News for 'Urban India'

Make 'Women's Safety' The Reason Why You Vote Next

Make 'Women's Safety' The Reason Why You Vote Next

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

'Days ago, India witnessed the horror of the brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor on night duty at the R G Kar hospital in Kolkata.' 'The crime was so outrageous that any self-respecting chief minister should have resigned, bearing moral responsibility.' 'But then the terms 'self-respect' and 'moral responsibility' do not exist in the modern Indian political lexicon,' argues Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

Retail inflation eases to 5-month low of 4.85% in March

Retail inflation eases to 5-month low of 4.85% in March

Rediff.com12 Apr 2024

Retail inflation declined to a five-month low of 4.85 per cent in March mainly due to cooling food prices, inching towards the Reserve Bank's target of 4 per cent, according to official data released on Friday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation was 5.09 per cent in February and 5.66 per cent in March 2023. Previously, CPI-based inflation was the lowest at 4.87 per cent in October 2023.

Ola Maps navigating beyond 'western apps'

Ola Maps navigating beyond 'western apps'

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

Bhavish Aggarwal, founder and chief executive officer of Ola, is encouraging developers to switch from Google Maps to Ola Maps. Ola is offering developers a year of free access to Ola Maps on the company's Krutrim Cloud and over Rs 100 crore in free credits. This initiative comes after Ola replaced Google Maps with its own Ola Maps, leading to annual savings of around Rs 100 crore.

Why Young Indians Are At Risk Of A Heart Attack

Why Young Indians Are At Risk Of A Heart Attack

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

It's important to take breaks, spend time with loved ones and engage in activities like yoga or meditation to help relax and relieve stress.

How India's urban poor also help the economy grow

How India's urban poor also help the economy grow

Rediff.com10 Jun 2013

Most informal enterprises in slums employ local residents, generating benefits for the local economy.

Lal Salaam Review: Boring!

Lal Salaam Review: Boring!

Rediff.com12 Feb 2024

Lal Salaam is not a movie A Ganesh Nadar would recommend.

Budget 'ignores' Maharashtra, focuses on Bihar, Andhra

Budget 'ignores' Maharashtra, focuses on Bihar, Andhra

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies on Tuesday welcomed the Union Budget and said it focussed on youth, farmers, women, and has 'substantial allocations' for Maharashtra, but the opposition slammed the annual financial statement, claiming it neglected the western state and only seeks to please the saffron outfit's partners in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Sidda convenes CLP meet on Aug 22 after guv's prosecution nod

Sidda convenes CLP meet on Aug 22 after guv's prosecution nod

Rediff.com18 Aug 2024

According to a statement issued by the chief minister's office, the meeting will be held in Vidhana Souda conference Hall.

Can election manifestos show the way to Viksit Bharat?

Can election manifestos show the way to Viksit Bharat?

Rediff.com18 Mar 2024

Elections are not won or lost by expounding on such macro-economic matters. For the aam admi, what matters in manifestos are promises that will improve their quality of life, notes Vinayak Chatterjee.

India, US armies 'fight' urban terror

India, US armies 'fight' urban terror

Rediff.com15 Oct 2009

Yudh Abhyas-09, as the exercise is called, is the first time that the US has taken its potent Stryker infantry armoured vehicles outside of its operational area to a foreign land.

BJP to fight TN urban civic polls alone, says alliance with AIADMK intact

BJP to fight TN urban civic polls alone, says alliance with AIADMK intact

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday announced that it would contest alone in the urban civic polls slated to be held on February 19, even while asserting that its alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in the state remained intact.

Over To The Rain Gods To Lift Consumer Mood

Over To The Rain Gods To Lift Consumer Mood

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

The 6.7% growth in Index of Consumer Sentiments in July 2022 is the highest since September 2021, explains Mahesh Vyas.

Multiple triggers ahead for affordable housing finance companies

Multiple triggers ahead for affordable housing finance companies

Rediff.com26 Jul 2024

Mortgage finance remains a structural growth opportunity in India with a policy focus on affordable housing, housing shortages, low mortgage penetration, and rising incomes as drivers. Affordable Housing Finance Companies (AHFCs) serve the mass market, low-income segments, which is the least-serviced category, and to operate in this segment, the mortgage provider needs good assessment skills. AHFCs and HFCs have also been increasing exposure in other mortgage segments (loan against property, developer loans among others).

How Co-living Is Helping Young Millennials

How Co-living Is Helping Young Millennials

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

'Factors such as working professionals seeking better lifestyles, traditional housing challenges, community and networking, and urban migration for jobs are driving the growth in the co-living segment.'

Gig workers Bill: Unease among startups

Gig workers Bill: Unease among startups

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

A group comprising top tech startups and unicorns has raised several "serious concerns" over a platform-based gig workers Bill proposed by the Karnataka government, saying it would hurt the ease of doing business. They told the state government the Bill in its current form would hamper operations and increase regulatory and compliance burden on the nascent gig and startup economy, according to sources.

Bhaiyyaji Brings Audiences To Theatres

Bhaiyyaji Brings Audiences To Theatres

Rediff.com27 May 2024

Manoj Bajpayee's 100th film earned Rs 6 million in its first weekend.

Aman eyes Mumbai/Delhi for urban hotel

Aman eyes Mumbai/Delhi for urban hotel

Rediff.com22 Sep 2018

'We have never compromised on the location of properties and that won't change.'

Coming! New Affordable Housing Scheme

Coming! New Affordable Housing Scheme

Rediff.com5 Feb 2024

The new scheme may be announced before the Lok Sabha elections.

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Govt defends Great Nicobar project amid criticism, cites national interest

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The central government's Great Nicobar development project, proposed around an unprecedented transhipment port, will be executed to keep environmental impact minimal, and is essential as it is of national importance, the government has said amid calls to abort the controversial project due to ecological concerns, the Centre said in an official statement.

India's jobless rate at 6-year low; wage employment share shrinks

India's jobless rate at 6-year low; wage employment share shrinks

Rediff.com11 Oct 2023

India's unemployment rate fell to a six-year low of 3.2 per cent in the July-June 2022-23 period, down from 4.1 per cent in the same period the previous year, according to the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report. The report, released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Monday, showed a decline in unemployment rates in both rural and urban areas during the 2022-23 period to 2.4 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively, from 3.2 per cent and 6.3 per cent in the 2021-22 period. The unemployment rate for rural women (1.8 per cent) was lower than that for rural men (2.7 per cent) in 2022-23; in urban areas, the rate was higher for females (7.5 per cent) compared to males (4.7 per cent).

15 STUNNING Wildlife Photos

15 STUNNING Wildlife Photos

Rediff.com19 Sep 2024

A sneak peek of some extraordinary entries for the 60th annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year event.

Severe heatwave likely in northwest, east in next 5 days: IMD

Severe heatwave likely in northwest, east in next 5 days: IMD

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

The heat wave is likely to impact parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal, the Met office said.

Over 100 mn consumers want to upgrade to 5G in India: Ericcson report

Over 100 mn consumers want to upgrade to 5G in India: Ericcson report

Rediff.com29 Sep 2022

More than 100 million users with 5G-ready smartphones wish to upgrade to a 5G subscription in 2023 while a majority of them are open to adopting a higher data-tiered plan in the next 12 months, a report by Ericsson Consumer Lab has shown. Titled "Promise of 5G in India", the study carried out in the second quarter this year reflects the views of 300 million urban smartphone users. According to the study, consumer 5G readiness remains one of the highest in the world.

Must Watch: Stories From Around The World

Must Watch: Stories From Around The World

Rediff.com1 Oct 2024

Aseem Chhabra's Top 10 Films/ Series from TIFF 2024 includes films that he watched for the first time in Toronto. The films were impressive due to their rigor, passion, unique storytelling style and sometimes exploring the vulnerable sides of big name stars.

Political Savvy Nirmalaji's Bold Budget

Political Savvy Nirmalaji's Bold Budget

Rediff.com3 Aug 2024

Few finance ministers announce any taxation measure that could upset the stock market. Ms Sitharaman decided to take that risk, observes A K Bhattacharya.

Why valuation of FMCG sector is likely to be attractive

Why valuation of FMCG sector is likely to be attractive

Rediff.com27 Mar 2024

The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector has underperformed the Nifty over the past year as its 20 per cent return is trumped by 29 per cent of the benchmark index. The FMCG index saw a 2.2 per cent drop in the last session, while the Nifty lost 1 per cent. FMCG is seen as a defensive segment. The demand for staples like personal care products, groceries and snacks tend to be stable. FMCG companies are consistent dividend-payers.

'Bullet Trains Aren't An Issue For Polls'

'Bullet Trains Aren't An Issue For Polls'

Rediff.com18 May 2024

'When there are no good roads and no buses plying to villages, your spending on development is skewed.'

Retail inflation eases to 11-month low of 4.83% in April

Retail inflation eases to 11-month low of 4.83% in April

Rediff.com13 May 2024

Retail inflation eased to an 11-month low of 4.83 per cent in April as prices of some kitchen items declined though overall food basket firmed up marginally, according to a government data released on Monday. The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation was 4.85 per cent in March. It was 4.7 per cent in April 2023.

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Budget: Time To Bet On Big Ideas

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

The generation of quality jobs and skill development should be the focal point, cutting across ministries and departments, asserts Nivedita Mookerji.

Jefferies stays bullish on PSU stocks: SBI, Coal India, NTPC lead the way

Jefferies stays bullish on PSU stocks: SBI, Coal India, NTPC lead the way

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

Notwithstanding the recent sharp decline in the stocks of public sector companies, analysts at Jefferies remain bullish on this segment. State Bank of India, Coal India, and NTPC are their top picks in this space, they said in a recent note. The public sector undertaking (PSU) or state-owned enterprise (SOE) index, with a 70-percentage-point outperformance versus the National Stock Exchange Nifty50 over the past 12 months, comes after a decade of underperformance before 2020.

India's unemployment rate at 6-year low of 3.2% during Jul 2022-Jun 2023

India's unemployment rate at 6-year low of 3.2% during Jul 2022-Jun 2023

Rediff.com10 Oct 2023

India's unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above was recorded at a six-year low of 3.2 per cent during July 2022-June 2023, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2022-2023 released by the National Sample Survey Office. Joblessness or unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons in the labour force. Considering the importance of the availability of labour force data at more frequent time intervals, the NSSO launched the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017.

Modi flags off 'Namo Bharat' train, India's 1st RRTS

Modi flags off 'Namo Bharat' train, India's 1st RRTS

Rediff.com20 Oct 2023

Modi showed the green flag to the train connecting Sahibabad and Duhai Depot stations, marking launch of the RRTS in India. The train can run at a speed of 180 km per hour,

Rural, urban households prefer private hospitals

Rural, urban households prefer private hospitals

Rediff.com12 Apr 2016

Access to private hospitals is a costly affair.

Future of digital payments in India

Future of digital payments in India

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

'The focus needs to shift towards the ability to collect payments, particularly in tier-3 to tier-4 areas where acceptance is still lacking.'

India faces a huge urban crisis

India faces a huge urban crisis

Rediff.com8 Feb 2008

India is facing a massive urban crisis, whose solution is nowhere in sight.

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Consumer goods firms likely to see an upswing after year of lull

Rediff.com24 Jul 2024

The Budget proposals are expected to boost the fortunes of consumer goods and fast-moving consumer goods companies, which have been struggling with poor consumer demand for more than a year. The Budget announcements, such as the increase in standard deduction by Rs 25,000 for income-tax payers and slab revisions, will put more money in their hands, boosting consumer demand. Private consumption is also likely to benefit from a new scheme to offer internships to 10 million youths in the country's top 500 companies.

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Growth Question Looms Large Over Chandigarh

Rediff.com28 May 2024

As Chandigarh braces for a fierce contest between Congress candidate Manish Tewari and the BJP's Sanjay Tandon, its industry leaders harbour a fervent wish: Replicate the success of the National Capital Region model in this Union Territory.

Budget 2024: Real estate sector bats for revival of affordable housing

Budget 2024: Real estate sector bats for revival of affordable housing

Rediff.com29 Jun 2024

The real estate sector wants "high-impact" measures, like special schemes and tax breaks for developers, to revive the fortunes of the affordable housing segment in the country, multiple executives told Business Standard. This segment has been struggling since the Covid-19 outbreak, in contrast to larger and costlier homes which have been selling like hot cakes. The demand comes at a time when the government is taking suggestions from industry players before tabling the General Budget in the Parliament next month.

Women's unemployment rate at 16-month low; labour participation declines

Women's unemployment rate at 16-month low; labour participation declines

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

The unemployment rate for women was last this low around Diwali in 2022. The unemployment rate has dropped for women from 14.9 per cent in December 2023 to 11 per cent in January 2024, according to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). It was higher in January 2023 at 13.5 per cent.

Economic Recovery can't be taken for granted

Economic Recovery can't be taken for granted

Rediff.com14 Jul 2021

The fall in urban sentiments in June is worrisome, observes Mahesh Vyas.