Govindraj Ethiraj

Stories by Govindraj Ethiraj

'Epidemic is more widespread than we believe'

'Epidemic is more widespread than we believe'

Rediff.com   17 May 2020

'We are making decisions in the dark, in fear.' 'Let us shine the light of science on this.' 'Let us actually get better numbers, so that we make better decisions.'

9 reasons India's rising credit card debt should worry you

9 reasons India's rising credit card debt should worry you

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2016

Next time you swipe, ask yourself, do you really need it or do you just want it?

Will a cess on services make Swachh Bharat a success?

Will a cess on services make Swachh Bharat a success?

Rediff.com   24 Nov 2015

The intial round of efforts did not achieve the objectives fully.

The idea of justice in India is indeed vague

The idea of justice in India is indeed vague

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2009

'We feel incensed about former President APJ Kalam's frisking at New Delhi airport but don't react as strongly or care about the fact that most children in the city or town you live in will not have a proper education.'

Why private airlines in India can be trusted

Why private airlines in India can be trusted

Rediff.com   4 Aug 2009

Their battle for survival has actually made them more reliable and brought better customer service to the industry.

Is Air India an airline?

Is Air India an airline?

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2009

Air India is a good example of a company that started out as a monopoly but has failed to do what Tata Steel did once the goody monopoly days were over - downsize and re-organise.

Why mainstream media will have to work harder

Why mainstream media will have to work harder

Rediff.com   23 Jun 2009

If the country's educated elite (within the 50 million internet number) is dissatisfied with MSM, then it will increasingly rely on emergent media, says Govindraj Ethiraj.

Keeping the financial doors half open

Keeping the financial doors half open

Rediff.com   9 Jun 2009

To be fair, the President's speech does separate the mention of large foreign investment flows (particularly foreign direct investment) from 'the need to augment resources in the banking and insurance sectors,' in turn 'to serve the needs of society better.' But the sentences follow each other -- the kind of wording which permits either forward movement or backtracking, depending on how matters develop, says Govindraj Ethiraj.

The ministers that really matter

The ministers that really matter

Rediff.com   26 May 2009

It's not clear how a party with a majority will do any better when our ability to tackle the roads, ports, power projects and airports problem has not shown marked improvement in the last five years.

Former RBI boss on global turbulence

Former RBI boss on global turbulence

Rediff.com   12 May 2009

The speeches that deserve the most attention are those that include one made in July 2004 in Mussoorie to a group of civil servants, titled 'India And The Global Economy', and one made in July 2008 in Manchester, titled Global Financial Turbulence and Financial Sector in India. And of course everything in between.

The sun shines on green shoots

The sun shines on green shoots

Rediff.com   29 Apr 2009

By the way, Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said while the banking and financial systems will need to stabilise first, at the moment he is seeing "green shoots". About time, considering all the fertiliser scattered around.

The real estate cookie crumbles

The real estate cookie crumbles

Rediff.com   14 Apr 2009

We should not be listening to the real estate sector's demands on interest rates. Clearly we know where the problem is, says Govindraj Ethiraj.

'These award-winning private banks'

'These award-winning private banks'

Rediff.com   31 Mar 2009

The private banks won laurels because they pulled the banking system out of a decades-long stupor, combining technology and aggressive marketing to win customers. Now the shoe is on the other foot

Is the ESOP dream run over?

Is the ESOP dream run over?

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2009

Companies are awarding even more stock to make up for the lost share prices. Except that the market, in its infinite wisdom, seems to be telling India's middle class millionaires that stock is no longer a currency for compensation, says Govindraj Ethiraj.

A dream run comes to an end

A dream run comes to an end

Rediff.com   3 Feb 2009

The stock market love affair is going sour.

Slumdog Millionaire in your right pocket

Slumdog Millionaire in your right pocket

Rediff.com   22 Jan 2009

For one, in India the digitisation of content, at least from a scale point of view, is only now beginning to take off.

The two faces of corporate dishonesty

The two faces of corporate dishonesty

Rediff.com   20 Jan 2009

Businessmen have clearly two kinds of rules and values, one for what they think they can't or should not do and second, what they are entitled to or at least their companies are.

Terror attacks: Media's role and its impact

Terror attacks: Media's role and its impact

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2008

Many are unhappy with the media, particularly the electronic media's, coverage of the Mumbai terror attacks.

India's terrible telecom networks

India's terrible telecom networks

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2008

Demand has outstripped capacity, not enough spectrum (in the case of mobile) and maybe not enough on-ground investment to keep data speeds high and voice quality good.

Why industry must cut prices

Why industry must cut prices

Rediff.com   9 Dec 2008

A slowing economy needs stimulus packages to bring back growth on the track. It is my belief that while the government has to do its bit in areas like infrastructure, hard and soft, the private sector is yet to do enough this time around.