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.

Mohali,10th December 2024  CP67 Mall was buzzing with energy and rhythm during its latest shopping festival, hosting an unforgettable Latin Salsa performance by renowned Russian artists. The mall turned into a vibrant dance floor, with performers showcasing mesmerizing moves to infectious beats that had everyone swaying in delight.

Chandigarh, 19th December, 2024: Vi Business, the enterprise arm of the leading telecom operator Vodafone Idea (Vi), launched Easy+, a new innovative proposition on corporate post-paid plans, offering subscribers an option to select and purchase services like International roaming, OTT Subscriptions and others for their personal needs on their existing corporate plans. This service can be availed by downloading the Vi App.

This first-of-its-kind proposition introduces a simplified approach by making it seamless for employees to purchase services of their choice on their corporate post-paid plans, thus enhancing the overall customer experience.

Commenting on the launch, Roerich Kaushal, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Mobility Business & Marketing, said, “With Easy+, Vi Business is taking the lead to transform corporate postpaid plan experience by giving employees the flexibility to select and buy services for their personal needs. In today’s connected world, employees look for an effortless experience that offers them a greater choice on services like international roaming, OTT subscriptions, data packs and more without the hassle of securing approvals or managing multiple mobile numbers.”

“This proposition not only supports convenience but also reflects our commitment to aligning with the modern workforce expectations. In the upcoming holiday season, we look forward to our customers using Easy+ for international roaming packs, enjoying the ease and convenience it offers on their corporate post-paid plans” he added.

Vi Business’s Easy + offers include:

· International Roaming: Customers can easily purchase international roaming packs for personal travel across 29 countries, with options for 24-hour, 10-day, and 14-day validity packs ranging from Rs 749 to Rs 4999

· *OTT Subscriptions: For entertainment, customers can now enjoy OTT subscriptions like SonyLIV, ZEE5 and others to access their favourite entertainment

· Gifting Feature: The feature allows corporate users to gift OTT subscription packs to others, directly from their corporate number, offering a seamless way to share entertainment.

· Easy+ can be availed easily on Vi App. Download link https://vi.app.link/viappisnt

Chandigarh, 10th December 2024: Air India, India’s leading global airline, today confirmed it has placed an order to purchase 100 more Airbus aircraft, comprising 10 widebody A350 and 90 narrowbody A320 Family aircraft, including A321neo. These 100 new aircraft are in addition to the firm orders of 470 aircraft that Air India had placed with Airbus and Boeing last year.

The latest order takes the total number of aircraft that Air India ordered with Airbus in 2023 from 250 aircraft, comprising 40 A350 and 210 A320 Family aircraft, to 350.

Air India also announced it has selected Airbus’ Flight Hour Services-Component (FHS-C) to support the maintenance requirements of its growing A350 fleet. The new materials & maintenance contract will help Air India to optimise the reliability and performance of its A350 fleet, with comprehensive engineering services and integrated component services including on-site stock at Delhi provided by Airbus.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Air India, said, “With India’s passenger growth outpacing the rest of the world, its significantly improving infrastructure and an aspirational young population increasingly going global, we see a clear case for Air India to expand its future fleet beyond the firm orders of the 470 aircraft placed last year. These additional 100 Airbus aircraft will help to position Air India on the path to greater growth and contribute to our mission of building Air India into a world-class airline that connects India to every corner of the world.”

Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, said, “Having personally witnessed the formidable growth of the Indian aviation sector in recent months, I am glad to see Air India renew its trust in Airbus with this additional order for both our A320 Family and A350 aircraft. Through this continued partnership, we are committed to supporting the success of Air India’s “Vihaan.AI” transformation plan under Tata’s vision and leadership.”

With the order for 100 additional aircraft, Air India currently has a total of 344 new aircraft incoming from Airbus, having received six A350s so far. Air India in 2023 had also placed orders for 220 widebody and narrowbody aircraft with Boeing, of which 185 aircraft remain to be delivered.

Air India is the first Indian airline to operate the Airbus A350, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Delivering exceptional fuel-efficiency, passenger comfort, and long-range capabilities, the A350s now offer an all-new Air India flying experience to travellers flying non-stop from Delhi to London and New York.

The A320 Family fleet, powered by CFM LEAP 1-A engines, is a backbone of Air India’s domestic and short-haul operations, delivering world-class flying experiences to millions of the airline’s customers as well as remarkable operational efficiency and flight economics.