News for 'Rural India'

Weak rural demand to delay Dabur's recovery

Weak rural demand to delay Dabur's recovery

Rediff.com6 Jan 2024

Dabur India has been the worst performer in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space this year (CY23), posting a 1 per cent decline even as its peer index, the Nifty FMCG, has delivered returns of over 29 per cent in this period.

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.

'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.'

Tariffs: India Inc Cautions Against Knee-jerk Reaction

Tariffs: India Inc Cautions Against Knee-jerk Reaction

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Industry leaders urge India to pursue diplomatic talks with the US, strengthen manufacturing, and consider China ties to gain leverage against tariff pressures.

Private banks have failed rural India: Report

Private banks have failed rural India: Report

Rediff.com21 Mar 2004

The newer ones have not met the stipulation of opening 25 per cent of branches in rural and semi-urban areas, a parliamentary committee report has observed.

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.

Flipkart, Amazon Stack Up Space For Festival Rush

Flipkart, Amazon Stack Up Space For Festival Rush

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Festive sales are expected to surge 27 per cent to cross Rs 120,000 crore in 2025, driving Amazon and Flipkart to expand warehousing capacity by millions of cubic feet and extend delivery networks to thousands of new pin codes -- an infrastructure buildout that could reshape India's retail landscape for years.

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.

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.

NTPC lamps to light up rural India

NTPC lamps to light up rural India

Rediff.com10 Jul 2006

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.'

The inspiring story of women's empowerment in rural India

The inspiring story of women's empowerment in rural India

Rediff.com4 May 2012

From spearheading India's first rural bank for women, to running a business school, a women's chamber of commerce, farmer-turned-entrepreneur Chetna Sinha has come a long way. In this interview, she credits her success to the many women in her village who've inspired her all along.

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.

Jobless rate at 4-month low of 5.1% in Aug

Jobless rate at 4-month low of 5.1% in Aug

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

Labour markets showed positive momentum in August as the unemployment rate fell for the second consecutive month to a four-month low of 5.1 per cent from 5.2 per cent in July. It was on account of the start of the sowing season.

Rural women drive Rs 27,000 crore financial inclusion transactions

Rural women drive Rs 27,000 crore financial inclusion transactions

Rediff.com8 Oct 2024

Enterprising women business correspondents, known as BC Sakhis, have facilitated transactions worth Rs 27,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh, earning Rs 75 crore in commission over the past four and a half years. BC Sakhis, appointed under the nationwide women empowerment programme, are members of self-help groups (SHGs) who are trained and certified to provide banking and financial services in rural areas.

Car sales drive up thanks to wedding season, rural buy

Car sales drive up thanks to wedding season, rural buy

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Auto majors report positive sales figs for November.

Modi reforms flicker in rural India, other big challenges remain

Modi reforms flicker in rural India, other big challenges remain

Rediff.com13 May 2016

While many promises remain unrealised, power reforms and the creation of tens of millions of new bank accounts have helped Modi maintain his popularity

In rural India, non-farm activities is the main source of income!

In rural India, non-farm activities is the main source of income!

Rediff.com16 Nov 2017

Workers moving out of agriculture to the rural labour force were largely getting absorbed in construction activities

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.

The 'Turram Khan' Who Could Be India's Next VP

The 'Turram Khan' Who Could Be India's Next VP

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'His willingness to take the initiative to fight for truth and justice and his willingness to cross swords with anyone for a just cause.'

'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.

Policy, valuations could keep rural stocks in play post-2024 polls result

Policy, valuations could keep rural stocks in play post-2024 polls result

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

Most brokerages are betting that the new government will shift to a policy focussing on boosting rural incomes and consumption since that has clearly been a pain point.

'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.

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.'

Indian Youth Spend More Time on Work

Indian Youth Spend More Time on Work

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

In 2019, out of the 1,440 minutes in a day, Indian youth spent 148 minutes on employment-related activities, which increased to 158 minutes in 2024.

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?

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.

70% of India's elderly financially dependent: Report

70% of India's elderly financially dependent: Report

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

A new report highlights the financial dependence, health challenges, and social isolation faced by India's elderly population, calling for greater support and inclusion.

Private banks' mcap fell in Jul-Sep: S&P

Private banks' mcap fell in Jul-Sep: S&P

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Private sector banks slipped in market capitalisation (mcap) during the July-September quarter, underperforming their government-owned peers as trade uncertainties dragged market sentiment, said S&P Global Market Intelligence. According to its analysis, HDFC Bank shed 4.8 per cent in mcap during the third quarter, while ICICI Bank's dropped 6.7 per cent.

Is China Killing India's Farming?

Is China Killing India's Farming?

Rediff.com25 Aug 2025

'China reduced its exports of urea to India gradually.' 'In 2020-2021 we imported 28 lakh tonnes of urea which reduced to 16 lakh tonnes in 2022-2023 and that has now reduced to 1 lakh tonnes in 2024-2025.'

'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.'

Unemployment rate dips to 5.2% in July

Unemployment rate dips to 5.2% in July

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

The rate of unemployment in the country declined to 5.2 per cent in July from 5.6 per cent in June, a government survey said on Monday. The unemployment rate (UR) in May was also 5.6 per cent, said the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Extreme poverty in India falls by over 21%: World Bank

Extreme poverty in India falls by over 21%: World Bank

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

India's extreme poverty rate declined sharply to 5.3 per cent over a decade from 27.1 per cent in 2011-12 even as the World Bank revised upwards its threshold poverty line to $3 per day.

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.

Rural demand lifts FMCG sector to 5.7% growth in July-Sept: NielsenIQ

Rural demand lifts FMCG sector to 5.7% growth in July-Sept: NielsenIQ

Rediff.com8 Nov 2024

India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector grew 5.7 per cent by value and 4.1 per cent by volume in the July-September quarter driven by rural demand, consumer intelligence firm NielsenIQ said in its quarterly update on Thursday. Price-led growth stood at 1.5 per cent. According to NielsenIQ data, rural volume growth outpaced urban markets for the third straight quarter despite consumption softening in both regions.

Of tech and affordable healthcare for rural India

Of tech and affordable healthcare for rural India

Rediff.com2 Mar 2009

Guest speakers Dr Prathap C Reddy, Apollo Hospitals chairman, and Balvinder Singh Kalsi, DuPont India CEO, both felt that Indian villagers were ready and willing to adapt and experiment with technology if this route was chosen to provide them with access to healthcare.

'Insurance Sector Is At An Unstable Equilibrium'

'Insurance Sector Is At An Unstable Equilibrium'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

'Other sectors that manage the savings pools of Indians are giving tough competition to life insurance companies.'

Maharashtra municipal elections to be held on Dec 2

Maharashtra municipal elections to be held on Dec 2

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Elections for municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra are scheduled for December 2, according to the State Election Commissioner. The schedule for other local bodies will be announced later.

'Crime Wasn't Just Fraud. It Was Murder For Profit'

'Crime Wasn't Just Fraud. It Was Murder For Profit'

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Murders disguised as accidents. In one horrifying case, a man insured his father, mother, and wife -- then allegedly killed them all. He claimed Rs 54 crore in insurance.