DirecTV

State Bank of India is the largest and oldest bank in India. A Forbes 500 company (the only Indian bank in this list) and among the largest banks globally, the origin of State Bank of India goes back to the first decade of the nineteenth century with the establishment of the Bank of Calcutta on 2 June 1806. A unique institution, it was the first joint-stock bank of British India sponsored by the Government of Bengal. The Bank of Bombay (15 April 1840) and the Bank of Madras (1 July 1843) followed the Bank of Bengal. These three banks remained at the apex of modern banking in India till their amalgamation as the Imperial Bank of India on 27 January 1921 paved the way for State bank of India on 1st July 1955 by an act of Parliament of India.

A rich heritage - File picture of Bank of Bengal H.O - the forerunner of State Bank of India

The bank has a rich history and culture. It has the unique privilege of being the only bank in India which has the distinction of combining the functions of a commercial bank and India''s central bank. The bank enjoys the rare of being a continuously profit making company without a single break right through its 200 year history ! The State Bank of India was thus born with a new sense of social purpose as banking gave way to the concept of purposeful banking sub serving the growing and diversified financial needs of planned economic development.

The State Bank of India was destined to act as the pacesetter in this respect and lead the Indian banking system into the exciting field of national development. It naturally acquired a pre-eminent position in the Indian banking industry and has secured a vital place in India''s economic life. From just over 400 offices in 1955, the bank has over 9000 branches excluding the 5000 branch of its associate banks. The State Bank Group has a phenomenal 14000 + branches in India which has spread into the nooks and corners of India. The bank has more than 100 million customers ! This ubiquitous presence combined with its rich heritage, financial strength, and pioneering role instrumental in India growing into a vibrant economy - it is little wonder that the bank is seen in many quarters as a `Proxy to the Indian Economy''

A financial power house the group has its presence in every area of the financial sector - Insurance, Credit Cards, Mutual Funds, Capital Markets, Factoring, etc., All the 14000 + branches of the group are computerized with nearly 9000 branches on a centralized data base. The bank has the largest ATM network and the largest credit card base in India. Moody''s has accorded a Baa2 rating to the bank.State Bank of India''s global presence has spread over 30 countries and 72 offices. The bank''s New York office is one of the oldest foreign offices. Started in the year 1971-72, State Bank of India New York operates out of -town Manhattan. The branch specializes in Remittance India and Trade Finance business. Besides the bank among the most competitive interest rates on . It is the only bank from South Asia which is a member of Fed Wire and CHIPS - the two major financial systems in US. The branch''s payment gateway system handles among the largest payments and receipts to / from India among all banks operating in USA.

The bank''s association with sports is well chronicled having been in the forefront of promoting sports in India. It has on its rolls leading sportsmen who have represented India in cricket, hockey, soccer, etc.,. The encouragement of State Bank of India to sports and to cricket in particular is borne out by the fact that the bank has been represented by stalwarts like Wadekar, Viswanath, Kirmani, Bedi, Yashpal Sharma, Binny and Azharuddin, to name a few.

State Bank of India - a perfect blend of rich heritage and modern technology, and the vanguard of India''s economy.

Launched on 25th October 1985, Emirates is the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in Dubai.
Beginning December 03 Emirates will launch Non-stop service from Houston to Dubai making this Emirates second gateway in USA. Emirates has evolved into a globally influential travel and tourism conglomerate in just a few short years. Wholly owned by the Government of Dubai, the airline has had to develop and expand in order to stay ahead of the competition, made all the more fierce by Dubai's continuing open skies policy – a policy wholly supported by the airline. Financially independent and thriving, Emirates is not subsidized in any way by its owners, other than initial assistance with start up costs. The airline has recorded a profit in every year except its second year of operation.

Now comprising an award-winning fleet of more than 100 aircraft, an international cargo division, a full-fledged destination management and leisure division, an international ground-handler and an airline IT developer, Emirates is characterized by two key features, continuous explosive growth and a constant focus on top quality service. Managing to maintain the latter whilst continuing the former is the secret of Emirates success.

Currently responsible for more than 50 per cent of all flight movements in and out of Dubai International Airport, Emirates aim is to increase this tally to 70 per cent by 2010, without compromising quality. The airline currently flies to 87 destinations in 59 around the world and the network is expanding constantly. Nearly 550 flights fly out of Dubai per week covering five continents.

In the financial year 2005/2006, Emirates carried 14.5 million passengers and one million tones of cargo. Always at the forefront of aviation technology, Emirates flies the youngest and one of the most modern fleets in the world, with an average aircraft age of 61 months.

Emirates aim is to develop Dubai into a comprehensive aviation hub that will ultimately serve as an important global long haul hub.

THE EMIRATES GROUP
Emirates Airline
Destination and Leisure Management
- Emirates Holidays
- Arabian Adventures
- Emirates Hotels & Resorts
- Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa
- Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa
- Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa
- Emirates Green Lakes Serviced Apartments
- Timeless The Spa
- Emirates Sky Cargo
- Skywards
Dnata
- Dnata Airport Operations
- Dnata Cargo
- Dnata Agencies
Mercator
Trans guard
Galileo Emirates
Emirates also holds a 43.6 per cent stake in SriLankan Airlines, a 68.7 per cent shareholding in Dubai-based Maritime and Mercantile International LLC (MMI), 34.4 per cent equity in Oman United Agencies LLC, and a 54.7 per cent equity shareholding in Emirates Flight Catering Co. LLC which provides all the airline and airport catering services at Dubai International Airport. Emirates fully owns Emirates Hotel LLC, the company that owns Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach resort.

Dnata fully owns Dnata Travel (UK) Ltd., Dnata Inc., Kedma Holdings Pte Ltd., Changi International Airport Services (International) Pte Ltd., Changi International Airport Services Pte Ltd and CIAS Enterprises Pte Ltd. It also owns 50 per cent equity in Dubai Express LLC, Gerrys Dnata (Pvt.) Ltd. and Dnata Arabian Airport Services Co. Ltd.; 49 per cent equity in Safiran Dnata Airport Services PJSC; 40 per cent in Emirates Loyalty Company LLC.; and 20 per cent in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Ground Handling Services Co. Ltd.

Emirates flies 3 times daily from JFK to Dubai connecting to rest of the world. 2 flights operate Non-stop JFK to Dubai whereas as one flight is via Hamburg.

Fly Emirates from New York and enjoy these special offers:

Dine and Fly
Enjoy a complimentary dinner at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park or The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park before your First or Business Class flight. Then be chauffeur driven to JFK.

Dubai Connection Offer
Relax and recharge in Dubai with transfer offers that include massage and use of gym and swimming pool at Dubai International Airport Hotel for First and Business Class passengers. Economy passengers can enjoy access to the Marhaba Lounge.

Call Emirates toll-free on 1800 777 3999 to book these offers.

New Route:
Emirates is set to launch services to Houston, Texas - its second destination in the United States starting 3rd December 2007. The non-stop service between Dubai and Houston will initially operate three times a week, increasing to a daily service from 1st February 2008. Emirates will fly its new Boeing 777-200LR on the route. When launched, the Dubai-Houston non-stop service will be Emirates longest flight – clocking 17 hours flying time to North America, while the shorter return journey will be at just over 15 hours.

 Diamond Essence