MAM
Kites, Khichdi and Cottonlite Fortune goes full Pakko Gujarati
MUMBAI: When kites soar over Gujarat, kitchens work overtime and this Uttarayan, Fortune is leaning into that delicious chaos with a distinctly local twist. AWL Agri Business Limited has rolled out its ‘Pakko Gujarati’ campaign alongside a limited-edition Fortune Cottonlite Refined Cottonseed Oil festive pack, celebrating the state’s deep-rooted love for food, tradition and no-compromise taste. Timed to coincide with Uttarayan, the initiative positions everyday cooking as the real hero of the festival.
The festive pack was unveiled at an on-ground event in Ahmedabad in the presence of Gujarati theatre and film stalwart Siddharth Randeria. To amplify the cultural cue, Fortune has also roped in familiar faces Apara Mehta, Tiku Talsania and Puja Joshi, chosen for their strong connect with Gujarati households and food-forward personas.
Uttarayan is as much about undhiyu, puris and jalebi as it is about kite strings and terrace gatherings. Fortune’s campaign taps into this emotional overlap, celebrating the pride Gujaratis take in home-cooked meals and the rituals that surround them during the festival.
Commenting on the launch AWL Agri Business Limited joint president of sales & marketing Mukesh Mishra said Gujarat holds a deeply personal place for the company, adding that the campaign reflects the ‘Pakko Gujarati’ spirit uncompromising on taste, culture and kitchen traditions.
The limited-edition Fortune Cottonlite festive pack features hyperlocal design elements inspired by kites and Gujarati cultural motifs, reinforcing the brand’s regional focus. Cottonseed oil, a long-standing staple in Gujarati homes, sits at the heart of the offering, with Fortune highlighting its everyday utility for both festive and routine cooking.
The ‘Pakko Gujarati’ campaign is being rolled out across television, digital platforms, radio, outdoor media, influencer collaborations and in-store activations across Gujarat. The festive pack will be available for a limited period during the Uttarayan season, ensuring Fortune stays front and centre as Gujarat cooks up its annual celebration.
MAM
BLR Airport Launches ‘Connections’ Service to Ease Transit Travel
New initiative targets smoother transfers as Bengaluru hub traffic rises 30 per cent.
MUMBAI: Missed connections may be a traveller’s nightmare but Bengaluru is trying to make them a thing of the past. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has rolled out ‘Connections by BLR’, a new transfer programme designed to take the friction out of connecting journeys. Built around three pillars ease, efficiency and experience,the initiative aims to simplify what is often the most stressful leg of air travel.
The move comes as transfer traffic at BLR Airport climbs sharply, up more than 30 per cent year-on-year. Transfers currently account for around 15 per cent of total passenger traffic and are projected to touch 20 per cent by 2026, signalling a clear shift in how the airport is positioning itself within airline networks.
At its core, the programme focuses on making navigation intuitive and downtime more comfortable. Dedicated transfer desks have been set up across terminals, supported by colour-coded wayfinding blue and yellow signage designed for quick recognition. Inter-terminal movement is being streamlined through complimentary shuttle services with predictable wait times, while designated transfer zones aim to reduce passenger confusion.
Beyond logistics, the airport is leaning into experience. Travellers in transit now have access to a wider choice of lounges, curated retail and food and beverage options, as well as sleeping pods for short stays. For longer layovers, transit hotels in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 offer boutique in-terminal accommodation, an increasingly sought-after feature as global travel patterns evolve.
The timing is strategic. BLR Airport now connects to 114 passenger destinations 80 domestic and 34 international with key routes spanning Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune domestically, and Singapore, London Heathrow, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuala Lumpur internationally. Recent additions such as Hindon, Bidar and Silchar within India, alongside Dammam, Hanoi and Riyadh overseas, are further expanding its reach.
Infrastructure is also catching up with ambition. Developments including the West Cross Taxiway, Terminal 1 refurbishment and Terminal 2 expansion are laying the groundwork for higher capacity and smoother operations critical for any airport aiming to become a serious transfer hub.
Bangalore International Airport Limited chief operating officer Girish Nair framed the initiative as both a response to demand and a forward-looking play. He pointed to the growing depth of the airport’s network and the opportunity to build a more reliable transfer ecosystem that benefits both passengers and airline partners.
In an era where travel is as much about transitions as destinations, BLR Airport is betting that a seamless connection might just be the journey’s most important upgrade.
