Samie Modak, Shivani Shinde, Sohini Das

Stories by Samie Modak, Shivani Shinde, Sohini Das

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

India Inc braces for fallout of Russia-Ukraine crisis

Rediff.com   23 Feb 2022

Stocks of Indian companies with exposure to Europe fell on Tuesday amid concerns about the impact on their sales in case the Russia-Ukraine crisis worsens and the US and its allies impose economic sanctions on Russia. While top conglomerates, including Reliance Industries, the Tata group, and Aditya Birla Group, said they did not have any significant exposure to Russia, executives of some of the oil and gas, pharmaceutical, and tea companies said they were monitoring the situation closely as they earned substantial income from the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered troops into two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine after announcing that Russia would recognise their independence.

LIC may end up becoming India's most valuable company

LIC may end up becoming India's most valuable company

Rediff.com   22 Feb 2022

Life Insurance Corp of India (LIC), which is aiming to launch its initial public offering (IPO) next month, is set to alter the pecking order of top listed companies in the country. Depending upon where the government prices the IPO, the stock could end up becoming India's most valuable company on the first day and even get fast-tracked into global benchmark indices given its sheer size. According to market sources, LIC's IPO is targeting to mop up Rs 63,000 crore and Rs 75,000 crore.

Former NSE MD-CEO Chitra Ramkrishna, her advisor ran a 'money-making scheme': Sebi

Former NSE MD-CEO Chitra Ramkrishna, her advisor ran a 'money-making scheme': Sebi

Rediff.com   18 Feb 2022

Former NSE managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) Chitra Ramkrishna and group operating officer and her advisor Anand Subramanian ran a 'money-making scheme' during their stint at the National Stock Exchange (NSE), markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has alleged. The order passed by Sebi dated February 11 highlights frequent increase in the compensation package of without proper appraisal, documentation or file notings, and the involvement of the human resource (HR) head or the nomination and remuneration committee. Furthermore, the order talks about Subramanian being directed to "withdraw and surrender" to the unknown person a gross amount per month as "gratitude".

'I am bullish on India'

'I am bullish on India'

Rediff.com   11 Feb 2022

'India has many attractive features for the long-term investor; it combines: A low per capita income, a young population, and a heavier presence of high margin, asset-light firms in the technology sector.'

TCS bags electronic passport mandate from MEA

TCS bags electronic passport mandate from MEA

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2022

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has bagged -- from the Ministry of External Affairs -- the contract for delivering electronic passports (e-passports), according to sources. This deal is in addition to the second phase of implementing the Passport Seva Program, which the company got from the ministry. Players such as Thales India and HP participated in this deal, which is expected to be of Rs 1,000-1,200 crore.

TCS world's second most valuable IT brand, Infy fastest growing

TCS world's second most valuable IT brand, Infy fastest growing

Rediff.com   27 Jan 2022

Infosys has emerged as the fastest growing IT services brand following 52 per cent brand value growth since last year and 80 per cent since 2020 to $12.8 billion, earning it third spot, the brand valuation consultancy said in its latest Global 500 IT Services Ranking report. TCS and Infosys have pushed IBM to fourth spot from second. IBM's brand value now stands at $10.6 billion, a decline of 34 per cent from last year and 50 per cent since 2020.

HCL Tech to hire 40,000-45,000 freshers for FY23 to meet attrition threat

HCL Tech to hire 40,000-45,000 freshers for FY23 to meet attrition threat

Rediff.com   19 Jan 2022

HCL Technologies plans to double its fresher hiring for the upcoming financial year (FY23) as attrition continues to inch up. The company said that it will hire 40,000-45,000 freshers for FY23, up from 20,000-22,000 target for FY22. The company also stated that to ease supply-side constraints and to have access to diversified skills, it was expanding into other geographies over the next three-four quarters. "Some of the geographies that we are investing in to source talent include countries like Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Guatemala, Costa Rica. We are also ramping up our presence in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

How Indian IT giants are playing catch-up in consultancy

How Indian IT giants are playing catch-up in consultancy

Rediff.com   18 Jan 2022

The analyst community tracking the Indian IT services industry took special note of Accenture's first quarter (Q1) performance, which showcased the rapid growth of its consulting business that outperformed its outsourcing business. Bookings indicate that the trend will continue. Consulting bookings increased 41.6 per cent year-on-year (yoy) to $9.4 billion, higher than the 17.6 per cent growth in outsourcing to $7.4 billion. The management commentary was also more bullish on the consulting business.

Number of Covid symptomatic kids jump, post-recovery issues a concern

Number of Covid symptomatic kids jump, post-recovery issues a concern

Rediff.com   14 Jan 2022

While the infection has been mild in most reported cases, those below two years of age are showing signs of acute infection.

'We have to ensure vaccines work against new variants'

'We have to ensure vaccines work against new variants'

Rediff.com   11 Jan 2022

Adar Poonawalla says it took a five-minute chat with his father Cyrus before making the decision to manufacture Covishield. The bet paid off, and handsomely. Serum Institute now has the capacity to make 4 billion doses of Covishield annually.

Why unicorns are investing in startups

Why unicorns are investing in startups

Rediff.com   7 Jan 2022

Byju's, Flipkart, PharmEasy and CRED, among others, have taken the acquisition route to grow

Covaxin shelf life extended, Bharat Biotech relabels old stocks

Covaxin shelf life extended, Bharat Biotech relabels old stocks

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2022

The company had in December said that the CDSCO had approved a 12-month shelf life for Covaxin, which was nine months earlier, Sohini Das reports.

Does India have enough jabs to expand vaccination drive?

Does India have enough jabs to expand vaccination drive?

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2022

A back of the envelope calculation shows that India has roughly over 680 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines consisting primarily of Covishield doses.

Covishield accounts for 88% of Covid jabs in India

Covishield accounts for 88% of Covid jabs in India

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2022

Serum Institute has the capacity to make 250 million doses of Covishield monthly.

2022: How Will The Markets Behave?

2022: How Will The Markets Behave?

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2022

Will 2022 be a year of contrasting narratives -- one filled with caution and the other with continued optimism?

Covaxin safe for children: Bharat Biotech

Covaxin safe for children: Bharat Biotech

Rediff.com   31 Dec 2021

Bharat Biotech is targeting to manufacture one billion doses of its intra-nasal vaccine in 2022 which is under clinical trials now.

'Antibodies induced by Covishield and Covaxin gradually increase and decrease'

'Antibodies induced by Covishield and Covaxin gradually increase and decrease'

Rediff.com   28 Dec 2021

'Antibodies remain in the blood for at least seven to nine months.'

Are You Eligible For A Booster Shot?

Are You Eligible For A Booster Shot?

Rediff.com   27 Dec 2021

'Someone may have diabetes, but at what level the disease qualifies as a comorbid condition is something a doctor will decide upon and certify accordingly.'

Covishield booster works against Omicron

Covishield booster works against Omicron

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2021

If the vaccine is recommended for use as a booster against Omicron, it may significantly boost the demand for Covishield in India.

Accenture's growth outlook augurs well for Indian IT services players

Accenture's growth outlook augurs well for Indian IT services players

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2021

Accenture's Q1 FY22 results have sent a wave of cheer among analysts, as the company raised its revenue guidance and said it expects double-digit growth in outsourcing, up from single digit to low double-digit growth expected earlier. Accenture's financial year ends on August 31. The company raised its revenue outlook for FY22 to 19-22 per cent in local currency, up from 12-15 per cent earlier.