Kanika Datta &Amp; Nivedita Mookerji

Stories by Kanika Datta &Amp; Nivedita Mookerji

Despite govt's relief package, questions remain over Voda Idea's survival

Despite govt's relief package, questions remain over Voda Idea's survival

Rediff.com   4 Oct 2021

The question mark over Vodafone Idea's survival is gone after the government's telecom package, managing director and chief executive officer Ravinder Takkar said in an interaction recently. The extended moratorium for spectrum payments and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues has indeed ensured that Vodafone Idea survives, at least for the time being, but questions remain. Answers to those questions may determine the future of Vodafone Idea and its power to stay in a difficult telecom market in the coming years.

Ministers Still CONTROL Business!

Ministers Still CONTROL Business!

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2021

Indian businesses' weak ability to compete overseas says much about the infirmities imposed by the intensity of government dominance of economic policy and the nature of this dominance, observes Kanika Datta.

Olympic Heroes Stars at I-Day Celebration

Olympic Heroes Stars at I-Day Celebration

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2021

The women who made India proud in Tokyo are set to be the Independence Day mascots. Invite from the PM has already gone out to these achievers to be guests of honour on August 15.

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Why is NCDC not in the centre of managing the Covid-19 crisis?

Rediff.com   12 Jul 2021

'We have the technical expertise, and international collaborations. We also have robust real-time data. We are a university of pandemic management. If the ministry neglects the role of NCDC, it is the loss of the country'

The e-com draft policy still needs plenty of rewriting

The e-com draft policy still needs plenty of rewriting

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2021

The proposed e-commerce rule book issued recently by the ministry of consumer affairs does not mention foreign companies or foreign direct investment (FDI) at any place, unlike most other government guidelines for the sector so far. That is a heartening development since the latest proposals could be fine-tuned as e-commerce policy.

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

'I'm willing to give more than Rs 35,000 crores for vaccines'

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

'I'll give it to the vaccine manufacturers without guarantees, take the payment in advance and give me the supplies.' 'The moment you give me one lot of supply, I'll give you more.'

'Strong economy attracts investment'

'Strong economy attracts investment'

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2021

'I'm not sure it's a bubble.'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

'Booking is like boarding a train after reservation'

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2021

'Some are doing one vaccination with one mobile number and the second with another.' 'Creating more accounts will not multiply the number of slots.'

Why India's healthcare system is near collapse today

Why India's healthcare system is near collapse today

Rediff.com   10 May 2021

Shortage of ICU beds, oxygen, ventilators, vaccines, doctors, nurses and crematorium space in India has dominated headlines around the world in the past few weeks with Covid-19 cases surging beyond control and the government failing to deliver. Yes, election rallies, Kumbh Mela, blatant flouting of social distancing and mask protocols coupled with a messy vaccination process are said to be responsible for the health crisis of colossal proportions that India is facing today. But an analysis of Budget speeches made by finance ministers over 75 years also offers a glimpse of how low on the priority list healthcare has featured for the political class and policy-makers, which is a significant reason for the current situation.

10 years later, Mamata discovers different Nandigram

10 years later, Mamata discovers different Nandigram

Rediff.com   2 May 2021

She faced off against former disciple-turned-defector Suvendu Adhikari in a very different contest. It's not land acquisition, but an ego clash that has acquired, tragically, communal overtones, explains Kanika Datta.

The myth and magic of unicorns

The myth and magic of unicorns

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2021

Becoming a unicorn is surely a marker for a company in its growth story, but it's not a major achievement nor is it a turning point of any significant worth.

'We can go up to 1 crore vaccinations a day'

'We can go up to 1 crore vaccinations a day'

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2021

'Ultimately, we have to understand that we don't have the supply at the population scale. 'Therefore, it has to be prioritised.' 'That's what the government has done.'

WhyQ: Meet the teens who set up a business

WhyQ: Meet the teens who set up a business

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2021

'Sure, we are teenagers who are doing this part time, but we feel we are making some sort of an impact.'

Public may get COVID-19 vaccine by April

Public may get COVID-19 vaccine by April

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2021

Anybody over 50 years of age or with co-morbidities can get a date, place and time of choice for getting the vaccine shots.

'Covid vaccination will be like RAC'

'Covid vaccination will be like RAC'

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2021

'People on the wait list will be accommodated for vaccination when the scheduled beneficiaries don't turn up.'

Time to say cheers for the millennials

Time to say cheers for the millennials

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2021

'With more and more young people relocating outside their home states for work, an all-India MLDA of 21 would be a good way to ensure that more Indians can go with the flow,' recommends Kanika Datta.

Is India's 5G dream in trouble?

Is India's 5G dream in trouble?

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2020

Nivedita Mookerji explains why a timely rollout of 5G may not be easy in India.

Online disrupts India's wholesale business

Online disrupts India's wholesale business

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2020

Online play is a priority now -- so far unthinkable in a business that's all about a meaningful interface with kirana stores.

Modi's big opportunity in Bihar

Modi's big opportunity in Bihar

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2020

Over the next five years, it will be Narendra not Nitish who will be under pressure to deliver vikas and atmanirbharta in Bihar, notes Kanika Datta.

Covid & festive politics

Covid & festive politics

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2020

Shifting positions on religiosity and Covid may confuse the Hindutva citizenry, but you can rely on Bengal to turn a non-arguable issue into a raging controversy, notes Kanika Datta.