News for 'Universal Service'

BSNL seeks exemption from USO contribution

BSNL seeks exemption from USO contribution

Rediff.com14 Jun 2004

Being the only universal service provider in uneconomic areas, the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has sought exemption from contributing to the dedicated fund saying it should be reimbursed directly on the basis of cost incurred.

Govt has ambitious plans for the GIFT City

Govt has ambitious plans for the GIFT City

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The government on Tuesday said it will allow setting up of world-class foreign universities in Gandhinagar's GIFT City, free from domestic regulations, to facilitate availability of skilled manpower in the financial services space. In addition, an international arbitration centre will be set up in the GIFT City for timely settlement of disputes under international jurisprudence, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget for 2022-23. The centre could be on the lines of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, or the London Commercial Arbitration Centre.

India Inc's profit-to-GDP ratio dips slightly in FY23; financial pie up

India Inc's profit-to-GDP ratio dips slightly in FY23; financial pie up

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

Corporate India's net profit as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) dipped in the 2022-23 financial year (FY23) -- after rebounding sharply in FY22 -- amid a decline in global commodity prices. Top 500 companies' combined net profit stood at 4.1 per cent of the GDP for FY23, down from 4.3 per cent in the previous financial year when it had gone up from just 3.5 per cent in FY21. "The year-on-year (YoY) decline was led by global commodities, which contributed adversely to the ratio, while the financial sector contributed positively.

Russian energy giant Rosneft appoints first Indian on its board

Russian energy giant Rosneft appoints first Indian on its board

Rediff.com7 Jul 2023

Russian energy giant Rosneft has appointed a former Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) director to its board in signs it may be looking at boosting trade links with India. G K Satish, who retired as director for business development at IOC in 2021, is one of the three new faces appointed to the 11-strong board of directors of Rosneft, according to a statement issued by the Russian firm. Satish, 62, is the first Indian to be appointed to the board of Rosneft.

Imran May Be Jailed For A Long Time

Imran May Be Jailed For A Long Time

Rediff.com10 May 2023

His disqualification to participate in future elections may follow, notes Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W, India's external intelligence agency.

Is That Raghuram Rajan With Rahul Gandhi?

Is That Raghuram Rajan With Rahul Gandhi?

Rediff.com15 Dec 2022

Former Reserve Bank of India governor Dr Raghuram Rajan -- the Katherine Dusak Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the University of Chicago -- walked with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, on Wednesday, December 14, 2022.

How Vizhinjam Port Can Change India's Shipping Fortunes

How Vizhinjam Port Can Change India's Shipping Fortunes

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

'It will be important strategically and geographically because there is no port in India which is as close to the international shipping route as Vizhinjam.'

India is 'dangerously close' to Hindu rate of growth: Raghuram Rajan

India is 'dangerously close' to Hindu rate of growth: Raghuram Rajan

Rediff.com5 Mar 2023

Sounding a note of caution, former Reserve Bank Governor Raghuram Rajan has said that India is "dangerously close" to the Hindu rate of growth in view of subdued private sector investment, high interest rates and slowing global growth. Rajan said that sequential slowdown in the quarterly growth, as revealed by the latest estimate of national income released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) last month, was worrying. Hindu rate of growth is a term describing low Indian economic growth rates from the 1950s to the 1980s, which averaged around 4 per cent.

The Punjabis Are Fleeing

The Punjabis Are Fleeing

Rediff.com19 Sep 2023

There's an entire gurdwara dedicated to immigration. People present tiny airliner models here in the hope that Waheguru will soon give them a ticket, passport and visa to leave, reveals Shekhar Gupta.

Missing Southern Illinois University student found dead

Missing Southern Illinois University student found dead

Rediff.com28 Feb 2014

Pravin M Varughese, 19, a student of Southern Illinois University, who had been missing for a week, was found dead on February 18.

What's Better? No-Cost EMI Or BNPL?

What's Better? No-Cost EMI Or BNPL?

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

Ultimately, the choice between no-cost EMI and BNPL depends on an individual's financial situation, preferences, and ability to manage repayments responsibly.

When Should Rahul Embark On BJY 2.0?

When Should Rahul Embark On BJY 2.0?

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

Should he begin the yatra from Gujarat's Porbandar, the birthplace of the Mahatma, on October 2, and skip campaigning for the five assembly polls?

State has duty to recognise queer unions, says CJI Chandrachud

State has duty to recognise queer unions, says CJI Chandrachud

Rediff.com18 Oct 2023

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Tuesday said the State has an obligation to recognise unions entered into by queer couples and grant them benefit under the law.

Real Heroes Of Web Revolution

Real Heroes Of Web Revolution

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

The tech creators, or the ones who made billions, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Why Is Maldives Army Chief In India?

Why Is Maldives Army Chief In India?

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

Major General Abdulla Shamaal, chief of the Maldives National Defence Force, called on General Manoj Chandrashekar Pande, chief of the army staff, in New Delhi on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

Rijiju slams Oppn for brining no-trust vote, Cong dares him to...

Rijiju slams Oppn for brining no-trust vote, Cong dares him to...

Rediff.com8 Aug 2023

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said the Congress and other opposition parties have brought the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha at a 'wrong time and in a wrong manner'.

Kris Kolluri to oversee ops at New Jersey's top public universities

Kris Kolluri to oversee ops at New Jersey's top public universities

Rediff.com4 Jul 2014

Kris Kolluri, a former New Jersey senior government official, was recently appointed the new chief executive officer of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden board of governors.

How Pullampara Became India's 1st Digital Literate Village

How Pullampara Became India's 1st Digital Literate Village

Rediff.com26 Apr 2023

Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com travels to Pullampara to discover how it became India's first digital literate village.

Wishes pour in as PM Modi turns 73

Wishes pour in as PM Modi turns 73

Rediff.com17 Sep 2023

The prime minister will be part of the launch of several development initiatives on his birthday.

PM Modi flags concerns over bias in AI

PM Modi flags concerns over bias in AI

Rediff.com27 Aug 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a global framework for ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as he flagged concerns surrounding bias in such modern technologies and their impact on the society. Days ahead of the G20 Summit, the prime minister also made a strong case for developing an integrated approach to deal with issues concerning cryptocurrencies. Modi, addressing B20 Summit India 2023 organised by CII, said India is preparing a global framework for Green Credit and urged industry leaders to adopt life and businesses with emphasis on planet positive actions.

Jio's fibre-to-home services may be launched by year-end

Jio's fibre-to-home services may be launched by year-end

Rediff.com25 Jul 2018

Jio will woo consumers with new products as well as technology, offering them quadplay services - TV, data, voice and mobile - seamlessly working across the platforms, with a single bundled offer and just one bill.

Docs withdraw all services as RS passes NMC Bill

Docs withdraw all services as RS passes NMC Bill

Rediff.com1 Aug 2019

"The provisions of the said bill are nothing short of draconian and promote gross incompetence and mockery of professionals currently working day and night and sacrificing their youth for this broken system," said the protesting doctors.

Noted economist Abhijit Sen, advocate of MSP, passes away

Noted economist Abhijit Sen, advocate of MSP, passes away

Rediff.com30 Aug 2022

Economist Abhijit Sen, a former Planning Commission member and one of the country's foremost experts on rural economy, died on Monday night. He was 72.

Uday Kotak will be non-executive board member in Kotak Mahindra Bank

Uday Kotak will be non-executive board member in Kotak Mahindra Bank

Rediff.com15 Jul 2023

Ahead of the end of his term as the Kotak Mahindra Bank's chief executive and managing director, Uday Kotak has said he will be a "non-executive board governance member and a strategic shareholder" going ahead. In the private sector lender's annual report, the last such message from him as the MD and CEO before he relinquishes the position at the end of 2023, Kotak reminisced about the institution's journey, pointing out that Rs 10,000 invested in 1985 is worth over Rs 300 crore today. "Going forward, I see my role as a non-executive board governance member and a strategic shareholder with a long term perspective of nurturing a world class institution," Kotak said in the annual report.

Smriti Irani got a certificate for leadership programme: Yale University

Smriti Irani got a certificate for leadership programme: Yale University

Rediff.com11 Aug 2014

Yale University has issued a statement saying that Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani attended a weeklong programme and received a certificate from the university last year, along with several other lawmakers from India. George Joseph/Rediff.com reports from New York

China helping Pak army build defence infrastructure along LoC: Officials

China helping Pak army build defence infrastructure along LoC: Officials

Rediff.com25 Jun 2023

The officials said that the recently developed SH-15, a 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer gun, has also been spotted at some places along the Line of Control after it was displayed on Pakistan Day last year.

More services may come in tax net

More services may come in tax net

Rediff.com26 May 2006

Can Praveen Sood Get CBI The Public's Trust?

Can Praveen Sood Get CBI The Public's Trust?

Rediff.com25 May 2023

He takes over the CBI in challenging times. The perception is that the agency is reduced to being an instrument of blackmail and intimidation by successive governments.

Modi calls for global framework for ethical use of AI, flags bias

Modi calls for global framework for ethical use of AI, flags bias

Rediff.com27 Aug 2023

Modi called business communities and governments to work together to ensure usage of ethical AI as "we have to sense the potential disruptions in different sectors. This problem has to be solved under the global framework."

Micro-caps may give alpha returns in bull market

Micro-caps may give alpha returns in bull market

Rediff.com5 Jul 2023

Notwithstanding the risk involved, analysts are upbeat on micro-cap investing as India remains in a firm bull market. Moreover, these stocks are available at relatively cheaper valuations compared to large, mid and small caps, assuring alpha returns. With a market-capitalisation (market-cap) of up to Rs 10,000 crore, micro-cap stocks are outside the purview of Nifty 500 stocks, and are ranked from 501 to 750 in the market-cap ladder.

Cleared by HC, Dr Khan wants to be reinstated in UP medical services

Cleared by HC, Dr Khan wants to be reinstated in UP medical services

Rediff.com3 Sep 2020

He was suspended from Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College after several children died there in 2017, apparently due to the lack of oxygen cylinders at the government hospital.

SC rejects legal status for same-sex marriage, bats for queer rights

SC rejects legal status for same-sex marriage, bats for queer rights

Rediff.com17 Oct 2023

Directing the Centre, states and Union Territories (UTs) to ensure the queer community is not discriminated against, the CJI, who is heading the constitution bench, said queer is a natural phenomenon known for ages and is neither urban nor elitist.

Why Did Putin Target Vinnytsia?

Why Did Putin Target Vinnytsia?

Rediff.com15 Jul 2022

The university town of Vinnytsia in Ukraine, where scores of Indians have studied over the years, came under sudden Russian attack on Friday, July 14, 2022.

The Indian Education Scramble

The Indian Education Scramble

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

Tuition classes: Saviours or demons, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

Daily labourer's daughter cracks Indian Economic Service exam

Daily labourer's daughter cracks Indian Economic Service exam

Rediff.com4 Sep 2015

Aparajita Priyadarshini Behera has cracked UPSC's IES examination ranking 13 in all India list and credits her success to her father, a daily wage labourer.

Mukesh Ambani completes 20 years as Reliance boss

Mukesh Ambani completes 20 years as Reliance boss

Rediff.com28 Dec 2022

Mukesh Ambani, who took over the reins of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) after the sudden demise of his legendary industrialist father Dhirubhai Ambani, completes 20 years at the helm during which the company saw a 17-fold jump in revenues, 20-times surge in profit and has become a global conglomerate.

EPFO dumps CSC Aadhaar services after data theft

EPFO dumps CSC Aadhaar services after data theft

Rediff.com3 May 2018

Unique Identification Authority of India said the alleged data breach took place on a website that does not belong to it.

Govt plans to merge BBNL with BSNL this month

Govt plans to merge BBNL with BSNL this month

Rediff.com20 Mar 2022

The government is planning to merge Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited (BBNL) with the loss-making state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) this month, a senior official has said. BSNL chairman and managing director PK Purwar at a recent event organised by the All India Graduate Engineers and Telecom officers Association (AIGETOA) said that the government is giving the telecom firm an opportunity for a turnaround. "The government has taken a policy decision that BBNL is going to be merged into BSNL. "This means all work of BBNL at the pan-India level is going to come to BSNL," Purwar said at the All India Conference of AIGETOA on March 13.

'We Are Destroying The Constitution'

'We Are Destroying The Constitution'

Rediff.com4 Jul 2023

'We have to make people aware that the Constitution belongs to us.' 'We are the people who decide who will govern on our behalf.'

Swaminarayan temple in Sydney defaced with anti-India graffiti

Swaminarayan temple in Sydney defaced with anti-India graffiti

Rediff.com5 May 2023

A prominent Hindu temple in Sydney was defaced by "anti-social elements" on Friday with anti-India graffiti on the walls, in the latest incident of vandalism against Hindu temples in Australia ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country later this month.