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In today’s market, where convenience is the king, it's getting increasingly possible to get almost everything under the Sun home-delivered in urban India. But not the alcohol! Now, major players like <keyword id="19896956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swiggy" source="keywords">Swiggy</keyword>, Zomato, <keyword id="20069203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Blinkit" source="keywords">Blinkit</keyword>, and BigBasket are eyeing this lucrative opportunity, ready to transform the way we enjoy our evenings (or feed our vices depending on how one takes it). As regulations offer hopes of loosening with the rising consumer demand, the question on everyone's mind is: will <keyword id="22432889" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="alcohol-home-delivery" source="keywords">alcohol home delivery</keyword> become the new norm? As per the media reports, the quick commerce platforms might soon start delivering low-alcohol drinks like beer, wine, and liqueurs, at least in some parts of the country. A report from the Economic Times reveals that states like New Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala are thinking about trying out this service. Industry executives say that authorities are currently looking at the advantages and disadvantages of allowing alcohol deliveries. <h2>State authorities collecting feedback</h2>State authorities are reportedly collecting views from <keyword id="22432890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="instant-delivery-platforms" source="Orion">instant delivery platforms</keyword> and spirit manufacturers for assessing the pros and cons of delivering low-alcohol liquors. "This is to cater to a growing expat population, especially in larger cities, changing profiles of consumers who perceive moderate alcohol-content spirits as recreational drinking along with meals, and women and senior citizens who have flagged buying from traditional liquor vends and shop-front experiences as unpleasant," one of the executives told Economic Times. According to the ET report, only Odisha and West Bengal allow home delivery of alcohol at the moment. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Assam also allowed it temporarily, and it was successful despite some restrictions and hurdles. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111758782" title="Zomato and Swiggy increase platform fee by 20% – food deliveries to get costlier" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Enthusiasm grows across sectors</h2>Retail industry executives say that online alcohol deliveries have increased sales by 20-30% in West Bengal and Odisha. Although the idea of online home delivery of liquor faced several challenges including political backlash and pressure from physical retail bodies. For now Swiggy and Spencer’s retail delivers spirits in West Bengal. Dinker Vashisht, vice president of corporate affairs at Swiggy said “Online models ensure end-to-end transaction records, age verification and adhere to limits. Further, online tech stacks synchronise with regulatory and excise requirements, ensuring adherence to timings, dry days and zonal delivery guardrails” Beer manufacturers like United Breweries and AB InBev are also interested in this concept, an industry executive told ET. “Beer blends more with grocery shopping, especially for consumers in big cities, and needs to be chilled, which limits its visibility in liquor vends.” In 2020, AB InBev started Beerbox, a platform that listed places delivering alcohol within a 3-4 km range. This was after Maharashtra temporarily allowed home deliveries during the pandemic. Overall, as regulations, consumer demand, and the capacity of online quick-commerce platforms align, the days of cancelling the evening plans to avoid stepping out to buy alcohol might soon be behind us. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/jio-financials-gets-rbi-nod-to-become-core-investment-company/articleshow/111677548.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Jio Financials gets RBI nod to become Core Investment Company</a>

Will alcohol home delivery be a reality soon? Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit smell an opportunity

<ul><li>Kerala’s <keyword id="6958454" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="liquor-home-delivery">liquor home delivery</keyword> app, BevQ, has fallen to a 2.1 rating on the <keyword id="6369511" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="google-play-store">Google Play Store</keyword>. </li><li>Even though BevQ was able to garner more than 100,000 downloads in less than 24 hours, many users have since reported multiple glitches in its functioning.</li><li>From issues of OTP generation to liquor delivery time slots on being available been 3:45 am to 9:00 am, more than 60% of the BevQ’s reviews at rated 1-star.</li></ul>Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, BevQ, has fallen from grace in record time. Currently, it holds a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store with more than 60% of its over 30,000 reviews giving it only 1 star. BevQ was launched with a lot of fanfare by Kerala Excise Minister TP Ramakrishnan on May 26 as a way of avoiding overcrowding at alcohol shops. It even crossed over one lakh downloads in less than 24 hours of going live. In the past four days, it’s been downloaded over a million times. However, since then users have reported multiple glitches with the app from the receiving OTPs on time to delivery slots being switched out with any alerts. “I keep receiving messages that ‘something went wrong’ after I have added my name, cellphone number and pin code,” complained one user. <div type="twitter" handle="JimmyGeorgeMum" handlename="Jimmy George" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1144262559249379332/AP3N73Uw_normal.png" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="@CMOKerala @vijayanpinarayi sir please scrap the BevQ app. It's not serving any purpose. There are queues everywher… https://t.co/DPraICcJeF" createdat="1590903725000" id="1266968170549501955"></div> "In order to maintain the social distancing especially in this COVID scenario this app will be usable and the client can book a queue number and token for assuring his place in the queue in the specified time slot," the app description on Google Play reads. Yet users report that the only ‘time slot’ that’s available is between 3:45 am and 9:00 am even though government guidelines dictate that bookings should only be available between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. <div type="twitter" handle="dineshbagavath" handlename="dinesh bagavath" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1037453578401505281/YBlF6ggk_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Hi guy's I am from Munnar located in kerala. Government of kerala have launched a app for selling alcohol Tried it… https://t.co/swIzqiF23S" createdat="1590853259000" id="1266756498371182593"></div> Even if a user concedes to booking between the available timeslot the app shoots back saying, ‘token not available’. One of the lucky few who was able to book a time slot said, “When booked you get a far away outlet. Instead of using the nearest location, the app is using the nearest pin code.” <div type="twitter" handle="TKuttappi" handlename="Dr.Thavalappi (MBBS,MD)" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1253334077421191168/oMb8uWPc_normal.jpg" favoritecount="22" retweetcount="0" status="Is there anyone here on twitter who has got an OTP from the BevQ app ? If yes, please take a Sikkim lottery and M… https://t.co/jhUDJAiYz4" createdat="1590851984000" id="1266751154349846529"></div> The app is built by a Kochi-based startup called Faircode Technologies Limited, which claims to have <a href="https://www.faircodetech.com/">256 clients</a> on its site. Yet, three days into the launch of the app many of the issues remain unresolved. Users on Twitter and Facebook have been trolling the apps for its false promises. The spokesperson for the company has said that they’re working on resolving the issues with some external help. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coranavirus-cases-in-kerala-news-and-updates/articleshow/74775194.cms">Coronavirus cases in Kerala news and updates</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/woman-dies-of-covid-19-in-kerala-toll-rises-to-ten-61-new-cases-reported/articleshow/76124098.cms">Woman dies of COVID-19 in Kerala, toll rises to ten; 61 new cases reported</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/remove-china-apps-races-to-1-million-downloads-within-two-weeks-as-anti-china-sentiment-gains-momentum/articleshow/76128369.cms">‘Remove China Apps’ races to 1 million downloads within two weeks as anti-China sentiment gains momentum</a>

BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store

<ul><li>Kerala is discouraging public gatherings but is yet to shut down its liquor shops.</li><li>People waiting in queues outside these state-run establishments are being directed to stand at least a meter apart by the local authorities.</li><li>One man who tried to petition the Kerala High Court for home delivery of alcohol was fined ₹50,000.</li></ul>Coronavirus may be on the prowl but Kerala isn’t shutting down its liquor shops — and demand doesn’t seem to be shrinking either. The one thing that has changed is social distancing. People standing in queues outside state-run establishments are maintaining a distance of a few feet between them to reduce the chance of an infection. A few videos also surfaced of guards asking people to maintain at least a meter of space between them. <div type="javascript" title="Facebook" contenttype="Image"><cdata><![CDATA[

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 However, some reports suggest that the videos of social distancing at liquor stores is only optics. Reporters with <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/covid-19-videos-social-distancing-kerala-liquor-shops-just-optics-120723">TNM</a> saw a very different picture on the ground. One brave soul petitioned the Kerala High Court to make way for the home delivery of alcohol. Instead, he was slapped with a ₹50,000 fine as per <a href="https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/online-liquor-delivery-to-home-154132">LiveLaw</a>’s report. The case for home delivery of alcohol The petitioner argued that since alcohol shops were crowded during peak hours, it’s not safe for him to go out and actually buy what he needed. Instead, he suggested alternative ways in which delivery would be feasible during the Coronavirus outbreak. 
 <div type="image" title="kerala3_edited" msid="74732924" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Liquor bottles being arranged at the renovated BEVCO outlet on the power house&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 However, Judge Nambiar was not amused. “It is with a deep sense of exasperation and a tinge of disgust that I write this judgment,” he said. “The petitioner's conduct in filing this frivolous petition at a time like this, while making a mockery of the salutary concept of access to justice — which this institution strives to guarantee — also ridiculous the functioning of this noble institution,” he added before instructing the petitioner to address the costs and send them to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. Liquor makes the government money Even though the state government has called for people to avoid leaving the house and restrict public gatherings — there is no plant to shut down liquor shops. Revenue from liquor sales in a major source of income for Kerala. 
 <div type="image" title="kerala4_edited" msid="74732939" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Staff unloading liquor bottles at a bar in Kozhikode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>



 During 2018-19, sales reached an all-time high of ₹14,508 crore, which means the government gets a cut of around ₹2,521 crore as excise duty. Sources at the Kerala State Beverages Corporation told the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/covid-19-keralas-liquor-shops-open-for-revenue-813994.html">Deccan Herald</a> that despite the emergency around Coronavirus, there hasn’t been much of a fall in liquor sales. Others within the government feel that the shutting down of liquor shops may trigger alcoholics to drink copious amounts of alcohol in the name of stocking up before stores shut down. This could lead to a more dangerous situation, sources told <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/coronavirus-scare-social-distancing-for-keralas-tipplers/articleshow/74731096.cms">ET</a>. To ensure that necessarily precautions are taken, local authorities have posted additional guards at every Indian-made foreign liquor outlet to enforce social distancing. The police have distributed masks, gloves and hand sanitizers for the staff at these shops. <div type="javascript" title="Facebook" contenttype="Video"><cdata><![CDATA[

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 See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/while-pm-modi-called-for-a-janata-curfew-the-kerala-government-implemented-some-serious-steps/articleshow/74717250.cms">While PM Modi called for a 'janata curfew', the Kerala government implemented some serious steps</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-updates-in-india-and-steps-taken-by-narendra-modi-government/articleshow/74723667.cms">A look at Indian government response to coronavirus, so far, shows some quick reactions but not enough foresight</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/stages-of-coronavirus-and-how-they-determine-the-status-of-a-country/articleshow/74728639.cms">Stages of Coronavirus and how they determine the status of a country</a>

Coronavirus isn’t shutting down liquor shops in Kerala, and cheeky home delivery suggestions earn a ₹50,000 fine

<ul><li>The idea is to invest about ₹15 crore and use cinema halls which have been lying empty due to the coronavirus pandemic. </li><li>Carnival Groups have partnered with food aggregator <keyword id="830092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato">Zomato</keyword> to deliver food as of now, however, <keyword id="2084716" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Carnival-Cinemas">Carnival Cinemas</keyword> will soon come up with their own delivery service in a year or so. </li><li>Moreover, the group is aiming to register gross sales worth ₹500 crore with this new operation. </li></ul><keyword id="2402626" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="carnival-group">Carnival Group</keyword>, which runs India’s third largest multiplex chain by screen count, is set to deliver food through a hundred cloud kitchens in multiple cities including Mumbai, Kerala, Bengaluru, Jodhpur, Varanasi etc. The idea is to invest about ₹15 crores and use cinema halls which have been lying empty due to the coronavirus pandemic. Carnival Groups have partnered with food aggregator Zomato to deliver food as of now, however, Carnival Cinemas will soon come up with their own delivery service in a year or so. This will pit Carnival in direct competition with the likes of Jubilant Foodworks, which operates the Domino's pizza outlets, and Westlife Development, the franchisee for McDonald’s in West and South India. The group’s cinema business, with 470 screens across 120 cities in India, fell at least 40-50% between January to March 2020 as compared to last year. This was before the lockdown could take its full toll on the business. Hence, the pivot to cloud kitchens. “Food is and always will be a huge industry. We understand the current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic is not very favorable for many existing restaurants and hotels. There is a huge potential in the cloud kitchen segment and that too when we have a strong network of around 150 plus theatres in over 120 cities across India so we don’t need to invest in the biggest expense traditional restaurants deal with: real estate costs, Dr Shrikant Bhasi, Founder and Chairman said. The group has already started operations at nine locations in five states including Huma Kanjur Marg in Mumbai, Green Field and Kariyad in Kerala, Bengaluru and Belgaum in Karnataka, Nasrani Jodhpur, Galaxy Jaipur in Rajasthan, Allahabad and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Eight more outlets are set to open in Mumbai and Pune in the next three months The group is aiming to register gross annual sales worth ₹500 crore with this new operation. “One of the major points of the cinema location is that they are at prime locations in the city in all tier-I, tier-II, tier-III cities. By doing this, we will definitely be able to increase the F&amp;B revenue of the group,” Sony Ravindranath Carnival Group’s Director &amp; CEO (F&amp;B) said in an interview with Business Insider India. “Just like Dominos and Pizza Hut, we also plan on opening our own delivery platform and then we will be able to send the product at a much cheaper price,” he added. Ravindranath says once Carnival Group’s cloud kitchens settle in India, they will also start opening other units overseas — Dubai, Singapore, Australia and the US. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/googles-sundar-pichai-facebook-and-amazon-heres-how-american-companies-reacted-to-donald-trumps-h1-b-visa-freeze/articleshow/76522530.cms">Google’s Sundar Pichai, Facebook and Amazon — here’s how American companies reacted to Donald Trump’s H1-B visa freeze</a>

An Indian multiplex chain is turning empty theatres into cloud kitchens for home delivery via Zomato⁠⁠— taking on Domino’s and McDonald’s

<ul><li>BevQ, a virtual queue management <keyword id="10594073" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="app-for-bars-and-liquor-stores">app for bars and liquor stores</keyword>, saw the highest growth in year-on-year sessions within Indian food and drink apps, according to App Annie.</li><li>The app even beat the likes of Domino’s, which is used across India. Domino’s ranked second.</li><li>Interestingly, the Chhattisgarh-state run CSMCL (Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited) Online, which enabled the home-delivery of alcohol in the state, came in at the fifth position.</li></ul>In May 2020, the state of Kerala announced that liquor shops would reopen after being shut for two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Along with the announcement, a new app also surfaced, BevQ, a virtual queue management app to enforce social distancing. And in the eight months that followed, the app, which works only in the state of Kerala, beat all other Indian food and drink apps in 2020 to see the highest growth in year-on-year sessions, according to the State of Mobile 2021 report by App Annie. The app even beat the likes of Domino’s, which is used all across India. Interestingly, the Chhattisgarh-state run CSMCL (Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited) Online, which enabled the home-delivery of alcohol in the state, came in at the fifth position. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Food and Drink apps ranking (According to number of sessions) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">BevQ </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Domino’s Pizza India </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fresh to Home </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Swiggy Stores Vendor App </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">CSMCL Online </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: App Annie “While use of food delivery apps often peaked near the beginning of the pandemic in most markets, India had an initial decline due to logistical impacts before rising again in the summer,” said the report. BevQ was developed by the Kerala-based FairCode Technologies and was also one of the apps chosen by a committee chaired by the IT secretary and the Kerala Startup Mission. The app issues tokens and time slots for people to buy alcohol from bars and restaurants. BevQ, which got over a lakh downloads within hours of its launch, found its place in the App Annie ranking even when bars and liquor stores in Kerala had opened only partially in May 2020 before being shut down again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The stores across the state reopened only in December 2020. However, the app has also been reported to have multiple <a href="https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/may/30/bevq-flops-again-govt-explores-other-options-2149790.html">technical glitches</a> during its launch. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/the-indian-government-may-call-whatsapp-to-explain-why-its-new-data-sharing-terms-apply-in-india-but-not-in-europe/articleshow/80262586.cms">The Indian government may call WhatsApp to explain why its new data privacy policy applies in India but not in Europe</a>

A liquor sale queue management app in Kerala beat all other Indian food and drink apps in 2020

<div type="image" msid="58128689" hostid="261"></div>

 
(Image: India Times) 
 Whether you are a foodie or not, the indomitable aroma of a plate of hot <keyword id="41887" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="biryani">biryani</keyword> is sure to make you drool. Quite popular among Indians and its diaspora, Biryani has earned the luxury of being a royal food. A simple hotch potch of rice, vegetables and meat with some authentic Indian spices has made biryani a love affair for gastronomers. 
 
Given the sheer richness and diversity of Indian cuisine thanks to the bountiful cultural heritage, almost every region has its own version of the biryani. The biryani of Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kashmir, Lucknow, and Kerala are the prominent delicacies in the country. 
 And To offer home cooked style fresh biryani to customers across India and worldwide, an Indian start up has just come up with variety of aromatic and flavorsome meal, with right combination of Carbohydrates(Rice) &amp; proteins(Meat/vegetables). <keyword id="4405228" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Biryani-By-Kilo">Biryani By Kilo</keyword> (BBK) has already taken the <keyword id="674224" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-NCR">Delhi NCR</keyword> foodies’ market by storm. 
 
So why is BBK so unique while there are so many restaurants serving the same? 
In an exclusive interview with Business Insider, Kaushik Roy, the founder of BBK claims, the uniqueness lies in the fact that Biryani is made fresh only after the customer order is placed, and delivered in the same handi that it is prepared. 
 Along with co-founder Vishal Jindal, who is a diehard foodie with vast entrepreneurial/PE and scaling up expertise, across different businesses and geographies- the founder duo want to make Biryani By Kilo a pan Indian &amp; worldwide brand. 
Innovation 
However one just can’t stop asking what actually made the duo kickstart a venture, the market of which is quite saturated. 
 
Standardized Process and Systems, best Kitchen Technologies and ERP, going back to traditional and lost recipes of Biryanis/Kebabs/Kormas, New Packing and Delivery methods to ensure freshness are the major innovations BBK has already done in the segment. 
 

	<div type="image" msid="58128734" hostid="261"></div>

 
Here's how BBK delivers 
 
Funding 
BBK received funds from investors, including Chandigarh Angels Network, ex-Evalueserve Chief operating officer Ashish Gupta, GlobalLogic's Sunil Singh, highly successful US IT entrepreneur Alok Bhatia, and some senior executives from leading Financial &amp; Legal Firms. Rohit Chand and his son Ashish Chand also participated in BBK investment round, through their family fund Yukti Securities, which makes angel investments in the food and IT sectors. 
 
Revenue model 
BBK is currently generating an annual sales run rate of around Rs 7-10 cr. And targeting annual sales run rate of Rs 15-20cr by Mar 2018. BBK has currently 4 delivery outlets in NCR (Gurgaon, Dwarka, Noida, South Delhi- Shahpurjat). BBK plans to launch in other major cities like Pune &amp; Bangalore after Mar 2018.

A well funded start up is nowdelivering freshly cooked biryani at your doorstep. Have you tried it yet?

Telecom operator Airtel has said its retail stores have now opened across most locations and that measures such as 'Concierge Service' have been rolled out for delivery of SIM card at customers' doorsteps or for installation of broadband and DTH. In a note to subscribers, <keyword id="3803888" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel-CEO-Gopal-Vittal">Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal</keyword> said that while restrictions are lifting in large parts of the country, "there seems to be even more uncertainty" as people are worried about safety of their loved ones, and there is growing concern about incomes and jobs. "At Airtel, we empathize with this uncertainty. So as each of us adapts to this new context, there is one thing we don't want you to worry about - your need to stay connected," Vittal said. Outlining measures taken by the company to ensure connectivity and continuation of services in the backdrop of the lockdown and coronavirus pandemic, Vittal said that more than a million customers have already enrolled into its 'Super Heroes' program, and have helped many more millions stay connected. "...if you want to help someone get access to our services or help pay their bills or recharge for them, we have our Super Heroes initiative. More than a million customers have already enrolled into this program and have helped many more millions stay connected," Vittal said. He said the company's retail stores are now open across most locations, and that Airtel will take all necessary precautions to ensure that staff and customers remain safe. "If you prefer to be served at your home, we now have a Concierge Service and would be delighted to come to your home. Whether it is delivery of a SIM card at your doorstep or an installation of a broadband or DTH, we can do it all," he said, adding that the field teams have been trained on a new contactless delivery and installation protocol. The 'Digital Channels' have been made even more simple to ensure that users can easily recharge mobile/TV, pay bills, buy new services or raise a complaint from anywhere, he said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/comparison-between-samsung-galaxy-a31-smartphone-vs-xiaomi-redmi-note-9-pro-max-smartphone/articleshow/76217812.cms">Samsung Galaxy A31 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max – Which device should you go for?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/remove-china-apps-removed-from-google-play-store-after-5-million-downloads/articleshow/76169569.cms">‘Remove China Apps’ pulled from Google Play store after 5 million downloads</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/keralas-liquor-home-delivery-app-bevq-has-fallen-to-a-2-1-rating-on-the-google-play-store/articleshow/76133893.cms">BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store</a>

Airtel CEO announces retail stores open in most locations — outlines precautionary measures

New Delhi, Apr 15 () Football coach Priya P V, who guided Gokulam Kerala FC to the Indian Women's League title, is currently assisting relief operations in the coronavirus-forced lockdown through a helpline centre which provides medicine and food to the needy. Priya has joined the same helpline centre in Kannur, where India and Jamshedpur FC attacker CK Vineeth has been working. The biggest challenge for them at the centre is to make sure that all requests for medicines are met. "We have been getting around 150-200 calls every day. Most of these are for medicines. We make sure that whenever we get any requests for medicines, they are duly sent to those in need," Priya, who had earlier coached India U-19, said in a press release. "No requests for medicines are ever turned down. We try to do the same for grocery and food items as well. But sometimes we have to keep in mind that we have to distribute such items among a lot of people. So we try to divide it for everyone to get some amount," she added. The call centre also attends to requests from students and other professionals from around the area. Kannur being the headquarters of the helpline centre, Priya and Vineeth also get a number of calls from the nearby districts, where tertiary networks have been set up to help the people. "We are working from the headquarters in Kannur. There are tertiary helpline centres in different districts as well who have their own network of pharmacists, grocers, and delivery executives," said Priya. "If we get a call from any of these districts, we forward the call to the respective helpline centre." Priya, who won the IWL 2019-20 title as head coach of local club Gokulam Kerala FC, is staying away from her family to work at the helpline centre. "My ancestral home is a bit far from the call centre, so I am currently staying at a place that is close by. Initially, I wanted to go to my ancestral home every weekend, in order to make sure that my parents have all they need during the lockdown," she said. 'The footballing calendar in India is quite packed, and those of us making a living out of the beautiful game do not get much chance to give back to society. The lockdown has awarded me the time that I can now use to help other people." PDS PM PM

IWL winning football coach joins call centre to help people during lockdown

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi has patented a foldable smartphone that looks similar to <keyword id="7417397" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Huawei-Mate-Xs">Huawei Mate Xs</keyword>. Xiaomi apparently filed for the patent in late 2019, and it has now been published by China's National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), reports LetsGoDigital. Looking at the patent images, the smartphone will feature a flexible display and fold outward, with a noticeable bezel on the right corner when completely unfolded. When opened, it seemingly transforms into a tablet, while in its folded state, it resembles a standard smartphone. The display in the patent is edge-to-edge and sits flat while a bulging strip on the inhabits the right when folded. The panel houses multiple sensors, mostly cameras. Power button along with volume rockers can be spotted on the right side. On the bottom, there are speaker grills, SIM card slot, a microphone and a charging USB-C on the bottom. Earlier, Xiaomi filed a patent for a foldable smartphone with quad-camera system that rotates forward for selfies and back for regular photos. The smartphone maker has filed the design patent for an inward bending phone in China and has also put 48 images to showcase the handset. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/comparison-between-samsung-galaxy-a31-smartphone-vs-xiaomi-redmi-note-9-pro-max-smartphone/articleshow/76217812.cms">Samsung Galaxy A31 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max – Which device should you go for?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/remove-china-apps-removed-from-google-play-store-after-5-million-downloads/articleshow/76169569.cms">‘Remove China Apps’ pulled from Google Play store after 5 million downloads</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/keralas-liquor-home-delivery-app-bevq-has-fallen-to-a-2-1-rating-on-the-google-play-store/articleshow/76133893.cms">BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store</a>

Xiaomi new foldable smartphone patent looks a lot like Huawei Mate Xs

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, Mar 31 () Seeking to ease hardships faced by people during the ongoing lockdown, several banks on Tuesday initiated steps to effect the RBI-suggested moratorium on loans taken by their customers and e-retailers began deliveries, but job losses and pay cuts continued to haunt many even as authorities promised special facilities, including for migrant labourers. As the 21-day nationwide lockdown entered its seventh day, the Centre also asked all states and Union Territories to ensure normal functioning of banks and ATMs during the lockdown period and said the Rs 27,500-crore financial package under the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana will be disbursed in coming days. Separately, several public sector banks said they have started sensitising their branches about three months' moratorium on all term loans, including home, auto and crop loans, to help customers in overcoming financial difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent nation-wide lockdown. Similar steps are expected from the private sector banks also. The Retailers Association of India, however, complained that banks are unwilling to extend the three-month moratorium to borrowers even after four days of it being announced. It sought the RBI's intervention in the matter. Some telecom companies also announced free talk time and free SMSes for a limited period, especially for the low-income group customers and those distressed during nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. Ride-hailing platform Ola said it will offer interest-free credit of up to Rs 3,600 to driver-partners to help them meet immediate household expenses amid the coronavirus pandemic. E-commerce companies like Amazon and Grofers are also gradually resuming services across various cities they operate in but it will still be at least a week or so before they can clear the pending orders, according to industry executives. However, job losses remained the biggest worry for many, for those working in the services sector as well as the contract labourers in the manufacturing plants most of which have been shut due to the pandemic. Besides, the Union Home Ministry said over 21,000 relief camps have been made operational in the country where more than 6.6 lakh destitute people and those stranded because of the COVID-19 lockdown are sheltered as of now. Punya Salila Srivastava, a joint secretary in the ministry, told reporters during a daily briefing on the coronavirus and lockdown situation that over 23 lakh people are also being provided food at these camps and other locations. Separately, the Supreme Court asked the government to prevent migration of people due to coronavirus and said "panic will destroy more lives than the virus". It asked the Centre to get trained counsellors and community leaders of all faiths to calm down the migrants kept in shelter homes across the country. The court said these shelters should be run by volunteers and not the police, and there should be no use of force and intimidation. Experts, meanwhile, said domestic violence cases in India have increased since the lockdown began with husbands venting their frustration on wives, who have no escape from their abusers. India has been under a three-week lockdown since March 24 with its 1.3 billion people instructed to stay home in view of the coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed 32 lives and infected over 1,200 people in the country. The National Commission for Women (NCW), for instance, received 58 complaints from March 23 to March 30. Many of these complaints have come from north India, particularly Punjab, said NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma. In Kerala, the state government has decided that special passes will be issued for tipplers to buy liquor but on doctor's prescription that they are showing withdrawal symptoms due to non-availability of alcohol in view of the coronavirus lockdown. At least three men in Kerala have committed suicide after allegedly showing alcohol withdrawal symptoms within days after liquor stores shut the doors. Similar incidents have been reported in other parts of the country including in neighbouring Telangana and Karnataka. Kerala has the highest per capita consumption of alcohol in the country. The sale of liquor in the state has continued on an upward spiral despite the prohibitive tax on legal alcohol and the many dry days. At the same time, more companies announced pay cuts for their staff, while a large number of people, including the contract workers and daily wagers, have already been rendered jobless. Budget carrier SpiceJet has decided to cut up to 30 per cent salary of its employees in March, though the company told its staff that Chairman Ajay Singh has opted for the highest 30 per cent cut in compensation. In the US also, foreign IT professionals, a majority of them Indians with H-1B visas, have urged the Trump administration to extend their permissible stay from 60 to 180 days after job loss, amidst the massive layoffs in America due to the coronavirus pandemic. The H-1B visa, most sought after among the Indian IT professionals, is a non-immigrant visa that allows the US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. A record 3.3 million Americans have filed initial jobless claims for the week ending March 21. TEAM BJBJ

Lockdown Day 7: Banks begin loan moratorium measures, but concerns mount over job losses and pay cuts

<ul><li>The blurred scenes of the popular series also involve two pieces of cooked pork — a meat which could have possibly hurt sentiments.</li><li>Moreover, <keyword id="264530" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vikings">Vikings</keyword> Season 5 Episode 12 is about 46 minutes long internationally. However, in India, the same episode is about 42 and a half minutes long. </li><li><keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> Customer Care says they comply if they “receive written legal demand by the local governing authorities.”</li><li>However, Netflix says it hasn't censored Vikings Season 5 rather this is the licensed content they received from History 18, the original broadcaster of the series. </li></ul><keyword id="3194526" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Netflix-India">Netflix India</keyword> has carried a different version of Vikings season 5 where some of the scenes showing nudity, violence and other gory content are either blurred or eliminated. The blurred scenes of the popular series also involve two pieces of cooked pork — a meat which could have possibly ‘hurt sentiments’. However, Netflix says it hasn't censored Vikings Season 5 rather this is the licensed content they received from History 18, the original broadcaster of the series. <div type="twitter" handle="AroonDeep" handlename="Aroon Deep" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1045752704838983680/UqzfFmnu_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1735" retweetcount="849" status="Netflix India has censored meat (among quite a few other things) from Vikings. Same scene from India and Italy. https://t.co/NXCE9Kzmh4" createdat="1590940261000" id="1267121414408200192"></div> Ever since Netflix released Vikings in India viewers have been complaining about blurring out or completely eliminating a scene. Indian viewers on Twitter have pointed out that scenes with nudity were entirely blurred. Whereas, some violent scenes were entirely cut. <div type="twitter" handle="ssaig" handlename="SID" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1267106118075064322/FQRrFDFf_normal.jpg" favoritecount="2" retweetcount="2" status="This is from UAE. An Arab country. Not censored here. FYI https://t.co/J68hN0fguE https://t.co/HmkFFIEpv2" createdat="1590993494000" id="1267344690275332096"></div>For instance, Episode 12 is about 46 minutes long internationally. However, in India, the same episode is about 42 and a half minutes long. <div type="twitter" handle="SJvg21" handlename="Sanjay vg" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/3400010063/f55176fbbb3d8dba7d1b973e64d92881_normal.jpeg" favoritecount="29" retweetcount="18" status="@NetflixIndia still watching vikings s5 e12 and in one scene cooked meat on the table is censored...?what is up wit… https://t.co/lTSqvJmpPb" createdat="1587845767000" id="1254142163916488704"></div> This isn’t the first time a streaming service has done something like this. Last year, Amazon Prime <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/news/from-cuts-to-deleting-an-entire-episode-heres-how-netflix-amazon-prime-and-other-streaming-services-are-censoring-its-own-content/articleshow/72234927.cms">deleted an entire episode of CBS political drama Madam Secretary</a> in its Indian version. Hotstar, in March, <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/john-oliver-slams-hotstar-for-censoring-his-show-in-india/articleshow/74560576.cms?from=mdr">censored one of the episodes from John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight </a>where he was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2015, Netflix India released Angry Indian Goddess in theatres with several cuts to avoid a backlash. However, <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/netflix-responds-after-censored-images-of-meat-from-vikings-go-viral-on-twitter-2647875.html">it released an uncensored version soon</a> after user demanded. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/keralas-liquor-home-delivery-app-bevq-has-fallen-to-a-2-1-rating-on-the-google-play-store/articleshow/76133893.cms">BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/china-is-a-bully-says-us-representative-on-india-china-border-issue/articleshow/76147159.cms">China is a ‘bully’ says US Representative on India-China border issue</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/the-coronavirus-is-losing-its-potency-in-italy-and-clinically-no-longer-exists-according-to-italian-doctors/articleshow/76137336.cms">The coronavirus is weakening in Italy, several doctors say — but health authorities warn that 'this is still a killer virus'</a>

Vikings Season 5 blurs cooked meat and nudity in India — Netflix pushes blame on Network18

(Eds: Combining related stories) New Delhi, May 8 () Amid a continuing rise in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19, the Union Health Ministry on Friday said people should "learn to live with the virus" while the nationwide tally of confirmed infections crossed 57,000 and the death toll neared 1,900. The ministry also reeled off various datasets, including those showing a rising number of infection-free districts and an increasing recovery rate, to suggest success of the government's strategy in the COVID-19 fight, even as it sought "a behavioural change" and everyone's support in this massive challenge. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, however, admitted there has been no success yet in breaking the virus chain and said his government may seek deployment of central forces, if needed, to allow police personnel to take rest in phases. The state tops the nationwide tally for confirmed cases as well as deaths. A large number of new cases were reported during the day from various cities in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha also reported rise in their tallies. However, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh reported only one fresh positive case each. The economic cost of the COVID-19 fight and the ongoing nationwide lockdown also appeared rising manifold with Moody's Investors Service projecting India's economic growth at zero per cent for the current fiscal. It also said that a high government debt, weak social and physical infrastructure, and a fragile financial sector face further pressures due to the coronavirus outbreak. According to experts, industrial and other business establishments may also face a huge labour shortage once they resume operations after the lockdown, which has been in place since March 25 and is scheduled to continue till May 17. Lakhs of migrant workers have either left for their native places or are in the process of doing so, including by trains and buses arranged by central and state governments. There are also worries that the virus spread may grow further in newer areas following these movements, while a large number of Indians stranded abroad have also begun returning home in special flights. During a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said, "As we talk of relaxations to the lockdown and of migrant workers returning back to their respective homes, there is a big challenge in front of us that we also have to learn to live with the virus." "And when we are talking about learning to live with the virus then it is very important that the guidelines that are there on saving oneself from the virus are adopted in the community as a behavioural change," he said. It is a big challenge and the government needs the community support for it, Agarwal added. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also recently said the people will have to be ready to live with the novel coronavirus and that time has come to re-open the city. Agarwal said there has been a reduction in the doubling time of COVID-19 cases in the country from 12 days till two days ago to 10 now because of the spike in cases at some places, but asserted that the peak of the disease can be avoided if the prescribed do's and don'ts are followed. According to the daily morning update from the ministry, a total of 3,390 COVID-19 cases and 103 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours till Friday 8 AM, taking the total number of cases to 56,342 and death toll to 1,886. However, a tally of numbers reported by different states and union territories till 6.30 PM showed that nearly 57,500 have tested positive so far across the country. This marks an increase of nearly 5,000 since Thursday morning. Close to 17,000 COVID-19 patients have also recovered so far, giving a recovery rate of more than 29 per cent. The worldwide recovery rate has been hovering around 33 per cent for the past few days. Since its outbreak in China last December, more than 38.6 lakh people have been found to be infected with this virus, while over 2.7 lakh have lost their lives. Nearly 13 lakh people have recovered so far, including about 2 lakh in the US. In India, big urban centres across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi have been reporting large numbers of positive cases. While rising numbers were reported from Mumbai, Nashik, Thane and Aurangabad, among other places, in Maharashtra on Friday as well, Tamil Nadu saw its tally rising by 600 to cross the 6,000-mark while its death toll also rose to 40. On the outskirts of the national capital, Noida reported its first death while its tally of confirmed cases rose to 214. Gujarat reported 390 new cases, taking its tally to 7,403, while the death toll also rose to 449 with 24 more patients dying in the last 24 hours. Giving the district-wise situation of coronavirus cases, Agarwal said there are 216 districts in which no COVID-19 case has been reported till date. On May 1, the ministry had divided 733 districts in the country into three zones -- 130 in red, 284 in orange and 319 in green. Agarwal said 42 districts have had no fresh cases in the last 28 days while 29 districts have reported no new case in the last 21 days. Also, 36 districts have not registered any fresh cases in the last 14 days and 46 districts have had no fresh cases in the last seven days, he said. In Kerala, which reported one solitary case during the day, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state has flattened the COVID-19 curve. He also said the state needed to be careful to avoid another wave of the deadly virus but asserted it was ready to fight it in such an event. Among other people, several paramilitary personnel have also contracted the virus and one CISF official posted in Kolkata succumbed to COVID-19 on Friday. The number of active cases of the infection in the five paramilitary is more than 530, while thousands have been placed under preventive or clinical quarantine, officials said. A total of five paramilitary personnel have died so far of COVID-19, two each from BSF and CISF and one from the CRPF. Maharashtra's Health Minister Rajesh Tope said Mumbai should see a sharp decline in COVID-19 cases in the next 15-20 days. Separately, a panel of experts, formed to suggest ways to revive Maharashtra's economy, hit by the COVID-19 crisis and the resultant lockdown, submitted its report to the government during the day. Several states have been taking steps to shore up their resources, including by levying higher taxes on fuel and liquor. After Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and several others, Himachal Pradesh government has now decided to impose a 'corona cess' on liquor sales, while Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy also said the territorial administration was mulling imposition of special COVID-19 tax on liquor to wriggle out of the current fiscal crisis. The Madras High Court, however, ordered closure of liquor shops in Tamil Nadu a day after they were reopened, but allowed sale of liquor through online and door delivery till the end of the lockdown. The Supreme Court also asked states to consider non-direct contact or online sales and home delivery of liquor during the lockdown period to prevent the spread of coronavirus on account of crowding at the shops. Liquor shops were allowed to be opened in the third phase of the lockdown, which began on May 4, subject to compliance to social distancing and other guidelines issued by the government. PLB ASK ENM UD KIS JD AA NES MR DJI MNL ABA SJK PJT PD BJBJ

You Searched For "home delivery in kerala" and got 12 results

Will alcohol home delivery be a reality soon? Swiggy, Zomato, and Blinkit smell an opportunity

Ayush Mehrotra

BevQ, Kerala’s liquor home delivery app, is ‘on the rocks’ with a 2.1 rating on the Google Play Store

Prabhjote Gill

Coronavirus isn’t shutting down liquor shops in Kerala, and cheeky home delivery suggestions earn a ₹50,000 fine

Prabhjote Gill

An Indian multiplex chain is turning empty theatres into cloud kitchens for home delivery via Zomato⁠⁠— taking on Domino’s and McDonald’s

Preeti Soni

A liquor sale queue management app in Kerala beat all other Indian food and drink apps in 2020

Sanchita Dash

A well funded start up is nowdelivering freshly cooked biryani at your doorstep. Have you tried it yet?

Suchayan Mandal

Airtel CEO announces retail stores open in most locations — outlines precautionary measures

PTI

IWL winning football coach joins call centre to help people during lockdown

PTI

Xiaomi new foldable smartphone patent looks a lot like Huawei Mate Xs

IANS

Lockdown Day 7: Banks begin loan moratorium measures, but concerns mount over job losses and pay cuts

PTI

Vikings Season 5 blurs cooked meat and nudity in India — Netflix pushes blame on Network18

Preeti Soni

Hundreds more test positive for COVID-19; Health Ministry says 'learn to live with virus'

PTI

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