PepsiCo on Wednesday discussed plans to widen its product portfolio in India and build the brand's image around corporate social responsibility at the $43-billion beverages and snacks foods multinational's first global board meeting in India, an official familiar with the matter said. The three-day global board meet is being attended by PepsiCo chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi, International CEO Michael D White and 11 independent directors including Novartis AG chairman & CEO Daniel Vasella and Colgate-Palmolive president & CEO Ian M Cook. The board of directors also discussed increasing the beverages maker's presence actively in the country's health and wellness portfolio, especially in the packaged water category, said the official requesting anonymity. The meeting is seen as an indication of the importance of India in PepsiCo's global space, officials said. The only other time the company board met outside was five years ago, in Mexico.
The meet in India is believed to be the brainchild of Ms Nooyi. "We want to show them (PepsiCo board members) the glory of India and the issues in India so that we propose solutions," PepsiCo's India-born chairman and CEO had said at a meeting organised by the United States-India Business Council (USIBC) and CII on Tuesday. India has been identified as one of the top three markets for PepsiCo, which came into the country almost 20 years ago, she had said. The board will use the Mumbai meet to learn more about the Indian market place, the firm's business strategies here and the progress it's making in environmental, human and talent sustainability, the company said in an official statement. "They also will take an in-depth look at how our business and product lines are evolving to address the varied and changing needs of Indian consumers," the PepsiCo India release said.
PepsiCo allocated 'region' status to the Indian operations in 2008, which meant more room for decision-making and higher resource allocation. In January this year, it integrated beverages and snacks businesses in the country under a common leadership, in line with Ms Nooyi's 'power of one' strategy followed in many world markets. The company has already announced investments of Rs 1,000 crore ($220 million) in its beverages business this calendar to step up manufacturing capacity, market infrastructure, supply chain, product innovations and research & development. The investment, PepsiCo India's biggest in a single year in the beverages arm, is part of the company's $500-million investment allocated for India over three years. Pepsi has invested $1 billion in India so far. It has 41 bottling plants in the country, of which its franchisee bottling partner Jaipuria Group owns 28. The Indian subsidiary recorded an all-time high volume growth of 33-35% last year at a time when its parent was grappling with falling sales.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Gold at record high, touches Rs 16,785
Gold prices on Wednesday hit a record high of Rs 16,785 per ten gram in futures trading at the Multi Commodity Exchange as traders enlarged their positions in tandem with a firming global trend after the US dollar weakened. Gold for delivery in far-month February contract surged to Rs 16,785 per ten grams before slipping 0.58 per cent to Rs 16,774 per ten gram in a turnover of 164 lots. In a similar fashion, April month contract rose by 0.77 per cent to hit a high of Rs 16,781 per ten gram with a business turnover of 3 lots.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in December month shot up to a high of Rs 16,749 but slipped to trade 0.57 per cent at Rs 16,729 per ten gram in a business turnover of 1,995 lots. Market analysts said firming trend in international markets as a weaker dollar raised gold's appeal as an alternative investment, attributed to the rise in precious metal at the futures market here. Meanwhile, In the Asian region gold prices traded higher at $1,106.50-1,107.50 an ounce against last close of $1,098.50-1,099.50.
Similarly, the metal for delivery in December month shot up to a high of Rs 16,749 but slipped to trade 0.57 per cent at Rs 16,729 per ten gram in a business turnover of 1,995 lots. Market analysts said firming trend in international markets as a weaker dollar raised gold's appeal as an alternative investment, attributed to the rise in precious metal at the futures market here. Meanwhile, In the Asian region gold prices traded higher at $1,106.50-1,107.50 an ounce against last close of $1,098.50-1,099.50.
Pak to buy 14 Chinese fighter jets, 114 more may come
In a major move to boost its air warfare capability, Pakistan is to purchase 36 J-10 fighter aircraft from China in a deal worth more than USD 1.4 billion, with options open for induction of more similar aircraft. China will supply the 36 J-10 fighter jets, enough to equip two squadrons, under a preliminary agreement that could lead to "more sales", a Pakistani official has said. Pakistan might buy "larger numbers" of the multi-role aircraft in the future but has not signed any deal to purchase as many as 150 jets, the official told the Financial Times.
The J-10 or Jian 10 is China's most advanced combat aircraft and is the third generation fighter comparable to American F-16 Fighting Falcons. Islamabad and Beijing are also collaborating to build an advanced fighter -- JF-17 or "Thunder" and the first of these aircraft are expected to roll out by the end of this month, air force chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said recently. China is one of the main arms suppliers of Pakistan and has sold combat jets to it for over three decades. But Beijing has seldom supplied Pakistan with advanced fighter aircraft like the J-10. Pakistan bought Mirage jets from France in the 1970s and F-16s from the US in the 1980s.
Pakistan has a fleet of 45 F-16s that have been used to some degree in anti militancy operations in Swat and South Waziristan, defence experts said. The US recently agreed to sell Pakistan another 18 new F-16s and officials also expect the Americans to supply about a dozen used aircraft. The Pakistan Air Force plans to acquire at least 250 JF-17s over the next four to five years, which would become its future mainstay. Defence experts have described Pakistan's agreement with China to buy the J-10 jets as a "landmark event" in the defence relationship between the two countries.
"This agreement should not simply be seen in the narrow context of Pakistan's relations with China," said Abdul Qayyum, a retired Pakistani general. "There is a wider dimension. By sharing its advanced technology with Pakistan, China is... also saying to the world that its defence capability is growing rapidly," he said.
The J-10 or Jian 10 is China's most advanced combat aircraft and is the third generation fighter comparable to American F-16 Fighting Falcons. Islamabad and Beijing are also collaborating to build an advanced fighter -- JF-17 or "Thunder" and the first of these aircraft are expected to roll out by the end of this month, air force chief Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman said recently. China is one of the main arms suppliers of Pakistan and has sold combat jets to it for over three decades. But Beijing has seldom supplied Pakistan with advanced fighter aircraft like the J-10. Pakistan bought Mirage jets from France in the 1970s and F-16s from the US in the 1980s.
Pakistan has a fleet of 45 F-16s that have been used to some degree in anti militancy operations in Swat and South Waziristan, defence experts said. The US recently agreed to sell Pakistan another 18 new F-16s and officials also expect the Americans to supply about a dozen used aircraft. The Pakistan Air Force plans to acquire at least 250 JF-17s over the next four to five years, which would become its future mainstay. Defence experts have described Pakistan's agreement with China to buy the J-10 jets as a "landmark event" in the defence relationship between the two countries.
"This agreement should not simply be seen in the narrow context of Pakistan's relations with China," said Abdul Qayyum, a retired Pakistani general. "There is a wider dimension. By sharing its advanced technology with Pakistan, China is... also saying to the world that its defence capability is growing rapidly," he said.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A.R. Rahman wants to make poverty history
Oscar winner musician A. R. Rahman's ‘A. R. Rahman Foundation’ wants to make poverty history. As a first step towards achieving the vision of "strive towards making poverty history", the Foundation will set up educational institutions and provide world class, state-of-the-art infrastructure and education to underprivileged children who do not have the means to access & fund their education. This will equip them with knowledge and skill sets to pursue specialized higher studies that will provide them career opportunities to build a secure future for themselves and their families, Foundation states. Rahman is giving live ‘Jai Ho’ concert in Kolkata (India) on November 14 in support of the Foundation.
India among top 3 markets: Pepsico
US-based beverages major Pepsico said India is among its top three markets and the company will continue to build India-specific strategies to sustain growth.
"For food processing companies like us, I think India represents top three markets in the world. India is a very different market from any western developed market," Pepsico Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi said on the eve of its board meeting in Mumbai from Wednesday.This will be the second time PepsiCo's global board meeting will be held outside the US after the first one in Mexico five years ago. Nooyi said India is a large vibrant market and should focus on developing India-specific strategies to sustain it.
"For food processing companies like us, I think India represents top three markets in the world. India is a very different market from any western developed market," Pepsico Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi said on the eve of its board meeting in Mumbai from Wednesday.This will be the second time PepsiCo's global board meeting will be held outside the US after the first one in Mexico five years ago. Nooyi said India is a large vibrant market and should focus on developing India-specific strategies to sustain it.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Big B honoured with lifetime achievement award
Cine icon Amitabh Bachchan was felicitated with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Mumbai Film Festival on Thursday for completing 40 years in the film industry.
The festival, which concluded on Thursday, hosted over 200 films from 56 countries.
Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award.Fellow actor Dev Anand's production house Navketan films, was also felicitated for completing 60 years in the film industry.
The festival, which concluded on Thursday, hosted over 200 films from 56 countries.
Greek filmmaker Theo Angelopoulos was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award.Fellow actor Dev Anand's production house Navketan films, was also felicitated for completing 60 years in the film industry.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Indian chef creates 'world's healthiest meal'
An Indian chef claims to have created the "world's healthiest meal" - a curry and rice that can help fight diseases like cancer and dementia. According to 32-year-old chef Gurpareet Bains, the chicken and blueberry curry with goji berry pilau rice is full of natural healthy "superfoods" that fight off cancer and even diseases like Alzheimer's.
In fact, the spicy meal fights off the carcinogenic cells while other traditional ingredients like ginger, chilli, turmeric and garlic, are known for their antibacterial and antiviral properties, he said.
Each serving contains the nutritional equivalent of 49 helpings of spinach, 23 bunches of grapes or nine portions of broccoli, the British media reported. "It has long been known that some foods including spices and fruits have exceptional health benefits. Combining these two genres of foodstuffs seemed logical in any quest to find the 'world's healthiest meal'. "The curry I have created is brimming with health-beneficial ingredients that could if eaten regularly deal a devastating blow to many diseases," Bains was quoted as saying.
Bains, a nutritionist and former head chef who lives in Bedford, spent almost two years perfecting the recipe. Ingredients include blueberries, which have been linked with protecting against cancer and guarding the brain against the sticky protein that clogs brain in Alzheimer's. The pilau rice is flavoured with goji berries -- a Himalayan 'superfood' bursting with vitamins A and C and iron. Spices have anti-bacterial and antiviral properties and turmeric is said to help keep hearts, brains and joints healthy. Chilli can help relieve pain. Chicken was chosen because it is low in fat and has wide appeal, he said.
"Blueberries and goji berries add a lot of superfood value but the spices are muscling in too. The dish proves that curry does not have to mean greasy, fatty, unhealthy food.
"This curry is all about health, taste and budget. It can be thrown together for about 2.50 pounds per person, and the health benefits it offers are outstanding," said Bains, whose curry will be featured in a new book of Indian superfood recipes out next year.
In fact, the spicy meal fights off the carcinogenic cells while other traditional ingredients like ginger, chilli, turmeric and garlic, are known for their antibacterial and antiviral properties, he said.
Each serving contains the nutritional equivalent of 49 helpings of spinach, 23 bunches of grapes or nine portions of broccoli, the British media reported. "It has long been known that some foods including spices and fruits have exceptional health benefits. Combining these two genres of foodstuffs seemed logical in any quest to find the 'world's healthiest meal'. "The curry I have created is brimming with health-beneficial ingredients that could if eaten regularly deal a devastating blow to many diseases," Bains was quoted as saying.
Bains, a nutritionist and former head chef who lives in Bedford, spent almost two years perfecting the recipe. Ingredients include blueberries, which have been linked with protecting against cancer and guarding the brain against the sticky protein that clogs brain in Alzheimer's. The pilau rice is flavoured with goji berries -- a Himalayan 'superfood' bursting with vitamins A and C and iron. Spices have anti-bacterial and antiviral properties and turmeric is said to help keep hearts, brains and joints healthy. Chilli can help relieve pain. Chicken was chosen because it is low in fat and has wide appeal, he said.
"Blueberries and goji berries add a lot of superfood value but the spices are muscling in too. The dish proves that curry does not have to mean greasy, fatty, unhealthy food.
"This curry is all about health, taste and budget. It can be thrown together for about 2.50 pounds per person, and the health benefits it offers are outstanding," said Bains, whose curry will be featured in a new book of Indian superfood recipes out next year.
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