Press Briefing by Her Excellency the President of the Republic of Malawi...

Karnataka Govt impounds Ola and Uber Cabs for Surge Pricing

The Karnataka government has seized cars from online cab aggregators Ola and Uber for charging their users over the government decided rate of Rs 19.5/km, reports Mint. The report cited Dr Ramegowda, Bangalore’s transport commissioner, as saying that over 30 cars had been impounded for implementing surge pricing.

We’ve reached out to Uber and Ola as well as the Karnataka transport department and will update this when we hear from them.

Surge pricing is a technique used by both Uber and Ola to increase fares (1.5x, 2x etc.) to provide drivers the incentive of keeping their cab running, while also making it available for the user, no matter how much the demand for one.

  
Government stays cab rate at Rs 19.5/km

Earlier this month, the Karnataka government banned surge pricing, as a part of its rules for online cab aggregators in the state. According to the ET report, multiple cab operators like Uber, Ola, Meru, Mega, Bangalore Taxi etc operate under the Radio Taxi Scheme and not the ‘Karnataka On Demand Transportation Technology Aggregators Rules, 2016’.

Surge pricing backfires

Last week, Uber put up a blog post explaining the need for surge pricing, reiterating what it has been saying since inception: surge pricing allows users to get cabs even on a busy day. However, users haven’t been happy. Most recently, a user saw prices as high as 7.3x in Hyderabad making it impossible for him to get a Uber cab. Despite this, the company states that ‘nearly all’ of surge pricing profits go to the drivers as part of their fares. Aman Garg and Nitish Parnami from Bangalore and Delhi, also started petitions against Ola and Uber on Change to address surge pricing, for which both got over 16,000 and 51,000 signatures respectively.

BigBasket’s pact with offline retailers to hasten deliveries

The desire to rush to the doorsteps of the consumer faster with deliveries seems to compel leading online retailers to acquire more and more market share to strengthen their leadership position. This can be observed from the planning of India’s online grocer, BigBasket, to offer delivery of goods in 60 minutes or less, through collaborations with neighbourhood stores.

BigBasket is cultivating offline partners to secure its dominance as Amazon and other electronic stores pitch themselves closer to shopper’s home. Therefore, it is aiming for significantly higher margins from its branded and co-branded categories, BigBasket will also establish co-branded pickup points as well as sell its own brand of gourmet staples at its partner stores.

For express delivery, the company has tied-up with local stores to promise delivery within an hour of at least 400 items that it has identified as household essentials. These stores will handle the delivery with their own staff, while BigBasket will offer its technology to manage inventory and will pay a service fee to the store for providing facility.

 

“BigBasket will shortly roll out partnerships with about 1,800 neighbourhood stores in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune. The key to success is to control inventory, ensure products are delivered in time, and restrict order cancellation to a minimum”, said chief executive Hari Menon.

"We realised that about 20-30% of groceries are unplanned and immediate-need purchases, and cannot wait for the next day or even the next few hours," said Co-founder Abhinay Choudhary. BigBasket, which raised more than 300 crore in the past eight months, is in a hurry to strengthen its leadership position as other electronic stores, too, are putting up shelves online for household supplies and groceries, emerging as a key category in online retailing.

Amazon recently announced it would launch an express delivery platform in partnership with mom-and-pop stores under a scheme called 'Kirana Now'. Rival online grocers Grofers, backed by Tiger Global, and Springboard-funded Local Banya also offer express delivery.

"Delivering in such a short time is a very big opportunity to convert offline shoppers to come online," said Arvind Singhal, chairman of retail consultancy Technopak. "And since BigBasket is the category leader in the space, they will want to consolidate their position."

Midi Skirt : Enjoying the scenic Route in Croatia

I don’t think any blogger or travel writer can ever describe the beauty and vibe of Croatia in words.  All I can say about  that the sky is clear and the water is deep blue. These pics were taken when we took one long break from driving and relaxed by a small piece of beach right on the road on our way from Split to Dubrovnik. We sat on the warm sand and just stared out into the sea for an hour or so. It was the most relaxing one hour of my 17 day trip traipsing through Europe and I still remember it vividly.

We were able to finally find a bit of sun after a week of rains. So, I delved deeper into my bag and brought out this cute little skirt and lace top outfit.This OOTD is perfect for a day out in the sun and comfortable enough for a long scenic drive. I have styled it here as well. The skirt is from Romwe and the lacy top is sale find from Forever 21. I absolutely love these tan flat sandals that I found from Forever 21 ages ago.

It was pretty windy that day and I had some fun dancing in the wind that day!

Ananda Mahal - Palace Of Delights

Ananda Mahal is also famous by name of 'Palace Of Delights' that was being built in 1589 AD by Adil Shah. This is the building of two stories that was once upon a time housed by the palace ladies and now has the presence of examination bungalow, gymkhana club, and many offices along with the assistant commissioner quarters.

Architecture

This Mahal is out of the awesome monuments of the Bijapur that is about 530 kms towards the northwest side of Bangalore. This palace is being surrounded by luxuriant gardens and abundant cascades. The walls of this palace are decorated very well having large rooms along with two halls, the central hall and the frontal hall. The interiors of this palace are festooned with delightful foliations that are banquet to eyes of the tourists. Anand Mahal exhibits a slight amalgamation of present as well as the past.

How to Reach

The nearest airport available is at Belgaum that is about 205 km from this palace. Bijapur has the connection by road to Bangalore, Goa and to Belgaum. Various trains are available between Bijapur to Mumbai, Bangalore, Hospet and Vasco da Gama via Londa and Hubli.

The best time to visit Bijapur is the months between October-March.

    - The months between October- March are suitable for sightseeing around Bijapur.
    - Short tips can be done in June - September months but visitors have to watch the rainy days.
    - The months of April as well as May are very hot but one can visit the city and enjoy shopping also.

Ananda Mahal, Palace Of Delights, Monuments In India, Bijapur awesome monuments, Bijapur Ananda Mahal

Joyce Banda launches Malawian Airlines

President Dr. Joyce Banda on Wednesday launched Malawian Airlines Limited which is expected to give Malawians a vibrant and faster means of transport.
Speaking at Chunzu Primary School Ground in Dowa, President Banda said air transport was one of the transport areas the country was experiencing numerous challenges.
Among the problems, the President noted absence of a reliable Airline.

President Dr. Joyce Banda receiving a gift from CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam at Chunzu Primary School Ground

Banda described the launch of the Malawian airlines as timely as it would provide Malawians with a successful and fastest mode of transport.
“I believe that having this Airline, more business people will not have difficulties in conducting their businesses both in and outside the country,” said Banda.
Malawian Airlines works with Ethiopian Airlines to protect and maintain the air safety and security record and to make air travel more environmentally responsible.
Apart from improving business, the President said the Airline would improve safety, quality and reliability of domestic air transport and bring substantial benefits to Malawians.
She said with the Airline in operation, more Malawians would have access to markets, education and health services as well as tourism centers.
“Malawian Airlines relates to a number of investments and its existence in the country will enable in sustaining air transport,” she said.
Chairman for Malawian Airlines, George Patridge, said having the Airline in Malawi was a great achievement, saying the Airline would provide a faster and reliable mode of transport to Malawians.
“Malawian airlines started its operational in January, 2014 serving the Blantyre-Lilongwe domestic route using the 67 seater Bombardier Q400 equipment,” said Patridge.
Patridge also explained that the company launched its first international service to Harare on February 3, 2014 and Johannesburg was added to the route network two weeks later.
Malawian Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Malawi based in Lilongwe with its hub at KIA. It was established in 2012 after the liquidation of Air Malawi the former national airlines.
The Malawi Government has a 51 per cent market share while the Ethiopian Government only gets 49 per cent of the total market share.

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President Joyce Banda is the iron lady of Malawi

Her determination to escape an abusive marriage set Joyce Banda on the road to greatness. The ‘mandasi’ woman survived being shunted aside by her predecessor, Mbingu wa Mutharika, and has now taken the mantle as Malawi’s president. The spat between Callista Mutharika, the wife of the departed Malawi President Bingu Mutharika, and his successor, Joyce Banda was a pointer of things to come.

Blinded by proximity to power and its trappings, the former First Lady derided Mrs Banda as a “mandasi” (mandazi in East Africa) woman of no consequence.

As vice-president, Banda had differed with President Mutharika when it became clear that he was grooming his brother, James Mutharika, to succeed him. Banda was fired from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) but she founded her own party and remained vice-president, thanks to the constitution.

“You distribute little money here and there for village women to sell mandasi and you think you can become president?” Callista Mutharika had harangued the future president.

“I am a mandasi woman, and I am a supporter of all mandasi women, all market women in Malawi, and all tomato women in the country. That is my constituency.”

The mandasi solidarity paid off. Last week, Banda wielded the symbolic sword of power and was sworn in as Malawi’s fourth president and the country’s first female one.

In a printed floral dress with matching headgear and a grey wrapper across her right shoulder, Joyce Hilda Mtila Banda walked to the podium in the new Parliament building in Lilongwe and took the oath that changed Malawi’s history forever as foe and friend watched.

The daughter of Gray John Stewart Mtila, a former policeman, composer, and famous drum major of the police brass band, Banda became the second female president in Africa.

Born on 12 April, 1950, President Banda’s ascendancy to greatness was predetermined at an early age by circumstances that ushered her into an adventurous life that later defined her persona.

As her father was tossed from one police station to another because of the nature of his job, his daughter had the opportunity to travel the length and breadth of Malawi.

The young Yao girl would appreciate the various ways of life of the major communities in Malawi such as the Chewa, Tumbuka, Mang’anja, Tonga, Ngonde, Lhomwe, and Sena.

Unlike her predecessor, Bingu wa Mutharika, who was largely viewed as aloof, Banda is regarded as a “woman of the people”. Mutharika died on Thursday, 5 April.

By her own admission, the president’s home is neither Malindi in Mangochi District, where her father came from, nor Domasi in Zomba District, where her mother, Edith Chimwele, hailed. It is also not Nkhata Bay District, the home of her husband, retired Chief Justice Richard Banda.

“I belong everywhere,” she has told many political rallies.

The message is that she belongs everywhere she lived with her father and siblings McArthur, Festa, Cecilia, and Anjumile.


A mother of five children — three from her earlier marriage with Geoffrey Kachale and two stepchildren with her current husband, retired Justice Banda — the president cuts the figure of a person who can easily switch between the roles of politician, activist, mother, and wife with ease.

Banda is now listed as Africa’s third most powerful woman by Forbes magazine, after Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Nigerian minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweal. Okonjo-Iweal is vying for head of the World Bank.

President Banda’s activism, though, is said to have stemmed from her sojourn in Kenya, where she lived in an abusive marriage to Geoffrey, who was working with the Malawian embassy. She was helped leave and return to Malawi by a women’s movement.

Having lived in close proximity with the effects of abuse and seen the poverty that permeates Malawian society and relegates women to the position of doormats of their breadwinner husbands, Banda made women empowerment a personal mission.

She founded the National Association of Business Women (NABW) in 1989 to empower thousands of women to become self-reliant economically by providing training and loans to start small businesses. NABW empowered rural women and disbursed loans worth over $2 million (Sh160 million in current rates) to more than 12,000 women.


Banda’s quest to empower the small-scale business woman earned her a moniker, “The Mandasi Woman”.

Banda’s endeavours to empower women did not stop at enabling rural women to have money in their pocket; they aimed to ensure that they had enough food at the household level. Therefore, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Hunger Project in Malawi.

Ironically, Callista Mutharika worked with Banda at the Hunger Project years before she became First Lady.

Banda’s war against hunger eventually earned her The Africa Award for Leadership for Sustainable End of Hunger, which she shared with former Mozambique President Joachim Chissano. Other awards under her belt include Women of Substance from the Africa Women Development Fund and the International Award for the Health and Dignity of Women and Woman of the Year.

Banda used some of the proceeds from the End of Hunger award to educate children and orphans through her Joyce Banda Foundation International.

She has enrolled for a Masters’ degree programme and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in early childhood education.

Malawi Watch executive director Billy Banda says although the President has not always been a political giant, she played a pivotal role in the democratisation of the country and the formulation of a Bill of Rights in the constitution.

“Banda was the first chairperson of NGO-Gender Coordination Network and passionately supported the 50-50 gender representation campaign,” he recalls.

As a vice-president, Banda recently joined Malawi women for national prayers after scores of vendors in the capital city, Lilongwe, stripped women who were wearing trousers and miniskirts.

Banda’s leadership skills were also recognised by Malawi’s second President Bakili Muluzi, who appointed her to chair several boards of statutory corporations. They included the Malawi Communication Regularity Authority (Macra), the Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC), and the Agriculture Development Market Corporation (Admarc).

Significantly, she was the chairperson of Admarc when Malawi sold maize to Kenya at the time her compatriots were dying of hunger. A case was instituted against her for allegedly diverting or aiding maize diversion to Kenya, but was later dropped due to lack of evidence.

The president is a member of the Church of Central African Presbytery’d women’s guild.

“She spends most of her time assisting people and praying. She is a humble person who fears God,” says Banda’s spokesperson Ruth Govati.

Her “religious pilgrimages” has two times taken her to the Synagogue Church For All Nations (SCOAN) of Prophet TB Joshua in Nigeria.

In a strange coincidence, a Zimbabwean politician has tried to link the evangelist to Mutharika’s death.

Prof Joshua Moyo, a senior official of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF, on Wednesday claimed that the preacher was covering up a plot.

It has been reported that Prophet TB Joshua had about two months ago told his congregation that an African Head of State would die of illness in 60 days. He is alleged to have specified the day and date of death in a subsequent sermon.

The Prof Moyo sensationally claimed that: “In some circles there is even spirited speculation that TB Joshua had privileged intelligence information about a death plot against President wa Mutharika and the plotters used him as their microphone to divert attention and let the death appear like it was an act of God when it was an intelligence operation.”

President Banda’s associates say she likes to cook for her husband when she has time.

Although she may like domestic chores, she can certainly wield a big stick.

On Wednesday, she sacked Patricia Kaliati, the Information minister, who publicly insisted that Bingu wa Mutharika was alive, more than one day after his death.

The sacking was part of the shake-up of top officials unveiled by President Banda Tuesday.

President Banda also purged Mutharika loyalists who were in charge of government finances and media.

“Although we are in mourning, certain decisions cannot wait,” President Banda told a news conference in the capital Lilongwe, three days after taking office.

She also announced an investigation into the murder of student activist Robert Chasowa and fired police chief Peter Mukhito.