Tag: International

Vi Postpaid Customers can now Pre-Book International Roaming Packs andGet a Complimentary Delayed and Lost Baggage Cover Worth Rs. 19,800/Bag

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Telugu super news,February 28th,2024:In the post Covidera, Indians have emerged as big globetrotters. This surge in travel, though positive, is accompanied with growing concerns for lost and mishandled baggage. Infact, a report by SITA the world’s leading specialist in airport transport communication and IT, found that over 26 million pieces of luggage were delayed, lost, or damaged in 2022.

How it works?

  • Book Vi international roaming pack in advance by 21st March 2024 for a travel date before 7th April, 2024 and get free Blue Ribbon Bags service for your trip.
  • Eligible on roaming packs 10 Days @ Rs.3999, 14 Days @ Rs.4999 and 30 Days @ Rs.5999
  • Register with Blue ribbon bags before taking your flight.
  • Check-in your bags at the airport
  • If your bags are delayed or lost by the airline, file a report with the airline and Blue Ribbon Bags within 24 hours of landing.
  • Blue Ribbon Bags will track and expedite the return of your bags using their global network and technology.

Today, effective baggage management has become a crucial focus area to enhance the overall travel experience. As many are looking to devise solutions to prioritise safety of travellers baggage, Vi, a leading telecom operator,has become the first in its industry to partner with Blue Ribbon Bags, a US based lost baggage concierge service company, to offer a worry-free travel experience for Vi Postpaidinternational travellers.

ViPostpaid users can pre-book an International Roaming (IR) Pack for travel planned before April 7, 2024 and avail of complimentary cover towards delayed or lost baggage. This service offers a compensation of Rs. 19,800 per bag in case the luggage is delayed or not found beyond 96 hours following a submission of the complaint.This exclusive offer is valid for a limited period on select unlimited international roaming plans namely 10 days @3999, 14 days @4999, and 30-days @5999 starting February 26, 2024, until March 21, 2024.

This partnership represents a significant step towards fulfilling the needs of modern travellers, offering them peace of mind and assurance during their international journeys. As Vi continues to prioritize customer-centric innovation, baggage protection services is yet another addition to our add on services and reinforces Vi’s commitment to delivering unmatched value and convenience to its customers.

In addition to this, Vipostpaidusers can truly enjoy other benefits of Vi’s international roaming plans such as unlimited data and calls across 29 Countries, unlimited incoming calls in 100+ countries and 24/7 Live agent customer support via WhatsApp. To avail this service, click here: https://www.myvi.in/content/vodafoneideadigital/in/en/vil-homepage/static-pages/Travel-with-Vi-get-FREE-lost-baggage-protection.html

Indians Want to Spend More Time and Money on International and Domestic Travel in 2023: ACKO YouGov Travel Report

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Telugu super news,Bengaluru, July 12, 2023: After witnessing not-so-exciting years, the travel industry is ready to make a revival with a surge in demand among travelers. Did you know, 31% Indians will be taking international trips in 2023? To reveal further travel trends and insights and understand  the post pandemic travel behavior, ACKO, India’s tech-first insurance company, in association with YouGov, brings out its latest research report:  ACKO Travel Index 2023.

The report surveyed 1000 respondents across seven major Indian cities between the ages of 24 and 45 and identified key patterns of travel consideration among Indians. Given a surge in demand towards traveling, the report reveals that around 48% of Indians will be allocating an increased budget for their travel in the coming year and 37% will be increasing the duration of the trip, to embark on extraordinary adventures and make the most of every opportunity.

With a considerable increase in demand for international travel, while planning their domestic travel, 44% of Indians will allocate an increased budget for travel post-pandemic, 31% will take more domestic trips in 2023-24, and 30% will increase the trip duration.

The report further states that approximately 71% of respondents are ready to spend Rs 1–6 lakh on their international trips, while domestic travelers would like to spend up to Rs 1 lakh.

Apart from the destinations and budget, the report highlights a significant shift in the behavior of travelers. Now in every aspect of planning a trip, cleanliness is of utmost importance followed by flexibility and convenience. The respondents also wish to avoid being in crowded spaces.

Speaking at the launch, Brijesh Unnithan, SVP, Embedded Insurance, said, “We wanted to understand how Indians plan to travel in 2023 and how their travel preferences have changed over the past couple of years. The survey clearly shows that now travelers are more concerned about convenience and flexibility, and they are ready to spend more for the experience. It is great to see that Indian travelers understand the importance of travel insurance and know what to expect from a policy. Travelers are now more conscious about their well-being on a trip and are demanding customized insurance products that match their needs and expectations. They want products which give them confidence that they are sufficiently prepared for any eventuality.”

The report surveyed 1000 respondents across seven major Indian cities between the ages of 24 and 45 and found that 60% wanted to go on an international trip while 40% wanted to plan only a domestic journey.

Top Considerations                                                                               

While planning a trip, the most crucial consideration is the comfort of the journey throughout the trip, where 50% of the respondents agreed that the convenience of the travel is paramount, followed by lower ticket prices, flexible ticket booking, and the cleanliness of the flight, train, or bus they are boarding.

Cleanliness of accommodation also ranks highest for the respondents when choosing accommodation, followed by convenience, safety, and accessibility of the accommodation location. Convenience also topped the list of considerations for the respondent while choosing local activities, with cleanliness at a close second.

Do Indians Understand Travel Insurance?

The report answers this question in its entirety. 67% of respondents said that travel insurance is mandatory while planning their trip while 62% of the respondents know that travel insurance provides medical and accident coverage, which is also their top priority while considering a policy. 49% are aware of the lost baggage cover, followed by trip emergency coverage, missed or delayed flight cover, and trip flexibility cover.

When asked about their preferences while choosing an insurance policy, 48% said they prefer comprehensive travel insurance policies. However, 39% have also expressed interest in a more flexible and customizable travel insurance policy tailored to their needs. Only 13% said they don’t want to take out a travel insurance policy.

45% of respondents revealed that they use online portals to do their research and buy a policy eventually, while 43% said they consult their travel agents before making the decision. Only 12% seek advice from their family and friends while buying a policy.

Offline Vs Online

Most Indians use a combination of online and offline sources to plan their trip, for instance, 45% of respondents use online and offline information to choose local transport to travel to their destination. 44% rely on both information streams when deciding on the accommodation, and 43% decide how to reach the goal based on their research.

Where Do They Want To Go?

The respondents also gave their preferred international destinations, with Dubai ranking first, followed by the Maldives, Singapore, Switzerland, and Bali. Goa ranked first among the preferred domestic travel destinations, followed by Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.

Interestingly, 1 in 3 respondents strongly expressed interest in adventurous holidays. Some want to travel to a destination with a scenic appeal, like the sea or a mountain. Other reasons to go on a holiday are for a shopping spree, to try new cuisines, or to experience a theme park.

36% of Indians want to go on their trip with their friends, 35% with their spouse or partner, and only 14% want to take a solo trip. Few (4%) also like to travel with their pets. 

This World Cocktail Day, Shake and Stir with Pernod Ricard India!

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May 13, the house of Pernod Ricard India brings you a selection of their finest spirits and favourite cocktail recipes! Be it a martini with a twist, a summery whisky concoction or an Indian-inspired drink, put your bartender hat on and savour the poison of your choice while you kick back and relax with your loved ones.

  1. Absolut Espresso Martini

Ingredients

  • Ice Cubes
  • 1½ Parts Absolut Vodka
  • ¾ Part Kahlúa
  • ¾ Part Espresso
  • 3 Whole Coffee Beans

Method

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes
  • Add 1⅓ Parts Vodka, ⅔ Part Kahlúa, and ⅔ Part Espresso
  • Shake well to get the foam on top, and strain it into a cocktail or martini glass. Garnish by placing three coffee beans on top

2. Absolut Cosmopolitan

Ingredients

  • Ice Cubes
  • 1⅓ Parts Absolut Citron
  • ⅔ Part Lime Juice
  • ⅔ Part Cranberry Juice
  • ⅔ Part Triple Sec
  • 1 Twist Orange Zest

Method

  • Fill a shaker with ice cubes
  • Add all ingredients
  • Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange zest twist

3. Ballantine’s Cold Brew Kick

Ingredients

  • 35ml Ballantine’s Finest Whisky
  • 15ml coffee liqueur (Kahlua)
  • Cold Brew Coffee
  • 5ml sugar syrup

Method 

  • Fill a shaker with ice 
  • Pour in Ballantine’s Finest, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup. Top with cold-brew coffee 
  • Shake it up 
  • Serve for the perfect wake-up call 

4. Ballantine’s Summer Pitcher

Ingredients

  • 100ml Ballantine’s Finest Whisky 
  • 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice 
  • 25ml Lillet Blanc (Substitute: sweet white vermouth) 
  • 400ml Lemon Soda 
  • 1 Lemon 
  • Green Grapes   

Method 

  • Fill your jug with 15-20 ice cubes 
  • Add a handful of Lemon Slices and halved Green Grapes 
  • Pour in 100ml of Ballantine’s Finest, 25ml of fresh lemon juice, 25ml Lillet Blanc 
  • Top with 400ml of Lemonade 
  • Give it a good stir and pour out a round

5. L77 Kashmiri Saffron Sour

Ingredients

  • Longitude 77 Indian Single Malt Whisky – 60ml 
  • Kashmiri Saffron Syrup – 30ml 
  • Lime Juice – 20ml
  • Egg White / Magic Velvet – 3 drops
  • 1 Lemon 
  • Green Grapes 

Garnish

  • Kashmiri Chilli Oil
  • Kashmiri Saffron Strands

Method

  • Add all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, dry shake
  • Add ice and shake well
  • Fine strain in a chilled Nick & Nora glass
  • Garnish with saffron/chili oil using a dropper

6. L77 Ratnagiri Alphonso Mango Smash 

Ingredients

  • Longitude 77 Indian Single Malt Whisky – 60ml
  • Alphonso Mango Juice (aamras) – 20ml
  • Lime Juice – 15ml
  • Mint Syrup – 20ml
  • Cow Milk – 30ml

Study in Wales and Hockey Wales partnership for 2023 World Cup in India highlights Wales’ international student offer

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Study in Wales and Hockey Wales

NEXT month, Wales men’s field hockey team will compete in the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup for the first time in their sporting history, with the backing of new sponsor Study in Wales. After securing their place on home-turf in Wales at the October 2021 World Cup Qualifiers, the team will be competing in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, India. 

Wales will join top hockey nations from around the world, including India, Germany, England, the Netherlands, and Australia in the competition, which runs from January 13-19, 2023.

Bringing education and sport together, the partnership between Study in Wales and Hockey Wales will see engagements with international education institutions and their students in and around the tournament locations. The Wales men’s team will be visiting the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology in Odisha on 17 January, two days before their match against India, to give talks and interact with students from various schools in the area. Up to 2,000 school children from across the region are expected to attend and will be treated to a mini hockey practice with the players, as well as learning more about the international study opportunities available to them in Wales. There will also be an evening reception, where key individuals in education and sport in India will be hosted by Study in Wales.

The number of Indian students choosing Wales to further their education has been increasing year-on-year since the introduction of the Graduate Immigration Route in 2019, which allows students completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree to apply to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK for two years. Wales, known for its rich heritage, low living costs and outstanding natural beauty, saw a 37 per cent increase this year in the number of students from India enrolling onto a course at one of Wales’ universities.

And for those particularly interested in hockey and other sports, either as a study option for a professional career, or just for fun and leisure, Wales has plenty to offer its international students. From state-of-the-art pitches and equipment to social sessions and university tournaments, there are endless opportunities to pursue sport.

Study in Wales is part of Global Wales, which promotes Wales’ universities and colleges; the Study in Wales brand forms a core part of Global Wales’ strategy to promote Wales to the world, by building partnerships and sharing study opportunities. The Study in Wales and Hockey Wales partnership is driven by the shared desire to inspire change, and both organisations fully support promoting Wales as a country that has a strong focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Professor Ben Calvert, Chair of Global Wales, said “International students play an invaluable role in diversifying and internationalising Welsh university campuses and communities at a time when retaining an international outlook is more important than ever.

“This partnership is another welcome step for Study in Wales, sports diplomacy and the ongoing development of our relationship with India. It is a positive initiative for Welsh universities, enabling the sector to reach international audiences through hockey on the world stage.

Study in Wales and Hockey Wales

“Our involvement in the hockey world cup creates even more opportunity to promote Wales as a study destination and encourage students from India to take advantage of the unique opportunities on offer at Welsh universities to develop the skills and abilities that today’s employers are looking for.”

Ria Burrage-Male, CEO of Hockey Wales, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Study in Wales, a likeminded and passionate Welsh brand which, like Hockey Wales, is dedicated towards ensuring Wales has a prominent position on the global stage and showcasing the nation’s talent and opportunities. There’s a natural synergy between the two organisations; we have players and staff who are current students and alumni of Welsh universities, who are able to speak enthusiastically about their experiences of what it means to study in Wales. 

The relationship between Hockey Wales and Study in Wales is also strengthened by relationships with the players themselves. Several members of both the men’s and women’s squad studied at Welsh universities, and men’s team captain Luke Hawker is employed as a senior lecturer in Sport Coaching at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Luke said: “Welsh universities are continuously developing the sport at both an elite and fun level, creating an inspiring and inclusive community of field hockey athletes across the country. State-of-the-art facilities and overwhelming support from faculty both hugely contribute towards Wales’ sporting success.

“We also know first-hand the lengths that our universities go to, to provide a foundation for future success in people’s personal and professional lives, as well as on the sporting field.”

Wales will face home nation rivals England in their first match of the World Cup on Friday 13 January, followed by Spain on Sunday 15 January and India on Thursday 19 January.

To find out more about studying in Wales and the thousands of courses across Wales’ eight universities, visit the Study in Wales website.

WhatsApp launches brand campaign to highlight built-in layers of protection for user privacy 

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WhatsApp launches brand campaign to highlight built-in layers of protection for user privacy

WhatsApp today launched the India edition of its global brand campaign to create awareness about its interlocking layers of protection that offer people more privacy and control over their conversations while messaging. 

The campaign focuses on educating users on WhatsApp’s built-in layers of privacy protections that have been added over the years, including three new privacy features – leaving groups silently, controlling who can see when you’re online, and screenshot blocking for ‘view once’ messages. The new features were announced earlier this month as part of a global campaign, adding to a host of existing privacy features, and demonstrates how WhatsApp’s multiple layers of privacy controls come together to provide users more protection when having a truly private conversation when messaging.

Conceptualized by BBDO India and directed by Prakash Varma, the film brings alive a heartwarming exchange between a father and son in an intensely personal moment, showing how WhatsApp’s built-in layers of protection allow them the privacy and security to have a meaningful conversation, when it matters the most. The film depicts WhatsApp’s promise and strength of ‘privacy’ through features like end-to-end encryption, two-step verification and hidden online presence, enabling the duo to express themselves freely despite being surrounded by crowds in a restaurant or football stadium. 

Talking about the campaign, Avinash Pant, Director – Marketing at Meta India, said, “At WhatsApp, privacy is in our DNA and over the years, we have consistently added layers of protection through product-features that empower people with more control over their messages. This is our way of extending awareness and assurance to our users on how the new and existing built-in layers of protection help you message freely without compromising on your privacy. We want users to know that they always have a safe and private space on WhatsApp, no matter where they are! We feel it’s a great privilege that two billion people around the world trust WhatsApp to deliver their personal messages everyday and this campaign is an affirmation of WhatsApp’s continued commitment to protecting their private conversations.”

Commenting on the campaign and its creative treatment, Josy Paul, Chair and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO India, said, “WhatsApp’s mission is to connect the world privately, and this campaign captures the essence of people feeling empowered to have private conversations even during vulnerable moments because their messages remain protected and secure. The film demonstrates WhatsApp being that ‘safe space’ for people like the -father and son- who have a very private and emotional conversation, amidst hordes of people. You don’t know the exact exchange between the characters, you can’t see their messages because that’s private, but the simple shots of crowds disappearing, doors locking, CCTVs turning away, demonstrate how WhatsApp’s privacy features continue to provide the much-needed intimacy and protection throughout their most private moments.” 

Over the coming weeks, WhatsApp aims to educate users on each privacy feature through short films which will highlight their benefits and the steps to activate them so that users can take advantage of WhatsApp’s built-in layers of protection, which include: 

  1. Leave Groups Silently: Users will be able to exit a group privately without having to notify everyone. 
  1. Choose Who Can See When You’re Online: For the times you want to keep your online presence private, WhatsApp is introducing the ability to select who can and can’t see when you’re online. 
  1. Screenshot Blocking for View Once Messages: WhatsApp is enabling screenshot blocking for View Once messages for an added layer of protection. This feature is being tested and will be rolled out to users soon. 
  1. Default E2EE: WhatsApp always protects your personal conversations with end-to-end encryption by default (regardless of device) so that no one, not even WhatsApp, except your intended recipient can see or hear your private personal conversations. 
  1. Encrypted Backups: WhatsApp offers the ability to backup your chat history with end-to-end encryption so it’s secure and only accessible to you with a password or encryption key. No other messaging service at our scale provides this level of additional security for your messages.
  1. Disappearing Messages: WhatsApp’s disappearing messages offer peace of mind with the ability to set durations for disappearing messages: 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days so users can send photos and videos that disappear after they have been opened.
  1. Block and Report: Users can choose to stop receiving messages and calls from certain contacts by blocking them and reporting them if they are sending problematic content or spam. 
  1. Two-step Verification: For more protection, the two-step verification feature gives users the option to set a unique six-digit PIN that can be used when registering your phone number with WhatsApp again. This optional feature adds another layer of security to their WhatsApp account. 

Watch the video here on YouTube or Facebook 

On the occasion of World Entrepreneurs’ Day 2022,

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Wadhwani Foundation calls for supporting entrepreneurship in India

Wadhwani Foundation calls for supporting entrepreneurship in India

Celebrated on the 21st of August every year, World Entrepreneurs’ Day recognizes innovation and global advancement of entrepreneurship and leadership. It is well established that high-potential entrepreneurship that drives jobs at scale is born out of a culture of innovation and risk-taking. Entrepreneurship also breeds job creators as against job seekers, a crucial and fundamental aspect of India’s economic growth.

Commenting on World Entrepreneurs’ Day, Dr Ajay Kela, President and CEO, Wadhwani Foundation, said, “Entrepreneurs are like Olympians; they go through a harrowing journey, bringing glory to their teams and country by creating wealth and jobs. On this World Entrepreneurs’ Day, we salute the entrepreneurs of the world. With digitization and globalization, entrepreneurial ecosystems are rapidly evolving. In less than a decade, India has become the leading nation for startups and entrepreneurs, having crossed the mark of 100 unicorns, with 100 more expected in the next three years. Total established and recognized startups in India stand at ~73K today. Besides India, Brazil, Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, and others are creating thriving startup ecosystems. We are living in unprecedented times for startups. Let the force be with them to produce the jobs the world needs for its growing youth population.”

The Indian startup ecosystem skyrocketed in 2021 to become the third largest globally, with a 3x increase in total funding over 2020. However, despite a stellar show, two challenges remain predominant in the Indian startup space:

(1) Many unicorns in India lack a compelling revenue base and require an infusion of cash flow for survival.

(2) The need to accelerate their digital transformation with technology and platforms through policies and support mechanisms towards domestic capital participation, favourable investment climate in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, incentives to set up incubators in every state, tax exemptions in foreign direct investments, and a high focus on startup infrastructure.

Says Sanjay Shah, Chief Operating Officer – India/SE Asia, Wadhwani Foundation, “At Wadhwani Foundation, we strive to support entrepreneurs as they are job creators making a significant and positive impact in emerging economies. They are true game changers who constantly innovate and rise by lifting others. On the occasion of World Entrepreneurs’ Day, I urge entrepreneurs to look at emerging fields like green technology (Electric Vehicles, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Recycling and Waste Management etc.) because apart from the obvious benefits related to sustainability, India has the potential to create 50 million jobs by 2070 by enabling a green economy.”

India, no doubt, has a rich, vibrant ecosystem of startups, both in terms of entrepreneurs and the best and brightest in the country wanting to pursue entrepreneurship. However, to mitigate the startup failure rate, Wadhwani Foundation’s advice to startups, especially in the early stages, is to spend with caution, focus on the customer and the problem that they are striving to solve, and have clear answers to these questions:

Wadhwani Foundation calls for supporting entrepreneurship in India

A.      How does the unit economics of the solution work?

B.      What does it take to produce the solution?

C.       What is the customer willing to pay for that pain?

D.      How large is the addressable market?

The YoY annual growth in the Indian startup ecosystem is projected at 12-15%. However, to consistently achieve this growth, the startup growth needs to be concurrent with the growth of ecosystem enablers and market catalysts like accelerators, incubators, venture capitalists, angel investors, support groups, technology corporations and mentors.