Latest news with #Nahata
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
HFCL posts ₹29.30 crore net loss in Q1FY26; board approves ₹700 crore fundraise
NEW DELHI: Homegrown optical fiber cable (OFC) and telecom gear maker HFCL on Friday reported a net loss of ₹29.30 crore in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Q1FY26), declining by 126.48% year-on-year from a net profit of ₹110.65 crore in the corresponding quarter a year ago. On a sequential basis, however, HFCL's net loss narrowed by 64.83%, from ₹83.30 crore in Q4FY25 to ₹29.30 crore in Q1FY26. 'While PAT (profit after tax) stood at ₹(29.30) crores, the performance marked significant operational improvement, and laid the foundation for a strong FY26,' HFCL said in its earnings statement. HFCL's revenue, however, declined by 24.80% year-on-year to ₹871.02 crore in the April-June quarter of FY26, but increased by 8.78% quarter-on-quarter. 'Despite macroeconomic headwinds, the company recorded revenue of ₹871 crores in Q1 FY26, up from ₹801 crore in Q4 FY25, and reported a sharp recovery in EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) at ₹42.93 crores compared to a loss in the previous quarter,' HFCL said. The company's board separately approved fundraising of ₹700 crore in one or multiple tranches, to leverage emerging growth opportunities in the defence and telecom sectors, including strategic investments, and to further strengthen the company's capital base and financial position. HFCL's shares closed 4.2% lower at ₹75.92 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Friday. The Delhi-based domestic vendor said after several muted quarters, its OFC business rebounded strongly in Q1FY26, driven by ₹300 crore worth of new export orders and ₹210 crore in export revenues. It also won product approvals from several new international clients and received repeat orders from leading global customers, particularly across Europe and Asia. To cater to rising demand from hyperscale data centres and digital infrastructure globally, HFCL's Board approved the expansion of Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) cable capacity from 1.73 million to 19.01 million fibre kilometres per annum, increasing total OFC capacity to 42.36 million fkm per annum. According to the statement, HFCL achieved a major milestone by developing and commercially deploying indigenous MPLS routers, securing ₹650 crore in orders under BharatNet Phase III, and also bagging a repeat order worth ₹175 crore for its 5G networking gear from a domestic telecom operator. 'Q1 FY26 has set a strong foundation for what we believe will be a breakout year for HFCL, with 66% of our revenue coming from the product segment and exports contributing 24% to the total revenue. We expect this positive momentum to continue and strengthen in the upcoming quarters,' said Mahendra Nahata, managing director (MD), HFCL. 'We remain confident in our ability to deliver sustained value to all stakeholders in FY26 and beyond,' Nahata added. According to a company statement, the proceeds from the proposed fundraising will, inter alia, be strategically deployed to support various initiatives central to the company's growth agenda, including expansion through organic and inorganic means, acquisitions in related space, new business opportunities, and other strategic initiatives, repayment of debt, working capital, general corporate purposes.
News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
Telecom gear maker HFCL reports Q1 loss of Rs 32 cr
New Delhi, Jul 25 (PTI) Telecom gear maker HFCL on Friday posted a loss of Rs 32.24 crore for the quarter ended June 2025, as revenue from operations fell sharply on year-on-year basis. It had logged a profit of Rs 111.30 crore a year ago. Revenue from operations declined to Rs 871 crore in Q1FY26 from Rs 1,158 crore a year ago, according to a BSE filing. The loss (attributable to owners of parent) stood at Rs 32.24 crore in the just-ended quarter. In a release, HFCL said that 'despite macroeconomic headwinds, the company recorded revenue of Rs 871 crore in Q1 FY26, up from Rs 801 crore in Q4 FY25, and reported a sharp recovery in EBITDA at Rs 42.93 crore compared to a loss in the previous quarter". 'While PAT stood at (Rs 29.30 crore), the performance marked significant operational improvement, and laid the foundation for a strong FY26," the earnings release said. HFCL said its order book surged to Rs 10,480 crore, reflecting growing customer confidence and demand visibility. Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL said: 'Q1 FY26 has set a strong foundation for what we believe will be a breakout year for HFCL, with 66 per cent of our revenue coming from the product segment and exports contributing 24 per cent to the total revenue." Nahata said the company expects this positive momentum to continue and strengthen in the upcoming quarters. 'Our strategic shift towards high-tech, value-added products in telecom and defence is already yielding encouraging results. With growing global demand, the government's push for `Atmanirbhar Bharat' and our expanding manufacturing capabilities, HFCL is well-poised to lead in next-generation connectivity and secure communication technologies," he said. He exuded confidence about HFCL's ability to deliver sustained value to all stakeholders in FY26 and beyond. PTI MBI MBI ANU ANU view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 17:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Scroll.in
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
The Emergency is 50 years old, but film censorship is still flourishing
On June 25 exactly 50 years ago, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a national Emergency. Between 1975 and 1977, Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi presided over the suspension of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Consitution and the arrests of opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists. June 25 will be marked as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Murder of the Constitution) by the Union government – which is ironic, given the sustained attacks on the freedom of expression on its watch. The Emergency's victims included filmmakers. One of the most shocking instances of censorship was the treatment accorded to Amrit Nahata's Kissa Kursi Ka (The Tale of the Seat of Power). Nahata's satire about corruption and cronyism under Indira Gandhi was completed in April 1975. Not only was the film subjected to 51 cuts and then banned, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister VC Shukla had all existing prints physically destroyed. In 1978, when the Congress had been defeated and the Janata Party took power, Nahata remade Kissa Kursi Ka. But the new version did not escape scrutiny either. Nahata's son, Rakesh Nahata, told Scroll in 2015: 'Twenty-five cuts were ordered – once people come to power, they change their position and the truth is never allowed to come out.' Would an updated Kissa Kursi Ka about the current regime face the same fate? Films are now stored on digital copies rather than celluloid prints, making the physical destruction of films difficult, if not impossible. But there will be other ways to undermine or vapourise a story of high-level graft, a cabal operating with impunity, and the oppression visited upon ordinary citizens. Play The Emergency's fiftieth anniversary has justly inspired debates about Indira Gandhi's legacy, the complicity of India's elites in her tryst with tyranny and the effects of her diktats on Parliament, the judiciary and the media. All these conversations are especially relevant in this dark age of censorship for films, documentaries and streaming shows. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry-run Central Board of Film Certification, informally – and correctly – called the censor board, is hard at work to unearth anything that could be deemed offensive, 'anti-national' or, more likely, critical of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime. Conversely, films that parrot the government line are valourised. The recently released Sitaare Zameen Par, starring Aamir Khan as a coach who trains basketball players with intellectual disabilities, had to remove the word 'kamal', or lotus, from a scene. The aquatic flower is the BJP's electoral symbol. The film was also required to carry a statement from Modi declaring that India would ensure inclusivity to physically and intellectually challenged Indians by 2047. Apart from being the centenary of Indian Independence, 2047 is the year by when the BJP government has promised to achieve 'Viksit Bharat', or a developed India. The board has also been busy punishing filmmakers who missed the memo about according due respect to aspects of Indian culture that have been co-opted by the Hindutva movement, of which the BJP is the political arm. The board recently stalled two Malayalam films with characters named Janaki – one of them starring Union Minister and BJP member Suresh Gopi. According to media reports, this was because Janaki is another name for Sita, the heroine of the Ramayana epic. Attended a special screening of the film, "The Sabarmati Report," in the GMC Balayogi Auditorium, Parliament, on December 2, 2024, with the Honorable Prime Minister and other senior leaders. — Suressh Gopi (@TheSureshGopi) December 3, 2024 Janaki Vs State of Kerala, in which Gopi plays a lawyer representing a sexual assault survivor, faced objections from the board because of its title. In the upcoming Malayalam movie, Token Number, a character called Janaki Abraham will now be known as Jayanthi. In both cases, the films were cleared by the board's Thiruvanthapuram office – one of nine such centres in the country . But they were then sent forward to the headquarters in Mumbai. The second set of censors in Mumbai – known as the revising committee – suggested the changes, reports stated. Until 2021, a three-tiered certification process was followed: an initial examining committee, a revising committee and the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. The appellate tribunal served as the final court of appeal within the Central Board of Film Certification, allowing filmmakers to contest adverse rulings. If these measures failed, filmmakers could file petitions in the courts. In 2021, the government scrapped the tribunal, leaving filmmakers at the mercy of the censors. Only producers with deep pockets and the stomach for litigating against a muscular regime will challenge censorship in the courts. This has been the case with Honey Trehan's Punjab '95, about enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings during counterinsurgency operations in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s. Trehan's movie explores the excesses committed by security forces through the story of the human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra (Diljit Dosanjh), who vanished during an investigation that indicted senior police officials. Punjab '95 has endured the kind of censorship that the BJP would have denounced as draconian had it not been in power. Citing the sensitivity of the subject matter, the makers have been repeatedly asked to make cuts – over 120 so far. The producers have appealed against the cuts in the Bombay High Court, but no decision has been reached. The required excisions include dropping references to human right abuses and the very identity of the police force. It they are carried out, Punjab '95 will be altered beyond recognition. The censor board has always controlled Indian cinema. Since movies cannot be shown in theatres without a censor certificate, both filmmakers and audiences have always known that everything on the screen has been granted the imprimatur of the Central Board of Film Certification. That oversight extends to film festivals. Organisers need to clear their selections with the ministry. Streaming platforms, on their part, follow a self-regulated code of conduct. The BJP is hardly alone in opposing contrary viewpoints. Right from the colonial era through various Congress or non-Congress government since Independence, rulers have never been able to resist telling Indians what they may or may not watch. Narendra Modi's elevation as prime minister in 2014 came with the promise of sweeping out the old and ushering in the new. But censorship has only increased, whether imposed by the government or other forces. Films or shows inspired by actual incidents, biopics on personalities who have been declared adversaries of the state, critiques of government policies, the names of characters, a saffron flag or a lotus – the government is hyper-sensitive to any expression that does not conform to its monolithic worldview. Censorship works beyond the remit of the Central Board of Film Certification, as was evident in the cases filed against the Prime Video series Tandav (2021) and the manner in which Netflix shelved the film Tees. While it has never been easy to pursue political projects, what is sorely lacking now is a balancing force, a neutral body that can mediate between the rampaging censor board and a filmmaker's right to creativity. Without bodies such as the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal and in the absence of governmental intervention when the censor board acts arbitrarily, filmmakers have learnt that survival requires them to silence themselves. While the Kissa Kursi Ka outrage took place under Indira Gandhi, there were instances when she prevailed in battles between the censors and filmmakers, such as with MS Sathyu's Garm Hava (1974). Sathyu's masterpiece about a Muslim family's travails after Partition had been held back by the censor board but cleared after Gandhi's intervention. If there are similar meditations taking place behind the scenes now, the public is not hearing about them. In the old days, reports of censors taking ridiculous measures to protect the nation's moral fibre would prompt mirth and ridicule. The replacement of a kiss with a shot of two quivering flowers being pulled together, the bowdlerisation of sexually tinged scenes or song lyrics – these restrictions continue but have been overtaken by far greater assaults on free speech. Censorship is never funny. Yet, some filmmakers have attempted to see the light side of mind control. In a throwaway moment in Sai Paranjpye's Katha (1982), the lovable rapscallion Bashu (Farooque Shaikh) starts telling his neighbours a joke about 'an American, a Russian and an Indian who are walking by a women's hostel'. The joke must have been good since the men laugh uproariously, but we never hear the rest of it. Paranjpye mutes the sound and places the word 'censored' in capital letters on the screen. Her mischievous dig made it past the censor board in the 1980s. Today, it is likely that Paranjpye would have had to cut out the scene altogether.
India Gazette
18-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
From Silver to Smart Investment: How Eternal Handicrafts Is Turning Royal Elegance into a Modern Asset
SMPL New Delhi [India], June 18: While most people still invest in wooden furniture that loses its shine and value over time, savvy buyers are now turning to silver furniture -- a timeless combination of beauty, durability, and real monetary worth. And when it comes to handcrafted silver furniture in India, one name stands out: Eternal Handicrafts, founded by Naman Nahata in the heart of Rajasthan's royal city, Udaipur. 'Silver isn't just decor -- it's a growing asset. In the last two years alone, the price of silver has jumped by over 1 lakh per kg,' says Mr. Nahata. 'At Eternal, we help you decorate your home while growing your wealth.' Why Choose Silver Furniture Over Wood? Wooden furniture may be common, but it depreciates quickly, requires regular maintenance, and loses charm over time. On the other hand, silver and German silver furniture: -Appreciates in value -- just like gold - Requires minimal upkeep (no termites, no warping) - Looks regal and unique - Lasts generations -- both structurally and in terms of resale worth Example: In 2023, silver was around 60,000/kg. By mid-2025, it crossed 1,10,000/kg. Why invest in wood when you can own functional wealth? Why Eternal Handicrafts? With over 35 years of experience, Eternal Handicrafts isn't just another luxury brand -- it's a cultural powerhouse. Based in Rajasthan, the land of royals, Eternal brings the essence of Indian heritage into modern interiors through its handcrafted silver masterpieces. What makes them different? -Legacy of Craftsmanship - Since 1991, built by master artisans from Udaipur - Skilled Workforce - Team of local artisans trained in traditional Rajasthani techniques - Timely Deliveries - Luxury, delivered with precision - Customization Experts - From concept to creation, built to fit your vision - Global Reach - Proudly exporting to clients across the USA, UAE, UK, and beyond 'From a swing for your palace to a temple for your home -- if you can imagine it in silver, we can build it.' What Do They Make? Eternal Handicrafts offers a wide, ever-evolving portfolio of silver and German silver furniture, including: - Designer chairs, sofas, and tables - Royal jhoolas (swings) and diwans - Maharaja-style beds and side tables - Pooja temples, chowkis, and thrones - Decorative mirrors, consoles, and dressers - Customised wedding gifts and statement showpieces - Corporate gifting and bulk orders Every product is unique -- handcrafted, not factory-made -- blending traditional design with modern sensibilities. Key Highlights - 11,000 sq ft luxury showroom in Udaipur - 10,000 sq ft manufacturing unit with 50+ artisans - Wide export network across 10+ countries - Products made from precious metals (silver & German silver) - Highly customisable designs for homes, hotels, and collectors - Proudly Made in India, admired globally About Eternal Handicrafts Originally launched as Jai Bhikshu Enterprises in 1991, Eternal Handicrafts has grown into one of India's most renowned names in silver and German silver furniture. From its roots in Udaipur's Amberi region, the company now operates a world-class facility that brings together tradition, technology, and talent. Their mission? To preserve heritage, empower artisans, and deliver handcrafted luxury that appreciates in value. About the Founder - Mr. Naman Nahata A visionary with a deep passion for Indian culture and design, Naman Nahata has spent decades building Eternal Handicrafts into a brand that blends legacy with innovation. Known for his eye for detail and dedication to excellence, he continues to lead the company toward a global future while staying rooted in Rajasthan's artisanal pride. 'At Eternal, we don't just make furniture -- we craft legacies. Each piece is made to outlive trends and become a treasured part of your story.' - Naman Nahata For showroom visits, custom orders, or to request a product catalogue, connect with us at: (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HFCL expects 25-30% revenue growth in current fiscal: MD Mahendra Nahata
Domestic telecom gear HFCL expects 25-30% growth in revenue during the current fiscal on account of increase in order book and pick-up in demand, a top official of the company said. During the earnings call, HFCL 's managing director Mahendra Nahata said that the company's order book as of March 31, 2025, has increased to ₹9,967 crore from ₹7,685 crore as on March 31, 2024. "With strong order book, demand pick-up and full capacity utilization, the company expects growth of 25-30 per cent in revenue of the current financial year on an overall basis with major growth starting from the second quarter," Nahata said. He said that HFCL has become the first Indian company to develop and commercially launch 5G Fixed Wireless Access customer premises equipment -- a modem for providing wireless 5G connectivity for home broadband services. "In its very first year of launch, we have successfully despatched over 4 lakh units of this equipment, demonstrating strong market acceptance. With growing demand from telecom operators and ISPs, we expect to have continuous demand for such products. I am happy to inform you that in the last week we have received another order of ₹174 crores for this product," Nahata said. During the March 31, 2025 quarter, HFCL recorded about 39 per cent decline in revenue to ₹800.72 crore mainly on account of poor demand for optical fibre. Nahata said that after experiencing subdued demand for optical fibre cable over the past 6-7 quarters leading to lower capacity utilization, the company's optical fibre manufacturing has now begun operating at full capacity starting June 2026 quarter as against 45 per cent capacity utilisation during FY25. "Our Optical Fiber Cable manufacturing capacity utilization was also 40 per cent during last financial year. This will also start operating at full capacity by July 2025. With market conditions showing clear signs of recovery and new growth drivers such as 5G rollouts, data centre expansion, BharatNet Phase III execution , and rising export demand, our revenue from optic fibre cable during FY'26 is expected to improve significantly," Nahata said.
