Shine Jacob &Amp; Ishita Ayan Dutt

Stories by Shine Jacob &Amp; Ishita Ayan Dutt

From Godrej to Tata, India Inc begins breaking the diversity mould

From Godrej to Tata, India Inc begins breaking the diversity mould

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2023

In a move towards gender inclusion, Tamil Nadu has partnered Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL) to offer a 5 per cent job reservation for LGBTQAI+ and people with disabilities at GCPL's upcoming fast-moving consumer goods manufacturing unit in Thiruporur in Chengalpattu district. According to industry experts and activists, while companies acknowledge transgender communities, this is the first time the entire spectrum of gender minorities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity), asexual and intersex, is receiving such a notable share of job participation in the private sector while signing memoranda of understanding with states.

Want To Buy A Car? Juicy Offers Coming!

Want To Buy A Car? Juicy Offers Coming!

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2023

'Nearly all companies are extending festival offers for entry-level, sedan, and hatchback segments.'

Will Tata Steel's global stride with new deal aid profitability?

Will Tata Steel's global stride with new deal aid profitability?

Rediff.com   21 Nov 2023

It was August 2007. Tata Steel was turning 100. Jamshedpur, its hometown, had an air of celebration. The line-up for the special event included the launch of Air Deccan's commercial flight connecting Kolkata and Jamshedpur, and release of Russi Lala's new book, Romance of Tata Steel. There was also the screening of The Spirit of Steel, a 20-minute documentary directed by Zafar Hai showcasing Tata Steel's legacy, and a corporate anthem penned by Javed Akhtar and composed by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy.

'Growth during the second half should be good'

'Growth during the second half should be good'

Rediff.com   12 Nov 2023

'With NPA under control, we should be able to post better profits.'

What's taking the sheen off Sivakasi's firecracker sales?

What's taking the sheen off Sivakasi's firecracker sales?

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2023

A complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi until January 1, the government's refusal to grant licences for sales in Karnataka, and restrictions in the Noida region are adversely affecting the business of manufacturers in Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi, which produces over 90 per cent of India's fireworks. According to industry players, demand has decreased by 20 per cent compared to last year. Moreover, the ban on the use of barium nitrate and the manufacturing and sale of joint fireworks is also impacting demand.

Demand For Choppers Soar As Elections Near

Demand For Choppers Soar As Elections Near

Rediff.com   30 Oct 2023

In the months to come, the skies above promise to be a captivating theatre of action, where helicopters play starring roles, ferrying leaders, and echoing the pulse of democracy.

IMEC: Project Biden Thinks Hamas Targeted

IMEC: Project Biden Thinks Hamas Targeted

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed it the 'largest cooperation project in our history', one that would 'change the face of the Middle East, Israel, and impact the entire world'.

At 1.3 million, two-wheeler sales cross pre-Covid figs of September 2019

At 1.3 million, two-wheeler sales cross pre-Covid figs of September 2019

Rediff.com   26 Oct 2023

The two-wheeler segment is, however, still far from its H1FY19 peak of 9.7 million units

Crisis Brews In Darjeeling's Tea Gardens

Crisis Brews In Darjeeling's Tea Gardens

Rediff.com   23 Oct 2023

In the last three years, 20 gardens have changed hands, and 90 per cent of the buyers are from non-tea background.

Number of women in blue-collar jobs increasing across manufacturing sector

Number of women in blue-collar jobs increasing across manufacturing sector

Rediff.com   20 Oct 2023

"Lady candidates need not apply." So read the postscript in a job notice from Telco (now Tata Motors) on a notice board in the corridors of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (now Bengaluru), in 1974. Irked, Sudha Murty, who was then pursuing her masters in computer science at the institute, wrote a postcard to JRD Tata, expressing her surprise at this gender discrimination, especially since the Tata Group were pioneers on many fronts. Shortly, Murty became the first woman on the firm's shop floor.

India Inc rides merger-demerger wave

India Inc rides merger-demerger wave

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2023

Corporate India is busy restructuring - through mergers, demergers and splits. That seems to be the new normal as CXOs and boards brainstorm on how to create assets and value. The pitch rose significantly during the third quarter of this financial year (FY24), translating into $32.9-billion worth of such deals - the highest quarterly total since the HDFC Bank-HDFC merger announced in FY22 Q2.

Israel-Hamas Conflict: India's IT Companies On Edge

Israel-Hamas Conflict: India's IT Companies On Edge

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2023

'IT companies do not have a large presence there either in terms of market and team. So, the impact of the war will be minimal. But West Asia is an emerging economy.'

Strong domestic demand, raw material cost, pushing up steel prices

Strong domestic demand, raw material cost, pushing up steel prices

Rediff.com   14 Oct 2023

Strong demand in the domestic market, coupled with an increase in raw material prices, is pushing up steel prices. According to SteelMint, a market intelligence and price reporting firm, the list price of flat steel has seen an increase of Rs 750-2,000 per tonne for October deliveries. The long steel price witnessed an increase of Rs 1,500 per tonne towards the end of September.

Indian Wheels for Vande Bharat Trains

Indian Wheels for Vande Bharat Trains

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2023

India's iconic Vande Bharat train project may finally find a solution to its two Russian-related issues.

Steel firms prep for festivals, see demand by auto, consumer goods sectors

Steel firms prep for festivals, see demand by auto, consumer goods sectors

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2023

The festive season will mean business for the steel industry as it is the time when automotive and consumer appliance companies bump up demand to prepare for higher sales, experts have said. Ranjan Dhar, chief marketing officer at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), said that bookings by auto and consumer appliance industries are 20 per cent higher ahead of the festive season compared to last year. "While this could be for a couple of months, it could normalise later at approximately 10 per cent," he said.

Nipah Is Keeping Kerala Tourists At Bay

Nipah Is Keeping Kerala Tourists At Bay

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2023

The tourism industry expects a short-term impact, as it is counting on the state's proven expertise in managing such crises.

Govt in talks with SII for Nipah antibody, may put imports on hold

Govt in talks with SII for Nipah antibody, may put imports on hold

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2023

Given the recurring outbreaks in the last five years, the government is considering domestic manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies for treating Nipah virus infections and is in talks with Serum Institute of India, report Shine Jacob and Sohini Das.

This is how Kerala brought Nipah under control in no time

This is how Kerala brought Nipah under control in no time

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2023

Kerala is the only state, other than West Bengal (2001 and 2007), in India to have reported Nipah virus cases. Kerala is the only state, other than West Bengal (2001 and 2007), in India to have reported Nipah virus cases. The previous outbreaks in the state were in May 2018, June 2019 and September 2021. This explains the anticipation and readiness this year, reports Shine Jacob.

Sanatan Dharma Controversy: Why Stalin Is Unflustered

Sanatan Dharma Controversy: Why Stalin Is Unflustered

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2023

Any narrative against the Dravidian model may impact the BJP's prospects in Tamil Nadu. This may explain why the BJP in Tamil Nadu is placing more emphasis on corruption allegations against the DMK, even as the party focuses nationally on the Sanatana controversy.

'Inputs ignored': Dhanlaxmi Bank independent director resigns from board

'Inputs ignored': Dhanlaxmi Bank independent director resigns from board

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2023

Sridhar Kalyanasundaram, an independent director of private sector lender Dhanlaxmi Bank, has resigned from the board with effect from September 16. In his resignation letter, Kalyanasundaram has raised issues like factionalism in the board, his differences regarding rights issue and the alleged 'lack of in depth banking knowledge' in other members. This comes after Ravindran Pillai, head of RP Group, who holds 9.99 per cent stake in the bank (largest shareholder), came out with a special notice for removal of Kalyanasundaram.