News for '-vande-bharat'

AI Express flight overshot runway in rainy conditions: Puri

AI Express flight overshot runway in rainy conditions: Puri

Rediff.com8 Aug 2020

"All efforts are being made to help passengers. A formal enquiry will be conducted by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau," the minister said on Twitter.

Stable rupee is bad news for foreign currency deposits

Stable rupee is bad news for foreign currency deposits

Rediff.com27 May 2021

The flow of deposits from non-resident Indians (NRIs) hit a four-year low in the financial year 2020-21 mainly due to contraction in foreign currency deposits, latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) shows. Total NRI deposits during FY21 were $7.3 billion as compared to $8.6 billion in FY20 - the lowest since 2016-17, when such deposits had contracted by $12.3 billion. Indian banks have three kinds of deposit accounts where NRIs or PIOs (persons of Indian origin) can park their funds: non-resident external-rupee account (NRE); non-resident ordinary rupee account (NRO); and foreign currency non-resident bank account (FCNR [B]).

Air passenger traffic won't recover anytime soon

Air passenger traffic won't recover anytime soon

Rediff.com24 May 2021

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to delay recovery in air passenger traffic with an 80-85 per cent growth year-on-year this fiscal against the earlier estimate of 130-135 per cent, ratings agency ICRA said on Monday. The domestic passenger traffic, which witnessed a steady ramp-up after resumption of airport operations since May 25 last year and reached 64 per cent of the previous year levels in February, has again suffered a setback, the ratings agency said in a report. The spike in coronavirus infections towards March-end and April has resulted in several state governments implementing fresh restrictions, resulting in a marginal 0.7 per cent de-growth sequentially in traffic in March.

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Full text: President Murmu's address to Parliament's Budget Session

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'Wherever in the world there is political instability, those countries are beset with severe crises today. But India is in a much better position than the rest of the world due to the decisions taken by my government in the national interest,' President Droupadi Murmu said in her address to both Houses of Parliament.

In times of COVID, how travel firms plan to generate revenue

In times of COVID, how travel firms plan to generate revenue

Rediff.com6 Aug 2020

While Yatra is building a digital services platform to offer skill development training and sourcing solutions to corporate, Thomas Cook has partnered ICMR-accredited labs to offer Covid-19 certification, and MakeMyTrip is offering chartered flight services.

Hong Kong bars Air India flights after passengers test Covid positive

Hong Kong bars Air India flights after passengers test Covid positive

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

Air India passenger flights were barred from landing in Hong Kong between August 18 and August 31 after 14 passengers on its Delhi-Hong Kong flight of August 14 tested positive for COVID-19 post arrival.

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Sitharaman bets big on infra spending to take highway to growth

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

While she primed up spending on infrastructure to create jobs and boost economic activity, Sitharaman did not tinker with income tax slabs or tax rates. Her Budget for the fiscal year beginning April 2022 proposed a massive 35 per cent jump in capital expenditure to Rs 7.5 lakh crore, coupled with rationalisation of customs duty, an extension of time for setting up new manufacturing companies and plans for starting a digital currency and tax crypto assets.

Air passenger traffic takes wings once again in Jun

Air passenger traffic takes wings once again in Jun

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

Domestic air passenger traffic was back to the growth trajectory in June amid the falling number of COVID-19 cases in the country with around three million passengers flying on local routes in the previous month as against around two million in May, a report said on Tuesday. Though there is some recovery observed in June, stress on demand continues, driven largely by the second wave of the pandemic, limiting travel to only necessary travel, credit rating agency ICRA said in its report. On a sequential basis, domestic passenger traffic was up 41-42 per cent in June over May.

Govt to rope in ex-IAF officers to probe Kozhikode crash

Govt to rope in ex-IAF officers to probe Kozhikode crash

Rediff.com11 Aug 2020

Along with IAF officials, the AAIB will also reach out to experienced private sector executives, meteorologists, and aviation psychologists to be part of the probe.

20 Ways the Indian Military CHANGED

20 Ways the Indian Military CHANGED

Rediff.com12 Jun 2021

20 defence ministry reforms 'is a reflection of the resolve of the government to make the defence sector stronger and more efficient.'

Air India's new owner can sack staff

Air India's new owner can sack staff

Rediff.com30 Dec 2020

The new owner may be allowed to dispose of assets accruing from the 10-26 per cent of the net assets of the company.

Indian students, families caught up in UK flight suspension

Indian students, families caught up in UK flight suspension

Rediff.com22 Dec 2020

Diaspora groups in the UK urged for calm and advised non-resident Indians and people of Indian origin to follow the new lockdown rules, which mean a majority of the UK is under the strictest lockdown with all non-essential businesses now closed.

PM inaugurates revamped Rani Kamalapati station in Bhopal

PM inaugurates revamped Rani Kamalapati station in Bhopal

Rediff.com15 Nov 2021

He accused the previous governments of being sluggish on implementing railway projects and said the work of ambitious eastern and western dedicated freight corridors expedited only in the last six-seven years.

Pak can't weaken India, forces given free hand to retaliate: Modi

Pak can't weaken India, forces given free hand to retaliate: Modi

Rediff.com15 Feb 2019

"Our neighbouring country thinks such terror attacks can weaken us, but their plans will not materialise," he said at a function to flag off a new semi-high speed train from Delhi to Varanasi.

'Pay cuts, LWP pose a plausible threat to flight safety'

'Pay cuts, LWP pose a plausible threat to flight safety'

Rediff.com23 Jul 2020

Air India announced up to 50 per cent reduction in monthly allowances of its employees, who have a gross monthly salary of more than Rs 25,000.

Govt allows certain categories of foreigners to enter India

Govt allows certain categories of foreigners to enter India

Rediff.com12 Jun 2020

Foreign nationals who are single parents of minor children holding Indian passports or OCI cards, students who are foreign nationals where at least one of their parents is an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder were allowed to visit India.

Dubai suspends AI Express flights over Covid positive passengers

Dubai suspends AI Express flights over Covid positive passengers

Rediff.com18 Sep 2020

"A passenger, who had a COVID-positive certificate dated September 2, travelled on Air India Express' Jaipur-Dubai flight on September 4. A similar incident had happened with a passenger on one of the airline's other Dubai flights previously," said one of the officials.

Nearly 23 lakh in quarantine across India: Govt estimates

Nearly 23 lakh in quarantine across India: Govt estimates

Rediff.com28 May 2020

While majority of the state governments and union territory administrations have made at least seven days' quarantine compulsory for anyone arriving in their jurisdiction, a few of them have opted for home quarantine for those reaching their administrative limits. According to an official estimate, as on May 26, a total of 22.81 lakh people were in quarantine facilities arranged by different states and union territories -- almost double from 12 days ago (May 14) when the people put under quarantine were 11.95 lakh, a government official told PTI.

Train fares to go up from January 1

Train fares to go up from January 1

Rediff.com31 Dec 2019

While suburban fares remain unchanged, ordinary non-AC, non-suburban fares were increased by 1 paise per km of journey. The Railways also announced a two-paise/km hike in fares of mail/express non-AC trains and four- paise/km hike in the fares of AC classes. The fare hike is also applicable to premium trains such as Shatabdi, Rajdhani and Duronto.

Dear Modiji, an Indian's SoS from Turkey

Dear Modiji, an Indian's SoS from Turkey

Rediff.com13 May 2020

'Kindly have us airlifted at the earliest. We are in a very bad situation here.'

Infrastructure growth quintessential to boost economy: Survey

Infrastructure growth quintessential to boost economy: Survey

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

Terming investment in infrastructure "quintessential" to boost growth, the Economic Survey on Friday said post unlocking of the economy, infra sectors are poised for growth and construction of roads is expected to return to the high pace attained before COVID-19. The infrastructure sector will be the key to overall economic growth and macroeconomic stability, the Survey said emphasising that the year after the crisis (2021-22) will require sustained and calibrated measures to facilitate the process of economic recovery and enable the economy to get back on its long-term growth trajectory. "Basic infrastructure facilities in the country provide the foundation of growth. In the absence of adequate infrastructure, the economy operates at a suboptimal level and remains distant from its potential and frontier growth trajectory.

Unlock 3: Gyms, yoga studios to reopen; no night curfew

Unlock 3: Gyms, yoga studios to reopen; no night curfew

Rediff.com29 Jul 2020

The Unlock 3 guidelines will come into force from August 1 and strict enforcement of lockdown in containment zones will continue till August 31.

COVID: Delhi records 5,739 cases, highest single-day spike

COVID: Delhi records 5,739 cases, highest single-day spike

Rediff.com29 Oct 2020

According to the latest health department bulletin, the positivity rate has also jumped to 9.55 per cent, amid the festive season and the rise in pollution level.

Footballer prays, worries, smiles as pilot wife rescues Indians amid COVID-19

Footballer prays, worries, smiles as pilot wife rescues Indians amid COVID-19

Rediff.com6 Jul 2020

Former India footballer Gouramangi Singh's wife, Pushpanjali has been airlifting Indians stranded in different parts of the world and bringing them back home amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

US-India green corridor will ease international travel

US-India green corridor will ease international travel

Rediff.com24 Jun 2020

Travel bubbles, also called travel bridges or green corridors, do away with the waiting period for travellers from certain countries. They are reciprocal in nature, meaning flyers from both countries will enjoy similar benefits.

I-Day speech: Modi unveils roadmap for assertive India

I-Day speech: Modi unveils roadmap for assertive India

Rediff.com15 Aug 2021

"India has given a stern signal to its enemies by conducting surgical and air strikes. This tells us that India is changing and can take the most difficult decisions and isn't reluctant to implement them," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday in his Independence Day address to the nation.

Son leaves job to meet mother, gets news of her death in quarantine

Son leaves job to meet mother, gets news of her death in quarantine

Rediff.com25 May 2020

He quit his job in Dubai and returned to India to spend time with his ailing mother but life doesn't always go according to plan -- and news of her death came shortly before his 14-day quarantine in Delhi was ending. A heartbroken Aamir Khan said his mother died on Saturday and he could not even attend his mother's last rites at their home in Rampur on Sunday. His quarantine would end soon but he wasn't allowed to leave.

India records 122 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hrs; cases at 74,281

India records 122 COVID-19 deaths in 24 hrs; cases at 74,281

Rediff.com13 May 2020

According to the ministry's website, more than 70 per cent of the deaths are due to comorbidities.

Returnees from abroad may opt for paid quarantine: Health ministry

Returnees from abroad may opt for paid quarantine: Health ministry

Rediff.com7 May 2020

In the 'Additional guidelines for quarantine of returnees from abroad/contacts/ isolation of suspect or confirmed cases in private facilities', released on Thursday evening, the ministry said there are large number of facilities such as hotels, service apartments and lodges which are "unoccupied due to impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism".

Only asymptomatic Indians to fly back home from UAE

Only asymptomatic Indians to fly back home from UAE

Rediff.com6 May 2020

The first two special flights that will operate from Thursday to evacuate Indians stranded in the UAE due to the coronavirus pandemic

Dubai-based Indian expat's 7 family members survive Kerala crash

Dubai-based Indian expat's 7 family members survive Kerala crash

Rediff.com8 Aug 2020

Since Friday evening, 41-year-old Shemir, who works as a logistics manager in Dubai Silicon Oasis, has been making frantic phone calls to different trauma centres in Kerala near the Kozhikode airport to get information of his family members on board the flight.

Unlock 1: Lockdown in containment zones till June 30

Unlock 1: Lockdown in containment zones till June 30

Rediff.com30 May 2020

Termed 'Unlock 1', the Centre on Saturday issued fresh guidelines relaxing the nationwide lockdown, the fourth phase of which ends on May 31.

Robots can make Raebareli rail unit world's largest coach factory

Robots can make Raebareli rail unit world's largest coach factory

Rediff.com19 Sep 2019

Robots are now being used increasingly in the integrated-shell assembly line and robotic bogie-fabrication line. The unit may soon see its phase-II expansion, which will increase its capacity to 2,000 coaches.

DGCA had flagged safety lapses at Kozhikode airport last year

DGCA had flagged safety lapses at Kozhikode airport last year

Rediff.com8 Aug 2020

The DGCA pointed to cracks on the runway, water stagnation and excessive rubber deposits among other lapses in its show-cause notice. The DGCA conducted the inspection after an Air India Express flight coming from Dammam in Saudi Arabia had a 'tail strike' while landing at the Calicut (Kozhikode) airport on July 2 last year, an official said.

India bans all UK flights till Dec 31 fearing new Covid strain

India bans all UK flights till Dec 31 fearing new Covid strain

Rediff.com21 Dec 2020

A number of countries like Canada, Turkey, Belgium, Italy and Israel have banned flights from the UK as the British government warned that the potent new strain of the virus was "out of control" and imposed a stringent new stay-at-home lockdown from Sunday.

698 Indians stranded in Maldives sail back home

698 Indians stranded in Maldives sail back home

Rediff.com9 May 2020

The INS Jalashwa, the Navy's amphibious warship, reached Male on Thursday to undertake the massive repatriation mission named 'Operation Samudra Setu' (Sea Bridge).

'A third of the hotels might close down forever'

'A third of the hotels might close down forever'

Rediff.com31 Jul 2020

With demand drying up, hotels are surviving on quarantine centres and isolation facilities.

Despite airpockets, airlines will stay airborne

Despite airpockets, airlines will stay airborne

Rediff.com12 Oct 2020

The initial speculation over who is likely to down shutters seems to have given way to a resigned acceptance that all the players are determined to stay in the game.

Flight dos and don'ts issued, air fares set in 7 bands

Flight dos and don'ts issued, air fares set in 7 bands

Rediff.com21 May 2020

The Airports Authority of India issued a standard operating procedure to airport operators on Wednesday for recommencement of domestic flights from May 25 onwards.

With 2,914 new COVID cases, Delhi records highest spike in cases in 69 days

With 2,914 new COVID cases, Delhi records highest spike in cases in 69 days

Rediff.com4 Sep 2020

A senior Delhi government official when asked about the spiralling number of COVID-29 cases, and whether there could be another lockdown, however, said, cases have increased as testing has been ramped up, "so, it is not that cases are rising alarmingly, and hence there is no chance of going back to lockdown".