Neha Alawadhi &Amp;Amp; Arindam Majumder

Stories by Neha Alawadhi &Amp;Amp; Arindam Majumder

Why flights are unlikely to resume any time soon

Why flights are unlikely to resume any time soon

Rediff.com   10 May 2020

'Indian aviation cannot resume without at least three major airports being functional. If Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata are shut, there is little chance that airlines will start flying even if the government gives the go-ahead.'

Airlines go for cuts again as grounding may extend

Airlines go for cuts again as grounding may extend

Rediff.com   6 May 2020

Companies across the sector are restructuring payrolls of crew, cutting allowances, and extending leave without pay duration as they realise they will have more aircraft and employees compared to customers.

Govt makes Aarogya Setu a must for all office workers

Govt makes Aarogya Setu a must for all office workers

Rediff.com   2 May 2020

The ministry of home affairs has made the use of Aarogya Setu app mandatory for all employees, both private and public, and pinned the responsibility for compliance on the head of respective organisations.

COVID-19: How WhatsApp is tackling spread of fake messages

COVID-19: How WhatsApp is tackling spread of fake messages

Rediff.com   27 Apr 2020

WhatsApp limited the number of times a frequently forwarded message can be sent further to only one chat at a time. This resulted in 70% plunge in viral forwarded messages globally, WhatsApp told GoI.

Your flight check-in will never be the same again

Your flight check-in will never be the same again

Rediff.com   26 Apr 2020

Extended check-in time, frequent disinfection every hour, additional queue managers at entry, exit, boarding point, check-in halls, security check areas and boarding gates, with social distancing markers and reminders - welcome to our airports post-coronavirus.

Aarogya Setu tops charts with 75 million downloads

Aarogya Setu tops charts with 75 million downloads

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2020

The exponential number of downloads can be attributed to a call by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking people to have the app on their mobiles, combined with the government's push for downloading of the app through other channels, reports Neha Alawadhi.

Airlines seek deferral of lease rent by 6 months

Airlines seek deferral of lease rent by 6 months

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2020

Aircraft lease rentals are fixed costs and account for around 15 per cent of an airline's expense and since these are paid in dollars are also subject to currency fluctuations.

Airlines junk proposal to leave middle seats vacant

Airlines junk proposal to leave middle seats vacant

Rediff.com   22 Apr 2020

The airlines have instead suggested compulsory personal protective equipment-like suit, gloves and mask for flyers and crew members.

Restaurants double up as grocers at Swiggy, Zomato

Restaurants double up as grocers at Swiggy, Zomato

Rediff.com   20 Apr 2020

Given that people have been reluctant to order cooked food - which worsened due to a couple of cases of delivery personnel testing positive for COVID-19 - food delivery platforms have included grocery delivery as part of their services.

Zomato may buy Grofers in all-stock deal

Zomato may buy Grofers in all-stock deal

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2020

Sources said a merger could benefit both as Grofers' private labels business would be a draw for Zomato, as well as its experience in the online grocery delivery space.

Post COVID-19: 'IT industry will emerge stronger'

Post COVID-19: 'IT industry will emerge stronger'

Rediff.com   10 Apr 2020

'We have to plan for whatever the new normal is.'

Be ready to fly low till COVID-19 is gone

Be ready to fly low till COVID-19 is gone

Rediff.com   8 Apr 2020

Empty middle seat, no duty-free shopping to be new normal till WHO all-clear.

Covid air pocket leaves flyers with forced vouchers

Covid air pocket leaves flyers with forced vouchers

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2020

International and Indian airlines are refusing to refund cash and giving credit that can be used later.

Government takes up pay cut, layoffs with India Inc

Government takes up pay cut, layoffs with India Inc

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2020

A senior official in the central labour commissioner's office said the efforts of the government were to resolve the cases amicably and not to press for legal action against employers. "Everyone is going through tough times. We could initiate legal action if we want but that's not the idea. We want to address the issues amicably," the official said.

Coronavirus crisis: What start-ups must do

Coronavirus crisis: What start-ups must do

Rediff.com   6 Apr 2020

'If many start-ups lose in this environment, there will be less number of people willing to start new businesses.'

Gig employees get a helping hand from old economy

Gig employees get a helping hand from old economy

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2020

Over the past week, several unusual partnerships among start-ups, traditional businesses and hospitals have been announced, and several more are likely to materialise soon. The trend could see increased importance of gig workers, who are taking considerable risk to deliver goods to people in the time of a pandemic.

Consumer internet start-ups brace for salary cuts, layoffs

Consumer internet start-ups brace for salary cuts, layoffs

Rediff.com   2 Apr 2020

For now, Bounce, Shuttl, Fab Hotels, Instamojo, Zomato, Curefit, and HealthifyMe, among others, are going for salary deductions. Most of the consumer internet start-ups, besides those who are in the grocery delivery, education tech, and video conferencing business, would ultimately lay-off people and cut back salaries.

Customs allows e-clearance for moving laptops

Customs allows e-clearance for moving laptops

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2020

The Customs clearance required for moving equipment like laptops, desktops, etc out of SEZ units was delaying things as the clearance had to be taken in person after a first level of approval online.

Airlines seek govt help to pay salary

Airlines seek govt help to pay salary

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2020

Chief executive officers of airlines have asked the government to bear 50 per cent of three months' salaries of employees.

Start-ups scrape the bottom of the barrel

Start-ups scrape the bottom of the barrel

Rediff.com   22 Mar 2020

According to a survey by community platform LocalCircles, early-stage start-ups, funding dependent start-ups and many small businesses will soon be fighting for survival as the spurt in coronavirus cases hits them hard.