Ishita Ayan Dutt

Stories by Ishita Ayan Dutt

Covid has taken sheen off India's most exclusive clubs

Covid has taken sheen off India's most exclusive clubs

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2020

Few of these highly sought-after socialising and networking hubs are seeing much activity as regulars are missing in action.

Farm reforms may help Cargill's expansion plans in India

Farm reforms may help Cargill's expansion plans in India

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2020

Cargill believes the reforms would act as a catalyst in attracting private sector investment in building supply chains for taking Indian farm produce to national and global markets.

India's richest club sees nine new entrants; Ambani still No 1

India's richest club sees nine new entrants; Ambani still No 1

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2020

Half of the nation's 100 richest saw gains rising a collective 14% to $517.5 billion, says Forbes. Forbes released 2020's top 100 richest Indians on Thursday, which included newcomers, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, co-founder of Info Edge (India), who owns popular job and property websites; siblings Nithin and Nikhil Kamath, co-founders of discount stock brokerage Zerodha Broking, and three specialty chemicals producers - Vinod Saraf, founder of Vinati Organics, Arun Bharat Ram, the patriarch of SRF, and brothers Chandrakant and Rajendra Gogri of Aarti Industries. Other newcomers included Delhi-based brothers Ramesh Kumar and Mukand Lal Dua of Relaxo Footwears, which owns affordable footwear brands; dairyman, R G Chandramogan of Hatsun Agro; Premchand Godha, who chairs IPCA Laboratories, manufacturing formulations, bulk drugs and drug intermediates; G Rajendran, founder of jewellery chain, GRT Jewellers.

Farm Bills: Who are the actual gainers?

Farm Bills: Who are the actual gainers?

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2020

While reforms may translate into new opportunities for firms like ITC, Adani Wilmar and Reliance Retail, farmers are unlikely to use it for fear of upsetting commission agents.

Harsh Lodha reappointed director in Birla Corp despite panel's rejection

Harsh Lodha reappointed director in Birla Corp despite panel's rejection

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2020

Nearly 98% of shareholders vote in favour of his reappointment and payment of remuneration to Lodha.

FMCG firms see value in fast-growing, high-margin spices biz

FMCG firms see value in fast-growing, high-margin spices biz

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2020

The fast-growing, high-margin branded spices business is turning out to be an interesting growth opportunity, which to an extent was reflected in the Sunrise-ITC deal, with multiple parties from PE to strategic players joining the fray.

Emami may sell land, non-core assets to cut debt

Emami may sell land, non-core assets to cut debt

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2020

Last month, Emami Group completed divestment of its 100 per cent stake in Emami Cement to Nuvoco Corporation for an enterprise value of Rs 5,500 crore.

Steel firms raise prices by Rs 2K a tonne in 10 days

Steel firms raise prices by Rs 2K a tonne in 10 days

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2020

Prices in the domestic market are increasing because there is a demand pull, and internationally, prices have gone up.

Covid's unexpected fallout: Indians take to bicycles in big way

Covid's unexpected fallout: Indians take to bicycles in big way

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2020

Since the Covid pandemic, bicycle sales have surged, orders are pouring in, and stores are already feeling a shortage. 'I have not seen this kind of excitement around bicycles and you are talking to a 57-year-old man,' said Pankaj M Munjal, chairman and managing director, Hero Motors Company (HMC), the largest Indian bicycle producer;

How Spencer's plans to turn around Natures Basket

How Spencer's plans to turn around Natures Basket

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2020

The numerous integration measures have led to savings in areas including supply chain, technology, inventory management, and marketing.

Tata's Chandra: 'We're adapting to the new normal'

Tata's Chandra: 'We're adapting to the new normal'

Rediff.com   7 Jul 2020

We are adapting to the situation by innovating new delivery modelss, launching brand campaigns that are impactful in the current context and closely monitoring changes in consumer buying behaviour, he said.

It's not fair! Emami slams HUL over skin cream rebranding

It's not fair! Emami slams HUL over skin cream rebranding

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2020

While HUL's Fair & Lovely was launched in 1975, Emami's Fair & Handsome was unveiled in 2005. Both companies now straddle both the men's and women's fairness categories in the country.

China top buyer of Indian steel under lockdown

China top buyer of Indian steel under lockdown

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2020

In the first two months of the current fiscal, Indian exports of finished steel reportedly grew by almost 76 per cent on a YoY basis and China alone accounted for close to 60 per cent of the increase.

'No other state fights so much with the Centre'

'No other state fights so much with the Centre'

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2020

'Why should the state and Centre fight?'

How things improved for steel, cement cos in May

How things improved for steel, cement cos in May

Rediff.com   2 Jun 2020

In the domestic segment, demand is currently led by rural markets, oil and gas, LPG and B2C segments like roofing and sheeting.

Returning migrants: Boon or bane for states?

Returning migrants: Boon or bane for states?

Rediff.com   29 May 2020

For states like West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, where migration is high, the return of workers could be as much an opportunity as a liability. All states have launched portals to register migrant workers; additional fields like nature of employment and remuneration in the past 2-3 years are being added to help in skill mapping.

For India Inc, conserving cash is the mantra

For India Inc, conserving cash is the mantra

Rediff.com   25 May 2020

India's harsh lockdown has left companies grappling with temporary closure, chaotic supply chains and depressed demand. Consequently, business plans have been modified.

'I was stunned by Mamata's response'

'I was stunned by Mamata's response'

Rediff.com   8 May 2020

'Does it mean that till the COVID-19 fight is over, the governor should be non-functional, in sleep mode, and fiddling in the Raj Bhavan while the state is burning?'

'India too large and complex to be under long lockdown'

'India too large and complex to be under long lockdown'

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2020

'It will take six months to one year to move to normalcy, depending on how the pandemic plays out in India.'

Manufacturing sector hits a virtual standstill

Manufacturing sector hits a virtual standstill

Rediff.com   26 Mar 2020

Factories are shutting down owing to a shortage of labour and raw materials, and a lack of logistical support amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown against the coronavirus pandemic.