Shreya Nandi, Shine Jacob

Stories by Shreya Nandi, Shine Jacob

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.

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.'

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Centre to revise SEZ Act, limiting tax sops and enhancing integration

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2023

The Centre is unlikely to offer new direct tax incentives for units operating in special economic zones (SEZs) and may instead allow the grandfathering of previous exemptions that such units were entitled to, according to proposed amendments to the SEZ Act, 2005, people aware of the matter said. The amendments, proposed by the commerce department, will soon be considered by the Cabinet for approval. This represents a departure from the department's earlier plan to introduce these changes through the Development Enterprises and Services Hubs (DESH) Bill, 2023, which faced strong criticism from the ministry of finance.

'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

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 to advocate for food security, WTO reforms at upcoming Geneva meeting

India to advocate for food security, WTO reforms at upcoming Geneva meeting

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2023

Commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal is set to attend a two-day meeting from October 23 at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, that would focus on finding solutions and giving the 'necessary political push' for at least some crucial global trade issues. Next week's meeting comes ahead of the WTO's 13th ministerial conference (MC13), scheduled in Abu Dhabi in February 2024. It will see participation of senior government officials from all WTO member nations.

Israel trade with India doubled after Covid-19 pandemic

Israel trade with India doubled after Covid-19 pandemic

Rediff.com   16 Oct 2023

India's trade ties with Israel have only strengthened in the years after 2019. The total value of trade rose to $10.5 billion on a rolling four-quarter basis in June 2023 from $5.5 billion in the same month in 2019, shows a Business Standard analysis of data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). A rolling four-quarter number provides a comparable figure across different time periods.