DELHI PREPARES FOR 6TH EDITION OF INDIA ART FAIR
6th Edition of India Art Fair brings the best Indian and International contemporary art
with 91 exhibiting booths and 1000 artists
An expanded specially curated Art Projects programme will span the outdoor and indoor fair space with 24 large
scale installations and space specific works in a variety of mediums
India Art Fair announces the first edition of a Mentor and Protégé programme. A philanthropic arts initiative to
provide and sustain artistic aspirations to the Indian art world
New Delhi - India Art Fair, India’s premier modern and contemporary art fair, is pleased to announce its 6th edition from 30th
January – 2nd February 2014 (with a VIP Preview by invitation on 30th January) at NSIC Grounds, New Delhi. YES BANK is
Presenting Partner for the 6th Edition of India Art Fair.
Since its founding in 2008, India Art Fair has grown to be an epicenter for art in India, with a global reputation for being one of South
Asia’s leading art fairs. This year the art fair will include 91 exhibiting booths and 1000 artists in the general exhibition area and
solo projects. It will also include a video project, art bookstores, assortment of book launches, children’s workshops, curated walks
and a curated art projects section with 24 large scale installations. The key highlights of the fair also include an engaging
Speakers Forum with 30 world renowned speakers and a city wide Collateral Events programme. The fair also hosts a tightly
curated VIP Programme, in collaboration with public institutions, galleries and private art organizations, for visiting collectors and
museums.
India Art Fair has played a key role in exposing galleries from across India to a variety of individual and institutional buyers from
across the country and the wider world. It has been visited by 400,000 people from over 60 cities over its five previous editions.
This edition of the fair will take place in the heart of South Delhi, inside a custom-built tent spanning more than 20,000 sq. metres,
designed by a highly-regarded Indian architectural firm.
In addition to the participation of leading and emerging contemporary galleries, an extensive Art Projects programme spanning the
outdoor and indoor fair space will be a major focus of the fair this year, presenting a range of work from high profile Indian and
international artists. Among the rich selection on offer, projects include the installation Aura by Subodh Gupta, a video-art project
curated by Bhavna Kakar, the sculptural project Agalma by artist Anjana Kothamachu, and artist Riyas Komu’s unique project
involving the creation of a Collectors Room. Other projects include L N Tallur’s sculpture Path Finder, Anindita Dutta’s sculpture
based performance work and Chintan Upadhyay’s iconic shrine Lost Soul.
PRESS CONTACTS: India: Amrita Kapoor |New Delhi | + 91 9818058964 | amrita.kapoor@flint-pr.com
International: Camilla Purdon |London| +44 203 4632086 | camilla.purdon@flint-pr.com
This year’s fair has also attracted leading jeweller NIRAV MODI who will be presenting a collection of exquisite custom made designs
inspired by motifs from the Mughal miniature school of art, encrusted with precious gems and priceless diamonds. For the first time
the art fair will have participation from museums Mark Rothko Art Center Latvia, and also The Himalayas Art Museum in
Shanghai as part of a major delegation of Chinese collectors attending the fair with a view to stimulating Indo-Chinese cultural
exchange between collectors and museums.
Another first for 2014, India Art Fair announces the inaugural edition of a new Mentor and Protégé Program. It is a philanthropic
programme that will seek a gifted young artist from India and connect them with an artistic master for a year of creative
collaboration in a one-on-one mentoring relationship. In its first edition the Mentors will be Dayanita Singh, world-renowned
photographer artist and Jitish Kallat, one of the most prominent figures of Contemporary Indian Art. Through this initiative India
Art Fair will keep with its tradition of supporting individual excellence.
Through its engaging Speakers’ Forum (free of charge to the public), visitors will be able to hear some of the best minds from
diverse fields within the visuals arts. Highlights from the roster of speakers include Budi Tek (the Chinese-Indonesian entrepreneur,
art philanthropist, and collector), Philip Dodd (Chairman of Made in China), Chris Dercon (Director Tate Modern London), Homi
Bhabha (Critical Theorist and Anne F. Rothenberg Professor of English and American Literature and Language, and the Director of
the Humanities Centre at Harvard University), Bharti Kher (Artist) and Jeebesh Bagchi (Member Raqs Media Collective). To
foster growth and encouragement for this intellectual body of the fair, the Speakers’ Forum has received support from Forum
Partner JSW Steel and Academic Partners Goethe Institut, Critical Collective and Pro Helvetia.
"The Indian art market has seen a considerable uplift over the last couple of months, and as we prepare for the 6th edition of India Art
Fair there is a renewed level of confidence in the market, from both the buying and selling perspective. India Art Fair has a hugely
exciting programme ahead, with 91 booths and 1000 artists participating from galleries across the globe. When we consider the scale
and scope of not just the art fair but the way the larger scene has evolved since we started, we certainly have come a long way as an
emerging market and continue to have the most promising years still ahead of us for both modern and contemporary art.”
Neha Kirpal, Founder and Director, India Art Fair.
“YES BANK recognizes the enormous growth potential in the field of Art, and we are continuously striving to facilitate a responsible
attitude to Indian and global Art, by introducing synergistic corporate interest, support and patronage through corporatization of Art.
We at YES BANK are proud to be the Presenting Partner of India Art Fair and endeavour to spearhead initiatives which can foster
creativity and promote the development of Art in the long run.”
Rana Kapoor, Managing Director & CEO, YES BANK Limited
Attachments: Industry endorsements for the 6th Edition of India Art Fair.
# Images of the artwork to be showcased are available on request
Notes to Editors
About India Art Fair: India Art Fair is a trademarked event property owned by Seventh Plane Networks. Its Founding Director
Neha Kirpal launched the fair in 2008, and has been instrumental in steering the fair’s unprecedented growth over 6 years into
becoming the premier destination for art in the region. In 2011, Neha Kirpal divested a stake in India Art Fair to two new strategic
partners; Sandy Angus (Chairman of global exhibitions group Montgomery Worldwide which has launched several art fairs around
the world) and Will Ramsay (Founder of PULSE Art Fairs, and Affordable Art Fairs). Mr. Angus and Mr. Ramsay are also co-founders
of the Hong Kong International Art Fair and bring in their global expertise in exhibitions and events, and the support of a truly global
network to India Art. For the 6th edition, YES BANK will be Presenting Partner. YES BANK's association with India Art Fair is part of
the Bank's Retail and Wealth Management initiative. India Art Fair is also supported by ABSOLUT as Associate Partner, and other
partners are Panerai, Le Meridian and Conde Nast India.
www.indiaartfair.in
FOLLOW INDIA ART FAIR ON:
PRESS CONTACTS: India: Amrita Kapoor |New Delhi | + 91 9818058964 | amrita.kapoor@flint-pr.com
International: Camilla Purdon |London| +44 203 4632086 | camilla.purdon@flint-pr.com
Associates of India Art Fair 2014
Presenting Partner: YES BANK - “YES BANK, India’s fourth largest private sector Bank, is the outcome of the professional and
entrepreneurial commitment of its Founder, Mr. Rana Kapoor and his top management team, to establish a high quality, customer-centric,
service-driven, private Indian Bank catering to the Future Businesses of India. YES BANK’s Media & Entertainment, Fine Arts, Luxury & Sports
Banking Group is a highly focused knowledge banking group committed to the growth and development of these sunrise sectors through
innovative financial advisory and customized financial solutions, including advisory in establishing art funds. Through its Retail and Wealth
Management initiatives, YES BANK provides a knowledge-based approach to investing in art as a long term and diversified asset class. In
collaborations with leaders in the art fraternity, YES BANK also offers insurance, authentication and valuation services.”
Associate Partner: ABSOLUT - For 30 years, ABSOLUT VODKA has collaborated with the creative world and the collection today
comprises more than 800 works from artists such as Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente, Louise Bourgeois, Rosemarie Trockel, Angus
Fairhurst, Jan Saudek and Béatrice Cussol. ABSOLUT embarked on its collaboration in India with contemporary artist Subodh Gupta followed
by Bharti Kher and Vikram Seth. The latest alliance by ABSOLUT is with one of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists Anish Kapoor.
‘ABSOLUT Kapoor’ is a spectacular installation created exclusively for ABSOLUT by Anish; the dramatic work is created out of negative space
with his signature use of vibrant colour. He is an alchemist, bringing together elements which redefine the relationships between object and
viewer, sculpture and space. For ABSOLUT – Kapoor aspires to astonish and evoke a sublime experience.
Preview Partner: OFFICINE PANERAI - Founded in 1860 in Florence as a workshop, retail shop and watchmaking school, for many years
Officine Panerai supplied precision instruments to the Italian Navy, particularly items relating to the requirements of the special submarine
forces. The designs developed in this period – among which were the Luminor and Radiomir watches – were covered by the provisions of
military secrecy for several years and their launch on the international market took place after the acquisition of the brand by the Richemont
group in 1997. Today in its manufacture at Neuchâtel, Officine Panerai develops and produces its own movements and watches. A unique
synthesis of Italian design and history with Swiss manufacturing technology, Panerai watches are sold through an exclusive network of
distributors and in its own-brand boutiques throughout the world. www.panerai.com
Luxury Media Partner: Vogue (Condé Nast India) - Condé Nast International (CNI), a division of Advance Publications, sets the
benchmark for multimedia publishing excellence. CNI currently operates in 27 markets, publishing 128 magazines, close to 100 websites and
over 200 tablet and Smartphone apps, under such respected brands as Vogue, GQ, Glamour, Wired, Condé Nast Traveller, AD and Vanity Fair.
Recent launches include Vanity Fair in France, Condé Nast Traveller in China and the Middle East, Vogue in Thailand, Ukraine and The
Netherlands, GQ in Turkey, Glamour in Brazil, AD in India and Allure in Russia. Condé Nast India is a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Condé
Nast International. Condé Nast India launched with Vogue in 2007 followed by GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and Architectural Digest . With the
launch of Condé Nast Digital in 2010 and the rollout of websites, WAP sites, mobile and tablet apps, Condé Nast India is India’s No.1
multi-media platform in the premium space.
Auction House Partner: Christie’s - Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as
well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, the company has since provided a celebrated showcase for the unique and
the beautiful. Christie’s has consistently offered the finest Indian works of art since James Christie, the charismatic founder of the firm, offered
‘four fine India pictures painted on glass’ in his inaugural sale on 5 December, 1766. Growing interest in Indian Art led to the opening of
Christie’s first representative office in India in 1994. The following year, Christie’s held its first stand-alone Indian Art sale in London. Today
Christie’s holds regular sales in New York and London and is the market leader in all categories of Indian art. Collectors from India make an
increasingly important contribution to the global art market across international categories. In December 2013, Christie’ held their first India
Sale in Mumbai. The sale totaled INR 96,59,37,500, was 98% sold by value and lot and set numerous new world auction record prices for
Indian artists. Christie’s has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world. Christie’s has led the market
with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in
Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
Hospitality Partner: Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts - Le Méridien, the Paris-born hotel brand currently represented by nearly 100
properties in more than 40 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYS: HOT) in November 2005. With more
than 80 of its properties located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le Méridien provided a strong international complement
to Starwood's then primarily North American holdings at the time of purchase. Since then, Le Méridien has gone through a brand re-launch,
which included a large scale hotels product consolidation as well as redefining its brand strategy. Through creation of the LM100 artist
community, Le Méridien has transformed numerous guest touch points, thus bringing unique, interactive and curated experiences to its guests.
Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Méridien Hotels and Resorts within the next five years, concentrating on markets in Asia-Pacific and the
Americas. Le Méridien recently opened new hotels in Bali, Atlanta, Dallas, Istanbul, Oran (Algeria), Arlington (Virginia, USA), and Coimbatore
(India), and will open in the next 12 months in Chicago, Zhengzhou (China), Mahabaleshwar (India), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Cairo (Egypt),
Qingdao (China), Dhaka (Bangladesh),

India’s illiterate adults stands at 287 million: UNESCO

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India has the highest population of illiterate adults and constitutes 37% of the global total though India ’s literacy rate rose from 48% in 1991 to 63% in 2006 

According to the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2013-14 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), India has the highest population of illiterate adults at 287 million which is 37% of the global total. India’s literacy rate rose from 48% in 1991 to 63% in 2006 while for the latest year, population growth cancelled the gains so there was no change in the number of illiterate adults.  

The Report also mentioned about education spending in various countries and highlighted that India reduced its spending on education from 4.4% of GNP in 1999 to 3.3% in 2010 while it spent 10% of its government budget on education in 2011 which is a reduction from 13% in 1999. In one of India ‘s wealthier states, Kerala, education spending per pupil was about $685. Similarly, in Himachal Pradesh it was US$542. By contrast, in West Bengal it was US$127 while in the state of Bihar it was just US$100.

The report mentioned that the education also helps overcome gender biases in political behavior to deepen democracy. In India , reducing the gender literacy gap by 40% increased the probability of women standing for state assembly election by 16% and the share of votes that they received by 13%. The report also showed strong correlation between female literacy and child mortality. An increase in the female literacy rate from 58%, the current average in the districts surveyed, to 100% would lead to a reduction in the under-5 mortality rate from 81 to 55 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The report also suggested that if India reduced tax exemptions, tackled tax evasion and diversified its tax base, it could greatly change this picture. In India , the majority of tax revenue forgone is due to exemptions from custom and excise duties. The revenue lost to exemptions came to the equivalent of 5.7% of GDP in 2012-13. If 20% of this had been earmarked for education, the sector would have received an additional US$22.5 billion in 2013, increasing funding by almost 40% compared with the current education budget.

The Report also talked about the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan with allocations still not sufficiently reaching the states most in need. Further, it also highlighted that improving access to quality education could save an enormous number of lives in India and Nigeria, which together account for more than a third of child deaths and added that if all women had completed secondary education, it would have been 61% lower in India.

The Report also highlighted that only 9% of primary school teacher candidates passed the Central Teacher Eligibility Test introduced by the government in 2011 with little improvement in subsequent years.

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Aimia, AirAsia and Think Big Digital Form Partnership

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Aimia, AirAsia and Think Big Digital Form Partnership To Grow the AirAsia BIG Loyalty Program

Global Loyalty Leader joins with Asia’s Fastest Growing Low Cost Airline and Think Big Digital Sdn Bhd  to grow World Class Loyalty Program in Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 January 2014 – Aimia Inc. (TSX: AIM) (“Aimia”), a global leader in loyalty management headquartered in Canada, AirAsia Berhad (BM: AIRA) (“AirAsia”), Asia’s fastest growing and largest low-cost airline, and Think Big Digital (“Think Big”) Sdn Bhd , today announced the signing of a partnership agreement for Aimia’s acquisition of a minority stake in Think Big, the owner and operator of BIG – AirAsia and Tune Group’s loyalty program.

Aimia will initially invest approximately (C$16 million) in Think Big, with up to an additional (C$7 million) to be invested if certain milestones are achieved by December 31, 2015.

The partnership combines AirAsia’s unrivaled success in the Asian market, which has seen it grow from just two aircraft to more than 160 in 12 years, Tune Group’s portfolio of successful companies including hotels, pre-paid Visa cards, insurance and music companies – and Aimia’s unmatched expertise in the design and management of travel-based loyalty programs, to provide BIG members and partners with a loyalty proposition that is truly rewarding.

“The partnership between AirAsia, Think Big Digital and Aimia is yet another way that AirAsia and Tune Group are innovating and driving change in the Asian airline market – all to the benefit of our members, guests and investors,” said Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of AirAsia and co-founder of Tune Group. “With its experience running the world’s largest standalone frequent flyer programs, the Aimia team has unique and invaluable insight. We are thrilled to be working together to leverage that knowledge as we continue to grow the AirAsia BIG loyalty program.”

“The AirAsia BIG loyalty program is a great opportunity to export Aimia’s coalition business model and to help our clients create deep and lasting relationships with their customers,” said Rupert Duchesne, Aimia’s Group Chief Executive. “Through this partnership with AirAsia and Tune Group, we look forward to sharing our experience with this program, while also growing our presence in the high-potential Asian loyalty market.”

AirAsia BIG loyalty program spans across Southeast Asia, a growing market with a population of 634 million. The region is ranked fourth globally in airline market size.

The AirAsia BIG loyalty program continues to benefit from the growing customer base of both AirAsia and Tune Group. It has already attracted a broad coalition of partners ranging from credit card companies, retail stores, petrol stations, and insurance and telecom firms, in addition to the AirAsia and Tune Group family partners.

“With AirAsia’s customer base of over 43 million guests a year, the potential of BIG to deliver deeper, more meaningful relationships to a broad membership base is significant,” said Alice Goh, CEO AirAsia BIG Loyalty program. “We believe that this potential extends beyond flight revenues and we look forward to working with all BIG partners to build a cutting-edge program.”

“Asia represents a key region for Aimia as we expand our presence globally, and we believe the partnership between ourselves, AirAsia and Tune Group provides a fantastic platform to further demonstrate our unique capabilities in the loyalty industry,” added Marc Allsop, Aimia’s Senior Vice President of Business Development. “This partnership brings three innovative, forward-thinking brands together for the long-term benefit of our customers.”

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements are included in this news release. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “would”, and “should” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Such statements may involve but are not limited to comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions.

Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts, predictions or forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business and its corporate structure.

Results indicated in forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results for a number of reasons, including without limitation, dependency on top accumulation partners and clients, changes to the Aeroplan Program, conflicts of interest, greater than expected redemptions for rewards, regulatory matters, retail market/economic conditions, industry competition, Air Canada liquidity issues, Air Canada or travel industry disruptions, airline industry changes and increased airline costs, supply and capacity costs, unfunded future redemption costs, failure to safeguard databases and consumer privacy, changes to coalition loyalty programs, seasonal nature of the business, other factors and prior performance, foreign operations, legal proceedings, reliance on key personnel, labour relations, pension liability, technological disruptions and inability to use third party software, failure to protect intellectual property rights, interest rate and currency fluctuations, leverage and restrictive covenants in current and future indebtedness, uncertainty of dividend payments, managing growth, credit ratings, as well as the other factors identified in this news release and throughout Aimia’s public disclosure record on file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Aimia’s expectations as of November 13, 2013, and are subject to change after such date. However, Aimia disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

Photo caption:

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes and Aimia Group Chief Executive Rupert Duchesne striking the gong to mark the successfulsigning of a partnership agreement for Aimia’s acquisition of a minority stake in Think Big, the owner and operator of BIG – AirAsia and Tune Group’s loyalty program.

***ENDS***

About The AirAsia Group

AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with 121 destinations. Within 12 years of operations, AirAsia has carried over 220 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to over 160. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries as well as China, India and Australia. AirAsia was named the World’s Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for five consecutive years from 2009 – 2013.

About Aimia

Aimia Inc. (“Aimia” or the “Corporation”) is a global leader in loyalty management. Employing more than 4,000 people in over 20 countries worldwide, Aimia offers clients, partners and members proven expertise in launching and managing coalition loyalty programs, delivering proprietary loyalty services, creating value through loyalty analytics and driving innovation in the emerging digital, mobile and social communications spaces. Aimia owns and operates Aeroplan, Canada’s premier coalition loyalty program, Nectar, the United Kingdom’s largest coalition loyalty program, Nectar Italia and Smart Button a leading provider of SaaS loyalty solutions. In addition, Aimia owns stakes in Air Miles Middle East, Mexico’s leading coalition loyalty program Club Premier, Brazil’s Prismah Fidelidade, China Rewards – the first coalition loyalty program in China that enables members to earn and redeem a common currency, and i2c, a joint venture with Sainsbury’s offering insight and data analytics services in the UK to retailers and suppliers. Aimia also holds a minority position in Cardlytics, a US-based private company operating in card-linked marketing for electronic banking. Aimia is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: AIM). For more information, visit us at www.aimia.com.

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#AAP नेता नहीं दे रहे पार्टी फंडिंग पर जानकारी

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Punjab Kesari     ‏@punjabkesari                  4m       

#AAP नेता नहीं दे रहे पार्टी फंडिंग पर जानकारी : केंद्र ने #HighCourt को बतायाhttp://bit.ly/1b6P72C  pic.twitter.com/6i2jaG54lU

 

 

 

 

 

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