News for 'Micro'

This Indian scientist turns e-waste into valuable materials

This Indian scientist turns e-waste into valuable materials

Rediff.com22 Apr 2018

Mumbai-born Veena Sahajwalla has developed a microfactory in Australia to upcycle electronic waste.

Suman Chakraborty Is Revolutionising Rural Healthcare

Suman Chakraborty Is Revolutionising Rural Healthcare

Rediff.com24 Jan 2023

'If you can simplify the technology, you don't need a doctor or a highly qualified technician to work on the technology; even an Asha health worker or a similar front line health worker can use it with minimal training.'

The Election Festival Is Here!

The Election Festival Is Here!

Rediff.com18 Oct 2022

After the Gujarat and Himachal elections and the municipal polls in Mumbai and Delhi, Karnataka, Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh will elect new assemblies next year leading up to the Lok Sabha election in April-May 2024, points out Virendra Kapoor.

SC rues delay by speakers, hopes decision soon in Mukul Roy case

SC rues delay by speakers, hopes decision soon in Mukul Roy case

Rediff.com22 Nov 2021

The Supreme Court Monday rued the 'general practice' of speakers delaying decisions on pleas seeking disqualification of lawmakers and the subsequent arguments that courts should 'stay away,' while hoping that the West Bengal assembly speaker would decide on such a plea against Mukul Roy who defected to the Trinamool Congress from the Bharatiya Janata Party after the state polls.

IBM close to take over Sun Micro for $7 bn

IBM close to take over Sun Micro for $7 bn

Rediff.com3 Apr 2009

Technology giant IBM is close to a deal to buy Sun Microsystems for about $7 billion, says a media report.

ISRO's maiden SSLV launch places satellites in wrong orbit

ISRO's maiden SSLV launch places satellites in wrong orbit

Rediff.com7 Aug 2022

The Indian Space Research Organisation on Sunday faced a blip in its plan to tap the small satellite launch vehicle market, as an anomaly in the placing of the satellites by the rocket led to deviation on its path thereby becoming 'no longer usable', Chairman S Somanath said on Sunday.

Genome firm says delta variants spreading to states

Genome firm says delta variants spreading to states

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

AY.12, a sub-lineage of Delta which is driving fresh cases in Israel, is being seen in many states in the country but the numbers need a closer examination, INSACOG, a genome sequencing consortium, has said in its latest bulletin.

How real is Modi govt's concern for MSMEs?

How real is Modi govt's concern for MSMEs?

Rediff.com17 Jun 2020

While the Narendra Modi government has stuck to its stand that pending payment is Rs 12,343 crore, MSMEs calim outstanding amount is Rs 2-3 trillion. Moreover, MSME ministry's SAMADHAN portal has been of little help.

Jan Dhan Yojana turns 6, has 40 crore beneficiaries, says govt

Jan Dhan Yojana turns 6, has 40 crore beneficiaries, says govt

Rediff.com28 Aug 2020

"The PMJDY has been the foundation stone for the Modi government's people-centric economic initiatives. "Whether it is direct benefit transfers, Covid-19 financial assistance, PM-KISAN, increased wages under MGNREGA, life and health insurance cover, the first step was to provide every adult with a bank account, which PMJDY has nearly completed," Nirmala Sitharaman said on the sixth anniversary of the scheme.

How top realtors plan to transform Central Mumbai

How top realtors plan to transform Central Mumbai

Rediff.com22 Aug 2021

One of Mumbai's biggest real estate redevelopment projects of Bombay Development Directorate's (BDD's) chawls (large buildings divided into many separate tenements, offering cheap, basic accommodation) has taken off in Central Mumbai, opening up a Rs 20,000-crore opportunity for real estate companies. It is expected to drive down real estate prices in Central Mumbai by up to 25 per cent, forecast real estate experts. Spread over 92 acres in Central Mumbai's prime localities of Worli, Lower Parel, and Dadar and consisting 195 four-storey houses, the BDD chawls were constructed in the 1920s.

Court seeks ATR from police on plea against Rahul

Court seeks ATR from police on plea against Rahul

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

A Delhi court on Wednesday sought an action taken report from the Delhi Police on a private complaint filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly disclosing the identity of a minor rape victim, the lawyer for the complainant said.

Selfie is a must, dead or alive!

Selfie is a must, dead or alive!

Rediff.com2 Sep 2022

Wherever you go, whether it's Malad or the Maldives, people. want. to. take. pictures. Of themselves. Relentlessly, repeatedly, recklessly.

Modi's close aide made UP BJP vice president

Modi's close aide made UP BJP vice president

Rediff.com19 Jun 2021

Known for delivering time-bound results, Sharma earned Modi's confidence as his secretary during his tenure as the Gujarat chief minister by successfully handling the Vibrant Gujarat campaign to get investments to the state.

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

India gets $1.75 bn World Bank loan for health, private investment

Rediff.com1 Jul 2022

The World Bank has approved loans totalling $1.75 billion (about Rs 13,834.54 crore) to fund India's PM Ayushman Bharat scheme and private investment to boost the economic growth. Of the total loan, $1 billion will go towards the health sector, while the rest $750 million will be in the form of development policy loan (DPL) to fill the financing gaps through private sector investment in the economy. The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved two complementary loans of $500 million each to support and enhance India's health sector.

PM kicks off 'Rozgar Mela' to provide 10 lakh jobs

PM kicks off 'Rozgar Mela' to provide 10 lakh jobs

Rediff.com22 Oct 2022

In his address after more than 75,000 people were given appointment letters for various government jobs in the first tranche, Modi acknowledged the challenges facing the economy the world over with many countries hit by a record inflation and unemployment and said India is making every effort to come out of the situation unscathed.

FM offers Rs 1.63 lakh cr for agri, allied sectors

FM offers Rs 1.63 lakh cr for agri, allied sectors

Rediff.com16 May 2020

Sitharaman also announced Rs 10,000 crore fund to support 2 lakh micro food enterprises for promoting health and wellness, herbal, organic and nutritional products.

GDP likely to grow 7.5-8% in FY23: CII

GDP likely to grow 7.5-8% in FY23: CII

Rediff.com25 Apr 2022

India's economy is expected to grow 7.5-8 per cent this fiscal year with exports playing a key role in the country's success story, CII president TV Narendran said on Monday. However, he said the country needs to remain prepared for any fallout of next wave of COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. "We are confident that the economy can retain a high growth trajectory this year. "So, we are very optimistic on the export front. "Exports will be a key component of India's success story going forward," Narendran said.

Smoky haze shrouds Delhi-NCR; air quality now 'very poor'

Smoky haze shrouds Delhi-NCR; air quality now 'very poor'

Rediff.com15 Oct 2020

Delhi recorded an air quality index of 315 at 11:10 am. The last time the air quality hit such a poor level was in February.

Irfan bhai, who are you aiming at?

Irfan bhai, who are you aiming at?

Rediff.com16 Jun 2020

Irfan Pathan, through his tweets, is trying to wake the conscience of a country that is in slumber, or so it seems.

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

National retail trade policy may include insurance plan for traders

Rediff.com10 Jan 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) will soon start public consultation for a national retail trade policy, which is likely to include an insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection against losses caused by theft, accidents or natural calamities. The policy will also spell out ways to give traders access to low-cost finance, promote digital inclusion, and create necessary infrastructure to support them, a senior government official told Business Standard. This is expected to offer relief especially to traditional traders, who are facing stiff competition from large e-commerce players.

Defence equipment sector: Street suggests big upside

Defence equipment sector: Street suggests big upside

Rediff.com20 Apr 2022

The move towards indigenisation of defence procurement creates new opportunities for India's military industrial sector. The Government of India (GoI) has so far released five lists of items for positive indigenisation - these should be manufactured in India, rather than imported. Each item on these lists represents an opportunity for some local firm.

10 Tips to make Your Meals Healthy

10 Tips to make Your Meals Healthy

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

A plain dal-chawal can be turned into a wholesome set meal bowl of veggies, seeds, lentils, rice and herbs when tweaked, suggests Radhika Iyer. Talati.

Sun Micro to hire 200 more for Bangalore centre

Sun Micro to hire 200 more for Bangalore centre

Rediff.com6 Nov 2003

Internet infrastructure major Sun Microsystems in planning to ramp up its Bangalore development centre by adding another 200 professionals.

How to rewrite India's toy story

How to rewrite India's toy story

Rediff.com18 Jul 2021

The earliest ones included whistles shaped like birds, toy monkeys that could slide down a string and small carts made from materials found in nature such as sticks, clay and rocks. While there might be no disputing India's rich toy-making tradition, the industry is languishing for lack of investment and technology, and also owing to competition from cheap imports. And though it has been listed among 24 key sectors under the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, the question remains: will this push help place it in the global game? Currently, 80-odd per cent of the toys sold in India are imported - nearly 60 per cent of them from China.

Bengal shuts schools, colleges; restricts flights from Delhi, Mumbai

Bengal shuts schools, colleges; restricts flights from Delhi, Mumbai

Rediff.com2 Jan 2022

Local trains will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent capacity till 7 pm, while all shopping malls and markets will be allowed to remain open till 10 pm but with half their capacities, he said.

The Risk-Taker

The Risk-Taker

Rediff.com16 Mar 2020

'An entrepreneur should always remain under pressure or he will die,' Vineet Rai tells Anjuli Bhargava.

Insurance: Rs 100 cr entry cap for new players may be removed

Insurance: Rs 100 cr entry cap for new players may be removed

Rediff.com8 Apr 2022

The insurance regulator wants the removal of the minimum entry capital requirement of Rs 100 crore for setting up an insurance business in a bid to facilitate the entry of multiple players such as standalone micro insurers and niche players. Debasish Panda, chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), said it should be left to the regulator instead to decide what should be the entry fee for interested players, depending on the size of the business and operations. According to the current norms, insurers are required to have a minimum paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore.

Twitter explains why blue badges were taken off some handles

Twitter explains why blue badges were taken off some handles

Rediff.com5 Jun 2021

Amid outrage over personal accounts of Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat losing verified blue tick marks, Twitter on Saturday said the blue badge and verified status could be automatically removed from an account if it is incomplete or inactive for six months as per its rules.

How Chandrakant Pandit shaped MP's Ranji triumph

How Chandrakant Pandit shaped MP's Ranji triumph

Rediff.com26 Jun 2022

Madhya Pradesh humbled domestic powerhouse Mumbai by six wickets in a one-sided final to win their maiden Ranji Trophy crown, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru on Sunday. It was an achievement of sorts for coach Chandrakant Pandit, who exorcised the ghosts of losing one at the same venue 23 summers ago. It was a record sixth national title for Pandit as a coach.

'Engage more' with EC ahead of LS poll: Govt to Twitter

'Engage more' with EC ahead of LS poll: Govt to Twitter

Rediff.com25 Feb 2019

The Twitter officials were told that there should not be any "international interference" in the Lok Sabha polls.

'Entrepreneurship isn't a game of roulette'

'Entrepreneurship isn't a game of roulette'

Rediff.com1 Sep 2022

'To set up a successful business, one must have a solution to an existing problem or a better way of addressing the current solution.'

Sitharaman to hold pre-Budget consultations from Dec 15

Sitharaman to hold pre-Budget consultations from Dec 15

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will kick start the customary pre-Budget consultation exercise with stakeholders from Wednesday by holding the first such meeting with experts of agriculture and agro-processing industry. She will be seeking inputs from various stakeholders, including industry bodies, farmer organisations and economists for reviving consumption and boosting growth hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The growth this year is expected to be in the double-digit during the current fiscal.

Sitharaman asks banks to be more customer-friendly

Sitharaman asks banks to be more customer-friendly

Rediff.com21 Feb 2022

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said banks need to focus more on being customer-friendly so that the process of availing credit becomes more hassle-free for borrowers. However, the minister made it clear that banks do not have to be lenient on credit underwriting standards by taking any adverse risks on a proposal. At a meeting between industry representatives and the finance minister, a startup founder in the baking business suggested for credit to be available hassle-free, to which largest lender SBI's chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara said a startup's worries are more on the equity side and assured full support in lending if sufficient equity is on the table.

New Year hate crime in NY: Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver assaulted

New Year hate crime in NY: Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver assaulted

Rediff.com8 Jan 2022

In yet another case of suspected hate crime, an Indian-origin Sikh taxi driver in the US has been assaulted by an unidentified man, who knocked off his turban and also used expletives against him outside the JFK International Airport in New York, according to a video on social media.

Expect Another Rate Hike In December

Expect Another Rate Hike In December

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

Probably 35 bps. There could be even an encore in February 2023 to take the policy rate to 6.5% before the financial year ends, predicts Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

GDP likely to grow at 5.8% in Oct-Dec: SBI report

GDP likely to grow at 5.8% in Oct-Dec: SBI report

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

The country's gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to grow at 5.8 per cent in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, according to an SBI's research report- Ecowrap. The country's economy expanded by 8.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2021-22, to cross pre-pandemic levels. However, the GDP growth in July-September period was slower than the 20.1 per cent expansion in the previous quarter.

RBI Norms Don't Tackle Illegal Apps Menace

RBI Norms Don't Tackle Illegal Apps Menace

Rediff.com11 Oct 2022

Of the 2,562 customer complaints received between January 2020 and March 2021, a majority relate to illegal apps. At least two dozen suicide cases have been reported, perpetrated by the harassment by loan app operators, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Govt makes it mandatory for armed forces to source military hardware locally

Govt makes it mandatory for armed forces to source military hardware locally

Rediff.com25 Apr 2022

The ministry also decided to dispense with the requirement of the Integrity Pact Bank Guarantee to reduce the financial burden on the Indian defence industry, a move aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing.

Ola to launch e-scooter in July

Ola to launch e-scooter in July

Rediff.com22 Apr 2021

Ola Electric on Thursday said it will bring its electric scooter to the Indian market in July this year, and is working on setting up a 'Hypercharger Network' to include one lakh charging points across 400 cities. Last year, Ola had announced a Rs 2,400 crore investment for setting up its first electric scooter factory in Tamil Nadu. Upon completion, the factory will create nearly 10,000 jobs and will be the world's largest scooter manufacturing facility that will initially have an annual capacity of 2 million units.

LIC AUM rose Rs 1 trn from March-Sep '21

LIC AUM rose Rs 1 trn from March-Sep '21

Rediff.com10 Feb 2022

Initial public offering (IPO)-bound Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India's assets under management (AUM) increased to Rs 38 trillion as of September 2021, compared with Rs 37 trillion as of March 2021, said sources in the know. Its AUM is almost 3x the AUM of all the private life insurers in the country and over 15x more than the AUM of the second largest life insurer, SBI Life, as of September 2021. SBI Life's AUM was approximately Rs 2.4 trillion as of September 2021, said sources.