Veena Mani, Ishita Ayan Dutt And Surajeet Dasgupta

Stories by Veena Mani, Ishita Ayan Dutt And Surajeet Dasgupta

With Air India will Pawan Ruia prove to be India's 'turnaround tycoon'?

With Air India will Pawan Ruia prove to be India's 'turnaround tycoon'?

Rediff.com   19 Feb 2021

Pawan Ruia has finally done it, a beaming Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, then West Bengal chief minister, had said at the reopening of the 70-year-old Sahagunj factory owned by Dunlop in 2005. But with the Calcutta high court passing a winding-up order in 2013 and the Trinamool Congress-led state government passing a Bill to take over the company in 2016, the once-upon-a-time undisputed leader in the Indian tyre industry looks vastly undone. But that can hardly be a deterrent for Ruia, who has a penchant for making headlines one way or the other.

Budget has good news for Chinese steel mills

Budget has good news for Chinese steel mills

Rediff.com   12 Feb 2021

Spiraling steel prices led the government to cut customs duty by 2.5-5.5 per cent on a range of products from semi-finished to flat and long products for the benefit of MSMEs, that have been at the receiving end.

TMC or BJP, big-ticket projects still a pipedream for Bengal

TMC or BJP, big-ticket projects still a pipedream for Bengal

Rediff.com   8 Feb 2021

In power, Mamata Banerjee has tried to bury the ghost of the past, but it might still be work-in-progress. Big-ticket and eye-grabbing (in terms of investment size) projects are still few and far between, reports Ishita Ayan Dutt.

Steel prices rise by up to Rs 2,400 a tonne, more hikes expected

Steel prices rise by up to Rs 2,400 a tonne, more hikes expected

Rediff.com   5 Jan 2021

A primary producer said that the prices would be raised in tranches this month and the total increase could be Rs 6,000 a tonne.

JSW Steel sweetens offer by Rs 400 cr to close Bhushan Power deal

JSW Steel sweetens offer by Rs 400 cr to close Bhushan Power deal

Rediff.com   5 Dec 2020

The closure of BPSL would add about three million tonnes capacity to JSW Steel's existing 18 million tonnes.

How states are preparing for Covid vaccine distribution

How states are preparing for Covid vaccine distribution

Rediff.com   2 Dec 2020

Each state has its own weak areas that need attention. Some states have already identified the gaps and sought the Centre's help. Vinay Umarji, Ishita Ayan Dutt, Samreen Ahmad and Sohini Das report.

Emami keeps 'Fair And Handsome' for now, but with a noticeable tweak

Emami keeps 'Fair And Handsome' for now, but with a noticeable tweak

Rediff.com   1 Dec 2020

Over the past few months, FMCG companies redefined their "fairness" offerings to make them more inclusive in the backdrop of the global movement "BlackLivesMatter".

How India Inc plans to tap robust rural market

How India Inc plans to tap robust rural market

Rediff.com   30 Nov 2020

While companies have not launched too many products in rural areas of late, easy financing has helped push up demand.

China's pain is Eveready's gain

China's pain is Eveready's gain

Rediff.com   27 Nov 2020

As imports reduced, Eveready clocked significant volume growth in batteries.

ITC launches 70 products in non-cigarettes FMCG space

ITC launches 70 products in non-cigarettes FMCG space

Rediff.com   10 Nov 2020

The 70 launches were made in the first half of the financial year alone and were mostly focused on hygiene, health & wellness, naturals and convenience, which were in high demand as Covid -19 raged across the world.

Covid has taken sheen off India's most exclusive clubs

Covid has taken sheen off India's most exclusive clubs

Rediff.com   28 Oct 2020

Few of these highly sought-after socialising and networking hubs are seeing much activity as regulars are missing in action.

Farm reforms may help Cargill's expansion plans in India

Farm reforms may help Cargill's expansion plans in India

Rediff.com   10 Oct 2020

Cargill believes the reforms would act as a catalyst in attracting private sector investment in building supply chains for taking Indian farm produce to national and global markets.

India's richest club sees nine new entrants; Ambani still No 1

India's richest club sees nine new entrants; Ambani still No 1

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2020

Half of the nation's 100 richest saw gains rising a collective 14% to $517.5 billion, says Forbes. Forbes released 2020's top 100 richest Indians on Thursday, which included newcomers, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, co-founder of Info Edge (India), who owns popular job and property websites; siblings Nithin and Nikhil Kamath, co-founders of discount stock brokerage Zerodha Broking, and three specialty chemicals producers - Vinod Saraf, founder of Vinati Organics, Arun Bharat Ram, the patriarch of SRF, and brothers Chandrakant and Rajendra Gogri of Aarti Industries. Other newcomers included Delhi-based brothers Ramesh Kumar and Mukand Lal Dua of Relaxo Footwears, which owns affordable footwear brands; dairyman, R G Chandramogan of Hatsun Agro; Premchand Godha, who chairs IPCA Laboratories, manufacturing formulations, bulk drugs and drug intermediates; G Rajendran, founder of jewellery chain, GRT Jewellers.

Farm Bills: Who are the actual gainers?

Farm Bills: Who are the actual gainers?

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2020

While reforms may translate into new opportunities for firms like ITC, Adani Wilmar and Reliance Retail, farmers are unlikely to use it for fear of upsetting commission agents.

Harsh Lodha reappointed director in Birla Corp despite panel's rejection

Harsh Lodha reappointed director in Birla Corp despite panel's rejection

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2020

Nearly 98% of shareholders vote in favour of his reappointment and payment of remuneration to Lodha.

FMCG firms see value in fast-growing, high-margin spices biz

FMCG firms see value in fast-growing, high-margin spices biz

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2020

The fast-growing, high-margin branded spices business is turning out to be an interesting growth opportunity, which to an extent was reflected in the Sunrise-ITC deal, with multiple parties from PE to strategic players joining the fray.

Emami may sell land, non-core assets to cut debt

Emami may sell land, non-core assets to cut debt

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2020

Last month, Emami Group completed divestment of its 100 per cent stake in Emami Cement to Nuvoco Corporation for an enterprise value of Rs 5,500 crore.

Steel firms raise prices by Rs 2K a tonne in 10 days

Steel firms raise prices by Rs 2K a tonne in 10 days

Rediff.com   3 Aug 2020

Prices in the domestic market are increasing because there is a demand pull, and internationally, prices have gone up.

Covid's unexpected fallout: Indians take to bicycles in big way

Covid's unexpected fallout: Indians take to bicycles in big way

Rediff.com   2 Aug 2020

Since the Covid pandemic, bicycle sales have surged, orders are pouring in, and stores are already feeling a shortage. 'I have not seen this kind of excitement around bicycles and you are talking to a 57-year-old man,' said Pankaj M Munjal, chairman and managing director, Hero Motors Company (HMC), the largest Indian bicycle producer;

How Spencer's plans to turn around Natures Basket

How Spencer's plans to turn around Natures Basket

Rediff.com   16 Jul 2020

The numerous integration measures have led to savings in areas including supply chain, technology, inventory management, and marketing.