News for 'Rural'

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.

Bus services hit as transport workers begin strike in K'taka

Bus services hit as transport workers begin strike in K'taka

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

A strike by Karnataka's state-owned transport corporation employees has severely disrupted bus services across the state, leaving passengers stranded and impacting school, college, and office attendance. The strike persists despite a court stay, as unions demand wage revision and payment of salary arrears.

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.

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.

Maha school horror: Girls forced to strip for menstruation check; 8 booked

Maha school horror: Girls forced to strip for menstruation check; 8 booked

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Police in Shahapur, Maharashtra, have registered a case against a school principal and teachers for allegedly forcing female students to strip to check for menstruation after bloodstains were found in a school toilet.

Azizul Haque, towering leader of Naxalbari uprising, dies at 83

Azizul Haque, towering leader of Naxalbari uprising, dies at 83

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Azizul Haque, a prominent figure in India's Naxalite movement, has died at the age of 83. His passing marks the end of an era in Bengal's radical Left history.

Chhattisgarh Turns Maoist Hotspots Into Tourist Hubs

Chhattisgarh Turns Maoist Hotspots Into Tourist Hubs

Rediff.com16 Jun 2025

The two priority regions for the Chhattisgarh government to promote its homestay policy are Surguja and Bastar.

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.

Pune highway horror: Attackers used chilli powder to blind victims

Pune highway horror: Attackers used chilli powder to blind victims

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

The teenage girl was sexually assaulted and three women were robbed of gold ornaments by two motorbike-borne unidentified persons when the victims were travelling in a car in the wee hours of Monday on a highway in Daund in Pune district, a police official said.

Bike-borne men rape teen girl, rob 3 women at knife point on Pune highway

Bike-borne men rape teen girl, rob 3 women at knife point on Pune highway

Rediff.com1 Jul 2025

The incident took place around 4:15am near Bhigwan on the highway when the car the victims were travelling in halted after the driver wanted to answer nature's call, the official said.

Vadodara bridge collapse: Woman watches helplessly as family drowns

Vadodara bridge collapse: Woman watches helplessly as family drowns

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

A woman's desperate pleas for help went unanswered as her husband and two children drowned after a bridge collapsed in Gujarat, India, claiming 10 lives.

US advisory for India warns of crime, rape; MEA says 'noted'

US advisory for India warns of crime, rape; MEA says 'noted'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

In the June 16 advisory, the US urged its citizens to exercise "increased caution" due to crime and rape, and advised them not to travel to certain parts of central and eastern parts of the country due to terrorism.

Rajasthan school collapse: 'Teachers went out, left kids behind'

Rajasthan school collapse: 'Teachers went out, left kids behind'

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

"I've lost everything... I had only two children, a boy and a girl, and both are gone. My home is empty... There's no one left to play in the courtyard. I wish God had taken me instead and spared my children," she said.

Odisha Cong leaders detained ahead of Modi's visit

Odisha Cong leaders detained ahead of Modi's visit

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

Odisha Police detained several Congress workers ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Friday.

Hero MotoCorp's growth mileage: Rural recovery to power market share ride

Hero MotoCorp's growth mileage: Rural recovery to power market share ride

Rediff.com17 Jun 2024

Hero MotoCorp, a major player in the two-wheeler market, has seen a 9 per cent rise in its stock since the beginning of the month. This increase, driven by the largest motorcycle company by volume, is attributed to expectations of a revival in rural sales due to normal monsoons, government measures to boost consumption, recent market share gains, and a large valuation discount compared to peers. In the near term, the company's volume performance and growth trajectory, particularly in rural markets and entry-level segments, are expected to be key drivers.

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.

Hero MotoCorp to vroom on new launches and uptick in rural growth

Hero MotoCorp to vroom on new launches and uptick in rural growth

Rediff.com23 Aug 2024

Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) saw strong volume performance in the first quarter of the current financial year (Q1FY25), but margins disappointed due to weak spare part sales and negative electric vehicle (EV) margins. The company hopes for a strong festive season due to better rural sentiment. Revenue grew 16 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 10,140 crore, operating profit was up 21 per cent to Rs 1,460 crore, and adjusted net profit grew 19 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 1,120 crore.

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Maha to scrap land fragmentation law; 50 lakh families to benefit

Rediff.com9 Jul 2025

The Maharashtra government will grant legal status to subdivided land parcels up to January 1, 2025, by relaxing and gradually scrapping the land fragmentation law. This decision aims to resolve legal hurdles related to property registration, construction permissions, and ownership for over 50 lakh families.

'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.'

'I'm Really Proud To Be A Brahmin'

'I'm Really Proud To Be A Brahmin'

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

'So my question was, 'What is it that you are proud of? What have you achieved? What is your contribution?' 'He had no answer.'

Rural kiranas power September sales

Rural kiranas power September sales

Rediff.com18 Oct 2023

Sales of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) witnessed significant recovery in September after enduring a double-digit decline in August, according to data furnished by Bizom. Kirana stores in rural areas stocked up in preparation for the festival season, which began in September. This, combined with rainfall reaching 113 per cent of the long-perid average for the month, contributed to a boost in sales.

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.

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.

SBI@70: Who Says The Elephant Can't Dance?

SBI@70: Who Says The Elephant Can't Dance?

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

While a giant, it's a nimble-footed one, and is growing at a speed that even some of its private sector peers find enviable.
Between FY18 and FY24, it doubled its balance sheet. Despite being a late entrant in some segments, it has been able to grab market share, observes Tamal Bandyopadhyay.

Festive Hiring To Generate 2 Lakh Jobs

Festive Hiring To Generate 2 Lakh Jobs

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Hiring activity has gained momentum in anticipation of upcoming festivals like Raksha Bandhan, Dussehra, Diwali, seasonal sales and the wedding season.

'People Love Me As Panchayat's Rinki But...'

'People Love Me As Panchayat's Rinki But...'

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

'I was motivated to do something better -- to improve my life and my parents' lives.'

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

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.

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

The Teen Who Built A Tax Education Game

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Manas Sood, a Class 12 student from the Delhi Public School, has distributed 2,650 boxes of Tax City Education and empowered over 12,000 students from 52 schools across India. His aim? To help young Indians understand taxes and become financially literate.

Temasek lifts India exposure to 8% as China share declines for third year

Temasek lifts India exposure to 8% as China share declines for third year

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Singapore's state investor Temasek Holdings, which recently picked up 10 per cent stake in Haldiram, has been consistently expanding its footprint in India while slowly withdrawing from China over the last three years amid growing geopolitical risks and economic headwinds. India has become Temasek's third-largest market, after Singapore (27 per cent) and China (18 per cent), with its exposure to the country higher than the rest of Asia Pacific excluding the three (11 per cent), according to Temasek's annual review.

Shortcuts Won't Build Industrial Capability

Shortcuts Won't Build Industrial Capability

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

Any industrial policy is only as good as how it is applied and the other reforms that support it. This was as true 40 years ago as it is now, points out Debashis Basu.

Why BJP Wants JMM To Contest Bihar Polls

Why BJP Wants JMM To Contest Bihar Polls

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

'It is good for us if the JMM contests. That will divide the Opposition and give us the upper hand.'

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.

From Fields to Bestsellers: Reena Rathore's Inspiring Story

From Fields to Bestsellers: Reena Rathore's Inspiring Story

Rediff.com29 May 2025

'My life has been quite difficult. I felt I could see it in words. I thought if everyone else can write, then I can too.'

People punished Indira Gandhi: Tharoor slams Emergency

People punished Indira Gandhi: Tharoor slams Emergency

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has criticised the Emergency declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975, saying the people of the country responded clearly to the excesses of that period by voting her party out of power by a large margin.

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

'Short-Term Panic Influences Investor Behaviour'

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

'Investors who remain calm, consistent, and disciplined through short-term volatility are usually the ones who benefit most in the long run.'

Maha ATS detains 12 in Thane over SIMI links, terror probe

Maha ATS detains 12 in Thane over SIMI links, terror probe

Rediff.com2 Jun 2025

The Thane unit of the ATS, with the assistance of the Thane rural police, started searches around 4 am at Padgha and Borivali villages in the district adjoining Mumbai, an official said without giving case details.

Hero MotoCorp losing rural 2-wheeler market share to other companies

Hero MotoCorp losing rural 2-wheeler market share to other companies

Rediff.com29 Feb 2024

Hero MotoCorp, India's largest two-wheeler maker, has seen a decline in its market share in rural areas since 2018, losing ground to major competitors such as TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto, and Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), according to data from JATO Dynamics reviewed by Business Standard. Hero's share of rural two-wheeler sales in India has dropped from 40.4 per cent in 2018 to 33.3 per cent in 2023. In contrast, Bajaj's share increased from 12.7 per cent in 2018 to 13.9 per cent, HMSI's from 21.8 per cent to 22.2 per cent, and TVS' from 15.5 per cent to 17.8 per cent. Suzuki Motorcycle India has also seen its share rise from 1.7 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan Review: Engaging

Mitti: Ek Nayi Pehchaan Review: Engaging

Rediff.com10 Jul 2025

Ishwak Singh's earnestness and the rustic energy of his mates keeps Mitti engaging, even when it starts to get preachy, observes Deepa Gahlot.

Will German Visa Rules Affect Students?

Will German Visa Rules Affect Students?

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Ritika Gupta, a study abroad expert and founder of Aaera Consultants, explains how Germany's new visa rules will affect international students and working professionals.