Shreya Nandi, Shine Jacob

Stories by Shreya Nandi, Shine Jacob

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.

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

PMO Monitoring Red Sea Crisis

Rediff.com   16 Feb 2024

Any government support or incentive to help exporters deal with high freight and insurance costs is unlikely.

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.

Nearly Rs 41,000 crore unspent in govt's Rs 1.97 trillion PLI scheme

Nearly Rs 41,000 crore unspent in govt's Rs 1.97 trillion PLI scheme

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2024

Of the Rs 1.97 trillion that the government intends to spend on all 14 production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, around Rs 41,000 crore remains unutilised as of now, according to a senior government official. This means that 80 per cent of the total allocated amount, or Rs 1.56 trillion, will be used to pay incentives to companies eligible to claim benefits over the next few years. The unutilised amount/savings result from undersubscription, lukewarm responses in the case of schemes such as textile, as well as a reduction in the allocation of schemes.

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.'

Likely surge in prices due to Red Sea attacks: FinMin

Likely surge in prices due to Red Sea attacks: FinMin

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2024

Prices may go up because of higher energy costs, caused by the rise in shipping charges, with commercial vessels taking a longer route to avoid the troubled Red Sea region, the finance ministry said on Monday. Iran-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen are repeatedly attacking ships in the Red Sea. While the global economy is grappling with challenges such as sticky inflation, sluggish growth, and mounting fiscal pressure, India's external sector could face "potential risks" due to the ongoing geopolitical tensions, according to the finance ministry's report on the review of the Indian economy.

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.'

The Red Sea crisis: Commerce department flags rising import cost

The Red Sea crisis: Commerce department flags rising import cost

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2024

However, as of now, container availability has not been seen as an issue as adequate empties are available. The Red Sea strait is vital for 30 per cent of global container traffic and 12 per cent of global trade.

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.

India's exports to Iran decline in last one year

India's exports to Iran decline in last one year

Rediff.com   8 Jan 2024

India's exports to Iran have been falling over the last one year, amid decline in rupee reserves of the West Asian economy. Going ahead, the possibility of augmenting exports to Iran may not be easy for India, considering the geopolitical tensions - Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts - and the West Asian country's support for Russia and Hamas, people aware of the matter said. Exports to Iran saw a downward spiral since November last year.

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.'

Will Power Decide Telangana Victor?

Will Power Decide Telangana Victor?

Rediff.com   29 Nov 2023

24x7 power supply to farmers emerges as a political lightning rod in the state.

Can KCR Score A Hat-Trick?

Can KCR Score A Hat-Trick?

Rediff.com   28 Nov 2023

Experts foresee possible scenarios: A BRS government with less majority, a BRS government with BJP and AIMIM support, or a Congress government.

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.