Cover Story

Energy can play a spoilsport in increasing manufacturing share

The high cost of electricity is dissuading investors from energy intensive projects like silicon fabrication - a vital input for the success of the National Solar Mission.

Using technology across the four elements of the power value chain

There is a need to explore the application of breakthrough technologies and innovative business models across the four elements of the power value chain: demand management, transmission and distribution, generation and feedstock innovation.
Companies concerned as energy crisis threatens to hit growth

As the Indian economy hurtles down a path of breathless economic expansion, there is a fundamental shift taking place in the way companies look at energy. However, impending energy drought is affecting their growth.

G.M. Rao of GMR Group gives weight to family input

GMR Group founder G.M. Rao feels it is important to attract and retain the best professional talent, but he gives much weight to family input as well.

Arun Bharat Ram ensures conflicts are nipped early

Arun Bharat Ram ensures frequent family lunches, outings and even vacations so that the bonding between family members remains strong.

Dalmia feels the Indian family structure is a huge emotional and social asset

Puneet Dalmia, 38, Managing Director, Dalmia Cement, explains why it is important for business families to look closely at issues relating to family, business and governance.

M.V. Subbiah is opposed to family businesses having written constitutions.

M.V. Subbiah spent a year at the Kellogg School of Management in the US, researching familyrun businesses.

Family businesses in India are evolving

Family businesses in India are evolving unique models that blend rigid rules with flexibility.

Speculators are driving the volumes chart in exchange-traded currency derivatives

Speculators are scorching the volumes chart in exchange-traded currency derivatives, but hardly anyone is hedging.

Ministers who got key roles in the latest Cabinet reshuffle

Ministers who got key roles following the latest Cabinet reshuffle.

'Most Indian business families are on a discovery-driven journey'

In the past few years, Indian family businesses have demonstrated remarkable interest in transforming themselves as professionally-run, growth-oriented, entrepreneurial ventures.

R.K. Upadhyay believes BSNL can bounce back

The tsunami in 2004, also destroyed - along with much else - a large clock at the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd telephone exchange in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. BSNL insiders often link the start of the firm's downfall to that fateful moment.

Flexibility is the key for Godrej family

Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group says flexibility is key to run a succesful family business.

Professionals run the show at Dabur

As per the constitution adopted by the Burmans, none among the new generation gets an easy entry into the Dabur India board.

Indians in US head back home to set up start-ups

Indians who have studied or worked in the US are coming back home in hordes to become entrepreneurs. Simple business ideas are more likely to work here than in the US.

The Agarwals and the Goenkas make governance a bigger challenge

Two generations of two separate families, the Agarwals and the Goenkas, run it, making governance a bigger challenge than it usually is for family businesses.

Widespread protests bring land acquisition to a halt

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} A Bill amending the old land acquisition law is slated for introduction in the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament. BT examines key issues the amended legislation must address.

Anirudh Dhoot's choices

The Director of Videocon Limited Anirudh Dhoot drives BMW series V.

Sleek accessories for men

Complement your look and personality with a range of sleek accessories. Bring style out of the closet.

Check the desirability quotient of the latest products

American couture king Tom Ford on quintessence of men's fashion

American couture king Tom Ford is hailed for crafting cult classics. The star designer delves into the quintessence of men's fashion and a lot more in an exclusive with BT More.

Daizo Ito, President, Panasonic India talks about books that inspired him

Daizo Ito, President, Panasonic India talks about the books that have made him what he is today.

Events and happenings in and around the world

The newest London property JW Marriott puts a refreshing spin on luxury hospitality. Taking comfort beyond the norm, checking-in gives you access to a designer lifestyle.

Do it yourself guide on bike ride, jet lag and heritage shoot

Stomping through swampy puddles is fun if you're on a bike. Try wet weather riding.

A forgotten gem in the Pink City

A forgotten gem in the middle of Mansagar Lake in the Pink City comes to life.

Explore the mesmerising city - Istanbul

Istanbul or Constantinople, no matter what you call this mesmerising city standing at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, once you've been there, you can never forget it.

Review: The Qube at Delhi's The Leela Palace and Mumbai's Hakkasan

This all-day dining spot at The Leela Palace, Delhi has its pulse on the Indian palate as it combines design aesthetics with experimental flavours.

Accessories that makes travelling an effortless affair

From waterproof cameras to handengraved wallets and couture bags, a wide range of travel accessories makes traversing through time and space an effortless affair.

Renault Fluence combines flair and functionality with easy elan

The newest luxury sedan, Fluence, from the stable of reliable French carmaker Renault, combines flair and functionality with easy lan. We drive it.

HCL's Harsh Chitale admires J.R.D. Tata

The CEO of HCL Infosystems Harsh Chitale talks about his leadership style.

Best CFO awards: The changing role of today's money meisters

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presents a rosy outlook for India at the function to give away the Best CFO awards.

Tips on how to get benefits on the auto cover

As IRDA lets insurance companies raise premiums, here are a few tips on how to get more benefits on the same cover.

People who made news

Ashok C. Burman, Anshu Jain, Marc Nassi, Lady Gaga, Jairam Ramesh, Manasi Kirloskar,

How different things work

Use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports has increased because of the large economic and other rewards for sporting achievements. Anti-doping agencies conduct regular drug tests to keep tabs on sportspersons.

Walt Macdonald on ETS and its outlook towards India

Walt Macdonald, Executive Vice President and COO of Educational Testing Services, or ETS, that conducts the GRE and TOEFL tests, was in India recently to give away the TOEFL Scholarship Program awards.

Indian School of Business new camus in Mohali

ISB's Mohali campus, its first outside Hyderabad, will begin offering courses in April 2012 with a 210-strong batch.

Idea Cellular and Spice Communications deal

Idea Cellular holds overlapping licences in six circles after it acquires Spice Communications.

Several South American markets have outshone the Asian giants

India and China remain attractive for retailers, but several South American markets have outshone the Asian giants, shows a study by A.T. Kearney.

Quotes from political and business leaders

You cannot go on forever… I wish you let me enjoy life the way I want to, says Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Group, responding to shareholders' request that he continue to head the group.

Should bribe-givers be excused and only bribe-takers punished?

Most respondents believe the culpability of bribegivers is no less than that of bribe-takers and, therefore, both should be equally punished.

Biggest deals in past 30 days (June 7 to July 4, 2011)

US-based private equity investor Apollo Global Management has announced acquisition of stakes in Welspun Group entities.

Indian companies turn to international bond markets for funds

A new derivative product makes hedging easier against interest rate fluctuations

A new derivative product makes it easier to hedge against interest rate fluctuations.

Direct transfers are set to rid the subsidy system of its ills

Direct transfers are set to rid the subsidy system of its ills.

Policy making is a tricky exercise

When data cannot be fully trusted, policy making becomes a tricky exercise, says Samiran Chakraborty.

Muthoot Fin tops the 10 most watched ads list

Fittingly, topping the ad charts this month is the one of Muthoot Finance offering loans against gold.

Meaning of the word Whitespace

Whitespace is used to indicate a part of a page that is not covered by print or graphic matter. In boardrooms, this term is used to indicate an unrealised potential or opportunity.

Readers' view on Business Today stories

Your cover package, The Money Meisters (July 24), did a decent job of highlighting the importance of the role a Chief Financial Officer plays in an organisation

Quick takes on major events of the last fortnight

A machine to brew espresso at home, and another sleek smartphone

Companies are encouraging employees to think and innovate

Companies are opting for processes and policies that encourage employees to innovate and think on their feet, says Anumeha Chaturvedi.

Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner is a tremendous piece of engineering

Air India has ordered 27 of them, Jet Airways another 10. Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner has had a difficult birth, but it is a tremendous piece of engineering. The 787 still marks a major advance in the 108-year history of powered flight.

Can India satiate its power hunger?

Our cover story this fortnight focuses on the energy crisis. Energy costs are rising unsustainably, some manufacturers are actually moving offshore, and there is a desperate search for captive coal as far afield as Australia. Can India satiate its power hunger?