On the occasion of Driver’s Day, Cycle Pure Agarbathi distributed around 10 Lakh VIBE Power Bag Air freshener sachets across ten cities in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Jaipur. As part of this collaboration, Cycle Pure Agarbathi also partnered with KSRTC to distribute VIBE Power Bag Air fresheners across its AC Premium buses in the Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangaluru divisions, ensuring that both drivers and passengers could enjoy a refreshing and soothing travel experience.

The VIBE Power Bag Air freshener is curated with Pineapple Punch, Pink Blossom, and Apple Cinnamon; fragrances that will make the vehicle smell fresh, calm, and soothe the driver and passengers’ minds, chosen specifically to pay gratitude to India’s drivers who are always on duty, connecting people, cities, and communities across the country.

India’s drivers navigate through traffic, rough weather, and time pressures while ensuring the safety and comfort of millions of passengers. They shoulder immense responsibility, from transporting office-goers, students, families, handling emergencies, to transporting essentials, with utmost resilience and patience. This initiative cherishes their hard work, not only for the miles they travel, but for the trust they preserve with every journey.

Speaking about the initiative, Arjun Ranga, Managing Director, Cycle Pure Agarbathi, said, “Drivers are the invisible force that keeps India moving every single day. At Cycle Pure Agarbathi, fragrance has always been about creating moments of calm and emotional well-being. We wanted to offer a small but meaningful gesture of gratitude, helping drivers experience a sense of comfort, freshness, and relaxation during their long hours on the road.”

Ola Consumer Spokesperson said, “Drivers are central to how mobility works in India. They show up every day, deal with real challenges on the road, and keep millions of people moving. This collaboration with Cycle Pure Agarbathi is a way of letting them know that their effort, time, and commitment truly matter, beyond just rides and numbers.”

Prashant Bhagesh Sawardekar, Founder & President, IFAT, said, “We are thrilled to announce this collaboration for our drivers. App-based transport workers operate under constant pressure, balancing safety, time, and service expectations every day. This gesture by Cycle Pure Agarbathi does help the drivers feel special and create a pleasant driving experience.”

Ashok, VP, Logistics, VRL Travels, said, “Drivers spend countless hours navigating traffic, noise, and long distances. Through this initiative, we just want to thank them for their service, something that helps ease the stress of their everyday journeys.”

The initiative by Cycle Pure Agarbathi on National Driver’s Day recognises the selfless drivers as the backbone of Indian transport, ensuring the country functions seamlessly without pause. Cycle Pure Agarbathi and its partners express their continued appreciation for the dedication, resilience, and sense of responsibility that drivers demonstrate every day amid the daily hustle.

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Until now, such work has been typically outsourced to independent contractors outside the Uber ecosystem. By bringing it into the driver app, Uber is offering drivers an additional stream of income, especially during downtimes when ride demand is low.

“This pilot is about giving drivers more choice, flexibility, and ways to earn,” said Megha Yethadka, Global Head, Uber AI Solutions. “Drivers can face downtime at certain times of the day, and digital tasks offer a way to make that time productive. Early engagement has been strong, with many thousands of tasks already completed.”

Uber AI Solutions works with global companies to deliver services like data labelling, localisation, and product testing, which are the building blocks of high-performing AI systems. If successful, the India pilot may become a template for similar initiatives worldwide, giving Uber’s vast network of drivers and delivery partners a role in the fast-growing AI economy.

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PUNE: Mahindra Truck and Bus Division (MTBD), a part of the Mahindra Group, in commemoration of Drivers Day 2024, today announced a Scholarship scheme for girl child of truck drivers through the Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyaan. Through this project, Mahindra is committed to making a small contribution towards transforming the lives of truck drivers’ meritorious girls by supporting their right to higher education.

Mahindra is one of the first commercial vehicle manufacturers to pioneer this initiative and felicitate the selected candidate with a scholarship of Rs.10,000/- along with a certificate in recognition of their achievement. This endeavor marks another significant milestone in Mahindra Truck and Bus Division’s ongoing commitment to the Truck driver community, which was initiated with the Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyaan in 2014. This will be done through a program at 75+ transport hubs pan India with well-defined, transparent, and independent processes. Until now, 10,029 young girls have already benefited from scholarships under the initiative, allowing them to pursue their aspirations.

Vinod Sahay – President of Trucks, Buses, CE, Aerospace & Defence Businesses – Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, Member of Group Executive Board, Mahindra Group, said, “Through the Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyaan, we are not just providing scholarships but opening doors to a brighter future and instilling hope in young hearts. We are dedicated to transforming lives by providing educational opportunities for the daughters of the truck driver partners. By investing in their futures, we are cultivating a generation of empowered women who will contribute significantly to our communities and the economy at large.”

Speaking on the occasion, Jalaj Gupta, Business Head – Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said, “Our sustained commitment through the Mahindra Saarthi Abhiyaan not only uplifts the daughters of truck drivers, but also fosters a culture of new opportunities and motivation. Through this initiative, we wish to see more women in the commercial vehicle segment and remain steadfast in our commitment to investing in their futures, and developing a stronger, more equitable society where every girl can aspire to fulfill her potential and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

The company has planned to felicitate each girl selected for this scholarship with a direct bank transfer of INR 10,000 and a certificate in recognition of this achievement. The felicitation will be hosted from February to March 2025, at select locations by Mahindra Truck and Bus leadership, wherein 1000 scholarships will be presented to Truck Drivers’ Daughters.

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INDIA: Montra Electric, the cutting-edge EV brand from the esteemed 124-year-old Murugappa Group, is thrilled to run the Montra Electric Super League (MSL), a pioneering event tailored for auto drivers. Co-powered by Chola Finance, this groundbreaking initiative brings the excitement of the IPL to the streets with 10 dynamic teams, each comprising 17 dedicated Super Auto Riders.

The MSL is a high-octane competition featuring 10 teams, each comprising 17 exceptional auto drivers, aptly named ‘Super Riders’. This unique league aims to revolutionize the perception of electric vehicles (EVs) within the three-wheeler community, debunking common concerns like range anxiety, the MSL encourages participants to push the boundaries of EV capabilities, driving impressive distances with the help of top-up charging throughout the day.

This unique tournament features 170 Super Riders from across India, including women auto drivers, forming 10 teams that compete to cover the most kilometers. The team that logs the highest mileage emerges victorious, proving that EVs can effortlessly surpass 300 kilometers in a single day.

Roy Kurian, Business Head, of Montra Electric Last Mile Mobility said, “Through the Montra Electric Super League, we aim to demonstrate the extraordinary capabilities of our Super Autos and showcase our firm commitment to improving the lives of our Super Riders.”

Aman Sharma, President & Business Head – Vehicle Finance, from Chola Finance said “We are delighted to partner with Montra Electric in bringing forth this first-ever Super League Tournament for auto drivers. We are also happy to announce Chola’s Super Dream Children Education program to the finalists of the tournament. Chola is also actively working on innovative financing solutions for customers, to make the ownership of a Montra Electric Super Auto easier for them, which is also in line with our continuous endeavor to enable our customers to Enter a Better Life.”

Piyush Pandey, Head of Marketing, at Montra Electric, added, “We are excited to see our Super Riders embrace this challenge and feel the pride in what they are achieving. They have some extraordinary stories which need to be told”.

The scoring system of the MSL is designed to motivate and reward. Each kilometer driven by the top 14 riders of each team translates to one run, with additional runs awarded for referrals leading to deliveries or live bookings, and quality customer testimonial videos. Teams advance through a series of matches, with winners determined by total points and runs accumulated, leading to quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand finale.

Chola Finance, another distinguished member of the Murugappa Group, has pledged to provide free education for life to the children of up to 68 Super Riders who make it to the final stages of the tournament. This remarkable initiative underscores the tournament’s commitment to uplifting the lives of these hardworking individuals.

The Montra Electric Super League commenced on July 5th and will culminate in a grand finale in the first week of September. The victorious Super Riders will be honored at a special event at the Montra Electric factory in Chennai, where they will witness the manufacturing process of their extraordinary vehicle, Montra Electric Super Auto.

By offering substantial prize money and the transformative education initiative, the MSL is not only a thrilling competition but also a powerful catalyst for change within the auto driver community. Montra Electric is proud to lead the charge in promoting sustainable mobility and empowering the backbone of India’s transportation network. Montra Electric leads the charge toward a sustainable and electrifying future for India’s auto drivers.

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HA’IL SAUDI ARABIA: The third edition of Rally Jameel, the thrilling world-class navigational rally for women in the region, officially kicked off today in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia.

This year’s event boasts a record number of participants and international representation, with 110 drivers and co-drivers from 36 countries competing for the championship title, building upon the success of the previous editions.

The third edition of Rally Jameel, themed “She Shifts the World,” reflects the rally’s commitment to showcasing women’s empowerment in motorsports. The event culminates on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2024, adding another layer of significance to this to this unique race. Throughout the rally, competitors will navigate a challenging yet scenic 1,600-kilometer route spanning five diverse landscapes, from the hills of Ha’il to the coastal splendor of Umluj, and including iconic historical sites like AlUla and Yanbu before ending at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh. 

Ewelina Chlebowska of Poland, the returning champion of the previous edition from the team Sandstorm Express, said “I’m thrilled to embark on this amazing journey once more with women from around the globe. This rally shows that women have the bravery and determination to tackle new challenges. Best of luck to all participants, let’s embrace this wonderful journey together“. 

The event not only offers a platform for women racers but also attracts international participation, with the presence of auto federations and companies, such as The Swedish Automobile Sports Federation, Motorsport Ireland, China Hanwei Motorsport team, and Toyota Gazoo Racing Jordan.

This year’s edition boasts a mix of returning champions and exciting newcomers. Last year’s winner, Hanna Riehle of Germany is joined by a strong Saudi Arabian rally drivers. Among them is the highly decorated Dania Akeel, who returns for her second shot at the title. Veteran driver Maha Al Hamali, who impressed with a third-place finish in the inaugural edition, also makes a welcome return. Completing the Saudi trio is Reem Al Aboud, a recent graduate of the GR Saudi Driving School, eager to make her mark in her first-ever rally. Catie Munnings, the British rally driver, and Carina Munte, the Chief Championship Officer and co-founder of the FIM E-Xplorer Championship, will also compete in the rally. Finally, Yara Bou Monsef of Lebanon and Raghda Kouyoumdjian of Jordan add an international touch to the diverse lineup.

Reem Al Aboud, from the GR Saudi team, said “Stepping onto the starting line of this year’s rally is an incredible feeling. As a recent graduate of the GR Saudi Driving School, I’m brimming with newfound skills and a thirst to put them to the test. While this might be my first official participation, I’m not here to simply observe. I’m here to soak up every ounce of experience, learn from the legends on the track, and push myself to the absolute limit. “

Text Credits: Rally Jameel 
Photo Credits: Rally Jameel 
Video Credits: ICARUS Sports

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LUSAIL, QATRAR: The diminutive Italian Giovanni Bernacchini was officially confirmed as Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah’s co-driver during Tuesday’s administration checks for this weekend’s Qatar International Rally at the Lusail Sports Arena.

Twenty-three crews and competitors from 17 nations will take part in the opening round of the 2024 FIA Middle East Rally Championship.

Bernacchini replaces Andorra-based Mathieu Baumel, who has been a regular fixture alongside Al-Attiyah since the start of the 2015 season. Baumel cut his teeth in the FIA Middle East Rally Championship with Khalifa Al-Attiyah, Yazeed Al-Rajhi, and Abdullah Al-Kuwari. Together, he and Al-Attiyah won four Dakars, two W2RC titles, 30 MERC rallies, and nine regional FIA championships.

Fifty-year-old Bernacchini last competed with Al-Attiyah in 2014 and secured the fourth of his Qatar International Rally victories to add to wins in 2010, 2011, and 2013. In total, he has won 25 rallies in the MERC, a number equaled by Chris Patterson but still adrift of the record-holding Ronan Morgan (41) and Baumel (32). He will now co-drive for the Qatari on all five rounds of the regional rally series.

Al-Attiyah said: “It’s not a new challenge with Giovanni. He was with me for a long time and we won the championship together several times. This year I decided to have him again. For me, it was not working like what I wanted with Mathieu. Still, we have a good relationship and now he is free. I also have my decision for the next co-driver for the Dakar and cross-country (Edouard Boulanger).

At the moment I don’t know if we will do some more rallies. We will do the Middle East and, in the event of the sponsor Visit Qatar, I think they want to have three or four races in WRC, maybe WRC2. Maybe Portugal, Sardinia, Greece, basically the ones that I like. We will also be very busy with the new program of Dacia.

After several months with the cross-country car, this morning the car felt very slow. I did 30km of testing this morning and I adjusted myself and we changed a lot of things, just to be sure and to make a good start for the Qatar Rally.”

Bernacchini added: “It is a pleasure for me to come back after 10 years with Nasser. We won four times here together and I hope that this new adventure after 10 years can be as successful. It’s something that surprised me in a very good way but I hope our agreement can bring back the same victories. When I left Nasser, I still tried to win some races in the Middle East. Now I have the chance again. I hope to increase my number of victories.”

Bernacchini competed alongside Al-Attiyah’s cousin Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya last year in both the Oman and Qatar rallies and finished fifth and sixth overall. He has also co-driven in the region for Khalid Al-Suwaidi, Rashed Al-Ketbi, and Roger Feghali.

Several drivers, including Al-Attiyah and the trio of Mads Østberg, Pierre-Louis Loubet, and Mārtiņš Sesks (who are competing in Sports Racing Technology-run Skoda Fabia RS Rally2s) tested their cars in the desert to the north of Doha on Tuesday morning.

Loubet will be co-driven by Loris Pascaud this season in the WRC2 category of the FIA World Rally Championship. He and Pascaud, who has worked as an integral member of the Frenchman’s gravel crew for the last two seasons, will use the event in Qatar as an invaluable acclimatization exercise. After taking part in the Africa Eco Race at the start of January and claiming five stage wins in an Apache SSV, Loubet spent last weekend in the commentary box for Canal+ Sport at the Monte-Carlo Rally.

Sesks was testing at the helm of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in central Finland recently and Østberg was involved in testing for the recent Sigdalsrally in Norway. Both events were a far cry from the deserts of northern Qatar.

Tomorrow (Wednesday), competitors carry out a detailed reconnaissance of the dozen gravel stages that have been laid on by the QMMF through Qatar’s northern deserts.

The Waab Al-Mashrab stage is similar to 2023 but there have been minor changes to sections of both the Al-Waab and Umm Birka specials, with new tracks added into the middle part of both specials.

The Al-Khor stage features a new start section and will be run in the opposite direction to 2023, while the majority of the Ras Laffan and Al-Thakhira stages remain unchanged except for a new start and finish section for the Ras Laffan special and a short change near the end of Al-Thakira.

The 2024 Qatar International Rally gets underway from Lusail Boulevard at 19.00hrs on Thursday evening, before competitors tackle an exciting opening super special stage at the LCSC Karting Academy from 20.00hrs.

There is a chance of light rain on Thursday and blustery and less settled weather conditions on Friday and Saturday.

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Driver•i’s advanced vision-based technology will propel GreenLine’s eco-friendly truck fleet to the forefront of environmentally conscious transportation, ensuring top-tier road safety. Leveraging intelligent edge computing enables real-time assessment of driving behavior and provides comprehensive insights for fleet managers. Its data-driven approach identifies areas of improvement, facilitating automated and targeted training programs to elevate overall safety measures.

Commenting on the collaboration, Anand Mimani, CEO, of GreenLine Mobility Solutions Ltd, said, “We take immense pride in our established presence within the logistics sector, committed to decarbonizing India’s logistics landscape. This collaboration epitomizes our collective commitment to pioneering advanced safety standards. By integrating Netradyne’s Driver•i, our goal is to enhance driver safety, fostering a secure environment for our dedicated drivers while delivering superior service excellence to our customers.“

Durgadutt Nedungadi, Senior Vice President, Netradyne, added, “We are beyond excited to join hands with GreenLine Mobility and look forward to supporting their fleet safety operations. Netradyne will ensure a smooth implementation and work closely with GreenLine Mobility to align better to their evolving business needs — and together, work towards creating safer roads and improved transportation standards in the industry.”

GreenLine’s LNG trucks have a significant environmental impact, showcasing up to a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions, complete elimination of SOx, a remarkable 59% decrease in NOx emissions, a substantial 91% reduction in Particulate Matter emissions, and an impressive 70% decrease in CO emissions compared to diesel trucks.

This collaboration signifies a future where cutting-edge technology harmonizes with environmental consciousness, paving the way for a safer and more sustainable transportation industry.

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The QMMF has laid on a revised three-day format that offers 13 timed special stages and 199.95km competitive kilometers in a route of 622.49km. Scrutineering facilities will be based at the Lusail Sports Arena with media and administration based out of QMMF’s offices.

The pre-event press conference and ceremonial start will take place at Lusail Boulevard for the first time. Competitors will then tackle a floodlit 3.27km super special stage at the LCSC Karting Academy from 20.00hrs on Thursday evening.

Qatar’s demanding northern deserts will then host two days of frenetic action with two loops of three special stages scheduled for both Friday, February 2nd, and Saturday, February 3rd. One stage remains unchanged from 2023, another will be run in the opposite direction, and four feature minor tweaks for safety and sporting reasons.

The rally will be held under the chairmanship of QMMF President Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, senior committee member Abdulrazaq Al-Kuwari, and the QMMF’s Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. Portugal’s Pedro Almeida will again work as the Clerk of the Course alongside his deputy Rashid Al-Sulaiti.

“We are delighted to be hosting the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship this year,” said QMMF Executive Director Amro Al-Hamad. “Our event has consistently seen the strongest entry on any round of the championship, and we have seen some fantastic competition in the last couple of years. Our team has again laid on a challenging route, and I am sure that it will provide the perfect backdrop to the start of what we all hope will be an exciting season.“

Supplementary regulations and further details are available from www.qmmf.com, with first entries closing on Wednesday, January 3rd. A final cut-off date has been set for Wednesday, January 17th.

The QMMF has also announced a series of generous concessions for international and GCC competitors. International entrants will be given a $6,000 shipping allowance, with GCC teams receiving $3,000, subject to all vehicles passing scrutineering and administrative checks.

In addition, the QMMF will arrange economy class flight tickets for both driver and co-driver, once entry fees are paid, and supply one twin room with breakfast for five nights.

Start prizes will also be awarded: entrants who pass scrutineering and administrative checks and enter before the first cut-off date will receive QR 5000, and QR 4000 will be awarded to starters who enter after the early cut-off and before January 17th.

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MUMBAI: Mahindra Logistics Ltd. (MLL), one of India’s integrated logistics & mobility solutions providers, in association with Mahindra Last Mile Mobility has announced that they are deploying women drivers for EDel, MLL’s last-mile delivery cargo service on Electric Vehicles.

In a significant push to the government’s agenda of generating employment opportunities, EDel will provide employment to women drivers, who will be specially trained with a training program to operate EVs.

85% of MLL’s 1000 current fleet of EVs are powered by Mahindra Last Mile Mobility 3-wheelers. The recently launched Zor Grand DV+ with a 170cu.ft factory-fitted DV box, which promises a 100km range on a single charge, has a battery warranty of 1.5 lakh kilometres/5 years, and is the latest addition to the fleet. The Zor Grand DV+ can be used in various first & last-mile applications such as e-commerce, FMCG, Retail, Pharma, and more. MLL is currently in the process of expanding its fleet with 1000 larger cubic size vehicles over the next 6 months (across India). The company is additionally piloting its soon-to-be-launched electric two-wheelers in Kochi, which will be introduced across the country. 20 EV charging hubs have also been set up to recharge these vehicles.

Commenting on the announcement, Rampraveen Swaminathan, MD & CEO, of Mahindra Logistics, said: “We encourage and value diversity amongst our employees, associates, business partners, customers, and communities. We have taken several initiatives to make our workplace attractive by providing equal opportunity to women. Hiring women drivers for EDel in Bengaluru is one such step in this direction. As a part of the expansion plan; more women drivers cum owners, fleet owners, and other transporters will be encouraged to join EDel for last-mile delivery. We remain committed to our larger RISE purpose, by empowering these associates with skills that enable their long-term career development & employment.“

Suman Mishra, CEO of Mahindra Electric – Last Mile Mobility said, “Our electric 3-wheelers are employment generators for women, thereby helping them to be an integral part of the EV revolution. The twist-and-go operation, vibration- and noise-free drive experience, the reliability, as well as the superior Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) motivate women to drive EVs to support their families.”

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