Category: Business & Economy

** Meet Debanjali Kamstra, the UAE’s first Mrs World contestant

It’s a good time to be a beauty queen in the UAE. Following the historic announcement  earlier this month that the UAE will be sending its first contestant to the Miss Universe pageant , a Dubai entrepreneur and mother-of-two will soon make history as the first to represent the Emirates at another global competition: the Mrs World contest.

Debanjali Kamstra, 35, an Indian businesswoman who’s called the UAE home for the past 13 years, will be among 72 contestants who compete for the crown, which the organisation says “celebrates the uniqueness of married women”.

To be held in Las Vegas in January, Kamstra says she was taken aback by the enthusiastic response she received from the organisers in September.

** Anti-drone technology developed, transferred to industries: DRDO chief

DRDO has developed counter-drone technology and transferred it to industries, which have taken orders from the armed forces and security forces of the country, a senior official of the organisation said on Thursday.

“DRDO has developed anti-drone technology. It has all the necessary elements required to counter drones, whether it is detection, tracking or surveillance and even a process called software and hardware,” Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief G Satheesh Reddy said.

** Cochin Duty-Free announces lucky draw winners

Cochin Duty-Free has announced the winners of the first lucky draw conducted for its customers under the ‘Shop and Fly’ promotional scheme jointly held with Air India Express Ltd.

The lucky draw winners for the month of September are Anumol M.S. (Manakkad, Mulavukad, Ernakulam) and Nishad Kunhi (Guruvayur, Thrissur).

The winners will receive free international round trip ticket from Air India Express. Under the joint promotion, a lucky draw will be conducted every month for customers purchasing from Cochin Duty-Free, said a communication here.

** PM Modi to launch Indian Space Association on Monday

He will also interact with representatives of the space industry on this occasion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Indian Space Association (ISpA), an industry body aspiring to be the voice of the Indian space sector, on October 11, the PMO said on Saturday. He will also interact with representatives of the space industry on this occasion.

** Reliance New Energy Solar to acquire 40% stake in Sterling and Wilson Solar

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory and other approvals.

Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd (RNESL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (Reliance) on Sunday executed definitive agreements with Shapoorji Pallonji and Company Private Ltd (SPCPL), Khurshed Daruvala and Sterling & Wilson Solar Ltd (SWSL) to acquire 40% stake post-money in SWSL through a series of transactions

** ASAP to offer drone pilot training in Ernakulam

With such an arrangement already being tried out on a trial basis in some metro cities and the vista of opportunities offered by drones ever expanding, the State government’s Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) Kerala has expanded its executive programme in micro category drone pilot training to Ernakulam district as well.

“We will open admission as soon as we get the requisite clearances from the authorities concerned for running the course on the campus of the Edappally Higher Secondary School. We have already received over 100 registrations,” said Shanthanu P., district programme manager, ASAP.

** After 68 years, Tatas win back Air India with ₹18,000-crore bid

It will take ‘considerable effort’ to rebuild the debt-laden airline, says Ratan Tata.

After 68 years, Air India is all set to return to the Tata fold. Tata Sons subsidiary Talace Pvt Ltd emerged as the winning bidder for the debt-laden national carrier after quoting an enterprise value of ₹18,000 crore. The government will take a hit of ₹28,844 crore.

The Tatas will own 100% stake in Air India, as also 100% in its international low-cost arm Air India Express and 50% in the ground handling joint venture, Air India SATS. Apart from 141 planes and access to a network of 173 destinations including 55 international ones, Tatas will also have the ownership of iconic brands like Air India, Indian Airlines and the Maharajah.