesses one year ahead of time and have enabled over 12 million small businesses to become a part of the digital economy. We have enabled nearly $13 billion in cumulative exports and have created nearly 1.4 million direct and indirect jobs in India.”

Amazon’s Smbhav Venture Fund to focus on manufacturing and AI startups

Launched in 2021, the fund invests in technology startups aimed at unlocking the potential of a digital India. The Fund is now broadening its focus areas to drive investments in manufacturing startups, in addition to its existing priority sectors. This announcement also marks the expansion of Amazon Smbhav Venture Fund to a $350 million fund.

Amazon to enable $80 billion in cumulative exports by 2030; helping create “Made in India global brands”

Amazon has significantly expanded its commitment to boost exports from India, announcing plans to enable over $80 billion in cumulative exports by 2030. This ambitious target, a substantial increase from the company’s initial pledge of $20 billion by 2025, reflects the strong progress and growing potential of e-commerce exports from India. To achieve this goal, Amazon is collaborating closely with the government, lakhs of Indian small businesses & D2C brands, and other key stakeholders. The company has been working with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to leverage the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, aiming to boost MSME exports across India. This expanded export target aligns with the government’s priority to increase MSME exports. Through these efforts, Amazon demonstrates its commitment to supporting India’s small and medium businesses, helping them scale beyond borders, and playing a crucial role in the country’s economic growth and job creation.

Amazon extends its logistics services to businesses across India

Over the past decade, Amazon has built a world class logistics network suited to India’s diverse market. This network now reaches from big cities to small villages, tackling unique local challenges. With Amazon Shipping and Amazon Freight, Amazon is now offering its logistics expertise to businesses across India. These services provide clear pricing and easy integration, streamlining logistics for companies of all sizes – for B2B and B2C operations. By extending its tested and proven logistics solutions, Amazon is helping meet the growing need for reliable, cost-effective shipping in India’s fast-changing online retail landscape.

Amazon Freight, piloted earlier this year, offers streamlined full truckload freight services for intra-city and inter-city transportation. It leverages Amazon’s extensive logistics network to enable seamless movement of goods to fulfillment centers and between cities. The service eliminates multiple intermediaries, reducing complexity and costs associated with traditional full truckload bookings. Amazon Freight provides dedicated account managers, 24/7 support, electronic proof of delivery, and automated tracking.

Amazon Shipping, piloted in 2021, is optimized for last-mile B2C parcel deliveries. It offers transparent pricing, real-time tracking, rescheduling tools, and daily cash on delivery (COD) remittance. The service is built on a strong tech stack that supports end-to-end tracking, multiple integration options, claim management, and an online portal for account management.

Chandigarh,11th December 2024 The Ashok, New Delhi, ushered in the festive spirit with a delightful luncheon at its renowned restaurant, The Oudh. Guests were treated to a carefully crafted menu and enchanting décor, creating an atmosphere filled with warmth and charm.

Set against the backdrop of sprawling lawns, the outdoor seating provided a perfect setting for a crisp winter afternoon. The open-air ambiance beautifully complemented the festive theme, making it an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

The curated menu featured a delightful array of festive offerings, starting with a classic Cheese and Meat Board boasting gourmet cheeses like Gouda and Parmesan, charcuterie selections such as galantine and pâté, and accompaniments like fig jam and truffle honey. The Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce and exotic vegetables was a savoury highlight, while the Vegan Festive Board offered gluten-free breads, hummus, pickled veggies, and roasted nuts. Desserts included Plum Pudding with warm sabayon, Yule Log, Gingerbread Cheesecake, and Christmas Stollen, alongside sweet boards with gingerbread cookies, macarons, and truffles. The indulgent Chocolate Lovers’ Board featured pralines, chocolate-dipped fruits, and cocoa-dusted almonds, complemented by specialty treats like hot chocolate bombs and hazelnut pastry trees, making it a truly festive feast.

The venue radiated festive charm, on a sunny patio and lush green lawns with elegant holiday accents, and table settings that inspired guests to elevate their own Christmas celebrations. From creative menu pairings to exquisite décor ideas, the luncheon offered attendees valuable inspiration for hosting memorable gatherings at the hotel or their homes.

Chef’s artistry and attention to detail shone through every dish, creating a feast that catered to a diverse range of tastes. The event highlighted the culinary excellence of The Ashok as it showcased its commitment to creating unforgettable moments for its guests.

The Ashok continues its tradition of exceptional festive hospitality, making it the go-to destination for creating cherished holiday memories. Whether planning a cozy family meal or an elaborate celebration, The Ashok offers bespoke solutions tailored to every need, ensuring that this Christmas is truly unforgettable.

Chandigarh, 11th December, 2024: Michael Rousseau, President and CEO of Air Canada, has been elected as the new Chairperson of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB). He succeeds Scott Kirby, CEO of United, who held the post since December 2020.

Assuming the role as the Chairperson, Mr. Rousseau said: “I am looking forward to working with the board over the next two years to continue our progressive work in delivering a seamless customer experience. At Star Alliance, we are committed to the vision of an effortlessly connected world, and I invite every member of our Alliance to join me in making this vision a reality in 2025 and beyond.”

In his new role as CEB Chairperson of the largest airline alliance in the world, Mr. Rousseau will lead the two annual board meetings and serve as the spokesperson for the board, guiding the strategic direction of the Alliance, which consists of 25 global member airlines.

Congratulating Mr. Rousseau on the appointment, Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias said: “I am delighted to welcome Michael Rousseau, one of the most seasoned CEOs on the board, as the new Chairperson and look forward to working closely with him as we bring the renewed vision of the Alliance to fruition. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to Scott Kirby for his guidance and support to Star Alliance during his successful four-year term.”

Each of the 25 member airlines is represented by its CEO on the CEB, which serves as the Alliance’s governing body and sets the overarching strategic direction.

Ab

Chandigarh, 11th December 2024: Air India, India’s leading global airline, has extended its wireless inflight entertainment service, Vista Stream, to its narrowbody fleet, ensuring uninterrupted entertainment for guests.

Vista Stream, which debuted in August 2024, has already been introduced across Air India’s wide-body fleet (excluding the newly inducted Boeing 777 and Airbus 350 aircraft). With this update, Vista Stream will now be accessible on both widebody and narrowbody aircraft across international and domestic network.

Vista Stream enables guests to stream a wide variety of content directly to their personal electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets and laptops, offering a smooth and immersive entertainment experience.

“As we continue to transform Air India into a world-class airline, we are happy to introduce Vista Stream that enables our guests to access digital entertainment content on their personal devices during their flight. With the introduction of Vista Stream across our narrowbody fleet, uninterrupted entertainment (BYOD) service will be available throughout the entire domestic and international network,” said Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Air India.

Guests can explore over 1600+ hours of premium curated content, from Bollywood blockbusters and Hollywood hits to captivating documentaries, classic tunes, and curated children’s program. Vista Stream also features a live map for real-time flight tracking and is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS devices, ensuring easy access to entertainment for all throughout the flight.

Chandigarh, 11th December: 2024 Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a hotel in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. This brownfield project will be branded as Gateway.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate and Development states, “Rishikesh is witnessing growth in cultural and adventure tourism, driven by improving infrastructure and connectivity. With this signing, IHCL will grow its presence in the destination with the addition of the re-imagined Gateway brand. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Mahanand Sharma for this project.”

Spread across 6 acres, the 125-key Gateway Rishikesh offers panoramic views of the Ganges river and the surrounding ghats. It will offer an all-day diner, specialty restaurant and the bar. Guests can relax and unwind at the spa, pool and at the state-of-the-art gym. The resort houses the destination’s largest banquet hall spanning over 8,000 sq. ft, catering to the increasing MICE demand in the region.

Mr. Mahanand Sharma said, “We are pleased to collaborate with IHCL. This resort will offer a distinctive experience, enhancing Rishikesh’s appeal as a premier leisure destination.”

Known as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, Rishikesh is a thriving blend of spirituality, wellness, and adventure. The destination serves as the gateway to the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit and offers a range of attractions, including Laxman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, and Neelkanth Mahadev Temple.

Chandigarh, 11th December, 2024: Uber, India’s leading mobility app, has unveiled its latest campaign, #SafetyNeverStops, to highlight everyday safety challenges faced by whomen and drive awareness towards how Uber continues to improve access to safer transport for women. Featuring stand-up comedians Shreeja Chaturvedi, Shreya Priyam Roy, and Shashi Dhiman, the campaign uses wit to highlight challenges women face, delivering a bold and thought-provoking message “Women’s safety isn’t a joke.”

The campaign comprises 9 candidly shot films that are set in public spaces like markets, offices, and transit stations. Each film portrays choices women often face to ensure their safety—turning sundry everyday moments into humorous, though-provoking narratives. By using humor, Uber aims to spark meaningful conversations around women’s safety and make the topic more approachable.

Ameya Velankar, Head – Marketing, Uber India & South Asia, said, “At Uber, we believe that our work on safety never stops. We use a mix of technological and human-led interventions to enhance safety on our platform. In our new campaign, we’re using humour that resonates with people’s daily lives – balancing the seriousness of the subject with a light-hearted approach that fosters trust, engagement and conversations. This approach also helps us connect with audiences to underscore what Uber does to make every trip safer.”

Safety has continued to be a core factor for riders to opt for Uber. As per the 2024 India Economic Impact Report, compiled by Public First, 95% of female riders cited safety as their top reason for using Uber. 84% of female riders believed that taking an Uber was the safest way to get home.

The #SafetyNeverStops campaign spotlight Uber’s safety features that ensure a seamless experience for riders and drivers:

Share Your Trip: Enables riders to share live trip details with trusted contacts for peace of mind

RideCheck: Detects irregularities like route deviations, mid-way drops or long stops, prompting Uber to proactively check in with riders and drivers

24×7 Safety Helpline: Provides round-the-clock access to safety experts for urgent, non-emergency issues during and after trips

Phone and Address Anonymization: Conceals personal details and trip locations to protect user privacy

The #SafetyNeverStops campaign has been rolled out across platforms, including print newspapers, out-of-home, online, and social media.

The campaign is the latest effort by Uber to highlight platform safety. It recently announced new features including Safety Preferences, allowing riders to customize features like RideCheck, Share My Trip, and Audio Recording for specific times or locations; Women Rider Preference, enabling female drivers to accept only female riders, boosting safety during late hours; and, Audio Recording which enables riders and drivers to record audio on trips, providing an additional security layer with encrypted recordings accessible only if submitted in a safety report.

By Quasar Elizundia, Expert Research Strategist – Pepperstone

The Mexican peso faces pressure against the U.S. dollar, reflecting a climate of caution in the markets as investors await key inflation data from the United States. On Tuesday, the USD/MXN exchange rate rose 0.3%, settling around 20.3 pesos per dollar, signaling relative weakness for the Mexican currency.

The release of U.S. inflation figures, scheduled for tomorrow, will be crucial for the peso. Persistent inflation in the U.S. could reinforce the Federal Reserve’s less accommodative stance and delay interest rate cuts, a scenario adverse for the peso. On the other hand, if the data shows signs of moderating inflation, it could pave the way for a more accommodative tone from the Fed, potentially benefiting the Mexican peso.

Locally, the decline in the Consumer Confidence Indicator (CCI) for November, which fell to 47.7 points from 49.5 in October, highlights a drop in economic expectations. In particular, perceptions about the country’s economy over the next 12 months decreased by 3.4 points, reflecting uncertainty about the economic outlook. Although households maintain a stable level of willingness to purchase durable goods, the data suggests caution rather than optimism.

The economic growth outlook will also be influenced by the October industrial production data, to be released on Thursday. A weak result could heighten concerns about the pace of economic development in Mexico, adding negative pressure on the peso. Conversely, stronger figures could boost confidence and provide temporary support for the currency.

In this context, the Mexican peso remains vulnerable and in a holding pattern awaiting greater operational clarity, caught between international factors such as the Fed’s monetary policy decisions and domestic factors like the loss of consumer confidence and economic uncertainty..”

—

By Quasar Elizundia, Expert Research Strategist – Pepperstone

“The price of gold continues its momentum this week, marking its second consecutive day of gains (XAUUSD +1%) and settling just below the key $2,700 per ounce level. This performance reflects a macroeconomic and geopolitical environment that brings positive factors for the precious metal.

The recent resurgence in physical demand from China has been a key catalyst in this rally. Additionally, the People’s Bank of China increased its gold reserves in November after a six-month pause, while the country announced plans to ease its monetary policy. As we know, from a comparative perspective, such measures often favor safe-haven assets like gold, which do not generate yields.

On the geopolitical front, the collapse of the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad has partially reshaped dynamics in the Middle East. This power vacuum raises concerns about regional stability and intensifies military operations in the area, with Israel taking proactive measures to mitigate security risks. This growing instability has boosted demand for safe-haven assets such as gold.

The week is also marked by key monetary policy decisions in advanced economies. Central banks in Canada, Switzerland, and Europe are expected to lower interest rates, making gold more attractive by reducing the opportunity cost of holding it. In this context, markets are closely watching the U.S. inflation report to be released tomorrow. This data will be crucial in assessing the outlook for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in 2025, which could significantly influence gold’s appeal in the coming months.

The combination of geopolitical uncertainty and global monetary easing decisions is creating a favorable environment for gold, bringing it closer to its historical highs.”

New Delhi, 10th December 2024: Zomato, India’s online food ordering and delivery platform, has introduced a new feature, “Recommendations from Friends” to enhance customers’ food discovery experience. Rolled out nationwide last week and available in the latest version of the Zomato app, this feature helps customers discover restaurants and dishes through personalized recommendations from their friends.

“The new feature will allow our customers to make food choices based on their friends’ recommendations, making their discovery and ordering experience on our platform more relatable and enjoyable. Most importantly, our customers will have full control over the recommendations that they share and see from their friends, ensuring their privacy is not compromised at any point.”- Rakesh Ranjan, CEO, Food Delivery, Zomato.

To start seeing recommendations from friends, customers can provide access to their contacts on the Zomato app. They can edit who they want to see recommendations from as well as restaurants they are recommending.

Managing the recommendations customers share:

• Customers can edit recommendations, or even turn them off entirely from the “Manage recommendations” option in the profile page.
• Order history and order frequency is not shared.
• Recommendations shared by a customer can be seen only by friends who have their contact, shared contact access while onboarding & selected the customer as a contact they want to see recommendations from.
• Restaurants that have 4 or 5 stars from customers will be shown as their recommendations.

Managing the recommendations customers see:

• Once a customer shares their contacts, they can select friends they want to see recommendations from.
• This can be edited anytime from the “Manage recommendations” option in the profile page of the Zomato app.
• Customers can also choose to opt out of using the feature, if they do not want to see recommendations from their friends.

In a world where shortcuts and flattery often take center stage, Kamya Panjabi, who plays Mohini in Ishq Jabariya on Sun Neo, shares a refreshing perspective. Known for her impactful roles and undeniable presence on screen, Kamya believes in the power of hard work and authenticity over shortcuts to success.

Speaking candidly about her journey, Kamya said, “I’ve never been into flattering or buttering up people to get ahead in life. Sometimes I joke that if I had done it, maybe I’d be in a different place today or achieved success earlier. But honestly, it’s not something I know how to do, nor do I think it’s in me. People often try to stay in someone’s “good books” for opportunities, and I think every production or channel may have its own groups or preferences. However, I’ve never been part of any gang or inner circle. For me, the focus has always been on my work. I believe in letting my performance speak for itself.”

She added, “I’ve always worked hard and taken my craft seriously. Even after 20 years, I put in 12 hours on set, and I don’t allow any dupe to replace me in my scenes. I feel it’s my responsibility to give my all, no matter what. I don’t compromise or take shortcuts, and I strive to bring something fresh and out-of-the-box to every character I play. This dedication has paid off because people still remember my roles like Sindoora, Preeto, or Didun fondly. Hard work and authenticity in performance create a lasting impact.”

The Ishq Jabariya actress also had a message for aspiring talents, “For anyone who thinks that being someone’s Facebook friend or social media buddy will get them roles, I’d say it doesn’t work that way. In television, if you fit the character and can deliver what’s needed, you’ll get the opportunity. So focus on your skills, your craft, and your ability to adapt and perform. That’s what ultimately matters in this industry.”

In Ishq Jabariya, Kamya portrays Mohini, the aunt of Aditya (Lakshay Khurana). The show follows the inspiring journey of Gulki (Siddhi Sharma), a vibrant young woman with ambitious dreams who encounters unforeseen obstacles on her path to love and self-discovery.