MAM
Vistara’s Robot wins big at ICMG Global Architecture Excellence Awards 2018
MUMBAI: Vistara, India’s finest full-service carrier, has bagged the prestigious ICMG Global Architecture Excellence Awards 2018 at the Architecture World Summit 2018 recently held in New York, USA. Vistara’s Robotics Program – of which the airline recently introduced India’s first robot designed to assist travellers at airports – was adjudged the winner in two categories – Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Enabled Solution and Customer Centricity & Excellence categories, by an eminent jury panel led by Mr. John Zachman, known as the Father of Enterprise Architecture. Vistara’s robot won against innovations from some of world’s biggest organizations operating in diverse sectors.
Winners of the coveted ICMG Global Architecture Excellence Awards are selected through an elaborate, stringent process of four rounds that requires showcase of technology expertise, deep domain understanding, overall vision for the industry and a case study presentation at Architecture World Summit.
Expressing his delight, Mr. Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We are happy to receive this recognition for an innovation that truly reflects Vistara’s steadfast focus on transforming the experience for air travellers.”
Mr. Ravinder Pal Singh, Chief Information & Innovation Officer, Vistara, said, “For us, Vistara’s robot is a remarkable ‘Make in India’ story, and for it to be recognized at a global platform against world leaders in technology, makes this award so special. At Vistara, we are very upbeat about leveraging AI and other technologies to drive innovation that would make air travel a truly seamless and joyful experience.”
In the last 12 years, ICMG Architecture Awards have become the most prestigious global award program honoring excellence in the Enterprise and IT Architecture, with the leading companies from over 30 countries participating every year.
Vistara’s robot was also recently awarded by ET NOW for ‘Excellence in Leveraging IT for Business Performance. As part of its futuristic technology framework, Vistara introduced the first-of-its-kind robot earlier this year and ushered in a novel innovation in the form of an indigenously built robot that assists travellers in the airline’s lounge at New Delhi’s Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport, addresses their queries and also entertains them. It is built on a chassis of four wheels, enabling it to rotate 360 degrees, and has three in-built cameras for cognitive interaction. At present, the robot is equipped to perform functions such as scanning boarding passes, providing useful information about the terminal, departure gates, weather conditions of the destination city, real time flight status, play songs, games, etc. The robot’s capabilities are being enhanced and it is being upgraded to perform more complex tasks in the near future, to assist travellers in many more ways.
As the highest-rated Indian airline on Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and winner of several ‘Best in Industry’ awards, Vistara has consistently raised the bar for operations and service delivery in the Indian aviation industry in a short span of less than four years. The airline today serves 22 destinations with over 800 flights a week and a fleet of 22 aircraft, and has flown over 12 million customers since launch.
About Vistara (TATA SIA Airlines Limited): TATA SIA Airlines Limited, known by the brand name Vistara, is a joint venture between Tata Sons Limited and Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) with Tata Sons holding the majority stake of 51% in the company and SIA holding the remaining 49%. Vistara brings together Tata’s and SIA’s legendary hospitality and renowned service excellence to launch the finest full-service carrier in India aimed at creating memorable and personalized flying experiences for its customers. Vistara commenced its commercial operations on January 9, 2015 with an aim to set new standards in the aviation industry in India.
Brands
De Beers & GJEPC partner JioStar to promote diamonds in cricket broadcasts
New JioStar tie-up blends sport and style as diamonds shine on and off pitch
MUMBAI: De Beers Group has teamed up with the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council to bring natural diamonds into India’s cricket broadcasts, marking an unusual crossover between sport and sparkle.
The collaboration, in association with JioStar, will see women anchors adorned with natural diamond jewellery throughout the cricketing season, adding a premium visual layer to studio coverage. From statement necklaces to cocktail rings and stacked bracelets, the idea is to place diamonds squarely in the spotlight of one of India’s most-watched formats.
In a first, the broadcast will also feature a weekly segment titled ‘Real Diamonds of the Week’, celebrating standout cricketing performances while drawing a parallel with the rarity and resilience associated with natural diamonds.
Beyond the studio, the campaign leans into a broader cultural shift. Cricketers Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav front the initiative, reflecting a growing acceptance of diamonds as a form of everyday self-expression, including among men.
“India is reimagining its relationship with natural diamonds, and our partnership with JioStar is a celebration of that evolution,” said De Beers Group SVP Shweta Harit. She added that, much like cricket, natural diamonds represent something earned, enduring and rare, now increasingly tied to personal identity rather than just milestone occasions.
Echoing the sentiment, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council chairman Kirit Bhansali said India is fast evolving from a manufacturing hub into a major consumer market for diamond jewellery. He noted that with India already the world’s second-largest diamond jewellery market and projected to reach Rs 1,500 billion by 2030, the cricket broadcast offers a powerful platform to connect with younger audiences.
The partnership also underscores a wider ambition within the industry to reposition natural diamonds as relevant, contemporary and woven into everyday culture.
From pitch-side drama to studio style, diamonds are stepping off the pedestal and into the mainstream, proving they can play the long game as well as any seasoned cricketer.
