Shobhana Subramanian, Priyanka Joshi And Leslie D'Monte

Stories by Shobhana Subramanian, Priyanka Joshi And Leslie D'Monte

Why Habil Khorakiwala quit Wockhardt

Why Habil Khorakiwala quit Wockhardt

Rediff.com   3 Apr 2009

Habil F Khorakiwala's exit as managing director of pharma major Wockhardt may have been somewhat inglorious but it is one he didn't deserve.

Sun Pharma: Needs more of the US pie

Sun Pharma: Needs more of the US pie

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2009

The Rs 3,290 crore (Rs 32.9 billion) Sun plans to sell Topamax in four strengths ranging from 25mg to 200mg, the combined market for which is estimated to be $2.5 billion. There is, of course, no litigation with the patent holder OrthoMcneill Janssen. The US market, which brings in about 40 per cent of Sun's consolidated sales and has driven revenues in the past few year could lose momentum.

Worm infecting MS Windows may fool on April 1

Worm infecting MS Windows may fool on April 1

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2009

As April Fool's Day draws closer, Windows XP and Windows 2000 users are being advised by security experts to brace themselves against the third variant of the deadly Conficker worm which may begin a new cycle of spreading spam, stealing data or carrying out online scams.

New channels defy downturn fears

New channels defy downturn fears

Rediff.com   30 Mar 2009

If you thought television channels in India have been hurt by a slowdown in companies' spend on advertisements, consider this: In three months, Indian viewers have seen the addition of four new channels and two-three channels are expected to debut later this year.

Do companies respect shareholders?

Do companies respect shareholders?

Rediff.com   27 Mar 2009

Judging by the actions of most companies, you wouldn't think they cared two hoots what shareholders thought or didn't think, says Shobhana Subramanian.

Indian IT geek develops digital 'sixth sense'

Indian IT geek develops digital 'sixth sense'

Rediff.com   25 Mar 2009

It's a digital prototype called "sixth sense" that is currently being evaluated by major companies like Microsoft, Google, Hewlett-Packard and Samsung. The brain behind this device is the 28-year-old Indian-born Pranav Mistry, a researcher at the Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

No immediate Nano magic for Tata Motors

No immediate Nano magic for Tata Motors

Rediff.com   24 Mar 2009

The Nano may ultimately be a winner but cannot turn around the company in the near term. For the present, Tata Motors continues to stare at a weak demand for both commercial vehicles as also cars. While CV volumes were lower by 51 per cent y-o-y in January 2009, compared with a fall of 46 per cent y-o-y in the December 2008 quarter, to revert to the mean could take a while given that the downturn in the economy persists.

India story intact, insists Nortel

India story intact, insists Nortel

Rediff.com   23 Mar 2009

"We have not lost a single customer in Asia, despite the news (its bankruptcy protection filing in Canada and the US)," said Francois Lancon, President Enterprise EMEA and Asia. He admits, though, that "what works for us (stickiness of clients) also works for our competitors," adding, "The slowing economy is helping us retain clients, since customers don't like taking big decisions like changing vendors during times of uncertainty."

L&T: Everything's not in order

L&T: Everything's not in order

Rediff.com   20 Mar 2009

L&T has spent around Rs 600 crore for the Satyam stake, leading to a de-rating of its stock. But the bigger worry seems to be a loss of momentum in order inflows; L&T had indicated that orders would increase by about 30 per cent in the current year; that target may be missed because of a delay on the part of ONGC in awarding contracts. Besides, a small part of the current order book, which is a robust Rs 69,000 crore, could see delays of between 8-10 months.

Now, SMS-friendly phones from LG

Now, SMS-friendly phones from LG

Rediff.com   19 Mar 2009

Touch screens, slide-out QWERTY keypads, dual SIM phones and even a transparent phone will soon make their way into your hands from the LG stable in 2009.

Crisis? Diversify and prosper

Crisis? Diversify and prosper

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2009

Ronnie Screwvala, the chairman and CEO of UTV Software Communications, opens the door of his plush Breach Candy apartment himself. Once seated in the comfortable surroundings, Screwvala makes no attempt to brush off the fact that the media and entertainment industry in which he operates has been hit by the slowdown.

Citi's awake again

Citi's awake again

Rediff.com   16 Mar 2009

If what Citi CEO Vikram Pandit is suggesting is true, namely that the bank is seeing a turnaround in its fortunes, there cannot be better news for the US' battered financial markets. After all, Citigroup is still a huge institution and if it can be put back on the rails, then there's hope for many others, says Shobhana Subramanian.

Exciting times ahead for bike lovers

Exciting times ahead for bike lovers

Rediff.com   13 Mar 2009

There could be some significant changes in motorcycles over the next few years says Shobhana Subramanian.

Colgate: Reason to smile

Colgate: Reason to smile

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2009

The company has posted good volumes despite keen competition. In fact volumes were higher than in the six months to September 2008 and that helped the company maintain market.

Satyam suitors may get info for last 2 quarters

Satyam suitors may get info for last 2 quarters

Rediff.com   12 Mar 2009

The Satyam board may present prospective bidders for the troubled Satyam Computer Services with operating statements for two quarters - October-December 2008 and January-March 2009 - to help them arrive at a decision.

Satyam suitors may get last 2 quarters' info

Satyam suitors may get last 2 quarters' info

Rediff.com   11 Mar 2009

No liabilities to be shared.

Check out these sleek ultraportables

Check out these sleek ultraportables

Rediff.com   6 Mar 2009

For those with the money to spare and the need of a functional ultraportable notebook that can slip into a large coat pocket, this could be a winner. We guarantee that if you pull this out of your pocket at a meeting, it will definitely get you envious glances. Promising to give the Sony Vaio P competition is the HP Mini-Note 2133 that shares Sony's striking looks.

IBM leads race for Satyam buy

IBM leads race for Satyam buy

Rediff.com   5 Mar 2009

Global IT giant IBM is understood to be the front-runner to acquire Satyam Computer Solutions, a company it named as one of its main competitors in a filing to the New York Stock Exchange in February. The US major, said sources close to the developments, has begun discussions with Satyam's government-nominated board and expressed its desire to acquire a majority stake in the company. A team of investment bankers and lawyers from the US and Europe has been brought in.

It pays to be a listed company

It pays to be a listed company

Rediff.com   3 Mar 2009

Over the last six years close to Rs 96,000 crore (Rs 960 billion) has been mopped up through IPOs by nearly 300 companies while another 56 companies have picked up about Rs 47,000 crore (Rs 470 billion) from the equity market through follow-on issues.

Satyam sale process to begin this week

Satyam sale process to begin this week

Rediff.com   2 Mar 2009

The bid-pack for potential investors is ready and the government-appointed board has already sent it to the Company Law Board and Securities Exchange Board of India, according to sources close to the development.