Akshara Srivastava, Sanket Koul

Stories by Akshara Srivastava, Sanket Koul

FSSAI sets expiry timelines for food items sold on ecom, qcom

FSSAI sets expiry timelines for food items sold on ecom, qcom

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2024

The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Tuesday asked e-commerce and quick-commerce food operators to ensure a minimum shelf life of 30 per cent or at least 45 days before products expire at the time of delivery. The order follows rising concerns over violations of food safety standards in quick-commerce and e-commerce.

What's Driving Surge in Breast Cancer?

What's Driving Surge in Breast Cancer?

Rediff.com   1 Nov 2024

Late-stage diagnosis is a major issue, with over 75 per cent of cases being detected at advanced stages (50 per cent at Stage 3 and 25 per cent at Stage 4). This significantly reduces survival rates.

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2024

'We used to get 400-500 applications for Canada on a yearly basis until last year, but this has gone down to just 70 this year.'

'India is at the heart of what we are doing'

'India is at the heart of what we are doing'

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2024

'For us, it's "keep moving and keep building a critical mass", which is commensurate with the size of the country.'

Will Anna's Death Be A Wake-Up Call For India Inc?

Will Anna's Death Be A Wake-Up Call For India Inc?

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2024

'In India, managers and the leadership almost glorify overworking.'

The Great Indian Wedding Season

The Great Indian Wedding Season

Rediff.com   4 Oct 2024

With November 22, 23 and 24 being among the most auspicious dates for marriage this year, hotels across the country are all booked, as are wedding-related ancillary services.

More urban shoppers opting for Qcom platforms

More urban shoppers opting for Qcom platforms

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2024

Quick commerce (Qcom) platforms are bringing upon a rapid change in the behaviours of online shoppers, with 31 per cent of buyers relying on the fast delivery option for grocery needs, according to a new study.

MTR owner eyes IPO in 2025

MTR owner eyes IPO in 2025

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2024

The Indian arm of the Norwegian investment company Orkla ASA, which owns spice brands like MTR and Eastern, is exploring the possibility of launching an initial public offering (IPO) in 2025, said a top company executive. "The ASA board just cleared the proposal. "We had done a pre-IPO study last year to understand what we need to do and based on that the board said, 'okay, let's go ahead and explore capital markets'," Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Orkla India, told Business Standard.

Pernod Ricard raises India bar on premium play

Pernod Ricard raises India bar on premium play

Rediff.com   19 Sep 2024

French wine and spirits maker Pernod Ricard expects to report low double-digit growth in India in the medium-term on the back of a strong premiumisation trend emerging in the country. "We are now the second market worldwide for Pernod Ricard and India continues to be a big growth engine for the group. "Our compoun annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past five years was 8 per cent, which is robust and was maintained at a rather high level," said Jean Touboul (pictured), chief executive officer, Pernod Ricard India.

Online vs offline retail: Industry divided over Piyush Goyal's comments

Online vs offline retail: Industry divided over Piyush Goyal's comments

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2024

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal's recent comments on large e-commerce players have reignited the debate about their impact on smaller offline retailers. On Wednesday, Goyal said that the rapid growth of e-commerce in India is a "cause for concern" and is diminishing the market share of small, mom-and-pop stores by offering high-margin products such as consumer electronics and apparel at discounted rates.

Mpox Puts Health System On High Alert

Mpox Puts Health System On High Alert

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2024

Strict screening protocols are to be implemented for passengers arriving from central African countries affected by the outbreak.

Quick-service restaurants look to serve up new menus to deal with slump

Quick-service restaurants look to serve up new menus to deal with slump

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2024

In the first quarter (Q1) of the ongoing financial year ending June 30, Westlife Foodworld, which operates McDonald's outlets in the South and West, reported an 88 per cent drop in net profit. While net sales remained flat, its same-store sales growth (SSSG) fell by 6.7 per cent, impacted by "subdued in-store business, although the off-premise segment saw positive same-store sales", the company said.

Mankind Pharma to lead in Indian women's health market after BSV deal

Mankind Pharma to lead in Indian women's health market after BSV deal

Rediff.com   29 Jul 2024

New Delhi-based pharmaceutical major Mankind Pharma is poised to take pole position in women's health portfolio in the India Pharma Market (IPM) after completing the Rs 13,630 crore deal to acquire Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV), senior company officials said. The deal potentially opens doors for Mankind Pharma to the overseas markets, which currently draws 92 per cent of its revenues from India. The combined entity will draw around 13 per cent revenues from the international market, with the remaining coming from the domestic market.

Now, Karnataka Wants To Scrap NEET

Now, Karnataka Wants To Scrap NEET

Rediff.com   26 Jul 2024

Karnataka has the highest number of medical seats in the country at 11,745, of which 3,750 seats were in government institutions and 7,995 seats were in private colleges.

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Rediff.com   24 Jul 2024

The Budget proposals are expected to boost the fortunes of consumer goods and fast-moving consumer goods companies, which have been struggling with poor consumer demand for more than a year. The Budget announcements, such as the increase in standard deduction by Rs 25,000 for income-tax payers and slab revisions, will put more money in their hands, boosting consumer demand. Private consumption is also likely to benefit from a new scheme to offer internships to 10 million youths in the country's top 500 companies.

Even MBAs Find It Tough To Get Jobs

Even MBAs Find It Tough To Get Jobs

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2024

'Corporations that were recruiting 15 or 20 [students] have reduced the number to two or three.'

How To Fix Ayushman Bharat: Experts To FM

How To Fix Ayushman Bharat: Experts To FM

Rediff.com   28 Jun 2024

'Patients under the scheme may ultimately have to go to private hospitals.'

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Wine maker Sula Vineyard eyes double-digit growth on premiumisation

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2024

Raising toast to 25 successful years, India's largest wine maker Sula Vineyard is eyeing a sustained double-digit growth in revenue over the next five years, buoyed by growth in the premium and elite categories and expansion of its new ranges. It was during Covid that the vineyards shifted focus to its own brands and pivoted towards growing the premium and elite segment of the market.

NEET-PG Delay May Push Doctors Abroad

NEET-PG Delay May Push Doctors Abroad

Rediff.com   24 Jun 2024

'The NEET-PG is the only exam for admission to MD, MS and PG Diploma courses.' 'Many doctors take time off from work to prepare for it, while others study during their long hospital shifts.'

52% Of Urban Indians Utilise Ayush

52% Of Urban Indians Utilise Ayush

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2024

Ayush refers to the six Indian systems of medicines, namely Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy are majorly prevalent in the country.