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<keyword id="42747" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Motors">Tata Motors</keyword> on Wednesday said it is bringing back its iconic brand 'Safari' with its upcoming flagship SUV, which is code-named as the Gravitas. Tata Safari introduced India to the SUV lifestyle, and glamourised the segment in the country for other players to follow, the auto major said in a statement. For over two decades, the SUV represented prestige and performance, and in its new avatar, the Safari will carry forward this rich idea and its strong legacy, it added. <div type="twitter" handle="TataMotors_Cars" handlename="Tata Motors Cars" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1219893743303544832/J-R0BYFi_normal.jpg" favoritecount="341" retweetcount="82" status="The Legend, Reborn.The perfect combination of Design, Versatility, Comfort &amp; Performance, is here.The All- New Ta… https://t.co/0tlIgQhUr9" createdat="1609916969000" id="1346715495983009792"></div> "In its new avatar, the Safari will appeal to the socially active, fun loving customers who seek out unique experiences and adventure... We are confident that the launch of the Safari will once again re-energise the market, amplifying its cult status," Tata Motors President Passenger Vehicles Business Unit (PVBU) Shailesh Chandra said. The new Safari has evolved to satisfy the new age SUV customers, who demand design, versatility, plush and comfortable interiors, performance for a modern, multifaceted lifestyle, the company said. It is based on the D8 platform from Land Rover. This adaptive architecture allows for further drive train enhancements including all-wheel drive and possibilities of electrification in future, Tata Motors said. The company's Harrier SUV is also based on the same platform. Arriving in showrooms this January, booking for the new Safari will begin shortly, the Mumbai-based automaker stated. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/boat-raises-over-100-million-from-warburg-pincus-analysts-expect-the-headphone-brand-to-double-its-revenue-to-10-billion-this-financial-year/articleshow/80126200.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">boAt raises over $100 million from Warburg Pincus — analysts expect the headphone brand to double its revenue to ₹10 billion this financial year</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/analysts-explain-why-burger-king-and-mrs-bectors-shares-fell-with-a-thud-and-what-to-do-now/articleshow/80120941.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Analysts explain why Burger King and Mrs Bector’s shares fell with a thud — and what to do now</a>

Tata Motors brings back iconic 'Safari' under the code-name Gravitas, bookings to open soon

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Air India is undergoing a complete transformation after years of decline under government control.</li><li>The airline has ordered hundreds of new aircraft and is investing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-new-airbus-a350-big-improvement-tour-review-2024-1">$400 million in cabin retrofits</a>.</li></ul>Between 1932 and 2021, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-ownership-comes-full-circle-tata-sons-bid-win-2021-10">Air India went from being the gold standard of aviation</a> under the Tata Group to a nationalized airline in complete disarray.People flying Air India's older planes routinely faced bad customer service, poor reliability, dirty cabins, and broken seats patched with duct tape. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-business-class-a350-compared-to-777-legacy-2024-2?mrfhud=true">Even in business class.</a>The downfall started in 1953 when the Indian government took over, stripping control away from the Tata Group.However, with government ownership proving disastrous and Air India in desperate need of modernization, the Tatas announced a deal to buy the company back in 2021 and quickly got to work with a completely new brand identity. "The list of things to do at Air India, and the list of opportunities ahead of us, are astonishing," the airline's new CEO, Campbell Wilson, told Business Insider in January. "And, in most of these cases, it is not a matter of 'Is there a case to do it?' but 'What do we do first?'"Some of the changes are less in-your-face, like an updated mobile app and website and a new inflight safety <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al51WZcN2_U">video</a>.However, customers will soon start seeing the "new Air India" everywhere, thanks to the Tata Group's huge multimillion-dollar investments in its planes, products, and people.<h2>A record Airbus and Boeing order</h2><div type="image" title="The author standing in front of the Air India A350." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073593" hostid="261" sizebytes="951578"></div>At the Paris Airshow in June 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-boeing-record-order-500-planes-india-airline-indigo-report-2023-6">Air India announced orders for a record 470 Airbus and Boeing</a> aircraft, including 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 10 Boeing 777Xs, 140 Airbus A320neos, 70 Airbus A321neos, and 190 Boeing 737 Maxs.The aircraft, worth an estimated $70 billion at list price, will sport <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/about-us/pdf/AirIndia-Ournewbrand.pdf">Air India's new livery and logo</a>.The latter is known as "The Vista." Air India says it's "inspired by the peak of the gold window frame" and signifies "limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline's bold, confident outlook for the future."<div type="image" title="The gold Vista logo on a purple inflight menu." height="2323" width="3097" msid="108073595" hostid="261" sizebytes="677462"></div>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-business-class-a350-compared-to-777-legacy-2024-2">first delivery was an Airbus A350-900</a> in December. The new plane launched on domestic routes, like Bengaluru and Mumbai, in January and will eventually launch overseas, Air India says. It's very likely to fly to the US, though Air India has yet to release specific cities."We are proud to be working with all our partners in this journey to rebuild a global airline which reflects India taking a more confident posture around the world," Wilson said. <h2>Passenger comfort is getting a much-needed refresh</h2><div type="image" title="Air India new business class." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073597" hostid="261" sizebytes="1079636"></div>The legacy cabins on Air India's Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft haven't seen an upgrade in years and are some of the main reasons the airline has such a poor reputation. Travelers regularly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-economy-cabin-i-flew-miserable-bad-seats-review-2024-2">complain of things like the in-flight entertainment not working</a> and stains on the carpet. Air India's business class is also way behind industry standards.Most notably, business sports a 2×3×2 layout — meaning travelers can still be assigned a dreaded middle seat. This also means those sitting in the center and window seats do not have direct aisle access.<div type="image" title="Air India's legacy business class, 2x3x2 with yellow seats." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073601" hostid="261" sizebytes="1276846"></div>This is unlike many other airlines that have upgraded their business class over the years to offer more privacy and convenience, like adding sliding doors and opting for a 1×2×1 seat configuration.For example, Qatar Airways has added a unique quad-seating feature in its famous Q-Suite. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines offers business class with sliding doors, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/10-rare-things-on-passenger-airlines-like-bidets-showers-bars-2023-5">Emirates offers an inflight bar and lounge</a> for its premium customers flying on its Airbus A380.<div type="image" title="Qatar Q Suite" height="682" width="1024" msid="108073603" hostid="261" sizebytes="57194"></div>Air India, however, now has to play catch-up — and it's investing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-new-luxury-cabins-air-india-retrofit-onto-boeing-777-2023-8">$400 million to retrofit its legacy widebody planes</a>.<div type="image" title="Air India economy cabin." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073606" hostid="261" sizebytes="545256"></div>Wilson, Air India's CEO, said he wants to compete with the likes of Qatar and Emirates and has taken inspiration from their successful products.Some of that can be seen in upgraded cabins on the A350, where business-class seats have privacy doors and closets, for example, with access to a small bar behind the section. The plane also sports premium economy and upgraded coach seats.<div type="image" title="New economy cabin on Air India with red seats and grey headrests." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073607" hostid="261" sizebytes="692510"></div>"By the end of 2025, the entire legacy widebody fleet will also be upgraded to match what we're getting on the A350," Wilson told BI, "So, essentially, our fleet will be completely reborn by then."<h2>Flight attendants and pilots are getting a makeover</h2>In December, Air India released photos of its new crew <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/pdfs/media-centre/media_release_air_india_unveils_new_uniforms_for_crew_12_Dec_2023.pdf">uniforms</a>.Created by Indian designer Manish Malhotra, the collection features the airline's new red- and purple-heavy color scheme with items like a ready-to-wear saree (which can be worn with pants) for female flight attendants and a bandh gala for male flight attendants.Pilots will sport a black suit with the Vista logo, "signifying professionalism, timelessness, and the gravitas of the flying profession."<div type="image" title="Air India new cabin crew and pilot uniforms. Six people are in the photo." height="1334" width="2000" msid="108073608" hostid="261" sizebytes="141286"></div>"We are confident that our new crew uniforms will rise to the heightened expectations, distinctly making a statement that defines the very best of Indian heritage and hospitality," Air India said in a press release. The new uniforms were deployed with the launch of the new A350. Ground staff, engineers, and security personnel are also set to get new uniforms, which Air India said it will reveal in "due course."

Air India is rebranding after years of decline. Here are the biggest changes, from updated uniforms to swanky new Airbus A350s.

Watching the Sensex can be misleading-- India's mid and small cap stocks have lost ₹2.4 trillion of investor wealth this year alone

(Photo source: <a href="https://images.news18.com/ibnlive/uploads/2016/09/saarc.jpg">News18</a>) <ul><li>An Indian diplomat, Shubham Singh, walked out on the <keyword id="8470" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="SAARC">SAARC</keyword> summit hosted by Islamabad in protest to their Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (<keyword id="44062" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="PoK">PoK</keyword>) minister being present at the event. </li><li>Not only was the PoK minister for <keyword id="3001" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword> present, but was asked to come up to the dias to address rest of the committee, according to a Times of <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> report. </li><li>India, as a policy, has refrained from acknowledging the authority of any ministers appointed by Pakistan in the disputed territory.</li></ul> An official of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan, Shubham Singh, walked out during a South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meeting in Islamabad on Sunday as per the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pok-minister-at-saarc-meet-india-walks-out/articleshow/67018010.cms">Times of India</a>. His actions were registered as a sign of protest over the presence of Pakistan’s minister for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Muhammad Saeed, at the event. PoK has been a hot-button issue between India and Pakistan due to its strategic importance to both nations. And never before, at least during a SAARC summit, has the PoK minister been invited to attend the negotiations since its underlying mission is to achieve regional cooperation and the PoK issue is in direct contradiction of that directive. Singh reportedly left the meeting as soon as Saeed was invited to speak at the dais during the event’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry meeting. The doom of SAARC? Prior to this, the most recent incident where Pakistan reportedly tried to ‘legitimise’ PoK in the eyes of the international community was when Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, Imran Khan, was sworn in. India maintains that Kashmir is an integral part of the country and doesn’t recognise the authority of a ‘minister’ for the people in PoK. This SAARC meeting was the first to be initiated in a long time. In 2016, India pulled out of the 19th SAARC summit that was also supposed to hosted by Islamabad in retaliation of the terrorist attack in Uri on an Indian Army base. After India pulled out, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also pulled out <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/world/neighbours/story/uri-terror-attack-now-bangladesh-slams-pakistan-terms-india-friend-since-1971-342238-2016-09-21">stating</a> that, “We are against terror, against terrorist country and against any country that supports terror.” There have been no subsequent SAARC summits since then. Pakistan has been accused of repeatedly trying to derail international negotiations by bringing up the issue of PoK during international summits, especially those presided over by the United Nations. India’s stance has been that while it too agrees with the gravitas of the situation, its repeated resurgence on international platforms undercuts a lot of other important policy decisions that have be addressed.

Indian diplomat walks out during SAARC summit, takes offence to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir minister’s presence

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty ImagesAn Indian fan waves his flag as he awaits for the rain to stop during the Semi-Final ICC Women's World Cup 2017 match between Australia and India at The 3aaa County Ground on July 20, 2017 in Derby, England.</div></div></div><ul><li>India has reversed its policy requiring that the national anthem be played at theaters before a movie starts.</li><li>India established the rule in 2016. </li><li>Existing laws call for jail time for those who disrupt any performance of the anthem.</li><li>China and the Philippines have similar laws. </li></ul> India has reversed its policy requiring that the national anthem be played at theaters before a movie starts. The Supreme court ordered the termination of the policy on Tuesday in response to a request from government officials to reconsider the ruling, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-42618830">the BBC reported.</a>India had enacted the nationwide cinema policy in 2016, expanding on its <a href="http://ecourts.gov.in/sites/default/files/Act%20to%20Prevent%20Insults%20to%20National%20Honour.pdf">national anthem laws</a> which have existed since 1971. The older laws, which are still in place, require a three-year jail term for those who "prevent the singing" or cause disturbances during the anthem. Additionally, the <keyword id="6355470" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Law">law</keyword> also requires the Indian flag to be displayed and for all citizens to stand up in respect while the anthem is played.The 2016 law was praised by the ruling Hindu nationalist party, according to BBC. But the law has seen challenges.In October 2016, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-37749247">a disabled man was assaulted by other cinema attendees</a> for not standing while the anthem played onscreen.After the law was passed, <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Seven-movie-goers-booked-in-Chennai-for-%E2%80%98disrespecting%E2%80%99-national-anthem/article16795076.ece">police arrested seven people for taking selfies</a> while the anthem played in a theatre in Chennai in December 2016.The following day, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-india-national-anthem-20161214-story.html">12 moviegoers were arrested</a> for refusing to stand while the anthem played at an international film festival in the southern state of Kerala.A cinema hall in the small town of Kodungallur <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41731378">created a </a><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41731378">petition in 2017</a> urging the recall of the controversial law, stating that the law "infringes fundamental rights", and argued that theatres are "spaces that are singularly unsuited for the gravitas and sobriety that must accompany the playing of the national anthem."<h2>National anthem laws are common across Asia</h2>India is not alone in its strong national anthem policies.<a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-10/01/c_136652827.htm">China's National Anthem Law</a> was signed into action in October 2017. The law dictates the Chinese anthem must be sung at political gatherings, major celebrations, and other suitable events, and offers a penalty of up 15 days to <a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-11/04/c_136728106.htm">three years in prison</a> for "distorting" the anthem. In the Philippines, <a href="http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=224806">The 1998 Flag and Heraldic Code</a> and its amendments explain, in detail, how to sing the country's anthem, including the legally enforced lyrics, key, and level of enthusiasm necessary for renditions.People who disobey the law could face a fine of up to $2,000, or imprisonment of up to one year.Experts say national anthem laws are strictly enforced in the region because the use of national symbols, like the national anthem, have more symbolic importance in Asian countries than more liberal democracies in the West.Eric Chong, who contributed to the book "Reimagining Nation and Nationalism in Multicultural East Asia," told Business Insider: "In Asia, countries tend to put emphasis on collective interests above any individual or sub-group interests, and [national] sovereignty is put at the extreme top." <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nuclear-bomb-launch-procedure-us-government-president-2017-11">Here's how easy it is for the US president to launch a nuclear weapon</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

India reverses a controversial policy of playing the national anthem in movie theatres

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 14 (ANI): Filmmaker <keyword id="443" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="karan" source="Orion">Karan</keyword> Johar has been bowled over by <keyword id="4546" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shah-rukh" source="Orion">Shah Rukh</keyword> Khan's latest release 'Jawan'. On Thursday morning, Karan took to Instagram and penned an appreciation note for the team of 'Jawan' including actors <keyword id="598" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deepika-padukone" source="Orion">Deepika Padukone</keyword>, <keyword id="2818791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanya-malhotra" source="Orion">Sanya Malhotra</keyword>, <keyword id="13060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="priyamani" source="Orion">Priyamani</keyword>, director Atlee and of course Shah Rukh "bhai". He started his note by giving a shout-out to Atlee for directing the film which has taken the box office by storm. "OMFG!!!!! I am late to this party!!!! But what a party this is!!!! @atlee47 hits it out of the stadium... it's the kind of adrenalin rush film with big emotion that Indian cinema embodies and this film perfects!!!! Was blown away by the cinematic audacity of each frame," Karan said. He then praised actors Sanya Malhotra, Priyamani, Nayanthara and <keyword id="6354625" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vijay-sethupathi" source="Orion">Vijay Sethupathi</keyword>. "How good was everyone !!! @sanyamalhotra_ @pillumso so good! The entire ensemble! The gorgeous and fabulous @nayanthara @actorvijaysethupathi is so brilliant," he further wrote. Deepika, who has a special cameo in 'Jawan', left Karan "mesmerised". "Was mesmerised by @deepikapadukone she bought so much gravitas to her part and owned it like a bonafide veteran!!!! DP❤️❤️❤️," his note read. Karan concluded the note by heaping praises on <keyword id="6359862" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="srk" source="Orion">SRK</keyword>. In his caption, he called SRK "emperor". "And what do I say about Bhai @iamsrk ... he is not just an irreplaceable force of nature but represents mega stardom in a way that only he can!!!!! He's the emperor and we bow down in admiration ... if you haven't seen #jawan then you don't know what you're missing out on!!!! @redchilliesent @_gauravverma @poojadadlani02 my favourite producer @gaurikhan .... Congratulations !!! Juggernaut Alert," Karan posted. 'Jawan' hit the theatres on September 7. There's no stopping for the film at the box office. It has become the fastest Hindi movie to cross the Rs 500 crore mark at the global box office. It took the film just four days to reach this milestone. 'Jawan' marks the second release of SRK this year after blockbuster 'Pathaan', which also featured Deepika Padukone. Now SRK fans are waiting for him to see in Rajkumar Hirani's 'Dunki'. The film is expected to release in December. (ANI)

SRK a irreplaceable force of nature: Karan Johar after watching Jawan

Greater Noida, Feb 5 () Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Wednesday said Tata Motors will launch at least four more products in the next 18-24 months with focus on sustainability and electric vehicles. The company is focusing on - CESS: connected, electric, shared and safe - as the future of mobility. "Tata Motors is pushing the envelope with other group companies on safety... We have launched two models since we unveiled Tigor in 2017, and Nexa last week, at least four more products will be coming in the next 18-24 months," Chandrasekaran said. He added that Tata Motors is working with seven other group companies, and expects to invest continuously to expand its endeavours to drive electric vehicles and sustainable mobility in India. Tata Motors on Wednesday announced four global unveils, a pre-production preview and a commercial launch at the Auto Expo here. It launched the Harrier which will be priced Rs 13.69 lakh onwards for manual and Rs 16.25 lakh for automatic variant. It also showcases the pre-production version of its Gravitas SUV that is scheduled to be launched in the first half of FY2021. The company will allow test drive of its Nexon EV, besides showcasing the new Winger and Prima. Tata Motors also unveiled the HBX Show car based on ALFA ARC architecture, and the Sierra EV concept as well as the Hexa Safari edition. The company also plans to roll out an electric low-floor bus and an electric truck. Tata Motors is showcasing a lineup of 26 new products, including 14 commercial and 12 passenger vehicles. SR ANSANS

Tata Motors to launch four more products in 18-24 months: Chandrasekaran

From political rallies to television debates to drawing room conversations, the Maharashtra state Assembly elections seems to be dead rubber. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who died in 1966, an election issue in 2019 and a lot of the media as well as the opposition seem to have fallen for the trap. However, there are enough issues which the opposition could have capitalised on the voter dissatisfaction. But as the campaign comes to a close, the dispirited opposition failed to offer even an alternate narrative, and has showed much less gusto in providing leadership against the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government in the state. As the leaders dwell on the glories of the past, the state’s population, which is reeling between drought and deluge, is worried about their future. These are some of the issues in which the people of Maharashtra have suffered under the current establishment. Auto sector slowdown hits Chakan in Pune Maharashtra has been one of the worst victims of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/slowdown-plunges-august-auto-sales-to-lowest-since-1997-98/articleshow/71055961.cms">economic slowdown</a>. In Pune, hundreds of thousands have lost jobs in the auto sales drop resulted in slashing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indian-auto-manufacturers-have-laid-off-350000-jobs-in-four-months/articleshow/70563890.cms">millions of jobs </a>of both temporary and permanent workers. Auto sector employees who are amongst the most well compensated of blue collar workers, are now roaming around in the auto hub of Chakan in Pune—doing<a href="https://theprint.in/economy/in-pune-auto-hub-an-engineer-is-selling-paan-another-is-roaming-around-with-his-cv/290816/"> menial jobs</a>. Former Congress party president Rahul Gandhi was one of the few to point out to the issue. He commented that Modi is showing youth the moon taking a dig at Chandrayaan 2 mission, even as the auto sector “remained shattered”. BJP, in its manifesto, however promised one crore jobs to people, but lacks details on how they plan to reverse the situation, which only seems to be worsening. Burdened with loans and low support prices-farmers resort to suicides Farmers are in no better position either. In the last five years, around 16,000 farmers have committed suicides said <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/india/maharashtra-news/elections/article/people-suffered-worst-16000-farmers-committed-suicide-over-the-past-five-years-under-sena-bjp-sharad-pawar/504721">Sharad Pawar</a>, the leader Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) at his election rally in Anushakti Nagar. The septuagenarian criticized the government for not waiving loans of farmers who are hit by drought, even as thousands of crores to corporates are being written off as non-performing assets. The state government did waive off loans but it covered only 30% of the affected. These last five years have been tough for farmers in the state as they claim to be hurt by its policies which did not increase the minimum support prices. Around 15,000 farmers marched from Nasik to Mumbai not once but twice in the last five years—asking the government for aid. In fact, in a shocking protest in 2017, the state’s farmers emptied milk onto the streets leaving the government red faced. The state has a new crime capital in Nagpur The state also has another problem that is ballooning—increasing crime in Nagpur. The constituency of the ruling chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has turned notorious for organized and unorganized crime. On an average, over 700 cases are registered in the city which shares a border with Madhya Pradesh. Apart from increased organized crime and racketeering, the city has also<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/cops-got-cracking-to-remove-nagpurs-crime-capital-tag/articleshow/71283462.cms"> turned infamous</a> for prostitution, murder and attempted murder cases, amongst others. Fadnavis has been trying to turn around the extensive crime using stringent laws against anti-social elements. This started in 2015, but there has only been a slight change in the number of crimes. Mumbai’s creaky infrastructure Mumbai and its suburbs too have been many burning problems for which India the opposition provided only lip service to. The repeated lack of preparation leading to loss of lives during flood, which is a predictable annual occurrence in the city, has been a major source of discontent. The city’s commute has worsened in the last few years as metro and other construction have weighed only the already-snaking traffic. Even if one were to look at it as a temporary pain towards a better, it does not help that even the roads are filled with potholes. The Aarey Colony mess As the state approved the chopping of over 2,000 trees for the construction of a metro car shed at Aarey colony, a large citizen protest ensued but never turned into the poll issue it could have been. The protesting citizens were defeated in a court case and it sure left a bad aftertaste for those who detested the chopping of trees amidst a rising awareness around the terrible impact on the environment it would have. The protests were also diluted by a large number of people who came in support of the metro car shed as it would make commuting easier for millions of Mumbaikars. The opposition parties were conspicuous in their absence on ground over the issue and thus, it never took a political dimension. The dynasty debut The issues which find a pulse with young voters could have been handled by a young politician <a href="https://scroll.in/article/940621/behind-the-aditya-thackeray-campaign-in-mumbai-is-the-quiet-work-done-by-another-shiv-sainik">like Aditya Thackeray </a>from the state’s most-popular political family. But, seven years after the demise of the charismatic Bala Saheb Thackeray, his successors, including Aditya’s father Uddhav, have lacked Bala Saheb’s gravitas. Instead, Aditya got ridiculed for sporting a lungi, a South Indian attire, as his detractors cited his grandfather’s attacks on South Indian migrants a few decades. He was also caught on the wrong foot endorsing the <a href="https://rajkaran.com/aadtiya-thackeray-gets-trolled-for-his-mumbai-best-aahe-tweet/">BEST bus service</a>, and his refusal to address issues like a toddler <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/mumbai-news/video-shows-rescue-operation-of-mumbai-boy-who-fell-in-drain-2-days-ago-2068380">slipping down the </a>drain--did not go down well with the electorate. An acid test for the BJP government The politicians of the ruling party which is the BJP and Shiv Sena combine, seem to be taking it slow on campaigning this year. In fact, the CM Fadnavis also said that there is no<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/pehelwans-panzies-and-nikammas-maharashtra-elections-rallies-keep-the-drama-high/articleshow/71610174.cms"> pehelwan or a great opponent</a> this time. A lot more believe that this state election is a foregone conclusion mostly because the Parliamentary elections in April and May this year have shown that there is a strong BJP wave. Yet, a lot has changed since Modi came to power the second time. For one, the economic slowdown has become a grim reality and painful reality—which the central government has been slow to react to. Maharashtra’s election outcomes often mirror the general elections that have preceded them in recent years but surprises are born out of complacency. But for that, there has to be a credible intent, palpable energy, and effective communication from the opposition.

Maharashtra state elections 2019: These are the issues the opposition could have capitalised on but didn’t

<table class="image-container float_right" width="200"><tr><td><div class="image"></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/laihiu/6260827340/">Flickr/laihiu</a></td></tr></table><keyword id="6354427" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Apple">Apple</keyword> Inc's iconic iPhone is losing some of its lustre among <keyword id="21718" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Asia">Asia</keyword>'s well-heeled consumers in Singapore and Hong Kong, a victim of changing mobile habits and its own runaway success.
Driven by a combination of iPhone fatigue, a desire to be different and a plethora of competing devices, users are turning to other brands, notably those from Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, eating into Apple's market share.
In Singapore, Apple's products were so dominant in 2010 that more devices here ran its iOS operating system per capita than anywhere else in the world.
But StatCounter , which measures traffic collected across a network of 3 million websites, calculates that Apple's share of mobile devices in Singapore - iPad and iPhone - declined sharply last year. From a peak of 72 percent in January 2012, its share fell to 50 percent this month, while <keyword id="6355645" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="android">Android</keyword> devices now account for 43 percent of the market, up from 20 percent in the same month last year.
In Hong Kong, devices running Apple's iOS now account for about 30 percent of the total, down from about 45 percent a year ago. Android accounts for nearly two-thirds.
"Apple is still viewed as a prestigious brand, but there are just so many other cool smartphones out there now that the competition is just much stiffer," said Tom Clayton, chief executive of Singapore-based Bubble Motion , which develops a popular regional social media app called Bubbly.
Where Hong Kong and Singapore lead, other key markets across fast-growing Asia usually follow.
"Singapore and Hong Kong tend to be, from an electronics perspective, leading indicators on what is going to be hot in Western Europe and North America, as well as what is going to take off in the region," said Jim Wagstaff, who runs a Singapore-based company called Jam Factory developing mobile apps for enterprises.
Southeast Asia is adopting smartphones fast - consumers spent 78 percent more on smartphones in the 12 months up to September 2012 than they did the year before, according to research company GfK .
<h3>IN WITH THE YOUNG CROWD</h3>
Anecdotal evidence of iPhone fatigue isn't hard to find: Where a year ago iPhones swamped other devices on the subways of Hong Kong and Singapore they are now outnumbered by Samsung and HTC Corp smartphones.
While this is partly explained by the proliferation of Android devices, from the cheap to the fancy, there are other signs that Apple has lost followers.
Singapore entrepreneur Aileen Sim, recently launched an app for splitting bills called BillPin (), settling on an iOS version because that was the dominant platform in the three countries she was targeting - Singapore, India and the United States.
"But what surprised us was how strong the call for Android was when we launched our app," she said.
Indeed, 70 percent of their target users - 20-something college students and fresh graduates - said they were either already on Android or planned to switch over.
"Android is becoming really hard to ignore, around the region and in the U.S. for sure, but surprisingly even in Singapore," she said. "Even my younger early-20s cousins are mostly on Android now."
BillPin launched an Android version this month.
Napoleon Biggs, chief strategy officer at Gravitas Group , a Hong Kong-based mobile marketing company, said that while Apple and the iPhone remained premium brands there, Samsung's promotional efforts were playing to an increasingly receptive audience.
For some, it is a matter of wanting to stand out from the iPhone-carrying crowd. Others find the higher-powered, bigger-screened Android devices better suited to their changing habits - watching video, writing Chinese characters - while the cost of switching devices is lower than they expected, given that most popular social and gaming apps are available for both platforms.
"Hong Kong is a very fickle place," Biggs said.
Janet Chan, a 25-year-old Hong Kong advertising executive, has an iPhone 5 but its fast-draining battery and the appeal of a bigger screen for watching movies is prodding her to switch to a Samsung Galaxy Note II.
"After Steve Jobs died, it seems the element of surprise in product launches isn't that great anymore," she said.
To be sure, there are still plenty of people buying Apple devices. Stores selling their products in places such as Indonesia were full over the Christmas holidays, and the company's new official store in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay has queues snaking out of the door most days.
But the iPhone's drop in popularity in trendy Hong Kong and Singapore is mirrored in the upmarket malls of the region.
"IPhones are like Louis Vuitton handbags," said marketing manager Narisara Konglua in Bangkok, who uses a Galaxy SIII. "It's become so commonplace to see people with iPads and iPhones so you lose your cool edge having one."
In the Indonesian capital Jakarta, an assistant manager at Coca Cola's local venture, Gatot Hadipratomo, agrees. The iPhone "used to be a cool gadget but now more and more people use it."
There is another influence at play: hip Korea. Korean pop music, movies and TV are hugely popular around the region and Samsung is riding that wave. And while the impact is more visible in Hong Kong and Singapore, it also translates directly to places like Thailand.
"Thais are not very brand-loyal," says Akkaradert Bumrungmuang, 24, a student at Mahidol University in Bangkok. "That's why whatever is hot or the in-thing to have is adopted quickly here. We follow Korea so whatever is fashionable in Korea will be a big hit."
<div class="nc_footer">
Copyright (2013) Thomson <keyword id="76338" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Reuters">Reuters</keyword>. <a href="http://thomsonreuters.com/products_services/media/brand_guidelines/legal_notice/">Click for restrictions</a>
</div>

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