Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 4 (ANI/PNN): Even as the GVK Group prepares to exit the airports business, it’s the jewel in the crown, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has been awarded the Best Airport by Size and Region, in the over 40 million passenger category, by the Airport Council International (ACI), for the fourth consecutive year.
CSMIA was lauded for its dedication and commitment towards delivering a superior customer experience by providing world-class facilities and services for its passengers in the midst of the most challenging year in global aviation history.
GVK Group focus in the areas of implementing state-of-the-art technologies, customer engagement activities and service excellence, has resulted in the CSMIA airport bagging the ACI award for Best Airport by Size and Region in the 40 million passenger category, every year, since 2017.
This achievement represents the passenger recognition and appreciation towards CSMIA’s initiatives in promoting service excellence and building strides in providing excellent customer experience to its passengers through the adoption of unique practices and digital innovation. Right from the outbreak of the virus, CSMIA upped the ante on the adoption of health and safety measures to curb the spread of the virus.
While remaining operational during the nationwide lockdown to facilitate repatriation and cargo flight operations, the airport also worked towards setting forth SOPs for delivering a seamless and hassle-free passenger journey in anticipation of the resumption of commercial flight operations.
Focusing on promoting a contactless journey, the airport expedited its planned developments and launched initiatives like introducing a touch-less feature via QR code-based technology to its self-check-in kiosks amongst others.
CSMIA also undertook the ‘Restart Feedback Survey’ in a phase-wise manner to gauge passenger sentiments about flying during the pandemic and understand passenger expectations in the new normal.
CSMIA has always set a benchmark in delivering best-in-class services at the airport. The airport’s goal is to offer a memorable passenger experience by providing a high standard of safety, comfort and convenience for its passengers.
Even before the pandemic, CSMIA had adopted several initiatives to enhance the self-reliance of the passengers and promote a seamless airport journey through the introduction of innovative technology.
These included Common Use Self-Service (CUSS) kiosks for passengers to check-in and generate baggage tag themselves, Self-Baggage Drop (SBD) counters and e-gates that allow passengers to scan their boarding pass to proceed to the security check amongst others.
The airport was also recently honoured with ‘The Voice of the Customer’ recognition by Airports Council International (ACI), demonstrating the airport’s efforts in gathering passenger feedback to better understand their needs and preferences during the pandemic.
Through keen observation, feedback and long-term vision, CSMIA consistently endeavours to provide an assortment of world-class services for its passengers and thus redefine the airport experience for all.
This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerela) [India], March 4 (ANI/PNN): A person can only tackle a single profession, is this saying true? Well, you can get the answer through this article. Perambra born businessman Musthafa Paleri has always volunteered actively as a health and hygiene volunteer during the time of the COVID-19 Crisis as well as the Nipah Virus.
Just at the age of 44, he has achieved a lot in terms of humanity, and the title of the health warrior by the common people of his society. He is always praised by the people for his activism amid the Nipah Virus Crisis and COVID-19 Pandemic in Kerala.
Earlier, during his younger days, he was active in Congress and KSU. Not only in his own district or state he was also engaged in the social welfare and community-building activities in Qatar as he was there from 1997 to 2007. He decided to come back to India just because of his desire to work for the development and betterment of society.
He is a very well-known activist from Perambra and Kerala and he mainly focuses on charity and relief work for the weaker sections as well as the needy people of the society. He is not only an activist or health warrior but also serves as an entrepreneur.
Musthafa has been applauded and recognised by the regional media because of his courage when he went to Sister Lini’s house who died because of Nipah. Even though Sister Lini was a selfless health worker who worked at the forefront against Nipah, but when she died of the same disease, the larger society was apprehensive to even go to her house for her last rites. It was Musthafa himself who organised and asked people to went and meet her family in her house.
Musthafa has also raised his voice against casteism in backward community colony and led people to agitate against discriminatory practices.
Talking about his involvement in his society, one should know that he actively volunteered and led the youngster’s group in times of Kerala floods and assisted government relief activities. He reached out to the poor and affected people with food and resources. He also distributed foods in relief centers and hospitals. And then Mustafa’s volunteer brigade was well acknowledged and got recognition by the leaders of Kerala and regional media.
Musthafa’s best efforts came when he gathered and distributed life-saving medicine in the district of Calicut and Northern Malabar during the health crisis. Nipah Virus was not a small thing, but without any fear, Mustafa worked to help people day and night. As mentioned above he has also contributed a lot during the time of COVID-19 and extended his hand to help the needy as well as the corona warriors.
Musthafa is the general convenor of Santhwanam Charity which is based in Paleri, Calicut.
This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 4 (ANI): Equity benchmark indices fell by over 1 per cent on Thursday as concerns over spike in bond yields rekindled globally.
The BSE S&P Sensex closed 599 points or 1.16 per cent lower at 50,846 while the Nifty 50 tumbled by 165 points or 1.08 per cent to 15,081.
Most sectoral indices at the National Stock Exchange were in the negative terrain with Nifty metal down by 2 per cent, financial service by 1.8 per cent and private bank by 1.2 per cent.
Among stocks, JSW Steel dropped by 2.9 per cent to Rs 415.50 per share while Hindalco was down by 2.6 per cent to Rs 349.90. Tata Steel too dipped by 2.5 per cent to Rs 757.60 per share.
Banking and financial stocks fell with HDFC down by 2.6 per cent, Bajaj Finserv by 2.3 per cent, Axis Bank by 2.2 per cent, HDFC Bank by 2.1 per cent and State Bank of India by 2 per cent.
Tata Motors and Larsen & Toubro also traded in the negative terrain. However, UltraTech Cement jumped by 3.9 per cent to close at Rs 6,755 per share.
Adani Ports gained by 2.9 per cent after acquiring the 31.5 per cent stake of Windy Lakeside Investment in the Gangavaram Port (GPL) for Rs 1,954 crore.
Grasim, Asian Paints, Dr Reddy’s, SBI Life, Wipro, Britannia and Hero MotoCorp too traded with a positive bias.
Meanwhile, resurgent worries about rising US bond yields hit Asian shares as investors waited to see if Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will address concerns about the risk of a rapid rise in long-term borrowing costs.
Japan’s Nikkei fell by 2.13 per cent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down by 2.15 per cent, South Korea’s Kospi by 1.28 per cent and Shanghai composite by 2.05 per cent. (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 4 (ANI): India attracted foreign direct investments (FDIs) totalling 67.54 billion dollars from April to December last year, marking the highest ever amount for first ninth months of a financial year, the government said on Thursday.
The amount was 22 per cent higher as compared to 55.14 billion dollars received in first ninth months of 2019-20, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The FDI equity inflow grew by 40 per cent to 51.47 billion dollars in first nine months of FY21 as compared to 36.77 billion dollars in the year ago period.
The FDI inflow increased by 37 per cent in third quarter of 2020-21 (26.16 billion dollars) compared to third quarter of 2019-20 (19.09 billion dollars).
In December, the FDI inflow increased by 24 per cent to 9.22 billion dollars as against 7.46 billion dollars in the same period of previous year.
“Measures taken by the government on policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business have resulted in increased FDI inflows into the country,” said the statement.
“These trends in India’s FDI are an endorsement of its status as a preferred investment destination among global investors.” (ANI)

New Delhi [India], March 4 (ANI): India attracted foreign direct investments (FDIs) totalling 67.54 billion dollars from April to December last year, marking the highest ever amount for first ninth months of a financial year, the government said on Thursday.
The amount was 22 per cent higher as compared to 55.14 billion dollars received in first ninth months of 2019-20, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The FDI equity inflow grew by 40 per cent to 51.47 billion dollars in first nine months of FY21 as compared to 36.77 billion dollars in the year ago period.
The FDI inflow increased by 37 per cent in third quarter of 2020-21 (26.16 billion dollars) compared to third quarter of 2019-20 (19.09 billion dollars).
In December, the FDI inflow increased by 24 per cent to 9.22 billion dollars as against 7.46 billion dollars in the same period of previous year.
“Measures taken by the government on policy reforms, investment facilitation and ease of doing business have resulted in increased FDI inflows into the country,” said the statement.
“These trends in India’s FDI are an endorsement of its status as a preferred investment destination among global investors.” (ANI)

New Delhi [India], Mar 4 (ANI): The central board of trustees at Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has recommended 8.5 per cent interest for subscribers during 2020-21, the government said on Thursday.
The interest rate will be officially notified following which EPFO will credit the rate of interest into subscribers’ accounts, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The decision was taken at the 228th meeting of the central board held in Srinagar under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge) Santosh Kumar Gangwar.
“Since FY14, EPFO has consistently generated returns of over 8.5 per cent. A high EPF interest rate along with compounding makes a significant difference to gains of subscribers,” said the statement.
“This is despite the fact that EPFO has consistently followed a conservative approach towards investment, putting highest emphasis on the safety and preservation of principal first approach. Risk appetite of EPFO is very low since it involves investing poor man’s retirement savings also.”
Over the years, EPFO has been able to distribute higher income to its members through various economic cycles with minimal credit risk. Considering the high credit profile of the EPFO investment, the interest rate is considerably higher than other comparable investments avenues available for subscribers.
During 2015-16, EPFO prudently started investing in equity through exchange traded funds based on the NSE 50 and BSE 30 indices. The investment in equity assets started from 5 per cent for FY15 and subsequently went up to 15 per cent of the incremental portfolio.
For FY21, EPFO decided to liquidate investments and the interest rate recommended is a result of combined income from interest received from debt investment as well as income realised from equity investments.
“This has enabled EPFO to provide higher return to subscribers and still allow healthy surplus to act as cushion for providing higher return in future also. There is no overdrawl on EPFO corpus due to this income distribution,” said the statement.
“The assured fixed return approach of EPFO announced by central board every year along with the tax exemptions makes it an attractive choice for investors, providing them with strong social security in the form of provident fund, pension and insurance schemes.” (ANI)