Western Union helps consumers celebrate the holidays and connect with loved ones back home 

There are two things South Asian Americans value most, especially during the Indian festive season. They want to stay connected with their loved ones, expressing their love, concern and support, while living thousands of miles away; And the need to receive or provide financial assistance to or from their dear ones. Nidhi Gupta, Western Union Marketing Manager, India/South Asia, says, "Western Union is able to help the fast growing South Asian Americans fulfill both their needs. We facilitate fast, reliable and convenient ways of transferring money from the United States to their loved ones back home and as a part of an ongoing promotion in association with Tata Communications, we are offering them free talking time on the phone every time they transfer money through us."

These valuable services and the underlying values behind Western Union inspired the executive, Nidhi Gupta, to join this century old multinational company. "I joined Western Union primarily because I believe in the values that are behind Western Union, especially how it helps people in the US be in touch with their loved ones and support their beloved ones in South Asia. We at Western Union believe in and support the needs of people who are on the move, in pursuit of their dreams. Even in these uncertain times, the optimism and positivity of our consumers is inspiring. Can a son support his parents back home? The answer is yes! Can a father fulfill his child’s hopes and dreams? The answer is yes! Western Union’s money transfer services enable these connections between South Asians around the globe," Gupta, who had joined Western Union in 2008, told this writer in an exclusive interview.

This holiday season is a unique opportunity, Nidhi Gupta, who manages marketing for Western Union among the South Asian communities in the US says, "During this busy holiday season, our consumers want to make sure their loved ones in India are taken care of and many people send money with Western Union Money Transfer services to help add to the celebrations taking place back home," says Nidhi Gupta. "Whether our consumers are celebrating Diwali, Rakhi or Ramadan, among others, this free phone time promotion with trueroots allows them to directly connect with friends and family during this special time of year."

When a consumer sends a money transfer to India during the promotional period, they will receive a message on their receipt that will provide a promo code, along with a phone number and Web site to call or visit to redeem the offer and get up to 60 minutes of free phone time from trueroots. Also, consumers can visit www.westernunion. com/india to send news of this special free phone time offer to five of their friends and family to help share the excitement. With over 50,000 Western Union ® Agent locations in India and 46,000 Agent locations in the U.S., sending and receiving money using Western Union Money Transfer services is easy and convenient.

Dave Majumdar, Senior Product Manager, India/South Asia and Pakistan, said, "This is a way to thank our consumers during this festive season for using Western Union Money Transfer ® services to India, when they send a qualifying money transfer from the U.S. at any participating Agent location, online at westernunion.com or by calling 1- 800-435-2226."

The consumers sending money to India have been thrilled to learn of this free phone time promotion from Western Union," said Mohan Kathuria of Asli Sona, a Western Union Agent location in New York. "From an agent perspective, this is one of the busiest times for people to send money transfers back home. Consumers have been excited to receive this promotion after their transaction because they are not only sending the gift of cash back home for the holidays but they also get an opportunity to talk with their family and catch up. It keeps them coming back!"

In addition, the company also announced a new way for consumers to save money through Western Union’s promotion, Happy Wednesdays. Recognizing that during difficult economic times the need for financial help for family, friends and loved ones does not diminish but may even become more important, Happy Wednesdays provides an opportunity for consumers to save 50 percent off qualifying transaction fees*, regularly $9.99 or more, when sending money on Wednesdays, for a limited time.

The free phone time to India promotion will end October 31, 2009. For more information on Western Union, consumers can visit www.westernunion.com    

"During this busy holiday season, our consumers want to make sure their loved ones in India are taken care of and many people send money with Western Union Money Transfer services to help add to the celebrations taking place back home," says Nidhi Gupta.  

[ BY AJAY GHOSH ]