Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Sohini Das

Stories by Surajeet Das Gupta &Amp; Sohini Das

E-motorcycles: Bhavish Aggarwal Riding High

E-motorcycles: Bhavish Aggarwal Riding High

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2023

Can Bhavish Aggarwal upend the electric two-wheeler market, which is now overwhelmingly in favour of scooters?

Two-wheeler Majors TVS, Bajaj Auto Close the Gap With Startups in EV Game

Two-wheeler Majors TVS, Bajaj Auto Close the Gap With Startups in EV Game

Rediff.com   6 Oct 2023

Bajaj Auto has virtually closed the gap with Ather Energy in September, notching up 6423 EV registrations compared to 6466 registrations by Ather.

Reliance Retail aims at 2025 IPO after valuation jump

Reliance Retail aims at 2025 IPO after valuation jump

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2023

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) is discussing a three-pronged plan that includes an additional divestment of $250-300 million this year, apart from what it has diluted in favour of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and US-based private equity fund KKR recently.

Indian pharma exports to Iran decline thanks to its lower rupee reserves

Indian pharma exports to Iran decline thanks to its lower rupee reserves

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2023

India's pharmaceutical exports to Iran have been hit owing to depleting rupee reserves in the West Asian country because of India stopping the import of crude oil from it in 2019 following US sanctions. Pharmaceutical exports dropped 71.25 per cent in April-August this year over the same period last year. The data from the Pharmaceutical Exports Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) showed exports to Iran had declined 31.29 per cent in 2022-23 as against the previous financial year.

What's Micron's Role In India's Chip Race?

What's Micron's Role In India's Chip Race?

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2023

The first leg of Micron's semiconductor play in Sanand is crucial for the company to sprint towards India's goal of joining the chip race.

Cipla deploys drones to fly in critical drugs

Cipla deploys drones to fly in critical drugs

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2023

Drug major Cipla on Tuesday said it has launched drone-powered deliveries of critical medicines - cardiac, respiratory and other essential chronic therapies - to hospitals and pharmacies across Himachal Pradesh in partnership with Skype Air Mobility, a Gurugram-based drone delivery company. Cipla is the first among large Indian pharmaceutical companies to adopt drone-based deliveries to facilitate expedited supply to stockists in remote areas, it claimed. The Mumbai-based firm said the use of drones will support the on-time delivery of its medicines to chemists and clinics in remote areas, and minimise risks of affecting cold chain products due to temperature excursions.

Pegatron factory may start ops soon, no impact on supply of iPhone15 series

Pegatron factory may start ops soon, no impact on supply of iPhone15 series

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2023

Even as top Pegatron executives went to the factory near Chennai on Tuesday to make an assessment of the fire damage to decide on a possible date for resuming operations, sources said the impact of the closure will be minimal for Apple's iPhone production. Late in the evening sources said that the factory might be operational soon-but said they are waiting for a final update. It will also not impact the availability of the newly-launched iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, they said.

'Need to make Auto Exports a national mission'

'Need to make Auto Exports a national mission'

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2023

'There is a need for a national task force with a singular objective to increase automotive exports.'

Jeep To Drive Petrol Options For India

Jeep To Drive Petrol Options For India

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2023

The iconic brand is considering petrol powertrains for its entire Indian portfolio, which includes the Jeep Compass, Meridian, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.

No plan on OTTs sharing revenue with telcos: Govt

No plan on OTTs sharing revenue with telcos: Govt

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2023

There is no plan to direct over the top (OTT) communications players who generate large amounts of traffic to give a 'fair and proportionate' share of their revenues to telecom network operators, the communications ministry has said. A senior official allayed any such apprehension by saying: "We have no proposal of this kind or anything like this which we are working on. "There is no fresh reference on this matter to the regulator (Trai)," he said. The ministry's view is significant as telecom network operators have been escalating this issue since July when Trai issued a consultation paper called 'Regulatory Mechanism Over OTT Communication Services and Selective Banning of OTT Services'.

Govt in talks with SII for Nipah antibody, may put imports on hold

Govt in talks with SII for Nipah antibody, may put imports on hold

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2023

Given the recurring outbreaks in the last five years, the government is considering domestic manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies for treating Nipah virus infections and is in talks with Serum Institute of India, report Shine Jacob and Sohini Das.

How much does iPhone 15 cost? Rs 79,900 to Rs 199,900

How much does iPhone 15 cost? Rs 79,900 to Rs 199,900

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2023

Apple Inc has announced the India prices of the new variants of its bestselling smartphones - launched on Tuesday - as it assembles the device in the country. The new iPhone 15 range starts at Rs 79,900 for the 128 GB variant (the same price as the iPhone 14 when it was launched last year) and goes up to Rs 199,900 for the top-end Pro Max with a 6.7 inch screen and 1 TB (terabyte) storage. The world's most valuable company also launched three new upgraded Apple watches, starting with the SE at Rs 29,900 and going up to Ultra 2 at Rs 89,900.

Cipla, Torrent may need to divest 15 brands in buyout deal: Bernstein

Cipla, Torrent may need to divest 15 brands in buyout deal: Bernstein

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2023

As the market buzzes with news of Cipla promoters exiting the business through a stake sale and Ahmedabad-based Mehta family-led Torrent Pharmaceuticals racing to acquire its rival, Cipla, an analysis reveals that if the deal were to go through, both companies might need to divest as many as 15 brands to comply with Competition Commission of India (CCI) norms. A recent analysis by Bernstein shows that Cipla and Torrent share a presence in 332 products (based on product and molecule data from market research firm IQVIA). Bernstein analysts Nithya Balasubramanian and Parth Shah noted that, while this may appear as a high number, a significant portion of these products lack significance.

Focus shifts from exports to import substitution

Focus shifts from exports to import substitution

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2023

It started out as a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to make India an export hub. But after many a twist and turns, the latest 2.0 PLI for IT hardware, for which the 40 eligible candidates have applied till its deadline, is now focused on 'import substitution'. The scheme will help in reducing India's over-dependence on imports (80 per cent of laptops are imported), especially from China which include laptops, tablets and servers.

EVs: Why LFP Is The Next Big Thing

EVs: Why LFP Is The Next Big Thing

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2023

From the customer point of view too, LFP batteries are safer and offer a longer life.

India's pharma industry likely to take 5-6% price hikes this year

India's pharma industry likely to take 5-6% price hikes this year

Rediff.com   6 Sep 2023

Notwithstanding the fact that the country's pharmaceutical (pharma) pricing regulator has allowed a 12 per cent price increase for medicines listed under the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) in 2023, analysts and industry insiders predict that the overall domestic pharma industry will only witness a price hike of 5-6 per cent. This is attributed to higher competitive intensity in the market. Krishnakumar V, executive director and chief operating officer (CEO) of Eris Lifesciences, a domestic-focused pharma company, noted that the NLEM segment experienced growth suppression of around 150 basis points due to price reductions during the January to July period this year.

From hatchbacks to holidays, consumers ready to loosen purse strings

From hatchbacks to holidays, consumers ready to loosen purse strings

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2023

With Onam and Raksha Bandhan just around the corner, the festival season is ready to kick off in full swing. As people embrace the celebratory spirit, companies anticipate a surge in sales this year. Consumer durables firms are expecting strong growth of 40-50 per cent in the premium segment during the upcoming season. Appliance makers also foresee increased demand for cooling appliances - refrigerators and air conditioners - which were impacted by unseasonal rainfall.

Bikanervala to go for IPO in next three years

Bikanervala to go for IPO in next three years

Rediff.com   31 Aug 2023

Indian sweet, snack, and restaurant chain group Bikanervala, with revenues of over Rs 3,000 crore, is working towards an initial public offering (IPO) for its food company in the next three years. Before that, it could also bring in private equity (PE) investors. The low-profile Aggarwal family-owned group company, Bikanervala Foods (which also sells under the brand name Bikano), operates in the snack business.

47,000 Luxury Cars To Be Sold This Year!

47,000 Luxury Cars To Be Sold This Year!

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2023

After a brief lull during the pandemic, there is a strong revival in luxury car sales, bolstered by more launches across price bands, replacement demand, ban on old diesel vehicles in the NCR, and 'revenge buying'.

Why All Is Not Well In Bharat Gears Family

Why All Is Not Well In Bharat Gears Family

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2023

The sons learned that they had been completely disinherited and that Surinder Kanwar's new wife would inherit everything.