Surajeet Das Gupta, Ishita Ayan Dutt

Stories by Surajeet Das Gupta, Ishita Ayan Dutt

Labour Pains, The Silent Crisis Undermining India's Infrastructure Boom

Labour Pains, The Silent Crisis Undermining India's Infrastructure Boom

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2024

Severe skilled, unskilled shortage threatens to pull emergency brakes on India's industrial engine.

Fair trade, focus on manufacturing, infra on steel firms' Budget wish list

Fair trade, focus on manufacturing, infra on steel firms' Budget wish list

Rediff.com   10 Jul 2024

India's leading steel companies hope the Modi 3.0 Budget will continue the massive capital expenditure currently underway, focusing on infrastructure development, manufacturing, and fair trade. The infrastructure segment is the largest steel user, and the government's focus has fuelled steel consumption even as international markets have underperformed. According to provisional statistics, steel consumption grew 13.6 per cent in FY24, reaching 136 million tonnes (mt), according to a CRISIL report.

Tata Hitachi reaps rich harvest, from field to factory

Tata Hitachi reaps rich harvest, from field to factory

Rediff.com   5 Jul 2024

It was the summer of 2006 (May 18). Writers' Building, then the state secretariat, was buzzing with journalists. The event marked the start of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's second term as chief minister. And in style, it got off with West Bengal bagging the small car plant, Nano.

CRED's Kunal Shah Is Top Startup Founder-Investor

CRED's Kunal Shah Is Top Startup Founder-Investor

Rediff.com   3 Jul 2024

Kunal Shah has funded over 266 startups including Razorpay, Snapdeal, Zetwork, BlueSmart, Unacademy, Bliss Club, and Spinny, amongst others.

Even MBAs Find It Tough To Get Jobs

Even MBAs Find It Tough To Get Jobs

Rediff.com   1 Jul 2024

'Corporations that were recruiting 15 or 20 [students] have reduced the number to two or three.'

India now 3rd-largest domestic airline market; capacity doubles in 10 yrs

India now 3rd-largest domestic airline market; capacity doubles in 10 yrs

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2024

India is the third-largest domestic airline market in the world, up from number five position a decade ago, according to analysis based on OAG data. The data shows India's domestic airline capacity doubling in a decade from 7.9 million in April 2014 to 15.5 million in April 2024. In reaching the third slot, India has replaced Brazil (pushed to fourth place with 9.7 million) and Indonesia (relegated to fifth in the rankings with 9.2 million).

'For Tata Steel, It Will Be Better Than Last Year'

'For Tata Steel, It Will Be Better Than Last Year'

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2024

'When you look at reviving private sector capex, I don't think there's a better story than steel.'

'Demand will come back after the elections'

'Demand will come back after the elections'

Rediff.com   16 Jun 2024

'The Budget will be positive, continuing on the path of growth taken so far.'

iPhone exports from India hit $2 billion in April-May

iPhone exports from India hit $2 billion in April-May

Rediff.com   12 Jun 2024

Technology giant Apple Inc has pushed the pedal on exporting iPhones from India by racking up exports valued at over $2 billion in the first two months of the current financial year (FY25), according to the data provided by vendors to the government. This accounts for 81 per cent of the country's total production of iPhones worth $2.6 billion. In May, Apple repeated its performance of April and once again crossed $1 billion of iPhone exports.

Did Lakshmir Bhandar Help Mamata Win?

Did Lakshmir Bhandar Help Mamata Win?

Rediff.com   6 Jun 2024

The welfare schemes of the government, particularly Lakshmir Bhandar, have had a major impact on the electoral outcome.

Why MamataDi Won Bengal

Why MamataDi Won Bengal

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2024

'Women are likely to have voted because of the numerous welfare schemes. The CAA consolidated minority votes and the BJP's booth-level organisation in Bengal is weak.'

Feud in Godfrey Phillips: Samir Modi files FIR against mother Bina

Feud in Godfrey Phillips: Samir Modi files FIR against mother Bina

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2024

Godfrey Phillips executive director Samir Modi has lodged an FIR in New Delhi's Sarita Vihar police station, alleging that her mother Bina Modi and Lalit Bhasin, one of the company's board members, orchestrated an assault on him during the board meeting. It further exacerbated the ongoing feud among the late KK Modi's family members over the distribution of the Rs 12,000 crore inheritance. Bina is also the director of Godfrey Phillips.

Voting advisory firms divided over FMCG major ITC's hotel demerger move

Voting advisory firms divided over FMCG major ITC's hotel demerger move

Rediff.com   4 Jun 2024

Three leading domestic voting advisory firms are not on the same page over the proposed demerger and separate listing of ITC's hotel business, ITC Hotels. Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IiAS) has recommended a vote "against" the resolution, while InGovern and Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES) have advised their clients to vote in favour. Voting on the resolution is currently underway.

Suvendu's Career Hinges On Tamluk

Suvendu's Career Hinges On Tamluk

Rediff.com   25 May 2024

'The life of his political career is dependent on success in this constituency.'

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

Are Plug-In Hybrid Cars The Future?

Are Plug-In Hybrid Cars The Future?

Rediff.com   15 May 2024

Plug-in hybrids have two engines and the electric part has a much larger battery than in the regular hybrids. Car companies, led by the Japanese, are pushing the Indian government to look at hybrids in the interim if it wants to reduce carbon emission.

In Mahua vs Amrita Roy battle, don't forget the CPM

In Mahua vs Amrita Roy battle, don't forget the CPM

Rediff.com   13 May 2024

The curious onlookers that greet the candidates are, however, unaware about the importance of history. They are just there to catch a glimpse of 'Rani Ma' Amrita Roy or Mahua Moitra.

Weizmann to move court against Western Union on trademark, logo issue

Weizmann to move court against Western Union on trademark, logo issue

Rediff.com   13 May 2024

Mumbai-based Weizmann, part of a diversified group, will take to court its former partner Western Union Holdings, the American money-transfer giant, alleging that the United States-based company has imitated its trademark and logo. This, its lawyers say, constitutes a case of infringement and dilution of its intellectual-property rights.

In red-hot AI space, funds for Indian startups cooling down: Traxcn

In red-hot AI space, funds for Indian startups cooling down: Traxcn

Rediff.com   11 May 2024

Venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) funding for Indian startups in the artificial intelligence sector has seen a dramatic decrease with deal sizes shrinking, notwithstanding the buzz around the country's potential as a major AI hub. Data from research agency Traxcn, which tracks PE/VC investments, shows that total funding for AI startups in India, which started with a bang in 2022 at $599 million, dropped sharply in 2023 to $168.4 million - a decrease of over 71 per cent.

Finnish phone maker HMD plans to make India its manufacturing hub

Finnish phone maker HMD plans to make India its manufacturing hub

Rediff.com   10 May 2024

Finnish phone manufacturer Human Mobile Devices (HMD Global), which acquired the Nokia brand name from Microsoft, is planning to make India a key manufacturing hub for its phone exports. The company only began exporting late last year with the Nokia 105 Classic. What started mainly with feature phones will now extend to smartphones - it announced the global launch of models under the HMD brand for the first time a few days ago and these will be available in India too.