Rediff launches online service
Express Computers, February 19, 1996

Rediff Communication, Mumbai, has launched an online service on the Internet, Rediff on the Net.

The company claims to be the country's first authentic online service provider with the content being provided by a dedicated team of editorial and research staff.

"We have infotech and communication technologists, writers and designers and marketing and commercial professionals who will provide information on a diverse range of domestic and international topics," said Nikhil Lakshman, Editor of Rediff on the Net. Rediff has an arrangement with UNI for international news. The service will provide information on current events and news, business information, personal investment guidance, film and entertainment information, travel and leisure tips and sports coverage.

Also included are special sections for students and children and comprehensive archival database. Rediff updates its news section twice a day. "The authenticity and reliability of the contents in various sections is ensured through a panel of reputed contributors," said Jasmeet Singh, Product Manager. The personal investment section has to its credit experts like A N Shanbag, Nipun Mehta, and Ashok Wadhwa of Arthur Andersen, who offer practical advice on personal asset management, investment opportunity evaluations and tax planning.

The travel and leisure section profiles hotels and restaurants that suit a variety of preferences and budgets, entertainment and city events. For cricket buffs, there will be up to date stories and analysis on the World Cup with commentary from renowned contributors like Harsha Bhogle and Amrit Mathur in the sports section.

A subscriber-based service, Rediff on the Net includes a substantial free-to-view area that contains around 100 pages from the total of 400 pages of content. This service is available to anyone with a PC, modem and an Internet account. "The subscription of this extensive service is priced at the cost of a daily newspaper," said Lakshman. The annual subscription fee is Rs 1,600 for the general section and Rs 4,800 for the archival database.