News for 'Rural India'

Karnataka Bets Big On Space

Karnataka Bets Big On Space

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

'This policy is a vision to position Karnataka as the epicentre of India's space ambitions'

Price reset, demand pulse drove cement's strong Q2

Price reset, demand pulse drove cement's strong Q2

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

India's top cement producers delivered a solid July-September quarter (Q2) in 2025-26 (FY26), lifted by firmer prices, higher sales volumes, and a favourable base. Seasonal weakness and maintenance outages did dent sequential performance, but the overall picture remained positive - and the road ahead looks steady.

Near-term margins for cement companies to remain under pressure

Near-term margins for cement companies to remain under pressure

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The projections in the cement industry are mixed. Prices and demand remained muted in the third quarter (October & November) and short term uptick doesn't seem likely. However, the second quarter of the financial year 2026 (Q2FY26) was good year-on-year (Y-o-Y) for many cement majors aided by base effect, and some analysts expect acceleration in earnings and volume in the next financial year, again aided by base effect.

Despite Ban, Girl Child Marriages Continue

Despite Ban, Girl Child Marriages Continue

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

Over 2019 to 2023 West Bengal and Jharkhand saw the share of girl child marriages in total weddings rise.

Kerala civic polls: BJP cracks Left citadel, Tharoor hails victory

Kerala civic polls: BJP cracks Left citadel, Tharoor hails victory

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The Congress-led UDF secured a decisive victory in Kerala's local body elections, dealing a blow to the LDF, while the BJP gained significant ground, including winning control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

GST 2.0 boosts petrol-diesel car sales over EVs

GST 2.0 boosts petrol-diesel car sales over EVs

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

While GST on ICE vehicles was brought down significantly, for electric cars it remained at 5 per cent.

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Karnataka cabinet approves bills on hate speech, cattle slaughter

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Karnataka cabinet has approved eight draft bills, including those addressing hate speech, cattle slaughter, and social boycott, to be tabled in the upcoming legislative session.

'Cinema Has A Limited Imagination Of Delhi'

'Cinema Has A Limited Imagination Of Delhi'

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

'A majority of filmmakers cannot truly understand the city because they don't live here,' says Anusha Rizvi, Director, The Great Shamsuddin Family.

'Gen Zs Are Not Interested In Farming'

'Gen Zs Are Not Interested In Farming'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'They are totally disconnected with farm activities which their families have been involved in for years.'

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

What India Plans to Focus On At COP30 Summit in Brazil

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

'At COP30, the emphasis will be on unlocking climate finance, reinforcing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and building resilience through inclusive transitions and the mainstreaming of adaptation.'

Maharashtra, 1st state to ink pact with Musk's Starlink

Maharashtra, 1st state to ink pact with Musk's Starlink

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced partnership with billionaire Elon Musk's satellite communications venture in India to deploy a host of satellite-based internet services, becoming the first Indian state to formally tie-up with the US firm. The government signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd.

World Bank raises India's growth projection to 6.5% for 2025-26

World Bank raises India's growth projection to 6.5% for 2025-26

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

The World Bank on Tuesday raised India's growth forecast for the current fiscal to 6.5 per cent from 6.3 per cent estimated earlier, and said the country is expected to remain fastest-growing major economy, underpinned by continued strength in consumption growth.

Inefficiency in MFIs leads to high interest rates: DFS secretary M Nagaraju

Inefficiency in MFIs leads to high interest rates: DFS secretary M Nagaraju

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The reduction in the number of loan accounts and the outstanding amount during the last financial year is a cause of concern and stress for microfinance institutions (MFI), Secretary, Department of Financial Services, M Nagaraju said on Thursday, highlighting "inefficiency" in MFIs that leads to higher rates of interest.

Two reasons why rural FMCG basket is expanding

Two reasons why rural FMCG basket is expanding

Rediff.com16 Nov 2024

A growing preference for convenience products and hybrid media consumption, and a surge in digital engagement have led to a rise in the average basket size for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) among rural consumers. The average of the rural FMCG basket saw a 60 per cent rise from 5.8 in 2022 to 9.3 in 2024 as it expanded to include convenience products like ready-to-eat packages and beverages, stated the fifth edition of the Rural Barometer Report, brought out jointly by GroupM and Kantar, which surveyed 4,376 rural adults across 20 states.

Public NBFCs eye Rs 24K cr via bonds

Public NBFCs eye Rs 24K cr via bonds

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

Ahead of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) monetary policy review in the first week of December, major public sector non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) - the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) - plan to raise up to Rs 24,000 crore together through bond issuancesk.

'Educated Youth Voted RJD, Uneducated Youth Voted JD-U'

'Educated Youth Voted RJD, Uneducated Youth Voted JD-U'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'When you compare Bihar's poverty from its earlier times, then there is a huge difference. Things have improved a lot. And migration has played an important role in reducing poverty.'

Hyundai Motor India to invest Rs 45k cr by FY30

Hyundai Motor India to invest Rs 45k cr by FY30

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Co president & CEO Jose Munoz on Wednesday said the company's Indian arm will invest Rs 45,000 crore by FY30, aiming to make India its second-largest region globally. Addressing investors here in his first visit to the country, Munoz said Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has set a target of up to 30 per cent export contribution.

Mamkoottathil raped complainant multiple times during pregnancy: FIR

Mamkoottathil raped complainant multiple times during pregnancy: FIR

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The police first information report (FIR) against suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil alleged that he raped the complainant multiple times even when she was pregnant.

Will 1600 Number Stop Scam Calls?

Will 1600 Number Stop Scam Calls?

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

Trai has ordered BFSI firms to move service and transaction calls to the 1600 series from 2026 to reduce spam, financial fraud, and rising digital arrest scams.

Auto retail sales surge to all-time high of over 52 lakh units

Auto retail sales surge to all-time high of over 52 lakh units

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Automobile retail sales across the domestic market witnessed a 21 per cent year-on-year increase in the 42-day festive season led by record registrations of passenger vehicles and two-wheelers aided by GST rejig enabled drop in prices across segments, dealer' body FADA said on Friday.

Centre races to rescue failing power discoms

Centre races to rescue failing power discoms

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

After four failed reform drives, a new plan aims to rescue India's debt-laden power discoms through privatisation, accountability and long-term financial fixes.

How A Silk Sari Started A Fashion Revolution

How A Silk Sari Started A Fashion Revolution

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

'Women weavers are hardworking, open to learning, resilient.' 'They finish their cooking, housework, puja, then they come to weave.' 'They care about design. They care about beauty.'

Hyundai to make India global export hub, 2nd largest market

Hyundai to make India global export hub, 2nd largest market

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

Lining up its 2030 strategy, Hyundai said it was targeting up to 30 per cent export contribution and over 1.5-fold rise in revenue, to cross the 1 trillion milestone in five years.

Rural India getting richer? You bet!

Rural India getting richer? You bet!

Rediff.com2 Jun 2005

R V Rajan, chief managing director, Anugraha Madison, speaks on how rural India has changed over the last two decades.

Guess How Many People Watch OTT?

Guess How Many People Watch OTT?

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

OTT users have crossed the 600 million mark which is around 41 per cent of India's population.

'Voter Yatra' fails to deliver electoral gains for Mahagathbandhan

'Voter Yatra' fails to deliver electoral gains for Mahagathbandhan

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

The Voter Adhikar Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav before the Bihar Assembly polls, failed to deliver electoral gains for the Mahagathbandhan, with the NDA winning across its route.

Unemployment rate rises marginally to 5.2% in Sep

Unemployment rate rises marginally to 5.2% in Sep

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

The unemployment rate for those aged 15 and above increased marginally to 5.2 per cent in September, according to a government survey released on Wednesday. The unemployment rate (UR) was 5.1 per cent in August, 5.2 per cent in July and 5.6 per cent in May and June, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Will Nitish Kumar Spring A Surprise On Friday?

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

While it is evident that the INDIA bloc has not shut its doors on Nitish Kumar, those within the NDA are hopeful that the JD-U's support base would benefit them as well

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Electoral fortunes of 1,302 candidates, including over half a dozen ministers in the Nitish Kumar government, will be sealed on Tuesday with 3.70 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 assembly segments in the second and final phase of the Bihar polls.

85 sarpanchs invited to I-Day celebrations as special guests

85 sarpanchs invited to I-Day celebrations as special guests

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

Eighty-five village sarpanchs from across India have been invited as special guests to witness the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, in recognition of their contributions to rural transformation.

Budget 2025: Rs 1.88 lakh crore outlay for rural development

Budget 2025: Rs 1.88 lakh crore outlay for rural development

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Rural Development Ministry has been allocated Rs 1.88 lakh crore in the Union Budget for 2025-26, around 5.75 per cent more than the allocation in the previous budget.

At least 2 Indian banks should be in global top 20: PSB chiefs

At least 2 Indian banks should be in global top 20: PSB chiefs

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

Batting for further consolidation in public sector banking, the executives of top public sector banks (PSBs) said there should be at least two Indian banking entities among the top 20 global banks.

CPM in SC against SIR, asks to be heard with DMK on Tuesday

CPM in SC against SIR, asks to be heard with DMK on Tuesday

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has approached the Supreme Court, contesting the legality of the Election Commission's order for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, alleging it is arbitrary and unconstitutional.

Tariffs pose downside risk to India's economy: RBI

Tariffs pose downside risk to India's economy: RBI

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

Persisting uncertainties related to the US trade policies pose downside risk to the overall demand in the Indian economy while the inflation outlook for the near term has become more benign than anticipated earlier, RBI said in its latest bulletin on Thursday. In the August bulletin, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also said that India's sovereign rating upgrade by S&P bodes well for capital inflows and sovereign yields, going forward.

High street holds lead in rental growth over malls

High street holds lead in rental growth over malls

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

High-street rentals continue to outpace those of malls, as retailers focus on prime locations and are willing to pay a premium for visibility. Between 2021 and 2025, rental values on prime high street have grown 7-15 per cent annually, driven by strong consumption density and limited new supply, even outpacing grade A malls, which grew by 5-8 per cent, according to Anarock.

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Canadian firm Manulife and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), an Indian automaker with interests in financial services, have signed an agreement to form a 50:50 life insurance joint venture (JV) with a total capital commitment of up to Rs 3,600 crore each totalling Rs 7,200 crore.

Punjab woman recounts horrific abuse as domestic servant in Iraq

Punjab woman recounts horrific abuse as domestic servant in Iraq

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

A 29-year-old woman from Punjab recounts the horrifying abuse she allegedly faced in Iraq, where she was forced to work as a domestic servant after being lured by a travel agent with false promises. She claims many other Punjabi women are still trapped there and seeks government action against human trafficking networks.

Andhra all set for huge investments from Adani Group, Reliance

Andhra all set for huge investments from Adani Group, Reliance

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

Adani Group said on Friday it will invest around Rs 1 trillion in various sectors of Andhra Pradesh over the next ten years, deepening its commitment in the state where it will partner with Google for an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam.

Retail inflation slips to over 8-yr low of 1.54% in Sep

Retail inflation slips to over 8-yr low of 1.54% in Sep

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

Retail inflation slipped to 1.54 per cent in September from 2.07 per cent in the preceding month mainly due to subdued prices of food items, including vegetables and pulses, according to government data released on Monday. The consumer price index (CPI) based inflation was 5.49 per cent in September 2024.

Rural India tops consumption charts

Rural India tops consumption charts

Rediff.com4 Apr 2014

During the UPA government's second term in office, rural India's consumption expenditure grew at a faster pace than urban India's - for the first time since 1991.