Automated SMS Confirmation for Waitlisted Tickets from IRCTC

Waitlisted passengers will soon get status as sms in their mobile phones if their tickets get confirmed before journey.

A senior Railway Ministry official said the waitlisted passenger will get a SMS about the status of the ticket on their registered mobile phone number given at the time of ticket booking before the journey.

Currently, one has to either dial the enquiry number 139 or use the Internet to know the waitlisted ticket status.

Others get to know the status of their tickets only after reaching stations.

"Once the SMS-based service is operational, passengers will get the updated status of their waitlisted tickets automatically," the official said, adding "only those passengers will get the message whose tickets get confirmed." CRIS, the technological arm of Railways, is making the software for the SMS-based service.

'Great Online Shopping Festival' - Dec 11 to 13

Google India's mega online shopping festival, 'Great Online Shopping Festival' (GOSF), will be held between December 11 to 13. Intended to boost the adoption of online shopping in India, GOSF brings all the leading e-commerce players in India on a common platform.

The Great Online Shopping Festival had received a good response last year. This year, the shopping mela will have about 241 players offering their best deals across India for 72 hours. All the leading e-commerce players, local and classified companies, online travel sites, auto companies, telecom companies, fashion labels, health and wellness companies, banking and financial services will be participating in this mega shopping festival.

Industry estimates suggests there are close to 20 million online shoppers in India and it is estimated to grow to 50 million in next few years, making it a 16-billion dollar industry.

According to Rajan Anandan, VP & Managing Director, Google India Great Online Shopping Festival is India’s version of Cyber Monday in the west and is an exciting platform to raise awareness and consumer adoption of online shopping in India.

This edition of Great Online Shopping Festival will be offering discounts ranging from 20% up to 80% on footwear, imported cars, property deals, holiday packages, insurance, spa packages, event tickets, grocery coupons, books, jewellery etc.

Google india is also partnering with Airtel, Intel and Paytm for the Great Online Shopping Festival. Apart from promoting the initiative, Airtel will be offering 10% cash back on all online transactions.