Raghuvir Badrinath In Chennai, Bangalore

Stories by Raghuvir Badrinath In Chennai, Bangalore

HCL Tech may raise $1 billion for acquisitions

HCL Tech may raise $1 billion for acquisitions

Rediff.com   10 Sep 2008

The company is in talks with a few private banks and has signed on Citibank as one of the bankers to raise these funds, said sources. HCL Technologies and Citibank declined to comment saying that 'they do not comment on market speculation'.

Bengaluru airport to double capacity

Bengaluru airport to double capacity

Rediff.com   2 Sep 2008

The cost for the second terminal is expected to be close to Rs 3,000 crore (Rs 30 billion), around 20 per cent more than the first. It is expected to take three years for completion and will also include the second runway as part of expansion of this airport.

Godrej hopes to cash in on Bengaluru's fears

Godrej hopes to cash in on Bengaluru's fears

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2008

Godrej has provided three security products -- tyre killers, under vehicle surveillance, boom barriers -- to be installed around Bangalore's Vidhana Soudha, as part of its mandate to secure key government offices. The company is aiming for Rs 400 crore (Rs 4 billion) in revenues in FY 2008-09 as against Rs 300 crore (Rs 3 billion) it registered last year and has set a target to achieve Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion) by 2012-13.

Sanyo, BPL likely to pull plug on joint venture

Sanyo, BPL likely to pull plug on joint venture

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2008

According to sources in the company, a review of the JV is under way and a decision to separate is likely to be taken soon. Sanyo wants to focus on LCD and plasma televisions and other industrial equipment such as heavy-duty air conditioners, coolers and the like, while not being saddled with the conventional colour television segment, which is the strong point of BPL.

Vinita Bali on the future of Britannia

Vinita Bali on the future of Britannia

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2008

"It is challenging and difficult. But one or two challenging years are not a big deal. This too will come to an end. We are not running the business on a month-to-month or quarter-to-quarter basis. Yes, it is hard to actually generate consistently high margins, but this is what leadership is all about. To manage and deliver when things aren't going too smoothly," says Bali.

Bangalore in throes of diesel shortage

Bangalore in throes of diesel shortage

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2008

A weak monsoon and the subsequent shortage of electricity has pushed Bangalore into an unprecedented fuel crisis.

Canara Bank plans VC fund

Canara Bank plans VC fund

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2008

Canara Bank, India's second largest public sector bank, is all set for an aggressive play in the venture capital business.

Top 4 IT firms post modest results

Top 4 IT firms post modest results

Rediff.com   19 Jul 2008

Muted rupee-term guidance, no upward revision in dollar-term guidance, an uncertain global business environment, forex losses due to over-hedged positions and low volume growth by the top four Indian IT firms this week spooked investors on Friday.

D E Shaw plans $200-mn education blitzkrieg

D E Shaw plans $200-mn education blitzkrieg

Rediff.com   13 Jun 2008

D E Shaw, a global private equity firm with $36 billion in assets, is understood to be planning around $200 million investment in the Indian education sector by taking up strategic positions in companies offering e-learning, distant learning, vocational training and the like.

Intel arm to fund WiMax firms

Intel arm to fund WiMax firms

Rediff.com   29 May 2008

Intel Capital, the investment arm of Intel Corp, is seeking further investment opportunities to support its WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) strategy, since it believes the technology could shake up the wireless data market.

'India, UK can work on chip IP design'

'India, UK can work on chip IP design'

Rediff.com   28 May 2008

UK and Indian semiconductor industries share potential synergies in the areas of design, device and applications, according to a study by the India Semiconductor Association, a trade body representing the Indian semiconductor industry, the UK Trade & Investment, and Science & Innovation Network UK. ISA president Poornima Shenoy said, "ISA is focused on business support to its members and the Indian semicon community."

Infosys turns green with its buildings

Infosys turns green with its buildings

Rediff.com   24 May 2008

Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED Green Building System aims to promote design and construction practise that increases profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings. The Bangalore-headquartered company was working with experts on the subject to employ the latest technologies in every aspect of energy consumption in areas like lighting and air-conditioning, the company said in its annual report filed with the SEC.

Realty sector may benefit from sub-prime crisis

Realty sector may benefit from sub-prime crisis

Rediff.com   20 May 2008

Currently, the US contributes 40-45 per cent of the total IT/ITeS outsourcing and offshoring business in India and is the single largest market for India's IT/ITeS business. The real estate sector's growth is fuelled by demand. In India, the demand is derived mainly through shift in global economic conditions. Thus any change in the real economy will have an impact on the physical real estate (construction or ready office space) market.

Blackstone to up focus on India

Blackstone to up focus on India

Rediff.com   19 May 2008

Blackstone Group, a global private equity player, is set to increase its focus on India. After setting the ball rolling on its corporate private equity and recently starting off its real estate opportunity focus, the company during the past week has set up Blackstone Altius Advisors, an event-driven strategy focusing on opportunities in the Asia Pacific region. Event-driven strategies are those where PEs fund merger and acquisitions or bankruptcies scenario.

Now, get a loan to buy an aircraft

Now, get a loan to buy an aircraft

Rediff.com   19 May 2008

With the high net worth individual (HNIs) base growing rapidly in the country, banking institutions and finance corporations are now intensifying their lending operations in the field of aviation.

KPMG eyes auditing services, to double outsourcing

KPMG eyes auditing services, to double outsourcing

Rediff.com   14 May 2008

KPMG, the $20-billion global advisory and audit firm, is set to broaden its basket of operations in India as it sees annual growth of 40 per cent in the coming years as well. At present, a significant chunk of KPMG's global client service support is being outsourced to Outsource Partners International, a strategic partner, in India. Going forward, the outsourcing volumes are expected to double.

HDFC Bank expands mobile banking

HDFC Bank expands mobile banking

Rediff.com   7 May 2008

HDFC Bank's customers will now be able to enjoy a complete suite of banking and commerce services over their mobile phones with the bank partnering with ngpay, a mobile solution brand from JiGrahak Mobility Solution.

Star India mulls print media foray

Star India mulls print media foray

Rediff.com   28 Apr 2008

STAR India, a wholly owned subsidiary of STAR Hong Kong, is exploring the possibilities of getting into the print media business in India. Last week, top STAR executives including STAR Hong Kong CEO Paul Aiello, STAR India CEO Uday Shankar and COO Jagdish Kumar were in Bangalore for meetings with possible joint venture partners for the print foray. The company is said to be in talks with Vijay Mallya's UB Group.

No hostile presence in India: Heineken

No hostile presence in India: Heineken

Rediff.com   25 Apr 2008

This is as definitive as it can get. Dutch global beer major Heineken is understood to have outlined its intent to Vijay Mallya's United Breweries that it does not want to have any conflicting presence in India.

Qualcomm Ventures debuts in India

Qualcomm Ventures debuts in India

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2008

Qualcomm Incorporated, a developer of wireless technologies and data solutions, on Tuesday announced its plans to invest in Indian startup companies offering technologies and services that enhance the wireless communications and semiconductor ecosystems.