Avishek Rakshit

All stories by Avishek Rakshit

Eveready hopes to ride the anti-China wave

Eveready hopes to ride the anti-China wave

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

50 per cent of the flashlights market in the country is dominated by Chinese imports, which have been increasing.

Tension at China border leaves tea companies in a stir

Tension at China border leaves tea companies in a stir

Rediff.com31 May 2020

Planters from Assam said despite the Covid-19 pandemic, trade enquiries from China had been rising. However, owing to the growing conflict, enquiries may dry up. 'We have seen how the trade dried up in case of the Pakistan conflict and fear the same,' a planter from Assam said.

Harsh Lodha is back as director in 2 MP Birla group firms following court nod

Harsh Lodha is back as director in 2 MP Birla group firms following court nod

Rediff.com6 May 2020

The order, which set aside the August 9 ruling of a single-judge bench, prevented the group entities from publishing the voting results of the last AGM. However, the firms will now be able to execute decisions taken at the AGM last year. People in the know said the Birlas would appeal against the order in a higher court.

COVID-19: Ayurvedic products become increasingly popular

COVID-19: Ayurvedic products become increasingly popular

Rediff.com30 Apr 2020

The pandemic has resulted in a change in consumer lifestyles, with an increased focus on preventive healthcare remedies leading to a surge in demand for immunity-positioned supplements, including Ayurvedic medicines and products, as consumers pursue different ways to combat the virus.

Here's some good news for India's tea lovers

Here's some good news for India's tea lovers

Rediff.com29 Apr 2020

Tea estates across Assam and West Bengal, which were hitherto closed owing to the lockdown, opened in April.

Imported raw material scarcity hits FMCG firms

Imported raw material scarcity hits FMCG firms

Rediff.com25 Apr 2020

Industry officials say the crunch has not only affected manufacturing of edibles but even of items like nozzle pumps and other goods used in packaging.

Tea planters' cup of woes is spilling over

Tea planters' cup of woes is spilling over

Rediff.com22 Apr 2020

The tea industry, hit by rising costs, falling prices and political unrest in the North Bengal plantations, is especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Domino's boys to deliver ITC atta, spices apart from hot pizzas

Domino's boys to deliver ITC atta, spices apart from hot pizzas

Rediff.com3 Apr 2020

A combo pack of ITC-owned Aashirvaad atta and spices including chili, coriander and turmeric powders will be available on Domino's app. The service will be available in Bengaluru first and will then be expanded to Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Rs 2000 cr of losses brewing for tea cos this year

Rs 2000 cr of losses brewing for tea cos this year

Rediff.com29 Mar 2020

Rough estimates from plantation companies have pegged production loss in excess of 100 million kg (mkg) across India which is valued at around Rs 2000 crore. Usually, plantation companies in Assam and West Bengal produce around 15 per cent of the total tea during March-April.

How ITC, Godfrey Phillips plan to expand market share

How ITC, Godfrey Phillips plan to expand market share

Rediff.com25 Feb 2020

ITC has introduced differentiated cigarettes like Gold Flake Indie Mint, Gold Flake Neo and Classic Rich & Smooth in the premium end. Godfrey, too, introduced flavoured variants like Four Square Clove Crush in the mid-tier segment and has seven variants of the Marlboro brand for India.

ITC is first to hike cigarette prices post budget

ITC is first to hike cigarette prices post budget

Rediff.com12 Feb 2020

While the American Club Cool Fresh Taste saw the minimum hike of 10 per cent, from Rs 200 to Rs 220 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, the price of Navy Cut Filter rose by about 16 per cent, at Rs 80 for a pack of 10 sticks. Flake Filter has become costlier by 14 per cent at Rs 80, while prices of Flake Special Filter, Flake Blue Special Filter and Wave Cool Mint rose by 20 per cent.

How FMCG majors are tackling slowdown in rural demand

How FMCG majors are tackling slowdown in rural demand

Rediff.com9 Feb 2020

Nearly all FMCG companies like Marico, HUL, ITC and the rest have been indicating that the operating environment has been challenging, with drop in consumption, especially in rural areas, severe crunch in market liquidity conditions, and disruptions and floods in several parts of the country. To overcome this, they are boosting their direct reach in the countryside.

As financial crisis deepens, tea estates are up for sale

As financial crisis deepens, tea estates are up for sale

Rediff.com22 Jan 2020

The root of the problem, according to industry officials, is the sudden stoppage of lines of credit to tea plantation companies.

Will anti-CAA protests help Mamata?

Will anti-CAA protests help Mamata?

Rediff.com14 Jan 2020

'When violence spread, it looked as if Mamata was losing control, but soon, she was able to contain the situation.' 'Now, the TMC stands to gain the most.'

In Bengal, CAA causes fissures amid BJP leaders

In Bengal, CAA causes fissures amid BJP leaders

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

BJP leaders in the state are either lying low or criticising the CAA move in hushed tones. Chandra Kumar Bose, vice-president of the BJP's state unit, is most vocal with his opposition to the Act in the current form. "The country is above petty party politics. How can I keep quiet when I see that something is happening which is wrong in its current form?" Other party leaders aren't as vocal as Bose but clandestinely have been questioning the merit of the CAA and its impact on the BJP's prospects in the state. In fact, at a time when the BJP started making deep inroads in the state, the fear of the CAA and the NRC appears to be ruining its prospects.

Coming soon, the Lamborghini home in next six months

Coming soon, the Lamborghini home in next six months

Rediff.com21 Dec 2019

The family that used to make the legendary sports car wants to bring the same design panache to luxury flats.

Danone to enter new product categories with Protinex

Danone to enter new product categories with Protinex

Rediff.com9 Dec 2019

The company believes that Protinex's current powder form limits the scope of expanding the business and hence, diversification into new categories is essential for its growth.

Iran set to topple Russia as India's largest tea importer

Iran set to topple Russia as India's largest tea importer

Rediff.com5 Dec 2019

Under the trade agreement between India and Iran, the West Asian country can pay India in rupees for its imports against oil exports to India, which New Delhi pays for in Iranian rial.

Kolkata turns pink for day-night Test

Kolkata turns pink for day-night Test

Rediff.com23 Nov 2019

Kolkata sheds its white-blue nocturnal hue with pink ball day-night Test.

Canon mulls plants in India to hedge against US-China trade war

Canon mulls plants in India to hedge against US-China trade war

Rediff.com5 Sep 2019

Firm is conducting feasilbility studies on setting up units in 40 countries, will take final call based on global fallout of trade spat.

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