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Journalism of Courage
Nobody is quite sure why Satish Kaura, who owns Samtel is currently focused on delisting the company that8217;s almost synonymous with his name. Despite the fact that delisting seems to be the flavour of the moment with many predatory multinationals, Kaura8217;s reasons are certainly sounding noble. The company8217;s flagship product, which made the company a domestic powerhouse, was the black and white television picture tube. This is going to be discontinued in about three years, and that8217;s why Kaura wants the company to get off the stock markets. That8217;s not to say though that Samtel is getting ready to shrink. Kaura believes that he will soon have a desi version of plasma screen. If indeed he does get a quality product then this is one company that will be worth watching. Meantime, he is focused on exporting colour picture tubes and his ambitious target is to sell one-third of his output globally.
Art of the deal
Miles to go before they sleep
Noel Tata, the MD of Trent has good reason to smile. The 45- year-old industrialist has recently been inducted on to the board of Voltas, a Tata Group firm as additional director. Ishaat Hussain, chairman of the white goods major still heads the ten-member board. This decision was apparently influenced by the fact that Noel Tata8217;s rapidly growing understanding of retailing can be extremely useful for Voltas. What is interesting to note is that the added responsibility for Noel Tata comes at a time when everyone is speculating on who will be Ratan Tata8217;s successor as the group chairman. Ratan Tata, the 65-year-old head of 41,000 crore Tata empire will carry on as the chief for another 5 years. We wonder if Noel Tata is a contender for the coveted position? The T.A.S grapevine, that usually knows first, is betting on it.
