The State Bank of India (SBI) chairman GG Vaidya on Tuesday handed over two cheques aggregating Rs 11 crore to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for welfare of soldiers fighting in Kargil. Of this sum, the SBI workmen staff and officers through their respective federations have donated Rs 6 crore to the prime minister's relief fund by encashing their one-day privilege leave, a bank statement said in New Delhi. Also, as a caring and corporate citizen, SBI has donated Rs 5 crore to the National Defence Fund, it said.

Indian Airline's new scheme

Indian Airlines has introduced a new short term promotion scheme called the 7 Plus Scheme with effect from July 1, 1999. Under the scheme, a passenger who completes 10 sectors of travel on major metro flights between Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad (with the exception of Chennai-Bangalore-Chennai and Chennai-Hyderabad-Chennai) would get two free return tickets to any of the 16international destinations flown by the IA.

Kinetic host sponsor of Auto Fest '99

Kinetic Motor Company Ltd will be the host sponsor of Auto Fest '99 to be held in Chennai during August this year. The third international mega exhibition and convention will have all the major two-wheeler and four-wheeler companies from India and abroad, a company release said. Kinetic would utilise the opportunity to showcase its entire range of products as Tamil Nadu is an important market for the company. The company would display more than 24 models of two-wheelers including four models of mopeds and two models of scooterettes, the release said.

Tyre dealers offer for Dunlop

Tyre dealers throughout the country have offered financial help in managing the marketing set-up of ailing tyre company Dunlop India Ltd. Tyre dealers would participate in managing marketing set-up and provide financial assistance for sales and distribution network to the West Bengal government in joint revival efforts, all Indiatyres dealers federation (AITDF) said in a communique to prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Ford names Ikon launch manager

Ford India on Tuesday announced the appointment of John Fink as the launch manager for Ikon -- its next offering for the Indian roads which is slated to hit the streets in November this year. Fink will develop the blueprint to propel Ikon into the hearts and minds of Indian car buyers, a statement issued in New Delhi said.

Gujarat Glass stake in Sri Lankan firm

Gujarat Glass, a subsidiary of Nicholas Piramal, has signed a memorandum of understanding, to acquire an initial 39.49 per cent stake in the Ceylon Glass Company (CGC), Sri Lanka. CGC is Sri Lanka's largest glass producer and has a capacity of 100 tonnes per day and a turnover of Sri Lankan Rs 750 million. The initial investment from Gujarat Glass will be approximately Rs 20 crore to acquire a 51 per cent stake in CGC, a press release said.