Peerzada Abrar, Business Standard

Stories by Peerzada Abrar, Business Standard

Qatar Reprieve Highlights India Diplomacy

Qatar Reprieve Highlights India Diplomacy

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2024

The incident remains a reminder of the inherent fragilities of all geopolitical relationships.

India one of the toughest markets for Uber: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi

India one of the toughest markets for Uber: CEO Dara Khosrowshahi

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2024

Uber Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dara Khosrowshahi sees India as one of the toughest markets and a standard to succeed in any other part of the world. One of the biggest challenges for the ride-hailing firm, according to Khosrowshahi, is the expectation of Indian consumers for more services at lower spending. "India is one of the toughest markets out there.

Committed to restructuring board: Raveendran tells Byju's shareholders

Committed to restructuring board: Raveendran tells Byju's shareholders

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2024

Ahead of Friday's extraordinary general meeting (EGM), Byju Raveendran, chief executive officer (CEO) of Byju's, told shareholders that he is committed to restructuring the board of the embattled educational technology (edtech) firm. He also committed to appointing two non-executive directors to the board by the mutual consent of the founder and shareholders. The development comes at a time when a consortium of key shareholders, holding over 30 per cent stake in Byju's, issued a notice to the embattled edtech firm this month, calling for an EGM to address "persistent issues", including a proposed change of management at the firm.

Key investors may drag Byju's to NCLT

Key investors may drag Byju's to NCLT

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2024

A consortium of shareholders with over 30 per cent stake in cash-strapped Byju's might approach the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) seeking a management change, if the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) scheduled for Friday failed to yield an 'amicable settlement' or faced further delays, sources said. Earlier this month, these shareholders had issued a notice calling for an EGM to address "persistent issues", including a change in management. They will vote for a revamp of the existing board, an exercise which would include asking Byju Raveendran to step down as chief executive officer (CEO) and relinquish his operational role, according to sources.

Swiggy may file papers with Sebi for IPO in 2 weeks to raise Rs 8,000 cr

Swiggy may file papers with Sebi for IPO in 2 weeks to raise Rs 8,000 cr

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2024

Swiggy is planning to file its draft red herring prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India for its initial public offering (IPO) in the next two weeks, aiming for an $11 billion IPO valuation target. The Bengaluru-based firm plans to raise an estimated $1 billion (Rs 8,300 crore) through the IPO this year. The company is targeting a valuation in the range of $10-11 billion, and it currently has approximately $800 million in cash from the previous funding round, according to sources.

'I have no sympathy for Byju's'

'I have no sympathy for Byju's'

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2024

'What has happened at Byju's is no surprise to anyone.'

Is Son Preference Hurting India?

Is Son Preference Hurting India?

Rediff.com   9 Feb 2024

A cultural preference for sons in India may be expressed as 'son preference' or 'daughter aversion', arising from patrilocality, patrilineality, the cost of dowry, and old-age support from sons.

Byju's pays Jan salaries; Raveendran says moving mountains to make payroll

Byju's pays Jan salaries; Raveendran says moving mountains to make payroll

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2024

Byju Raveendran, the founder and chief executive officer of the beleaguered edtech firm Byju's, said the company credited all pending January salaries to employees over the past few days. This was communicated to the employees in another letter sent on February 4. Byju's has about 15,000 employees. "I know you were told that you would get your salaries by Monday.

'BYJU's showing green shoots towards profitability'

'BYJU's showing green shoots towards profitability'

Rediff.com   5 Feb 2024

'If you look at assets truly working for us, you should look at Aakash and Great Learning.'

Cash-strapped Byju's to raise $200 mn after taking 99% valuation cut

Cash-strapped Byju's to raise $200 mn after taking 99% valuation cut

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2024

Cash-strapped edtech firm Byju's' parent company said on Monday it will raise $200 million by way of a rights issue to all its equity shareholders, aiming to support growth and achieve operational sustainability. The proposed rights issuance by Think and Learn Private Limited (TLPL) will fund capital expenditure and support general corporate purposes. As the largest shareholders, the founders of Byju's have personally invested more than $1.1 billion in the company in the last 18 months.

Will Guidelines Impact Coaching Classes?

Will Guidelines Impact Coaching Classes?

Rediff.com   29 Jan 2024

'Parents, students and coaching institutes will find alternatives to cater to the demand.'

What If Trump Wins A Second Term?

What If Trump Wins A Second Term?

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2024

Although India-US relations have strengthened significantly in recent years, partly because of the security situation in the region, the Indian policy establishment would have to be prepared to protect India's interests in a world that could get more unpredictable.

Is The Worst Over For IT Industry?

Is The Worst Over For IT Industry?

Rediff.com   25 Jan 2024

Certain changes in the past two or three years could have a long-term structural impact on the IT services market.

Flipkart eyes profitability ahead of IPO

Flipkart eyes profitability ahead of IPO

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2024

Flipkart, the e-commerce company owned by Walmart, is intensifying its efforts to achieve profitability as it is eyeing a valuation of approximately $60 billion at the time of its initial public offering (IPO), now planned in 2025-2026, instead of this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The firm might consider listing in the US or any other geography, including India. The company, which counts the likes of Amazon and Reliance's JioMart among its competitors in India's burgeoning e-commerce market, had also contemplated launching an IPO in 2022-2023.

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Corporate India on overdrive to celebrate Ram Mandir inauguration

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2024

As Ayodhya readies itself for the glittering, much-awaited consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir on January 22, and as millions of pilgrims and devotees pour into the holy city for the momentous event, companies are rushing to do their bit and be a part of the mega celebrations. Some are offering a part of their profits as donations, telcos are beefing up the number of cellular towers to ensure better connectivity, and there are those distributing jalebis and food platters.

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

US investor BlackRock slashes Byju's valuation by 95% to $1 billion

Rediff.com   15 Jan 2024

BlackRock has again reduced the valuation of its share in edtech firm Byju's - this time to about $1 billion, TechCrunch reported on Friday, citing disclosures made by the US-based asset manager. This is 95 per cent less than its peak valuation of $22 billion in 2022. The markdown comes at a time when the company is facing a multitude of challenges, including securing fresh capital, delays in financial reporting and legal disputes with lenders.

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

2023: 2nd Warmest Year Since 1901

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

The five warmest years in Indian weather history have occurred in the past 14 years -- the others being 2009, 2017 and 2010, in order of intensity.

Stock Market: Which Sectors Delivered?

Stock Market: Which Sectors Delivered?

Rediff.com   12 Jan 2024

The biggest bounce is in the realty sector, where the industry index jumped 80%. There's been a turnaround also in automobiles and ancillaries (up 45%). The pharma and health care indices have a welcome return of roughly 35%.

How GenAI Startup Ecosystem Is Unfolding

How GenAI Startup Ecosystem Is Unfolding

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2024

'In India, the GenAI startup ecosystem is unfolding with remarkable speed, signalling a new era of technological advancement and investment opportunities.'