News for 'Rural India'

Rural India has declared itself open defecation-free: PM

Rural India has declared itself open defecation-free: PM

Rediff.com2 Oct 2019

Respect for India is increasing all over. One can experience the change, Modi said.

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.

Almost 68% households in rural India have cell phones

Almost 68% households in rural India have cell phones

Rediff.com3 Jul 2015

The data profiles the country's rural households.

Will Indians' reluctance to talk money derail NSO survey?

Will Indians' reluctance to talk money derail NSO survey?

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

The NSO previously tried to collect household income data in its ninth (1955), 15th (1959), 19th (1964), and 24th (1969) rounds (July 1969-June 1970), but these efforts were not completed, partly due to non-responsiveness by respondents.

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.

Soon, banking boon for rural India

Soon, banking boon for rural India

Rediff.com17 Jun 2018

The Indian Post Payments Bank will be a boon to Indians who live in rural areas. India has 154,000 post offices, of which 139,000 are rural.

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.

Ditch Quick-Money Lures This Diwali!

Ditch Quick-Money Lures This Diwali!

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

: Build lasting wealth via disciplined, long-term mutual fund investing in India's compounding marathon, Shanaihi, Shanaihi, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

Retail inflation rises marginally to 2.07% in Aug

Retail inflation rises marginally to 2.07% in Aug

Rediff.com13 Sep 2025

Retail inflation in August rose slightly to 2.07 per cent from 1.61 per cent in the preceding month, mainly due to increase in prices of vegetables, meat and fish, according to a government data released on Friday.

How UPI, AePS, Wallets Are Changing India

How UPI, AePS, Wallets Are Changing India

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

UPI has catapulted India into the forefront on the global digital payments landscape. Working hand in hand, the AePS payments system is making life easy for rural folks, notes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

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.

Images: Malaika, Ileana, Dia walk for rural India

Images: Malaika, Ileana, Dia walk for rural India

Rediff.com26 Mar 2013

At Vikram Phadnis' show for the Swades Foundation, practically half of Bollywood showed up.

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.

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.

Budget 2025: FM announces 1.5 lakh rural post offices

Budget 2025: FM announces 1.5 lakh rural post offices

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced the government's plan to transform India into a large logistics organisation with 1.5 lakh rural post offices.

'This Is Why Trump Has Scored'

'This Is Why Trump Has Scored'

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

'I realised why the farmers and the rural folks are going for Trump. They are so insecure and vulnerable that anybody who is throwing a line of hope to them, they seize it.'

Auto Sales May Extend Past Diwali Thanks to GST Cut

Auto Sales May Extend Past Diwali Thanks to GST Cut

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

The demand for passenger vehicles (PVs) is expected to sustain even beyond the ongoing festival season as a new set of customers, those who gained confidence to buy cars following the recent GST rate cuts, will begin to visit dealerships now, said Shailesh Chandra, president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), on Wednesday.

Rural markets drive FMCG sector; outpace urban areas

Rural markets drive FMCG sector; outpace urban areas

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

The FMCG industry in India achieved a 10.6% growth in value terms in the December quarter of 2024, driven largely by rural markets, which have surpassed the large urban markets in growth for the fourth consecutive quarter. Festive demand and consumption-driven growth played a key role, with overall volume up 7.1% despite inflationary pressures. However, the industry also saw a "preference shift of consumers towards smaller packs" due to high food inflation. Local manufacturers continue to outperform larger FMCG companies, fueled by consistent volume growth.

Facebook, Unilever to study Internet adoption in rural India

Facebook, Unilever to study Internet adoption in rural India

Rediff.com25 Feb 2014

As an initial step, Internet.org and Unilever will carry out a comprehensive study to examine the opportunities to increase internet adoption in rural communities.

Cement firms may report improved Q2

Cement firms may report improved Q2

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Top Indian cement firms are expected to report a strong earnings growth for the second quarter of the financial year 2025-26 (Q2FY26) on a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) basis, amid improved realisations, prices, and steady volume growth, but on a low base.

Tribal role in freedom struggle overlooked to favour a 'few families': Modi

Tribal role in freedom struggle overlooked to favour a 'few families': Modi

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Congress party for allegedly neglecting the tribal community's contributions to India's freedom struggle during its 60-year rule. He spoke at an event marking Janjatiya Gaurav Divas and inaugurated development projects for tribal communities.

The Shortcut to Finding Hidden Stock Opportunities

The Shortcut to Finding Hidden Stock Opportunities

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Have you ever thought about how some investors always manage to find well-performing stocks before everyone else? They seem to have an eye for finding companies that aren't in the media but still deliver returns. These are called hidden stock opportunities, and the shortcut to finding them is all about knowing where and how to look. In this article, let's walk through some practical tips for finding these stocks in the share market.

'Those who taunted me and my family are now applauding'

'Those who taunted me and my family are now applauding'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

"I didn't even know there was an Indian women's cricket team," said pacer Kranti Goud as she reminisced her journey from Madhya Pradesh's obscure Ghuwara village to the very top of the sport she picked up by chance.

New Hyundai Venue Caters To New Age SUV Buyers

New Hyundai Venue Caters To New Age SUV Buyers

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

However, with competition catching up, is the new Venue up to the challenge of fending off its rivals?

'Technology alone won't help win customer's confidence'

'Technology alone won't help win customer's confidence'

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

The return on investment (RoI) from technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) will take time to materialise, and the immediate priority should be to increase spending on building governance frameworks around AI, top bank executives said.

'Insurance penetration continues to remain low'

'Insurance penetration continues to remain low'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'By quick, fast, and just awards, the insurance ombudsman can bring the trust of the policyholders in the insurance system and insurance as a product and create a positive impact on the entire industry.'

Nokia dials rural India

Nokia dials rural India

Rediff.com26 Jun 2008

"The company plans to come up with internet-based services for the rural market soon," Nokia Corporation President and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told reporters in New Delhi. The company would also introduce these services in its mid-level mobile devices as well. The Finland-based company is looking at micro finance as a major initiative to increase mobile penetration in India from the current 26 per cent.

Amazon cuts seller fees, boosts AI tools ahead of festive shopping season

Amazon cuts seller fees, boosts AI tools ahead of festive shopping season

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Amazon India is repositioning itself as a comprehensive business partner rather than just an e-commerce platform, slashing seller fees and introducing artificial intelligence-powered tools ahead of the country's crucial festive shopping season that could determine the year's retail performance.

Low-cost ATMs: Vortex's pioneering gift to rural India

Low-cost ATMs: Vortex's pioneering gift to rural India

Rediff.com16 Sep 2010

Vortex Engineering has launched one of India's greatest initiatives to extend banking services to several parts of rural India.

How to Apply For SBI Youth For India Fellowship

How to Apply For SBI Youth For India Fellowship

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

As a part of the SBI Fellowship programme, youngsters aged between 21 and 32 years get to work with NGOs on several projects in rural India.

Rural India is the hotbed of amazing innovations

Rural India is the hotbed of amazing innovations

Rediff.com1 Jul 2010

A cycle that runs on water and land, a scooter powered-flour mill, solar mosquito killer, a cycle powered washing machine - these are a few of the over one lakh outstanding innovations that have come from school dropouts and poor people who belong to rural India.

Video: Must See! Bollywood celebs walk for rural India

Video: Must See! Bollywood celebs walk for rural India

Rediff.com26 Mar 2013

Ace designer Vikram Phadnis ended Day Four at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013 with a superb collection, a celebrity line up of stars, celebs and personalities from Raigad that told the glorious story of India's great craftsmen and traditions.

Delhi Crime 3 Review: Gritty And Disturbing

Delhi Crime 3 Review: Gritty And Disturbing

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

This Delhi Crime series belongs to Huma Qureshi, who plays Badi Didi as a hateful woman. She also commands some admiration for the way she negotiates with venal men and even some degree of sympathy for making the best of whatever life throws at her, observes Deepa Gahlot.

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Lightning: India's Deadliest Hazard

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Lightning claims more lives in India annually than any other extreme weather event. Between April and July this year alone, 1,621 people died due to lightning strikes.

FMCG cos indicate mid single-digit revenue growth in Q2

FMCG cos indicate mid single-digit revenue growth in Q2

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies are expected to report mid-single-digit revenue growth in the July-September 2025-26 quarter, according to their quarterly updates. Most companies also noted that supply chains were focused on liquidating existing stock ahead of the implementation of new goods and services tax (GST) rates in categories where the tax was lowered.

'NPS Will Exceed 30% Growth This Financial Year'

'NPS Will Exceed 30% Growth This Financial Year'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

'The informal sector can grow at a 100 per cent rate -- we have to plan big.'

Disruptor Or Decider? What Will Vijay Choose?

Disruptor Or Decider? What Will Vijay Choose?

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The likes of Sengottaiyan can help Vijay navigate it better and faster -- but not necessarily to his goal, which is farther, and can move towards or away from him as well in the weeks and months to come, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Kangana Chooses Horror For Hollywood Debut

Kangana Chooses Horror For Hollywood Debut

Rediff.com9 May 2025

Kangana Ranaut will make her debut in Hollywood with a lead role in the horror drama Blessed Be The Evil, reports Variety.

iPhone Affordability Index Reveals: Most Indians Can't...

iPhone Affordability Index Reveals: Most Indians Can't...

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The average Indian worker must labour for an extraordinary 160 full working days to afford Apple's latest iPhone 17 Pro.