During the July-September period, the company witnessed 12 per cent growth in the rural areas while urban demand rose by 6 per cent…reports Asian Lite
Nestle India witnessed a change in consumption trend amid the Covid-19 pandemic as demand growth in small towns and rural areas outperformed those in the Tier-I cities, said the company’s Chairman and MD, Suresh Narayanan.
“Smaller towns have become the heroes in this pandemic,” Narayanan said in an interaction with IANS.
He noted that currently the ratio of demand in urban and rural areas is 75-80 per cent: 20-25 per cent.
During the July-September period, the company witnessed 12 per cent growth in the rural areas while urban demand rose by 6 per cent.
Narayanan said the company has also tweaked its product portfolio in terms of price-value equation and packaging, among others, to cater to the demand of smaller towns.
The company has also enhanced its distribution network for villages in the last one year, he said.
The essential nature of its products helped the company withstand the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, compared to other sectors which were severely hit due to a sudden halt in demand.
He noted that the consumer goods sector has witnessed “very little” pent-up demand and the growth has been largely steady.
On the growth in the urban centres, Narayanan said: “If all goes well, we should start to see urban growth coming back from next year.”
He said that it will be visible once the economy witnesses growth. “We have to wait for the next couple of months to see how the pandemic behaves, and see its economic impact,” Narayanan added.
Speaking on online business, he said the company was already in the process of digitisation, which got accelerated with the aggravating pandemic situation.
“Digitisation was on before the pandemic. Earlier it was 10-15 per cent of total business. Then we accelearated… it became imperative during the pandemic,” Narayanan said.
On the shopping trends, he said that in organised trade, footfalls and shopping activitises may have fallen, but the average ticket size has been increasing.
On the proposed investment of Rs 2,600 crore in its plant in Sanand, Gujarat, over the next three to four years, the CMD said that around the existing facility, a new factory would be built with the fresh investment, adding to its capacity across products.
Regarding the recently announced Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme announced for 10 sectors, including food products, he said the company would wait for the details and the regulations of the scheme before making any decision on applying for the scheme.
Midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, who has risen through the ranks to become an integral member of the Bengaluru FC squad, feels any time spent with national team skipper Suni Chhetri is “invaluable”.
Adil Khan, Abdul Sahal, Anirudh Thapa, Pritam Kotal and others have always reiterated how much Chhetri has mentored them about diet, fitness regime and other aspects of life.
“Any time spent with Chhetri-bhai is invaluable. I consider myself extremely lucky to have the chance to share a dressing room and a training pitch with him. He personally speaks with me, advises me, encourages me and talks to me about things beyond football,” Wangjam told www.the-aiff.com.
“I’ve picked up reading books, am focusing on a better diet, sharpening my general knowledge. He has even affected my viewing choices on television. It has only been a gain for me and I am extremely fortunate,” he added.
The midfielder further said he owes “a lot to the foundation” provided by the All India Football Federation Elite Academy in his formative years. After representing the country in the first-ever FIFA World Cup hosted by India, he gathered invaluable experience during his stint with the Indian Arrows which is being immensely useful during his time at Bengaluru FC.
“I owe a lot to the foundation that I have started building my career on. The whole World Cup phase was so memorable and helpful, given the kind of exposure we received, the teams we played, the platform we got,” the midfielder said.
“Once the FIFA U-17 World Cup was done, we got the big opportunity to play in the I-League through the Indian Arrows and that again was a fantastic chance for me to gain experience that I am now using during my time at Bengaluru FC,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak, who on Monday were diagnosed with the coronavirus, are currently in isolated wards at the hospital, the media reported on Thursday.
“Everything is quite strict, regulated by protocol. They are in Feofania hospital. There is a special office where the president can hold meetings.” Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to the president’s office, told media.
According to Podoliak, a communication channel has been set up in Zelensky’s ward, allowing him to keep to his regular work schedule while under isolation, the Xinhua news agency reported.
A total of 5,00,865 Covid-19 cases, with 9,145 deaths, have been registered in Ukraine as of Thursday, while 2,27,694 patients have recovered, according to the country’s health ministry.
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INDIAN ENVOY AUSAF SAEED: “The G20 provides an important platform for both India and Saudi Arabia to work even more closely on various issues, with particular focus on those that concern developing countries the most.”
Senior diplomats from India laud Saudi Arabia’s decision to go ahead with G20 Summit despite Covid pandemic and discussing solutions to revive global economy.
“Saudi Arabia being the largest economy in one of the most important geopolitical regions of the world, it is only fitting that the G20 Summit is being hosted by the Kingdom at this critical moment,” said Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ausaf Sayeed, the Arab News reported.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the G20 Summit in Riyadh on November 21— the first time by an Arab country. Apart from being one of the world’s foremost producers and exporters of energy, Saudi Arabia is transforming rapidly under the Vision 2030 through diversification of its economy and development of a vibrant society under the wise and able leadership of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The G20 presidency during these challenging times is yet another testimony to the significant leadership role that the Kingdom has played and will continue to play in dealing with the most pressing issues that matter to the entire world,” the envoy told Arab News.
He went on to say that India shares an excellent history of relations with Saudi Arabia, and the two countries have seen many high-level visits in recent years that have progressively transformed the bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership.
On the economic front, Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth-largest trading partner and supplies around 18 percent of India’s crude oil requirement and 30 percent of its LPG needs, he said.
There is even greater scope to increase trade and investments between the two countries, he added. There are several sectors in which India and Saudi Arabia can work closely in the post-pandemic world.
In the virtual summit in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi elaborated on India’s role in forging a collaborated response against COVID-19, he added.
Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ausaf Sayeed
Thanks to its leadership in medical research and pharmaceuticals, India is playing its part in the global fight against the pandemic, as a “pharmacy to the world,” delivering medicines and equipment to countries that need them the most. It is also at the forefront of vaccine development, he told Arab News.
As an important member of the G20 and as a developing country with one-sixth of the global population, India’s focus is on ensuring growth through the development of fair and equitable systems and frameworks.
“This is particularly significant as India is set to assume the G20 presidency in 2022, the 75th year of its independence, and continue to take forward the agenda of global cooperation,” he added.
Meanwhile, former ambassador Mahesh Sachdeva said the growing synergy between India and Saudi Arabia sets an example of cooperation for other countries in the G20, the Arab News reported.
“The Kingdom and India are important members of the G20 group,” Sachdeva, who has spent over a decade of his diplomatic career dealing with the Middle East.
“The mutual bond between Riyadh and New Delhi also underpins peace, stability and security in the Southwest Asian region, which has often been buffeted with turbulence,” said Sachdeva, who is currently the president of Economic Diplomacy and Strategies, a New Delhi-based consultancy.
On March 26, Riyadh organized an emergency summit to discuss this global pandemic which Sachdeva said demonstrates “the Kingdom’s impressive maturity to lead a global economic organization.”
New Delhi is hosting the 2022 G20 summit and “India would naturally leverage the Saudi experience,” he added.
He said that the event this year will be dominated by “pandemic related issues” and stressed the importance of collaboration between Riyadh and New Delhi in fighting the virus.
“Given extensive people-to-people connections between the Kingdom and India, a strong collaboration to combat COVID-19 pandemic is both necessary and desirable,” he said. “As the world’s largest producer of vaccines, India will be an important source of this vital supply to Saudi Arabia in future.”
Bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia is worth about $33 billion, with the Kingdom being the largest source of crude for India. In turn, Saudi Arabia relies on India for important items such as rice, vehicles, refined petroleum products, meat, electrical machinery and equipment.
“There has been growth in mutual investments: As of March 2020, there are 476 Indian companies in the Kingdom worth $1.5 billion. While Saudi investments in India stood at $315 million in April 2020,” he said.
With the G20 2020 presidency Saudi Arabia has demonstrated that the health and welfare of the people is a top priority, and has undertaken all necessary steps to control the spread of the coronavirus, according to Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom Ausaf Sayeed.
In an interview with Arab News the envoy said: “The conduct of a very successful Hajj under extraordinary circumstances, bearing in mind all the health protocols, was a shining example of this.”
On managing the G20 amid the pandemic, he said: “The swift decision to organise a virtual summit in March 2020, when the dangers of the pandemic were just beginning to emerge globally, is evidence of the fact that the Kingdom handled the situation admirably.
“While the world would have hoped for a summit which would have brought all the leaders together in one place and experience the generous hospitality of the Kingdom, the decision to hold the summit virtually, bearing in mind the dangers of the pandemic that continue to linger, is well appreciated,” Sayeed added.
On shouldering the responsibility to help the world move forward and the importance of the summit in Riyadh, the Indian envoy said: “Given the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the role of the G20 has increased manifold.
File photo of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa/IANS)
The health, economic and social impact globally of COVID-19 needs coordinated efforts towards solutions that a platform like the G20, which includes two-thirds of the world’s population and 85 percent of the global economy, is well suited to deliver.”
The economic impact of the pandemic on all affected countries has exposed the challenges that we continue to face in terms of poverty and inequality, he said. As we have seen, the pandemic knows no national boundaries, and has affected the poorest the most. Apart from the tragic loss of lives, there has been an economic slowdown that has severely affected the livelihoods of the most vulnerable.
The expectation from the Riyadh G20 presidency, held under the theme “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All,” is that a consensus will be built around the steps that the world, led by the G20 countries, will take to transition towards economic recovery that will help people regain lost livelihoods and provide the healing touch to those most severely affected by the pandemic, he explained.
It can also build systems and strategies that will better prepare the world for the challenges of the future.
One of the Capitals iconic landmarks, the Taj Mahal, New Delhi has re-imaged and redefined itself. It recently unveiled the new avatar of the much-loved dining destination, Machan. The hotel also reopened to an elegant new lobby and the Emperor Lounge after a stylish makeover…writes Puja Gupta.
The new Machan celebrates the culmination of the old and the new and a gastronomical confluence of signature favourites of yesteryears as well as the unique culinary offerings inspired by the rich heritage of forests in India and around the globe, offering irresistible bites from an extensive international menu to the city’s fabled Sunday brunches.
From breakfast meetings to wedding proposals, happy dates, business rendezvous, late-night conversations over coffee and the place for after-party catch-ups, Machan was the preferred destination for many. The ambience was distinctive and delightful – a collage of cane and wood furniture, the raised platform, the traditional lanterns and paintings evoking the scene of the royal Indian game.
In 1978, the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel opened its doors to the Capital. The year also marked the opening of its all day dining and 24-hour international eatery. As the name suggests, the decor was based on Indian wildlife, reminiscent of the days where ‘Machans’ or raised platforms as look-outs, were built for game viewing for princes. The magnificent tigers on the walls added to the theme of the restaurant.
Through the years, its signature dishes have delighted generations. Some of the famed delicacies that featured on the original menu like the mutton cutlet, Paloc soup, Chicken montecarlo and Spaghetti bella’roma along with desserts such as Apple strudel, Banana split and Orange flavoured cream caramel are still alive in memories for guests.
The much loved ‘Midnight Menu’ was a hit amongst the denizens of Delhi. Over the years, it established itself as the preferred dining destination for celebrations, meetings and elaborate brunches to idyllic cups of coffee or experiencing an array of cuisines, both, regional and global.
Machan 3.0
The all-new Machan presents a truly sensorial experience of the classic and the contemporary where the past meets the present. The refreshed menu brings cutting edge creativity to the table with innovative creations and theatrical presentations.
Paying an ode to flora and fauna and invoking nostalgia by reinterpreting elements of its rich legacy, it is set to awe patrons with its design and aesthetic sensibilities. Custom designed wall covering recreating scenes of the jungle-scape, with carefully thought-out details that layer the grand experience, depict the beauty of nature and magnificence of the ‘Indian Tiger’. The stunning cane tree canopies, the bamboo ‘chatai’ work, a series of terracotta animal masks specially created by local artists, contemporary lanterns, raised platform and banquette seating, all set the scene for a relaxed and social dining experience.
The restaurant seeks inspiration from the beauty and harmony of the forests and retains the legendary warmth. Aptly named and inspired by the forests of India and around the world, the new dishes on the menu evoke an elevated sensorial experience – in presentation and taste, with ingredients and a host of colours and textures.
With novel offerings such as Tehucan Salad, Mushrooms on the Forest Floor, The Ocean Turns Purple, Lamb Agnolotti, Sariska Footprints, Ecuadorian Jivara Forest Berries, The Machan Breakfast Trails and much more, the master chefs have carefully curated a selection that includes trendy, healthy and celebrated global flavours.
With heightened focus on sustainability and conservation, the new Machan has reduced carbon footprints and prides itself on a complete reduction of single use plastic. Each table has a long-lasting terrarium plant that controls pollution. A significant majority of the materials have been sourced locally and created by artisans from neighbouring states.
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The new system sees every area of England classed as being on medium, high or very high alert…Reports Asian Lite News
England has enforced new three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions.
Most of the country is in the lowest tier – medium – but millions of people in the North and the Midlands face extra curbs on households mixing, the BBC reported.
The Liverpool region is the only area to be under the toughest rules, with pubs and bars not serving meals closed.
Government health officials are due to meet later to discuss the possibility of Greater Manchester, Lancashire and some other areas joining the top tier.
The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said it was “disappointing” the government was “piling the pressure” on the region “without negotiating”.
Disappointing that the Government is piling the pressure on GM in this way without negotiating.
It risks confusing people coming so soon after the Tier 2 announcement.
Our view is unchanged: unfunded restrictions are unfair & will cause real damage to lives, jobs & businesses. https://t.co/g4ahFZArul
“It risks confusing people coming so soon after the tier two announcement,” he said, adding that “unfunded restrictions are unfair and will cause real damage to lives, jobs and businesses”.
It comes after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for a two to three week “circuit-breaker” lockdown in England to bring the rising infection rate under control.
The new system sees every area of England classed as being on medium, high or very high alert.
Areas on medium alert are subject to the national restrictions currently in force, including the rule of six on indoor and outdoor gatherings and the 22:00 closing time for pubs, bars and restaurants.
In addition to these restrictions, in areas on high alert – including north-east England, much of the North West and parts of the Midlands, along with West and South Yorkshire – different households are not allowed to mix indoors.
Areas on very high alert face extra curbs, with different households banned from mixing indoors or outdoors in hospitality venues or private gardens.
Pubs and bars will be closed unless they are serving substantial meals and there is also guidance against travelling in and out of the area.
Further restrictions may be agreed for particular regions in the top tier and in the Liverpool City Region gyms, leisure centres, betting shops and casinos will also close.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the system was a “moderate” and “balanced” approach to saving lives while trying to protect the economy.
Boris Unveils 3-Tier Covid Restrictions; Sadiq Seeks Govt Action To Protect Rough Sleepers; Pandemic Disrupted Critical Mental Health Services; Asia-Pacific Group Retains Pakistan on ‘Enhanced Follow-Up’ list; Taiwan Sends Strong Message Against Chinese Expansionism – all in Asian Lite Daily Digital – please click here to read.
Several political parties, mainly the Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STTP), launched protests across the country against the Imran Khan government’s plan to develop the twin islands of Dingi and Bhundar. There are allegations that China might undertake construction activities in these islands.
The port city of Karachi was rocked by the protest. A group of thousands of people, Sindh writers, poets, nationalists, intellectuals, and people of every thought denounced the occupation of the islands.
Another major rally started from Malir and ended near the Governor House where the party leadership submitted a letter for President Arif Alvi, showing the party’s concerns on the federal government’s recently promulgated ordinance to form the Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA), which aims at developing the barren islands in the territorial waters of the country.
STTP chief Dr Qadir Maqsi, who led the rally, told the protesters that Sindh had been expressing their dismay and anger over the presidential ordinance.
“Despite differences in ideologies and party programmes, the Sindhis are united to protect their rights,” he said.
Mr Maqsi said the Sindhi community would not remain silent on the usurpation of Sindh’s rights. Other leaders said the development of Dingi and Bhandar islands was tantamount to destruction and would snatch the livelihood of at least 800,000 fishermen.
In the letter addressed to Alvi and submitted at the governor house, the STTP said Sindh had been victimised time and again by the federal government under the false pretence and unfound reasons.
Addressing Alvi, the letter said, “Sir, you must admonish the establishment to full its obligation under the constitutional domain in the distribution of fair share of NFC awards, as well as cooperation in administrative autonomy in Sindh.”
The letter regretted that instead of fulfilling such an honourable role as the head of the state, he had been acting as a spokesperson for the prime minister and conducting “extra-constitutional affairs”. The STTP said in the letter that PIDA’s establishment was an act against the country’s constitution.
