MAM
CNN International unveils tourism advertorials to promote India
MUMBAI: More vacationers are likely to choose to wile away their holidays in India rather than other popular tourist countries. CNN International, in an initiative to promote India all around the world in association with the India’s ministry of tourism (MOT), has produced a series of six 60/45/30-seconds advertorials.
CNNI had commissioned Bang Productions Singapore Pte Ltd to produce the series for MOT. The six films, which was unveiled at overseas marketing meet organised by MOT in the Delhi earlier. The vignettes are now being aired on CNN International on a world-wide basis, which kicked off on 22 September and will run uptill March 2007.
India’s travel and tourism market has been valued at US$42 billion in 2005. The vignettes are based on six pillars that include health, modern Art, Golfing Holidays, Hip Hotels, Fashion & Shopping and Heritage in India. The current promotion has more clearly defined these pillars which are in keeping with the viewing audience of CNN International.
The objective of the campaign is to increase the flow of tourists into India from September till end February-early March. The produced advertorials will be running alongside the Incredible India commercial, produced by Bharat Bala Production, according to an official release.
Turner South Asia advertising sales VP Monica Tata said, “India has a lot to offer to the world and through these brilliantly shot six vignettes, we hoped to capture the true essence of a ‘new age India’. We believe that these series of vignettes focus on India as a modern, upmarket, contemporary and unique place. CNN International believes in partnering with clients to offer them the solutions they need across the world.”
“This is in response to the long standing relationship that CNN enjoys with the Ministry of Tourism in India. The ministry has been using CNN to promote Indian tourism globally. The six advertorials are a reflection of the different facets of Indian tourism,” Tata further added.
All the segments have been shot on film and not on Digi-beta or video. The vignettes are based on six pillars and they include:
Health: This segment is hosted by Deepak Chopra MD, acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest leaders in the field of mind body medicine. Deepak Chopra carries the film beautifully from the prayers being offered at the Ghats (shore) of Rishikesh to the Oberoi Wildflower Hall spa (one of the world’s best) ayurveda, meditation and yoga resorts. India is whole – it is holy and it is healing. The vignette depicts the spiritual side of Incredible India.
Modern Art: This segment has been hosted by the international photographer, Frederic Lagrange from New York. The film was shot at various locations in Delhi, including the National Gallery of Modern Art, Garhi Artists Studio and Jantar Mantar. The film also has shots of famous Indian artist, Anjolie Ela Menon. Frederic talks about art and how it is omnipresent in India, on the streets, through movie hoardings, in galleries, through canvases of famous Indian artistes etc.
Golfing Holidays: This vignette has been hosted by India’s top professional golfer, Jeev Milka Singh – the current winner of the China Open Golf Championship, and was filmed at Delhi Golf Club, the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon to promote ‘Golf Tourism’ in India. It has some beautiful shots of the monuments at the Delhi Golf course, one of the only golf courses in Asia meandering through ancient monuments.
Hip Hotels: This advertorial was shot at the Lake Palace Hotel and Devigarh Fort Palace in Udaipur, and it was hosted by renowned investment guru and author – Dr Mark Mobius from Franklin Templeton Investments. Both hotels have earned a reputation to be one of the world’s best.
Fashion & Shopping: This advertorial was hosted by the US supermodel and actress, Saira Mohan. The segment was shot in Delhi during the India Fashion week, showcasing Indian designers like Tarun Tahiliani, the depth and vision of Indian fashion, jewellery & handicrafts and other fashion/shopping locations around Delhi.
Heritage: This segment was hosted by the renowned Indian Sufi singer, Zila Khan, daughter of late Ustad Vilayat Khan. The film was shot at Taj Mahal in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, a city made by emperor, Akbar in the late 15th and early 16th century and Agra Fort.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
