Kapil Mohan, the man who kept traditions alive at Mohan Meakin passes away

Mohan, chairman of Mohan Meakin, the maker of Old Monk rum, passed away on Saturday following a cardiac arrest at Mohan Nagar, near Ghaziabad

Kapil Mohan hardly ever downed a peg. Yet, the dark rum in a fat bottle his company brewed was the favourite evening companion for millions cutting across age, class and continents.

Mohan, chairman of Mohan Meakin, the maker of Old Monk rum, passed away on Saturday following a cardiac arrest at Mohan Nagar, near Ghaziabad. He was 88. He was the man behind famous brands like Old Monk, Solan No.1, and Golden Eagle, before age and competition caught up.

The teetotaller, who drew strength primarily from other spirits — of the holy kind — ran the company under his watch for over four decades. Only a year ago, he passed on the executive control to his nephews Hemant and Vinay, though he continued to be the chairman.

Pushed to the helm, following the death of his elder brother V R Mohan in the early 1970s, Kapil saw the emergence of the dark rum packed in the iconic squarish hard glass bottle as a global brand.

Till the mid 2000s, it was the largest-selling liquor brand in the country, with heavy patronage from military canteens. Old Monk held its own even as other brands such as Golden Eagle Beer were weathering the onslaught of Vijay Mallya-led United Breweries group and other competitors.

Yet, much of that market dominance seemed to have been achieved by word of mouth, than through conscious marketing efforts. “We do not advertise. I will not, and as long as I am in this chair, we will not (advertise),” Mohan had said in an interview in 2012. “The best way of my advertising is the product: When it comes to you and you taste it, you look at the difference and ask what is it. That is the best advertisement.”

Mohan was the president of the municipal committee in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan, where the company had its distillery and brewery. In fact, one of the secrets of the success of Old Monk and other brands was the fact that the water was sourced from the same natural spring in Solan as it was 150 years ago, when the facilities were first set up. People close to him say the Padma Shri awardee was averse to change and wanted things done the traditional way. (more)

OnePlus 5T sold within 5 minutes during preview sale on Amazon

OnePlus 5T also broke the company's launch-day sales record and became the company's fastest-selling device in six hours

Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus on Friday said it sold out its newly-launched OnePlus 5T within five minutes of the special one-hour preview sale on Amazon.

"We have seen unprecedented customer response to the early access sales, in India as well as globally. Hundreds of fans stormed our 'Experience Stores' in Bengaluru and Delhi," Vikas Agarwal, General Manager, OnePlus India, said in a statement.

"We are happy to announce that OnePlus 5T will go on open sale, starting on November 28, across all channels including Amazon.in, Never Settle - OnePlus.net, select Croma stores and 'Experience Stores' in Bengaluru and Delhi," Agarwal added.

OnePlus 5T also broke the company's launch-day sales record and became the company's fastest-selling device in six hours, the company said.

The device marks the introduction of a 6-inch "Full Optic AMOLED Display" with an 18:9 aspect ratio to deliver a more immersive viewing experience.

The device features a new "Sunlight Display" that adapts automatically to harsh light.

OnePlus has moved its fingerprint sensor to the back of the device.

The OnePlus 5T comes with the same main camera as that of OnePlus 5 but also houses an improved secondary camera for superior low-light photography.

The device has super-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor. The "Adreno 540 GPU" boosts graphical performance.

After note ban, will Modi govt now ban cheque books for its digital push?

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the government needs to encourage the use of debit and credit cards

After deciding to revoke the legal tender of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes in November last year, the Narendra Modi -led central government might now be working on another disruptive step to boost digital transactions — banning the cheque book. A senior functionary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on November 16 said the Centre might withdraw the bank cheque book facility in the "near future" to encourage digital transactions.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said the government needed to encourage the use of debit and credit cards. "In all probability, the Centre may withdraw the cheque book facility in the near future to encourage digital transactions," he said.

Impact of cheque book facility withdrawal

Demonetisation was a big disruption for most Indians, right from poor labourers to big industrialists. Now, the withdrawal of the cheque book facility could have a massive impact as well. Most business transactions are conducted through cheques. According to experts, 95 per cent transactions currently take place via cash or cheques.

Since cash transactions have declined, transaction by cheque might have increased after demonetisation.

Use of cheque in India

Cheques are fairly popular in SME payments. By taking a PDC (post-dated cheque) against the delivery of goods, a supplier secures payments due in future from its customer. People pay by cheques while buying land and house, too.

Many landlords now take rent from tenants via cheque. Since November 8, 2016, digital payments like BHIM have grown. However, their sweet spot has been small-value payments (two to three figures). The retail and commercial payment usage strongly suggests that cheque is a very compelling method of payment for large-value payments (four figures and above).

Growth of digital transactions

The Narendra Modi-led BJP government has been pushing for a less-cash society. While digital transactions have shown mixed trends since demonetisation, overall cashless payments are much higher than in the pre-demonetisation months. (more)

WhatsApp leak: Sebi, bourses checking trade details of over 24 companies

The exchanges are analysing the trade data of the last 12 months of such companies in order to detect any possible breach of norms

Sebi and exchanges have started examining trade details of over two dozen stocks as part of a probe into the alleged leak of key financial details of these companies through WhatsApp while the regulator is also considering seeking call data records of the persons involved.

The companies include several listed blue-chip firms, officials said on the condition of anonymity.

The exchanges are analysing the trade data of the last 12 months of such companies in order to detect any possible breach of norms while Sebi is taking the help of data warehouse and its intelligence systems, they added.

Under Sebi rules, all the financial details of listed companies should be disseminated only through stock exchanges as they are considered price-sensitive.

Besides, Sebi is considering seeking call data records (CDRs) of all the persons involved in alleged circulation of key financial details and other information about listed companies on social media groups before they are made public.

ALSO READ: WhatsApp earnings leak: Sebi must monitor insider trading on social media

The markets regulator has powers to seek call data records, excluding the exact content of the communication, from telecom firms.

CDRs generally list out the number of conversations between two or more entities and are different from phone- tapping, where an agency can snoop on or record telephonic conversations of those suspected to be engaged in some wrong- doings.

The information about the listed companies is mostly being made through SMSes, WhatsApp and various social media platforms, where names of some established brokerage houses and exchanges are also being misused.

While the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has already taken action in several such cases so far, it is investigating a number of others involving similar activities, the official said.

The regulator has already taken action against several entities for providing investment advice without registration. These included MCX Biz Solutions, Moneyworld Research and Advisory, Global Mount Money Research and Advisory, GoCapital, CapitalVia Global Research and one Imtiyaz Hanif Khanda and his maternal uncle Vali Mamad Habib Ghaniwala. (more)

iPhone X debut: Will slow supply dampen Apple's hopes in India?

iPhone X, which marks the 10th anniversary of the device, costs Rs 89,000 for a 64 GB model

After facing a lacklustre response to iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus globally, including in India, Apple has now placed its bet on successful delivery of "super premium" iPhone Xthat aims for a scheduled arrival on November 3.

In the past few days, several media reports have claimed that Apple is facing a huge supply gap primarily for two reasons: difficulties in assembling the new facial identification software and 3D camera, and "off the charts" pre-orders for iPhone X after the Apple fraternity didn't make the expected beeline for iPhone 8 and 8 Plus.

The scenario suggests that people will have to wait long before they can grab an iPhone X. Analysts have already warned that the stock on hand is scarce, owing to constrained supply of key iPhone X components. The advanced depth-sensing camera system in iPhone X requires parts that only a few manufacturers can produce.

The iPhone X, which marks the 10th anniversary of the device, costs Rs 89,000 for a 64 GB model and Rs 1.02 lakh for the 256 GB variant.

According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Mobile Devices and Ecosystems, Counterpoint Research, supply issues will have three main implications for Apple.

"Either the demand for iPhone X will shift to subsequent quarters or some part of the demand will be absorbed by iPhone 8 series if supply is delayed for long. In both the cases, it won't have much impact on Apple as its user base will remain within the iOS ecosystem," Pathak told IANS.

However, there is another scenario - where an Android premium user who wishes to shift to iPhone X decides instead to upgrade within the Android ecosystem due to unavailability of iPhone X. (more)

Kerala love jihad: I'm going to die get me out, victim Hadiya pleads in video

An activist released a video where Hadiya is heard speaking

In a video, Kerala woman Akhila Ashokan, or Hadiya is heard pleading an activist to "get her out" of confinement as she fears that her father might kill her. The video was released by activist Rahul Eashwar. Hadiya, the woman at the centre of a religious conversion row is currently staying with her parents after a Kerala High Court order.

"Get me out of here. Today or tomorrow, I am going to die. I am sure about this. My father is getting angry, I can make out. He pushes me, stamps at me," says the 24-year-old Hadiya in the video recorded in August, NDTV reported.

Eshwar's version

After meeting the woman and her family in August, Eashwar had released one video excerpt of his conversation earlier and released another part this week. "While I am a Hindu activist, I believe Hadiya's voice must also be heard", Eashwar told NDTV. He added that he would be handing over the entire footage to the court.

ALSO READ: Kerala love jihad case: Give Hadiya state protection, activists tell CM

Father's version

"Nothing has happened to her so far... so there is no validity to her claims," the father told NDTV. "I don't have the time and need to see what Rahul Eashwar says," he added.

Activists' demand

Women's rights activists comprising academicians, authors, women's collectives and women's right advocates, have urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as well as the State Commission for Women to extend state protection to Hadiya. The activists, including publisher Urvashi Butalia, DU professor Nandini Sundar, JNU professors Ayesha Kidwai and Nivedita Menon, and Suneeta Dhar among others, have sought that "Hadiya be brought under the protection of the state, perhaps in a shelter in consultation with her". (more)

Xiaomi Redmi 5A would be a minor upgrade over Redmi 4A: Report

The 5A is speculated to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 SoC coupled with 2/3 GB RAM and 16/32 GB storage. The phone would run Android 7.1.2 Nougat with Xiaomi's proprietary MIUI 9 theme on the top

Xiaomi is gearing up to bring the next iteration of its entry-level Redmi smartphone, dubbed ‘Xiaomi Redmi 5A’. The smartphone is expected to come with updated specifications and design over the Redmi 4A, which is currently the latest budget-friendly Redmi device from Xiaomi's stable.

Recently, the specifications and image renders surfaced on Twitter leaked by a technology insider portal Slash Leaks.

According to the speculated specifications and features, the Redmi 5A is expected to sport a metallic build similar to the Redmi 4, and a 5-inch HD (1280x720) screen with three capacitive buttons below it.

The Redmi 5A is speculated to use Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 SoC coupled with 2/3 GB RAM and 16/32 GB storage. The phone would run Android 7.1.2 Nougat with Xiaomi’s proprietary MIUI 9 theme on the top.

In terms of camera, the leak suggests that the upcoming budget smartphone would use a 13 megapixel rear camera and a 5-MP selfie camera.

Doklam standoff ends: MEA says troops begin 'disengaging'

A press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday announced the development

Troops involved in the border standoff between India and China at Doklam have begun disengaging, a press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

Shortly after the MEA statement, China’s Foreign Ministry said that Indian troops had withdrawn to the Indian side of the disputed border at Doklam, where the two countries’ soldiers had been locked in a standoff for more than two months, news agency Reuters reported.

Speaking at a daily news briefing, ministry spokes woman Hua Chunying said Chinese troops would continue to patrol the disputed Doklam region, the report added.

New Delhi and Beijing have reached an understanding for disengaging troops involved in the Doklam standoff, the MEA press statement said.

According to the statement, "expeditious disengagement" of border personnel at the face-off site has been agreed to and "is ongoing".

The MEA statement said that during bilateral communications, "we were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests". It was on the basis of these communications, according to the statement, that the agreement to disengage was reached.

The People's Daily has also tweeted that India has withdrawn its troops.

The decision to disengage troops comes ahead of a crucial BRICS summit being hosted by China in September, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a standoff since June at Doklam, located at the Sikkim section of the Bhutan-China border.

This is the longest standoff between the two armies since 1987 when they faced a similar situation at Somordong Chu Valley in Arunachal Pradesh. Read more

Amid Doklam standoff, India-China trade war looms: Chinese media

The article said that China 'could easily retaliate' with restrictions on Indian products

A trade war seems to be looming between India and China after New Delhi imposed anti-dumping duties on 93 Chinese products amidst a military standoff in Doklam area, two state media reports here said on.

An article in The Global Times, part of the ruling Communist Party's publication group, urged Chinese firms to "reconsider the risks" of investing in India and warned New Delhi to be "prepared for the possible consequences for its ill-considered action."

The article said that China "could easily retaliate" with restrictions on Indian products, but added that it "doesn't make much economic sense" for the country.

Also Read :

• India@70: Are we really ahead of China & Pakistan? Find out
• In a war over Doklam, why China will likely be the eventual loser

It cited figures from the Indian embassy in China to show that Indian exports fell by 12.3 per cent year-on-year to $11.75 billion while India's imports from China rose by 2 per cent to $59 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of $47 billion.

According to the Indian Commerce Ministry, the trade deficit with China last year mounted to over $52 billion when the bilateral trade stood at $70 billion.

"A trade war between China and India seems to be looming after the latter moved last Wednesday to impose anti-dumping duties on 93 products from China," the report said.

"If India really starts a trade war with China, of course China's economic interests will be hurt, but there will also be consequences for India," it said.

The report on trade comes as India and China have been locked in a tense military standoff in Doklam in the Sikkim sector. Read more

Md Siraj asks father to stop driving autos after bagging Rs 2.6 cr IPL deal

He also wants to buy a house for his family

IPL 2017 : The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 auction spread smiles in a Hyderabad neighbourhood. There was a good reason too. Mohammed Siraj, the younger son of auto driver Mohammed Ghaus was picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for a staggering Rs 2.6 crore.

As reporters made a beeline outside the cricketer's modest rented family house, he explained how he plans to use his money now."My father drove auto all these years but never let financial pressure of the family affect me or my elder brother. A bowling spikes costs a lot and he would just get the best for me. I want to buy a house for them now in a good locality," Siraj told The Quint.

While Siraj wants his father to stop driving autos, his father wishes otherwise. "I will drive the auto as long as I have the strength. Why should I depend on sons?" Ghaus was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror.

Interestingly, Siraj was often admonished by his mother Shabana Begum who worked as a house maid for showing lack of interest in studies. He discontinued studying while in intermediate, whereas, his brother went ahead to become an IT professional.

"He brought many mementos and sometimes cash prizes as well. However, I never knew he would become so big. It's all God's blessings," the proud mother told Mumbai Mirror after the auction.

Although his family did not keep a track on his career properly, Siraj slowly earned the reputation of a pacer in Hyderabad cricket circle. Read more

Long queues, SIM cards scarcity on Day 1 of Jio launch

Long queues, SIM cards scarcity on Day 1 of Jio launch

(Crowd outside a Reliance Digital Express store to get Reliance Jio SIM cards in New Delhi, on Monday. )

Customers joining long queues outside Reliance Jio stores here on Monday — the day of the full service launch — were often disappointed to find SIM cards unavailable.

A visit to a few stores in Sarojini Nagar and RK Puram, in the south west, made it clear that demand for Reliance Jio SIMs far outstretched supply. Customers were seen running from one store to the next.

Few of the customers who spoke to Business Standard said though there was a paucity of SIMs at the Reliance Digital stores, local dealers had these. They were charging between Rs 300 and Rs 600.

SIM cards are available free of charge but the dealers were making a quick buck, thanks to the surge in demand.

A Reliance Digital store employee, who did not want to be named, said local dealers had acquired SIM cards in bulk and were selling these at a premium.

The company was yet to comment at the time of going to press.

Another Reliance Digital employee said they had issued tokens to walk-in customers who could not get a SIM on Monday.Read more.