BUSINESS
Bharat Bandh: Bank unions say transactions worth at least Rs 18,000 crore impacted
As many as 10 central trade unions have been observing a two-day nationwide strike since March 28. The impact on public life has been partial
BUSINESS
Exclusive: Staffing firm CIEL HR set to float IPO in FY23, to raise at least Rs 1,000 crore
Before IPO, Ma Foi is set to acquire two staffing firms, and is expected to raise Rs 100 crore from private players including PE funds.
ECONOMY
India’s flagship skills mission struggles with lowly 20% placement rate for trainees
The shortfall was at all three levels –training, certification and job placements.
BUSINESS
IIM-A sets ups retail tech consortium for consumer research, Flipkart joins as partner
Through the collaboration with IIM-A and insights gathered from the consumer surveys, Flipkart claims it “intends to identify opportunities and create forums for knowledge sharing…that will help transform the retail ecosystem and drive value for Kiranas, retailers and customers".
BUSINESS
Cloud computing, cyber security, IoT among top skills India Inc is looking to hire for biz growth
An estimated 86 million more people in India and Asia Pacific region will need to undertake digital skills training over the next 3 years to keep pace with tech advancements.
BUSINESS
CSR funding for healthcare jumps 30%, but falls drastically for environment, education purposes
Environment and sustainability segment saw CSR funding flow dwindling to Rs 930 crore in Fy21 as against Rs 1,461 crore in Fy20. The education sector received Rs 5,877 crore in Fy21 as against Rs 7,155 crore in Fy20.
BUSINESS
India, Australia to establish taskforce on qualifications recognition, two-way student mobility, offshore campuses
Improved qualifications recognition arrangements will also underpin trade in professional services between Australia and India.
ECONOMY
No weight to Class 12 board marks, common entrance mandatory for UG admission at central universities: UGC
The CUET will reduce multiplicity, and provide a common platform to get admission in all universities and colleges across the country.
BUSINESS
Work from office: Companies need to come up with a sustainable solution, says Nimisha Pathak of Alvarez & Marsal
Current work environment offers an exciting time for human resource professionals, who are constantly challenged to push boundaries and come up with innovative ways of employee strategy and retention.
ECONOMY
January records 8.64 lakh additions to formal work, a 3-month low: EPFO Payroll
Companies in states such as Maharashtra, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were lead states to add majority or 61 percent of the net payroll additions recorded in January, said the retirement fund body.
BUSINESS
Quess Corp founder Ajit Issac donates Rs.105 cr to IISc to establish centre for public health
The Centre will be called Isaac Centre for Public Health and will be part of the upcoming postgraduate medical school at IISc. This philanthropic commitment to IISc comes a month after Mindtree cofounders donated Rs.425cr to establish a medical school there.
BUSINESS
Govt proposes to allow pursuing PhD after bachelor’s degree, one-year master's
UGC may implement a common entrance for PhD admission, and in such a scenario it will be binding on individual universities.
ECONOMY
EPFO to rope in PFRDA, LIC for employee pension reforms
A small committee of experts from LIC and independent actuaries have already met thrice with EPFO authorities in the past two and a half months.
BUSINESS
EPFO cuts interest rate to 8.1% for 2021-22, lowest in 43 years
Last fiscal, this interest rate was 8.5%. The last time EPFO paid lower than Fy22 rate was in 1977-78 when the interest rate was 8%. This year's lowering of the rate is likely to disappoint millions of its salaried-class subscribers.
ENVIRONMENT
IIT Roorkee houses 57 species of birds, 140 species of trees and 91 varieties of herbs as it records campus biodiversity
From oriental garden lizard to Brook’s house gecko, from coppersmith barbet to jungle babblers, from elephant apples to tall sals, from blue Jacranda to three edged rudraksh, the IIT campus has it all.
BUSINESS
Firms implementing hybrid work model as virus fades to power growth, boost retention
Employees, on the other hand, find more work-life balance in the new model.
ECONOMY
EPFO redeems Rs 12,785 crore ETFs for FY22 interest payout
EPFO sold its investments under an accounting rule called FIFO and has garnered Rs 5,529 crore of capital gains. It will use it for FY22 interest rate calculation. EPF interest rate for the 2021-22 financial year will be announced on March 12.
BUSINESS
PeopleStrong acquires compensation tech firm PayReview
Founded in 2017, PayReview has over 100 enterprise customers in the HR and talent tech space including L&T and Mahindra Logistics.
WOMEN-IN-ACADEMIC-LEADERSHIP
Women Leadership in Academia (Part 3) Absence of women in academic leadership roles evokes more questions than answers: Hemlata Bagla, VC of HSNC University
In 444 state universities, only around 12% are women vice-chancellors, and in 400-plus private universities, less than 8% are women VCs. The situation is equally stark in deemed and central universities, says the VC of HSNC University
BUSINESS
Future of Work | As employees seek 'workplace of the people', organisations have their task cut out
While compensation remains a key focus area, HR leaders will increasingly prioritise employee well-being and inclusivity to curb attrition, attract talent and drive growth
BUSINESS
Women Leadership in Academia (Part-2): Financial acumen, planning for uncertainties among must-have leadership skills: Nandita Abraham of GUS
Some academicians are deeply involved in their work, which is good, but they do not want to take on a leadership position. At the dean level too, you won’t find many women, said Prof Nandita Abraham of Global University Systems (GUS) global services
INTERVIEW
Women Leadership in Academia (Part-1): We are natural leaders who need opportunities and not quota, says Ashoka University VC Malabika Sarkar
"When a woman candidate's name comes for selection, look at the qualification, quality, and professional track record. Don’t look from the viewpoint of gender alone. Women are natural leaders and this belief needs to grow."
BUSINESS
Exclusive: Sub-zero temperature, 100s of us, sleeping on bare floors, scared of shelling: Kerala student narrates nightmare from a bunker in Ukraine
All Indian nationals including students are advised to leave Kyiv urgently today, Indian embassy said on Tuesday. Students in Kharkiv say they are scared and are hearing shelling sounds.
INDIA
Horror continues for Indian students in Ukraine; Embassy urges patience
We are in a metro bunker, and can not go out as soldiers are around, an Indian student in Kharkiv told Moneycontrol. Indian embassy asked Indians that Ukraine has been remarkably supportive in facilitating evacuation efforts, and requested them to respect the sentiments.
