News for 'Rural India'

Why D-Street is positive on 2-wheeler stocks

Why D-Street is positive on 2-wheeler stocks

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

Given the stronger rural activity, and potential goods and services tax (GST) impact, investors are bullish on the two-wheeler (2W) segment. In August, dealers in the domestic market picked up 11 per cent more 2Ws year-on-year (Y-o-Y), despite only 2 per cent growth in retail registrations. This indicates inventory stocking ahead of the festival season. Export trends were good. TVS Motor and Royal Enfield may have gained domestic market share.

Will RBI Cut Repo Rate Following Trump's Tariffs?

Will RBI Cut Repo Rate Following Trump's Tariffs?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

'The US reciprocal tariff has added another element of uncertainty and the central bank may prefer to wait and get further clarity.'

FMCG volume growth slows to 5.1% in Q4

FMCG volume growth slows to 5.1% in Q4

Rediff.com8 May 2025

The volume growth of India's FMCG industry has slowed down in the March quarter to 5.1 per cent, driven by increased consumer purchases of small-value packs, according to the latest report from data analytics firm NielsenIQ. Volume growth is slowing across categories, and non-food segments are still outpacing food in the FMCG sector.

Employment In Urban India: Good News!

Employment In Urban India: Good News!

Rediff.com14 Mar 2023

Urban employment rate increased to 34.96 per cent in February. This is the highest employment rate recorded in urban India since September 2020.

Meet 5 amazing innovators from rural India

Meet 5 amazing innovators from rural India

Rediff.com1 Oct 2010

Uddhab Bharali is a serial innovator who has designed and prototyped around 85 devices for different purposes.

Why Jarange Patil Wants OBC Status For Marathas

Why Jarange Patil Wants OBC Status For Marathas

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

'These Marathas are farmers and they only do farming. They have no other business other than farming. Now, they want reservations because farming is no longer a profitable business.'In this interview, veteran farmers' rights advocate and founding member of the Shetkari Sanghatna, Vijay Jawandhia, with Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff unpacks the historical and structural roots of the agitation.

How Women Voters Cemented Nitish Kumar's Political Fortress

How Women Voters Cemented Nitish Kumar's Political Fortress

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

For nearly two decades, Nitish Kumar has cultivated women as a distinct constituency. 'To create a broader vote base, he thought it would be better to bring women to electoral politics.'

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

The Dangerous Reality Behind Maharashtra's 'Urban Naxal' Law

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

'The law under the guise of security represents a grave and unnecessary expansion of State power at the cost of fundamental rights,' asserts Aakar Patel.

The Lamborghini theory of India's consumption patterns

The Lamborghini theory of India's consumption patterns

Rediff.com14 Mar 2024

Lamborghini has sold 10,112 cars worldwide -- so India's 100 is certainly a big deal for them. But how big a deal is it for us to peg our consumption theories around, asks Rama Bijapurkar.

India Inc to clock 7-8% revenue growth in Q4

India Inc to clock 7-8% revenue growth in Q4

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

Domestic rating agency ICRA on Monday said Indian companies are likely to clock 7-8 per cent revenue growth during the March quarter of the current fiscal year, led by revival in rural demand and uptick in government spending. ICRA expects the private capital expenditure (capex) cycle to remain measured in view of the uncertainties around geopolitical developments and relatively subdued outlook on merchandise exports from India.

India's rural market is a $1.8-trillion opportunity

India's rural market is a $1.8-trillion opportunity

Rediff.com23 Jul 2012

Indicating that Hindustan Unilever (HUL) which sells almost 40 percent of its brands in thehinterlands will increase its focus on rural markets, the consumer goods major today called for convergence of urban and rural marketers so that prosperity spreads to the rural areas.

What The Next Census Will Discover

What The Next Census Will Discover

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

The next Census' findings will help identify the extent of India's ageing population and vulnerability levels.

'Our Nifty Target For December Is 26,500'

'Our Nifty Target For December Is 26,500'

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

'We continue to view India as a standout within EM.'

e-Panchayats take over rural India

e-Panchayats take over rural India

Rediff.com29 Feb 2008

Villages in Maharashtra are gearing up for e-panchayats as rural people adopt new methodologies for rural development.

Modi announces Rs 1,600 cr relief package for flood-ravaged Punjab

Modi announces Rs 1,600 cr relief package for flood-ravaged Punjab

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs 1,600-crore assistance package for flood-hit Punjab after reviewing the damage. He also announced ex gratia for the deceased and injured. The state is battling its worst deluge since 1988.

'Markets Have Already Scaled A Wall Of Worry'

'Markets Have Already Scaled A Wall Of Worry'

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

'From tariff tensions and border skirmishes to unrest in West Asia.' 'The worst may be behind us. But any further upmove will now have to come from earnings.'

Automobile retail sales up 5% in June; PVs, two-wheelers see growth

Automobile retail sales up 5% in June; PVs, two-wheelers see growth

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Automobile retail sales in India rose around 5 per cent year-on-year in June with all vehicle segments, including passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, witnessing growth, Federation of Automotive Dealers Associations (FADA) said on Monday.

'If cops hadn't reached....': Jawan's mother recounts toll plaza horror

'If cops hadn't reached....': Jawan's mother recounts toll plaza horror

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

The family of an Army jawan, Kapil, recounts the brutal assault he endured at a toll plaza in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. They describe the attack and the injuries he sustained, while police investigate and make arrests.

How Ganeshji Comes To Rural Raigad

How Ganeshji Comes To Rural Raigad

Rediff.com10 Sep 2024

Ganesh Puja in Alibag taluka is about simplicity and minimalism. It's about quiet devotion too.

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.'

Weak rural demand drags down FMCG sales in Sep

Weak rural demand drags down FMCG sales in Sep

Rediff.com5 Oct 2022

Feeble demand in rural areas of the country has affected sales of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in September as compared to August, which saw heavy stocking ahead of the festival season, according to the data of Bizom, a retail intelligence platform. Sales in rural India fell 14.3 per cent while urban sales growth stood at 1.1 per cent in September as compared to the previous month. Overall FMCG sales fell by 9.6 per cent in September as compared to August.

What Husain Painting's Record Sale Will Fund

What Husain Painting's Record Sale Will Fund

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Proceeds from the sale will support the training of future generations of doctors at the Oslo University Hospital. The fascinating story behind the Husain painting which set a new record for modern Indian art.

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

The price of building India: Why cement remains in the 28% GST slab

Rediff.com7 May 2025

The 31st meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, held in December 2018, deferred a decision to reduce the GST rate for cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent. This was despite recognising that cement - along with automobile parts - remained among the few mass-consumption items still taxed at the highest slab, which was originally meant for luxury and sin goods.

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

India Strikes At Pakistan Airbases

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Pakistan military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that th Pakistan air force's Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases were targeted.

Will secure, advance national interest: Goyal on Trump tariffs

Will secure, advance national interest: Goyal on Trump tariffs

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal assures Parliament that India will take necessary steps to protect its national interests following the US announcement of tariffs on Indian goods. The government is assessing the implications and engaging with stakeholders.

India's PV market posts record sales in 2024

India's PV market posts record sales in 2024

Rediff.com1 Jan 2025

Indian passenger vehicles market registered record wholesales of 43 lakh units in 2024, with companies like market leader Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Kia posting their best-ever annual domestic sales. The continued growth of SUVs, along with rural markets playing a key role in driving up car sales, helped the industry better the previous best of nearly 41.1 lakh units posted in 2023.

Abhinav Bindra gets mention from 'friend' Bach at IOC session

Abhinav Bindra gets mention from 'friend' Bach at IOC session

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

The IOC launched the first Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) in India in May 2022, with the Olympism-themed curriculum being integrated into the school education system in Odisha.

Govt urges banks to close inoperative Jan Dhan accounts

Govt urges banks to close inoperative Jan Dhan accounts

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

State-owned banks have received guidance from the government to close Jan Dhan accounts whose beneficiaries are unwilling to keep them active, amid rising instances of such accounts being misused by fraudsters as mule accounts to defraud people, people aware of the development said.

How IT is changing rural India

How IT is changing rural India

Rediff.com7 Apr 2006

All about Sundaram Rural India Fund

All about Sundaram Rural India Fund

Rediff.com29 Mar 2006

The primary investment objective of the scheme is to generate consistent long-term returns by investing predominantly in equity & equity related instruments of "companies that are focusing on Rural India".

'Stray Dogs In Ghettos Is A Health Nightmare'

'Stray Dogs In Ghettos Is A Health Nightmare'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'It will be an explosion of zoonotic diseases from these places.' 'People will not be able to live or work for kilometres around these places where thousands of street dogs are kept.'

'Declaring End Of Maoist Insurgency By March 2026 Is Foolish'

'Declaring End Of Maoist Insurgency By March 2026 Is Foolish'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

'Handling or mitigating a rebellion is not a corporate plan with quarterly, half-yearly and annual goals and results but an aggregation of the effort of several years.'

How Census 2027 Will Be Done

How Census 2027 Will Be Done

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

'There will be not less than 31 lakh people working in the census process.'

Is She Controlling You Before Marriage?

Is She Controlling You Before Marriage?

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

The big red flag is not asking you for your opinion on anything, warns rediffGURU Anu Krishna.

Airtel partners Elon Musk's SpaceX for high-speed internet services in India

Airtel partners Elon Musk's SpaceX for high-speed internet services in India

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Telecom operator Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said it has partnered with Elon Musk's SpaceX for providing Starlink's high-speed internet services to its customers in India. This agreement is subject to SpaceX receiving authorisations to sell Starlink's satellite communications-based services in India, Airtel said in a statement.

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Why This Banker Didn't Get Promoted!

Rediff.com2 May 2025

The bank made a Rs 67 crore net profit, up 21% from the previous year. Its deposits grew 8%, the loan book 10%. Net bad loans dropped from 7.53% to 6.07%. So why was the banker, who headed the bank, not promoted?

Operation Sindoor casts shadow on car sales in May

Operation Sindoor casts shadow on car sales in May

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

Fada estimates that global supply chain headwinds like scarce availability of rare earth elements for electric vehicle components and geopolitical tensions may affect urban consumer sentiment in June as well.

Truck rentals, EV and tractor sales rise in June

Truck rentals, EV and tractor sales rise in June

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

Truck rentals saw a positive momentum across most key trunk routes due to an increased pre-kharif agricultural activity and a resilient manufacturing sector. The Kolkata-Guwahati-Kolkata corridor witnessed a month-on-month (M-o-M) rise of 2.4 per cent, while the Mumbai-Chennai-Mumbai route grew by 1.9 per cent and the Delhi-Hyderabad-Delhi route saw a 1.6 per cent increase in truck rentals, said June edition of the Shriram Mobility Bulletin.

Electoral rolls can't remain static, need to be revised: SC

Electoral rolls can't remain static, need to be revised: SC

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

"There is bound to be revision," the top court said, "otherwise, how will the poll panel delete the names of those who are dead, migrated or shifted to other constituencies?"

Innovators in rural India? You bet!

Innovators in rural India? You bet!

Rediff.com24 Mar 2004