Kalpana Pathak &Amp; Archana Mohan In Mumbai

Stories by Kalpana Pathak &Amp; Archana Mohan In Mumbai

Slowdown to hit travel companies

Slowdown to hit travel companies

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2008

While a few say that they have already recorded a significant drop in bookings, others say that if the trend continues, the effects will be reflected on the revenues for the next three to six months.

Hotel tariffs to melt in slowdown heat

Hotel tariffs to melt in slowdown heat

Rediff.com   30 Jun 2008

According to Crisil Research, the average room rates in cities like Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore are likely to fall 5-10 per cent in the next few months. Industry experts said the occupancy rates could fall from 75-80 per cent now to 65-70 per cent soon.

Hotels, pay channels lock horns over rates

Hotels, pay channels lock horns over rates

Rediff.com   21 Jun 2008

Hospitality majors, including Le Meridien and Pride Hotel, are opposing pay channels such as Star and Zee for raising rates for the second time in six months, pending an earlier court battle between the hotel trade body and private broadcasters.

Oil companies take credit flow to positive zone

Oil companies take credit flow to positive zone

Rediff.com   10 Jun 2008

The oil marketing companies are driving credit growth. The banking sector -- which typically sees credit contraction in the initial months -- has managed to buck the trend and has added nearly Rs 16,000 crore (Rs 160 billion) of advances in the first seven weeks of the current financial year thanks to the demand from the two sectors.

Now, software solution for SMEs in 3 minutes

Now, software solution for SMEs in 3 minutes

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2008

Two ex-IIT Kharagpur students have decided to come out of their comfortable professional zones to create a venture called 'Demazi', which would enable SMEs to create their own IT solution online at a minimal cost. SMEs owners can log on to the website and key in the requirments they need from the software.

Centre to add IIT label to new colleges

Centre to add IIT label to new colleges

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2008

Brushing aside objections over brand dilution, the government has reportedly begun work on modifying the IIT Act, 1961, to ensure that the eight new engineering institutes it is setting up come under the premier Indian Institute of Technology umbrella.

Pvt players may play key roles in new IIITs

Pvt players may play key roles in new IIITs

Rediff.com   23 May 2008

The central government's view of exploring public-private partnership (PPP) in the establishment of new institutes of higher learning has a private hand, right from the first step.

Canada relaxes work permit rules

Canada relaxes work permit rules

Rediff.com   14 May 2008

For students aspiring to take up post graduate studies at Canada and getting a work permit subsequently, there is good news. International students will now be able to obtain an open work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Programme, with no restrictions on the type of employment and no requirement for a job offer.

HPCL wind power project to relocate

HPCL wind power project to relocate

Rediff.com   5 May 2008

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation's wind power foray is facing teething troubles. The state-run company plans to set up 100 mw capacity at an investment of Rs 500 crore. Its first project - a pilot of 25 mw coming up in Maharashtra's Dhule district - is being shifted to Jaisalmer in Rajasthan following protests by farmers.

IIMs scramble to get finances right

IIMs scramble to get finances right

Rediff.com   21 Apr 2008

The premier Indian Institutes of Management will have to draw on all their management skills to solve the current financial imbroglio they are in. On the one hand, the fee hike by IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore has caused heartburn not only among students and the Union Human Resource Development Ministry but also among the other IIMs who say they were not consulted despite an existing agreement to do so. IIM-A and IIM-B have said that a fee hike is a prerogative of their own

Humble post boxes to get a facelift

Humble post boxes to get a facelift

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2008

Ahmedabad-based Malibu Plastica, a manufacturer of polycarbonate plastic sheets, is working on redesigning the metal tops of post boxes, which would make it rust-free and weather resistant. This is the first time such a project has been undertaken.

Give new institutes another name: IIT directors

Give new institutes another name: IIT directors

Rediff.com   4 Apr 2008

They are of the view that calling the new institutes "IITs" would dilute the brand image of the existing premier institutes, which figure among the world's 100 best technology universities and are compared with the likes of MIT, California University and Berkeley. The seven IITs are located in Kharagpur, Mumbai, Chennai, Kanpur, Delhi, Guwahati and Roorkee.

IITs show what sharing faculty is all about

IITs show what sharing faculty is all about

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2008

The government appears to have hit upon a novel faculty-sharing solution to tackle the shortage of quality faculty at the premier Indian Institutes of Technology. The shortage will accentuate now that eight new IITs have been announced.

Now find out how much your skills are worth

Now find out how much your skills are worth

Rediff.com   28 Mar 2008

For those mulling their first job offer and wondering if they are being paid right, here is a website that could give an indication.

40 windows to US visa in Mumbai

40 windows to US visa in Mumbai

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2008

In December 2009, the Consulate will change its address from the landmark Lincoln House in south Mumbai to the Bandra-Kurla Complex, where it will have 40 visa windows as compared with the 17 visa windows at present.

Varsities may soon own patent rights

Varsities may soon own patent rights

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2008

The move was initiated by National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda as an incentive to encourage innovation, collaboration, licensing and commercialisation in Indian institutes. The matter is before the Cabinet and will shortly be moved to Parliament for approval, according to a source close to the development. The law will be on the lines of the 1980 Bayh-Dole Act of America.

IIM-A grad to manage IPL's Delhi team

IIM-A grad to manage IPL's Delhi team

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2008

The Delhi Daredevils, IPL's Delhi team which is owned by the GMR Group, has recruited a student of the Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGP-PMP) from the institute to manage its operations. Colonel Vinod Bisht, the student, has been hired as assistant vice-president (operations) for the company for a Rs 30-40 lakh package.

IIM-A keen to enhance students' knowledge bank

IIM-A keen to enhance students' knowledge bank

Rediff.com   13 Mar 2008

When Samir K Barua took over as the director of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) in November 2007, he had listed knowledge creation, hiring and retention of faculty members and increasing contacts with the industry as his priority work areas. Four months on, Barua is planning a number of initiatives in the upcoming academic year towards achieving his objectives.

B-school grads shunning jobs to go it alone

B-school grads shunning jobs to go it alone

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2008

At IIM-Ahmedabad, 11 students opted out of placements to start their own venture. While at IIM-Bangalore, 4 students chose not to join the corporate world, IIM-Kozhikode had 5 students who decided to kick-start their own venture. At S P Jain Institute of Management and Research in Mumbai, out of 89 students, one student decided to opt out of placements to join his own family business where he would be heading a new division.

Yechury outsources planning to IIM-A students

Yechury outsources planning to IIM-A students

Rediff.com   10 Mar 2008

CPI (M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury has outsourced the planning of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme in West Bengal to IIM-A students. Students will be involved closely with the constituency's role in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. 4-5 students will work on this project and will be guided by faculty advisors. This project will enable students to understand the working of government and public policy.