News for 'Rural India'

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.'

Centre plans to list at least five RRBs by FY27-end

Centre plans to list at least five RRBs by FY27-end

Rediff.com24 May 2025

After the merger of regional rural banks (RRBs) under the "One State, One RRB" policy to improve their efficiency and minimise competition among public-sector banks (PSBs) that sponsor them, the government is planning to list at least five RRBs by the end of financial year 2026-27 (FY27). After the latest amalgamation that came into effect on May 1, there are 28 RRBs in 26 states and two Union Territories (UTs), with more than 22,000 branches covering 700 districts.

'Bharat Is Blessed To Have Bhupen Hazarika'

'Bharat Is Blessed To Have Bhupen Hazarika'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

'That a song can carry the weight of a people's dreams and move hearts across the world.' On Bhupen Hazarika's 99th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays rich tribute to the legendary singer and composer.

Innovators in rural India? You bet!

Innovators in rural India? You bet!

Rediff.com24 Mar 2004

Dedicated life to...: Modi's high praise for RSS chief

Dedicated life to...: Modi's high praise for RSS chief

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

Praising Mohan Bhagwat for his intellectual depth and empathetic leadership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that his tenure as the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh since 2009 will be considered the most transformative period in its 100-year journey.

For Modi's year-old government, storm brewing in rural India

For Modi's year-old government, storm brewing in rural India

Rediff.com15 May 2015

Just one year after taking office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing a challenge that could come to haunt him.

Trade war hit on India likely to be limited: RBI

Trade war hit on India likely to be limited: RBI

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

The Indian economy could remain less affected by global trade wars than other countries because the two engines of domestic growth - consumption and investment - are likely to face a limited impact from such headwinds, according to an article on the 'State of the Economy' in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) bulletin, released on Tuesday.

Digital debt collection makes strides as lenders use tech to cut visits

Digital debt collection makes strides as lenders use tech to cut visits

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

"We currently manage collections for over 98 million retail and small-business loan accounts, covering a loan book of about $250 billion," says Rishabh Goel, cofounder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Credgenics, a software-as-a-service platform for debt collection. With more than 700 million smartphone users and over 450 million UPI users, digital access is everywhere.

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.

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.

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.

'I'm Not Against Hindi. I'm Against Linguistic Centralisation'

'I'm Not Against Hindi. I'm Against Linguistic Centralisation'

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

'We already understand Hindi -- through Bollywood, TV, pop culture.' 'But we never forced it on ourselves.' 'When something is imposed, the joy and organic nature of learning disappears.'

Tackle rural spread of Covid strategically: Experts

Tackle rural spread of Covid strategically: Experts

Rediff.com24 May 2021

Experts emphasise on the need to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus using strategic and pragmatic approaches in villages as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and towns, which are reporting increased COVID-19 infections and deaths during the ongoing second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Centre Begins Historic Relocation of 30,000 Employees

Centre Begins Historic Relocation of 30,000 Employees

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The orders issued this month have selected ministries ranging from home affairs under Amit Shah to rural development, headed by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to move to Building 3 -- currently named CCS-03 -- on Kartavya Path. The scale of the shift will be even larger than when most of Lutyens' Delhi's present crop of government buildings came up in the early 1930s.

'Caste Enumeration WILL Be A Big Challenge'

'Caste Enumeration WILL Be A Big Challenge'

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

'It is for the first time in Independent India that collection of information on caste is being done.'

Red alert in many states as monsoon covers India; 2 killed U'khand

Red alert in many states as monsoon covers India; 2 killed U'khand

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The labourers, who are said to be of Nepali origin, were engaged in the construction of a hotel.

A Life In The Service Of Maa Bharti

A Life In The Service Of Maa Bharti

Rediff.com11 Sep 2025

'Mohanji is a living example of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, showing that when we rise above boundaries and consider everyone as our own, it strengthens trust, brotherhood and equality in society.'

Rural inflation running higher than urban: HSBC

Rural inflation running higher than urban: HSBC

Rediff.com22 Oct 2015

Rural inflation running higher than urban: HSBC

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

'Money Is Not A Problem For Me'

Rediff.com10 Sep 2025

'I can sanction projects worth Rs 20 trillion annually as of today.' 'But my system is only capable of executing projects worth Rs 3 trillion to Rs 4 trillion.'

Consumer goods companies bank on festivals for urban demand revival

Consumer goods companies bank on festivals for urban demand revival

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, retail firms, and producers of consumer durables are witnessing stable urban demand. However, people in the trade are waiting for clearer signs of revival closer to the festival season, starting in September.

Patients to benefit from GST cut, but pharma firms may face margin pressure

Patients to benefit from GST cut, but pharma firms may face margin pressure

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

The rationalisation of goods and services tax (GST), announced on Wednesday, directly lowers the cost of everyday medical consumables, and also high-end therapies in oncology and rare diseases, helping reduce out-of-pocket patient expenditure and better adherence to medication.

Modi inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

Modi inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan, the new seat of govt

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan, the first of ten Common Central Secretariat buildings, aiming to consolidate ministries for improved efficiency. The building will house several key ministries, relocating them from older, outdated structures.

Rural India needs 10 lakh business correspondents

Rural India needs 10 lakh business correspondents

Rediff.com23 Feb 2012

A task force led by Nandan Nilekani on Thursday suggested that 10 lakh business correspondents be appointed to ensure that social sector schemes' benefit reach the intended beneficiaries in about six lakh villages.

Is ethanol-blended petrol damaging your vehicle? Govt says...

Is ethanol-blended petrol damaging your vehicle? Govt says...

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

The ministry stated that for vehicles designed for E10 and calibrated for E20, mileage may drop by just 1-2 per cent, while in other vehicles, it could be around 3-6 per cent.

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.

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.'

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.

Mamata hits out at BJP over voter list 'deletions', attacks EC

Mamata hits out at BJP over voter list 'deletions', attacks EC

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of 'linguistic terror' and plotting to delete Bengali voters from electoral rolls, vowing to protect voting rights.

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.

'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.'

Will These Films Win An Oscar?

Will These Films Win An Oscar?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

The festival's People's Choice Award, voted by the audience, is a strong indication of films that can eventually be nominated and even win Oscars. Twelve of the last 15 People's Choice winners have received Best Picture Oscar nominations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.