The Taj Public Service Welfare Trust
Financial Express - December 15 , 2008

This is perhaps the clearest indicator of the state of the Indian IT industry amidst the global turmoil. India’s second largest software firm, Infosys Technologies, has decided to freeze all recruitment for the next fiscal after it meets its target of hiring 25,000 people this year. So far this year, Infosys hired 16,000- 17,000 personnel, taking its total employee strength to over 1 lakh people. Earlier, Satyam cut its hiring guidance to 8,000- 10,000 people this fiscal against the earlier projections of 15,000.

Rate cut tops real estate agenda
Financial Express - 4th December 08

Cut in interest rate for both developers and home buyers is the first and strongest demand from major developers as part of the bailout package for the real estate industry that the Prime Minister’s crisis committee is working on. Infusion of liquidity in the system is next in rank of demands from the industry as this in turn will lead to more credit flow. “We need further cuts in SLR and CRR so that cresdit is available readily”, Ramesh Sanka, CFO, DLF reasoned.

Good news on its way
The Economic Times - 4th December 08

In order to move into the next gear, the realty industry is awaiting some happy news and positive moves from the banking sector. One wants property price or interest rates to go down because real estate market is uncertain. The investment in property essentially depends on the risks associated with it, that is to say, even if the venture succeeds when the future stream of income will accrue to the investor and the alternative investment opportunities. Real estate investment can be attractive if viewed as a business opportunity; it can generate rental income, using it as collateral to secure a loan for a business venture, to offset otherwise taxable income through cash savings on tax-deductible interest rate losses, or simply from the profits garnered from its resale. Investment in property is treated as a long-term gain and investment professionals argue that 5%-20% of investment portfolio should be directed towards property or real estate.