Recently, ONGC’s plans to come out with three new Gre
enfield refinery projects with an investment of Rs.550- 600 billion were revealed. But, the company is now treading cautiously by testing the waters first. ONGC is awaiting the consultant report on the techno-economic viability of the project and is also scouting for foreign partners. On cards is a refinery at Mangalore with a capacity of 15 million tonne (mt); expansion of capacity of its existing refinery at Mangalore to 12.5 mt from 9.69 mt by this year, apart from new refi neries at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Barmer in Rajasthan. Marico ‘QIP’ps... On an expansion drive!
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
enfield refinery projects with an investment of Rs.550- 600 billion were revealed. But, the company is now treading cautiously by testing the waters first. ONGC is awaiting the consultant report on the techno-economic viability of the project and is also scouting for foreign partners. On cards is a refinery at Mangalore with a capacity of 15 million tonne (mt); expansion of capacity of its existing refinery at Mangalore to 12.5 mt from 9.69 mt by this year, apart from new refi neries at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and Barmer in Rajasthan. Marico ‘QIP’ps... On an expansion drive!For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2006
An IIPM and Malay Chaudhuri – Arindam Chaudhuri Initiative
their blissful lives were the greatest loves of their lives, persons of the same sex as themselves. Where there were many for Dean – such as director Rogers Brackett and his close pal William Bast – actor Wally Cox was Brando’s soul mate, whose ashes he saved for 30 years and were finally scattered along with his own. Bond's almost the last word in style with his perfectly cut tuxedos; any guy who passes him a second glance could be readily excused!
d by vested interests and his involvement with the majority of the ladies exists merely at a superficial level be an indication of his cleverly disguised sexual orientation? Could he through his dogged pursuit of the fairer sex, like many before him, be attempting to convince himself of his heterosexuality and thus also avoiding public scrutiny? Is the Double- O-Seven spy gay… or at least bisexual? What say Mr. Fleming?
s in south and west Asia have clearly shown how violent techniques to demand even justifiable rights have resulted in stand-off positions spreading over decades. Democracy has always provided the most wonderful structures for minorities to reclaim rightful privileges, and in the shortest time. Sri Lanka is surely not an autocracy, and still runs on the very tenets that democracy stands for. LTTE has been repeatedly provided the opportunity to undertake collective bargaining and democratic negotiation; offers which have been repeatedly spurned due to extremely myopic fears of losing out on territories gained till now. LTTE, and of course the Sri Lankan government, should realise that the straightforward solution to resolving the current conflict is in a few magic words – literacy, healthcare support, employment opportunities, improvements in per capita income and standards of living. Pray tell us, how tough can that be, compared to the billions of dollars wasted by both sides on war?
a sale of Re.1 (with net sales of Rs.166 million and profits of Rs.176 million for FY06). Tata Investment Corporation Limited (TICL), clinched the third position with a return of 96 paise for every rupee sold. For 2005-06, the company had sales of Rs.1,708 million and profits of Rs.1,631 million. The structure of TICL is much similar to that of JM Financial. TICL, together with Tata Sons Ltd, is a promoter of Tata Mutual Fund. TICL is also a principal shareholder of Tata Securities – a company engaged in the distribution of mutual funds and other investment related securities.Other companies in the top 10 list include names like United Breweries (Holdings), Reliance Capital, India Infoline, Gateway-Distriparks & Jaiprakash Hydro-Power Ltd.
and 5,590 ATMs across the country; and for starters, to be the most profitable bank in the B&E Power 100 ranking, perhaps required not too much of effort! The change actually started in the mid ‘90s, when SBI forced itself through a professional makeover process with; the obsession was so much that SBI even appointed McKinsey & Co. to observe their century-old processes and recommend the necessary changes to facilitate faster decision making. Not necessarily to the credit of the much criticised McKinsey, SBI’s transformation has been truly tremendous.
when Jennifer Aniston sported T-shirts with Mahatma Gandhi’s messages written on them, why did it make so much news? Was it because of Aniston or Gandhi? Maybe they made a saleable combo! On the fifth anniversary of 9/11, while the world was busy debating the future of terrorism, India celebrated Gandhi’s first call of non-violence in Johannesburg against white colonial rule. Its relevance in today’s violent world managed to sneak into the global news agenda. As India tries hard to establish its identity in the global fashion circuit, Khadi is popular as Gandhi’s style statement.
have been one of the lowest in the world – 7 per 1,000 people. Clearly, there is a lot of aspiration to own a car. Compact cars have been at the forefront, selling 221,598 units in April-July 2006-07 alone (growth of 31.26%). Capacity expansion plans by all players indicate immense positivity regarding sales growth. Cars like the Honda Jazz and Chevrolet UV-A are due for launch. But technically, total car sales still form around 10-12% of motorcycle sales in India. The sector is further aided by easy financing. Will the two sectors come at loggerheads at some point? Prasad Narasimhan, VP Marketing, TVS, disagrees, “A bike is an aspirational product. I think the buyers for the two products (bikes & cars) are vastly
hit Rang de Basanti, the invective-laden Omkara or the unglamorous (to be released) Kabul Express starring John Abraham are finding supporters. With the likes of Aishwarya Rai and Rani Mukherjee joining these enterprising actors and eschewing the glam quotient (remember ‘Raincoat’ and ‘Black’?) and now Kareena, as a small-town maid in ‘Lajjo’, the actors too are maturing and the audience finds itself spoilt for choice as Bollywood delivers one movie better than the last.
number.” In order to lure consumers, real estate companies offer various tantalizing schemes like heavy discounts & various innovative offerings. And those worried about interest rates can take heart, since banks will go all out to lend a hand. The last festival season saw banks reducing housing loan rates despite hardening of interest rates & diminishing margins. Additionally, realtors are eager to be fully loaded this time to make up for the loss this year on account of interest rate hikes and cancellations of many projects, mainly in Tier II cities.
seem to be in the know of phenomenal gumption and confidence to fight foreign brands on home-turf. Retail is surely in! On the food front, while McDonald’s has already invested Rs.800 crores, it plans to invest an additional Rs.300 crores in the next three years and open at least 100 more outlets! While no MNC has been able to stand up to the might of Amul, the company is taking no chances and it too has expansion plans up its sleeve and plans to increase its ice-cream outlets from 60,000 to 80,000 this year. Not to be left behind, Shopper’s Stop has been keeping an eye on the changing food habits of youngsters and is planning to set up food carts, which would give tough competition to the likes of McDonald’s, Pizza Hut & Barista etc. With almost everyone planning huge expansion plans, what exactly are the various factors that are key to operating a successful retail chain? Especially given the fact that retail is a “people oriented” business, and the way one interacts with customers is of paramount importance – the customer of today is very aware, very discerning; he is more demanding and winning his loyalty is tough – so how do you keep them flocking in?
mixed with costly gasoline to ease the energy burden of consumers. Transport companies focus on bio diesel, produced from rapeseed in the European Union, soybeans in the USA and vegetable oils in Malaysia and the Philippines. India tries to substitute diesel with a liquid from Jatropha and Karanja plants and has come to the point where ethanol fuel is sold at more or less the same price of conventional gasoline. According to a recent World Bank study, Indian ethanol sells between Rs.19.75 and Rs.22.50 per litre. This compares to city gas prices of Rs.21 and maybe Rs.30 and more by year-end, depending on the geopolitical energy situation.
al change in peer and parental pressures that is severely affecting the mental health of students needs to be addressed at all levels. National Focus Group for examinations contends that the present examination pattern is not in sync with the expectations of the 21st century. But keeping experts apart, what must necessarily be understood is that the select few that get the limelight for their success in exams might not represent successful individuals in life. A focus on overall development of personality is more critical than anything else!
