HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY TO MAINTAIN ENOUGH SECURITY, KEEP TAXIS QUEUED

HRAWI Initiates Responsible New Year’s Celebrations

Mumbai: In light of rising incidences of crime, especially against women, the Hotel and Restaurant Association Of Western India (HRAWI), has initiated a drive for safe and responsible new year celebrations. As part of the drive, the association has requested all its members to additionally ensure security at respective premises and also keep taxis queued for customers to drive home safe. A letter to this effect has been circulated across all hotels and restaurants across all its member states in the western region that includes Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Diu-Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The drive has been initiated not just for the safety of women but as precautionary arrangements in case of unforeseen incidences.

“New Year's is one of the most celebrated festivals in the world. Patrons come to hotels and restaurants to leave behind the previous year and usher in the new one with revelry and hope.  Hotels provide the space, comfort and convenience for people to welcome the first day of the new year, where like-minded people come together for celebrations,” says Mr. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI.

“Where there is much celebration and crowd, the need for security and safety in general also becomes doubly important. We are certain that Mumbai police is quite capable of handling any unforeseen incidences however, on our part, we wish to take precautionary measures for additional safety and security. We are also concerned, especially with the safety of women patrons and so all our member hotels have decided to be vigilant and beef up the security to avoid any untowardly incidence,” adds Mr. Malkani.

Since last year, hotels and restaurants have been permitted to serve alcohol on New Year’s Eve until 5AM of the New Year.

“We understand that some revellers would like to celebrate the occasion with wine and spirits. For these guests, we will try and provision for cabs so they do not indulge in driving under influence of alcohol.  Wherever possible, we will make note of the taxi number plates just to be additional safe. Within the reach of each hotel and restaurant, we will ensure that the parties will be celebrated in the right spirit. I wish to take this opportunity to wish everyone in advance, a very Happy New Year J,” concludes Mr. Malkani.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 64 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories like The Taj, Trident, Hyatt, J.W. Marriott and The Leela who are some of the prominent members of our Association. With around 1300 members across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr. J.R.D. Tata.

LAL DADLANEY, FORMERLY OF TV ASIA, TO HEAD US OPERATIONS

Care World TV Goes Global; Launches In The US

Mumbai: Care World TV, the seven-year-old health and fitness television channel has been launched in the United States of America (USA) to become the world's largest global health care television channel. Top media professional, Lal Dadlaney has been roped in to set up and launch the channel in the US.

The Channel will deliver high quality credible content in holistic, ethical and professional manner integrating health and fitness for the mind, body and soul with the help of highly experienced practitioners specializing in various disciplines and well known Spiritual Leaders who share alternative remedies and ancient secrets. Care World TV has been launched as a Conventional and Complementary Medical ,Wellness and Life style Channel to serve South Asians in the US and Canada. The Channel will carry US produced content involving prominent US Doctors who seek to give back to the Community their knowledge and skills.

Lal Dadlaney, formerly Business and Operations head at TV Asia USA network, was primarily responsible for revamping and strengthening the infrastructure and operations  of the channel. Based in New Jersey with over 20 years in Film and TV distribution, he will launch Care World TV USA the first 24x7.

Mr. Ajit Gupta, Managing Director of Care World TV, India is providing content, ideation and studio infrastructure; and along with Dadlaney and others is a Founding member of the new venture. “While there are many channels in the general entertainment space in the US and Canada in all languages for South Asians, there is not a single channel dedicated to providing quality health information in an engaging, exciting, and entertaining manner. Care World TV USA will occupy that space,” says Mr. Gupta.

“Our Team believes passionately in the concept 'prevention is better than cure' and this drives the programming philosophy,” adds Mr. Gupta.

“A healthy peaceful mind is directly correlated to a healthy body and our programs reflect prevention, natural treatment of ailments and at-home remedies. Care World TV USA has a lot of potential in markets like US and Canada. I am certain we will rewrite the history of American television programming in this segment,” concludes Mr. Dadlaney.

The channel is in test mode and is available for free 24 x 7 on many of the digital devices. For further information on the channel visit: www.careworldtvusa.com.

About Care World TV: CARE WORLD TV, Asia's only Satellite healthcare TV Channel, emerged as the need of the hour by fulfilling a vacant niche, has successfully completed 7 years of disseminating health related information to the masses thus bridging the gap between the functionary and the beneficiary. Keeping in tune with the boom in the healthcare Industry with constant changes, in trends, development, research, the channel has introduced various innovative shows with exclusive content.

DSF 2015 TO FEATURE RECORD BREAKING 5 KM LONG HANDMADE GOLD CHAIN, 100 KGS OF GOLD, 40 CARAT DIAMOND SOLITAIRES AMONG PRIZES WORTH AED 15 MILLION

Dubai Delegation ATTRACTS INDIAn shoppers With THE Biggest Ever Gold & Jewellery Promotion

·        Gulzar Theatre Fiesta, Indian Republic Day Kavi Sammelan & Mushaira among power packed international performances

·        Chance to own world’s longest gold chain - Dubai Celebration Chain, a piece of history

·        DSF has attracted 56 million visitors who spent a total of AED 145 billion from 1996 to 2014

·        DSF 2015 to be the grandest ever and is being promoted with the slogan “20th Anniversary – A Journey of Celebrations”

Mumbai: As Dubai gears up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dubai Shopping Festival, key representatives from Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group arrived in Mumbai with the biggest ever gold and jewellery promotions. Packed with amazing offers and raffle prizes, the 32-day celebrations that will begin on January 1, 2015, and for the first time attempts to feature the world’s longest gold chain besides offering a chance for shoppers to win up to 100 kgs of gold, 40 carat of diamond solitaires.

“We know the fondness that this country holds for gold. So, we have come here to extend a special invitation to you all,” commented Mr. Tawhid Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group. “This is the 20^th anniversary of DSF and a milestone year for us. To make the experience memorable, we in association with Dubai Festival & Retail Establishment (DFRE), the organizers of Dubai Shopping Festival, have attempted to manufacture the world’s longest handmade gold chain, aptly termed as the Dubai Celebration Chain, with a minimum length of 5 kilometres. With the advanced booking facility, if the demand goes up the chain will be extended to 8 kilometres. The gold that will be used for manufacturing the chain would weigh about 180 kilos. The chain will be assembled in public, in the presence of media and representatives of Guinness World Records. This will be displayed in Deira Gold Souk in Dubai prior to DSF for public viewing. We hope to finish the manufacturing process and assemble the chain for display on January 2, 2015,” added Mr. Abdullah.

This 20^th DSF has also marked another historical first with the organizers of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) and DGJG being joined by the World Diamond Mark Foundation (WDMF), the global diamond industry body that is taking care of generic diamond promotion campaigns worldwide, promoting diamonds in the luxury consumer sector. In its cooperative framework with DGJG and DSF, the promotion of diamonds and diamond jewellery in the UAE and the Gulf region will be sponsored by World Diamond Mark Foundation.

Dubai Shopping Festival is unlike any other event in the world and is an experience made all the more memorable by the presence of 500 retail outlets offering unbelievable prices on celebrated brands, several international and regional events, and the chance to take home prizes worth millions of dirhams. It is expected to showcase one of the largest collections of the trendiest and latest fashion products, jewellery, gadgets and other extravaganza for discerning shoppers.

“India is a key market for us as a large number of people from India visit Dubai during DSF. The popularity of Dubai’s gold promotions amongst Indians is evident by the large number of winners from India. Last year, the 32 days mega promotions saw 28 number of DSF daily gold winners from India. We anticipate a greater number of shoppers from India to win at DSF 2015.  Dubai is perhaps the only place in the world where one can buy the latest designs in gold jewellery in all the major karatages. In addition, shoppers have the choice of buying the best collections in diamond and pearls. All jewellery in Dubai carries the manufacturer’s stamp of quality assurance,” said Mr Abdulla.

Shoppers spending AED 500 at any of the participating retail jewellery outlets will be entitled to a raffle coupon that will give them the chance to win 1 kg of gold and 1 carat diamond jewellery every day during DSF and 5 kg of gold as weekly prizes. On top of this fantastic offer at the end of the festival, there will be a mega prize draw giving a chance to win a whopping 40 kilos of gold, which will be distributed among four lucky winners, in addition to 8 ct. carat diamond (sponsored by World Diamond Mark Foundation) jewellery prize. The promotion is also available on the purchase of diamond jewellery, pearls and watches worth AED 500 that will entitle the shoppers with two raffle coupons, thereby increasing the chance to win. One can also win gold coins every hour by sending their raffle coupons numbers through SMS to over 5 radio stations and stand to win a total 8 kilos of gold.

Over the years, Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group has given away over 734 kgs of gold and 41 ct of diamonds during the various editions of Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises. Since its inception, DGJG has associated with DSF for 20 years as a key sponsor; today the Dubai Shopping Festival has grown to an international stature and is a key event that people all over the world look forward to.

Commenting on this special DSF 2015 campaign, Her Excellency Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), concluded, “Over the course of the last two decades, the Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, have been very closely linked together and we have seen the growth and the development that we have achieved over these years. Together we have helped to boost Dubai’s reputation as a world-class destination for shopping and entertainment and today, this stunning growth has resulted in calling Dubai the “City of Gold”.

-ENDS-

About Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group

Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG) is a non-profit group, formed with the support of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, representing the entire gamut of the gold and jewellery trade in Dubai, including bullion manufacturing, wholesale & retail. The aim of establishing the body was to promote the interests of the fraternity through liaising with various government and non-government organizations and spearheading various member beneficial initiatives. From being a group of Jewellery retailers who came together to support the first edition of the DSF in the year 1996, today the Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group has grown to a prestigious trade body that has more than 600 members committed to develop and sustain Dubai’s vision as the ‘City of Gold’ and the ‘jewellery destination of the world’. The group has been a key sponsor of Dubai Shopping Festival since its inception and for the 20 years has given away 734 kgs of gold and 41 ct diamonds as prizes during mega gold and jewellery promotions.

About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE)

As the pioneer organizer of events and festivals, DFRE is responsible for positioning Dubai as a world-class shopping and tourism destination. Each year it works with its retail and leisure partners to organize the internationally renowned Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, as well as oversee annual events such as Ramadan in Dubai, Eid in Dubai and Modhesh World, plus the Dubai Motor Festivals and Dubai Food Festival. DFRE is an agency of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. 

DLECTA CAFÉ HOSTS AWARENESS PROGRAMME AND TEA TASTING EVENT BY LAUNCHING INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED FRESH TEA BREWING MACHINE

International Tea Day Observed In Mumbai

Mumbai: On the occasion of International Tea Day, Dlecta Café – India’s leading beverage vending solutions company observed the day by raising awareness on tea followed by a Tea Tasting session to celebrate the legacy of the iconic beverage. Prahlad Kakkar, renowned Ad man and tea aficionado attended the event and shared stories on his love for the beverage. The day was also marked by the unveiling of the first ever automatic fresh tea brewing machine. The machine is unique to the world of tea and is being patented for technology.

International Tea Day has been observed since 2005 in many tea producing countries most of which are Asian. The first International Tea Day was celebrated in New Delhi on the 15^th December 2005 and has ever since been observed by several countries each year.

“International Tea Day was formerly introduced with the aim of drawing global attention of governments and citizens to the impact of global tea trade on workers, small growers and consumers. The forum has helped many small scale growers and workers to come together and become a collective voice of the industry. Today, we observe this day to continue reminding ourselves that tea is not just the favorite beverage of India but also that there is an entire industry that thrives and livelihoods that sustain because of tea,” says Mr. Deepak Jain, Founder and Managing Director, Dlecta Foods Pvt. Ltd.

“Even though Tea is lot more subtle and varied than coffee it is losing out to it because the younger generation is adapting to it and it is not promoted sufficiently. Tea is our heritage and should be promoted as the national drink of India,” says Mr. Pralhad Kakkar.

Mr. Jain also added that India being the second largest producer and biggest consumer of tea after China, is a global lead in this segment. “We occupy the fourth place in exports after Kenya, China and Sri Lanka, and together with these nations account for 78% of world production and 71% of world exports. In 2013 world tea production was 4819 million kgs, of which India’s share was 25% with a volume of 1200 million kgs,” he adds.

Dlecta Foods Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Dlecta Café is a leading name in the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry specializing in the dairy segment. The company is already a pioneer in the manufacture of dairy creamers. With the introduction of the tea brewing machine it has also become the first Indian company to make a breakthrough of significance in the tea vending circuit.

“The technology is one of its kind in the vending space and the first one for tea. Coffee has seen advancements from time to time and is now at a place where it enjoys dominance in the retail scenario. We wish to be progressive in our approach to bring tea to that level. In fact, India is pre-dominantly a tea drinking nation and given the deserved quality and taste, we are positive that tea will supersede all other beverages. Dlecta Café’s tea brewing machine is only the first of many steps that will lead to tea gaining cult status in the future,” concludes Mr. Jain.

About Dlecta Foods Private Limited:

Dlecta Foods Private Limited commenced operations in 2001 primarily as a marketing company. As the sole marketer and distributor of Dynamix Cow Ghee, D’lecta not only established the Dynamix brand, but also went on to create a market for Cow Ghee in India. Till its introduction, the consumer ghee market was dominated by buffalo ghee.

Since then Dlecta has introduced a slew of products and services that include food ingredients with special focus on dairy, bakery, confectionary and nutrition. It comprehensively covers the needs of any HORECA, offering from a range of top quality value products for the industry and a small range of consumer products including cheese, ghee, UHT milk, dairy creamers and even vending solutions.

“SMEAR CAMPAIGN IS AN ATTEMPT TO DESTABILIZE THE WORKER MOVEMENT AND UNITY OF SEAFARERS,” – FSUI PRESIDENT

 LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SMEAR CAMPAIGN BY EXPELLED MEMBER

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has decided to proceed legally against expelled member Mr. Manoj Yadav for unleashing a smear campaign against it. The Union, which has been taking a hard stance against the shipping industry’s attempts to erode the legal rights of seafarers, had recently become target of many malicious campaigns and false charges. It finally decided not to take things lying down as the attacks were beginning to threaten the working movement itself.

It had come to the notice of FSUI that Mr. Manoj Yadav had been communicating misleading data that were not only false but also malicious, libelous and defamatory. “We know Mr. Manoj Yadav is working at the behest of vested interests who want to weaken us. If we are out of the picture, there will be nobody to question unethical wage agreements that sell out the interests of seafarers or expose  ‘private understanding’ between ship owners and unethical trade unions,” says Mr. P. G. A. Joseph, President,FSUI.

“Based on data provided by Mr. Manoj Yadav, a section of the media has been led to believe that our General Secretary, Mr. Naresh Birwadkar is involved in some kind of scam. He has been alleging that the gratuity of seafarers have been diverted to a trust “owned” by him called ‘Offshore and Home Trade Seamen’s Welfare Trust’ (OHTSWT) instead of depositing it in the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS). But what is skillfully omitted is that the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society – the only welfare body that exists for seafarers in India, and something that is equivalent to Provident Fund in on-shore jobs – covers only foreign going registered seamen. It does not cover seafarers working in any other sector and keeps them outside the ambit of any welfare.”

“In a bid to correct this gross omission, the ‘Offshore and Home Trade Seamen’s Welfare Trust’ (OHTSWT) was formed in 2003. Till date, every single rupee collected as gratuity is safely kept in the Trust Fund. As per norms, the accounts are audited and the report is submitted to the charity commissioner’s office every year. It is also pertinent to note that 27 seafarers have been paid their due Gratuity from the OHTSWT fund as on their superannuation, becoming medically unfit, upon death to the legal heir, etc, to utmost satisfaction. At this point, I would also like to convey that it is a matter of pride to us that we have been able to provide this huge service to Indian seafarers, or otherwise their hard earned gratuity would have lost,” explains Mr. Joseph.

“In the current socio-political climate, trade unions, ship owners, financial sector, political class and bureaucracy are all feeding off each other. In the bargain, the rights of individual seafarers are consistently getting eroded. The basic wages paid to seafarers is less than the basic wages paid to class four employees in shore-based jobs.  Allowances like dearness allowance and house rent allowances, which are paid to even contract workers in shore-based jobs are denied to seafarers. In addition to all these, in direct violation of the Merchant Shipping Act, ship owners have started employing seafarers only on contract basis through manning agents. Trade Unions that are supposed to protect interests of seafarers are seen to be signing agreements that benefit ship owners. Under such circumstances, when we stick to our core stance of protecting the rights of seafarers, we become an inconvenience to others, and they resort to all kind of underhand methods to weaken us,” adds Mr. Joseph.

“It is also pertinent to note the timing of the slur campaign. The Supreme Court is expected to come out with its judgment on the setting up of a tribunal to address the grievances of seamen. Vested interests have tried their level best to delay and subvert the formation of the Tribunal, which would have impartially reviewed the illegal wage agreement and given justice to thousands of exploited seafarers. It is in the interest of these parties to weaken us during this time and divert the attention of seafarers,” concludes Mr. Joseph.

About FSUI: Forward Seaman's Union of India (FSUI), formerly known as Forward Block was founded by NetajiSubhash Chandra Bose and was established on the 30th of May, 1954. In 1970 the constitution was amended and the outfit was then renamed FSUI. With over 32,000 members today, FSUI has been relentlessly working for seamen’s rights and has always been in the forefront to champion their cause since the last 60 years. It has branches in Mumbai, Kochi, Port Blair, and other Ports in India and has strong relationship with a number of fraternal panel trade unions in India and outside. It is an organization dedicated to safeguard and take care of the interests of the seafarers. It has also constituted the Offshore and Home Trade Seamen’s Welfare Trust (OHTSWT) that will offer a bevy of benefits and welfare measures for seamen and their families. The trust runs a hospital that provides free treatment to its members and families and is in the process of constructing an old age home that will accommodate one hundred and fifty inmates.