Amritha Pillay &Amp;Amp; Shine Jacob

Stories by Amritha Pillay &Amp;Amp; Shine Jacob

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2023

The successful launch of Aditya-L1 - the country's maiden mission to study the Sun - is expected to garner increased investor interest in the Indian space sector and trigger more funding for private players. Several private sector players, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), MTAR Technologies, and Ananth Technologies, have played a pivotal role in the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) solar observatory mission. Aditya-L1 on Saturday set off on a 125-day journey on a PSLV-C57 rocket, in its attempt to study various elements relating to the nearest star from the halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from Earth.

Why India Has Shortage Of Skilled Workers

Why India Has Shortage Of Skilled Workers

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2023

'The second generation of migrant labourers is not enthusiastic about continuing in this field.' 'The parents of the next generation do not wish their children to be part of this trade.'

Why private manufacturers shun super-critical thermal plants

Why private manufacturers shun super-critical thermal plants

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2023

This includes distancing themselves from the new and emerging super-critical technology.

L&T to look at up to $4 bn investment in green hydrogen, with partners

L&T to look at up to $4 bn investment in green hydrogen, with partners

Rediff.com   17 Aug 2023

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will aim to invest $3-4 billion in green hydrogen projects, along with its joint venture (JV) partners, said a senior executive from the company. These investments are planned over three to five years, depending on cost economics. The engineering conglomerate is also in talks to acquire the Nuclear Power Corporation of India's (NPCIL's) share in one of its forging JV companies for a consideration of Rs. 100-150 crore. "We are considering investments worth $3-$4 billion in the green hydrogen space, in collaboration with partners," said S N Subrahmanyan, chief executive officer and managing director of the company.

Share of L&T's slow-moving projects in order book at multi-year low

Share of L&T's slow-moving projects in order book at multi-year low

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2023

The share of slow-moving orders in the overall order book of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is at a multi-year low. This has led to a renewed focus on fast-moving orders. A mix of factors such as commodity price fluctuations, robust order inflow and strong sectoral demand have put capital goods order book in the fast lane, analysts and company executives said. L&T, with its large presence in the capital goods sector, is often seen as the bellwether for trends in this space.

'Private investors will wait for election results'

'Private investors will wait for election results'

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2023

'Policy-sensitive sectors will wait and watch, but policy-agnostic areas will continue based on normal consumption demand.'

Shareholder bonhomie at Naik's last AGM as an era draws to a close

Shareholder bonhomie at Naik's last AGM as an era draws to a close

Rediff.com   10 Aug 2023

At the annual general meeting (AGM) of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) on Wednesday, shareholders made the usual request to the top management for bonus shares. But this time, the setting was different. The man at the helm, outgoing group chairman AM Naik, 82, was heard assuring shareholders that he would join the chorus soon. There were laughs and chuckles at Naik's playful remark as he addressed the last AGM, nearly six decades after he joined L&T as a junior engineer and some 25 years at the top.

Hyundai global boss pushes electric vehicle credentials on India visit

Hyundai global boss pushes electric vehicle credentials on India visit

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2023

Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is vigorously aiming to establish a robust presence in India's electric vehicle (EV) segment through the introduction of new models and the establishment of charging stations under Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) and Kia India. Euisun Chung, executive chairman of HMG, who is currently visiting India, urged both companies to deliver products that not only meet but exceed customer expectations on time, thus driving the achievement of these growth targets. The group is strategically working to elevate Kia's market share from the current 6.7 per cent to an impressive 10 per cent in India in the near future.

RIL pushes production timeline for battery packs by a year to 2024

RIL pushes production timeline for battery packs by a year to 2024

Rediff.com   9 Aug 2023

Reliance Industries (RIL) has reset its battery pack production timeline, shifting it from 2023 earlier to 2024, details shared in the oil-to-telecom conglomerate's latest annual report suggest. In the FY23 annual report released on Sunday, the company has listed the start of battery pack production in 2024. A year ago, at the company's annual general meeting (AGM), Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of RIL, had said, "We aim to start production of battery packs by 2023 and scale up to a fully integrated 5 GWh annual cell-to-pack manufacturing facility by 2024."

World entering a highly disruptive green energy era, says Mukesh Ambani

World entering a highly disruptive green energy era, says Mukesh Ambani

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2023

Reliance Industries (RIL's) annual report released on Sunday highlighted the company's focus on new energy solutions, with chairman and managing director (MD) Mukesh Ambani stating that the age of fossil fuels will not continue much longer. RIL has sought shareholders' approval to give Ambani another five-year term as MD till 2029 at nil salary. The recently demerged Jio Financial Services, which "will leverage the prowess of digital and retail businesses", was expected to be listed soon.

India poised to become export hub for Citroen

India poised to become export hub for Citroen

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2023

French carmaker Citroen will launch its C3 Aircross Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in India by October, and is betting big on exports from India to markets like South Africa, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Nepal, a top company executive told Business Standard. Citroen, which sold 6,000 units through Citron C3 and C5 Aircross SUV, is likely to double its sales during the current year, as it has already sold 6,000 units of Citron C3 and eC3 electric vehicles during the first six months. "We are going to start bookings for the C3 Aircross SUV in September and launch it in October. Price will be at the heart of the midsize SUV market," said Saurabh Vatsa, Citroen India branch head.

Competition for market share intensifies among cement companies in Q1

Competition for market share intensifies among cement companies in Q1

Rediff.com   7 Aug 2023

Cement manufacturers' show during the June 2023-ended quarter (Q1FY24) has indicated an intensified slugfest for market share. For instance, Dalmia Bharat (Cement) said it has lost market share in eastern India owing to lack of price discipline. Industry analysts also said that the seasonal weakness in cement prices for Q1 is showing up earlier than usual.

Dev Joshi Is Ready To Go To Space

Dev Joshi Is Ready To Go To Space

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2023

'We hear about Chanda Mama from our childhood.' 'I am excited by the idea of seeing it with my eyes.'

Foxconn unit in talks for $200 million components plant in Tamil Nadu

Foxconn unit in talks for $200 million components plant in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com   28 Jul 2023

Taiwan-based Hon Hai Technology Group, the subsidiary of Foxconn Industrial Internet (Fii), is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government to invest around $200 million to set up an electronic components unit in the state. According to a Reuters report, FII, which makes communication, mobile network and cloud computing equipment, has shared the plan with the Tamil Nadu state officials. Business Standard had reported last week that Fii's chief executive officer (CEO) Brand Cheng met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce TRB Rajaa.

Strong Q1 likely for capital goods firms with low costs, healthy execution

Strong Q1 likely for capital goods firms with low costs, healthy execution

Rediff.com   28 Jul 2023

Capital goods companies are likely to report double-digit growth in sales and profit for the first quarter of the 2023-24 financial year (Q1FY24), according to analysts. The performance will ride on lower raw-material costs and healthy execution of orders. Sales by capital goods companies are likely to increase 13-20 per cent year-on-year (YoY), five domestic brokerage firms said.

The Men Behind Chandrayaan-3 Mission

The Men Behind Chandrayaan-3 Mission

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2023

Only three countries (United States, Russia and China) have successfully landed spacecraft on the airless lunar surface.

Adani's Dharavi dream: Producing millionaires minus slumdog prefix

Adani's Dharavi dream: Producing millionaires minus slumdog prefix

Rediff.com   20 Jul 2023

Billionaire Gautam Adani on Wednesday shared a personal note on the development of Dharavi in Mumbai, days after the Maharashtra government issued a resolution to award the Dharavi redevelopment project to his conglomerate on July 14. In the note shared with the media, Adani said his first tryst with Dharavi in Mumbai was in the late 1970s, and the slum settlement continues to amaze and inspire the billionaire to date. "When this opportunity to renew Dharavi came calling, I seized it with both hands," he said.

Will Artemis Accords Help India's Space Programme?

Will Artemis Accords Help India's Space Programme?

Rediff.com   4 Jul 2023

'This may open up doors for private players in India to collaborate with global players in commercial missions.'

TMB failed to file details of Rs 3,610 cr deals due to tech glitch

TMB failed to file details of Rs 3,610 cr deals due to tech glitch

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

After the income tax department indicated that the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) did not provide the complete details of transactions worth up to Rs 3,610 crore, sources told Business Standard that this was due to a technical glitch. The bank has now submitted all the required documents in the past few days. According to the Income Tax (I-T) department, TMB had not submitted a statement of financial transactions (SFT) pertaining to cash deposits of around Rs 2,700 crore involving more than 10,000 accounts.

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2023

The EV industry is at an inflection point and batteries will play a critical role ahead -- batteries and related components typically constitute 35-45 per cent of an EV's costs.