Air India Australia

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Air India’s ‘Fly to Europe the Indian way’ is a great campaign for travellers to India and Europe

Sydney/2 December, 2016

I had an opportunity to discuss various things with AIR INDIA management in Australia recently.

It is obvious that they are proactive and have a clear vision about where they want Air India to be placed at. CEO Ashwani Lohani-led Air India management is on the roll.

I was very impressed to hear about their “Fly to Europe the Indian Way” campaign, which is great for those who are travelling to India and also to those who are travelling to Europe.

If they are travelling to India from Australia, they have an option to extend their travel to 8 destinations in Europe with quite an economical package.

If they are flying to Europe from Australia, they can easily do so via India (Indian way) and see icons like Taj Mahal, without needing too much to spend on their air journey.

European destinations included are London, Rome, Milan, Frankfurt, Vienna, Madrid, Birmingham and Paris. Air India destinations in India are most major cities.

Stop over in India can be either during inbound or outbound journey. It is quite flexible..

Starting fares from Sydney or Melbourne to Europe via India are from $966 to $1272 (inclusive of all taxes). Details from Air India on 02 92833370 (Sydney number) and Travel professionals of your choice.

This offer is for limited sale until all allocated seats are sold off.

This package is quite innovative and is going to be quite attractive.

I am aware that Australia-India-Australia segment of Air India business is growing and is already profitable. This new package is going to add to Air India’s profitability. It might be worth mentioning that almost all Air India planes are the latest variety and have advanced facilities for passengers’ comfort.

I am optimistic and confident that Air India will be going strength to strength, if its management continues to come out with innovative and passenger-friendly airfares and routes.

It will add to, and multiply, the success of both Air India and India Tourism, if they can interact and work together for campaigns like this.

Dr Yadu Singh

http://www.twitter.com/dryadusingh

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Air India deserves Kudos

Sydney, 24 November, 2016

I wish to share two stories involving India’s national airline, Air India. These are very positive stories. Since I believe in praising good deeds, I am writing about them here.

  1. When we heard the sad, tragic and heart-breaking news of the brutal murder of Late Manmeet Sharma “Alisher” in Brisbane recently, everyone in the community was devastated. Manmeet was doing his job and there was no justification for what was done to him. His brother, Amit, and their family friend, Winnerjit Singh, travelled to Brisbane in the most difficult circumstances. They came to Australia to take the mortal remains of Late Manmeet. The sad news of this murder was in all newspapers not only of India, but also of the whole world. Air India chief, Ashwani Lohani, too read about this while travelling from Singapore to India. He felt moved. From Singapore itself, he contacted and asked Air India manager based in Sydney, Madhu Mathen, to offer free transportation of the mortal remains. This offer was conveyed to Indian High Commissioner in Australia, Navdeep Suri, who conveyed it to the family. I have direct information from people involved in this matter. Air India flew the mortal remains to India. I have no doubt that it is a real big gesture from Air India.
  2. When Value World Travel went out of business in November 2015, quite a lot of people lost their air tickets with various airlines. Many were those who had booked tickets with Air India too. Often, such bookings were made many months in advance when airfares were very cheap. After Value World fiasco, people did not have any booking and were required to book again. The airfares had gone up by 2 to 2.5 times by then. While no other airline did anything to alleviate the difficulties these passengers were facing, Air India did something which was unexpected. It was definitely a kind gesture. It offered re-booked tickets at the SAME price at which the original tickets were booked months earlier. I am aware that this gesture from Air India was hugely appreciated by the victims. When I met Air India manager in Sydney on an unrelated occasion, and enquired about it, I was pleased to hear his response. He said, “Air India is India’s national airline and its HEART is Indian. We share the pain and distress of Indians whenever and wherever it happens and try to do what we can do to help them.”

I travel with Air India, which is my favourite airline. I have always found their services to be great. I have many positive experiences, which I will write about one day.

Thank you Air India! We are proud of you!!

Thank you, Mr Madhu Mathen and thank you, Mr Ashwani Lohani.

You have our best wishes for taking Air India to new heights!

Jay Hind!!

Dr Yadu Singh

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INDIA DAY 2016 was a huge success

31st Aug, 2016

Sydney, NSW

INDIA DAY Fair, organised by Federation of INDIAN Associations of NSW Inc (FIAN) at the Parade Ground, Old King’s School, Parramatta on Sunday, 14 August, 2016 was a huge success. FIAN is a umbrella organisation of multiple Indian Community Associations in Sydney.

Approximately 10,000 people attended the Fair throughout the day from 12 midday to 7pm.

Over 60 stalls involving food, businesses, sports and community groups including an NSW  Government department, in addition to kids’ rides and a spectacular firework at the end of the event were part of the Fair.

Entertainment programme was truly top class, and multicultural. Shiamak Davar Group delivered a spectacular segment of entertainment, but other segments including Pacific Islanders’ group, Belly dances and Flamenco dances were no  less mesmerising.

No wonder that the INDIA DAY was covered by SBS TV news, Chanel 7 News and SBS Hindi, Punjabi and Tamil Radio programmes. Indian community media were present there with full strength.

Political leaders  saw it fit and worthwhile to show their presence in the event. They included;

Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Federal Minister for International Development and the Pacific

Hon Zed Seselja, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs

John Alexander, Federal MP For Bennelong

Mr Craig Kelly, Federal MP for Hughes

The Hon John Ajaka, NSW Minister for for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and minister for Multiculturalism

The Hon David Clarke, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Justice

The Hon. Geoff Lee MP, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism

The Hon. Matt Kean MP, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Treasury

Julie Owen, Federal MP for Parramatta, Representing The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Federal Leader of Opposition

The Hon Michelle Rowland, MP, Shadow Minister for Communications

The Hon. Jody Mckay MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Justice & Police and representing NSW Leader of Opposition

The Hon. Sophie COTSIS, MLC  NSW Shadow Minister for Women, Shadow Minister for Ageing, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Shadow Minister for Disability Services

Mr Hugh Mcdermott, MP, State Member for Prospect

DR Harry Harinath, Chairman, Multicultural NSW

Mr B Vanlalvawna, Consul General of INDIA, Sydney

Clr Dr Michelle Byrne, The Hills Shire Mayor

Mr Raj Datta, Coulcillor Strathfield Council

Clr Gurdeep Singh, Deputy Mayor Hornsby Shire Council

Ms Amanda Chadwick, Administrator,  City of Parramatta

Prof Frank Zumbo, Chief of Staff with Craig Kelly MP for Hughes and a friend of our community

Dr Eman Sharobeem Dr. Eman Sharobeem, National Community Engagement Manager

FIAN was pleased and grateful for the generous support from so many sponsors. It is a big credit to the team that they were able to organise this type of huge sponsorship support.

  • Parramatta Council for being the major sponsor
  • Indian Australian Association of NSW (INDAUS) a member of FIAN and a major sponsor
  • Commonwealth of Australia
  • Castle Group
  • Western Union
  • Bathla Group
  • Square Yards
  • Fly4Less Travel, Harris Park
  • Indian Link Media Group
  • Air India Australia
  • Incredible India, India Tourism Australia
  • Central Equity
  • State Bank of India
  • Bank of Baroda
  • Sharmas Kitchen
  • Union Bank of India
  • Atlas Consultants Melbourne
  • Patel Brothers Group
  • ABC Print Shop
  • Maya Da Dhaba
  • MultiConnexions
  • Cricket Australia
  • Macquari Bank
  • Shiv Saini of Milan Bazar, Seven Hills
  • Mahesh Raj of Go Cool, Harris Park

INDIA DAY 2016 JULY 24 FINAL.jpg

In addition to Parramatta and Blacktown newspapers, INDIA DAY had the support of following media houses;

  • SBS Radio programmes
  • Arti Banga Desi Media for ever so willing and continuous support
  • Pawan and Rajni Luthra, Indian Link for many things including being a sponsor, promotion
  • Jugandeep Jawaharwala, Pardesh Express
  • Harpreet Singh, Punjab Times
  • Rajwant Singh, Punjab Express
  • Prakash and Sneh Chandra, Navtarang Media
  • Ram Khatry, SouthAsia.com.au
  • Santosh Naga, Editor Indiansite
  • Ashok Kumar, The Indian Subcontinent Times
  • Mr MP Singh SBS Punjabi
  • Mr Sham Kumar, Punjabi Radio
  • Mr Vikram and Jagat Sharma, Voice of India
  • Inder Magar, The Indian Telegraph
  • Indian Down Under
  • Fiji Times
  • Divya Gujarat

INDIA DAY Fair has now become a key event of multicultural community in Western Sydney. The team has a track record of delivering top class event of this nature. The team clearly has the clout and goodwill in the community and is able to generate sponsorship and support from all relevant groups and businesses.

Here are a few pics.

 

Events like INDIA DAY require a lot of work and can not be done without a fantastic team. Everyone in the team deserves a “thank you”, but special “thank you” is reserved for Satish Bhadranna, secretary, Kumar Madappa, vice president and John Niven, Fair director.

Dr Yadu SIngh

President, Federation of Indian Associations of NSW Inc

http://www.fian.org.au

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