Edition: Dec 23, 2012

Cover Story

Revenue-hungry govt shattering the telecom dream

The money, as ever, is playing its role in deciding telecom regulation. Battered by capricious rules, telecom companies can only pray.

Editors note

From The Editor: Dec 23, 2012

Some revolutions are violent, some are quiet. India's telephone revolution has been life-transforming.

Book

Book review: A Bank for the Buck

A nugget-rich read of the journey of India's most valuable lender, HDFC Bank.

Worthy Subject, Dull Rendition

People

People who made news last fornight

Starring: Michael Boneham, George Wong, Bjorn Rosengren, V.K. Mathews and Phillip Bernstein

Leadership Spotlight

Leaderspeak with R.S. Subramanian

R.S. Subramanian, Country Manager, India, DHL Express admires Ratan Tata.

Features

Apollo Hospitals turns focus to new market realities

The health-care sector is changing. Lifestyle diseases such as diabetes are on the rise, and the growing spread of health insurance has made costly health-care facilities affordable. In the face of new market realities, Apollo Hospitals is focusing on no-frills hospitals in Tier II and III cities and on specialised clinics.

Columns

Five steps to curb corruption in India

In its 2011 Corruption Perception Index, Transparency International ranked India at 95 out of 183 countries. How can widespread corruption be curbed? Here are five suggestions.

'Section 66A of IT Act should be scrapped'

Letters

Reader's forum: Dec 23 2012

Your cover story Pulling Punches (December 9) has brought to light the general feeling of people about reports on various issues from weather to wealth, even in health.

BT More

A challenge to mull over

Mulled wine is a great companion for a cold winter evening. While it's easy to get wrong, it's not hard to make it the right way either. Here's how.

Technology

Happy New Hear

Adopting new and convenient audio technologies makes for a sound idea.

Careers

Why Indian business leaders suffer a trust deficit

A global study of business leaders across countries by human resources firms Right Management and Tucker International lists the imperatives of succeeding in a global set up, and shows Indians are poor at building trust.

Case Study

The Punjab Tractors turnaround story

Not often does an acquired company give the acquirer a run for its money in the market. This case study looks at how Punjab Tractors Ltd, which was hardly in the best of shape when Mahindra & Mahindra acquired it in 2007, was turned around, and today does exactly that.

Focus

IKEA may have to tweak its business model

IKEA has announced plans to invest Rs 10,500 crore in India. The proposal is now awaiting clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. In India, the company may have to alter its business model to comply with riders on its investment proposal.

Chiaroscuro

News you may have missed last fortnight

With Christmas and New Year approaching, air fares and hotel tariffs for favoured destinations such as Goa are going through the roof.

Smart executive

Tips for managers who find it hard to be assertive

There are plenty of managers who have trouble asserting themselves. The ability to be firm when required to is a vital skill managers need, but many are found lacking in, say leadership coaches.