SME News Portal

TradeIndia launched a news portal targeted for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that will be a “one-stop information library” for the sector.
The entire business module of Tradeindia revolves around the pledge to help SMEs build a self-reliant India. To keep SMEs informed on the recent policy changes, international trends and how these changes could affect [...]

Evening Edition

For your reading pleasure:

International Relations: The India-Africa summit kicked off with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh promising to ease access from the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Said Singh, “under this scheme, India shall unilaterally provide preferential market access for exports from all the 50 least developed countries.”
Green Energy: As we have been covering in [...]

Midday Newsfeed

Some newsworthy headlines of interest:

Entrepreneurship: Himachal Pradesh to adopt an open door policy to encourage entrepreneurs to work within the state. In a similar effort to attract more high tech companies, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a plan to create Information Technology Investment Regions (ITIRs).
Women’s Rights and Security: The Indian Border Security [...]

Midday Newsfeed

Some headlines before you head off to lunch:

Technology/Connectivity:  

Mobile connectivity will be in the hands of millions of new subscribers thanks to BSNL’s $100 million contract to Nortel for supporting GSM network expansion in the southern part of India.  The plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.  
On a different note, IBM Research [...]

India’s Affinity with Africa - A Question of Self Interest?

According to the International Energy Agency, India’s energy needs - fueled by 8% annual economic growth - are projected to double by the year 2030.  Moreover, India is expected to become the biggest net importer of oil by the year 2025, after the United States and China.   
In an attempt to secure energy resources for its buxom economy, India is courting [...]

Midday Newsfeed

Renewable Energy: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in India has announced a demonstration programme to support mega watt size grid interactive solar power generation projects, up to a maximum capacity of 50 MW, in the country. Similar efforts have been pushed by Himachal Pradesh’s CM, in an effort for more hydel power Public-Private [...]

Evening Edition

Some headlines to start your evening off right:

The government of Himachal Pradesh announced at a three-day international conference this weekend that they are drafting a master plan for the development of backpack tourism in the state through strategic public private partnerships (PPPs).  The government ensured that the plan will “optimise the use of natural resources [...]

Midday Newsfeed

Weekend headlines for your leisurely perusal:

Inflation rates in India rose to a 13 month high of 6.7% for the week ending on March 15th.  Economists predict a sharp rise in prices of food and energy following.  In response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told a press conference on Saturday that “it is in the interest of the [...]

Evening Edition

Water from Narmada to travel to the parched lands of Rajasthan. In related news, one Mangalore institution of learning has taken an innovative approach to enlist the use of rainwater to make sure that they have supply even in drier months.
Would you like some genes with that? Case to allow genetically modified brinjal moves up [...]

Evening Edition

Get your daily dose of headlines: 

Southern Railway is going to provide 455 automatic ticket vending machines (ATVMs) in 191 stations for suburban rail commuters.  The facility will service approximately 9 lakh people, and is expected to be scaled up to service a larger swath of commuters. 
The Madhya Pradesh government requested that the Planning Commission provide Rs. [...]

Midday Newsfeed

The central government is considering a revision of the land acquisition laws to ensure proper compensation for former owners.
Manmohan declares steadfast support for nuclear deal and program to continue.
Government employees recommended to get 40% pay hike. (See here for the problems this may cause).
Eunuchs, beggars targeted for substance abuse programs by government
African rough diamonds the [...]

OneRoof aims to be a one-stop shop for essential services

Operating as a for-profit SE, OneRoof through its subsidiary in Chennai (and another in Mexico) intends to build out franchises throughout the country that offer what it considers nine essential services to the world’s poor.

You can see from the organization’s website the services they plan to offer. They currently have 20 locations between India and [...]

Organic farming company gets VC backing

From VC Circle:
This could be the first venture capital investment in an organic farming business. Mumbai-based venture capital firm Nexus India Capital has made an undisclosed investment in organic farming company Suminter India Organics Pvt. Ltd.
This is an interesting investment as one does not normally associate VC funding with farming. Suminter, however, attracted the investors [...]

Midday Newsfeed: Government focus

Here are some stories on government efforts to help stimulate positive change:

Dialysis centres to tackle shortage

The health ministry is planning to open standalone dialysis centres across the country, much like pathological labs, where patients can undergo the life-saving procedure at a minimal rate.

In the land of Blyth Tragopan

Khonoma, a Naga village and a site for [...]

2008 Global Development Marketplace Competition (DM2008)

The competition’s focus is Sustainable Agriculture for Development. This was brought to our attention by PSD Blog.
Here is the information provided on the competition’s website:
Applications are accepted through March 21, 2008 and will undergo rigorous review by more than 200 development experts. About 100 finalists will be announced in June and will be invited to [...]