Karan Choudhury And Nivedita Mookerji

Stories by Karan Choudhury And Nivedita Mookerji

What does 5G spectrum auction delay mean for India?

What does 5G spectrum auction delay mean for India?

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2021

Discussing the prospect of more reform earlier this month, telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a delay in the 5G spectrum auction. India's telecom sector regulation has to be benchmarked with the global best, he said. It's another matter that many countries have either introduced or are about to roll out 5G services that will enable cutting-edge tech in diverse areas. For India, too, it will mean a lot for healthcare, robotics and unleashing a new chapter in Digital India perhaps.

'Vaccine hesitancy has more or less gone'

'Vaccine hesitancy has more or less gone'

Rediff.com   11 Oct 2021

'Demand is wonderful. We have crossed 10 million on many days.' 'The Swedish trade commissioner recently said, "You guys are vaccinating the entire Sweden in one day".'

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.

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.

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.'

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.

Apple's online debut in India a big step towards retail

Apple's online debut in India a big step towards retail

Rediff.com   13 Oct 2020

Apple's online launch is a symbol of success for FDI in single-brand retail, though there's no indication of how much the Silicon Valley major would invest in the country.

The curious case of Jack Ma's India plans

The curious case of Jack Ma's India plans

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2020

Jack Ma who had five years ago said he was inspired and excited by "Make in India" possibly understood the essence of the signature campaign better than some others and decided to stay away from India other than as an investor, says Nivedita Mookerji.

Explained: What Walmart's reverse merger with Flipkart means

Explained: What Walmart's reverse merger with Flipkart means

Rediff.com   6 Aug 2020

Although Walmart-Flipkart wholesale game-plan is to target about a $150 billion market out of a total pie of $700 billion in the country, the consolidation marks the end of the multi-brand dream of the American retail giant.