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Mumbai, Feb 27 : Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Limited  participated in the CNG Drive organized by Adani Total Gas Limited (ATGL), in collaboration with Hyundai Motor India Limited, in Ahmedabad to promote cleaner fuel adoption and sustainable mobility.

 The drive was flagged off by Mr. Suresh P. Manglani, ED & CEO, ATGL, along with Mr. Sunil Mulchandani, National Head – Sales, Hyundai India. A fleet of 20 CNG vehicles traversed the city, reinforcing awareness around responsible and efficient mobility choices.

During the event, Mr. Manglani presented the Zaggle CNG Benefit Card to Mr. Mulchandani and two new car owners. The card offers CNG refueling benefits of up to ₹15,000 over one year, enabling customers to realize meaningful savings while transitioning to eco-friendly fuels. Integrated with seamless digital payments and real-time spend controls, the card supports both individual users and fleet operators in adopting structured, cost-efficient mobility solutions.

The event also marked the successful go-live of Zaggle’s closed-loop CNG fleet card program for ATGL, a technology-led platform designed to enhance compliance, governance and transaction efficiency across the CNG ecosystem.

Commenting on the development, Dr. Raj P. Narayanam, Founder & Executive Chairman, Zaggle, said,

 “Our collaboration with ATGL reflects Zaggle’s evolution into a technology-led ecosystem enabler. By integrating compliance architecture, real-time validation and structured incentive management within a closed-loop framework, we are not only digitizing fuel payments but also building a scalable platform that supports India’s transition toward cleaner and more efficient mobility. At Zaggle, we remain committed to empowering customers with smart financial solutions that complement sustainable lifestyle choices.”

The program integrates real-time vehicle validation via the Parivahan database, OCR-based authentication of vehicle and CNG transaction details and split-payment functionality for seamless incentive utilisation. It further incorporates fleet-level virtual accounts for structured funding and real-time limit management, alongside a dedicated OEM and retrofitter dashboard to accelerate fleet onboarding and ecosystem visibility.

Built on a full-stack SaaS and closed-loop payment infrastructure, the solution features Super Admin and Fleet dashboards with real-time analytics, Tap & Pay prepaid cards and Android mPOS deployment across ATGL outlets. Automated onboarding, instant transaction alerts, structured reporting and controlled in-ecosystem incentive redemption collectively drive repeat CNG spends and strengthen program stickiness.

The ATGL partnership reinforces Zaggle’s expansion into high-frequency fuel transactions, enhancing recurring ecosystem-driven volumes while demonstrating its ability to deploy regulated, compliance-led SaaS payment infrastructure at scale. The initiative underscores a strong industry collaboration aimed at accelerating CNG adoption and advancing India’s clean mobility transition through integrated financial and sustainable mobility solutions.

New Delhi, Feb 27: OPPO India has unveiled special Holi offers designed to make festive upgrades more joyful and accessible. Customers can avail Zero Down Payment and interest-free EMIs for up to 24 months on select OPPO smartphones, along with attractive cashback benefits on UPI and bank transactions.

Guided by its philosophy of “Make Your Moment,” OPPO continues to deliver technology that enhances celebrations and everyday experiences. With advanced camera systems tuned for India’s visual landscape and signature portrait expertise, OPPO devices empower users to capture every vibrant splash of Holi with clarity and creativity.

Commenting on the announcement, Goldee Patnaik, Head – Communications, OPPO India, said:

“Holi is a celebration of colour, joy and the moments we share with the people who matter. At OPPO, we want to be part of these festive memories, enabling users to capture every vibrant splash and heartfelt smile. Our recent launches, including the Find X9 and the Reno series, have received an incredible response from customers who value their Made-for-India camera system and portrait excellence. This Holi, our aim is to make these devices even more accessible through attractive purchase benefits.”

Festive Holi Offers at a Glance

Zero Down Payment & Interest-Free EMI

• OPPO Reno15 Pro Mini (512GB / 256GB) – Up to 24 months EMI

• OPPO Reno15 (12GB+512GB / 12GB+256GB / 8GB+512GB) – Up to 15 months EMI

• OPPO Find X9 (12GB+256GB / 16GB+512GB) – Up to 18 months EMI

• OPPO A6 Pro (8GB+128GB / 8GB+256GB) – Up to 8 months EMI

• OPPO A6 (6GB+256GB / 6GB+128GB / 4GB+128GB) – Up to 6 months EMI

*24|0 EMI scheme available with Kotak Bank and ICICI Bank under Paper Finance option on consumer loans.

Cashback Benefits

• Up to 10% cashback on select bank cards (EMI and non-EMI transactions)

• Participating banks include SBI Cards, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, Federal Bank, DBS, IDFC First Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Yes Bank

• 10% cashback on UPI transactions

The festive offers are valid from March 1 to March 8, 2026, for a limited period.

Reno15 Series: Designed to Capture Every Colour

This Holi, the spotlight shines on the Reno15 Pro Mini and Reno15, combining fashion-forward design with a powerful camera experience.

The Reno15 Pro Mini features a 200MP main camera, while the Reno15 comes equipped with a 50MP main camera. Both smartphones support 3.5x telephoto zoom, PureTone Technology, 4K HDR video recording, and OPPO’s creative Pop-Out feature—perfect for capturing lively Holi moments with clarity and dynamic depth.

Find X9: Flagship Imaging Meets Festive Celebrations

The device features a Hasselblad-tuned triple camera system led by a 50MP Sony LYT808 sensor with OIS, alongside a 50MP ultra-wide lens and a 50MP Sony LYT600 3X periscope telephoto lens. Powered by OPPO’s proprietary LUMO Image Engine and True Colour Camera technology, it delivers natural skin tones, accurate colours and cinematic depth across scenarios.

The Find X9 sports a 6.59-inch 120Hz AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, an IP69 rating for dust and water resistance, and runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset. It houses a 7025mAh silicon carbon battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, along with intelligent AI features such as AI MindSpace, AI Editor and O+ Connect to elevate photography and connectivity experiences.

With attractive financing options and advanced camera technology designed for India’s vibrant celebrations, OPPO India invites customers to upgrade effortlessly and make every Holi moment brighter, more colourful and unforgettable.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Feb 27 — African policymakers, business leaders, and development institutions have renewed calls for visa-free travel across the continent, describing the free movement of people as essential to unlocking Africa’s economic transformation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The call was reinforced at a High-Level Symposium on Advancing a Visa-Free Africa for Economic Prosperity, co-convened by the African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission on the margins of the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.

Participants framed mobility as the missing link in Africa’s integration agenda, arguing that while tariffs are falling under AfCFTA, restrictive visa regimes continue to limit trade in services, investment flows, tourism, and labour mobility.

Alex Mubiru, Director General for Eastern Africa at the African Development Bank Group, said that visa-free travel, interoperable digital systems, and integrated markets are practical enablers of enterprise, innovation, and regional value chains to translate policy ambitions into economic activity.

“The evidence is clear. The economics support openness. The human story demands it,” he told participants, urging countries to move from incremental reforms to “transformative change.”

Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development at the African Union Commission, called for faster implementation of existing continental frameworks, describing visa openness as a strategic lever for deepening regional markets and enhancing collective responses to economic and humanitarian crises.

Former AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that free movement is central to the African Union’s long-term development blueprint, Agenda 2063. “If we accept that we are Africans, then we must be able to move freely across our continent,” she said, urging member states to operationalise initiatives such as the African Passport and the Free Movement of Persons Protocol.

Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, shared her country’s experience as an early adopter of open visa policies for African travellers, citing increased business travel, tourism, and investor interest as early dividends of greater openness.

The Symposium also reviewed findings from the latest Africa Visa Openness Index, which shows that more than half of intra-African travel still requires visas before departure – seen by participants as a significant drag on intra-continental commerce.

Mesfin Bekele, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, called for full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), saying aviation connectivity and visa liberalisation must advance together to enable seamless travel.

Regional representatives, including Elias Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, emphasised the importance of building trust through border management and digital information-sharing systems.

Gabby Otchere Darko, Executive Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, urged governments to support the “Make Africa Borderless Now” campaign, while tourism campaigner Ras Mubarak called for more ratifications of the AU Free Movement of Persons protocol.

Participants concluded that achieving a visa-free Africa will require aligning migration policies, digital identity systems, and border infrastructure, alongside sustained political commitment.

In a symbolic gesture, attendees signed a “passport wall,” signalling support for accelerated reforms to make movement across African borders easier for citizens.

The African Development Bank Group and the African Union Commission said they will continue working with member states and regional bodies to advance coordinated approaches to mobility – seen as a cornerstone of Africa’s integration, competitiveness, and long-term growth.

African Development Bank Group awards $16.6 million grant to International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to scale agricultural technologies in AfricaThe agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships

ABUJA, Nigeria, Feb 27– The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (www.AfDB.org) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III), aimed at scaling climate-resilient food production across the continent.

The agreement, signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, bolsters a shared commitment to modernise African agriculture by scaling proven technologies, strengthening seed systems, and expanding partnerships among research institutions, governments, and private sector actors.

Since its launch in 2018, TAAT has become one of Africa’s most effective and transformative platforms for agricultural innovation, reaching nearly 25 million farmers and boosting productivity across major staples. The initiative has expanded climate-resilient agricultural practices across over 35 million hectares.

Working closely with the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) and national and regional partners, TAAT has increased crop yields as much as 69 percent and generated more than $4 billion in additional agricultural value. Countries including Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria have recorded notable gains in staple crop productivity and resilience to climate shocks.

Nigeria has been a key beneficiary of TAAT initiatives. Under its Wheat Compact, farmers adopting improved heat-tolerant varieties more than doubled yields from 1.7 tons per hectare to 3.5 tons per hectare. Programme‑supported seed system assessments also helped inform national reforms to expand access to certified, climate-resilient seeds.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Abdul Kamara, Director General of the Bank Group’s Nigeria Country Department, said the new phase will focus on scaling innovation more rapidly: “TAAT-III underscores the Bank’s commitment to ensuring that proven, climate-resilient agricultural technologies reach farmers faster and at scale. This phase strengthens the systems that deliver innovation, helping countries boost productivity, enhance resilience, and align agricultural transformation efforts with the Bank’s four new areas of emphasis, dubbed the Four Cardinal Points.”

Financed through the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending window, TAAT-III will consolidate earlier gains while introducing a more sustainable, private sector-driven delivery model. The initiative aims to reinforce seed and technology distribution systems, deepen partnerships with governments and agribusinesses, and expand the digital tools, including its technology e-catalogues and real-time monitoring platforms, to speed up deployment of high‑impact solutions.

Simeon Ehui, Director General of IITA, remarked: “TAAT-III allows us to deepen the delivery of science‑based solutions that improve farmers’ yields and livelihoods. Working with the Bank and our partners, we are scaling technologies that make Africa’s food systems more resilient and competitive.”

TAAT featured prominently in supporting the Bank Group’s Africa Emergency Food Production Facility, helping countries to rapidly deploy improved seeds and technologies to stabilise food supplies during recent global disruptions. The programme’s third phase seeks to embed these innovations within long-term national agricultural investment strategies.

TAAT-III is expected to reach an additional 14 million farmers across 37 low-income and vulnerable countries served by the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional financing window.

New Delhi, Feb 27: Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Shyam Singh as Chief Engineer, further strengthening the hotel’s commitment to operational excellence and engineering leadership.

With over two decades of extensive experience in hospitality engineering, Mr. Singh brings deep expertise in operations and maintenance, compliance management, energy optimization, and large-scale project execution across leading five-star hotels in India.

Over the course of his distinguished career, Mr. Singh has held senior engineering leadership roles with renowned hospitality brands, including Holiday Inn Gurugram NH-8, Holiday Inn Agra, Holiday Inn Mayur Vihar New Delhi, Crowne Plaza Okhla, and Crowne Plaza Gurgaon. His professional journey reflects consistent excellence in pre-opening operations, refurbishment initiatives, plant and machinery restoration, energy audits, and green building compliance.

Mr. Singh has successfully led and executed key certifications and audits, including Fire NOC, IGBC Green Building Certification, FSSAI, BSS, ISO 22000 compliance, and comprehensive energy conservation programs. His accomplishments also include major infrastructure upgrades such as chiller installations, electrical load optimization, Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) implementation, large-scale refurbishment projects, and the resolution of critical operational challenges  all while ensuring uninterrupted hotel operations.

Recognized multiple times for departmental excellence and leadership performance, Mr. Singh is known for his strong operational discipline, preventive maintenance planning, compliance-driven approach, and unwavering focus on safety and guest satisfaction.

Commenting on the appointment, Ritesh Sharma, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Shyam Singh to our leadership team. His extensive experience in hospitality engineering, combined with his proven expertise in compliance, sustainability, and operational efficiency, aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering safe, seamless, and high-quality guest experiences. We are confident that under his leadership, our engineering operations will continue to set new benchmarks.”

In his new role, Mr. Singh will oversee all engineering and technical operations at the hotel, ensuring optimal performance of building systems, enhanced energy efficiency, adherence to safety standards, robust compliance management, and long-term asset sustainability.

This appointment marks another significant milestone for Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla as it continues to reinforce its commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and responsible business practices.

Chandigarh, Feb 27 : Marking a significant development, Visakhapatnam secured a major global honour, winning a USD 1 million grant in the prestigious Bloomberg Philanthropies 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge for its innovative climate resilience initiative, Vizag–Prajamukhi Urban Living Lab (V-PULL). The award was announced on February 25.

Visakhapatnam was selected as one of the 24 global winners, emerging from more than 630 cities across the world that competed in the challenge. V-PULL, a flagship model of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), earned international recognition for its civic participation framework aimed at mitigating the impacts of floods, cyclones and severe heatwaves through collaborative, citizen-driven solutions.

The initiative operates under a citizen-centric, climate-resilient and hyperlocal governance approach.

In the initial phase of the competition, GVMC was shortlisted among the top 50 finalists and received USD 50,000 in seed funding along with technical assistance.

With this support, the civic body implemented pilot interventions at the local level. Structured ward-level community meetings were conducted, hyperlocal sensing systems were tested and data-driven decision-making tools were introduced.

Participatory climate resilience and disaster preparedness measures helped establish an effective feedback mechanism between citizens and municipal departments, strengthening bottom-up governance.

“Being selected as a winner of the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2025–2026 Mayors Challenge is a great honour for GVMC. This recognition strengthens our belief that cities can lead transformative change when innovation is grounded in citizen participation and field-tested solutions,” said GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg.

The USD 1 million grant will be utilized to strengthen the bottom-up governance approach, enhance disaster preparedness and expand these initiatives to more wards across the city, he added.

The Mayors Challenge was launched by Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former Mayor of New York City, to support bold and creative city governments in solving pressing urban challenges.

With this recognition, Visakhapatnam now shares the global platform with leading international cities, marking a significant milestone in Vizag’s journey towards globally recognised climate-resilient urban governance.

Indore, Feb 27: With every splash of colour, Holi unfolds as a celebration of joy, renewal, and togetherness. Every moment feels alive with celebration, surrounded by loved ones and the golden warmth of summer in the air.

Amidst the chaos, laughter, and dances to your favourite Holi playlist, when your mind and heart are immersed in celebration, your skin experiences it all too. Hours under the sun and colours settling into the skin may affect your skin in ways you never imagined. And that’s where Kimirica’s pre and post Holi self-care rituals become an integral part of the celebration, helping the skin stay healthy, nourished, and glowing long after the festivities come to an end.

Pre-Holi Self-Care Ritual

Preparation becomes the first step in caring for the skin before stepping into the celebration. Kimirica Fairtrade Coconut Oil, extra virgin and cold-pressed, creates a deeply nourishing protective layer across the skin and hair, helping colours wash away easily while restoring softness, firmness, and natural tone.

Kimirica Everyday Glow Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++ follows as an important layer of protection. Its lightweight gel-crème texture absorbs effortlessly, offering broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection while keeping the skin comfortable and cared for under bright, sunlit skies.

Completing the preparation, Kimirica Coconut & Shea Hydrating Lip Serum envelops the lips in lasting moisture. Enriched with nourishing oils and conditioning butters, and infused with the tempting aroma of vanilla and coconut, it keeps lips smooth, supple, and beautifully cared for through the long day of celebration.

Post Holi Self-Care Ritual

As the celebration comes to an end, the focus shifts to restoring the skin’s natural freshness and glow. Kimirica Brightening Face Wash gently cleanses away traces of colour and impurities with its powerful botanical blend of Organic Vetiver, Liquorice, and Brown Rice extracts, helping reveal skin that feels refreshed, balanced, and naturally radiant, with a brighter and more even complexion.
Following this, Kimirica Rice Powder Body Scrub gently cleanses and exfoliates colour build-up on the skin with plant-based actives like Beta Glucan, Green Tea, Rosemary, and Rice Bran extracts, leaving it soft, moisturised and naturally glowing.

Coconut & Shea Lip Scrub and Lip Serum Duo completes this ritual, offering a two-step approach: exfoliate and replenish. The Lip Scrub gently buffs away dryness and flaky skin, while the Lip Serum restores lasting moisture, leaving lips smooth, supple, and naturally restored.

Celebrate Holi with Kimirica

This year, Kimirica makes the celebrations even more indulgent with a special Buy 2 Get 1 offer on selected bath & body, skincare, and candle collections, available exclusively at kimirca.shop.

New Delhi, Feb 27:TravClan has released the India Outbound Travel Index 2025, a comprehensive analysis of outbound travel patterns based on real booking behaviour across its nationwide travel agent network. The report analyses data from approximately 2,47,000 international passengers, representing over ₹500 crore in booking value across 170+ international destinations, and identifies five structural shifts shaping how Indians travel abroad.

A defining insight from the Index shows that non-metro cities now contribute 63% of India’s outbound travellers, positioning non-metro India as the largest source of international travel demand. This reflects a fundamental shift in market composition, with outbound growth increasingly anchored in emerging cities alongside traditional metro hubs.

Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Amritsar, and Pune are now among India’s fastest-growing outbound markets, driven by rising incomes and expanding regional connectivity. This momentum reflects sustained demand formation, supported by rising income levels, expanding passport access, and improving regional air connectivity.

Commenting on the findings, Arun Bagaria, Founder and CEO, TravClan, said, “The center of gravity for India’s outbound travel has shifted. Travel Businesses cannot build strategies just around Delhi and Mumbai anymore as we see consistent growth from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, driven by travellers who are digitally confident and decisive. Airlines, destinations, and travel brands need to embrace the next phase of outbound growth that will be built around these emerging markets.”

Destination preferences are also evolving. Indian travellers are increasingly selecting markets that combine strong air access, competitive pricing, and diverse experiences. Vietnam has emerged as the fastest-growing destination, gaining 4.01 percentage points in market share, alongside strong hotel booking growth in Egypt, Japan, the Philippines, and Georgia.

Travel planning cycles continue to compress. Over 42% of outbound trips are booked within seven days of departure, while 21.9% are planned over a month in advance, reflecting high digital confidence and predictable, price-responsive behaviour, particularly on short-haul and high-frequency routes.

Affordable air connectivity remains central to outbound expansion. Low-cost carriers account for nearly 70% of bookings on key leisure routes such as the Maldives and Thailand. At the same time, travellers are extending average stays across several destinations, signalling deeper engagement and experience-led travel.

The India Outbound Travel Index 2025 shows that the next phase of outbound growth will be shaped by localised source markets, faster booking cycles, and differentiated travel intent. For industry stakeholders, long-term relevance will depend on how effectively strategies align with these structural shifts.