The entry of private players has boosted the fortunes of FM radio in a big way in the country. This has been consistently reflecting in the revenue earned by the industry, which grew to Rs 550 crore (Rs 5.5 billion) last year from Rs 350 crore (Rs 3.5 billion) a year ago. The industry is expected to close with over Rs 800 crore (Rs 8 billion) in revenue this year.
With the general insurance penetration at a dismal 0.60 per cent (measured as a percentage of GDP), many companies feel that selling the policies through photo studios, grocery stores and even telephone booths would help improve the figure. "If telecom companies are able to use grocery stores, petty shops and other small outlets, why not insurance companies?" said an Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority official.
The Certificate Programme in Business Administration offered by the Institutes of Management has not found favour with information technology companies.
While some have announced setting up of a PE club for aspiring entrepreneurs, others plan courses, special lectures and seminars to create awareness about the booming sector. Students of the Post Graduate Programme for Executives at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, will go through a course on PE in their last term between December and February.
Speaking to Business Standard on the sidelines of the ground breaking ceremony of the Chennai-based Sri City's SEZ in Tada, in Andhra Pradesh, last week, Singhal said SEZs in the country have so far generated over 300,000 jobs, adding once all the 462 zones start functioning, they are expected to create 4 million jobs.
The Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (Irda) is planning to issue a notice to Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) to stop the latter from allowing policy holders to nominate "strangers" (those who are not close relatives) and religious institutions as beneficiaries of life policy claims.
In the wake of a hugely successful first season, the television advertisement rates for the second edition of the Indian Premier League are expected to increase by 40 to 50 per cent, say analysts. The inaugural edition of the Indian cricket board-mooted 20-over tournament had attracted over 20 million viewers, of which 8.2 million were women, they say.
After supplying Micro Electrical Mechanical System-based (MEMS-based) Inertial Navigation System to the Navy and the Airforce, Whirlybird Electronics, the co-incubated company of Indian Institute Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), is looking for markets in the automation and automobile industry.
The state-owned life insurer Life Insurance Corporation of India has decided to introduce strict norms for agents in a move to arrest fraudulent and early claims (arising after first year of the policy). The corporation found that early claims arose due to poor underwriting and moral hazards.
Indian shipbuilders are expected to invest Rs 20,000 crore (Rs 200 billion) in the next five to six years to enable them grab the growing demand for ships from Japan, Korea and China. The scarcity of shipbuilding yards in these countries up to 2012 will help Indian shipbuilders increase their market share globally.
Yet another generational shift is taking place at Arvind, one of India's largest textile players, as the fourth-generation Lalbhai has joined the group. In what could be an indicator of things to come, Punit Lalbhai, son of chairman and managing director Sanjay Lalbhai, is being appointed as the chief manager of the project division.
Institutes are encouraging students to work hands-on with the underprivileged of society.
Leading shipping lines operating in India said ocean freight rates to the US and Europe increased to $1,900 and $1,650, respectively, for every twenty foot equivalent unit in the past five months. The increase follows a sharp rise in crude price, which touched $132 a barrel from $99.62 in January 2008 and currency fluctuations against the dollar, according to a senior executive in a US-based shipping line.
Nothing seems to dampen the spirit of Gujarat's textile industry when it comes to investments. Inspite of the issues arising due to rising input costs, the state government is expecting to witness MoUs worth Rs 10,000 crore (Rs 100 billion) in textile sector at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor's Summit 2009. During the summit, the state government will be luring several textile machinery manufacturers from overseas to set up base in the state.
The Gujarat government's health department has announced an e-medicine scheme for rural areas. The programme entails offering online and telemedicine facilities to villagers. The department will install web cameras and other infrastructure for distant diagnosis. Of the total plan outlay in the state budget for 2008-09, 4 per cent is for the health sector. The state is also encouraging medical practitioners to set up clinics in certain identified blocks in rural areas.
While states across the country grapple with the problem of getting power to the rural areas, Gujarat stands tall as an exception. The state government's Jyoti Gram Yojana (JGY) has not only ensured 100 per cent village electrification but also 24 X 7 power supply. The result is a resurrection of rural industries in the state and reverse migration to rural areas.
Among insurance companies, general and health insurers are the worst affected by the shortage. The business process outsourcing industry, particularly the niche knowledge process outsourcing companies, are the second biggest recruiters of actuaries today.
The jewellery industry innovates to compete with lifestyle products like mobiles and laptops. Students at the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, are working on innovative designs concepts which will add some utility value to luxury jewellery products and help jewellers stay afloat.
Under its IT/ITeS SEZ development plan, Electronic Corporation of Tamil Nadu (Elcot) is setting up nine IT SEZs in Tamil Nadu, developing 1 million sq ft space at an estimated cost of Rs 28,000-30,000 crore (Rs 280-300 billion) - one each at Perumbakkam village and Sholinganallur near Chennai, two in Madurai, and one each at Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), Krishnagiri, Salem, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli.
The Delhi Daredevils, IPL's Delhi team which is owned by the GMR Group, has recruited a student of the Postgraduate Programme in Public Policy and Management (PGP-PMP) from the institute to manage its operations. Colonel Vinod Bisht, the student, has been hired as assistant vice-president (operations) for the company for a Rs 30-40 lakh package.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances