News for 'The Illustrated Weekly of India'

Recipe: Ranchi Memories & Sheetal Chhaya Alu Mattar

Recipe: Ranchi Memories & Sheetal Chhaya Alu Mattar

Rediff.com16 May 2023

A mildly-spiced, sans too much garam masala 'hotel'-style potatoes with peas in a thick gravy that goes well with butter naans.

How Lata Mangeshkar Proved Dilip Kumar Wrong

How Lata Mangeshkar Proved Dilip Kumar Wrong

Rediff.com6 Feb 2022

"Those words stung me to such an extent that the following morning itself I started, seriously, learning Urdu with the sole idea of proving the great Dilip Kumar wrong."

'India is becoming less and less attractive for FIIs'

'India is becoming less and less attractive for FIIs'

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

'In the overall global portfolio, India's weighting has come down in the past seven months.'

Fiscal deficit in FY24 may be capped at 5.9%, says Goldman Sachs

Fiscal deficit in FY24 may be capped at 5.9%, says Goldman Sachs

Rediff.com11 Jan 2023

The central government is likely to further consolidate its fiscal deficit by 50 basis points (bps) to 5.9 per cent in FY24 from 6.4 per cent in FY23, according to a recent report released by Goldman Sachs on Tuesday. In the current fiscal year, there is going to be an upside of 0.5 per cent on the receipts side due to higher nominal GDP growth, and higher tax buoyancy because of the formalisation, the report said. The upside to expenditure is mainly going to come from incremental subsidies (0.8 per cent of GDP), in both food and fertilizer, it said. The upcoming pre-election Budget will carry forward the trend of the increased capital expenditure seen in recent years.

Barclays cuts India's FY22 GDP estimate to 9.2%

Barclays cuts India's FY22 GDP estimate to 9.2%

Rediff.com25 May 2021

A British brokerage on Tuesday cut India's FY22 GDP growth estimate by a sharp 0.80 per cent to 9.2 per cent, saying the economic impact of the second wave of infections has been deeper than initially expected. Barclays chief India economist Rahul Bajoria also mentioned the slow pace of vaccinations in the country and the rolling lockdowns across many states for the estimate. It can be noted that last month has seen a slew of similar forecasts from analysts, even as the RBI maintained its estimate of a 10.5 per cent growth in real GDP.

Exports decline sharply in Oct; trade deficit widens

Exports decline sharply in Oct; trade deficit widens

Rediff.com15 Nov 2022

India's exports entered negative territory after a gap of about two years, declining sharply by 16.65 per cent to $29.78 billion in October, mainly due to global demand slowdown, even as trade deficit widened to $26.91 billion, according to data released by the commerce ministry on Tuesday. Key export sectors, including gems and jewellery, engineering, petroleum products, ready-made garments of all textiles, chemicals, pharma, marine products, and leather, recorded negative growth during October. Imports during the month under review rose by about 6 per cent to $56.69 billion on account of increase in the inbound shipments of crude oil and certain raw materials such as cotton, fertiliser and machinery.

India asks US court to reject Cairn's $1.2 bn suit

India asks US court to reject Cairn's $1.2 bn suit

Rediff.com17 Aug 2021

The Indian government has asked a federal court in Washington to dismiss Britain's Cairn Energy suit seeking enforcement of a $1.2 billion arbitral award, saying it had sovereign immunity under US law. Cairn had in May asked a US federal court to force Air India to pay a $1.26 billion arbitration award the firm had won in December. The government on August 13 filed a 'Motion to Dismiss' petition in the US District Court for the District of Colombia, saying it lacked subject matter jurisdiction in the dispute between Cairn and the Indian tax authority, according to a filing seen by PTI.

Surplus liquidity slumps to Rs 3K cr on tax outflows, shows RBI data

Surplus liquidity slumps to Rs 3K cr on tax outflows, shows RBI data

Rediff.com20 Sep 2022

Surplus liquidity in the banking system as measured by absorption of excess funds by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fell sharply at the end of the last week due to outflows on account of advance tax payments. According to the RBI data, the net liquidity absorbed by the central bank on September 16 was at Rs 3,243.57 crore, much lower than the average of Rs 56,809.92 crore in the preceding four days of the week. The average absorption of funds by the RBI so far in September is at Rs 1.13 trillion, against the average of Rs 1.2 trillion in the previous month, the data showed.

It's clear, regulatory woes can't kill online gaming in India

It's clear, regulatory woes can't kill online gaming in India

Rediff.com14 Nov 2021

Even as the gaming industry battles multiple regulations in different Indian states, it has received more than double the amount of investment this year compared to 2020. Industry watchers attribute this to the growing popularity of gaming, spurred by the pandemic, and the innovative business models gaming firms have built. According to data from industry tracker Venture Intelligence, investment in India's gaming sector in 2021 has more than doubled to $794 million, as against a total investment of $339 million last year. In 2019, this number was $176 million. Marquee investors such as Tiger Global (Dream11), Sequoia Capital India (Mobile Premier League), WinZO (Griffin Capital Partners), Tencent (Dream11) and Matrix Partners (Zupee) have pumped money into the sector.

What Employees Can Expect In 2023

What Employees Can Expect In 2023

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

'Enterprises have become more demanding in terms of their productivity expectation from their employees.'

Goldman Sachs lowers India's growth forecast for FY21 to 11.1%

Goldman Sachs lowers India's growth forecast for FY21 to 11.1%

Rediff.com4 May 2021

Wall Street brokerage Goldman Sachs has lowered its estimate for India's economic growth to 11.1 per cent in fiscal year to March 31, 2022, as a number of cities and states announced lockdowns of varying intensities to check spread of coronavirus infections. India is suffering the world's worst outbreak of COVID-19 cases, with deaths crossing 2.22 lakh and new cases above 3.5 lakh daily. This has led to demand for imposition of nationwide strict lockdowns to stem the spread of the virus - a move that the Modi government has so far avoided after the economic devastation last year from a similar strategy.

Mcap of 8 of top-10 most valued firms tumble Rs 2.21 lakh cr

Mcap of 8 of top-10 most valued firms tumble Rs 2.21 lakh cr

Rediff.com24 Apr 2022

Eight of the top-10 most valued firms together lost Rs 2,21,555.61 crore from their market valuation last week in-line with the weak trend in the broader market, with Infosys and HDFC Bank suffering the biggest hit. The 30-share benchmark index, Sensex, lost 1,141.78 points or 1.95 per cent last week. From the top-10 pack, only Reliance Industries and Adani Green Energy emerged as the gainers.

'If India keeps growing, money flowing in won't stop'

'If India keeps growing, money flowing in won't stop'

Rediff.com3 Jan 2022

'There will always be a challenge to maintain a fine balance to ensure that the growth keeps happening and inflation is contained.'

IMF cuts India's GDP growth forecast to 9.5% for FY22

IMF cuts India's GDP growth forecast to 9.5% for FY22

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday cut its economic growth forecast for India to 9.5 per cent for the fiscal year to March 31, 2022 as the onset of a severe second COVID-19 wave cut into recovery momentum. This forecast for 2021-22 is lower than the 12.5 per cent growth in GDP that IMF had projected in April before the second wave took a grip. For 2022-23, IMF expects economic growth of 8.5 per cent, larger than the 6.9 per cent it had projected in April.

'Why is my survival benefit amount taxable?'

'Why is my survival benefit amount taxable?'

Rediff.com8 Nov 2022

Mihir Tanna, Associate Director, S K Patodia & Associates, answers your tax queries.

M-cap: TCS, HDFC Bank emerge as biggest gainers

M-cap: TCS, HDFC Bank emerge as biggest gainers

Rediff.com2 Jan 2022

Nine of the top-10 most-valued firms together added Rs 111,012.63 crore in market valuation last week, with Tata Consultancy Services and HDFC Bank emerging as the biggest gainers. Reliance Industries was the only laggard from the top-10 list. The valuation of Tata Consultancy Services jumped Rs 24,635.68 crore to reach Rs 13,82,280.01 crore.

'After many rocking years, we needed a rocky year'

'After many rocking years, we needed a rocky year'

Rediff.com3 Jan 2023

'Criticism is one thing, and cynicism is quite another.' 'However, we are undaunted by this negativity because we know the truth.'

'Anybody criticising this government is going to be arrested'

'Anybody criticising this government is going to be arrested'

Rediff.com15 Mar 2023

'If you speak against them, then you are going to invite a raid, and if not arrest, then something (else).'

'FICCI is focusing on start-ups'

'FICCI is focusing on start-ups'

Rediff.com19 May 2023

'For our traditional membership base, it would be an access to disruptive ideas,' FICCI President Subhrakant Panda tells Asit Mishra/Business Standard.

Banks go slow on bond sales as rising interest rates push up costs

Banks go slow on bond sales as rising interest rates push up costs

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

Banks looking to raise capital via bond sales to fund decade-high credit growth were compelled to put some of these debt issuances on hold amid a sharp rise in yields since late September, sources told Business Standard. A major private lender, Axis Bank, has not yet followed through with a planned issuance of infrastructure bonds worth around Rs 3,000 crore. This is because volatility in the bond market in late September led to investors seeking higher yields, sources said.

FPIs invest Rs 22,452-cr in equities in Aug

FPIs invest Rs 22,452-cr in equities in Aug

Rediff.com14 Aug 2022

After turning net buyers last month, foreign investors have become aggressive shoppers of Indian equities and have invested Rs 22,452 crore in the first two weeks of August amid softening inflation concerns. This was way higher than a net investment of nearly Rs 5,000 crore by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in the entire month of July, data with depositories showed. FPIs had turned net buyers for the first time in July, after nine straight months of massive net outflows, which started in October last year.

India-focused funds may soon get fast approval from Mauritius

India-focused funds may soon get fast approval from Mauritius

Rediff.com7 Oct 2020

Market observers also said the approvals depended a lot on the funds themselves, and the extent to which they followed the new norms introduced last year.

She was one of a kind

She was one of a kind

Rediff.com22 Aug 2007

A dear friend pays tribute to celebrated Urdu writer Qurratulain Hyder who passed into the ages on Tuesday

Covid redux: India Inc switches back to SOS mode from wait-and-watch

Covid redux: India Inc switches back to SOS mode from wait-and-watch

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

With the dizzying rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country, India Inc has transitioned from a wait-and-watch policy to full-on emergency mode, bringing back remote and flexi work, stringent safety protocols, and allowing only essential travel. Companies - especially in metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata - that had adopted a hybrid work model during the last few months when the caseload remained low, are either switching back entirely to work-from-home (WFH), or calling skeletal staff to office on select days. Take the case of cigarettes-to-hotels major, ITC, which had been on a hybrid work model over the last few months.

6 years after DeMo: Cash is still the king, circulation up 83%

6 years after DeMo: Cash is still the king, circulation up 83%

Rediff.com2 Jan 2023

Demonetisation of the high value currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 did not have any discernible impact on currency in circulation (CIC) in the country, which has soared by almost 83 per cent since its announcement on November 8, 2016. The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the decision of the government on demonetisation. On November 8, 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced demonetisation of old Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 banknotes and one of the key objectives of the unprecedented decision was to promote digital payments and curb black money flows.

Cyber Scams: How To Stay Protected

Cyber Scams: How To Stay Protected

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

Don't recharge your phone at public outlets -- carry a power bank instead. Avoid clicking on links sent by 'friends'. If you get into an online sexual encounter with a stranger and get blackmailed, refuse to pay up.

Budget 2023-24: Stay on fiscal glide path, economists advise FM Sitharaman

Budget 2023-24: Stay on fiscal glide path, economists advise FM Sitharaman

Rediff.com29 Nov 2022

The Union government could target a fiscal deficit of 5.8-6 per cent of nominal GDP for 2023-24, and it should continue its capital expenditure push and look to simplify the personal income tax regime, economists recommended Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team during their pre-Budget interaction on Monday. Starting last week, Sitharaman had eight pre-Budget consultations this time. More than 110 invitees representing seven stakeholder groups participated in these meetings, the finance ministry said in a statement. The stakeholder groups included representatives and experts from agriculture and agro-processing industry; industry, infrastructure & climate change; financial sector and capital markets; services and trade; social sector; trade unions and labour organisations; and economists.

How India's submarines can stay longer under water

How India's submarines can stay longer under water

Rediff.com11 Mar 2021

DRDO's Air Independent Propulsion system will allow Indian Navy submarines to operate for up to two weeks without having to surface to recharge its batteries.

Why Did Supreme Court Strengthen UAPA?

Why Did Supreme Court Strengthen UAPA?

Rediff.com13 Apr 2023

Reversing the burden of evidence means that the principle of innocent until proven guilty does not apply. It is exactly the opposite: Guilty as charged, until you can convince the judges of the contrary, points out Shekhar Gupta.

Rupee relatively better placed than other currencies: FM

Rupee relatively better placed than other currencies: FM

Rediff.com30 Jun 2022

Amid the rupee declining against the US dollar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the Indian currency is relatively better placed than other global currencies against the greenback. Emerging market currencies have been falling against the dollar amid geopolitical tensions in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, concerns over growth, high global crude prices, sustained inflation and central banks worldwide adopting hawkish monetary policy approach. "We are relatively better placed. We are not a closed economy. We are part of the globalised world.

Rupee to remain under pressure, may test new levels

Rupee to remain under pressure, may test new levels

Rediff.com31 Aug 2022

Indian rupee, which earlier this week touched an all-time low, is likely to remain under pressure and may test new levels as a fallout of the US Federal Reserve indicating more interest rate hikes, experts said. The aggressive rate hikes will dampen demand and increase the possibility of a recession in the US. This could accelerate the pace of capital outflows, weaken the rupee and raise the threat of imported inflation.

Mcap of eight of top-10 most valued cos erodes by over Rs 2.61 lakh cr

Mcap of eight of top-10 most valued cos erodes by over Rs 2.61 lakh cr

Rediff.com19 Dec 2021

Eight of the top-10 most valued companies suffered a combined erosion of Rs 2,61,812.14 crore in market valuation last week, with Reliance Industries emerging as the biggest laggard. In the top-10 list, Infosys and Wipro were the only gainers. During the last week, the BSE benchmark slumped 1,774.93 points or 3.01 per cent.

Capex on new projects declines further in Q2

Capex on new projects declines further in Q2

Rediff.com11 Oct 2022

Expenditure on new projects slowed down for the second quarter in a row amid an uncertain global environment and higher borrowing costs. There were new projects worth a cumulative Rs 3.26 trillion in the July-September period, according to data provided by project tracker Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This figure is much less than Rs 4.39 trillion in the June quarter (Q1FY23) and Rs 8.46 trillion in the March quarter (Q4FY22).

Equity m-cap lowest in 7 months in Feb

Equity m-cap lowest in 7 months in Feb

Rediff.com27 Feb 2022

Equity market capitalisation dropped to a seven-month low in February, with the top 10 companies losing a whopping Rs 3,33,307.62 crore in market valuation last week. The total equity market capitalisation (m-cap) in February 2022 stood at Rs 2,49,97,053.39 crore. The previous low was in July 2021, when the m-cap of BSE-listed companies was at Rs 2,35,49,748.9 crore. In January, the m-cap stood at Rs 2,64,41,207.18 crore.

Indian Bank bars pregnant women as 'temporarily unfit' for hiring

Indian Bank bars pregnant women as 'temporarily unfit' for hiring

Rediff.com20 Jun 2022

The Delhi Commission for Women has issued a notice to Indian Bank seeking withdrawal of its new recruitment guidelines which prevents a woman, who is three or more months pregnant, from joining service.

Govt blocks 16 YouTube channels, including 6 from Pak, for spreading lies

Govt blocks 16 YouTube channels, including 6 from Pak, for spreading lies

Rediff.com25 Apr 2022

The Centre on Monday blocked 16 YouTube channels, including six operating from Pakistan, and a Facebook account for spreading disinformation related to India's national security, foreign relations and public order, according to an official statement.

Are Indian Markets Decoupled From Developed Markets?

Are Indian Markets Decoupled From Developed Markets?

Rediff.com17 Oct 2022

Just because India has outperformed the US markets in a short recent period, it does not mean that this is based on fundamental reasons that are here to stay, points out Debashis Basu.

Dating In Your 40s: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

Dating In Your 40s: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

The dating world can be a mess of expectations and anxieties, but don't let your emotional baggage spill all over your chance at real love, suggests Sybil Shiddell, country manager India, Gleeden, a discreet extra marital dating Web site.

India's forex kitty continues to swell, crosses $406.7 bn

India's forex kitty continues to swell, crosses $406.7 bn

Rediff.com30 Mar 2019

The reserves had touched a life-time high of $426.028 billion in the week to April 13, 2018.

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

It was supposed to be a happy journey to London, one that the Imam family had been planning for the past two months. Everything was set - except the visa, which did not arrive in time for one of its members. "Visa was the villain...As a consequence, half of the family of four will be in London today and the other half at home in India and the US, respectively," Sanjar Imam, director of travel firm Panache World, wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.