IT training and education company Aptech has bagged the contract to conduct the AICTE&rsquo;s maiden management entrance test &mdash; Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) &mdash; for admission to post-graduate diploma in management institutes. The test will begin next month. Pravir Arora, executive vice-president (enterprise business) at Aptech, tells M Saraswathy how Aptech is prepared to ensure smooth conduct of CMAT.

Q&A: Pravir Arora, Aptech

Business Standard

Commuters have waited a long time for the Eastern Freeway to open. It is scheduled for 2012, but the wait may grow longer.

Bumpy ride

Shaifali Aggarwal, a single woman in New Delhi, always found it difficult finding people to carry out household repairs. Even if she had to get a door-lock repaired, she often waited for around one-and-a-half months, as she, being a working woman, never got the time to get them fixed. It was then that an idea clicked in her mind, and she decided to start a service for renting a carpenter, plumber and electrician. Her plans took shape when she launched a portal, easyfix.

It's woman power on the internet

Visually impaired students have found a new avenue to access books online. The country's first online Braille library, with 12,000 books in its catalogue, was launched in Mumbai last week and will cater to students pursuing higher education in institutions across India.

Country's first online Braille library with 12,000 books launched 

You won&rsquo;t bat an eyelid when you hear of Silicon Valley billionaires turning angels. They float seed funds to back and incubate young and exciting ideas and ventures, and make millions. But an industry association? That would probably be a first.

Ficci turns venture capitalist

Diamonds are a women&rsquo;s best friend. No wonder, they are the most purchased product online, and the majority of the purchases being done by men. And niche portals like Jewelsnext.com, Caratlane.com and Suratdiamonds.com are making the best use of it, apart from the traditional e-commerce players.

It's diamond rush online

For Niren Shah, 2012 is like the year 2002. A decade down the line nothing much has changed when it comes to recruiting qualified professionals for his firms. The only difference now is that he is helping his invested firms in hiring the right talent, whereas back then he was part of one of India's earliest e-commerce successes, Baazee.com.

E-commerce players see manpower crunch

For Niren Shah, 2012 is like the year 2002. A decade down the line, nothing much has changed when it comes to recruiting qualified professionals for his firms. The only difference now is that he is helping his invested firms in hiring the right talent, whereas back then he was part of Baazee.com &mdash; one of India&rsquo;s earliest successes in electronic commerce, or e-commerce.

MyToday.com, an SMS update service provider, recently shut operations due to the new regulations introduced by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that restrict SMS marketing to those enrolled with the Do Not Call registry. &quot;We regret to inform our services will no longer be available. This is in view of the recent TRAI regulations,&quot; announced the company website.

Mobile marketing firms bet on alternative strategies

As you enter Jijamata Udyan, popularly known as Byculla Zoo, the signs of ageing are clearly visible. Empty cages welcome you and it is clear that Mumbai&rsquo;s lone zoo, now set for its 150th anniversary celebrations, awaits a much-needed makeover from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Empty cages, big plans

It is not without reason that the largest fast moving consumer goods company in India, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), has been given the 'Dream Employer' status for the third time in a row by market research agency Nielsen. HUL has given India Inc some of its best managers, who have gone on to hold international positions too.

HUL focuses on the human factor at all levels

Apple's recent foray into education seems to have hit the right notes. In just three days of iBooks 2 release, almost 350,000 e-books were sold. While India is yet to see the launch of iBooks 2 and iBooks Author, independent developers in the education space are already eyeing the digitised space.

Students brace for digital storm, as e-book revolution likely

The country&rsquo;s first Ocean Championship for Dragon Boating and Surfski Kayaking began in Mumbai on January 27 and ends today. Organised by Rae Sports, a Mumbai-based adventure sports company, at Girgaum Chowpatty, the event sees participants being trained by Oscar Chalupsky, the renowned South African sprint canoer, 11-time world ocean racing champion, surfski and kayak coach.

M Saraswathy

M Saraswathy

Page 88 - M Saraswathy

Q&A: Pravir Arora, Aptech

Bumpy ride

It's woman power on the internet

Country's first online Braille library with 12,000 books launched

Ficci turns venture capitalist

It's diamond rush online

E-commerce players see manpower crunch

E-commerce players see manpower crunch

Mobile marketing firms bet on alternative strategies

Empty cages, big plans

HUL focuses on the human factor at all levels

Students brace for digital storm, as e-book revolution likely

Dragon racing