Latest news with #Balakrishnan
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Man stabbed to death by father-son duo
1 2 3 Trichy: A 33-year-old man was stabbed to death after a fight broke out over lifting a four-year-old child. The incident happened in Kandiradikkamvillage when Ranjith L visited the petty shop of Balakrishnan C, 60. During the visit, Ranjith lifted Balakrishnan's grandson, who was playing nearby. This led to a heated argument between the two. Following the argument, Balakrishnan and his son Balaji attacked Ranjith and stabbed him with a knife. Ranjith was taken to Thirumanur govt hospital, but as his condition worsened, he was referred to Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital. He died on the way. Police have registered a case and are investigating. Balaji and his son are being questioned. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Why 125+ CFOs have resigned in Q1. Hint: it's personal
Mumbai: More than 125 chief financial officers (CFOs) have exited listed companies in the first three months of FY26 — a sharp 25% jump from a year earlier — as per disclosures made to the BSE. Some of them walked out overnight, citing a cryptic phrase, 'personal reasons'. The sudden resignation last Monday of Mastek Ltd's CFO Raghavendra Jha, barely a month into the job, is the latest in a string of such departures. In a one-line email addressed to the company's chief executive, Jha said he was putting in his papers due to personal reasons, without providing any other detail. Such exits have cast doubts about corporate governance and regulatory compliance. When a listed company's key managerial personnel, including CFOs, resign, they are required to provide a detailed reason for their departure, as per the listing obligations and disclosure requirements of market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Experts said the KMPs are merely ticking the box in terms of complying with this requirement by citing vague reasons when resigning. 'The abrupt resignation of key managerial personnel, especially CFOs, often signals deeper issues within a company," said V. Balakrishnan, a former CFO at IT services major Infosys Ltd and founder of Exfinity Ventures, a venture capital fund. 'While regulators require disclosure of resignation reasons, the frequent use of vague terms like 'personal reasons' has become a convenient cover." Balakrishnan pointed out that in several instances, irregularities at companies have surfaced shortly after such exits. For example, Ankit Jain, the former CFO of Gensol Engineering, resigned in early March citing personal reasons and pursuit of other professional avenues as the reason for his departure. A month later, Sebi released its interim order against the company and its promoters, disclosing severe lapses in governance and diversion of funds. Similarly, IndusInd Bank's former CFO Gobind Jain's resignation this January was followed in March by the bank disclosing that it had financial discrepancies of over ₹2,000 crore in its derivatives portfolio. Jain had cited personal travel to the US and pursuit of other career opportunities as the reason for his exit. 'This raises serious concerns and strengthens the case for Sebi to broaden the disclosure mandate," said Balakrishnan. 'The onus must be on the board to reconcile these stated reasons with any financial lapses discovered later, and to be held accountable for any oversight or complicity." Currently, Ankit Jain is the CFO of SB-Constantia Flexibles, a joint venture between Constantia, an Austrian firm, and SB Packagings, a Delhi-based packaging firm. To be sure, in most cases when executives resign citing personal reasons, they end up joining a different firm. The pursuit of another career is the second most-cited reason for exits. However, experts say that the ambiguity created by this term allows even cases where there are serious issues at the firm to pass under the radar. Shriram Subramanian, a corporate governance expert and managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern, said boards need to be cognizant that they are working in the interest of shareholders. 'If there is any other reason for the resignation like fraud or disciplinary action, they should disclose as much to the exchanges instead of letting it slide as 'personal reason'," he said. Meanwhile, Mumbai-headquartered IT services company Mastek, which ended FY25 with $408.4 million in revenue and is valued at $890 million, said there were no governance concerns behind CFO Jha's resignation in just over a month of joining. Jha did not respond toMint's messages requesting comment. 'We are not happy with having two CFOs in the last six months; it creates a wrong impression," said Ashank Desai, the company's chairman. Last December, Arun Agarwal had resigned as CFO after serving in the role for just over four years. 'Mastek stands for the highest corporate governance. I can vouch for it," said Desai, who co-founded the company in 1982.
The Star
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia's evacuation assistance a testament to Asean solidarity, says Singapore FM
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan sharing a light moment with Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan during the opening of the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26. – AZMAN GHANI/The Star SINGAPORE: Malaysia's assistance in evacuating a Singaporean from Iran not only reinforces the close and enduring relationship between the two countries, but also serves as a testament to Asean solidarity, said Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. In a letter to his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Balakrishnan said the support is also a real-life demonstration of the importance of the Asean Guidelines on Consular Assistance for Asean Member States to help one another's citizens. "Hard times reveal true friends. We sincerely appreciate your government's readiness to extend assistance in times of crisis,' he wrote in the letter. A copy of the letter was shared by Balakrishnan on his Facebook page on Monday (June 23), where he also stated that he was grateful to the governments of Malaysia and Oman for their invaluable support in safely evacuating Singaporeans from Iran. In the letter, he noted that the swift and professional action taken by Wisma Putra Consular Division and the Malaysian embassies in Tehran and Ashgabat allowed Singapore to operationalise an evacuation plan under difficult circumstances. "Their prompt assistance, particularly securing the necessary accommodation, transportation, and entry permits into Turkmenistan, was crucial in ensuring the safety of our citizens,' he added. Meanwhile, Balakrishnan also wrote a separate letter to Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi to express his gratitude for Oman's prompt and effective assistance. He said Singapore remains deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and that various mediation efforts, including those by Al-Busaidi, are crucial for de-escalation. Earlier, the Singapore government expressed its deepest appreciation and gratitude to the governments of Malaysia and Oman for facilitating the safe return of its citizens from Iran. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Ministry said that a Singaporean was evacuated from Iran to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, with a group of Malaysians and other nationals, with the assistance of the Malaysian government, while a family of three Singaporeans was evacuated from Tehran to Muscat, Oman with the help of the Omani government. Singapore has no diplomatic mission in Iran. - Bernama
The Sun
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia's evacuation aid shows ASEAN solidarity, says SG FM
JOHOR BAHRU: Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan has commended Malaysia for its crucial role in evacuating a Singaporean national from Iran, calling it a testament to ASEAN solidarity. In a letter to Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Balakrishnan emphasized the significance of regional cooperation during crises. 'Hard times reveal true friends,' Balakrishnan wrote, expressing gratitude for Malaysia's swift consular support. The assistance, facilitated by Wisma Putra and Malaysian embassies in Tehran and Ashgabat, ensured safe passage for the Singaporean alongside Malaysian evacuees. Singapore lacks a diplomatic mission in Iran, making Malaysia's intervention vital. The evacuation involved securing transport, accommodation, and Turkmenistan entry permits under challenging conditions. Balakrishnan also thanked Oman for aiding a separate Singaporean family's evacuation to Muscat. The incident underscores the practical value of the ASEAN Guidelines on Consular Assistance, which promote mutual aid among member states. Balakrishnan noted Oman's mediation efforts amid Middle East tensions, stressing the need for de-escalation.
Barnama
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia's Evacuation Assistance A Testament To ASEAN Solidarity, Says Singapore FM
By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz SINGAPORE, June 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's assistance in evacuating a Singaporean from Iran not only reinforces the close and enduring relationship between the two countries, but also serves as a testament to ASEAN solidarity, said Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. In a letter to his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Balakrishnan said the support is also a real-life demonstration of the importance of the ASEAN Guidelines on Consular Assistance for ASEAN Member States to help one another's citizens. bootstrap slideshow 'Hard times reveal true friends. We sincerely appreciate your government's readiness to extend assistance in times of crisis,' he wrote in the letter. A copy of the letter was shared by Balakrishnan on his Facebook page on Monday, where he also stated that he was grateful to the governments of Malaysia and Oman for their invaluable support in safely evacuating Singaporeans from Iran. In the letter, he noted that the swift and professional action taken by Wisma Putra Consular Division and the Malaysian embassies in Tehran and Ashgabat allowed Singapore to operationalise an evacuation plan under difficult circumstances. 'Their prompt assistance, particularly securing the necessary accommodation, transportation, and entry permits into Turkmenistan, was crucial in ensuring the safety of our citizens,' he added. Meanwhile, Balakrishnan also wrote a separate letter to Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi to express his gratitude for Oman's prompt and effective assistance. He said Singapore remains deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and that various mediation efforts, including those by Al-Busaidi, are crucial for de-escalation.
