Bosch AA signs Middle East PR contract with Orient Planet

Kerala News from Priya R.S.

Television awards announced in the state

The State Television awards were announced with "Anna" directed by Azhagappan bagging the best serial award, the best actor and best actress awards. Late Rateesh was selected as best actor and Kaveri the best actress for their performances in the serial. The second place in the best serial section went to "Sundarikalum Sundaranmaarum" aired in Doordarshan. Manu Pillai was selected as the best second actress for the serial. The second place for the best actor section of awards went to Siddique for the tele-film "Vilolam", aired in Surya TV, which also won the best tele-film award. The second place for the best tele-film section went to "Surya Kanthi" aired by Kairali TV. Baby Neerja got the best Child Artist award for her performance in the tele-film "Aakaashathaamara". Mohanan was selected as the best director, for his work "Sayahna Swapnangal".

Late G.A. Lal won the best scriptwriter award for his work in "Aazham" and "Vilolam". Ambikasuthan Mangad bagged the best story award for his works in the tele-film "Commercial Break".

Operations of special trains by Southern Railways to be started

Owing to heavy rush during Onam, Southern Railways have decided to run special train service. Special trains will be operated between Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore and Manglore and Thiruvananthapuram Central, Ernakulam and Palakkad junction from September 5 to 14. Reservation in advance for these trains had began on 10th of this month.

Clearance of bill granting statehood to Delhi

The cabinet, which was presided over by Prime Minister Shri.Atal Behari Vajpayee, has cleared the bill for granting statehood to Delhi today. The bill would be introduced in the current session of the parliament Union Labour Minister Shri Sahib Singh Verma commented over it soon after the cabinet meeting and said that it is a great day for Delhi. He also said that the law and order would however remain with the centre. The ministers informed that once the bill is passed bodies like Delhi Development Authority which is now under the centre, would fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Government.

Clearance of bill seeking to ban cow slaughter

Union Cabinet today cleared a bill seeking to ban cow slaughter. The bill on the prevention of cruelty to cow is likely to be introduced in the current session of Parliament. Once the bill is passed, the decision to ban cow slaughter would be implemented on all states under the seventh schedule of the constitution. The cabinet also cleared a bill seeking to amend certain provisions of the Criminal code procedure.

Two Lashkar-e-Toiba arrested

Altaf Hussain and Aftab Ahmed, two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were arrested today by police in Connaught place area on Sunday night four days ahead of Independence Day. They were arrested from Palika Bazar shopping complex where they were to meet each other. They carried with them Chinese pistol, a foreign-make wireless set and some documents which were recovered by the police. According to police reports, the militants were on the lookout for a house to set up their base.

Bosch AA signs Middle East PR contract with Orient Planet

World's leading player in automotive aftermarket intends to expand its presence in the Middle East
August 11, 2003

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket (Bosch AA), the world leader in the automotive aftermarket has appointed Orient Planet PR and Marketing Communications as its official public relations agency in the Middle East. The company, which deals with the global supply of automotive replacement parts and information for Bosch products and systems, distribution of shop and auto accessories, and worldwide customer service intends to establish an aggressive presence in the region.

The Bosch Group is one of the biggest suppliers of automotive technology in the world; and Bosch AA, the automotive aftermarket division contributed to 67% of the company's total sales of 35 billion Euro sales in 2002.

"We foresee that the Middle East will further develop as one of our leading markets with a potential consumption worth Euro 160 million in the GCC region alone, due to the growing number of automobiles and corresponding rise in demand for quality after-sales service and genuine spare parts. The market response so far has been very encouraging with a record 20% rise in sales figures in the previous year. This figure is expected to rise further during the current financial year, considering more re-export segments are opening up in the region, specifically in Iraq. Orient Planet's extensive experience and market reach in the region will help us consolidate our presence and continue our expansion plans," said Jacek Siwinski, General Manager, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Middle East Office, Dubai.
"A strong communications strategy and awareness programme is a crucial component in Bosch AA plans to establish their presence in this region. The Middle East, and the GCC region in particular, has one of the highest ratios of automobiles in the world, especially in the premium and luxury segment, in comparison to the size of its population. There is a growing demand for high quality service and maintenance, spares and accessories. Orient Planet intends to generate greater brand and product awareness for Bosch AA, while addressing the threat presented by the used spare parts market, dealing in cheaper and sometimes counterfeit low quality goods." said Nidal Abou Zaki, Managing Director, Orient Planet PR and Marketing Communications.

The Robert Bosch Automotive Aftermarket Middle East regional office has been recently established to support Bosch partners and customers in the Middle East. Bosch AA not only provides new vehicles with individually matched components and systems, but also provides a comprehensive range of more than 150,000 Original Equipment (OE) quality spare parts such as diesel and petrol injection parts, sparkplugs, filters, starters, generators, brakes, headlights and many other automotive supplies.