Vrishti Beniwal, Sanjeeb Mukherjee And Shine Jacob

Stories by Vrishti Beniwal, Sanjeeb Mukherjee And Shine Jacob

Indian Wheels for Vande Bharat Trains

Indian Wheels for Vande Bharat Trains

Rediff.com   7 Oct 2023

India's iconic Vande Bharat train project may finally find a solution to its two Russian-related issues.

Festivities, polls prompt govt to keep tabs on food price movement

Festivities, polls prompt govt to keep tabs on food price movement

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2023

Amid the ongoing festival season and ahead of the elections for five state assemblies, the Centre is closely monitoring inflation, particularly in food items, to enable it to take steps to increase their supplies. "There is a complete no-nonsense attitude when it comes to food inflation, and instructions have been issued at all levels to be very sensitive to any possible price movements in any commodity," a senior official explained. Sources have said that all departments dealing with food items have been instructed to keep a close eye on all commodities and maintain a weekly record of their price movements.

AIIMS-Like Centre For Animals In Delhi

AIIMS-Like Centre For Animals In Delhi

Rediff.com   25 Sep 2023

The Centre, for the first time, has initiated a draft proposal for setting up an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-like institute of national importance for animal health, education and research in Delhi to be called the All India Institute of Veterinary Sciences (AIIVS).

Pulses prices stabilise as rains revive over major growing states

Pulses prices stabilise as rains revive over major growing states

Rediff.com   22 Sep 2023

After a steady surge, prices of pulses, except those of urad and masoor to some extent, are showing signs of stabilising amid a revival of monsoon rains over major growing areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and on expectations of a rise in imports. Chana prices, which too had moved up in recent months, have dropped by almost 3 per cent since the end of August due to increased liquidation of government stocks, official data shows. Monsoon rains seem to have benefitted the standing soybean crop as well.

Nipah Is Keeping Kerala Tourists At Bay

Nipah Is Keeping Kerala Tourists At Bay

Rediff.com   21 Sep 2023

The tourism industry expects a short-term impact, as it is counting on the state's proven expertise in managing such crises.

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.

This is how Kerala brought Nipah under control in no time

This is how Kerala brought Nipah under control in no time

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2023

Kerala is the only state, other than West Bengal (2001 and 2007), in India to have reported Nipah virus cases. Kerala is the only state, other than West Bengal (2001 and 2007), in India to have reported Nipah virus cases. The previous outbreaks in the state were in May 2018, June 2019 and September 2021. This explains the anticipation and readiness this year, reports Shine Jacob.

Sanatan Dharma Controversy: Why Stalin Is Unflustered

Sanatan Dharma Controversy: Why Stalin Is Unflustered

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2023

Any narrative against the Dravidian model may impact the BJP's prospects in Tamil Nadu. This may explain why the BJP in Tamil Nadu is placing more emphasis on corruption allegations against the DMK, even as the party focuses nationally on the Sanatana controversy.

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Govt seeks to allay concern over 'retaliatory' duty cut on US apples

Rediff.com   20 Sep 2023

India's recent move to remove additional 'retaliatory' duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties. The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said. "There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US)," Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

'Inputs ignored': Dhanlaxmi Bank independent director resigns from board

'Inputs ignored': Dhanlaxmi Bank independent director resigns from board

Rediff.com   18 Sep 2023

Sridhar Kalyanasundaram, an independent director of private sector lender Dhanlaxmi Bank, has resigned from the board with effect from September 16. In his resignation letter, Kalyanasundaram has raised issues like factionalism in the board, his differences regarding rights issue and the alleged 'lack of in depth banking knowledge' in other members. This comes after Ravindran Pillai, head of RP Group, who holds 9.99 per cent stake in the bank (largest shareholder), came out with a special notice for removal of Kalyanasundaram.

Rice Economy Faces Turmoil as El Nino Turns Up Heat

Rice Economy Faces Turmoil as El Nino Turns Up Heat

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2023

In the coming months, globally as well as in India, rice might remain a hot potato.

Amid Competition, Royal Enfield Steps on the Gas to Draw Future Road Map

Amid Competition, Royal Enfield Steps on the Gas to Draw Future Road Map

Rediff.com   9 Sep 2023

To come up with first EV by 2025, expects market to grow two to three-fold in the next ten years.

JSW group keen to launch car in EV segment at Rs 15-20 lakh price tag

JSW group keen to launch car in EV segment at Rs 15-20 lakh price tag

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2023

The promoter entities of JSW Group are in talks with several electric-car manufacturers in China to launch an electric car for the Indian market at Rs 15-20 lakh, a source close to the development said.

What G20 Leaders' Spouses Can Expect

What G20 Leaders' Spouses Can Expect

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2023

An exhibition on the origins of Indian art, culture, handicrafts, and India's grassroots farming innovations is scheduled for September 9 and 10.

How Politicians Prevented Onion Tears

How Politicians Prevented Onion Tears

Rediff.com   5 Sep 2023

Even before NCP-Ajit Pawar leaders came to meet in Delhi, the central government decided to buy 200,000 tonnes of onions from farmers at Rs 24.1 per quintal. This was among the highest prices at which onions have ever been bought from farmers.

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Aditya-L1 fires up funding prospects for pvt space cos

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2023

The successful launch of Aditya-L1 - the country's maiden mission to study the Sun - is expected to garner increased investor interest in the Indian space sector and trigger more funding for private players. Several private sector players, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), MTAR Technologies, and Ananth Technologies, have played a pivotal role in the Indian Space Research Organisation's (Isro's) solar observatory mission. Aditya-L1 on Saturday set off on a 125-day journey on a PSLV-C57 rocket, in its attempt to study various elements relating to the nearest star from the halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from Earth.

Deficient Rains Threaten Kharif Crop

Deficient Rains Threaten Kharif Crop

Rediff.com   4 Sep 2023

Any long dry spell could cause moisture stress in the standing crop during the crucial maturing stage and also make it prone to pest and disease attacks.

Break in rains a threat to kharif yield, rabi sowing

Break in rains a threat to kharif yield, rabi sowing

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2023

A prolonged break in monsoon rains in most parts of the country is threatening to hit the yield of kharif crops. It could even delay the upcoming rabi sowing. Major agricultural states, such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Gujarat, have witnessed a deficit of 30-80 per cent in southwest monsoon rainfall in August compared to the long-period average for the month. Meteorologists see no big revival in monsoon rains from hereon, though they forecast "some activity" over the Bay of Bengal on September 5-6.

Pest Attack May Grow If Monsoon Weakens

Pest Attack May Grow If Monsoon Weakens

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2023

Pulses are most vulnerable to pests and diseases if the monsoon remains patchy for the rest of the season.

Is the fairy tale of India's sugar sector facing multiple challenges?

Is the fairy tale of India's sugar sector facing multiple challenges?

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2023

The last few years have been uncharacteristically good for the Indian sugar sector for a variety of reasons. While on the one hand, the weather supported good crop production; on the other hand, the programme to blend ethanol with petrol took off in a big way. The long-pending problem of burgeoning sugarcane arrears almost came down to nil and exports boomed to record highs.