Surajeet Das Gupta, Subhayan Chakraborty

Stories by Surajeet Das Gupta, Subhayan Chakraborty

Large deals power paradigm shift in India's venture capital terrain

Large deals power paradigm shift in India's venture capital terrain

Rediff.com   23 Aug 2024

India's venture capital (VC) landscape saw a strategic shift during the first half (H1) of the calendar year (CY) 2024, with a notable increase in larger-sized investments. This was evident from a 45.3 per cent rise in disclosed funding value year-on-year, despite a 2.1 per cent drop in deal volume, according to GlobalData, a data analytics and consulting company.

'No Intention Of A Takeover in British Telecom'

'No Intention Of A Takeover in British Telecom'

Rediff.com   22 Aug 2024

'We operate in 16 countries already, and therefore adding the UK to it, and beginning a chapter in the European continent is the next step.'

Will Modi Achieve A Cease Fire In Ukraine?

Will Modi Achieve A Cease Fire In Ukraine?

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2024

Ukraine is currently in the middle of a strategic offensive into Russia's Kursk region.

Tech, startup groups push back against OTT licensing

Tech, startup groups push back against OTT licensing

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2024

Tech and startup industry bodies have again pushed back against calls by telecom operators to bring over-the-top (OTT) services under a licensing regime similar to telcos, and open them up to taxation. Ahead of public consultations on the issue later this week, the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Nasscom and the US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), among others, have written to the government arguing against such efforts.

Action Packed Time For Two-Wheelers!

Action Packed Time For Two-Wheelers!

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2024

The BSA Gold Star is launched....Ola Enters e-motorbikes Biz... Bajaj, TVS To Enter e2Ws Market...

Rs 1.82 trn GST from cell phones 5x what PLI allocated

Rs 1.82 trn GST from cell phones 5x what PLI allocated

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2024

Goods and services tax (GST) collections from mobile device companies, amounting to Rs 1.82 trillion between 2020-21 (FY21) and 2023-24 (FY24), have already generated more than five times the revenue for the government compared to the Rs 34,149 crore allocated under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for mobile devices over six years ending 2025-26 (FY26). Currently, the GST on mobile devices stands at 18 per cent.

Ather's $450 mn IPO the next big spark in electric revolution

Ather's $450 mn IPO the next big spark in electric revolution

Rediff.com   15 Aug 2024

Bengaluru-headquartered electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy is all set to file its draft red herring prospectus within the second week of September to the Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for its maiden initial public offering (IPO), in which it is expected to raise over $450 million. On Tuesday, the fourth-largest electric two-wheeler maker in the country by volume raised Rs 600 crore from its existing investor, the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), catapulting itself into a unicorn with a valuation of $1.3 billion.

Bharti dials up UK telecom play with $4 bn stake in BT

Bharti dials up UK telecom play with $4 bn stake in BT

Rediff.com   13 Aug 2024

Bharti Global, the international investment arm of Bharti Enterprises, has decided to buy 24.5 per cent equity in BT Group - a move that will make the Indian conglomerate the biggest shareholder in the UK's second-largest telecom company both in terms of market value and subscriber count. The shares are being purchased from billionaire Patrick Drahi's Altice UK through a combination of cash and debt .

Qualcomm launches India-made chip to compete with MediaTek in 5G market

Qualcomm launches India-made chip to compete with MediaTek in 5G market

Rediff.com   31 Jul 2024

Qualcomm launched its new affordable, India-designed chipset, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, on Tuesday. This chipset will enable mobile device makers to sell 5G smartphones operating on a standalone (SA) network for Rs 8,300 or less.

'You Can't Solely Rely On Electric Cars'

'You Can't Solely Rely On Electric Cars'

Rediff.com   22 Jul 2024

'At present, hybrids emit lesser carbon despite using fuel than pure play electric cars.' 'That is because EVs have to be charged and 76 per cent of the country's electricity is still coal-based and not renewables.'

Want A Job In The Movies? Click Here!

Want A Job In The Movies? Click Here!

Rediff.com   18 Jul 2024

The ministry of information and broadcasting is working on a proposal to set up a mega movie production studio -- akin to those in Hollywood -- with an investment of Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion), which will be supported by the government.

Apple Sales In India Up to 67,000 Cr

Apple Sales In India Up to 67,000 Cr

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2024

Despite the robust growth in this country, Apple's India share in its overall global sales remained modest -- constituting 1.5 per cent of its overall turnover of $389 billion in FY23.

How to make India an electronic & semiconductor products nation

How to make India an electronic & semiconductor products nation

Rediff.com   11 Jul 2024

A task force set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) for transforming India into an "electronic and semiconductor products" nation is on the verge of finalising its report, which is likely to recommend an allocation of Rs 44,000 crore between 2024 and 2030 to support homegrown companies in their quest to develop products and build global brands. The task force's recommendations include significant incentives: Rs 15,000 crore dedicated to electronic products (systems), Rs 11,000 crore for semiconductor products, and Rs 18,000 crore for various other incentives such as talent development, common infrastructure, logistics, and technology & IP (intellectual property) acquisition, a member of the panel revealed.

Data stickiness likely to see users absorb mobile tariff hike: Analysts

Data stickiness likely to see users absorb mobile tariff hike: Analysts

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2024

Consumers are unlikely to disconnect their mobile connections and will most likely absorb the up to 22 per cent tariff hike imposed last week by Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), according to analysts. The last major tariff hike in 2021 was followed by a 4-5 per cent SIM consolidation, with people leaving mobile operators with more expensive plans for their peers offering comparatively affordable options.

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.

BEWARE! Govt Can Intercept Messages

BEWARE! Govt Can Intercept Messages

Rediff.com   26 Jun 2024

Messages sent through Internet-based messaging service providers such as Whatsapp, Signal, and Telegram, as well as those which are encrypted, are understood to be within the Act's ambit.

DoT Sets 100 Days Agenda For New Telecom Rules

DoT Sets 100 Days Agenda For New Telecom Rules

Rediff.com   25 Jun 2024

'The idea is to frame the ToR quickly, so that Trai can begin its consultations with industry stakeholders.'

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).

India AI mission to be key priority for telecom ministry

India AI mission to be key priority for telecom ministry

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2024

Many who track the ministry and the technology sector closely believe that the space won't see much impact on the policymaking side, but the gestation time for regulations might get long, as now there could be a wider consensus-building exercise on policy matters under a coalition government.

Balancing green concerns with soaring energy demand

Balancing green concerns with soaring energy demand

Rediff.com   18 Jun 2024

Rising energy demand could tilt India's energy basket towards fossil fuels from coal to oil, natural gas.