Tag: Why

Why business expectations are so tepid despite recovery in Indian economy

Loknath Das

The government cannot let the recovery in the Indian economy take its own sweet time, not with the elections less than a year away. Photo: Mint The Nikkei India Composite PMI Output index, a gauge of private sector economic activity in both the manufacturing and services sectors, came in at a strong 54.2 for July, up from 52.6 in June. A reading above 50 denotes expansion, while one below 50 indicates contraction from the previous month. As Chart 1 shows, the composite PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) is at its highest level…

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Family finance: Why Pune-based Agarwals are on the right track to achieving their money goals

Loknath Das

Sahil Agarwal, an IT consultant, stays with his homemaker wife and one-year-old child, in Pune. He stays on rent, even though he has his own house, which provides a rental income of Rs 12,000 a month. Combined with Agarwal’s monthly salary of Rs 91,000, his total income comes to Rs 1.03 lakh. The household expenses amount to Rs 57,000, insurance premium accounts for Rs 4,583, and Rs 25,000 is put into investments. This leaves Agarwal with a surplus of Rs 16,417. His portfolio comprises a house worth Rs 70 lakh, cash of…

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Maruti S-Cross selling 4 times the Renault Duster: Here’s why

Loknath Das

Maruti Suzuki S-Cross has picked up the pace on the sales chart after a facelifted version of the car was launched. The S-Cross is sold as a premium crossover on the market and the car has picked up a lot of buyers in the past few months. The S-Cross has become so popular on the market that it is now outselling the once-popular Renault Duster by four times on an average. In the month of June, Renault sold 1,165 units of the Duster, while Maruti sold as many as 4,128…

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Why India needs a new higher education regulator

Loknath Das

The Union ministry of human resource development (MHRD) on Wednesday released a draft Act to replace the University Grants Commission (UGC) with a new regulator for the critical higher education sector. The regulator — Higher Education Commission of India — will focus on the quality of institutions. The the job of financial grant distribution, earlier with the commission, will now come under the ministry’s purview. This decision of transferring financial powers to the MHRD has upset some. On Thursday, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association said it will result in an…

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Little globetrotters: Here’s why luxury destinations are wooing the kids

Loknath Das

During a six-month backpacking tour of Southeast Asia, Maximo and Sebastian Tuscano pit-stopped for four nights at the Andaman, a 178-room Luxury Collection resort on a lush bay in Langkawi, Malaysia. They marvelled at the fauna in the surrounding rainforest—the flying lemurs, dusky leaf monkeys, more than 300 species of butterflies—and swam in the lagoon-style swimming pool. They hunted hermit crabs, helped a marine biologist feed specimens at an on-site coral nursery, and participated in pirate-themed games and crafts. In all, it was the perfect way for Maximo and Sebastian,…

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Mahindra Bolero back in India’s top 10 selling cars: Why it’s still so popular

Loknath Das

The Mahindra Bolero has made it to India’s top 10 selling cars yet again, with 9,104 copies sold. Over 15 years old, the Bolero continues to be a very strong seller. In fact, it’s India’s best selling multi utility vehicle (MUV), and has retained this status for many years. What makes the Bolero so popular in India? Well, the lack of a solid alternative. Major sales of the Bolero come from the rural and semi-urban markets of India, where the MUV has no match really. The Tata Sumo is the…

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Why now is the time for travel brands to go mobile-first

Loknath Das

It’s popular to talk about the impact that smartphones have had and with good reason. In recent years, since smartphone introduction, there has been a dramatic shift in the way people engage with brands online. Today, the majority of people interact with brands on a mobile device, not on a computer. But many travel companies haven’t caught up yet with this trend. In the US, Sojern data shows that 26% of travel searches in the fourth quarter of last year occurred on a mobile device. In other parts of the world,…

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From mums to millennials, 10 female writers on why travel is best done alone

Loknath Das

Travel has taught me that most people are kind and trustworthy’ CREDIT: GETTY Ten female writers reflect on how their many and varied journeys around the planet have enriched them. ‘Becoming a mother of three hasn’t changed my rhythm’ Michelle Jana Chan My first ever memory is standing on the forecourt of Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s legendary old airport where the approach was between towering apartment blocks and passengers could watch locals hanging their laundry as the plane turned on to finals. I was probably three years old. I remember looking up…

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For love or for god: Why Indians travel

Loknath Das

Indians’ favourite travel destinations vary according to what they are seeking: religion or romance. Up to 97% of Indian respondents in a recent survey said they’d travel within the country for their spiritual needs. Yet four in 10 were most likely to choose foreign destinations for their honeymoons. The survey was conducted by online travel agent MakeMyTrip between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15 and covered 3,000 respondents, all of whom had travelled within the previous six months. Overseas destinations closer to home are especially a hit among Indian newly-weds. Four…

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Why Angel Investors Should Have an Investment Thesis

Loknath Das

Few angel investors have investment theses, short summaries of the person’s strategy for what kinds of startups he or she will fund. Fewer still have these theses written down in a form that can be shared with others. That’s a mistake. Angels should have clear, written investment theses. Having them imposes discipline on their investment selection and facilitates communication with entrepreneurs and other investors. Venture capitalists all have investment theses, which they need to raise money from their limited partners. Because venture capitalists have a fiduciary duty to invest the LPs’ money…

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