Category Archives: Business & Economy

A sparkling exhibition

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

An exhibition of rare heirloom jewels is being organised in the city from May 11 to 13 at The Taj Krishna.

Being exhibited by Nirav Modi, Modi represents a fine jewellery brand bearing the name of a global diamantaire that combines diamonds and precious stones with the highest level of aestheticism, innovation and craftsmanship.

Its pieces have been sold both at Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses. In November 2010, with its exquisite Golconda Lotus Necklace, Nirav became the first Indian to be featured on the cover of the Christies auction catalogue joining the company of immortal jewellers like Bvlgari, Cartier and Harry Winston. More recently in October 2012, the brand set another milestone internationally, through the auction of the Riviere of Perfection neckpiece at Sotheby’s for a stellar 27 crores.

Born into a family of jewellers, Nirav carries forward a rich legacy of knowledge and appreciation for the art of jewellery making. His grandfather traded important diamonds in Mumbai from the 1940’s and his father is still an active diamantaire in Antwerp, Belgium,the rough diamond capital of the world.

Nirav grew up in Antwerp, a city renowned for its diamond trade. However, despite having grown up in Belgium, India and its heritage always presented a strong attraction for the jeweller.

He would visit Mumbai every summer during where he gained invaluable experience at various diamond and jewellery offices throughout the city. Nirav Modi jewellery blends Nirav’s strong sense of design and aesthetics, his family’s legacy, and his roots. The jewellery has been created with a view to match the splendour and tradition upheld by the maharajas.

The Nirav Modi Jewellery collection reflects the rich cultural heritage that the family has cultivated and preserved for over 60 years.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features – Hyderabad / May 03rd, 2013

Excellence on Tour flagged off in Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Showcasing Indo-German collaboration: Micheal Steiner (left) , German Ambassador in India, with Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan at the German House for Research and Innovation -Excellence on Tour 2013, in Hyderabad on Friday . - P.V. Sivakumar / The Hindu
Showcasing Indo-German collaboration: Micheal Steiner (left) , German Ambassador in India, with Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan at the German House for Research and Innovation -Excellence on Tour 2013, in Hyderabad on Friday . – P.V. Sivakumar / The Hindu

Hyderabad : 

An eight-day Excellence on Tour, an initiative by the German Government involving a variety of programmes to showcase Indo-German collaboration in science and technology, was flagged off here today.

The event is being organised by the German House for Research and Innovation, New Delhi and supported by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

The event will feature exhibitions, workshops, lectures, symposiums and cultural events. The Indo-German Science Slam will be one of the special attractions, witnessing researchers present their topic of interest in ten minutes.

The German Ambassador to India, Michael Steiner, and AP Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, inaugurated the event at Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology.

Interactive sessions with students and academicians during the event will cover topics such as molecular biology, non-invasive medical diagnostics, engineering sciences, geophysical research, climate change and astronomy.

The opening day also brings to India the renowned Guntur Bennung, popularly known as Clown Shiven, who has been travelling worldwide as a clown for 33 years.

The German Government has set up the German House for Research and Innovation in five countries, including Sao Paulo (Brazil), Moscow (Russua), New York, Tokyo and more recently in New Delhi. The New Delhi centre has 14 institutions from science and industry as members. Flagging off the event, Michael Steiner said although Indo-German collaboration was increasing in different fields, “we do not know enough about each other.” There was still a “knowledge gap”, he said, adding that such events would help bridge this gap. Narasimhan said technology by its very nature was penetrating and has gone far ahead than its alter ego, science. “We have become addicted to products of technology to entertain us and engross us. As a result the ‘human’ in us is diminished,” he pointed out.

The event will move on later this year to two more Indian cities—Ahmedabad and Kolkata.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by the Hindu Bureau – amitmirta@thehindu.co.in / Hyderabad, April 28th, 2013

NDDB pats Karimnagar Dairy for launching welfare schemes

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

National Dairy Development Board team inspects functioning of the dairy

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) authorities were all praise for the Karimnagar district milk producer company (Karimnagar Dairy) for launching several welfare schemes for the milk producers and also taking measures for increasing the milk production.

The eight-member NDDB team led by S.K. Dalaal is on a three-day tour of the district to inspect the functioning of the dairy activities, procurement of milk from villages, welfare schemes and other expansion programmes.

The NDDB team toured the villages on Thursday and on Friday and had meeting with the Karimnagar Dairy authorities, including chairman Ch. Rajeshwara Rao and managing director V. Hanumantha Reddy.

The NDDB authorities said that Karimnagar Dairy was doing well and there was a lot of scope for the expansion of its activities to meet the demand in the future.

The authorities said that they were also planning for the inclusion of Karimnagar Dairy in the National Dairy Plan to provide funds for the increasing the milk production, sources said.

The Karimnagar Dairy authorities explained to the NDDB team about the growth of the dairy over the last one decade with the farmer-friendly policies and increase of milk production and sales.

The NDDB authorities complimented the Karimnagar Dairy authorities for launching the ‘Paalanidhi’, a social security pension scheme to the milk producers, which was not existing in any dairy of Andhra Pradesh state.

  • NDDB planning to include Karimnagar Dairy in National Dairy Plan to provide funds
  • NDDB praises launching of ‘Paalanidhi’, a pension scheme for milk producers 

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Karimnagar, April 27th, 2013

Hay-granary technology still popular in Krishna

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology
A farmer proudly displays the traditional granary made of spliced hay for storing grains in Kuchipudi in Krishna District. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
A farmer proudly displays the traditional granary made of spliced hay for storing grains in Kuchipudi in Krishna District. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

Farmers having a land-holding of not less than four-acres are largely dependent on traditional ‘Purri (granary)’ method of storing foodgrains, arguably free from rot and rain affect.

Gone are the days in Krishna district where farmers had to depend on middlemen for selling crop, as they had no godown space to store the produce till it fetched remunerative price. In this traditional farmers’ technology, two-lines of large rope made of spliced hay is tied surrounding a mud-clad space created with gunny bags and the soil for basement.

While constructing the hay rope granary, some farmers use gunny bags to create necessary space, which is simultaneously filled by pouring grains, others make a tight rope tied around a mud wall. “The granary set up in open space would never absorb rainwater and grains are safe from any weather condition” said a woman farmer and entrepreneur M. Vijaya Lakshmi from Kuchipudi.

“It’s a method in which rotting of grains is never reported and even mice cannot gain entry due to its thickness and strength,” added Vijaya Lakshmi, who built 120-bag capacity granary outside her residence by spending Rs.1,500 for labour charges. The strength of the granary depends on how much hay is used in the making of the rope. Irrespective of height or width, each granary serves the purpose for two-years to store grains.

This kind of granary is largely being used to store paddy and blackgram in Krishna district. Unprecedented number of hay granaries welcome the visitor in the villages which are far from mandal headquarters, and which are plagued by poor transportation facilities. Even in Diviseema and Kuchipudi areas village elders said that the farmers in Krishna district used to store grain underground till 1980s.

While small farmers prefer the method of storing grains for their domestic needs, middle and big farmers construct it in business interest, and store the produce till price in market goes up. “This age-old rural technology is a boon for people like me as I have no space inside the house to store the produce,” said Peketi Seetarami Reddy of Kaja village in Movva.

Mr. Reddy, tenant farmer in 23 acres, also buys paddy from his fellow farmers at low prices and stores it for better marketing prices in his 150-bags capacity hay granary. Expert in making hay granary construction, 55-year-old K. Seetaramayya of Arisepalli is happy that the work keeps him busy every January and brings numerous orders. He reveals that he too set up a granary, storing barely 15-bags of paddy for domestic grain storage.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam, April 27th, 2013

Mahindra First Choice Services inaugurates COCO workshop in Nellore

Business & Economy

MahindraHF30apr2013

Mahindra First Choice Services Ltd.(MFCS), India’s popular multi-brand car workshop company, recently launched its Nellore workshop today. The facility is spread over 18,000 sq. ft with 15 bays and a monthly capacity of servicing 900+ cars of various brands. It was inaugurated by Mr. YVS Vijay Kumar, CEO,  Mahindra  First Choice Services.

Mr. YVS Vijay Kumar said “Nellore is one of the fastest growing places in Andhra Pradesh and we are delighted to be a part of this growth story. This expansion shows our commitment to the car owners in AP. This launch follows from the overwhelming response we received at our other two workshops in Hyderabad. Soon, we are going to add our third facility in Hyderabad.”

“We believe that the existing car workshops are unable to keep pace with the growing servicing needs of car owners in Nellore. This gap presented us with the opportunity to begin our operations here. Being a leading player in the multi-brand car workshop business in India, we are constantly endeavouring to provide customers with services which will offer them greater value and convenience. This workshop will function as a one-stop-shop for any brand of car which needs to be serviced or repaired. This is part of our strategy to address the after-market requirements of the entire category of car owners, irrespective of the brand that they own.” added Mr. Vijay Kumar.

MFCS offers skilled technicians, quality spare parts, state-of-the art equipment, free pick up & drop facility all geared to give a world class car servicing experience for any brand of car.

source:  http://www.motoroids.com / Motoroid / Home> News / by Yattarth Singh Chauhan / April 24th, 2013

Indianapolis highlights potential for cooperation, woos local firms

Business & Economy, World Opinion
New initiatives: Greg Ballard, Mayor of the City of Indianapolis at the CII interactive session in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Suresh Chitturi (left), Vice-Chairman and B. Ashok Reddy, Chairman of CII- Andhra Pradesh are also seen. — P.V. Sivakumar / Business Line
New initiatives: Greg Ballard, Mayor of the City of Indianapolis at the CII interactive session in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Suresh Chitturi (left), Vice-Chairman and B. Ashok Reddy, Chairman of CII- Andhra Pradesh are also seen. — P.V. Sivakumar / Business Line

Hyderabad :

The US city of Indianapolis has called upon Indian companies in the information technology and pharmaceuticals business to consider setting up their bases offering support.

A high-powered business delegation headed by Greg Ballard, Mayor of City of Indianapolis, capital city of the US State of Indiana, today interacted with industrialists at an event hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Andhra Pradesh.

Sharing the initiatives taken by Indianapolis, the Mayor said they have accorded priority for power generation through renewable energy sources. “We have huge wind farms and now solar photovoltaic units are being set up. There is potential for sharing knowhow for their implementation,” he said.

Raju Chinthala, President, Indianapolis Hyderabad Sister Committee, said Hyderabad was chosen for association amidst competition from Bangalore and Pune. There is a strong local community and more than 10,000 Indian families live there. This provides opportunities for collaboration.

“We are looking at student exchange programmes where those pursuing higher studies can come to Hyderabad for few weeks and train here. Likewise Indian students could experience the same in Indianapolis. This could cover higher education areas and even school children,” he said.

Traditionally, businesses tend to pick up some cities in the US and miss out on others with similar or even better opportunities. It is therefore, right time to consider Indianapolis. Indianapolis is strong in agriculture sector and is home for Dow Agro Sciences and Purdue Research, he said.

So far, two IT firms from Indianapolis have set up bases in Hyderabad. There is potential to share knowledge on agriculture practices and learning from research in Agriculture University here and Purdue. Hyderabad and Indianapolis have interesting similarities. Like outer ring road in Hyderabad, it has 465, a road network connecting airport, Raju said.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National /  by The Hindu  Bureau   rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in  / Hyderabad – April 16th, 2013

Nasscom invites applications for 10,000 start-up programme

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Nasscom, which recently launched its ‘10,000 start-ups’ programme, Wednesday announced inviting applications from innovative technology start-ups across the country.

The association has already received over 1,000 applications from budding start-ups since the launch of the programme and is expected to receive 5,000 applications in the next eight weeks.

Nasscom President Som Mittal told reporters that applicants should log on to start-up portal  www.10000startups.com

Nasscom will shortlist 500 entrepreneurs who will be eligible for funding of Rs.25 lakh to Rs.2 crore through the leading angel investor networks of the country.

Selected start-ups will be offered three to four months of incubation along with co-working space at affordable cost.

Under the programme, for which Google, Microsoft and others have partnered with Nasscom, 10,000 technology start-ups will be funded in 10 years.

“We expect 15 of these start-ups will be billion dollar companies,” he said.

The programme is expected to increase start-up funding by 10 times, seed funding by 20 times and start-up jobs by five times. Nasscom expects over 500,000 jobs will be created at the start-up level itself.

The selected start-ups will be provided with a start-up kit worth Rs.10 lakh comprising free business tools from Microsoft, AWS and Google.

Nasscom Wednesday signed MoUs with Hyderabad Angels as funding partner and with The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) and IIIT Hyderabad as incubators to collaborate and support the creation of an ecosystem to foster technology entrepreneurship.

“We have to create an environment where that early stage funding comes in,” Mittal said, adding that such early stage funding by professionals is lacking in the country.

Andhra Pradesh has been identified as an important start-up hub.

The number of start-ups in India has risen from 162 in 2006 to 450 in 2012.

Stating that massive markets erre emerging for start-ups in India, he said that Internet users were expected to rise to 650 million by 2025 while wireless users are likely to reach one billion.

Global opportunities are $17 billion in big data and $50 billion in enterprise mobility by 2015 and $50 billion in enterprise SAAS by 2025.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / Home> India News / by IANS / April 10th, 2013

Vodafone opens all-women store in Hyderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology
An all-women Vodafone Angel Store opened for business in Hyderabad on Tuesday. -- P. V..Sivakumar / The Hindu
An all-women Vodafone Angel Store opened for business in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — P. V..Sivakumar / The Hindu

Hyderabad : 

Vodafone India launched its first store run and managed entirely by women employees in Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad today.

This is the 13th such store of the company and operates under the brand name ‘Vodafone Angel Store’.

“We have launched this concept as part of our commitment to women empowerment. We are opening one store in each State and will subsequently expand the network,” Mandeep Singh Bhatia, Business Head-Andhra Pradesh, said.

Right from security to management-level personnel, these stores have all-women staff. Women employees constitute about 13 per cent of the company’s total staff.

Bhatia said its current subscriber base in the State was about six million. “We have achieved about 75 per cent coverage across the State through 8,300 towers,” he said adding that it did not have immediate plans to expand its tower network.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by The Hindu Bureau   amitmitra@thehindu.co.in /  Hyderabad, April 09th, 2013

Beltek introduces vitamin rich ‘Wild Water’ in Andhra Pradesh

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Beltek Canadian Water Limited has introduced vitamin enriched ‘Wild Water’ for the first time in Andhra Pradesh. The vitamin enriched Wild Water promises to nourish people with all the necessary vitamins like Vitamin A, B & C along minerals like Zinc.

The demand for pure water with all ingredients is growing in Andhra Pradesh. There are numerous tiny water plants that have mushroomed in every street doing crores of rupees of business annually. Many are unregistered and follow no proper quality and safety measures.

Having realised the growing demand for enriched water, Beltek Canadian Water Limited has introduced this life style beverage which promises to nourish with natural flavours, natural colours, and the goodness of Vitamins.

The Wild Water is available in three flavours which include Tropical citrus, flavoured energise, lemon flavoured reload and dragon fruit flavoured Immunity. Wild Water has no preservatives, has low sugar and focuses on tasty hydration thus meeting the needs of calorie-conscious consumers. With no seasonality factor the all weather lifestyle drink Wild-Water not only provides a dose of vitamins it is also prepared with finest ingredients from USA, contains mouth-watering flavours that shine through as well as maintains International Quality Standard.

Steve Verma, Director, Beltek Canadian Water Limited said, “Till now Vitamin Enriched Water has only been available outside India. Wild Water with its goodness is an entirely new category in the Rs. 300 Crore (excluding energy drink) Indian functional drink arena. The Natural flavoured water with the goodness of Vitamins is the best thing people can get today even internationally.”

While Tropical Citrus flavoured energise comes with the benefit of Vitamins C & B along with Guarana extracts, Lemonade flavoured reload is available with the benefits of Vitamins A, B & C along with electrolytes and the Dragon Fruit flavoured Immunity with Vitamin B, C & Zinc.

Available at an attractive price of Rs. 70, Wild Water is already present in leading stores of Delhi/ NCR and soon will be entering other Indian cities. The company has signed upcoming Indian film and stage actor Shazahn Padamsee as the brand ambassador to promote Wild Water.

Each batch of Wild Water undergoes a rigorous test procedure to maintain International Standard quality and excellence. The concoction has been formulated with the least possible amount of Pure Cane Sugar, is an excellent healthy alternative to sweetened juices, colas and fizzy drinks.

source: http://www.pharmabiz.com / PharmaBiz / Home> Top News> Product Launches / by the PharmaBiz Bureau team / Hyderabad, Tuesday – April 09th, 2013

Switzerland invites Indian investments

Business & Economy, World Opinion

 

Switzerland Consul General Rolf Frei interacting with investors at a seminar in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. /. Photo: K.R. Deepak / The Hindu
Switzerland Consul General Rolf Frei interacting with investors at a seminar in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. /. Photo: K.R. Deepak / The Hindu

Visakhapatnam : 

Visakhapatnam, as a fast-developing city, can look to Switzerland and the local companies can form joint ventures with Swiss companies in many sectors to mutual advantage, Bangalore-based Consulate General of Switzerland Rolf Frei has said.

He was interacting with local industrialists and investors at a session organised here on Wednesday evening by the Vizagapatam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

On his maiden visit to the city, he said that he was very impressed with the facilities and the beauty of the city.

“The way I am being received is quite amazing. The city and its people are very warm and beautiful. When my flight was landing, I was thrilled to see the panoramic view of the blue waters of Bay of Bengal and the hills,” he said.

He said the Switzerland Government was looking at strengthening the bilateral ties in trade and commerce. The Consulate office was opened in Bangalore two years ago recognising the immense investment potential in and from South India.

Frei said the Government was looking at investment opportunities in tourism, infrastructure, information and communication technology, retail, life-sciences, clean technologies, research and development and education.

“Many from South India are investing in Switzerland because it’s the gateway to Europe and has excellent infrastructure and tax incentives,” he stated.

Biotech and IT offices have been opened with an investment of $1 billion by Indians in Switzerland. The Swiss investment in India is of the order of $4 billion. “We have made a big Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India,” he said.

Thirty Indian companies with interest in Europe have so far opened their offices in Switzerland. “We have stable political environment, skilled manpower and excellent infrastructure. Low taxes are the main attraction,” he said.

Frei said 20 to 30 per cent of foreign tourists, who visit Switzerland every year, were from India. “Our tourist spots, round the year particularly in summer from May to September offer a fabulous experience to tourists. Every, at least 20-30 Indian films are shot in Switzerland. It is a favourite spot with Indian film makers,” he remarked.

Chamber President K. Ramabrahmam, Symbiosys CEO O. Naresh Kumar, and others spoke on the advantages of investing in Visakhapatnam and urged the Consul-General to bring in a delegation of Swiss industrialists and others the next time with him to showcase Vizag.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> Economy / by CH. R. S. Sarma  sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in / Visakhapatnam, March 21st, 2013