Kalpana Pathak And Raghavendra Kamath

Stories by Kalpana Pathak And Raghavendra Kamath

FMCG sector fares well in campus hiring

FMCG sector fares well in campus hiring

Rediff.com   29 Dec 2008

After a gap of five years, Hindustan Unilever has bagged slot zero position on B-school campuses. In 2007, the company had slipped to number 14 on the recruiters' list of B-schools. "It's an improvement of our brand value and affirmation of our employer brand," says Leena Nair, executive director HR, Hindustan Unilever.

Second-rung B-schools feel the placement pinch

Second-rung B-schools feel the placement pinch

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2008

The situation at various second-run management and engineering institutes is no different, courtesy the slowdown that has impacted even their better-known counterparts like the Indian Institutes of Management and Indian Institutes of Technology.

IIITs hit stumbling block

IIITs hit stumbling block

Rediff.com   16 Dec 2008

Around 8 IT firms have withdrawn from partnering 11 out of the 20 IIITs, says govt.

70 Mumbai hotels shut in 6 months

70 Mumbai hotels shut in 6 months

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

As many as 70 restaurants in Mumbai have shut shop in the past six months, owing to spiralling costs, high taxes and a downturn in the economy.

Hoteliers seek tax relief to beat slump

Hoteliers seek tax relief to beat slump

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

The Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India has made a presentation to the government, requesting certain tax exemptions.

Mumbai Trident readies to reopen

Mumbai Trident readies to reopen

Rediff.com   15 Dec 2008

Hotel expects 25-30 per cent occupancy on December 21 when it throws open its doors. Trident regulars are preparing to return to the hotel sooner than later.

Govt to move court to allow RIL gas sales

Govt to move court to allow RIL gas sales

Rediff.com   13 Dec 2008

Sources familiar with the developments said the government will file an application in the Bombay High Court by the end of December or early January. RIL on its part has already appealed against the order.

'RIL-RNRL case is back on track now'

'RIL-RNRL case is back on track now'

Rediff.com   12 Dec 2008

Additional solicitor general Mohan Parasaran talks about the logic behind withdrawing the government affidavit in the RIL-RNRL gas dispute in the Bombay high court.

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Reliance Retail to hasten expansion in six months

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2008

The retail arm of the Mukesh Ambani-led group had almost halted its expansion plans as a credit crunch roiled markets across the globe forcing companies to withhold new projects. The company also froze fresh recruitment.

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Companies hedge on ATF to tackle price volatility

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2008

In addition to that, an increasing number of airlines like SpiceJet, national carrier Air India and GoAir are either getting into hedging of aviation turbine fuel or increasing the quantum of ATF hedged on the MCX. Last month, state-run Indian Oil Corporation approached MCX to provide it with a platform to hedge its refinery margins and end products from crude oil.

RNRL refutes govt's stand on gas price

RNRL refutes govt's stand on gas price

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Natural Resources has filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court in the case involving Reliance Industries, refuting the petroleum ministry's stand that the government-approved price of $4.2/million metric British thermal unit (mmBtu) is the selling price of gas.

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Slowdown, approval delays hit Unitech's IT SEZs

Rediff.com   8 Dec 2008

Six infotech special economic zone projects of the Unitech Group, which owns the country's second-biggest real estate company, have been delayed by as much as three years owing to slowing demand and delays in government approvals, sources said.

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Start-ups bail out IITians facing placement blues

Rediff.com   6 Dec 2008

On the back of a global meltdown, big-ticket firms may not be flocking at the premier Indian Institute of Technology campuses. IITians, however, have not lost all hope. Many are looking at start-ups for their first jobs.

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Now, realtors plan low-cost flats for cash flows

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2008

After launching mid-income houses, real estate companies are now targeting low-priced homes in the sub-Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million) category to improve cash flows and beat the slump in the property market that has been driven by high borrowing rates.

Hotel tariffs drop 20% after terror attacks

Hotel tariffs drop 20% after terror attacks

Rediff.com   3 Dec 2008

Hotel tariffs have dropped by as much as 20 per cent after last week's terrorist attacks on Mumbai that forced international tourists to cancel travel plans.

15% foreigners cancel trip: Tour operators

15% foreigners cancel trip: Tour operators

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2008

The trickle has begun and could turn into a flood. At least 15 per cent of overseas visitors have cancelled their tour plans to India following terrorist attacks on key locations in Mumbai, tour operators said. The attacks claimed nearly 200 lives and injured more than 300.

Retailers' losses mount as stores remain shut

Retailers' losses mount as stores remain shut

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2008

Retailers, who are already reeling under the economic slowdown, were forced to keep their shops shut in the southern and central parts of Mumbai as terrorists holed up in plush hotels and buildings of the city continued to battle military commandos.

Mumbai stays indoors, shops shut

Mumbai stays indoors, shops shut

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2008

Several malls and retailers downed shutters in the commercial capital city of Mumbai. Kishore Biyani's hypermarket chain Big Bazaar closed two stores its stores in Mumbai Central and Parel, which are half-an-hour's drive from South Mumbai.

Global retailers come calling

Global retailers come calling

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2008

At least 35 per cent, or $400 billion worth of goods, that are sourced from China could shift to countries such as India, Thailand, Vietnam among others over the next 10 years, according to a study by US-based retail and supply chain solutions firm DCB and Company. India is expected to take the lion's share of volume shift compared to its counterparts in the region, the study says, due to its IT prowess, infrastructure and agents network.

B-schools' development programme to take a hit

B-schools' development programme to take a hit

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2008

Revenues from management development programmes expected to slow during the next quarters. On an average, MDPs contribute around 35 per cent to the revenue stream for B-schools. With companies tightening their purse strings, B-schools could see a direct impact on their revenue stream. Companies have confirmed that they are cutting down spending on training programmes.