27, Dec 2023
Air India Express Unveils Brand Sonic Identity with Festive and Middle Eastern Renditions Across Touchpoints
Air India Express launched its sonic identity across touchpoints, with a festive twist to its inflight music. The airline also revealed a Middle Eastern rendition, acknowledging the significance of its 13 destinations in the Gulf, its largest overseas market.
Bengaluru, 27th December 2023: Incorporating an auditory extension to its new brand experience, Air India Express infused a festive spirit in its signature sonic identity, infusing holiday vibes to its brand music in-flight. Alongside the festive addition, Air India Express also recorded a Middle Eastern version of its sonic identity.
The sonic identity of Air India Express was developed in a meticulous three-stage process originating with the brand’s distinctive personality of intuitiveness, style, accessibility, and warmth, while capturing the spirit of New India infused with optimism and confidence. The Air India Express sonic identity artfully embodies the brand essence depicting three distinct rasas of Indian classical music – karuna (empathy), adbhuta (wonder) and veera (valour). The sonic identity also incorporates a distinct take on the signature two-tone airline announcement ‘chime.’ The Christmas-themed sonic identity is designed to resonate with the holiday spirit, offering a unique and memorable sensory experience.
Talking about the brand sonic identity, Siddhartha Butalia, Chief Marketing Officer, Air India Express, said, “Travel is meant to be about new experiences and lasting memories, and music resonates emotionally with both a universality in the way we experience it as well as a cultural specificity. Like our brand, our sonic identity has been crafted to deliver a more holistic and memorable sensory experience. It encapsulates the essence the new Air India Express brand and positioning, embodying the ‘Explorer’ and the ‘Everyperson’ archetypes, and inviting travellers to ‘Fly as You Are’ with a more liberating travel experience empowered by digitally driven personalisation. Our brand identity is reflected in our vision to inspire new possibilities and make meaningful connections with unmatched Indian warmth. Like the unique patterns of India on the tail of every new aircraft we are inducting, our sonic identity reflects the rich heritage and tapestry of our culture while resonating the vibrancy and confidence of a progressive and pluralistic future.”
The sonic identity for Air India Express amalgamates the dynamism of exploration with the familiarity and accessibility that define the brand. Using the science of sound and the art of music, the sonic identity was developed in collaboration with BrandMusiq, a leading sonic branding firm in Asia. Certain scales or ragas were identified, such as ‘Raag Savitri,’ that express the brand’s ethos. These were incorporated with a fusion of traditional instruments such as the violin (South), sitar (Pan India), santoor (North), and flute (East), as well as rhythm instruments such as the ghatam (South) and tabla (North), and modern melodic instruments like the electric guitar and synth bass arpeggiator, with rhythmic instruments, including kick drums, snares, and hi-hats. The result is a homage to the rich cultural heritage of India, while its modern and futuristic vibe is very reflective of the New India. The Air India Experience sonic experience is designed to resonate the spirit of a young, vibrant, and forward-thinking India.
The Explorer avatar comes alive with the use of an Electric Guitar motif and Synth Bass Arpeggiator while the Everyperson avatar is brought alive with the use of the Sitar, Ghatam and Tabla. The dynamism, confidence, and optimism of the brand are expressed using a Synth Bass in combination with Kick and Snare Drums.
Taking inspiration from the Indian ‘Raag Savitri,’ which evokes feelings of upliftment and cheerfulness, the sonic identity of Air India Express is based on the dominant scale of Western music. The moving electric guitar motif and a synth bass arpeggiator were harnessed to express the airline’s adventurous, ‘Explorer’ personality. This was thoughtfully balanced by the sound of the ‘Everyperson,’ achieved using sitar, ghatam, and the tabla in the MOGOSCAPE®. The essence of karuna (empathy and understanding) was invoked through the melody, using the violin, santoor, and sitar. The combination of the synth bass arpeggiator with the drum and snare rhythm evokes the confidence and dynamism of the brand. The resulting melody is a beautiful fusion of Indian organic and modern Western instruments.
For the Middle East, Air India Express has thoughtfully adapted its sonic identity to resonate with the rich cultural nuances of the region. The Middle Eastern rendition of the sonic identity uniquely interprets sound as a unifying force between diverse regions, recognising music as a universal language. This adaptation incorporates distinctive instruments indigenous to the Middle East, such as Oud and Bağlama (string instruments), Darbuka and Mirwas (percussion instruments), Bouzouki (another string instrument), and Rebab (a traditional bowed string instrument). By infusing these authentic elements, the airline adds a captivating Middle Eastern flavour to its signature brand melody, reinforcing its commitment to cultural inclusivity and creating an auditory experience that resonates with the diverse communities it serves.
Air India Express is featuring various artistic renditions of its sonic identity in its brand launch film, brand manifesto audio-visual, in-flight and at various customer engagement platforms including in its website, contact centre and multilingual Chatbot Tia. The sonic identity is also available to download on its website airindiaexpress.com and in-flight exprience hub, AirFlix. The Sonic Identity System includes a MOGOSCAPE® (sonic palette), a MOGO® (musical logo), and a Mini-MOGO® (the signature two-tone airline announcement ‘chime’). The powerful auditory signature has been meticulously designed keeping in mind the profound impact of sound on human emotions and decision-making, to reinforce brand recognition and the association with an irresistible groove that mirrors the airline’s commitment to delivering a seamless and uplifting travel experience.
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- By Rabindra
27, Dec 2023
Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2023 concluded at Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE
Bengaluru, December 27, 2023 – The Smart India Hackathon 2023 organized by the Ministry of Education, MoE’s Innovation cell and AICTE concluded with a grand ceremony. The grand finale of Smart India Hackathon 2023 has been an incredible journey, bringing together participants from all walks of life to showcase their skills and passion in the hardware field. Over the course of 5 days, contestants have demonstrated exceptional talent, showcasing their ingenuity and proficiency in the hardware field, pushing the boundaries of excellence, and impressing our esteemed panel of judges. A distinguished panel of judges, consisting of industry experts and leaders, have evaluated the finalists and determined the ultimate winners.
The event was graced by the presence of Dr. Vinod V. Thomas, Registrar Evaluation, MAHE, who delivered an inspiring address. During his speech, he emphasized that “Engineering being a team play, an opportunity for the minds to come together to solve the problems in our society and the SIH was looking for unique solutions from young generations.”. He also stressed on the fact that MAHE is producing such engineering as a vision of our Founder Dr T.M.A. Pai.
Cdr.( Dr.) Anil Rana, Director, MIT, Manipal, congratulated all participants for their determination and hard work, coming out of their comfort zones to participate in this big national-level event. He encouraged participants to continue with their spirit of innovation and creativity irrespective of the result while giving the example of TechShilla – a hub of major students project at MIT, Manipal, who besides failing several challenges continue working on their dreams.
Mr. Kamal Singh, Assistant Director (Sponsorship & Grants), AICTE, Delhi and appointed Nodal Center Head, expressed his feelings about the conduction of Smart India Hackathon 2023 by MIT, Manipal, and congratulated all participants of SIH 2023. While encouraging the participants, he suggested to make use of all the grants, scholarships provided by AICTE.
Participants, Jury, and mentors expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards the conduction of SIH event and all the facilities provided by MIT, Manipal such as accommodation, food, medicine, laboratories and equipment.
Dr. Sucheta Kolekar, Assistant Director (Innovation & Incubation) & Nodal Center head, MIT, Manipal, offered a vote of thanks to the Director, Joint Director, MIT, Manipal, undergraduate and research scholars who volunteered themselves for this big occasion. She also expressed gratitude towards all Organizing teams, Innovation Centre, Security staff, Food court staff, and wished all the participating teams good luck.
Dr. Cyril Joseph, SPOC, SIH 2023 announced the winners for each problem statement given by the State government and Central Ministry.
- SIH 1503 (Ministry of Ayush) – won by Team NIET Hacktastic six from Nehru Institute of Engineering & Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
- SIH 1327 (Government of Kerala) – won by Team Hexa Titans from Vivekanandha College of Engineering for Women (Autonomous), Tiruchengod, Tamil Nadu.
- SIH 1361 (Government of Gujarat) – won by Team Stimutech from KCG College of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- SIH 1323 (Government of Kerala) – won by Team STERI-SQUAD from Adamas University, Kolkata.
27, Dec 2023
Faculty of Management Studies inaugurates Conference on “Empowering Change
Faculty of Management Studies inaugurates Conference on “Empowering Change: Insights from Visionaries” Social Entrepreneurship
New Delhi, 27th December 2023: Social on Social in collaboration with Goonj and Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, a premier B-school in the country inaugurated the conference on Empowering Change: Insights from Visionaries” Social Entrepreneurship at SP Jain Auditorium, South Campus Delhi University on 23rd December, 2023. The conference was graced by featuring Magsaysay Awardee Anshu Gupta, Founder, Goonj, Marketing Guru Prof. Harsh Verma, Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi (FMS) and the panel discussion was moderated by Mayank Singh, Senior Journalist from The New Indian Express. The event was managed by MBA (executive) & Health Care Administration students of FMS.
With the theme of “Empowering Change: Insights from Visionaries” Social Entrepreneurship”, this panel brings together esteemed personalities, practitioners, senior journalists and academicians in the management ecosystem to explore perspectives on Social Entrepreneurship, Business Start-up, and Business Management. The event was organized by the students of MBA (Executive) under the dynamic leadership of Tabrez Alam, Ankur Bansal, Satish Kumar, Rahul Joshi, Gaurav Kumar, Shilpa Jha and other volunteers of the MBA (executive) and Healthcare Administration students. The event started with a montage made by Shilpa Jha of MBA (Executive).
Anshu Gupta, has been the Founder Director at Goonj and Gram Swabhimaan is an Ashoka and Schwab Fellow and Magsaysay Awardee. He has created a mass movement by repositioning the last person as a champion of change, a contributor, and an equal participant with his wisdom, resources, and hard work. With his core philosophy imbibed in dignity and respect for recipients, he has successfully repositioned material; especially clothing, beyond the traditional perception of charity.
Speaking on the occasion, Nishant Verma, MBA (Executive), Faculty of Management Studies welcomed everyone to the panel discussion. He expressed his happiness about hosting the conference and highlighted that it will add more value and will create knowledge generations across various research spheres. In his address, he also spoke about How Social Entrepreneurship is Revolutionizing India and Changing the World.
Anshu Gupta, Founder Director at Goonj touched hearts of the audience with his stories and experiences that emphasised on How Social Entrepreneurs Are Changing the World and Return of Investment being the maximum in the field of social entrepreneurship and the RoI being happiness. Social Entrepreneurs are the torchbearers of hope and progress, redefining the role of business in society. He also discussed on the ways through which innovative thinking and business acumen can create positive and sustainable social or environmental impact.
Prof. Dr. Harsh V Verma shared his valuable insights on the topic, “How Social entrepreneurship seeks to redefine progress, introducing a broader perspective that considers the well-being of both people and the planet alongside profitability. He also emphasized the areas to focus ranging from social entrepreneurship that has evolved over time, reflecting the dynamic nature of this field. He focused on importance of public partnership and importance of change in the mentality of the social fabric.
Mayank Singh, Senior Journalist from The New Indian Express moderated the session and highlighted on the key aspects such as Implementation of social entrepreneurship entails both the micro- and macro-level. He sewed the entire panel discussion and provoked audience for a self manthan and made the session beautifully interactive.
The session was followed up by Q & A sessions. The conference ended on a positive note with cloth donation initiative in association with Goonj and an organ donation awareness camp was also organised by NOTTO. The event was followed by a plantation drive at the South Campus, Delhi University today on 23.12.2023.
The event was supported by SAIL’s Salem Stainless and presented Urban Flasks to the esteemed dignitaries and guests. The event was sponsored by National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC Limited), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Manganese Ore India Limited (MOIL), National Building and Construction Company (NBCC Limited), National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), GAIL (banner ad support), and IFFCO Nano Urea.
27, Dec 2023
Puneet Dhawan, SVP, Operations, Accor India & South Asia, Reflects on a Year of Exponential Growth
In a transformative and dynamic year, Accor has experienced unprecedented growth, reaffirming our commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality experiences across India. Throughout 2023, Accor has achieved significant milestones, with key openings contributing a remarkable 860 rooms to our expanding portfolio. The inauguration of the 268-room Novotel Mumbai International Airport in January set the stage for a year marked by excellence.
Subsequent openings, including Ibis Mumbai Thane (186 rooms), Novotel Jodhpur ITI Centre (92 rooms), Ibis Styles Goa Vagator (142 rooms), Grand Mercure Agra (168 rooms) and Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (222 rooms) have each played a vital role in enhancing Accor’s presence in key locations.
Adding to this list are upcoming launches, with Mercure Chandigarh scheduled to open its doors in 2024, offering 60 rooms to guests seeking a charming local-inspired experience.
Our commitment to growth is further emphasized by recent signings, such as the Grand Mercure Amritsar Airport Road (set to open in 2026), Mercure Lucknow (set to open in 2024), Mercure Rajahmundry City Centre (set to open in 2028), ibis Styles Mysuru (set to open in 2025), Grand Mercure Goa Candolim (set to open in 2024), and ibis Styles & Novotel Bengaluru Airport Varun (set to open in 2027). The signing of Pullman Amritsar (set to open in 2027) underscores our strategic expansion plans and reinforces our dedication to providing diverse and enriching experiences for our guests.
Looking ahead, Accor maintains a robust pipeline for the next two years, with plans to expand our presence in Bhopal, Indore, Bhubaneshwar, and Amritsar, bringing our portfolio of distinct brands to these dynamic cities. Overall, Accor is poised to open 30 new properties in the country in the next 3 to 5 years
Accor’s growth in India is a testament to our commitment to providing unparalleled hospitality experiences. We are thrilled with the accomplishments of 2023 and look forward to continuing this momentum, offering a diverse range of options to our guests and contributing to the vibrant hospitality landscape in India.
Our relentless pursuit of excellence, strategic signings, and ambitious expansion plans solidify our position as a key player in the Indian hospitality sector, promising an exciting and dynamic future for both our brand and our guests.
27, Dec 2023
Couture Runway Week Season 6 Leaves an Everlasting Impression on the Fashion Landscape”
The fashion world witnessed an extraordinary spectacle at the 6th Edition of Couture Runway Week (CRW) in December 2023. This premier fashion extravaganza, organized by CRW, surpassed all expectations, presenting a seamless fusion of creativity, innovation, and style.
Aarti Tiwari, the Managing Director of CRW, conveyed the team’s commitment to providing genuine business opportunities for showcasing designers. “Our team is dedicated to supporting brands in building networks and expanding business. The event garnered attention from investors, buyers, and fashion enthusiasts alike,” she stated.
The success of Couture Runway Week Season 6 was further heightened through strategic partnerships with leading institutions and designers. Collaborations included NeeShya Institute, Tatyam School of Design, Professional Mochi, SG Institute of Art & Design, Kalki Subramaniam, Harsha Nuthaki, Foot Fuel, Vastra Malamunde, Swastika Kreations, Model Creators, Ritu Sharma (founder of Ritual Vastara), Cancer Walk by Tayjaswni, IIFD : Indian Institute Of Fashion and Design, Designer Alok, ICF International College of Fashion, Chanchala Batra, House of Label Akanksha and Jatin, Brahmavadini, KARA, Holy Hock X Pehnav, RENEO by Wardan Mode and Minus Degre, The Front Row by Seema Kashyap, Shelly Couture, Maharani Collection X Pehnav, Sohum Attire.
The star-studded event featured showstopper Angela Khanna, BAngel by Pooja, and a captivating kids collection by House of Salil Kapoor. Notable designers such as Kara, Forever Naveen Kumar, Pearl Aggarwal, Prince Lahot, Sara Miraz Khan, AAD Institute, Ankita Goswami, Model Creators by Tushar Rajput, Jack Kumaq, Desi Colors, and Ankita Solanki showcased their exceptional talent. Felicitation partners included Jayan Trophy and Novelties.
Adding to the glamour were renowned brands like Jivora, Just Fashion, Vamsee, Pehnav, and Silk Land, contributing to the overall grandeur of the event.
The 6th Edition of Couture Runway Week went beyond being a mere fashion show; it evolved into an immersive experience celebrating the diversity, creativity, and craftsmanship of the fashion industry. The event has solidified its position as a platform that not only showcases fashion trends but also creates meaningful opportunities for designers and industry professionals.
27, Dec 2023
India to be the leading face of luxury brands in the world, say speakers at New 18 PH summit
The New18 PH event, L’ Aspiration Summit, held at JW Marriott, Chandigarh on Friday Dec 22, 2023 saw India’s erstwhile Royals Aaliya Sultana Babi, Mallyka Singh Dundlod & Siddharth Daspan, the scions of the Balasinor (Gujarat), Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan) & Jodhpur respectively, sharing stage with actors Jonita Doda, Aahana Kumra and Niharica Raizada and artist and collector, Shan Bhatnagar.
L’ Aspiration Summit is a unique initiative of News 18 PH, dedicated to the world of Luxury. In a world brimming with new opportunities, this is a celebration of ideas redefining the notion of luxury, straight from those who have lived it and are living it, those who embody a lifestyle that others aspire for. The summit is dedicated to tracking trends shaping lifestyles, aspirations and luxury in the world today.
The event was divided into six sessions, titled – Rethinking Luxury, Reviving Tradition, Redefining Royalty, Realizing Celebrity, Reimagining Talent and lastly Sufi Performance by Sufi Singers – Birender Dhillon & Shamsher Lehri, and offered a mesmerizing evening full of royalty, glitz and glamour.
Actor Jonita Doda, who was born in Chandigarh in a business family, revealed that she is an actor by accident. She said that she always wanted to be the first to do something in life, so she chose to do a 3D movie. She has acted in many Punjabi and South Indian movies. She talked about her experience of starting Chandigarh Fashion Week with her brother and how her dreams transformed through it.
Siddharth Daspan, a trained designer, who studied in Mayo and Italy shared his experience of converting his century-old royal house “House of Daspans”, Jodhpur into a place that offers peace and tranquillity to tourists, who want something out of the box. His house celebrates all forms of art through collaborations. He shared the details of his Soapbox initiative a series of artistic collaborations curated by him. Siddharth believes in brewing something new every day, from hosting an artist residency program to partnering with diverse performing artists and experimenting with culinary art.
Shan Bhatnagar, an Artist, Collector, Conservationist & a Maximalist interior architect, talked about his vibrant artworks that are a distinct take on the traditional temple art of Pichwai painting. Shan incorporates traditional Rajasthani embroidery and jewellery as embellishments in his paintings, which is a marked difference from the traditional style.
He shared his spiritual connection with his paintings. “Luxury is a state of mind”, he said while talking about Art as an investment.
Aaliya Sultana Babi, popular as Dr. Dinosaur and Princess Dinosaur, is the daughter of the Late Nawab Saheb Salabat Khanji Babi Bahadur of Balasinor and has dedicated her life to the preservation and conservation of the remarkable dinosaur site and fossils that exist in the region that she is from. She shared her experience of setting up a Dinosaur Museum in a small village in Gujarat, which took 27 years of hard work. She shared her story of how she got a Dinosaur egg, which she calls ‘Masala Anda’, from a village woman. She has nurtured the idea of Dino tourism.
Mallyka Singh Dundlod, the founder of A Baisa’s Adventures, talked about her first memory of horses and her love for Shekhawati culture. She revealed how she was introduced to the equestrian world by her father, Thakur Raghuvendra Singh Dundlod, who pioneered horse safaris in Rajasthan in 1980’s. He founded Dundlod Safaris to revive the indigenous Marwari breed of Warhorses and to share his passion with equestrians from all over the world. She divulged that the population of horses in India is on the rise, especially the Marwari horses, which are known for their endurance.
Aahana Kumra shared her experience in the field of acting. She talked about how actors who are from a “non-filmy” background must bear the brunt of nepotism. She believes that nepotism will stay in Bollywood.
She talks about how she was brought up by her cop mother and how she tried her hand in all sports. She explicitly talked about her journey from theatre to Bollywood and her experience of her first film ‘Lipstick under my Burqa’ which was a great success. She candidly talked about her phase of depression and how she overcame it.
Niharica Raizada, Actor & a medico scientist explained why she chose the Beauty pageant. She said that it’s the fastest way to connect with people. She believes India is a Diamond with a huge potential for development and this was the reason for her returning to India after her studies abroad. She said that Luxury brands are spearheaded by Indian faces these days and people are looking at India differently.
It was an evening with a difference. An evening when the royals shared the stage with India’s top fashion designers, collectors, artists and actors to discuss luxury, traditions and talent.
The L’ Aspiration Summit’s engaging panel discussions were moderated by News 18 India Editor Mr Jyoti Kamal.
27, Dec 2023
KIIT World School celebrated Christmas
Gurugram: KIIT World School, Sohna Road celebrated the auspicious day of Christmas. The faces of all the children reflected boundless joy as they celebrated the festival. Sticking to their Community Outreach Program, the team visited a nearby school to share the happiness of Christmas. The event featured several exciting coloring and dancing competitions.
The event created a heartwarming experience, bringing smiles to both students and staff. By incorporating engaging activities, distributing certificates, giving thoughtful gifts, and surprising everyone with Santa’s sweetness, the occasion effectively embodied the spirit of the holiday season. It fostered a sense of community and spread cheer among the young minds. Children came dressed in red, white and green and sang Christmas carols and enjoyed playing fun games. They also prepared Christmas and New Year cards to wish season’s greetings to all their dear ones. A special assembly was conducted in which students recited poems, danced and shared their views about the festival.
Neelima Kamrah, Principal of KIIT World School, expressed her delight at seeing such enthusiasm in the children. She enlightened students to follow the path of brotherhood and humanity to maintain global peace, progress and prosperity. The program concluded on a joyful note with the festive spirit and invincible excitement among the students. She also gave information about some interesting things related to Lord Jesus.
27, Dec 2023
Leif Assurance Hires Construction Insurance Specialist
Gabe Smith brings extensive sales and management experience to the team
(St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 27, 2023) – Leif Assurance, a full-service insurance agency that exclusively handles construction insurance, recently hired Gabe Smith as a Construction Insurance Specialist. His responsibilities include selling multiple lines of insurance coverage to middle market and national accounts, generating new leads, and handling account renewals.
Smith has 10 years of sales and insurance experience. Prior to joining Leif Assurance, he was an insurance agency owner for five years. He previously served as a technology consultant, implementation specialist, and financial advisor for various national businesses. Smith holds certifications in Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance and has a Bachelor of Business Management degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Leif Assurance, launched in 2022, offers actionable risk management, as well as data-driven pricing models to build the most accurate risk profiles so contractors are rewarded for safe job sites with earned insurance savings. Leif provides cost-effective and comprehensive insurance solutions for worker’s compensation, general liability, builders’ risk, inland marine, and commercial auto.
“Gabe has a diverse background that focuses on everything from management and digital marketing to communication and finance skills,” said Leif Assurance CEO JD Powers. “He will serve as an integral asset on our team where he will help strategically position our organization on a continuously successful path.”
Leif Assurance is the sister company of Powers Insurance & Risk Management and Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois. Powers Insurance & Risk Management is one of the largest family owned and operated independent insurance agencies in the bi-state region. All three companies are located at 6825 Clayton Ave. For more information about Leif Assurance, call (314) 202-4200 or visit www.leifassurance.com.
26, Dec 2023
OYO partners with organisations supporting differently abled talent across India
Becomes accommodation partners of Khelo India Para Games, Para Kabaddi Impact Tournament and Divya Kala Mela
- OYO to focus on inclusivity in 2024 by providing equitable access to quality accommodation for differently abled individuals
- As part of this initiative, OYO recently partnered with Khelo India Para Games, Para Kabaddi Impact Tournament and Divya Kala Mela
- OYO to encourage its partner hotels to ensure wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, such as ramps, wider doorways
New Delhi, December 26, 2023. Global hospitality technology company OYO has announced that promoting inclusivity by focusing on providing equitable access to quality accommodation for differently abled individuals will be one of the focus areas in 2024. One of the key aspects of OYO’s initiative is to promote wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, such as ramps, wider doorways, and a staff which is trained to understand the needs of differently abled guests in its partner hotels.
The company has already taken decisive steps towards this by recently partnering with Khelo India Para Games and Divyang Kala Mela to provide specialized and accessible accommodation for differently abled players across India.
OYO is offering accommodation to approximately 150 differently abled artisans and entrepreneurs participating in the ongoing Divya Kala Mela across India. OYO has identified more than 200 hotels for these participants in different cities across India including Varanasi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna, Surat, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Shimla. The mapping of hotels has been done based on certain parameters such as ramp and lift facilities laid down by the authority.
OYO recently partnered with Khelo India Para Games 2023 in Delhi and provided accommodation to more than 1500 participants in 45 hotels across the city. As part of a larger partnership as an event management agency, OYO was also responsible for the catering and coordination for the games. OYO also deployed dedicated teams working in different shifts to provide round-the-clock assistance to all the participants.
Varun Jain, Chief Operating Officer, OYO expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “At OYO, we believe in creating a world where everyone feels welcome. Through its extensive network of hotels, OYO aims to create a more inclusive environment for all guests, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to comfortable and convenient accommodations across India”.
OYO is also partnering with organisations such as Wheeling Happiness Foundation to reach out to a larger group of differently abled sportspersons. It recently offered accommodation to the participants of the national level tournament ‘Para Kabaddi Impact 2023’ in Gurgaon.
Elaborating more on the partnership, Padma Shri Dr. Deepa Malik, Co-founder, Wheeling Happiness Foundation said “As an advocate for inclusivity in sports, I stand firmly behind the crucial need for accessible accommodations for athletes with disabilities. Our partnership with OYO creates a more inclusive and empowering sporting landscape, where every athlete can thrive using their unique skills”.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity in the hospitality sector. OYO’s efforts to prioritize the needs of differently abled guests reflect a broader commitment to diversity and accessibility, setting a benchmark for the industry to follow.
26, Dec 2023
Runaya and CFO Neha Bhandari Wins Great Managers Awards
Runaya and CFO Neha Bhandari Win “Top 50 Companies with Great Managers” and “Top 100 Great Managers” Awards Respectively
National, 26.12.2023, India: Runaya, a leading sustainable manufacturing venture, announced that it has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 50 Companies with Great Managers’ at The Great Manager Awards 2023. Additionally, Neha Bhandari, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Runaya, has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 100 Great Managers.’
The Great Manager Awards, an initiative of People Business, aims to assist organisations in gaining a real competitive advantage through effective management. The vision is to foster an ecosystem of Great Managers across the country. Annually, the awards program identifies and rewards outstanding organisations with ‘Companies with Great Managers’ and acknowledges exceptional individuals as ‘Great Managers.’
The ‘Top 50 Companies with Great Managers’ underscores Runaya’s commitment to fostering a culture of effective leadership and management within the organisation. Runaya stands tall as the only manufacturing startup amidst 175+ renowned competitors. This recognition testifies the organisation’s exceptional managerial skills, coupled with a nurturing, supportive culture, reflecting its dedication to excellence and ongoing efforts to set industry benchmarks.
Neha Bhandari, the CFO of Runaya, has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 100 Great Managers.’ Her leadership and strategic financial acumen have played a pivotal role in contributing to Runaya’s success. Neha’s experience of more than 2 decades, in handling all key facets of finance roles and leadership skills has made her a standout manager in the industry.
Neha Bhandari, Chief Financial Officer of Runaya, expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am truly delighted to receive the ‘Top 100 Outstanding Manager’ award. This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of the entire team at Runaya. Our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence is validated by this prestigious award.”
Among other prominent winners at The Great Manager Awards 2023 are Jindal Steel, Tech Mahindra, PepsiCo, Bajaj, Myntra, Flipkart, Cairn Oil & Gas, Balco, Sterlite Copper and Vedanta Sesa Goa.
