Shine Jacob

Stories by Shine Jacob

Wooing Tesla: 4 States Pull Out All Stops

Wooing Tesla: 4 States Pull Out All Stops

Rediff.com   15 Apr 2024

'Gujarat is the frontrunner at present.'
'However, Tamil Nadu's robust automobile ecosystem and Telangana's aggressive incentives make them strong contenders.'

'Will end year with a growth rate of over 30 per cent'

'Will end year with a growth rate of over 30 per cent'

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2024

'In life insurance, it is about creating distribution capacity and solutions for customers. We are constantly working on that.'

Adani, JSW, PSA looking to bag Rs 7K cr Tuticorin project

Adani, JSW, PSA looking to bag Rs 7K cr Tuticorin project

Rediff.com   1 Apr 2024

A Rs 7,056 crore outer harbour project by VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tuticorin is garnering interest from domestic and global majors in the sector, such as Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Singapore's PSA International, Dutch major Van Oord, JM Baxi, and JSW, among others, according to sources close to the development. The project aims to capitalise on the newfound investor interest in the region, spurred by mega investments such as the Rs 16,000 crore electric vehicle manufacturing unit by Vietnamese major VinFast, the Indian Space Research Organisation's second spaceport in Tamil Nadu's Kulasekarapattinam, and Singapore's Sembcorp's Rs 36,238 crore investment in renewable energy.

Election May Spike Sales Surge

Election May Spike Sales Surge

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2024

'During the scorching summer months of election season, largescale outdoor gatherings create a prime opportunity for increased consumption in the packaged drinking water category.'

PV or CV at TN plant? TaMo to decide based on trends

PV or CV at TN plant? TaMo to decide based on trends

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2024

Tata Motors will soon submit a detailed report on the upcoming manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu's Ranipet district and a decision, on whether the facility will churn out passenger or commercial vehicles, will be taken by the company on the basis of market trends, state's industries minister TRB Rajaa said on Thursday. "They are keeping the options open, and market trends will determine it (the type of vehicles the plant will make). "They will quickly come up with a detailed report on that," Rajaa said.

Rahul may win Wayanad but Kerala is no Congress fortress this time

Rahul may win Wayanad but Kerala is no Congress fortress this time

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2024

Political pundits unanimously suggest that the state is not experiencing a discernible Gandhi wave this time around.

Banks await RBI approval for appointing second whole-time director

Banks await RBI approval for appointing second whole-time director

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2024

More than half a dozen private-sector banks are awaiting regulatory approval for the appointment of a second whole-time director on their boards.

VinFast kicks off Tamil Nadu unit construction, seeks cut in import duty

VinFast kicks off Tamil Nadu unit construction, seeks cut in import duty

Rediff.com   26 Feb 2024

Vietnam-based electric vehicle maker VinFast, a rival of Tesla in the global market, has set foot in India and began work on building its Rs 16,000 crore EV manufacturing facility at Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. The company has already sought a reduction in import duties on its cars for about two years until customers get familiar with the brand and its unit in the state. The global major kicked off the construction of the first phase of its integrated EV hub, which may see Rs 4,000 crore of investment initially and will create more than 10,000 jobs.

Harley, Triumph blaze a trail, give Enfield a tough ride

Harley, Triumph blaze a trail, give Enfield a tough ride

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2024

It has been seven months since the iconic motorcycle manufacturers, Harley-Davidson and Triumph, embarked on their journey in India with the backing of partners Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj Auto. According to data shared by the Indian majors, both brands are already creating ripples in the above 350cc category. The increase in sales has prompted a ramp-up in production and even the doubling of retail touchpoints for one of them.

India's 1st Private Launchpad Preps For Liftoff

India's 1st Private Launchpad Preps For Liftoff

Rediff.com   13 Feb 2024

Preparations are in the final stages by the Chennai-headquartered space-tech startup Agnikul Cosmos for the maiden launch of India's first-ever private launchpad and the second rocket launch by a private sector player.

Rooftop solar charges up electric vehicle boom in India's smaller cities

Rooftop solar charges up electric vehicle boom in India's smaller cities

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2024

The push given to rooftop solar installation in the Interim Budget ties in with its high rate of adoption in Tier-II and -III cities of India. If original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the automobile industry, government, and the solar sector are to be believed, in cities of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Kerala, 45-50 per cent of electric-vehicle (EV) users are employing rooftop power to charge their vehicles. This is compared to the national average of 25 per cent, say industry sources.

Why This 2-Time MP Won't Contest Polls

Why This 2-Time MP Won't Contest Polls

Rediff.com   2 Feb 2024

'If businessmen should be included in the political process -- which is essential in my opinion -- they need to have the freedom to express themselves and to take stands against the government of the day, without fear of reprisals and attacks on their business.'

How AI Is Transforming Auto Manufacturing

How AI Is Transforming Auto Manufacturing

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2024

'From data on enquiries, we can build what we call a data lake or a data warehouse where data is classified into various cohorts and then we use AI and ML tools to predict demand down the line.'

Tata Power, Adani lead Rs 6.64 trn funding plans at TN Investor Meet

Tata Power, Adani lead Rs 6.64 trn funding plans at TN Investor Meet

Rediff.com   13 Jan 2024

Driven by mega investment proposals from Tata Power, Adani group, Singapore's Sembcorp Industries and Leap Green Energy, among others, the two-day Global Investors Meet 2024 in Tamil Nadu is expecting an infusion of around Rs 6.64 trillion. This is likely to create around 2.69 million direct and indirect jobs in the state. "Due to our tireless efforts and your participation during this Global Investors' Meet, we have attracted an unprecedented Rs 6.64 trillion of investments.

Tamil Nadu pulling out all stops for investor meet

Tamil Nadu pulling out all stops for investor meet

Rediff.com   4 Jan 2024

Tamil Nadu is leaving no stone unturned in marketing its upcoming global investors meeting on January 7 and 8. While business veterans are promoting the positives of the state's industrial climate through the 'Titans of Tamil Nadu" campaign, the state is narrating the human stories behind its robust industrial growth via the 'One Trillion Dreams' campaign. Among the industry bigwigs, who are showcasing Tamil Nadu to the world through this mega marketing initiative include Venu Srinivasan of TVS Motor Company, K M Mammen of MRF Ltd, Pratap Reddy of Apollo Hospitals, P R Venketrama Raja of Ramco Group, Mallika Srinivasan of TAFE; and Vellayan Subbiah of Murugappa Group.

Insurance claims drop 30-35% during Chennai floods compared to 2015

Insurance claims drop 30-35% during Chennai floods compared to 2015

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2024

Yet another first week of December brought familiar scenes of rain, storm, flooding, power outages, and fallen trees. When Cyclone Michaung wreaked havoc, leading to the heaviest rainfall in 47 years in the city, residents of Chennai drew parallels to the devastating floods of 2015. However, initial data on insurance claims suggests that the impact this time may portray a more optimistic scenario.

Are hospitals ready to handle Covid surge?

Are hospitals ready to handle Covid surge?

Rediff.com   26 Dec 2023

Larger hospitals are not worried about a spike in cases, as they are now accustomed to converting ICUs and general wards into negative pressure zones or isolation rooms. For smaller hospitals, the task is tedious.

AI makes mark in drug discovery in India; start-up Peptris raises $1 mn

AI makes mark in drug discovery in India; start-up Peptris raises $1 mn

Rediff.com   21 Dec 2023

The process of discovering and developing a new drug can take decades and costs hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. However, technological advances like artificial intelligence can help speed up and transform the time-consuming and labor-intensive exercise. In India, Peptris Technologies, a Bangalore-based AI drug discovery company, has announced $1 million in pre-seed round investment led by Speciale Invest.

'People Love Diesel SUVs'

'People Love Diesel SUVs'

Rediff.com   4 Dec 2023

'SUV is a very intensely fought category, unlike hatchbacks and cars.'

'It's a tough job to sell life insurance to people'

'It's a tough job to sell life insurance to people'

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2023

'We are expected to grow at above 28 per cent this year, higher than the industry.'