Sohini Das &Amp;Amp; Deepak Patel

Stories by Sohini Das &Amp;Amp; Deepak Patel

Cleaner Fuels Driving One-Fifth Of PVs Sold In India

Cleaner Fuels Driving One-Fifth Of PVs Sold In India

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2024

Auto manufacturers have focused on launching CNG variants of their popular models to meet consumer demand for vehicles with lower running costs.

Air India's rise could impact 3 Gulf hubs: Saudia

Air India's rise could impact 3 Gulf hubs: Saudia

Rediff.com   7 Jun 2024

Air India (AI)'s rise could be at the expense of three "super-connector" hubs - Doha in Qatar, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE - as the Indian passenger would any day prefer direct flights of their national airline that is providing excellent on-time service, Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer of Saudia Airlines, said on Thursday.

'Second-gen promoters more open to selling out'

'Second-gen promoters more open to selling out'

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2024

'There is not any negative connotation associated with it.'

'Depending on the product, the pricing pressure will always be there'

'Depending on the product, the pricing pressure will always be there'

Rediff.com   3 Jun 2024

'That is a significant milestone for us and something we aspired for.'

Airfares to summer destinations defy heat, stay cool

Airfares to summer destinations defy heat, stay cool

Rediff.com   30 May 2024

Notwithstanding the sweltering heat engulfing major cities, travellers can find solace in the steady airfares to popular summer destinations like Srinagar, Bagdogra, and Kochi. According to airline executives, capacity increases and moderate demand have kept spot airfares from scorching cities like Delhi on a par with the same period last year.

New-Gen COVID Jabs Coming Soon...

New-Gen COVID Jabs Coming Soon...

Rediff.com   28 May 2024

India currently does not have any XBB 1.5 variant-based vaccines available.

Recharge Zones To Cool Clothing: Indian Companies' Summer Strategies

Recharge Zones To Cool Clothing: Indian Companies' Summer Strategies

Rediff.com   23 May 2024

Several firms are stepping up to help their workforce cope with soaring temperatures

April domestic air travel growth slows to 13-month low; Air India grows

April domestic air travel growth slows to 13-month low; Air India grows

Rediff.com   22 May 2024

The number of domestic air travelers in India grew 2.42 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in April, reaching 13.2 million, according to data by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday.

Should Govt Continue Covid Vax Drive?

Should Govt Continue Covid Vax Drive?

Rediff.com   20 May 2024

India has covered enough population with vaccine and infection, but protein vaccines should remain available on payment basis for elderly and those with comorbidities.

M&M shifts to high gear with Rs 37K cr investments

M&M shifts to high gear with Rs 37K cr investments

Rediff.com   17 May 2024

Automotive (auto) major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which is readying to launch nine sport utility vehicles (internal combustion engine/ICE), seven Born Electric Vehicles (BEVs), and seven light commercial vehicles by 2030, has outlined an investment of Rs 27,000 crore in its auto business between 2024-25 (FY25) and 2026-27 (FY27). Over the next three years, the company will deploy Rs 37,000 crore, including its auto business, farm business (Rs 5,000 crore), and service business (Rs 5,000 crore).

Air India's international cargo business takes wings, not so for IndiGo

Air India's international cargo business takes wings, not so for IndiGo

Rediff.com   13 May 2024

The international cargo operations of two major carriers - IndiGo and Air India Group (Air India and Vistara) - are experiencing opposite trajectories despite both the airlines significantly expanding their international flight offerings over the past year. During the fourth quarter of 2023-24, IndiGo's international non-passenger cargo business declined to 6,848 tonnes. This is an 18.2 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decrease, according to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Why DGCA Suspended Vistara Executive

Why DGCA Suspended Vistara Executive

Rediff.com   1 May 2024

This isn't the first instance of Vistara facing scrutiny from the regulator over improper pilot training.

DGCA directs airlines to seat kids up to 12 years with their parents

DGCA directs airlines to seat kids up to 12 years with their parents

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2024

A child who is less than 12 years of age must be allotted a seat beside at least one parent or a guardian with whom he is travelling, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) told airlines on Tuesday. The DGCA has said that the air transport circular on unbundling of services and fees by scheduled airlines is being modified. It allows airlines to charge for excess baggage, preferential seats, meals, snacks, drinks, and carriage of musical instruments.

Gut Health Key To Prevent Chronic Illnesses

Gut Health Key To Prevent Chronic Illnesses

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2024

Maintaining the balance of gut microbiota is important as an imbalance, also known as dysbiosis, can cause or aggravate different diseases, including but not limited to digestive problems such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, mental health issues like anxiety and depression and menstrual problems.

'Aionos will bridge silos within aviation, hospitality using AI'

'Aionos will bridge silos within aviation, hospitality using AI'

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2024

Industries such as aviation and hospitality have many silos within them and Aionos, the joint venture between Interglobe Enterprises (IGE) and Assago Group, is an attempt to bridge them and boost efficiencies using artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, Rahul Bhatia told Business Standard on Tuesday. Bhatia, the Group Managing Director of IGE, serves as the majority shareholder in India's largest airline, IndiGo. Additionally, IGE operates 21 hotels under the Ibis brand and runs a logistics company called Movin.

Zydus gets China nod for kidney disease drug

Zydus gets China nod for kidney disease drug

Rediff.com   24 Apr 2024

Ahmedabad-based Zydus Lifesciences said on Tuesday that a new drug application for its oral drug Desidustat used in treating anaemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients had been accepted by the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA). In 2020, CMS International Development and Management Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Medical System Holdings Ltd obtained an exclusive license for the product from Zydus. CKD involves a gradual loss of functioning of kidneys and eventually leads to kidney failure.

Consumption story gets a facelift as rural demand shows promise

Consumption story gets a facelift as rural demand shows promise

Rediff.com   16 Apr 2024

Consumer goods firms and auto companies are witnessing an upturn in rural demand, which had been lagging for most of FY24. Expectations of a bumper rabi crop harvest have helped turn the tide. The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged last week, noting that as rural demand catches up, consumption is expected to support economic growth in 2024-25.

Nearly one in two luxury cars sold in March quarter was Mercedes Benz

Nearly one in two luxury cars sold in March quarter was Mercedes Benz

Rediff.com   12 Apr 2024

Nearly one in two luxury cars sold in India in the first three months of 2024 was a Mercedes Benz, which achieved its best ever quarter (January-March), selling 5,412 units, up 15 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) from 4,697 units in the previous year.

Summer pinch: Airfares on key routes rise up to 13%

Summer pinch: Airfares on key routes rise up to 13%

Rediff.com   11 Apr 2024

Airfares on major domestic routes such as Kolkata-Bagdogra, Delhi-Bengaluru, and Delhi-Mumbai have witnessed an increase of up to 12.7 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in May this year, according to data by Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel. The recent increase in aviation turbine fuel prices, rupee depreciation, reduction of flights by key players, and grounding of planes due to engine supply issues have contributed to the rise in airfares, said aviation industry experts. However, the data also shows that summer airfares on key routes such as Delhi-Leh and Delhi-Kolkata have significantly decreased due to the introduction of new flights.

'Bonded labour': Air India pilot unions extend support to Vistara

'Bonded labour': Air India pilot unions extend support to Vistara

Rediff.com   5 Apr 2024

Describing their situation akin to "bonded labour", two Air India pilot unions extended their support to Vistara pilots on Thursday, who have raised grievances regarding the duty roster and the revised salary structure. Amid the slew of flight cancellations and delays, Vistara chief executive officer Vinod Kannan acknowledged on Wednesday that pilot utilisation in the airline was high, and announced plans to scale back its flight schedule and overhaul the rostering system to provide pilots with more rest time.