Ajinkya Kawale, Shivani Shinde

Stories by Ajinkya Kawale, Shivani Shinde

Fintechs boost hiring, strengthen leadership

Fintechs boost hiring, strengthen leadership

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2024

In the backdrop of the crisis brewing at Paytm Payments Bank, major fintech companies are ramping up their workforce and inducting new faces in their leadership teams, industry sources said on Wednesday. Users will not be able to add funds to their Paytm Payments Bank Wallet after February 29, though they will still be able to use the services and the existing balance in the wallets, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) diktat. Industry sources said that competitors to Paytm are investing heavily in offline payments while doubling their salesforce.

Wipro set to cut hundreds of jobs

Wipro set to cut hundreds of jobs

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2024

After startups and Big Tech, the layoff season may have begun at the $245 billion Indian information-technology (IT) industry. Bengaluru-based IT major Wipro is looking to cut hundreds of jobs, targeting mid-level employees working onsite as the company looks to improve margins, according to a media report, citing two sources. The company has said it is aligning its business and talent to the changing market environment.

Paytm: What's working and what's next?

Paytm: What's working and what's next?

Rediff.com   7 Feb 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred Paytm Payments Bank from most operations, including taking deposits and fund transfers with effect from March 1, 2024. The curbs on the bank come amid several alleged failures such as violations of know-your-customer (KYC) norms. Under such a scenario, here's what works for customers using Paytm Payments Bank, according to the company.

Paytm denies any Enforcement Directorate probe into money laundering

Paytm denies any Enforcement Directorate probe into money laundering

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2024

One97 Communications Ltd (OCL), the parent firm of fintech major Paytm, has denied reports about any investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the company, its associates, and its founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Vijay Shekhar Sharma. The company, in an exchange filing on Sunday, said it had cooperated with the authorities when users or merchants on its platform were subject to enquiries in the past. "We would like to set the record straight and deny any involvement in anti-money laundering activities.

'GenAI is going to be the tip of the arrow for HCLTech'

'GenAI is going to be the tip of the arrow for HCLTech'

Rediff.com   29 Jan 2024

'It will drive a lot of surrounding business, that is where we see some good projects coming in.'

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2024

As Ayodhya readies itself for the glittering, much-awaited consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir on January 22, and as millions of pilgrims and devotees pour into the holy city for the momentous event, companies are rushing to do their bit and be a part of the mega celebrations. Some are offering a part of their profits as donations, telcos are beefing up the number of cellular towers to ensure better connectivity, and there are those distributing jalebis and food platters.

Apple reclaims most valued brand title; Tata only Indian brand in top 100

Apple reclaims most valued brand title; Tata only Indian brand in top 100

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2024

Technology companies continue to be the most valued brands globally, with the top five most valued companies from the technology sector, according to Brand Finance 2024. Samsung has entered the top five most valued brands globally. Apple secured the first position after falling to the second spot in 2023.

'YouTube Shorts pulls in people from all over India'

'YouTube Shorts pulls in people from all over India'

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2024

'Two in three creators in India who earn money from YouTube agree that YouTube is their primary source of revenue.'

Why Fog Grounds Flights?

Why Fog Grounds Flights?

Rediff.com   16 Jan 2024

The phenomenon of fog is largely Delhi-centric. 'Airlines may think that we only have conditions of extreme fog on a few days every year, and spending a pilot's time and the airline's money on training can add up to its expenses.' 'So, they may prefer holding it for a few days.'

Indian crypto firms welcome US SEC approval for bitcoin ETF

Indian crypto firms welcome US SEC approval for bitcoin ETF

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

The securities regulator's approval for the first US-listed exchange traded funds (ETF) to track bitcoin has given Indian cryptocurrency companies hope that the move would create domestic support for the digital assets. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday approved 11 ETFs for bitcoin, perhaps the most popular virtual currency. It would enable investors to access bitcoin without challenges such as setting up wallets or accounts with crypto exchanges that have previously suffered cyberattacks or implosion.

War Has Broken Between IT Giants

War Has Broken Between IT Giants

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

Trouble started brewing after Cognizant announced that Ravi Kumar, former Infosys president, would take over as the Nasdaq-listed company's CEO.

Q3 continues to be a slow quarter for IT sector due to curtailed spending

Q3 continues to be a slow quarter for IT sector due to curtailed spending

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2024

India's top technology companies will witness a tepid revenue expansion in the third quarter (October - December) of the current financial year (Q3FY24) - along expected lines - on the back of furloughs and no blockbuster deals, even as the momentum gained from Generative AI (GenAI) is likely to take centre stage. IT services and consulting firm Accenture's first quarter numbers in FY24 showed a significant pick up in GenAI spending. It signed new bookings to the tune of $450 million in this space, a surge from the $300 million signed in the whole of FY23.

Tour operators in Maldives feel the heat as row escalates

Tour operators in Maldives feel the heat as row escalates

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2024

The diplomatic rift between India and Maldives, coupled with the suspension of flight bookings on one of India's major travel portals, has sent jitters down the spine of tour operators in the island nation. The Maldivian Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), a forum for travel agents, has stressed that the Indian market is important to the success of tourism in Maldives.

Interim Budget 2024-25: Funds to boost reach on fintech industry wishlist

Interim Budget 2024-25: Funds to boost reach on fintech industry wishlist

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2024

Indian fintechs and associated entities are hoping that the Union Budget 2024 will provide a boost and empower firms to extend their reach beyond Tier-II regions, with an emphasis on supporting enterprises led by women. The fintech industry, which has witnessed regulatory reforms over the last year, expects the Budget, scheduled to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, will further encourage financial inclusion, empower micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs) with lending solutions, and push for upskilling initiatives for the country's young workforce.

Can India Create Multi Language AI Like Chat GPT?

Can India Create Multi Language AI Like Chat GPT?

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2024

Creating an LLM trained on Indian languages is not easy. Experts say each language in India has a nuance of its own, so creating a ChatGPT-like product is an ambitious challenge.

Indian airlines slapped Rs 2.75 cr fine in 2023

Indian airlines slapped Rs 2.75 cr fine in 2023

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2024

The aviation regulator slapped fines amounting to Rs 2.75 crore on Indian airlines in 2023, marking a 39 per cent rise in financial penalties from Rs 1.97 crore in 2022. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it imposed fines on domestic carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, AirAsia India and SpiceJet for issues related to non-compliance in 2023. The regulator also carried out a record number of 5,745 surveillance activities in the year to ensure compliance by airlines, aerodrome operators, and aviation personnel among others.

TCS needs to keep evolving in age of GenAI: Krithivasan

TCS needs to keep evolving in age of GenAI: Krithivasan

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2024

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has to "keep evolving" and be relevant to clients as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies emerge, K Krithivasan, chief executive officer and managing director of the IT company, has said in a New Year's message to employees. "It is always heartening to see the reinforcement of how strong our relationships are with our clients and the level of trust they place with us.

Paytm looks to rationalise employee costs by revising hiring strategy

Paytm looks to rationalise employee costs by revising hiring strategy

Rediff.com   2 Jan 2024

Sources close to the development told Business Standard the company was exploring different ways to save on its employee costs and had laid off a few employees on "performance" grounds. "We will see a similar development for the next few months. "The company is fine-tuning its hiring policies and implement rigourous measures to look into employee performance," a source said.

Navi Mumbai international airport's commercial launch expected in Dec 2024

Navi Mumbai international airport's commercial launch expected in Dec 2024

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2023

The outer structure of Navi Mumbai International Airport's first terminal building is almost ready. Exactly behind the under-construction building, stands a partially demolished hill. Executives from the airport company are now hopeful the hill will be flattened by mid-January, paving the way for the first commercial take-off by December next year.

Google versus Epic Games verdict in US cheers Indian gaming developers

Google versus Epic Games verdict in US cheers Indian gaming developers

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2023

The verdict in the Google versus Epic Games antitrust case in the US has spread cheer among the Indian gaming and app developers. Ending a three-year legal battle, the San Francisco jury found that Google turned its Play app store and billing service into an illegal monopoly. American video game maker Epic Games, best known for Fortnite, had sued Google in 2020.