News for 'pre-Covid'

Miss Universe: 'Beauty is within us, be real'

Miss Universe: 'Beauty is within us, be real'

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

'It is not about how one looks, but how they feel. It is about how beautiful we are on the inside.'

IPL will have two-and-half month window in next FTP: Shah

IPL will have two-and-half month window in next FTP: Shah

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

BCCI secretary Jay Shah spoke on a range of subjects related to Indian cricket, IPL's place in the global cricket calendar, running the cricket establishment in times of COVID-19 and the road ahead for both Indian cricket and IPL.

Further rise in bond yields seen; oil likely at $100/barrel

Further rise in bond yields seen; oil likely at $100/barrel

Rediff.com1 Mar 2021

The rise in US bond yields spooked investors last week and there could a further increase given the inflation dynamics, according to Christopher Wood, global head of equity strategy at Jefferies. "The US bond market sell-off has continued over the past week, and with it the increased potential for an inflation scare. "Still, there is plenty of scope for bonds to sell off more since the last time the 5-year forward inflation expectation rate was running at current levels (namely in early December 2018), the 10- and 30-year bond yields were significantly higher at 2.91 per cent and 3.17 per cent, respectively," the market guru said in his newsletter GREED & fear. The 10-year and 30-year US Treasury finished at 1.34 per cent and 2.13 per cent, respectively, last week.

IT cos' revenues to grow up to 9% in FY22: Icra

IT cos' revenues to grow up to 9% in FY22: Icra

Rediff.com14 Jan 2021

Demand for digital technologies and resumption of normal economic activities will drive sales for IT companies, and the sector will post a revenue growth of up to 9 per cent in 2021-22, a report said on Thursday. Rating agency Icra gave a "stable" outlook for the sector, whose size is pegged at over $180 billion by industry lobby Nasscom, including the business process outsourcing business. The IT services sector's revenues will rise between 7-9 per cent in rupee terms and between 5-8 per cent in dollar terms in 2021-22, it estimated.

How loan restructuring scheme can impact your finances

How loan restructuring scheme can impact your finances

Rediff.com2 Oct 2020

The accumulated interest will increase the principal and you will have to pay a higher rate. Borrowers should take the restructuring plan only after they are convinced they have exhausted all other options.

9 Mercs, 21 BMWs... Luxury car sales soar in Patna

9 Mercs, 21 BMWs... Luxury car sales soar in Patna

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

While the rich are buying expensive luxury vehicles in Patna, the poor continue to suffer. The pandemic, discovers M I Khan, has cast new light on the stark economic divide in the capital city of Bihar, India's poorest state.

Black Friday Sale receives good response, shoppers throng stores, websites

Black Friday Sale receives good response, shoppers throng stores, websites

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

Black Friday sales in India received a good response as brands dropped their prices making customers queue up outside stores where discounts were steeper. Discounts were offered both online and offline. Most of the international brands in India offered discounts under the Black Friday Sale banner. The Black Friday Sale started in the US on the Friday after Thanksgiving Thursday. The day typically marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season ahead of the festival.

Want to buy a Lamborghini?

Want to buy a Lamborghini?

Rediff.com2 Jan 2021

A flurry of new models like the Huracan STO, Huracan EVO RWD Spyder will arrive in India in 2021.

Is it Time to Invest in Gold?

Is it Time to Invest in Gold?

Rediff.com26 Jul 2021

'Avoid going overweight on gold. But maintain a 10 per cent allocation via sovereign gold bonds,' Bajaj Capital MD Sanjiv Bajaj tells Sarbajeet K Sen.

Omicron: PM asks officials to review easing international travel curbs

Omicron: PM asks officials to review easing international travel curbs

Rediff.com27 Nov 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Saturday briefed about the new 'Omicron' variant of the coronavirus, and he asked officials to review the plans to ease international travel restrictions in light of the 'emerging new evidence.'

India most booked destination globally in 2020, Delhi on top: Oyo report

India most booked destination globally in 2020, Delhi on top: Oyo report

Rediff.com31 Dec 2020

In December, over 1.7 million people have checked in over the weekends.

Festivals boost demand for gig workers as economy opens up: Experts

Festivals boost demand for gig workers as economy opens up: Experts

Rediff.com21 Oct 2021

Amid the ongoing festival season in the country, the hiring of gig workers has zoomed across sectors as the businesses have begun opening up leading to an uptick in consumer sentiments and rising pent-up demand, according to experts. "In the third quarter, with the onset of festive season, we are witnessing a 400 per cent spike in the hiring for gig workers. Earlier, in the first quarter of this year, as many businesses and companies were not operating at full strength, growth was muted. "However, things began picking up and became more promising from the second quarter, as the demand for gig workers across sectors grew," Taskmo, a subsidiary of Quess Corp, co-founder Prashant Janadri told PTI.

Air passenger traffic won't recover anytime soon

Air passenger traffic won't recover anytime soon

Rediff.com24 May 2021

The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to delay recovery in air passenger traffic with an 80-85 per cent growth year-on-year this fiscal against the earlier estimate of 130-135 per cent, ratings agency ICRA said on Monday. The domestic passenger traffic, which witnessed a steady ramp-up after resumption of airport operations since May 25 last year and reached 64 per cent of the previous year levels in February, has again suffered a setback, the ratings agency said in a report. The spike in coronavirus infections towards March-end and April has resulted in several state governments implementing fresh restrictions, resulting in a marginal 0.7 per cent de-growth sequentially in traffic in March.

Subsidy bill nears Rs 6 lakh cr mainly on extra free foograin distribution

Subsidy bill nears Rs 6 lakh cr mainly on extra free foograin distribution

Rediff.com1 Feb 2021

The government's subsidies on food, fertilisers, LPG and kerosene are pegged at Rs 5.96 lakh crore in the current fiscal, over 2.5-fold jump from the initial budget estimates as the Centre distributed additional foodgrains free of cost to help poor mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2020 Budget, presented in the pre-COVID scare, the government had estimated the subsidy bill at Rs 227,794 crore. However, all the budget estimates, have undergone major revisions as the country imposed strict lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19.

20% remained without work six months after losing jobs to lockdown: study

20% remained without work six months after losing jobs to lockdown: study

Rediff.com28 Jan 2021

The survey showed that women workers fared worse than men when it came to employment recovery (53 per cent versus 57 per cent) and urban areas have been much worse hit despite a quicker bounce back.

Govt permits meals on flights; airlines can put flyers on no-fly list for refusing to wear mask

Govt permits meals on flights; airlines can put flyers on no-fly list for refusing to wear mask

Rediff.com28 Aug 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in-flight meal service was not permitted on domestic flights since their resumption on May 25. On international flights, only pre-packed cold meals and snacks were being served depending on the flight duration since May this year.

UPI transactions cross 1 billion in first 15 days of October

UPI transactions cross 1 billion in first 15 days of October

Rediff.com21 Oct 2020

In this month itself, UPI can hit 2 billion transactions and by March 2021, it should reach 2.15 billion transactions in a month.

E-com sales may cross $9-bn GMV this season

E-com sales may cross $9-bn GMV this season

Rediff.com24 Sep 2021

E-commerce firms Amazon, Flipkart, and others are expected to witness blockbuster festival season sales of around $9 billion this year, surpassing pre-pandemic sales of $5 billion in 2019. The pandemic has accelerated the shift to e-commerce, with more consumers shopping online at a higher frequency than last year, observed analysts. This year's festival sales (gross merchandise value or GMV) are expected to grow 30 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to $4.8 billion during the first week of the season and potentially clock over $9-billion GMV during the whole festival month, revealed consulting firm RedSeer's e-commerce festival season report.

At Rs 9500 cr, Tatas' buyout of BigBasket will be biggest in online grocery space

At Rs 9500 cr, Tatas' buyout of BigBasket will be biggest in online grocery space

Rediff.com17 Feb 2021

The deal, which is expected to close in the next four to five weeks, will give exit to investors Alibaba, Abraaj Group and IFC. The parties are awaiting approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

Is yoga India's favourite workout?

Is yoga India's favourite workout?

Rediff.com24 Nov 2020

There was a surge in the demand for virtual classes for yoga (87%) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) cardio workouts such as Zumba (72%), aerobics (67%), and pilates (22%).

How Mercedes is gaining speed in a slowing car market

How Mercedes is gaining speed in a slowing car market

Rediff.com1 Oct 2020

From watches and sunglasses to trekking/fitness bicycles, online shoppers seem ready to loosen purse strings.

Bharat Petroleum likely to sell 7.3% treasury stock in bulk deal

Bharat Petroleum likely to sell 7.3% treasury stock in bulk deal

Rediff.com29 Sep 2020

Going by the current market cap of Rs 83,451.15 crore, 7.33 per cent stake in BPCL is expected to be valued around Rs 6,117 crore.

McDonald's @ 25: A peek into its ambitious India plans

McDonald's @ 25: A peek into its ambitious India plans

Rediff.com14 Sep 2021

When Amit Jatia, vice-chairman of Westlife Development (WLDL), which operates fast-food chain McDonald's in West and South India, wanted to become the American fast-food giant's local partner in 1995, he had to first convince his family he would remain a staunch vegetarian. As McDonald's - home of the iconic Big Mac - completes 25 years in India, being one of the largest operators in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) segment in the country with over 300 outlets, Jatia has held on to the promise he made to his family. Not one to sit back and watch anyone flip the Big Mac, he gets straight to the meat of the matter when he says McDonald's success menu will see the QSR expand its ever-hungry 'foodprint' by doubling the number of joints and increasing its average unit volume by 35-40 per cent in five years.

Is Gurugram going the Kolkata way?

Is Gurugram going the Kolkata way?

Rediff.com21 Nov 2021

Militant labour policies compounded a poor security environment for capital in West Bengal and encouraged the business community to relocate. constraining the private sector's right to hire freely could well be the coup de grace. As with Calcutta/Kolkata, it will probably take a decade for Gurgaon/Gurugram to feel the difference, says Kanika Datta.

 Will Mondelez's Christmas cookie work?

Will Mondelez's Christmas cookie work?

Rediff.com23 Dec 2020

The company expects Bournvita Crunchy to strengthen its presence in the cookie segment.

Australian Open players begin leaving COVID-19 quarantine

Australian Open players begin leaving COVID-19 quarantine

Rediff.com28 Jan 2021

Unlike the United States and European countries, which are battling to contain the virus, Australia has not had a case of community transmission for 11 straight days and residents have regained most of their pre-COVID freedoms.

Weird case of why L&T lost 14 large orders in India

Weird case of why L&T lost 14 large orders in India

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India's largest construction and engineering player, has lost as many as 14 large orders in the country because companies that don't possess adequate technical expertise and experience, of late, have won the projects by bidding lower, claimed A M Naik, non-executive chairman of L&T. But the company has made up for the losses by winning projects overseas, where it has acquired a sizeable market share amid tough competition from large global players, he said.

Air India to send certain employees on leave without pay

Air India to send certain employees on leave without pay

Rediff.com16 Jul 2020

Employees can be sent on LWP for six months or for a period of two years extendable up to five years, depending upon the following factors - suitability, efficiency, competence, quality of performance, health of the employee, instance of non-availability of the employee for duty in the past as a result of ill health or otherwise and redundancy.

The A is now The Quorum: Rana Kapoor family-led business club changes hands

The A is now The Quorum: Rana Kapoor family-led business club changes hands

Rediff.com25 Jan 2021

The Quorum in Mumbai aims to introduce and extend its blend of hospitality and philosophy of being community-led, content-driven, design-focused and experiential.

'Shilpa Shetty is simply stunning'

'Shilpa Shetty is simply stunning'

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

'It's so amazing that she doesn't look a day older than 25.'

Realtors hope for sunny 2022 with better sales

Realtors hope for sunny 2022 with better sales

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

India's real estate industry staged a rebound from 2020's downturn, with housing sales seen rising by over 50 per cent. The performance, though short of pre-COVID levels, has property developers hoping for stronger gains in the New Year and the beginning of a long upcycle. A strong foundation has been laid this year for revival in the Indian real estate sector, which is projected to reach $1 trillion mark by 2030 from $200 billion in the pre-pandemic year.

Hotels and travel firms look for summer relief

Hotels and travel firms look for summer relief

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

Holidayers, including those who would head overseas between April and June, are set to escape to the hills, beaches, and resorts in the country. This is to fend off the heat and beat the pandemic blues, indicates the initial bookings and online search trends.

Top medical body favours phased school reopening

Top medical body favours phased school reopening

Rediff.com28 Sep 2021

Evidence indicates that restoration of functioning of the education system as it was in pre-Covid times, as early as possible appears prudent in the current Indian context, they said.

After a decade in Opposition, 2021 sees DMK's return to power in Tamil Nadu

After a decade in Opposition, 2021 sees DMK's return to power in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com23 Dec 2021

After a gap of 10 years, the DMK snatched the reins of power from arch rival AIADMK, with its president M K Stalin leading the party to a stellar performance and in the process, helming the state as chief minister for the first time.

FMCG story slides into slow lane; Britannia bucks the trend

FMCG story slides into slow lane; Britannia bucks the trend

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

While green shoots are beginning to emerge, with June sales rebounding to pre-Covid levels thanks to a rural revival, most FMCG chief executives have voiced concerns about localised lockdowns that began in July and have extended into August in some states.

In times of COVID, how travel firms plan to generate revenue

In times of COVID, how travel firms plan to generate revenue

Rediff.com6 Aug 2020

While Yatra is building a digital services platform to offer skill development training and sourcing solutions to corporate, Thomas Cook has partnered ICMR-accredited labs to offer Covid-19 certification, and MakeMyTrip is offering chartered flight services.

Passenger vehicle retail sales dip 9% in Oct: FADA

Passenger vehicle retail sales dip 9% in Oct: FADA

Rediff.com9 Nov 2020

Automobile dealers' body FADA on Monday said passenger vehicle (PV) retail sales in October witnessed a year-on-year decline of 8.8 per cent to 2,49,860 units, as registrations slowed down owing to supply issues. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), which collected vehicle registration data from 1,257 out of the 1,464 regional transport offices (RTOs), PV sales stood at 2,73,980 units in October 2019. Two-wheeler sales declined 26.82 per cent to 10,41,682 units last month, as compared to 14,23,394 units in October 2019.

In India, cash will remain king for many more years

In India, cash will remain king for many more years

Rediff.com16 Nov 2021

Rapid strides in digital payments notwithstanding, the Indian economy will likely remain cash-dependent for many years to come, at least that's what the automated teller machine makers and cash logistics companies are betting on. After growing at over 20 per cent for most of 2020, currency in circulation growth fell to 8.5 per cent as of October 29 this year, shows data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The reason for the steep rise in currency last year was the uncertainties related to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, where people preferred to hoard cash to meet exigencies.

Markets are sending clear message

Markets are sending clear message

Rediff.com24 Dec 2020

The broadening of the market rally sends the signal that growth will be broad-based, observes Akash Prakash.

28.32 lakh people travelled by air this Aug

28.32 lakh people travelled by air this Aug

Rediff.com16 Sep 2020

While IndiGo carried 16.82 lakh passengers, a 59.4 per cent share of the total domestic market, SpiceJet flew 3.91 lakh passengers, which is 13.8 per cent share of the total market, the DGCA data noted.