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AU Small Finance Bank is reportedly in preliminary talks to acquire Fincare Small Finance Bank, a microfinance-focused bank, potentially marking the first deal in the small finance bank sector.
In this podcast, businessline’s Hamsini Karthik sheds light on several key aspects of thispotential acquisition.
The acquisition talks are characterised as exploratory, with no valuations or concrete terms discussed at this early stage. AU Small Finance Bank is a significant player in the industry, with a loan book of ₹58,421 crore (as of March 31, 2023) and a history rooted innon-banking financial companies (NBFCs) rather than microfinance institutions (MFIs).
Read:AU Small Finance eyes Fincare SFB for acquisitionAU’s interest in acquiring Fincare is attributed to the higher yields and profitability that microfinance portfolios can offer due to unsecured loans and flexible pricing. Additionally, Fincare’s strong presence in southern markets could help AU diversify its geographic risk and tap into regions with potentially better asset quality. This acquisition could address two significant issues for AU in one move.
Read:AU Small Finance Bank aims to reach 10 lakh cards-in-force by year-end: MDRegarding investor implications, the deal could result in some equity dilution for AU’s shareholders, depending on the valuation and terms. However, the long-term benefits of consolidation and improved financial stability might outweigh short-term concerns for investors.
The podcast also touches on the broader trend of consolidation in thesmall finance bank sector. The industry is highly fragmented, with a few major players and a multitude of smaller banks. Consolidation is seen as a positive step to strengthen the industry and address the challenges faced by individual banks, including regulatory capital requirements and private equity investors seeking exits. Listen in.
The G20 summit in New Delhi was a big event for India. There were some major announcements during the summit -- the African Union was admitted into the group, several infrastructure policies were announced, and India clinched a joint statement on the first day of the summit itself.
G20 heads and media organisations praised India’s effort in making the event a big success. With this, India has positioned itself as the leader of the global South.
V. Nivedita talks to Dr. Swaran Singh, Professor of International Relations at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (New Delhi), on what this means for India as a growing superpower.
In this episode of the businessline podcast, Hairpriya Surben speaks with Ashish Singhal, CEO, Coinswitch, about the challenges and prospects of the crypto industry in India.
The crypto industry in India is currently facing multiple challenges, including a prolonged bear market, effective taxation rules, and regulatory uncertainties. Singhal emphasises that market cycles are not new to the crypto world, and resilient companies survive and thrive by focusing on solving user problems and improving their products during bear markets.
Read:India G20 presidency aims to develop common framework to deal with crypto risks: FMRegarding regulations, Singhal acknowledges the progress made in discussions with regulatory bodies and believes that regulations should focus on the parts of the crypto ecosystem that are well understood, like exchanges and NFTs. He highlights the importance of collaboration through associations like the Bharat Web3 Association to present a unified case to the government.
Read:CoinSwitch launches API tradingDespite the current market conditions, Singhal believes that the enthusiasm in the industry remains strong, with many startups working behind the scenes to build the next phase of the crypto ecosystem. He also mentions CoinSwitch’s support for these startups through the Discovery Fund.
Singhal addresses the need for crypto exchanges to diversify their offerings to meet evolving user needs, emphasising that CoinSwitch remains a crypto-first company but aims to solve users’ changing requirements.
Singhal also discusses recentlayoffs at CoinSwitch , explaining that these were due to the automation of certain roles and that the company is actively hiring for other positions. Regarding CoinSwitch’s product roadmap, Singhal confirms that the company is on track to launch seven products by the end of the year, with the fourth product in the crypto space set to be released soon.
Read:Blanket bans on crypto can be technically demanding to enforce, warns IMF and FSB reportIn response to concerns about competition, Singhal believes that India’s crypto market is still underpenetrated and sees room for growth by addressing users’ needs effectively.
Overall, the discussion sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in the Indian crypto industry and CoinSwitch’s strategies for growth and innovation.
In this episode of businessline podcast, Piyush Jha, MD & Head – India & APAC, and Milind Patwardhan, Group Vice President and Global Head of Private Equity, from GlobalLogic, traces the evolution of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India and their transformation from mere back-office operations to drivers of innovation and profitability.
The two industry veterans also delve into the challenges that GCCs face including talent acquisition and upskilling, and talk about initiatives such as industry-academy collaborations and continuous learning that address some of these pain points.
Talking about the future of work within the context of GCCs, they highlight the emergence of the hybrid workplace model and how companies could build on the hub-and-spoke model and convert the constraints imposed by Covid into a competitive advantage.
Listen in for an insight into all these and many more factors that are driving and shaping the GCC landscape.
The hiring trends in start-ups are expected to increase hiring by over 7 per cent in the second half of the year as compared to the January-June hiring cycle, according to a report by Teamlease Edtech.
The start-ups in the e-commerce and technology sectors are expected to lead the way, while start-ups who have obtained Series A and B funding rounds are the ones who are actively hiring.
While hiring intent for freshers overall has marginally improved to 65 per cent for July to December 2023, which shows a 3% rise from the first half of the year.
As for start-ups, intent to hire is skewed towards junior and middle levels as about 40 per cent of start-ups are keen to hire junior workforce while about 30 per cent are looking to hire mid-level employees.
In this podcast, we will speak about the hiring trends across start-ups for the second half of the year.
Neeti Sharma, Co-founder and President, of TeamLease Edtech, and Vinay Joy, Partner at Khaitan & Co talk about the hiring trends, roles in demand, lay-offs in the sector, and the roadmap ahead.
In this episode of the Current Account Podcast, Ravi Narayanan, Group Executive, Retail Liabilities, Branch Banking, and Products, Axis Bank discusses the intriguing topic of potential five-day banking.
Although the exact timeline for implementing this concept remains shrouded in uncertainty, the episode dives deep into exploring the ripple effects such a change might create for both customers and bankers alike.
The prominence of branches during the pandemic emerges as a crucial narrative. These branches stood as vital pillars during emergency situations, effectively earning the status of essential workers.
Acknowledging the pandemic’s rigorous testing of frontline staff, particularly in India, Narayan shines a spotlight on the challenges endured. In light of this, the idea of transitioning to a five-day work week becomes a beacon of relief, offering respite to employees who have weathered the storm.
Read:Five day work week for banks gets IBA nodThe podcast conversation evolves to consider the evolving identity of branches. In the age of digital revolutions that have reshaped industries across the board, the role of branches has metamorphosed from transactional hubs to sanctuaries of customer interactions and consultative discussions. These personal exchanges emerge as paramount, furnishing customers with the guidance and expert insight they seek to navigate the labyrinth of financial decisions.
Read:Are RBI’s new rules on floating rates favourable to you?Within the banking sector, as in many others, hybrid work arrangements and adaptable schedules have taken centre stage. Embracing the transition to a five-day banking week harmonises seamlessly with this evolving landscape, recognising the value of ensuring both employee satisfaction and customer convenience.
In conclusion, the prospect of adopting a five-day work week within the banking sector emerges as a testament to the industry’s ongoing transformation. Listen in.
Electricity bills rise continuously, but State Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) are struggling financially. What is the reason for this?
In this episode of the Energonomics podcast, Richa Mishra talks to Vikram V, Vice President and Sector Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA, to understand issues that are affecting the power sector in India.
Listen to In this episode, we take a look at the Union Power Ministry’s rules that introduce a series of strategic reforms to resuscitate struggling DISCOMs. The rules streamline accounting, reporting, billing, and subsidies to DISCOMs. The rules also set a path to reduce AT&C loss and ensure proper Return on Equity (RoE) for the investors. Stay tuned to the Energonomics podcast for more insights into the pulse of India’s power sector!
Recently, the song, ‘Kaavaalaa’ performed by Tamannaah Bhatia from the movie ‘Jailer’ became popular in social media because of its deepfake videos. Though, it can be entertaining, there are various dangers underlying this innovation. In this businessline podcast,Anjana PV talks to Namitha Viswanath, Partner, IndusLaw, on the legal provisions to tackle deepfakes.
Viswanath emphasises that the quality of deepfakes has evolved significantly in recent times. This is making it challenging to distinguish between real and fabricated content. She notes instances where deepfakes have been exploited for political manipulation, leading to confusion and concerns about public trust. The conversation delves into the legal challenges of curbing deepfakes. She highlights that while outright banning might stifle technological advancement, enforcing penalties using existing laws is crucial.
The discussion explores the potential risks to individuals, including the misuse of deepfakes for extortion or fraud. It underscores the importance of raising awareness among the general public about the existence and potential dangers of deepfakes. The podcast also details how celebrities and public figures are particularly vulnerable to deepfakes threats due to their recognisable faces and profiles.
The discussion also turns to the intersection of deepfakes with politics and pornography. Viswanath discusses how deepfakes can be exploited for political agendas, as witnessed during elections or international conflicts.
The podcast also provides a comprehensive insight into the multifaceted world of deepfakes, their potential consequences, and the legal frameworks necessary to mitigate their misuse.
Listen in to the podcast.
Jio Financial Services (JFSL), the separated financial unit of Reliance Industries, encountered its second consecutive day of reaching the lower circuit due to continuous passive fund selling.Jio Financial Services is now set to be excluded from all relevant exchange indices starting August 28, rather than the previously planned August 23. The Index Committee decided to delay the removal due to the stock hitting the lower circuit limit for two days in a row. This information was conveyed through a notice posted by the BSE.
The company’s shares were locked at ₹236.45 on the NSE after declining by 5%, and on the BSE, the stock closed at ₹239.2 per share.
Read:Jio Financial Services to optimise digital opportunities: Chairman K.V. KamathIn this podcast episode, Nabodita Ganguly discusses the recent decline in the shares of Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) with K S Badri Narayanan, Market Editor.
The decline is attributed to index fund selling due to SEBI’s norm that index funds should only invest in stocks as part of the index. JFSL was removed from the index, causing liquidity and NAV volatility for mutual funds.
Read:Weaker than expected listing shows Jio Financial has much ground to coverNarayanan explains that JFSL will be reintroduced in the index, alleviating the selling pressure. He suggests that long-term investors need not worry, while short-term investors can buy during dips and sell after recovery.
The impact on the market is expected to be minimal. Narayanan also talks about LIC’s stake in JFSL and its inclusion in various indices, highlighting the prospect of JFSL’s growth in the NBFC sector. The discussion sheds light on JFSL’s market entry, its recent fall, and the factors shaping its future.
In thisbusinesslinepodcast, Anjana PV talks to Vinson Kurian about the financial crisis faced by Kerala and the possible reasons behind the same. The podcast focuses on how the crisis is affecting the Onam celebrations. The state’s history of revenue deficit and lack of proactive financial management have contributed to its current dire situation.
Despite concerns about reduced bonuses and ration kits, the government is keen to maintain these for the emotional significance they hold. However, inflation, potential electricity rate hikes, and a poor monsoon pose additional challenges. The podcast emphasises the need for individuals to tighten their belts, employ frugal practices, and explore EMI options.
Kerala has sought aid from the central government, including ad hoc borrowing, but a response has not been received. While Kerala’s financial woes are complex, addressing the state’s high committed expenses, finding new revenue sources, and implementing more effective financial management are key steps towards achieving a more sustainable and prosperous economy.
Listen in to the podcast!
In a conversation, B Bhaskar and Nabodita Ganguly discuss India’s industrial evolution since its Independence in 1947. Despite its early industrial base, India faced challenges and adopted the Bombay Plan for economic development. The Nehruvian plan emphasised government control and economic planning, leading to a capital-intensive industrial base. However, excessive regulations and bureaucracy hindered efficiency.
The 1980s marked the shift towards liberalisation, and the 1991 reforms dismantled barriers like industrial licensing and reduced import tariffs. Despite three decades of reforms, India’s manufacturing sector’s GDP contribution remains around 15-16%. Reasons include a lack of investment in primary education and healthcare, limited R&D, and challenges in achieving a competitive workforce.
The discussion explores the impact of COVID-19 on India Inc., acknowledging the initial economic contraction and eventual recovery. The conversation delves into the complexities of free market competition, highlighting industries requiring substantial capital investments that limit the number of players.
The conversation also addresses challenges in achieving equal opportunity and discusses the relevance of the new education policy. Bhaskar concludes by reflecting on the changing global landscape since the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that India’s economic future will be influenced by evolving global dynamics.
Listen in!
In this week’s Current account episode, Hamsini Karthik is joined by Nilesh Shah, Founder and CEO of Envision Capital. The discussion centres around the recent market developments, particularly the impact on global markets due to bond downgrades in the US, contrasting with the stable situation in Indian banks.
The dialogue delves into the concept of interconnectedness among global banks. While some level of interconnectedness exists, it’s not as pronounced as it was during events like the Global Financial Crisis. The degree of interconnectedness often depends on the severity of the crisis and the potential impact on sentiment rather than just fundamentals.
Nilesh Shah discusses the robust performance of India banks in recent quarters. He emphasises that banks are well-capitalised, asset quality is strong, and there is demand for credit. Despite some challenges, such as increasing deposit costs and shifts in deposit types, banks are currently in a favourable position.
The conversation touches upon the Reserve Bank of India’s recent move to introduce incremental capital and its potential impact on net interest margins (NIMs). Nilesh Shah explains that while there might be a slight compression in NIMs due to rising deposit costs, the overall environment remains supportive.
Regarding investment prospects, Nilesh Shah cautions that the exponential gains witnessed in the past might not be replicated in the near future. He suggests that banks’ performance will be closely tied to loan book growth, credit cost management, and improvement in return metrics.
The discussion concludes on an optimistic note, highlighting the resilience of Indian banks and their ability to navigate challenges with the support of prudent regulations and central bank measures.
In this podcast, Prateek Waghre, Policy Director, Internet Freedom Foundation, India and businessline’s V Nivedita discussed about the recent Digital Personal Data Protection Bill in India and its potential implications on data protection, privacy, and the interactions between individuals, organisations, and the government. The conversation detailed on various aspects of the bill, including data protection, consent, obligations on data fiduciaries, penalties for transgressions, exemptions for state entities, and the concept of legitimate uses.
Throughout the conversation, Waghre expressed both positive and negative views about the bill. Some of the positive aspects of the bill mentioned include the introduction of consent requirements for data sharing, obligations on data fiduciaries, penalties for non-compliance, and the right to be notified in case of data breaches. However, concerns are raised about the broad exemptions granted to state entities, the lack of specificity in the bill, and the potential impact on individual rights and privacy.
Waghre pointed out that the bill seems to prioritise data processing over privacy protection, which contradicts the original intent of safeguarding individuals’ rights. There is also discussion about the challenges of balance in terms of granting exemptions, legitimate uses, and the potential consequences of these provisions. Additionally, Waghre highlighted the absence of safeguards, the role of the Data Protection Board, and the potential impact on citizens and businesses.
The conversation emphasises that the bill’s effectiveness and impact will largely depend on the specific rules that will be defined in the future. The speaker expresses concerns about how certain provisions could be used to favor state entities or large organizations, potentially leading to a lack of privacy protection for individuals. The lack of clarity, specificity, and safeguards in the bill are key concerns that Waghre believes need to be addressed for effective data protection and privacy preservation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a big target -- he said that the government is working to increase the consumption of natural gas in the Indian energy mix from 6 per cent to 15 per cent by 2030. However, this ambition faces hurdles, particularly regarding the price of imported gas.
The episode dissects the existing dichotomy between domestic and imported gas prices, delves into the impacts on the gas value chain, and examines the challenges stifling the industry’s growth.
In the latest episode of Energonomics, Richa Mishra talks to Anil Jain, Chairperson, Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board, to understand how pricing and taxes are hindering the growth of the sector.
China’s exports have decreased for three months in a row, dropping 14.5% in July compared to last year. Imports have also fallen for five consecutive months in the same period. This decline is the largest since February 2020.
In this businessline podcast, Santosh Pai, Partner at Dentons Link Legal and Honorary Fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) sheds light on China’s export situation.
While the headlines emphasise the sharp drop, Pai provides context by explaining that the decline in the first seven months of the year amounts to 5 per cent, suggesting a more gradual trend. He notes that this decline aligns with the ongoing pressure on Chinese exports due to factors like the US-China trade war and the pandemic-induced disruptions.
Pai delves into the reasons behind this export decline, citing weak global demand as a short-term factor and the shift in trade patterns due to geopolitical reasons as a long-term trend. He acknowledges that diversification away from China in supply chains is a continuing process, as countries seek to build resilience and reduce dependency.
Read:Crude oil drops as China’s imports in July declineThe conversation moves to India’s efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese imports. Santosh clarifies that India is not imposing bans but rather working to diversify its sources of imports, emphasising the need to boost domestic manufacturing. He notes that India’s focus on reducing dependency aligns with global trends of supply chain diversification.
Regarding the impact on the yuan’s value, Pai mentions that China’s central bank is actively managing its currency and policies to prevent a flight of capital, indicating a careful approach to maintain stability.
Read:China announces steps to boost sales of cars, electronicsThe discussion also touches on the evolving India-China relationship. Santosh explains India’s cautious approach to Chinese investments, focusing on attracting non-sensitive investments in manufacturing while also managing political considerations.
Overall, the discussion provides insights into China’s export challenges, India’s efforts to diversify, and the broader implications for global trade dynamics and bilateral relationships. Listen in.
“Food Inflation is likely to be a cause for concern for a little longer,” said Dipti Deshpande, Principal Economist, CRISIL.
In the latest Monetary Policy Committee meet, the RBI Monetary Policy Committee has kept the key policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent. This is the third meeting on the trot that the MPC decided to maintain the status quo on the repo rate. it last raised this rate from 6.25 per cent to 6.50 per cent at its meeting in February.
businessline’s Anshika Kayastha and Dipti Deshpande, Principal Economist,CRISIL, discuss the MPC’s stance, and how food inflation is likely to be a cause for concern for a little longer.
In the monetary policy announcement, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has chosen to keep key policy rates unchanged, citing multiple factors including elevated food inflation, weather-related disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainties. This decision reflects the RBI’s focus on managing inflation within acceptable limits while also addressing liquidity challenges stemming from the withdrawal of high-denomination currency notes.
The central bank has introduced an Incremental Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) as a measure to manage surplus. This move comes as the RBI aims to strike a balance between sustaining liquidity in the banking system and preventing excessive money supply that could potentially contribute to inflationary pressures.
Madhavi Arora, Lead Economist, Emkay Global Financial Services, highlighted the RBI’s cautious stance on inflation, particularly its attention to durable elements of core inflation despite recent volatile food prices. She emphasised that while a transitory element exists in food inflation, the ongoing food shock led to a material revision of near-term and FY24 inflation forecasts by the RBI. Arora expects the reversal of food inflation to be more significant than the central bank’s expectations, potentially impacting near-term inflation averages.
Regarding the liquidity management strategy, Arora acknowledged the temporary nature of the current liquidity deluge, which she believes will start reversing from September onward. She commented on the choice of the incremental CRR as a liquidity tool, suggesting that it aligns with the RBI’s stance of withdrawing accommodation without significantly disturbing the banking system’s dynamics.
The impact of this policy decision on interest rates and borrowing costs was also discussed. While Ms. Arora anticipated a mild hardening of money market rates due to the new CRR measure, she projected a potential upside of around 10-15 basis points in short-term rates over the next one to two months. Additionally, the podcast covered the RBI’s acknowledgement of elongating loan tenures and its potential impact on different loan segments, particularly affecting personal loans more than home loans.
The RBI’s decision to maintain the status quo on key policy rates while introducing an incremental CRR reflects a cautious approach to manage inflation and liquidity challenges. The central bank’s focus on durable elements of inflation and its anticipation of a reversal in food inflation’s impact underscore its commitment to maintaining price stability and a balanced economic environment.
In this podcast, Nishtha Satyam, the UN Woman Mission Head for Timor-Leste, shares her insights on her “Pride Never Ends” campaign. The discussion delved into her journey, her experiences, and her dedication to gender equality.
The “Pride Never Ends” campaign serves as a platform to support choice, voice, and rights for the LGBTQIA+ community. Satyam emphasises that the campaign is not time-bound but a continuous effort to mainstream inclusivity and challenge stereotypes.
She also talks about her journey into feminism, which began relatively late, around the age of 18 or 19. Feminism, for her, is about relatability, understanding, and empowerment.
Read:In a tough jobs market, LGBTQIA+ candidates face even more challengesThe interview addresses challenges faced by women, including societal norms and stereotypes. Satyam highlights the paradoxical nature of India, where women have achieved significant milestones yet face deep-rooted patriarchy and gender-related issues. She stresses that changing mindsets and dismantling patriarchy are essential steps towards achieving true gender equality.
Read:Championing LGBTQIA+ inclusivity: Insights from an entrepreneur and Mr Gay India 2018 runner-upWhen discussing the importance of feminism in understanding inclusivity, Satyam passionately explains that feminism is not about inclusion but about recognising that women represent half of humanity. She encourages embracing feminism to understand the struggles and experiences of women, which are integral to creating a just and equal society. Satyam also expresses optimism about India’s potential for change and urges society to embrace the principles of equality laid out in the constitution.
Overall, Satyam’s words resonates with a call for ongoing efforts to challenge societal norms, support choice and empowerment, and work towards a world where feminism and inclusivity are fundamental principles guiding humanity forward. Listen in.
After a couple of hyper-growth years for the Indian IT sector driven by the Covid pandemic, things have become more sedate. The pandemic forced all industries globally to move online, which meant huge growth opportunities for the Indian IT sector. However, with things like the Russia – Ukraine conflict, a new cold war brewing between Western powers and China, as well as general global economic slowdown has meant that Indian IT is facing growth challenges.
This was highlighted when one of Indian IT service companies’ poster child Infosys in its first quarter results drastically revised downwards its growth forecast for the full financial year from a band of 4-7 percent to more modest 1-3.5 percent. The broader IT index has been one of the underperformers of the Sensex in general.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Salil Parekh, CEO and MD of Infosys spoke to Venkatesha Babu on a range of these and related issues. These include whether Indian IT from now on has to resign to single digit growth rates given its size, issues regarding whether Generative AI is an opportunity or a threat which is likely to replace low end coding, future of hybrid work, newer opportunities of growth in areas of cybersecurity, IP (intellectual property), products & platforms as well as continued support extended by Infosys founders in shaping its future. Edited Excerpts:
In this episode of the BL podcasts, businessline’s Vasanth Srinivasan and Sangeetha Bhavi, the Executive Director of Digital Natives at Microsoft India, delve into the thriving start-up landscape in India and Microsoft’s pivotal role in fostering its growth. With a rich history of entrepreneurship deeply embedded in India’s culture, Bhavi explains how the nation’s start-up ecosystem has evolved over time, fuelled by collaboration across academia, government, and corporate sectors.
The discussion centers on the symbiotic relationship between technology and start-ups. Bhavi highlights how start-ups are leveraging technology, particularly Microsoft’s tech portfolio, to bridge market fragmentation and information gaps, thereby disrupting industries. She unveils Microsoft’s comprehensive support for start-ups through initiatives like the Founders Hub program, where early-stage start-ups receive access to Microsoft’s technology stack, mentorship, and cost-saving credits, catalysing their growth trajectory.
Listen in!
A full 12 years later, Fitch has joined S&P by downgrading the sovereign rating of US. However unlike the S&P downgrade of 2011, market reaction while negative was not as severe as last time. What was the rationale for the downgrade? How similar and different is it versus S&P’s downgrade and why markets reaction has been different versus last time?To get the answers for these and what can be the implications for markets going ahead, listen in to this interesting conversation between Parvatha Vardhini and Hari Viswanath.
In this episode of our monthly series, Digital Gadfly, Shubho Sengupta delves into the captivating world of celebrities and start-up CEOs on social media.
He is joined by Anupreeta Lall, the founder and search partner of Intel Search, a distinguished HR agency. With over three decades of experience, Anupreeta provides valuable insights into the dynamics of social media for celebrities and entrepreneurs alike.
She talks about how social media has become a powerful platform for both well-known personalities and emerging business leaders. From Zeenat Aman’s candid Instagram presence to start-up CEOs leveraging their digital presence, she highlights the strategies behind their online triumphs.
Anupreeta underscores the importance of a balanced approach to social media visibility. While it offers an avenue for one-on-one interaction with fans, it’s crucial to avoid overexposure and maintain a sense of privacy. She emphasizes the significance of professionalism in online behaviour, cautioning against entitlement and grovelling.
The podcast also delves into intriguing instances where social media has proved to be a game-changer. Anupreeta shares anecdotes of individuals reaching out to influential figures on platforms like Twitter, resulting in swift action and tangible outcomes.
In an era where social media wields immense influence, this episode serves as a guide to harnessing its potential effectively. Whether you’re a celebrity seeking to connect authentically with your audience or a start-up CEO aiming to showcase your venture, the podcast offers actionable insights for navigating the digital landscape with finesse.
Stay tuned to unravel the secrets of social media success and gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between public personas and the digital realm.
Overall, the discussion sheds light on the ongoing debate about the risks and benefits of unsecured loans in the banking sector and emphasises the importance of cautious and prudent lending practices by financial institutions.
In this podcast,businessline’sHamsini Karthik talks about the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) view on unsecured loan exposure for banks and the reasons behind their discomfort with high levels of unsecured loans. Unsecured loans are loans that are not backed by collateral or any security, which means that if the borrower defaults, the bank does not have any recourse to recover the money.
The podcast highlights that unsecured loans have been on the rise in the past few years, with a significant portion of total retail loans being unsecured. The ease of sourcing and faster processing of unsecured loans has led to their popularity among banks, resulting in a higher growth rate for this segment.
One of the major concerns raised is the potential risk associated with unsecured loans. If borrowers face financial difficulties, such as changing jobs or experiencing a drop in income, they may be tempted to default on the loan, and the banks may not have a strong means to recover the money.
The podcast also touches on the potential risks of job market fluctuations and the overall economic situation. The growth of unsecured loans heavily relies on the stability and growth of the job market, particularly in the IT sector, which contributes significantly to unsecured loan demand. If job market conditions deteriorate, it could lead to higher delinquencies in the unsecured loan segment.
The RBI and banks are cautious about this growth in unsecured loans, as it can be a tricky game. While unsecured loans offer higher yields currently due to lower operating costs, there is a risk that banks may continue to chase this high-yield game even when it becomes risky, leading to potential pitfalls.
The podcast concludes with the recognition that banks need to carefully monitor their unsecured loan exposure, as it could become a precarious situation in the medium term. However, since there is no data available from external sources, it remains uncertain how this situation will unfold.
The start-up world, which has witnessed a meltdown of sorts, may soon stage a recovery, says Neha Singh, the Co-founder and CEO of Tracxn, a global platform that tracks start-ups and private companies.
Read the full storyhere
The Indian film industry, especially the Hindi movie segment, is witnessing turbulent times. In the first half of the year, there haven’t been many blockbuster hits. Among the Hindi movies, Shah Rukh Khan’s “Pathaan” was the top grosser so far, but no other movie has been able to match that performance.
In fact, in June, Hollywood movies “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” came to the rescue of multiplex chains.
According to a recent report released by specialised insights consulting firm Ormax Media, the cumulative India box office collections for January-June are estimated at Rs 4868 crore in terms of gross collections. This amount is 15 per cent lower than the same period in 2022. The report noted, “At this rate, 2023 is expected to end at ₹9,736 Cr, which will be 8% lower than the annual 2022 box office of ₹10,637 Cr.” Thus, a lot is riding on the content line-up in the second half of the year.
In this podcast, Shailesh Kapoor, Founder CEO of Ormax Media, expressed hope that the strong content line-up may help the box office collections reach 2022 levels.
When asked about what is ailing Bollywood, Kapoor said that certain films, such as “Pathaan,” have performed well, but they are largely franchise films or spectacle films built for the big screen. However, he added that the “in-between films,” which have more social or realistic premises, are struggling as consumers can now watch such content on OTT platforms. He also pointed to a change in audience preferences post the pandemic and is hopeful that by 2024, filmmakers will be more in-tune with audience preferences.
No wonder, Ormax Media is seeing a surge in demand for its content testing services before the commercial release of the content. Tune in to listen to this podcast to know more.
In this podcast, Nabodita Ganguly is joined by Srinivas Ramanujam, CEO of Villgro to talk about clean technology solutions for rural areas, particularly focusing on women’s empowerment and livelihood improvement.
The podcast begins with a discussion of various clean technology solutions being used in rural India, such as solar, biogas, and biomass. Ramanujam highlights the potential of distributed renewable energy sources in improving productivity and economic opportunities for rural communities.
Ramanujam explains that clean energy can increase opportunities for stable income generation in various sectors like animal husbandry, food processing, and more. He also emphasises the shift in paradigm to prioritise women’s involvement in designing and using the solutions, leading to a more inclusive approach.
The podcast further explores the cost of adopting clean technology in rural areas and how it can be made affordable for villagers. Ramanujam explains that their organisation, Vilgro, partly subsidises the costs of clean technology demos and partners with microfinance institutions to provide financial support to farmers and rural communities. They also ensure continuous engagement and support to maximise the utilisation of the technology.
The conversation also touches on the dynamics of gender roles in rural India and how the introduction of clean technology is perceived by the community. Ramanujam believes that the changing macroeconomic trends, combined with focused policies and women-centric solutions, are driving positive changes and acceptance within society.
The podcast concludes with a discussion on the potential impact of the government’s new scheme for distributed applications of renewable energy in rural India. Ramanujam hopes that this scheme will further validate the value of clean technology solutions and lead to wider adoption, ultimately benefiting the rural communities and value chains.
Overall, the podcast highlights the importance of clean technology in rural development, women’s empowerment, and sustainable economic growth in India. It showcases the efforts being made to make clean technology accessible and affordable for rural communities, leading to a brighter and more sustainable future. Listen in. Read the full story here.
Retail fuel pricing in India is deregulated, and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) are to set prices based on market forces. However, despite fluctuations in crude oil rates, the retail selling prices of petrol and diesel have mostly remained stagnant. Crude oil prices change daily and yet, this is not directly reflected in the prices paid by consumers.
One factor at play is the role played by the government. This is an important factor since the fuel retail market is largely dominated by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation. Additionally, taxes imposed by both the central and state governments contribute to the burden borne by consumers.
In this episode of Energonomics, Richa Mishra decodes the factors that determine fuel prices in the country.
Open Network For Digital Commerce (ONDC), set up as a non-profit company (like the National Payments Corporation of India), is a network that lets sellers voluntarily display their products and services across all participating apps and platforms.
ONDC, a UPI of e-commerce, seeks to democratise digital or electronic commerce, moving it from a platform-centric model to an open network.
It aims to sign up 900 million buyers and 1.2 million sellers on the shared network within the next five years while achieving a gross merchandise value of $48 billion.
Yet, there is confusion as to how the space operates and how will it help to unlock growth for all the players involved in the ecosystem. ONDC has also entered the B2Bspace, which many believe will unlock another level of growth.
In this episode, Anshoo Sharma, CEO of Magicpin and Rishav Jain, Managing Director, consumer and retail lead at Alvarez & Marsal to talk about ONDC and the future of it.
Many investors are currently attracted to small-cap funds with the expectation that their impressive performance will persist. However, it is crucial to avoid making the common retail mistake of excessively investing in a fund category that has already experienced significant growth, as this can lead to unfortunate outcomes. To achieve favorable returns in the small-cap category, strategic planning is essential. How to invest in smallcap funds? Which ones to choose and which ones to avoid? Listen in to get a perspective.
Also, check out a detailed story published on the topic here.
In the latest episode of The Current Account Podcast, Hamsini Karthik delves into the intriguing world of private credit, a topic gaining popularity in financial circles. Joined by Manisha Shroff, a partner at Khaitan & Co with extensive expertise in the BFSI space, the podcast aims to shed light on private credit and its significance in the financial landscape.
Private credit is essentially non-bank lending, facilitated by various players, including private equity credit funds, alternative investment funds (AIFs), and foreign portfolio investors. Unlike traditional bank loans, these high-yield securities are tailored to meet the funding needs of sectors not adequately serviced by banks. Startups, mid-sized companies with good projections but low credit ratings, and projects in the infrastructure and renewable sectors are among those that can benefit from private credit.
Manisha explains that private credit instruments are not easily tradable due to their unique features and illiquid nature. They are structured as debt or hybrid instruments with seniority over other debts and are typically secured with collateral. The interest rates tend to be higher than those of bank loans due to the higher risk involved. However, they offer flexibility, allowing borrowers to repay the funds once their financial situation improves.
One key aspect of private credit is the presence of stringent covenants. These protective clauses are designed to ensure that lenders receive their returns even in challenging situations. They may include provisions for collateral, pledges of shares, change of control of a company, or special purpose vehicles for real estate projects. Regular financial testing is conducted to monitor compliance with the covenants.
As the market for private credit grows, many investors prefer listed debt instruments to gain additional benefits, such as sarfaesi rights, enhancing their secured creditor position. The current market size of private credit transactions is significant, with over $5.3 billion recorded last year. Projections indicate continued growth, with funds setting aside billions for future investments.
While some speculated that private credit might eventually become a substitute for equity funding, Manisha explains that equity investments involve promoters diluting their stakes, which is not the case with private credit. It offers a win-win scenario for both investors and borrowers, with returns realised at the time of entry and no need for dilution of equity for promoters.
Listen in to know more.
Artificial intelligence and the banking sector tend to go really well together. After all, AI can be used to streamline a lot of mundane tasks, detect frauds and help in customer care. Banks and financial institutions using AI isn’t new, but there are some interesting developments happening. In this podcast, V Nivedita talks to Alok Mittal, Co-founder & CEO of Indifi, to know more about how banks and financial institutions use AI to serve their customers better
The global rice market is facing a precarious situation as India recently imposed a ban on non-Basmati rice exports, accounting for 40 percent of its annual 17.5 million tonnes of non-Basmati rice shipments.
Since the ban took effect on July 20, the rice market has been in turmoil, raising fears of global food inflation. This concern comes on the heels of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which ensured the supply of Ukraine wheat, sunflower, and corn to nations dependent on Kyiv’s provisions. With wheat prices already rising due to the Black Sea Grain Initiative’s disruption, experts worry that the rice export ban by India may exacerbate the situation, leading to potential food price instability worldwide.
What led to the export ban of non-basmati rice products? and what is the way forward?
Pushan Sharma, Director - Research, CRISIL Market Intelligence and Analytics helps decode the global rice situation and more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a pervasive force in various fields, and astronomy is no exception. For decades, the field of astronomy has been utilising AI sensors and techniques to tackle the overwhelming volume of data generated by celestial observations. In India, the integration of AI in astronomy has been steadily progressing, offering exciting prospects for the future of space exploration.
In this episode of Bl Podcast, Somak Raychaudhury, Indian astrophysicist and the vice-chancellor of Ashoka University, delves deeper into the subject.
Astronomy’s reliance on AI is rooted in the need to process and analyse vast data sets that are beyond the capabilities of human astronomers. From identifying new celestial objects, such as asteroids or galaxies, to classifying and clustering various astronomical phenomena, AI has proven to be a valuable tool. Moreover, AI algorithms are increasingly being employed to operate astronomical facilities, especially in remote and inaccessible locations where human presence is not feasible.
Raychaudhury emphasizes that the usage of AI in astronomy dates to the 1950s, and the discipline has continuously evolved along with advancements in AI technologies. From the early robotic systems used in planetary exploration to the sophisticated equipment deployed on the Moon and Mars, AI has played a crucial role in enabling autonomous decision-making and automation.
In conclusion, the symbiotic relationship between AI and astronomy has become firmly established, revolutionizing the way we explore and understand the universe. India, like other countries, is actively embracing AI to further enhance its capabilities in the field of astronomy. As technology continues to progress, the future of astronomy appears even more promising, with AI serving as a driving force behind discoveries and breakthroughs in our exploration of the cosmos. Listen in.
In this conversation with TV Narendran, CEO & MD of Tata Steel, he talks about the transformation journey of the steel behemoth, from being a traditional, ‘old economy’ steel-making company, that is today more digitally savvy, and a more efficient producer as well. He also dwells on how he gets his inspirations and ideas to bring about change in the conglomerate.
Narendran also talks about the Indian consumption story for steel and the China impact on world steel production and prices. The Tata Steel chief also elaborates on the ‘greening of steel making’ with the company looking to engender sustainable practices by recycling scrap steel through the electric arc furnace route which is less polluting than coal-fired plants. He also touches upon how he ended up as a lifer in Tata Steel which he joined soon after his MBA from IIM Calcutta. We hope you enjoy this conversation.
Every decade or so has witnessed a technological revolution that has in many ways upended the way the world functions. In the 1990s it was the PC and mobile telecom revolution, which made possible the internet, e-commerce, and smartphone revolution in the 2000s decade. This paved the way for the cloud computing and social media revolution of the last decade. These transformations of the past have now landed us at the cusp of the AI revolution as generative AI gathers momentum.
How real is the AI revolution, where are we in the AI innovation wave and how can you profit from it? Listen in to get a perspective.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a significant role in transforming various industries including the cosmetic industry. In this BL podcast, Deep Ganatra, Chief Technology officer, The Good Glamm group talks to businessline’s Anjana PV about what are the major changes in the industry after the implementation of AI.
One of the key tools used by The Good Glamm group is the Virtual try-on tool. They have become widely adopted, enabling customers to digitally try different cosmetic products. Another tool is the skin analyser which offer personalized recommendations based on individual skin tones and skincare product suggestions.
Deep also spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of AI driven tools and how it helped in better engagement and sales. The podcast also explains about how AI can help in bridging gaps between online and offline channels. He also added that AI can enhance online purchases and cannot replace offline stores. Listen in.
In a tough job market with cut-throat competition, there is an added dimension of struggle for LGBTQIA+ candidates— discrimination based on sexual orientation/gender identity.
The government introduced the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which seeks to remove discrimination. Section 3 (b) of the Act specifies that no person or establishment shall discriminate against a transgender person in relation to employment. But Indian companies still have a lot of work to do.
Despite this act, there are many instances of recruitment-linked discrimination happening against LGBTQIA+ people in India to this day.
In this podcast, TM Amrita talks to Srinivasa Raghavan, who identifies as gay and gender fluid and works as a senior analyst at an MNC, to gain his perspective.
Raghavan discusses their experience in the workplace and the importance of queer inclusivity. They acknowledge that every workplace consists of diverse individuals from various backgrounds, making it challenging to expect complete sensitization on queer issues from everyone.
Read: In a tough jobs market, LGBTQIA+ candidates face even more challengesRaghavan emphasises the importance of sensitising managers and leaders within organisations to create a more inclusive environment. Managers who are aware of the unique challenges faced by queer individuals can mediate and foster understanding between team members, contributing to a more comfortable workspace.
Diversity hiring is seen as highly beneficial, offering a safe and supportive environment for queer individuals. However, Raghavan notes that diversity hiring practices are still limited to certain elite organisations and need to be expanded. They highlight the significance of prioritising hiring more marginalised individuals within the queer community, such as transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex individuals. Currently, some organisations fulfil diversity hiring requirements merely as a formality, predominantly hiring cisgender candidates.
Regarding company policies, Raghavan appreciates organisations that offer benefits like health insurance and life insurance with the option to nominate a same-sex partner. They also find value in queer support groups within organisations, providing opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and share experiences. Listen in.
In recent years, the job market has witnessed a significant surge in job postings related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) segments of companies. According to data from Indeed, these job postings have risen by an impressive 220 per cent over the past two years. While this statistic indicates substantial growth, it is essential to put it into perspective and that’s why we have Sambitosh Mohapatra, ESG expert at PwC. We will talk about the rising trend, job offers, skills required and more. Stay tuned till the end of the podcast to know all about it.
The increased demand for ESG professionals is driven by various factors. Historically, major shifts in the job market occurred in response to specific needs. For instance, when India liberalized in 1991, management graduates became highly sought after. Similarly, the advent of financial accounting standards created a demand for chartered accountants. The technology boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s led to increased opportunities for IT professionals.
The ESG field encompasses a wide range of skills and expertise. The first stage involves individuals who can align strategy with sustainability principles. Other areas of expertise include climate risk assessment, building resilient infrastructure, carbon markets, net-zero strategies, circularity in resource management, water stewardship, greening the supply chain, operational and information technology implementation, reporting, assurance, tax, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and social impact.
Companies seeking to strategize their ESG programs should consider two key aspects. Firstly, while there is a need for external experts, there is also a vast opportunity for capacity building within their existing workforce. By raising awareness and providing training on sustainability issues, organizations can empower their employees to incorporate sustainability principles into their existing roles and services. Sustainability should not be confined to a single department but embraced by all.
While the immediate demand for ESG professionals is evident at entry and mid-level positions, there is also a reskilling trend occurring at the top level. Executives are taking initiatives to educate themselves about sustainability issues and incorporate them into their roles. This blend of new hires and reskilling ensures a holistic approach to ESG integration throughout organizations.
Several factors contribute to the surge in ESG job postings. Increasing citizen awareness, government policies, regulatory mandates, and consumer demands have created a need for companies to prioritize sustainability. Investors also face pressure to align their portfolios with responsible and sustainable companies. These factors, collectively, drive companies to embrace ESG practices and seek professionals who can lead their sustainability efforts.
The growing interest in ESG careers suggests a trend that will continue well into the future. The demand for ESG professionals is expected to grow exponentially, mirroring the perpetual demand witnessed in other specialized fields. The job market for sustainability-related roles is only in its infancy, and as more companies recognize the importance of sustainability, the demand for professionals skilled in ESG principles will continue to rise.
Read the full story .
Early this year, the skyline of San Jose changed with the launch of Adobe’s futuristic Founders Tower - a shared, connected, adaptive workplace designed for creative communities and run 100 per cent on renewable electric power. Adobe, which is celebrating its 40th year, also launched its new values designed with the future of work in mind. Gloria Chen, the Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President, Employee Experience, who describes herself as a “Change Junkie” talks to Businessline about the new developments at the tech company, and her own journey within the company.
World Youth Skills Day is celebrated every year on July 15. In this BL podcast, businessline’s Anjana PV talks to Dr. Madhuri Dubey, founder of National Skills Network on the importance of skilling and how to prepare for the future world of work.
Madhuri explains that World Youth Skills Day aims to highlight the significance of skills for employability and entrepreneurship. They emphasize that skill gaps are not limited to India but exist globally. The image of skilling in India is seen as limited and associated with low-level manual work, creating a stigma around it.
She details the need to integrate skill development with academic learning and the limitations of a purely theoretical education. The speaker also highlights the importance of hands-on experience, practical application, and acquiring skills through informal learning channels. Madhuri mentions the underemployment of highly qualified individuals in jobs that do not align with their education.
The conversation shifts to the New Education Policy (NEP) launched in 2020, which emphasizes vocational education, job-oriented degree programs, and apprenticeships. The NEP aims to break the status quo and bring about changes that align education with the evolving needs of the future. The podcast also discusses the recommendations and potential implementation challenges of the policy and highlights the importance of strategic implementation at the state level.
When asked about the desired changes in the education space, the speaker mentions the need to integrate skills and education, enabling students to discover their interests and pursue careers aligned with their passion. Madhuri emphasises the importance of teachers adapting to the changing role of facilitators and continuously learning to keep up with technological advancements.
The conversation then explores the impact of technological innovations, such as artificial intelligence (AI), on the workplace and the need for individuals to have a basic understanding and appreciation of technology, even if their roles are not directly technical. She also explains that awareness of how technology is used in different industries and applications is crucial.
Regarding the hybrid work model that emerged during the pandemic, Madhuri mentions the essential skills for excelling in such a setup and highlights the importance of planning, time management, adaptability, and collaboration skills.
The podcast emphasises the importance of skill development, integration of skills with education, and changing perceptions around skilling. It underscores the need for individuals to adapt to technological advancements, possess digital literacy, and acquire skills relevant to their industry. Collaboration between government, educational institutions, industries, and active participation from all stakeholders are seen as crucial for the successful implementation of skill development initiatives in India.
In this episode of People at Work, our monthly podcast on workplace dynamics, host Kamal Karanth, co-founder of Xpheno looks at the phenomenon of competitiveness at work.
Is it leading to inequity? Joining him is serial entrepreneur Hitesh Dhingra, founder of the successful The Man Company who takes these questions head on.
SIP in mutual funds has garnered enormous interest among investors over the years on account of its rupee-cost-averaging characteristic. SIP works out majorly for regular income earners. For investors who have a lumpsum amount, there is another facility called Systematic Transfer Plan (STP). STP mainly works for investors who want to invest the money in a staggered manner from one scheme to another. Tune in to the podcast to know how STP works, options available and the taxation treatment.
In this podcast, Hamsini Karthik talks to Subha Sri Narayanan, Director of Financial Sector Rating at Crisil Rating Limited, to discuss the retail lending space and the need for caution among lenders. The conversation provides a unique perspective on the topic, focusing on the current trends and potential risks in the retail lending sector.
The focus of their discussion is the retail lending space and the importance of caution among lenders in this sector. Narayanan begins the conversation by emphasising the remarkable growth of retail credit within the banking sector in recent years. Retail credit has surpassed the overall growth of the banking sector, leading to a steady increase in its share among total advances. While home loans have traditionally been dominant in the retail credit segment, there has been a notable surge in other segments like unsecured loans and credit cards. However, the voluntary nature of retail credit raises concerns regarding its demand and long-term sustainability.
As the discussion unfolds, the focus shifts to the potential risks and challenges that lenders face in the retail lending space. By delving into these risks and challenges, the conversation offers valuable insights for lenders and encourages a thoughtful approach to navigate the evolving landscape of retail lending.
Listen in!
The Chandrayaan-3 mission, which is a lunar mission planned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be launched today at 2:35 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
In this News Explained podcast, V Nivedita talks to M Ramesh, Associate Editor who provides details about the mission. Chandrayaan-3 refers to the spacecraft that will be sent to the moon as part of the larger project.
The spacecraft consists of two main parts: the propulsion module and the lander rover module. The propulsion module’s primary job is to transport the lander rover payload to the moon. Once in the moon’s vicinity, the lander detaches from the propulsion module and descends gently onto the moon’s surface. The rover, equipped with various instruments, will then crawl on the moon’s surface and conduct experiments such as analysing the moon’s soil, studying subsurface heat conduction, and observing moon quakes.
Read: Wishing India’s moon lander a happy touchdownThe distance between Earth and the moon requires large amounts of rocket fuel, making the rocket significantly bigger and more expensive. To overcome this challenge, Chandrayaan-3 takes a longer route that utilizes the Earth’s gravity to sling itself towards the moon.
This approach saves costs and makes the mission more feasible. The podcast further delves into the mission’s trajectory, explaining how the spacecraft utilizes elliptical orbits and gravity assists to increase its velocity and reach the moon.
Read: Chandrayaan-3: Some questions and answersThe primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 is to demonstrate the ability to soft-land on the moon and operate a rover, says Ramesh. The experiments conducted by the rover and lander are secondary but include tasks like analysing moon soil, studying subsurface heat conduction, and examining moon quakes. The lander and rover will transmit data via electromagnetic waves back to Earth, allowing scientists to analyse the results. The mission is budgeted at 650 crores and holds significance as it aims to explore the presence of ice in the southern polar region of the moon, which could potentially serve as a local resource for rocket fuel production. Successfully landing on the moon would make India the fourth country to achieve a soft landing, following the United States, Russia, and China. Listen in.
In this episode of the businessline podcast, businessline’s Hamsini Karthik is joined by the chairman of IDFC Limited, Anil Singhvi.
Singhvi who played a crucial role in the IDFC First Bank merger with IDFC, isn’t very happy with this concept of holding company discounts. He shares his insights into why it is unfair to the minority shareholders, the merger process, the motivations behind it, and the potential outcomes.
Holding company discounts occur when a company operates subsidiaries without having its own business, leading to a decrease in market valuation. These discounts have reached as high as 80 per cent in the past, affecting even prominent companies like HDFC Limited, which experienced a 20 per cent discount. While such structures are often implemented to benefit promoters and improve capital structure, it raises concerns about minority shareholders’ interests.
Read: The bank didn’t expect us to move so fast: IDFC Ltd chiefDuring the discussion, IDFC’s Singhvi addresses the market’s expectations regarding valuations and the reasoning behind the price at which the merger was finalized. The conversation highlights the need to reconsider the prevailing discount culture and its impact on Indian markets, hindering the progress of companies and their underlying assets.
Read: Financial due diligence underway at IDBI BankFurthermore, Singhvi explores the importance of passing on dividends from underlying assets to shareholders and the value derived from legacy investments. Join us as we delve deeper into these topics, gaining valuable insights into the IDFC merger and its implications for the Indian market. Listen in.
In this episode, we delve into the pressing need for exploring alternative payment mechanisms for crude oil purchases. The traditional methods of payment in the oil industry have faced numerous challenges and inefficiencies over the years. Join us as we discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of adopting alternative approaches. We explore various innovative payment systems and technologies that could revolutionise the way crude oil transactions are conducted globally.
Tune in to gain valuable insights into the future of payment mechanisms for crude oil purchases and how they may impact the global energy landscape.
In its 50th meeting, the GST Council recommended a 28 per cent GST on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing, leading to concerns within the gaming industry. This has led to concerns in the gaming industry regarding the potential impact on investments, job opportunities, and the overall economy. In this latest episode of the News Explained podcast, Shishir Sinha, Associate Editor, provides insights into the outcomes of the 15th GST Council meeting and its impact on various sectors.
The government focuses on treating these activities as acceptable claims rather than distinguishing between games of skill and games of chance. This decision will have implications for the taxation of these sectors.
Read: GST Council may have erred in its policy on gamblingThe council took several decisions, including the exemption of GST on the cancer treatment drug Dinutuximab (Quarziba) when imported for personal use. This move aims to alleviate the financial burden on patients requiring life-saving medications. The exemption does not extend to the input by companies or the industry.
Another significant development in the meeting was the discussion around The GST Council recommended parameters for defining these vehicles, including length, engine capacity, and ground clearance. Utility vehicles meeting these criteria will attract a 20 per cent GST, potentially impacting pricing and consumer choices. The automobile sector is awaiting further clarification through a final circular to understand the implications more clearly.
Read: PVR Inox says GST Council’s clarification will bring tax certaintyAs the discussions and recommendations from the GST Council meeting progress, legislative changes may be required. The process involves the submission of proposals to parliament for potential changes in legislation. Circulars and instructions issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and state GST departments ensure the implementation of these recommendations nationwide. Listen in.
As Pride Month 2023 ends, it is common to see companies shed their rainbow-themed logos and initiatives supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. But for Indian companies, the long-term adoption of this aspect of diversity and inclusion can prove to be a major defining factor.
In this businessline podcast, we talk to Deepti Varma, the Vice President, People and Experience Technology (PXT), Amazon Stores India & Emerging Markets, Amazon.
She shares her insights on LGBTQIA+ workplace inclusivity, sensitivity tips, and company policies with regards to the e-commerce major, while highlighting how companies can go beyond Pride celebrations during June.
At bl.portfolio we always strive to be your best friend and guide when it comes to personal finance. Whether it is equity investing based on fundamentals, technical analysis, mutual funds or debt investing, we have it all. These apart, we also bring to you the best voices in the field of global and domestic stock markets. And of course we also have the trademark and widely popular Big Story with detailed insights on current themes and topics of interest. And not just these, we also have you covered when it comes to your tax filing. Listen into this podcast to get a preview of the stories in this Sunday edition and also for more enhanced perspectives from the bl.portfolio team on the trending themes.
This podcast delves deep into the history of why Pride Month is celebrated and the challenges, triumphs, and best practises surrounding LGBTQIA+ inclusivity in the corporate landscape. We explore insights and strategies that promote an equitable and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ employees in today’s business world.
The podcast features engaging discussions with Ashish Chopra, Co-founder of BeUnic and the runner-up of Mr Gay India 2018. Through candid conversations, we tackle the most pressing topics related to LGBTQIA+ inclusion, shedding light on critical issues such as building inclusive cultures and fostering an inclusive corporate culture that celebrates diversity and embraces LGBTQIA employees while enhancing overall employee engagement and well-being.
Hear from an entrepreneur who champions LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, exploring the qualities and practises that make an impactful LGBTQIA+ ally. Get to know how organisations can empower their leaders to become advocates for change. Let’s examine the positive impact of LGBTQIA+ inclusive workplaces on organisational success, talent acquisition and retention, customer loyalty, and market competitiveness. Learn why diversity and inclusion are not just moral imperatives but also strategic advantages.
Join us on this inspiring journey of learning and growth as we dismantle barriers, celebrate diversity, and pave the way for a more equitable future in corporate environments.
In addition to approving the merger of the two companies, the boards of directors of IDFC and IDFC Financial Holding also announced an exchange of 155 shares of IDFC FIRST Bank for every 100 shares of IDFC.
IDFC Limited, although publicly traded, is predominantly held by the government, along with a mix of mutual funds, foreign investors, and large domestic institutions. In this News Explained podcast, Nabodita Ganguly is joined by Hamsini Karthik, Senior Assistant Editor who talks about the merger in-depth.
IDFC Limited recently sold its AMC business, leaving the bank as its primary asset. This transaction has emphasised the fact that IDFC Limited’s financial strength heavily relies on the performance of IDFC First Bank. Consequently, there is not a significant holding company discount involved in this merger. The executives and bankers at IDFC Limited, including Chairman Anil Singhvi, have worked diligently to secure a favourable deal in this process. However, it’s important to note that while the merger is advantageous to the government and IDFC Limited shareholders, it could have been even better.
Now, what does all this mean for customers? Well, if you have an account with IDFC Bank, you don’t need to worry about the merger’s implications. Your banking experience will continue, as usual, unaffected by these changes. The divestment of the mutual fund business has already been completed, and your day-to-day banking operations remain unchanged.
On the other hand, investors may experience more significant changes. The merger has been driven by the demands of IDFC Limited shareholders, who were dissatisfied with the company’s lack of value. The merger addresses their concerns by addressing the issue of value erosion and providing access to IDFC First Bank shares, which have performed well recently.
Looking ahead, the possibility of more bank mergers cannot be ruled out. Promoters have been granted permission to increase their stakes, indicating a favourable environment for corporate action. Several other banks have also expressed their intentions for mergers and acquisitions.
However, it is unlikely that we will see large-scale bank mergers similar to the HDFC Bank and HDFC Limited merger, except for IDBI Bank. The current system is not yet conducive to such mergers. Listen in.
Promoters of ed-tech company Byju’s, including Byju Raveendran himself, have sold over $400 million worth of shares in secondary transactions. This significant decline in promoter shareholding, from 71.6 per cent in FY16 to 21.2 per cent now, has raised questions about their confidence in the company’s future.
Despite claims that the proceeds from these sales were reinvested in the company, data suggests otherwise. Notably, the Byju family sold shares at a significant discount compared to the company’s touted valuation, creating further scepticism.
Byju’s is also grappling with challenges such as failing to disclose financial numbers, auditors resigning due to non-cooperation, and three independent directors quitting. The board now consists exclusively of Byju Raveendran family members. Additionally, the company faces hurdles in raising funds and is contending with a class action lawsuit in the US. The decline in promoter shareholding and the challenges faced by Byju’s indicate a crossroads for the EdTech giant.
In this podcast, Venkatesha Babu, Chief of Bureau-Bengaluru, businessline, explains the concerns surrounding Byju’s and the implications for its future growth.
Sameer Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of consumer electronics brand boAt talks to businessline on the the company’s growth plans and the key bets its making on Make-in-India, smartwatches and on growing its offline presence.
Ever since the pandemic, there has been a gradual rise in independent musicians. As we were all locked up in our homes due to Covid-19 restrictions, several musicians across the globe started testing out new ways to connect with their fans. They used social media like Instagram or Facebook to host live virtual performances.
In India too, many independent singers took this path, giving them a chance to directly engage with their community. Now the lockdown is over, and concerts and live performances have opened up.
Frizzell D’Souza, a singer-songwriter from Bengaluru, also grew her following through Instagram since the pandemic days. Today, Frizzell has produced her own EP and has even been listed by Rolling Stone magazine as “One of the Top 10 Best EPs in 2022 from India”.
She regularly hosts virtual performances almost every night and she has done collaboration with other bands. Frizzell has even held a successful fundraiser to produce high-quality music. The best part is that she did all of this while pursuing her degree in architecture.
To understand how a budding musician can utilise the power of social media to build their brand and a loyal following, businessline spoke to Frizzell about her journey so far. Tune in for more!
In this episode of the Current Account podcast, Hamsini Karthik continue the chat with Ittira Davis, MD & CEO, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (SFB). He explains his journey as a banker and the growth story of Ujjivan SFB. He details about the way forward for the bank. Listen to the second part of the conversation now.
(Host: Hamsini Karthik, Producer: Anjana PV)
Six years after its introduction, India’s indirect tax system has undergone substantial changes because of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
In this podcast, businessline’s Shishir Sinha talks to Darshan Bora, Partner, Economic Laws Practice and M S Mani, Senior Partner, Deloitte about various aspects of GST in India.
Initially, businesses faced challenges, but the landscape of indirect taxes has significantly improved. The GST has eliminated multiple taxes and brought uniformity in tax rates across states, making it easier for businesses and consumers. A survey conducted by Deloitte also showed that 75% of industry professionals were satisfied with GST compared to the past.
While GST has been successful, there are still areas that can be improved. One area is the complexity of the legal structure, which includes multiple laws and subordinate legislations. Simplifying the legal framework would contribute to making GST a simpler taxation system.
The conversation also focuses on GST collections. The collection numbers have been increasing, and various factors have influenced these numbers. The economy’s performance and actions by GST authorities to curb tax evasion are significant variables affecting collections.
Regarding the functioning of the Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR), the guests suggest incorporating judicial members to provide a balance in rulings.
Lastly, the conversation touches upon rate rationalization and the possibility of reducing the number of tax rates. Listen in.
The Finance Ministry has announced the deferment of the new mechanism of Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) from July 1 to October 1.
In this News Explained podcast, Shishir Sinha, Associate Editor, joins Nabodita Ganguly to discuss the new mechanism of TCS, the reason behind the extension of the deadline and how it will impact us.
The changes to the TCS on LRS encompass three key components. First, spending through credit cards while abroad will no longer be considered a part of the LRS, thereby exempting it from TCS. This alteration is the most significant change.
Second, the deadline for implementing the new TCS rates for all purposes, including purchasing overseas travel packages, has been extended to October 1. The new rates and system will come into effect on this date.
The extension of the deadline for the new TCS rates was primarily motivated by the challenges faced in tracking credit card spending abroad and developing the necessary software. Banks require additional time to upgrade their systems and ensure compliance with the new regulations.
The third change addresses spending through credit cards within India on foreign websites. If the yearly expenditure exceeds approximately around seven lakh rupees, a TCS rate of 5% will apply until September 30. Starting from October 1, this rate will increase to 20%.
Notably, the higher TCS rate will not apply to educational expenses or medical treatments, which will continue under the existing system. Therefore, the impact of the changes will mainly affect individuals involved in gifting, overseas purchases, or tour packages. Listen in. Read the full story .
India, in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement, has committed to specific Nationally Determined Contributions. These commitments involve enhancing environmental stewardship, increasing non-fossil fuel shares in electricity generation to 40%, and reducing emissions by 33-35% by 2030.
However, research on India’s low carbon value chain and climate finance architecture, emphasizes the significant challenge of obtaining long-term financial resources, given the substantial funding required to meet NDC commitments.
A. Damodaran, Professor, International Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), joins Nabodita Ganguly to discuss more about the country’s climate finance architecture.
Damodaran highlights the historical context of climate finance, starting with the establishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 1991. The GEF provided grants to developing countries to address climate change and promote adaptation and green energy projects.
India’s climate finance architecture was initially based on the philosophy of public financing and grants from developed countries. However, there has been a shift towards involving the private sector in climate finance, which was exemplified by the creation of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in 2010. The GCF aimed to de-risk investments and encourage private sector involvement in climate finance.
Furthermore, green bonds play a pivotal role in financing renewable energy projects. Green bonds are fixed income securities that raise funds for projects with environmental benefits. India started issuing green bonds in 2014, attracting both private and public sector entities.
Regarding renewable energy projects in India, Damodaran mentions the challenges they face in terms of financial viability. High costs of debt service, long gestation periods, and the need for long-term funds create hurdles for project developers. The mismatch between short-term resources and the long-term nature of renewable projects further complicates the financing aspect.
To address these challenges, Damodaran suggests treating green bonds as securities and incorporating them into regular market operations. This would enhance liquidity and attract more investors. The Reserve Bank of India’s involvement in buying and selling these securities, both domestically and offshore, is seen as a desirable step. Listen in. Read the full research paper .
In this podcast, Vinod Kumar, President of India SME Forum, and Jain Murthy, Joint Managing Director of South Asia and Africa at Kaizen Institute, discuss the main challenges faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in India. They highlight internal challenges such as balancing long-term vision with short-term needs, multitasking, and talent retention, as well as external challenges like delayed payments from large organisations.
The speakers emphasise the importance of streamlining internal processes and improving operational efficiency to meet customer requirements and compete in the global market. They also explore the role of digitalisation in addressing these challenges and enhancing MSMEs’ competitiveness. While acknowledging the availability of government schemes to support MSMEs, they stress the need for simplified access and reduced paperwork.
The podcast delves into the areas where MSMEs should focus on digitalisation, including data management, data utilisation, and building the capability to leverage technology for improvement. Additionally, the speakers address concerns about affordability and highlight cost-effective solutions such as software-as-a-service. They also discuss the growing importance of data security and emphasise the need for MSMEs to invest in safeguarding their digital assets. Overall, the conversation offers insights and practical strategies for Indian MSMEs to overcome challenges, harness digitalisation, and thrive in an increasingly competitive business landscape.
Most of us love to keep track of how the cinema industry runs; we are curious to know how our favourite movie stars perform at the box office or how a film is made.
But in the age of OTT, a lot has changed when it comes to the way how movies or series are produced. Several new-age production studios have come up, catering to different aspects of filmmaking from artistes management to VFX.
Among them is the Mumbai-based ‘The Story Ink’ run by Sidharth Jain. Started in 2018, The Story Ink is “one of India’s largest book-to-screen adaptation companies, having set up 200+ books across 50+ production houses”. It represents “over 250 authors and exclusively controls the screen rights of more than 500 books”.
In this conversation with businessline, Sidharth spoke about what it takes for a budding screenwriter to sell his screenplay to an OTT platform, how producers decide which stories are worthy of adaptations, how OTT platforms measure the success of a new film or a series, and how producers are responding to ‘cancel culture’.
Tune in to listen more.
(Produced by Mohammed Rayaan; Edited by Nivedita V)
With salaried employees getting Form-16 from their employers, the process of filing tax returns has begun, Individuals typically find it difficult to file taxes on their own and have traditionally been filing their ITR with chartered accountants. However, nowadays, there are a lot of online platforms which provide them convenience in filing income tax returns.
Tune in to the podcast to understand the offerings of these platforms and the costs associated.
EdTech major Byju’s has recently made headlines by filing a lawsuit against its lenders, led by Redford, accusing them of engaging in predatory tactics. The company’s legal battle has brought to the forefront questions about its growth model and raised concerns about the broader startup ecosystem in India. With the recent layoff of 1000 full-time employees, Byju’s troubles have garnered significant attention, prompting discussions on the challenges faced by startups in the current landscape.
Byju’s known for its online education platform, found itself in a financial predicament as its cash flows declined following the reopening of schools after the pandemic. Additionally, the company embarked on an acquisition spree, purchasing 17 companies, which necessitated substantial funding. To raise the required capital, Byju’s secured a $1.2 billion loan, which was subsequently traded in the market and bought by various hedge funds, including Redford. However, these lenders accused Byju’s of siphoning money from its subsidiaries and exerted pressure on the company, demanding early loan repayment and attempting to change management within the organization.
In response, Byju’s took legal action, alleging predatory practices by the lenders and refusing to pay the $40 million in interest payments due. The company’s decision not only reflects the challenges it faces but also highlights the risks associated with debt financing for startups. In this episode of News Explained, Nabodita Ganguly is joined by Lokeshwarri SK, Senior Associate Editor, to discuss the issue. Read this article to know .
Sanjiv Mehta has been with Unilever for 31 years, ten as the MD and CEO of Hindustan Unilever, taking over in 2013. Mehta leaves behind a rich legacy, with turnover up by 2.3x, operating margins up by three-and-a-half times, market cap up by a factor of six to ₹6.38-lakh crore. Mehta retires at the AGM on June 26, handing over the baton to Rohit Jawa.
Mehta says when people ask him what he’s going to do post-retirement, he laughs and says he’s changing socks, not hanging up his boots. He’s taken up two board appointments — Air-India, where he says there’s much to do to regain lost glory, and on the board of global dairy major, Danone, to keep in tune with global trends. “Right now, I’m in the process of listening to people who come up with various offers,” he says. In this conversation, he talks about the big changes he brought into HUL’s functioning and also about the big picture on the consumption story
The mining sector is undergoing significant transformation with the help of numerous technologies including Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Machine Learning. However, with the advancement of AI, experts believe it can help the mining sector with issues such as cost reduction, ensuring the safety of workers, and reducing environmental impact.
The podcast also details how AI can be used in the maintenance of mining machinery and how India can fasten up implementing AI applications in the mining sector. Prof. Rajiv and Prof. Dheeraj also explain AI can help monitor the presence of noxious gases and regulate ventilation systems and the use of AI algorithms to optimize airflow in different areas of the mines.
AI is revolutionising the mining sector by improving safety measures, optimizing mining processes, and enhancing the accuracy of mineral exploration. Though challenges exist in the adoption of AI, there is a lot of potentials that makes it a promising technology for the future of mining. However, it is essential to strike a balance between automation and preserving employment opportunities, especially in countries heavily reliant on mining as a source of employment. Listen in!
On June 4 and 6, the AI Unit of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Wadhwani AI, participated in the G20 3rd Health Group Meeting in Hyderabad. The meeting aimed to highlight the government’s focus on AI in the healthcare sector.
In this podcast, Nabodita Ganguly is joined by Shekar Sivasubramanian, Chief Executive Officer, Wadhwani AI. They discuss Wadhwani AI’s participation in the recent G20 Summit and the government’s focus on AI in healthcare and welfare.
Sivasubramanian mentions that India is well-positioned to take a leadership role in the AI space due to the increasing opportunities and applications. He explains that their participation in the G20 summit focused on showcasing solutions in the healthcare sector, including clinical decision support systems, radiology image interpretation, dermatology, and tuberculosis.
Read: When romance enters human, AI relationshipsWhen discussing the achievements in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Sivasubramanian explains how public health personnel and top health institutions identify problems and develop solutions through AI.
After obtaining relevant data, the AI solutions are integrated into existing government applications, such as the eSanjeevani app. The solutions undergo pilot testing and validation before being deployed nationwide.
Sivasubramanian provides examples of successful AI implementations. One such case is the use of AI for disease surveillance, where they analyse millions of articles to extract relevant information for the health industry. This information helps the government take timely actions to prevent outbreaks and potentially save thousands of lives. Another example is the integration of AI into agricultural news monitoring, allowing for the detection of crop diseases and providing actionable insights for the agriculture sector.
Overall, the conversation highlights India’s progress in AI and the government’s active involvement in adopting and rolling out AI solutions. Listen in.
Employer- Employee relations are at a new low. There are reports of mass resignations at tech companies after they withdrew the work from home option. Employers say that more women have resigned.
So what happened to the women friendly recruitment policies? Did employers overstate the case for work for home? Did employees take undue advantage of the benefits of WFH?
In this episode of Businessline’s regular podcast on workplace dynamics - People@Work - host Kamal Karanth discusses with Vivek Jain, Senior Executive Vice President and Head HR at Kotak Mahindra Bank the new flashpoints and who is to blame.
In this episode of the Current Account podcast, Hamsini Karthik talks to Ittira Davis, MD & CEO, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank. He explains his journey as a banker and the growth story of Ujjivan SFB. He details about the re merging of the bank and what is the way forward for the bank. Listen to the first part of the conversation now.
(Host: Hamsini Karthik, Producer: Anjana PV)
During our previous podcast regarding NRI investments in Indian mutual funds, we focused on the documents required and the process that NRIs need to follow in a generic manner. However, compared to NRIs from other countries, things are quite different for US and Canada based NRIs due to few stringent regulations . Further, the taxation treatment for NRIs is a bit different from that applied on resident Indians. Tune in to the podcast to know about the same.Listen to the earlier podcast
After Section 377 was decriminalised in September 2018, many companies in India are paying attention to how they treat their queer employees. This makes it important to have a conversation about the work culture in India.
In this Pride Month podcast, psychotherapist Vidya Dinakaran explains how companies can help queer employees deal with their mental health issues. We also talked to Jameela, a trans woman, who outlines her personal experience shifting from a toxic workplace to an inclusive MNC.
Nirmala Menon, the CEO and founder of Interweave consulting, outlines how organisations can go about implementing queer-inclusive policies.
Read the full story .
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) has garnered attention recently as it remains in the negative zone for the second consecutive month. This index, which reflects producer inflation, is considered more of an academic interest than a direct influence on overall policy since the adoption of targeted inflation in 2016. However, it is crucial to note that the WPI reflects whether producers are receiving fair prices for their goods. In this News Explained podcast, Nabodita Ganguly is joined by Shishir Sinha, Associate Editor, who explains the recent fall in WPI.
The current deflationary trend indicates that prices are decreasing, particularly in sectors such as fuel and energy, including mineral oil, as well as food prices. This deflationary pressure has led to consecutive months of WPI deflation, with expectations that the trend will persist in June as well. The impact of WPI deflation on retail inflation will take some time to materialise, as lower prices received by producers eventually translate to reduced prices for consumers.
With the WPI currently low, achieving the Reserve Bank of India’s target of 4% for retail inflation may become easier. Experts anticipate that the deflationary trend will continue for the first half of the fiscal year, with some improvement expected in the second half. The overall expectation for the fiscal year is for the WPI to range between 1% and 2%. A decline in wholesale inflation has implications for retail inflation, as lower retail inflation may lead to a pause in the Reserve Bank of India’s policy cycle or potential reductions in the future.
This suggests a moderation in retail inflation in the coming days. Experts believe that the pause in policy may continue for the next few review cycles, potentially resulting in a reduction in the first policy review of FY 2425, which is expected shortly. However, such changes would require a wait of at least nine months. To summarise, while the WPI may have a limited impact on the common man, its deflationary trend has broader implications for retail inflation and policy decisions. Read the full story .
In this episode of the businessline podcast, Hamsini Karthik, Senior Assistant Editor, is joined by Srinath Sridharan, Policy Researcher & Corporate Advisor delve into the world of FinTech and explore a buzzword that has been making waves for quite some time now.
Just last week, on the eighth of June, something monumental happened in the industry, leading to widespread admiration and praise. That’s right, we’re talking about FLDG, or the first loss default guarantee, which has been hailed as a game changer. But what does FLDG really mean, and how can it potentially revolutionize the landscape of digital lending? Listen in.
Reports of a potential Co-WIN breach that could have exposed information on more than 100 million immunised people surfaced recently.
In this episode of News Explained, the Deputy Editor of businessline, Jyothi Datta, discusses the recent Co-WIN data breach and its impact on the general public.
Initially, there were reports of the Co-WIN portal being breached, which raised concerns about the leakage of personal information provided during the vaccination registration process.
People shared sensitive details such as passport information, card numbers, and license details. The Ministry of Health and IT officials later stated that the portal was safe, but investigations are ongoing to determine how the information was accessed.
The government’s current explanation suggests that a bot on the messaging app Telegram was collecting data from the portal and making it available to anyone. It is stated that the bot has been disabled, but further answers are awaited.
When it comes to the security features protecting users’ data on the Co-WIN portal, personal details are not readily available to anyone accessing the site. Most data is OTP (One-Time Password) protected, ensuring that information is not disclosed without the corresponding password. Some data is shared with trusted institutions like the Indian Council of Medical Research, but access to personal details is restricted. Broad demographic information is publicly available, but personal information is not readily accessible through a phone number or similar means.
Healthcare institutions, both in India and globally, have faced online attacks, highlighting the need for proactive measures to safeguard sensitive data. Establishing a national framework for data protection is crucial, and conversations regarding internet freedom and accountability are ongoing.
Key aspects include the ability to delete data once it is no longer required and holding accountable those responsible for breaches to reinforce trust in the system. In addition to a robust framework, individuals are advised to practise basic digital hygiene, such as avoiding sharing passwords and OTPs and accessing critical health information in secure environments. Read the full story .
General insurers are now designing specific insurance products to offer more financial security to surrogate mothers, thanks to an initiative by the insurance regulator, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
businessline spoke to health insurers to know that at least a lot of them are now working on designing specific insurance plans to cover surrogate mothers.
In this episode of businessline’s News Explained podcast, Naga Sridhar will tell about all you need to know about the insurance for surrogate mothers.
India has committed to decarbonise its economy and this requires significant capital -- about $12.1 trillion by 2050. Traditional methods, such as bank loans, might not be enough to finance green projects, and the country will have to look at alternate sources of finance. This includes public and private finance, loans from multilateral banks, international climate finance commitments from developed countries and foreign direct investments.
In this podcast, V Nivedita talks to Santosh Singh, Partner and Manager, Intellecap, to understand the various strategies and terminologies associated with green financing. Listen to the podcast to know more about the need for innovative financing methods to achieve decarbonisation goals and the role of carbon markets in addressing emissions.
Many Indians go abroad for career opportunities. Most of them of also want to build an investment portfolio in the country either as financial investment or to build a retirement corpus to bank on when they return back to the country. Mutual funds are one amongst the preferred investment options in such instances.
Non resident Indians (NRIs) can invest in the Indian mutual funds, but the investing and KYC process is a bit different from that for the Indian residents. Tune in to the podcast to find answers to queries regarding NRI investment in Indian mutual funds.
The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee kept the policy repo rate at 6.5 per cent yet again. This is the second meeting on the trot that the committee voted unanimously to maintain the status quo on the repo rate.
The RBI also noted that the headline inflation fell to 5.1 per cent and that global supply chain issues are under control. With RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das stressing that the MPC will continue to focus on inflation, when can we expect the repo rates to be cut again? In this episode of News Explained, V Nivedita talks to Dipti Deshpande, Principal Economist, CRISIL Ltd, to understand the finer details of the meeting.
The performance of public sector banks (PSBs) in recent times has been a topic of great interest and discussion. The previously widening gap between private banks and PSBs has started to narrow, indicating positive developments within the public banking sector. 12 PSBs crossed ₹1 lakh crore profit mark in the March 2023 quarter. State Bank of India accounted for half of the total earnings.
In this podcast, Nabodita Ganguly talks to businessline’s Senior Assistant Editor, Hamsini Karthik to discuss the factors that led to the improved performance of the banks and what lies ahead for them.
One of the factors contributing to the improved performance of PSBs can be traced back to the series of consolidations that took place starting in 2018. These mergers have provided the necessary impetus for growth and increased capital availability, allowing PSBs to expand their balance sheets meaningfully.
Also Read: Vault matters: What next for public sector banks? Additionally, there has been a notable shift in loan portfolios, with a greater focus on retail loans. Retail lending, including segments such as housing loans, vehicle loans, SME loans, and agricultural loans, has become a crucial growth driver for PSBs. This strategic emphasis on retail loans has resulted in healthier financials, as the default rates for retail loans are typically lower than those for corporate loans.
Despite these positive developments, PSBs continue to face challenges in terms of their valuations. Historically, state-owned entities, including PSBs, have earned lower valuations compared to their private counterparts. The dichotomy in valuations is influenced by factors such as corporate governance standards, independence of the board, and decision-making authority within the entities. PSBs, with the government as their primary stakeholder, often face questions regarding the level of autonomy they possess. The perception of governance and decision-making quality can significantly impact the valuations of PSBs.
Read: The strong growth in MSME book can pose a problem for PSU banksLooking ahead, the future of PSBs remains uncertain, and optimism must be tempered with caution. The transformation of governance structures, along with sustained financial performance, will play crucial roles in improving perceptions and valuations. Strides have been made in reducing external interference and strengthening centralized processing and decision-making. However, it will take time to observe how these changes manifest in the numbers and withstand different market cycles.
In conclusion, while recent trends have been encouraging, it is vital to closely observe the performance and governance of PSBs to determine their long-term trajectory. Listen in.
The story is about plumbing. If you think that’s humdrum, wait. It gets exciting when superstars Salman Khan, Allu Arjun and Ranveer Singh endorse the product and then the brand is associated with the IPL.
It is the Astral story. It has been 25 years since Astral (formerly Astral Poly Technik Pvt Ltd) was set up in Ahmedabad as a pipe maker. The company was the first licensee of Noveon, USA (formerly known as Specialty Chemical Divison of B.F Goodrich, USA) to manufacture and market chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) piping and plumbing in India. There was no market for CPVC pipes then, which made the going tough for Astral.
Listen in to know Astral’s 4x growth story.
Read the full story .
Vishal Garg from UBS Securities discusses the significance of credit costs and their impact on the banking sector. He emphasises that credit cost is the primary factor influencing the valuation of banks and can lead to substantial value destruction. By examining stocks where credit costs have remained high for an extended period, it becomes evident that shareholder value has significantly suffered. On the other hand, banks that have excelled in managing credit quality, particularly in credit card portfolios, have experienced compounding benefits over time.
Garg believes that assessing whether a value-destroying event will occur in the coming years is crucial. If credit costs are kept under control or maintained at or below the average level, banks can at least perform at historical average levels. Moreover, there is optionality for banks to perform above average when loan growth picks up and other income drivers come into play. Hence, managing credit costs provides a solid platform for sustainable performance.
Regarding the current cycle, Garg acknowledges that it may be unique due to the unprecedented plateauing or decline in credit costs. However, he suggests that there is often calm before another round of turbulence. He acknowledges the presence of uncertainties and debates within his team and with investors. To understand the banking cycle, Garg breaks it down into distinct periods, such as stage one, stage two, and stage three. The cleansing period, or stage three, involves banks recognizing stress and creating credit costs. Subsequently, credit costs gradually decline, falling below or near average levels, leading to stage two, which presents the most lucrative opportunities for profit.
Listen in to know more!
Last week, global markets witnessed a scramble to buy AI-themed stocks after the results of chip giant Nvidia. What stunned everyone, was the company’s Q2 guidance. Its Q1 results in which revenue beat expectations by 10 per cent, was overshadowed by the 52 per cent beat in its Q2 revenue guidance. Such a beat versus expectations is unprecedented.
Its outlook indicates AI may have reached an inflexion point. Stakeholders across the board need to take note of this and get serious about how AI is going to change their world. It appears to be happening faster than anticipated.
If you are an investor how should you plan to capitalize on opportunities in the sector and deal with the impact AI can have on your portfolio? Listen to the podcast now.
prices have declined by nearly nine per cent in the past two weeks as growers have begun to bring the produce they had held back over the past few months to the agricultural produce marketing committee (APMC) yards.What is the reason behind the fall in prices of cotton?
Subramani Ra Mancombu explains.
Read the full story
Rajesh Jain was one of the original success story in the Indian online space. In the mid -1990’s he launched some of India’s then most popular websites across categories including news, cricket, cooking and other segments. After scaling them, he eventually sold his company IndiaWorld to Satyam Infoway for a substantial $115 million in 1999.
After that, he eventually became an entrepreneur in the intersection between politics and technology space. He helped the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi reach out to people technologically through Niti Digital, IndiaVotes.com to accomplish Mission 272 plus leading to the BJP’s victory in 2014.
However, after a decade of dabbling in that intersection between technology and politics, Jain returned to shepherd the growth of Netcore Cloud, a company he had floated and was largely dormant. Netcore provides AI-powered marketing and analytics solutions to enterprises big and small. Unlike several VC backed Unicorns which are not profitable but command high valuations, Jain describes Netcore as a ‘Proficorn’ - profitable, boot-strapped, with relatively high valuations.
Netcore in its space competes globally with the likes of MailChimp, Adobe, Oracle and Microsoft. Can Rajesh Jain do an encore with Netcore? In this podcast, he talks about his nearly three-decade journey.
Tune in to BL Podcast for more such stories.
businessline Podcast is a daily series of podcasts from The Hindu businessline newspaper. In this series, we take a look at news that matter from around the world and stories to provide quick, critical analysis. Our reporters, analysts and experts provide context to help you understand what happened, why is it important and how it impacts you. Listen in as we decode a wide range of topics from politics, policy, Indian economy and the world of business.
Before the COVID period, power stocks have seen more than a decade of underperformance. Ever since reaching its peak in early 2008, BSE Power Index has been continuously sliding till March 2020 and has seen a fall of around 72 per cent during the period. However, in recent times, renewed interest has been seen in the stocks of thermal power generation companies from investors. BSE Power Index and the stock of Tata Power crossed their peaks in 2008 and have grown about 2 times and 6 times since hitting their COVID lows while NTPC stock surpassed its decade-level high.
Tune in to the podcast to understand the reasons behind the same and more about how thermal power gencos operate.
Climate financing featured as the overarching theme of this year’s COP27 discussion with the creation of a loss and damage fund to fund recovery in developing countries post-climate disasters.
In this episode of BL Podcast, Nivedita V speaks to Rahul Pritiani, Senior Director, Consulting - Energy, Commodities & Sustainability · CRISIL on what climate financing is all about and what the many avenues of green or climate financing are.
Listen in!
businessline Podcast is a daily series of podcasts from The Hindu businessline newspaper. In this series, we take a look at news that matter from around the world and stories to provide quick, critical analysis. Our reporters, analysts and experts provide context to help you understand what happened, why is it important and how it impacts you. Listen in as we decode a wide range of topics from politics, policy, Indian economy and the world of business.
When Qatar became the host of the FIFA World Cup 2022, many countries were surprised. How will such a country with extreme weather and lack of infrastructures host the World Cup? Defying all odds, Qatar opened the middle east’s first FIFA World Cup for global leaders. FIFA has already earned an unprecedented amount of $ 7.5 billion revenue via commercial deals that are linked with the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
However, the host nation has drawn lots of criticism from human rights groups, social activists, political activists for a wide variety of reasons.
The latest controversy happened when an intruder waved the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community on the field. The person was wearing a T-shirt with messages- “Save Ukraine” and “RESPECT FOR IRANIAN WOMAN”.
This is not the sole act of defiance in the World Cup. Qatar has faced heavy condemnation for its LGBTQIA+ laws. With several laws that criminalizes LGBTQIA+ people, particularly gay people in Qatar several LGBTQIA+ activists have voiced their concern about the rigid laws existing in the country.
Similarly, several people are protesting against the ongoing condition in Iran. Iran is witnessing massive protests after the death of Mahsa Amini. Arrested for allegedly breaching the Islamic Republic’s dress code, Amini died in police custody.
How significant is the World Cup in terms of revenue for host Qatar? How are the protests dominating this year’s World Cup? How does this World Cup stand out? Listen in.
Tune in to BL Podcast for more such stories.
businessline Podcast is a daily series of podcasts from The Hindu businessline newspaper. In this series, we take a look at news that matter from around the world and stories to provide quick, critical analysis. Our reporters, analysts and experts provide context to help you understand what happened, why is it important and how it impacts you. Listen in as we decode a wide range of topics from politics, policy, Indian economy and the world of business.
India and the EU began the third round of free trade agreement talks on November 29 with the talks said to continue till December 9.
India and the EU have started talks again after nine years.
Various issues such as the customs tax on vehicles, and the movement of professionals halted the talks back in 2013.
In this podcast, Amiti Sen talks about the areas of discussion for the India-EU FTA, the hurdles that the India-EU FTA might face, and how will the India-EU FTA be a game changer for India.
Listen in.
Tune in to BL Podcast for more such stories.
businessline Podcast is a daily series of podcasts from The Hindu businessline newspaper. In this series, we take a look at the news that matter from around the world and stories to provide quick, critical analysis. Our reporters, analysts, and experts provide context to help you understand what happened, why is it important, and how it impacts you. Listen in as we decode a wide range of topics from politics, policy, Indian economy and the world of business.
A stable livelihood under the Amul model coupled with an increased income over the past five years is a big pro-incumbency factor for over 36 lakh dairy producers, whose vote will decide the outcome in at least 88 seats out of the Municipal corporation areas in Gujarat polls.
Rutam Vora takes a look at how Gujarat’s dairy cooperatives are key to political success.
Listen in!
The Hindu businessline’s credible analysis of business news, distilled in a podcast form. Here, we understand context matters, without which, much of news is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Our reporters, analysts and experts will help you get to the crux of the matter. Hosted and produced by editorial staff, it also features candid conversations with business leaders and leading management thinkers about where we’re at and how we move forward. New episodes daily.
Digital Gadfly is our monthly podcast series on all things digital marketing. Hosted by well-known digital marketer Shubho Sengupta, the series explores trending topics in the digital world. Currently, the talk is all about the crazy happenings at Twitter, after it was acquired by Elon Musk.
In this episode, Shubho talks to Aprameya Radhakrishna, co-founder and CEO of Koo, an Indian micro-blogging platform and a Twitter rival. The desi platform is going global and is finding success in new markets like Brazil. Can Koo benefit from the chaos at Twitter?
In this podcast,Radhakrishna talks about the need for mutual respect between the platform and the content creators, following country-specific laws and empowering the new generation of influencers. Tune in now!
The India-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA)has been finally approved by the Australian Parliament. This is India’s first trade deal with any developed country.
The talks about the India-Australia Free Trade Agreement started almost 10 years back, however, it got delayed due to various reasons. In April this year, both nations signed the interim trade deal- Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, ECTA. However, the ratification process was pending in the Parliament as a new government was in formation in Australia.
The announcement was made on the sideline of the recently concluded G-20 summit.
In this podcast, Amiti Sen helps decode the India-Australia Free Trade Agreement, the sectors that will be the prime beneficiaries of the agreement, and how this agreement will open more avenues for Indians in Australia.
Listen in.
Many of the new-age company stocks have fallen flat a year or so after their IPO. All the euphoria and hype in the run-up to and post the IPO has waned. There were views justifying their irrational pricing last year, but the flaws in those views and justifications stand exposed today. What was wrong with the approach of the new-age stock bulls? ‘Ketchup Economics’ provides some insights. Listen in to find out more.
Ahead of the elections, Gujarat is seeing fierce campaigning by the political parties. Along with the fierce campaigning by the BJP and Congress, AAP is also making in to the headlines with its fierce engagement.
What has been interesting is the political trajectory of three candidates who are all well known to the mass- Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and Jignesh Mevani
Patel became famous with his Patidar agitations. After a brief tenure with the Congress, he joined the BJP. Mevani, a Dalit scholar, is running on the Congress ticket. Lastly, Thakor was the founder of the was the OBC-ST-SC Ekta Manch.
Patel, a headstrong leader of the Patidar reservation, had referred to Prime Minister Modi as a “publicity minister.” His attacks against the BJP used to be constant and aggressive. Patel took a U-turn when unhappy with the Congress, he joined the BJP in June this year. After making alliance with the party, Patel has said that the Centre has helped the community with its 10% reservation for the EWS. He has also praised the government for its decision on scrapping Article 370, construction of the Ramjanmanhoomi temple.
Thakor, who led the OBC agitation, won the 2017 elections with the Congress ticket. He joined the BJP in 2019. Ever since, Thakoor has praised the BJP for its groundwork and being in touch with all the party workers. On being asked about his decision to quit the Congress, Thakor has blamed the Congress’s structure.
Mevani, who started as an independent candidate, is now the face of the Congress, has said that the Congress is way better placed this time than the last time. He has added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi no longer appeals the people of Gujarat.
Tune in to BL Podcast for more such stories.
businessline Podcast is a daily series of podcasts from The Hindu businessline newspaper. In this series, we take a look at news that matter from around the world and stories to provide quick, critical analysis. Our reporters, analysts and experts provide context to help you understand what happened, why is it important and how it impacts you. Listen in as we decode a wide range of topics from politics, policy, Indian economy and the world of business.
In the last few weeks, Substack has been adding social features to help content creators interact with their audience. This podcast explains how the newsletter platform has grown since 2017. businessline also spoke to Substack writer Rohini Kejriwal who runs The Alipore Post on how she built her audience and what it means to use Substack.
Arzooo, a B2B retail-tech platform, aims to empower retailers to take on large retail chains and e-commerce majors such as Amazon and Flipkart by offering a wide selection of consumer durables and electronic products at the best prices. Besides providing access to a huge inventory without the hassle of locking up precious working capital, Arzoo also offers retailers access to credit at a competitive rate and express delivery.
In this podcast, Vasanth Srinivasan talks to Khushnud Khan, Co-founder and CEO of Arzooo , about the e-commerce sector in India and what to expect from the company. Listen in!
Economists have always used letters of the alphabet to describe economic recoveries. V-shaped, W-shaped, and the now-famous K-shaped. While it is easy to brush it off saying these are jargon, mere approximations, it does largely drive public perception. It gives you the big picture and attempts to simplify complex concepts.
In this episode, B Baskar of businessline discusses the practice of linking letters to recoveries and its relevance these days.
Read the full story
(Produced by Akshaya Chandrasekaran)
India-Russia trade is all set to reach a new high as the process to set up the Rupee-Rouble trade mechanism is gaining pace. Recently, the RBI gave approval for the opening of 9 Vostro accounts in Russian banks with Indian banks. What are Vostro accounts? How will this process work? Listen in.
November is the month of Diabetes Awareness. Although it can be easily managed with proper diet and exercise, there are a number of complications (blurring vision, kidney and heart issues) which cannot be taken lightly. The number of people with this medical condition in India is steadily increasing -- 77 million people (9.6 per cent of Indians) were affected by the medical condition in 2021 and the number is expected to go up to 10.4 per cent by 2030.How can organisations help their employees thrive while dealing with diabetes? businessline’s Chitra Narayanan talks to Blue Circle Diabetes’s Nupur Lalvani in this episode of the BL Podcast.
Gujarat is all decked up to go to polls. The elections will be held in two phases from December 1 to 5. The home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat, has been a political stronghold for the BJP for a very long time. The 2017 elections saw the BJP win 49.1% of the votes, with the Congress winning 41.4% votes.
2017 was the time when issues such as demonetization, GST and Patidar reservation dominated the polls. This year, poll issues are different. Rising price is one of the issues that’s affecting the mass.
This year is also the time when the AAP has been campaigning aggressively for the Gujarat elections. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has said that Gujarat is headed towards a “cyclone of change”.
Will AAP win a significant position in the Gujarat elections? Amid the Bharat Jodo Yatra, how will the Congress perform? Will the BJP continue to play a dominating role in Gujarat? What are the poll issues this year?
In this podcast, we talk to Poornima Joshi who recently visited Gujarat. Poornima helps analyze the play of power in Gujarat politics; she talks about factors that would dominate the election and the aggressive campaigning done by parties for the election. Read the full story here.
Tune in to BL Podcast for more such stories.
businessline Podcast is a daily series of podcasts from The Hindu businessline newspaper. In this series, we take a look at news that matter from around the world and stories to provide quick, critical analysis. Our reporters, analysts and experts provide context to help you understand what happened, why is it important and how it impacts you. Listen in as we decode a wide range of topics from politics, policy, Indian economy and the world of business.
Many marquee companies have announced a series of layoffs. Even as the labour market uncertainty sets up an atmosphere of gloom, now maybe a good time to destigmatise layoffs. Companies typically lay off people due to business restructuring reasons more than on the grounds of performance. Still, employees experience a certain degree of shame while being let go. Setting the right tone for layoffs can help people adopt a more optimistic attitude while looking for the next job without losing face.
In this episode, Kamal Karanth, host of the people@work series, discusses the cyclicity of hiring boom and retrenchment drives with Narayan Thammaiah, Chief People Officer at Accel Partners, and a certified business coach.
People@work is a special series from businessline. Each week, Kamal, a veteran talent specialist and co-founder of a staffing solutions firm Xpheno, talks to business leaders and experts on the most trending human resource topics.
(Produced by Akshaya Chandrasekaran)
The dubious world of cryptos has thrown up yet another controversy. This time its FTX, one of the most ‘well-managed’ and biggest crypto exchanges. In a matter of days, FTX went turtle due to a lack of liquidity and mismanagement of funds, followed by a large volume of withdrawals from rattled investors. Most cryptos crashed after the news, causing serious wealth loss to investors.
At bl.portfolio have always taken an extremely cautious stance about cryptos. In our ‘The Other Side of Coin’ in the edition dated September 19, 2021, we had highlighted the major risks of cryptos.
What if there is an FTX-like debacle in India? That will really be bad news for investors. Tune in to this podcast to understand how the totally unregulated nature of cryptos in India makes it an unsafe investment and how the FTX meltdown should serve as a wake-up call.
The recently concluded G-20 summit had a lot of important takeaways. Held amid rising geo-political tension due to the Russia-Ukraine war, rising fuel prices, the summit saw the leaders agreeing to the fact that, “G-20 is not the forum to resolve security issues...”
The summit also saw several bilateral meetings such as the one between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jingping. The two leaders touched upon several issues such as the military tension in Taiwan, the Ukraine conflict and the North Korean missile tests.
The G-20 summit had added significance as Indonesia handed over its presidency to India for the coming year. India will assume the G-20 presidency from December 1. India will be one of the few developing nations that will be assuming the G-20 leadership.
Created in 1999 during the Asian financial crisis, G-20 assumes more significance at a time when the world is battling several challenges such as increased poverty due to the pandemic, geo-political tensions, and slow global recovery. In this podcast, we discuss the key takeaways from the G-20 summit, the importance of the G-20 summit for India. While decoding several aspects of the G-20 summit, we also see if the opportunity to chair the summit will give India a scope to assume leadership of the Global South. Read the full story here.
Tune in to BL Podcast for more such stories.
businessline Podcast is a daily series of podcasts from The Hindu businessline newspaper. In this series, we take a look at news that matter from around the world and stories to provide quick, critical analysis. Our reporters, analysts and experts provide context to help you understand what happened, why is it important and how it impacts you. Listen in as we decode a wide range of topics from politics, policy, Indian economy and the world of business.
State Bank of India, SBI has decided to be selective when giving fresh loans. Reluctant to consider risky proposals, the bank has decided to tighten its corporate loan exposures.
Why is the bank unwilling to consider risky proposals? With the bank being more selective, do we expect a fall in corporate loans? Will this move help and address the Non-Performing Assets of the bank? Listen in.
Finance Ministry has kickstarted preparations for the 2023-24 budget. Recently, the ministry completed the first set of pre-budget meetings. The meeting was held with several Central Ministries and Departments. More pre-budget meetings are underway where various stakeholders would be consulted. The suggestions given by these stakeholders would be taken into consideration while drafting the budget proposals.
What happened in the recently concluded pre-budget meeting? Should we expect a significant cut in the upcoming budget? What are the expectations from budget 2023? Read the full story here.
Following the high inflation in input materials in Q1, companies passed on the costs increases , resulting in slower revenue growth in Q2. Lack of operating leverage impacted profitability as well. But as a silver lining, margin decline seems to have taken a breather. Interest costs and debt are not hot topics right now, but will be a monitorable going forward, as market interest rates rise. What’s in store on the earnings front for investors ? Listen on.
Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, SEBI, made amendments to the takeover code. The change has been made to ease strategic investments in public sector units for the Central and State governments. The board has gone away with the rule that used to link open price offer to the last 60 days’ trading volume.
In this podcast, we discuss the SEBI takeover code, the recent amendments made by SEBI and the view of experts about the same. Listen in. Read the full story .
The COP27, or the 27 th Conference of Parties (countries) who signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is described as an ‘implementation COP’, and will focus on implementing the decisions agreed upon in the earlier COPs.
What is being discussed at COP27? M Ramesh explains.
India-Russia ties are becoming strong and steady each passing day. Russia has emerged as the 5th largest exporter of India for oil and several other items. Recently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Russia from November 7-8. Among others, Jaishankar discussed the exponential growth in Indo-Russia bilateral trade.
What were the points of discussion between Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart during the visit? Do we expect India to be a consistent trading partner with Russia amid concerns from the West? Do we expect Rupee settlement for international trade between India and Russia? Listen in.
The last few months have seen the global crypto market has seen a lot of volatility on account of several factors.
Even recently, FTX Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried launched an urgent push to raise funds to save his firm as the crypto exchange looks to plug a reported $8 billion hole in its finances.
What has brought about this volatility in the global crypto market and are Indian crypto investors jittery in making crypto investments?
Anshika Kayastha explains.
India has introduced a new pricing mechanism for jet fuel. This new pricing system will be a benchmark change as it could bring in more parity between global crude price and jet fuel price in India.
What is the new ATF pricing mechanism? How is the new pricing mechanism more effective than the old one? How will the new system help the Indian airlines? Will the benefits of ATF price reduction due to new pricing mechanism be passed on to customers?
Abhishek Law, Special Correspondent, businessline explains it all. Listen in!
Read the full story .
The India-UK Free Trade Agreement is underway. According to reports, India is looking at greater market access for pharmaceutical products with the deal. However, the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders mentioned that the India-UK FTA might hurt the supply of generic medicines globally. The group has also asked India and UK to keep Intellectual Property (IP) off the table.
In this podcast, we discuss the views of pro-health groups about the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, the points of concern addressed by Doctors Without Border and others. Read the full story
Elon Musk, Parag Agrawal, and Twitter’s leadership rejigs have been clogging news headlines. But throughout history, many start-ups and business owners have routinely ousted CEOs.
The guest in this episode, Shiv Shivakumar, Group Executive President, Corporate Strategy at Aditya Birla group and a well-known management thinker, describes the asymmetric equation between owners and CEOs -- it usually favours the owners, and the situation at Twitter is just the most obvious example of that.
When there is a key ideological difference between a CEO and an owner, the organisation suffers. Shiv argues that today’s technocrat owners like Musk don’t need professional CEOs like before. He offers prescriptions for how to correct this power imbalance and lead a company that employees trust.
(Produced by Akshaya Chandrasekaran)
It has been a wild ride this year for US technology stocks with the Nasdaq Composite Index crashing by 34 per cent ytd. The market rout has not spared even the highly regarded FAANG or FAANGMAN stocks. The stock of Facebook or Meta Platforms is no exception to this with over a 70 per cent correction from its highs. What should investors do now? Tune in to the podcast to understand what is happening and whether the correction in this blue chip stock is a buying opportunity.
Listen in!
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday named Isudan Gadhvi, a former Gujarati TV journalist as their chief ministerial candidate for the Gujarat elections.
Why is he the choice of the Aam Aadmi Party, what works in his favour and what are the likely political equations in play ahead of Gujarat elections 2022.
Rutam Vora explains.
Listen in!
The World Trade Organization’s TRIPS Council (a multi-lateral agreement on intellectual property) is meeting right now to discuss a proposal from India and other developing nations to extend the waiver intellectual property rights for Covid diagnostics and therapeutics. The deadline to reach a decision – that is, to provide a waiver and to what extent -- is December 17, but would they meet it?
In this podcast, let us find out why does India and other developing countries want intellectual property waiver extensions. Why are developed countries not agreeing to it? What can we expect from the latest TRIPS Council informal meetings? Listen in.
The Competition Commission of India imposed a penalty of over ₹1,337 crore on Google for its anti-competitive practices in the android mobile phones market space on Oct 26. Few days after that the CCI once again fined Google with ₹936 crore for abusing its market dominance in Google playstore.
How did Google violate the competition law in India? How was the case initiated and investigated? How will the CCI order affect the developers and users?
K R Srivats, Senior Deputy Editor, businessline answers all. Listen in.
Monthly electric vehicle registrations (all segments) in the country surpassed the one lakh mark for the first time in October, thanks to the strong growth in the two-wheeler segment.Total EV registrations in October at 114,001 units, up 23 per cent over 92,833 units in September.
What brought about this increase in EV vehicle registrations and how is the EV segment evolving?
Balachandar G takes a look at the EV Industry at this point, listen in.
The election commission has announced the dates for the much anticipated Gujarat election.
The state will go to the polls in two phases to elect representatives to 182 assembly constituencies.
Will the BJP retain Gujarat? Or, will Congress or the AAP manage to defeat the ruling party?
Rutam Vohra explains.
Listen in!
The Reserve Bank of India, or RBI, has commenced the pilot programme of the Digital Rupee in the wholesale segment from today- November 1. The RBI has announced nine banks that would participate in the pilot. The banks include- State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Kotak Mahindra Bank, YES Bank, HDFC Bank, IDFC First Bank and HSBC.
What exactly are Central Bank Digital Currencies or CBDC? Why is the RBI’s Digital Rupee pilot project? How will the CBDC help enhance the economy? Listen in.
Its almost three years since reports of a novel corona virus emerged from China. But the origins of the Covid 19 virus is still confusing and under investigation by scientists across the globe.
In this podcast, Jyothi Datta, Deputy Editor, businessline talks about the various theories about the origin SARS-CoV-2 virus and the research by various scientific body on it. Listen in!
Read the full story .
Social selling — where one leverages personal relationships and networks to drive growth — is not new to India. Replicated digitally, it is called social commerce, and the 5G-enabled smartphone penetration has given it the much-needed impetus.
In this episode of Digital Gadfly, a monthly podcast series on all things digital marketing, host Shubho Sengupta speaks to Monica Jasuja, a global fintech leader. She has held leadership roles at Paypal, Mastercard, and others; currently, she is at GoTo Financial, Indonesia’s largest tech ecosystem covering mobility, logistics, e-commerce, and fintech.
Here, they discuss the power of social commerce, how open network e-commerce platform will benefit small biz owners, and what marketers can do to help online businesses sell effectively. Do listen.
( Produced by Akshaya Chandrasekaran)
A good idea, whatever medium, still holds power. India is having its moment on the global advertising stage as Ogilvy was named the network of the year at the 2022 Cannes Lions.
Health is a behemoth vertical for ad agencies. Advertising has also become tech-lead, but ideas still reign supreme. Brands need to reflect modern realities at the same time be prepared for a polarised world. Men need to become champions of diversity. These are some of the insights shared by Devika Seth Bulchandani, Ogilvy’s Global CEO, in an interview with businessline’s Vinay Kamath and Ayushi Kar.
(Produced by Akshaya Chandrasekaran)
Stock markets around the world have turned volatile this year as higher interest rates dampened bullish sentiment toward riskier assets. But, Indian equities have swum against the tide as India appears to be relatively well-placed, like a proverbial steady ship in turbulent seas. This is on account of stronger macro fundamentals compared to many peers and robust economic growth prospects.
Investors today have an opportunity to dig their heels deep and increase exposure to attract investment themes such as manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services, and transportation/logistics.
Tune in to know about the best-in-class equity thematic mutual fund offerings available so that you can ride these investment themes, which are expected to hold good as multi-year opportunities.
Several start-ups, such as BYJU’S and OYO, have come under scrutiny due to their accounting standards. Recently, Member of Parliament Karti P Chidambaram urged the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India to probe into the financials of BYJU’S?
Why exactly are the startups under scrutiny? What has been the response of OYO and BYJU’S about the same? Are there other start-ups as well that are under scrutiny for their accounting standards? Listen in.
Read the full story
The North-East Monsoon set in on October 29, according to the IMD’s forecast.
The South-West monsoon ended on a reasonably good note.
What do the Indian Meteorological Department and global agencies have to say regarding the North East Monsoon and how is it likely to pan out?
In this episode of the bl.podcast, Vinson Kurian takes us through the North East Monsoon and what lies ahead.
Listen in!
For the first time in many years, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has cleared the environmental release for GM mustard. This is likely to make way for its commercial release in the near future.
Back in 2002, BT Cotton was the last GM crop approved for commercial cultivation.
What would this mean for India as an agrarian nation and is this a step in the right direction for GM crops in India?
MR Subramani, head, of Commodities and Agri Business, The Hindu businessline, explains.
listen in!
Read the full story
India and the UK are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. While the agreement was supposed to be passed within Diwali, the countries missed the deadline. The talks of the agreement started in January between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
So, where does the India-UK Free Trade Agreement stand? How will the newly elected British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak deal with the situation? Listen in.
Amul Milk Producers’ App has a new feature. Dairy farmers can use the ‘Pashudhan’ platform to buy and buy cows and buffaloes for free. The seller has to mention details like location, price, productivity, breed and age. They must attach a photo or a video of the animal. In this podcast, Rutam Vora tells us why the cooperative is betting big on the marketplace. Listen in!
Now that many employees are remote or hybrid, sending home sweets and gifts is even more important. As the entire family judges you? The idea of gifts, goodies, and giveaways during the festive season always gets polarising reactions. While some argue that it boosts engagement and productivity at the workplace, others say it unwittingly ends up creating an entitlement mindset. In this episode, Kamal Karanth, host of the people@work podcast series, discusses both sides of the coin with Kartik Rao, Group Chief People Officer, Good Glamm group.
People@work is a special series from BusinessLine. Each week, Kamal Karanth, a veteran talent specialist, and co-founder of Xpheno, a staffing solutions firm, talks to business leaders and experts on the most trending human resource topics.
( Produced by Akshaya Chandrasekaran)
As per BSE data, over 4000 shareholders have not claimed their final dividend distributed for FY22. Dividends remain unclaimed on account of multiple reasons such as address change and bank account details mismatch among others. Tune in to the podcast for understanding the reasons for unclaimed dividends and process to claim the same.
The 47th GST Council meeting was conducted on June 28 and 29. According to Rule 6 of the Procedure and Conduct of Business Regulations of the Goods and Services Tax, the council should meet “at least once in every quarter financial year.”
As per the rule, the council should have supposedly met by September 30. However, as of now, the meeting didn’t take place. In the last GST Council meeting, it was said that the upcoming meeting would be conducted in August. Why is there a delay in executing the GST meeting? Will the delay have an impact on the reform measures under GST? Listen in. Read the full story
In a big policy shift, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has allowed Insolvency Professional Entities to act as Insolvency Professionals. India is one of the few countries that took the move. Why did the IBBI introduce the reform? How will it help? What is the industry’s reaction towards it? Listen in.
The Tamil Nadu assembly has passed a resolution not to impose Hindi in the state. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin urged the government to not implement the recommendations of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language. What are the recommendations of the Parliamentary panel? Let’s also take a look at Tamil Nadu’s resistance to Hindi imposition in the state. Listen in.
The last couple of days has been tough on Bengaluru because of an unprecedented downpour in recent days with life coming to a standstill in India’s Silicon valley.
What does mean for the IT capital of India and what are the issues that need to be sorted out both short-term and long-term?
Venkatesha Babu explains!!
Asset management companies seem to be on an overdrive when it comes to launching Fund of Funds (FoFs). Eight equity oriented FoFs have been launched in past six months and the total number of offerings is about 120 today. Compared to a regular MF, FoF invests in other mutual funds for various purposes. They differ in terms of costs, taxation treatment, types and much more. Tune in to this podcast to understand these differences and find out what should be your approach towards FoF investing.
Peer to peer lending platforms attempt to match borrowers directly with lenders by way of providing them a marketplace without involvement of any financial intermediary . These platforms claim of providing attractive returns to borrowers in the range of 14-20 percent or even higher. Tune in to the podcast to find out aspects beyond such high returns which you should consider before going into peer-to-peer lending.
One of India’s leading broadcast media NDTV, may have to change its ownership with the Adani Group after the Adani group launched a hostile takeover bid on Tuesday. If it succeeds, Adani will own about 55 per cent stake in NDTV. This hostile takeover has raised questions among the investors and consumers. In this podcast, Palak shah explains the hostile takeover. Listen in!
The ownership of NDTV, one of India’s oldest private media companies, is set to change as the Adani Group started a hostile takeover bid on Tuesday.
In this podcast, Chitra Narayanan talks to Vanita Kohli-Khandekar about the corporate takeover of the media industry and how the media can be manipulated thereafter. Khandekar has been tracking the media and entertainment business for over two decades and is the author of The Indian Media Business to understand.
Listen in!
You’ll probably know someone who has a full-time job and is working another job on the side. This is called moonlighting and it has divided the IT industry. Rishad Premji, Wipro’s Executive Chairman, tweeted that moonlighting is “cheating”. While others like not. Swiggy recently announced its moonlighiting policy -- which is an industry first. Cred, too, has a policy for this. Is moonlighting just a side hustle or is it something that has the potential to threaten firms -- both big and small?
In this podcast, V Nivedita talks to N Venkatesha Babu, Chief of Bureau, Bangaluru, to help understand why some IT companies are not happy with this new trend.
The RBI’s recent consultation paper regarding the possible revision of charges on digital transactions -- including UPI -- has become controversial. Many users were unhappy and took to social media to express their disappointment. The Centre, too, isn’t happy. The Finance Ministry tweeted that UPI is a digital public good and that “there is no consideration in Govt to levy any charges for UPI services.”But, why did the RBI want to review the charges in the first place? Also, can we now assume that the plan to levy a charge on UPI payments has been dropped?
Hamsini Karthik helps understand the issue better. Listen in.
The domestic airlines have suffered losses of around $4.1 billion in 2021-22 and are expected to reach the pre-pandemic level by the end of FY2024.
What the airlines should do for a turnaround?
lists out the focus areas and roadmap that the Indian Aviation sector would have to take to see a change in the fortunes of India’s aviation sector.Listen in
A couple of years ago carrying cash in hand was normal and people would feel helpless when they lost their purses. But now, having cash in hand is not so necessary – thanks to UPI. But those days might end soon as the RBI is looking to introduce charges on UPI payments.
In that direction, The RBI is looking for public feedback regarding UPI payments and charges.
Is this a move in the right direction for the digital payment ecosystem in the Country or could it affect consumers more.
Listen in!
Mutual funds are a popular way of investing. There are a little over 1,100 open-ended funds if you take into account debt, equity, hybrid, solution-oriented schemes. After a lull, fund houses have gone on an overdrive in terms of launching NFOs. More than three dozen new funds have been launched in just a few weeks. For instance, Franklin MF launched a balanced advantage fund after their debt fund crisis. Fund houses such as Navi, Mirae, White Oak, Tata, , , ICICI Pru, etc. have brought in their new equity schemes. Amid all the excitement, it is important for investors to take a step back and consider important things before they jump onto the NFO bandwagon.
Listen in to understand how a particular NFO is different, the importance of an NFO to your personal financial roadmap, why should you understand the investment strategy, and map the previously-launched NFO performance etc.
Debates are going on about the freebies versus welfare schemes. But, what exactly are freebies? Here is all you need to know. Listen in!
The Competition (Amendment) Bill 2022 was introduced on August 5, This looks to bring about changes in the Competition Act 2002 that gives the Competition Commission of India (CCI) powers to prevent practices that have an adverse effect on competition and the interest of consumers.
What is the Ambit of the amendments and what are the regulatory gaps that the Amendment looks to address?
Senior Deputy Editor KR Srivats explains.
In May this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that one of his dreams is to see a drone on every farm. Drones are being used extensively in the country for many purposes including spraying fertilisers and pesticides and surveying the farms. Is using the new technology always beneficial to the farmers?
In this episode of the BL Context, Subramani Ra Mancombu explains the pros and cons. Listen in!
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, ace stock investor, passed away on Sunday morning. Known as the Big Bull of Dalal Street, Jhunjhunwala was never afraid to take risks. There is a good number of retail investors who diligently follow Jhunjhunwala’s portfolio. His work continues to inspire the stock market and beyond. Listen in.
Investing is a great way to secure our financial well-being. But, the paperwork and the need for discipline to research, stick to timelines, and follow up can make us lose patience.
Listen in to find out how perpetual SIPs, multi-year insurance, auto-renewals and asset allocation funds can go a long way in making your investment journey smoother.
As India marks 75 years of Independence, the spotlight is on a sector that is strategic, and has contributed to making medicines relatively affordable, not just in the country, but also to people around the world - earning India the label of being “pharmacy to the world.”
Giving us a peep into the rough and tumble, and milestones in this journey, is Satish Reddy, Chairman - Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and part of the leadership team at the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, where he’s been president, twice. From the days of the Indian Patents Act (1970), and early WTO negotiations to grappling with a pandemic, and war and despite that planning for a big leap in innovation, Satish Reddy looks back, and forward at the pharmaceutical industry.
In a bid to tackle climate change and reach the goals of sustainable development, for the PM Narendra Modi government, Energy Conservation has gained significant importance. This is the reason the Energy Conservation Amendment Bill 2022 was introduced in Parliament and on August 8, it was passed by the Lok Sabha. But what is the bill all about? Here is all you need to know.
Nitish Kumar has done it again -- he has walked out of the alliance with the BJP yet again and has joined hands with the RJD, Congress and the Left parties to form the government in Bihar. He took the oath of office for the 8th time on Wednesday afternoon. What’s next for Nitish Kumar? Listen in to know more.
Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnav talks about the deliberations within the government following the tabling of the exhaustive report of the Joint Committee of Parliament on the PDP Bill were focused on whether to have omnibus legislation or specific statutes for better regulation of the highly dynamic digital technology landscape.
Listen in!
Around the world, health authorities are going ahead with vaccinating children below 12 years, as well, against Covid-19. This week, Israel started vaccinating the 0-6 years age group; Australia has recommended vaccinating immunocompromised kids. The US and UK are vaccinating kids above 5 years. In India, children below 12 years have not been brought under the coverage of Covid-19 vaccination programmes.
At the same time, India is also reporting cases of monkeypox – with reports suggesting that children, when infected, could be affected severely.
Clearing the air on how to keep children safe in this fast-evolving scenario, is Dr. Kishore Kumar, neonatologist and Founder-Chairman with the CloudNine chain of hospitals, that looks after babies from the birthing moment to about 12 years.
Globally, inflation has been persistent and central banks have been on a rate hiking spree. India, too, is no different, and we have had three rounds of increases in policy rates in three months. The central bank rate in India is now higher than what it was before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Are markets trading cheaper or more expensive compared to pre-covid times? How will these rate increases impact corporate earnings and market valuations? Listen in to find out.
The Reserve Bank of India has hiked the repo rate by 50 basis points once again!
With this, the key policy rate is back at the pre-pandemic level at 5.4 per cent. Now, the repo rate has reached its highest point since August 2019.
RBI Governor Shaktikantha Das focused on four matters -- inflation, growth, performance of external sector and financial market conditions. Listen in to know them.
Karan Lamba, Head of Creator and Talent Partnerships, takes a deep dive into the creator economy and Snapchat’s role in it.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has dismissed the fear of India slipping into stagflation in the Parliament. She cited Bloomberg’s report and highlighted that the country won’t fall into recession. What is a recession? Where does India stand?
Listen in.
US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s unannounced trip to Taiwan, during her tour of Asia, has made China upset.
Ahead of her visit, China said that the US will “pay the price” if Pelosi visited Taiwan. “The US side will bear the responsibility and pay the price for undermining China’s sovereign security interests,” a Chines foreign ministry spokeswoman said.
Why is this visit so controversial? Could this visit put the US and China on a collision course? Listen in.
Recently, the Tamil Nadu Government proposed to increase the power tariff by 10 to 35%. In this podcast, we explain all you need to know about the power tariff increase in Tamil Nadu.
In March 2020, when YES Bank went belly up and the pandemic hit the system, it accentuated the pain in banking space, especially for the mid-cap banks. Some of the private banks that were earlier market darlings till FY19 had their vulnerabilities exposed as asset quality issues came to light. What has happened in recent times? Have the companies recovered and are there investing opportunities? Listen in to find out.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine began on the morning of 24 February, when Putin announced a “special military operation” to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine.
In early June 2022, Ukraine said that around 100 to 200 Ukrainian soldiers were dying every day. Zelenskyy’s military adviser said that around 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers died in the first 100 days of the war.
Russia recently crashed down the Ukranian port that traded wheat. In reaction, the western forces promised to send more and more ammunition to Ukraine.
The invasion was internationally condemned as a war of aggression. But, the Russian-Ukraine war no longer finds its space to the first page of newspapers. Few nations talk about the war. Most nations have planned for their alternatives to go without the Russian oil and Ukranian wheat. What has happened to Ukraine in the 150 days of Russian invasion?
Listen in!
India’s 5G Spectrum auction is taking place on July 26.
Newer frequencies with varied usage are up for grabs and this is likely to propel the country towards a truly wireless experience.
Who are the telecom players in the fray, what are the spectrum bands up for grabs and how well do India’s telecom players look going into the auction?
Ayushi Kar tells us more about what’s at stake for the telecom players and more.
Today you can hardly imagine a world without lithium batteries. The man who gave them to the world, Prof John Bannister Goodenough, is celebrating his 100th birthday on July 25.
In this week’s quantum podcast, introduces us to the life and works of Prof John Bannister Goodenough, and his ongoing quest for cutting-edge technology.
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The 90s were an era of change — the Berlin wall came crashing down, the USSR fell, new technologies brought in new opportunities and there was a wave of political liberalisation in various countries, including India.
In this podcast, Baskar B and Siddharth MC take a look at the 1991 economic reforms, which were introduced in the Parliament by the then Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the 24th of July.
What were the factors that led to this pivotal shift from a command economy? Who are the key reform makers and did these reforms hold up against the test of time?
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Podcast producers: V Nivedita and Siddharth MC
Since 2013, market regular SEBI mandated fund houses to provide investors with direct plans along with regular plans for all of their mutual fund schemes. Yet, the tilt is still more towards regular plans as only 22 per cent of mutual fund investments is currently under direct plans. Tune in to the podcast to get the key things you must know before choosing one from direct or regular plan.
All base metals are now in the bear market territory after falling over 20 per cent from their peak. What’s the reason behind this sell-off? Are corrections around the corner and what is the likely forecast for base metals over the next few months? listen in!
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued clarification on imposing Goods and Service Tax on pre-packed goods elimiating the differnce in charging tax on branded and unbranded commodities.
The e-scooter that captured the imagination of young buyers has returned in a reloaded avatar. What’s new, and what’s old?
While fintechs had a slow start, their growth accelerated during the pandemic. However, several challenges popped up their way. Will they choose to remain as a tech company in the financial services space?
The tax filing rush has started with the deadline for filing returns approaching. In order to ensure accuracy, the taxpayer has to have a clear idea of all the transactions . To solve this problem Income Tax department has launched Annual Information statement in November 2021 which has a comprehensive detail of the transactions and tax details.
Why is it important for taxpayer and what all types of transactions it tracks ? Tune in to the podcast to understand the benefits and utility of Annual Information Statement.
The Banaskantha District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (Banas Dairy)‘s potatoes are going to be shipped all over the world soon!
The dairy cooperative will ship the first export consignment of Amul frozen french fries, which were produced at its newly-commissioned potato processing plant in Banaskantha, district next month. This is the first export consignment from the dairy’s own plant.
Rutam Vora brings you this special report. Listen in!
When one thinks of investing, they may look at a variety of options like opening a fixed deposit account, investing in the shares of a big company such as Reliance, or investing in gold, silver, precious metals, or putting money in mutual funds.
But there is more to investing than just this.
What are some of the factors that one needs to look out for while investing?
Kumar Shankar Roy explains.
Indian advertising agencies had a great outing at the event, bagging 47 medals in all, while Dentsu Creative India bagged the Agency of the Year award, the first time that an Indian agency has won this honour at Cannes Lion.
Dentsu’s The Unfiltered History Tour was the most awarded campaign from India – a disruptive creative that used technology most innovatively and effectively for its client Vice Media.
As Wadhwa said, “With the advent of digital and with the advent of technology, it is a huge inflection point for the advertising industry. We will become far more relevant in the lives of our clients and brands.” Echoing this thought, Gahlaut said, “With this work, there is no doubt that agencies are where creativity rests and Happy Days will be soon here, if not already here, for ad agencies.”
In the recently concluded G-7 summit, the leaders talked about several issues, but the Russian war in Ukraine and China were the main focal points. In this podcast, Nabodita Ganguly takes a look at the steps the G-7 grouping are taking to counter the threat posed by Russia’s aggression and China’s growing political and economic clout.
The NSE co-location scam is back in the news again. This time, investigators have found evidence that brokers deployed illegal means to set up trading links between the NSE, MCX, BSE, and other global exchanges in China, the US, and West Asia among others.
In this podcast, Palak Shah talks to V Nivedita about how the scandal took place what the investigations by various agencies have found and how to regain investors’ trust. Listen in
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As on March 2021, the amount lying unclaimed with mutual funds was a whopping ₹ 1,590 crore. To address this issue, market regulator SEBI recently came up with circular specifying new norms regarding the mutual fund nomination process and aimed to standardise the process. Tune in to this podcast to understand the basics of nomination and its importance.
The Maha Vikas Agadhi government is in trouble with Rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde taking the support of close to 50 MLA and hinting towards supporting a BJP-led govt in Maharashtra.
This has put the tri-party alliance of the Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP into the doldrums and also raised questions on the future of the Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray.
Radheshyam Jadhav who has been covering the happenings helps give a snapshot of the political situation in Maharashtra and its likely play in national politics.
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On June 21, The BJP announced tribal leader and former Jharkhand Governor, Droupadi Murmu, as the party’s official candidate for the upcoming presidential election.
Who is Droupadi Murmu, and what makes her BJP’s ideal pick for the presidential polls?
In conversation with TR Vivek, BusinessLine’s political editor Poornima Joshi takes a look at Droupadi Murmu - Her rise from the ranks and the long term strategy behind fielding her as the BJP’s presidential candidate.
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The Modi government’s decision to reform the recruitment process for the armed forces has come under immense criticism. Under the scheme, named Agnipath, members of the armed forces and non-officer cadre will be hired on a four-year contractual basis. There have been several protests against the schemes and many, like the protest at the Secunderabad Railway Station, have turned violent. The Opposition and some NDA allies have demanded the withdrawal of the scheme, but others are not convinced. One such leader is senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Manish Tewari.
In this podcast, Poornima Joshi talks to Manish Tewari to understand why the leader has endorsed the scheme. Listen in!
Intel has been betting big on artificial intelligence (AI) to transform lives across societies and has set itself the target of working with 30,000 institutions across 30 countries to empower 30 million people for current and future jobs by 2030.
Shweta Khurana, Senior Director, Asia Pacific and Japan, Government Partnerships and Initiatives, Global Government Affairs, Intel, shares her thoughts on how AI can transform society and how the company is imparting AI education to the Indian youth.
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US generics revenues generated 0.3 per cent CAGR in FY17-22 compared to 11 per cent CAGR in India and emerging markets. As a result, Nifty Pharma index returned 3.3 per cent CAGR in the period underperforming Nifty-50 index by close to 800 bps. The discussion centres on if the factors contributing to muted US growth are permanent and how should investors approach pharma stocks in this context. In this episode of Portfolio Podcast, Sai Prabhakar and Parv Shah discuss why you should consider investing in Indian generics. Listen in!
The violent protest over the new army recruitment scheme, Agnipath, at Secunderabad Railway Station here on Friday left one dead and 14 injured.
Naga Sridhar reports the day’s happenings, Listen in!
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WayCool, one of the country’s leading agri-commerce firms had developed technologies for its own use and there is now demand for its agri stack to be used among farmers in Africa and Europe.
Plans for India’s first ventilated cold storage for onions and potato flakes for chefs which can be stored for many years are amongst its recent innovations.
Karthik Jayaraman, Co-founder, and Managing Director, WayCool Foods and Products speaks about the company’s innovations and the way forward.
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The Union Cabinet’s decision to enable private 5G networks is a boon for digital tech companies with the Broadband India Forum (BIF), the leading think-tank and policy forum for digital communications, hailing it a “forward-looking step”, and a “harbinger of the digital transformation”, which is critical for digital India.
TV Ramachandran, President, Broadband India forum tells Ronendra Singh what this move means and how captive networks are likely to help India expand its telephony networks.
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Today’s Federal Reserve meeting holds big significance post the CPI inflation shocker from the US last week. What should investors watch out for and how will markets react? Listen in to get some interesting perspectives
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Rahul Nanwani, CEO and Co-Founder of Imagekit.io speaks on retargeting, SEO best practices, and creative automation platforms.
On Tuesday, IPL emerged as the second most valued sporting league in the world in terms of per match value. The much-talked about IPL media rights auction ended after three days of intense bidding. Overall BCCI will earn ₹48,390 crore over a five-year period striking one of the biggest media rights deal. Disney Star India retained the Indian TV rights for ₹23,575 crore.
But all the spotlight was on digital rights. Viacom-18 emerged as the exclusive owner of the overall digital rights of the T20 league and will end up will be paying ₹23,758 crore. This includes streaming rights for 18 non-exclusive games per year which come under Package C.
Karan Taurani, Senior Vice-President of Elara Capital shares his thoughts.
Inflation worries in the US, the possibility of aggressive rate hikes by the Fed, and a spike in US bond yields to four-year high levels sparked a global sell-off in equity and financial markets on Monday.
What caused this fall and how are the markets likely to react in the coming day.
Palak Shah and Surabhi take a look.
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Given the high bids at the IPL media rights auction, will the broadcasters be able to recoup their investments? Why was there such a scramble for digital rights, which went at a huge premium?
Karan Taurani , Sr Vice President , Elara Capital talks to BL’s Chitra Narayanan, analysing the bids.
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BusinessLine’s Richa Mishra and Shobha Roy talk about why several bulk tea producers and estates are investing in creating their own distinctive branded tea products.
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Investing in oneself usually is the best investment one can make. In a knowledge-intensive world, the more qualifications one has, the better his/her chances of competing well and moving up the corporate ladder. Thus for many career aspirants, post-graduate qualification is now becoming a necessity.
However higher education does not come cheap in many cases. This is where education loans can be of help and enable you to pursue your professional dreams.
Listen in to get the key things you must know to choose the right kind of education loan suited to your requirements and financial status.
Kamal Haasan’s latest film ‘Vikram’ has set the cash registers ringing. Trade estimates say that the film has minted over ₹200 crore in worldwide box office collection so far.
The film has already become the biggest post-pandemic success for Tamil cinema, even though movies like Vijay’s ‘Beast’ and Ajith Kumar’s ‘Valimai’ grossed over ₹200 crore in the box office.
It has joined films like ‘RRR’(Telugu) and ‘KGF-Chapter 2’ (Kannada) in doing well across the nation.
Various IITs across India are filling more patents data show. As many as 23 IITs applied for more than 800 patents during the academic years 2019-20 and 2020-21. In fact, more than 240 patents and 460 patents were granted to IITs in 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively. IIT-Bombay and IIT-Madras are leading the race, having applied for more than 100 patents each year in the last few years.
In this podcast, AJ Vinayak takes a look at the numbers. Listen in.
Liquids, pellets, flax seeds, caffeine - it’s all now getting packed into that little capsule. And, the capsule’s vegetarian.
The world’s second-largest capsule makers, the ACG group is behind this evolution of the capsule and they are partnering with health and wellness companies for personalised nutrition products. There have been 900 new start-ups in the dietary supplements space since Covid-19, says ACG Managing Director Karan Singh, explaining the phenomenal interest in nutraceuticals, the regulatory framework in which they operate, and more.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has managed to stay in power after winning a no-confidence motion on June 6, 2022, with a slim majority of 211 votes. This low point in Johnson’s political tenure comes just two years after he led his party to a landslide election victory in 2019.
What led to the no-confidence motion and what happens to his government from here? Neha Charm Thomas explains.
The Covid-19 pandemic has damaged the Indian economy. While the state of the Centre’s finances has grabbed headlines, the pandemic has upended the States’ finances as well. Faced with rising expenditure and low revenues in the first year of the pandemic, most States had to borrow more to fund their pandemic response. How do States stack up in their market borrowing during the pandemic?
In this podcast, Parvathi Benu talks to Narayanan V to understand the issue better. Listen in!
Indian dairy firms have started recycling wastes and tapping solar, and wind energy. What has brought about this change and what is the way forward in this ‘Green Revolution’?
Rutam Vora explains.
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Beneath the volatility in headline indices, the US markets have seen a sea of red with many stocks that were touted to be the next Google or Facebook, plummeting between 70-90 per cent in the last year. The correction has started spreading and even many high-quality blue chips have seen deep corrections.
Thus the US markets appear to be at crossroads. What is driving this volatility? How long can the pain last? How can you take advantage of it? Listen on for some interesting insights on this topic.
People either swear by homeopathy or dismiss it as no more than sugar pills.
Dr. Mukesh Batra, Founder of the eponymous group that runs over 200 plus homeopathy clinics in the country and abroad, believes integrated medicine is the future - as no system of medicine is complete. Be it “homeopathy, allopathy or Tirupati”, he says, the consumer should have the choice of deciding what works best for them. He also points to how health insurance needs to address traditional medicine, supporting outpatient treatment.
Dr. Batra’s upcoming book, “Homeopathy - “ sets out to be, “in essence, a bedside guide on what to do till the doctor comes.” Simple remedies for all
This conversation you’re about to listen to is a part of BusinessLine’s Table Talk series, conversations with leaders on their life and times and businesses.
In this episode, BusinessLine’s Vinay Kamath, also the author of the book Titan: Inside India’s Most Successful Consumer Brand, speaks to Suparna Mitra, CEO of Titan Watches.The IIM Calcutta alumna opens up about Titan’s rebranding strategy of its stores and its premiumisation strategy.
In India, many ‘unicorns’ have been started by those with engineering degrees. But, those with non-engineering backgrounds are also making their mark. In this podcast, AJ Vinayak takes a look at the founders and co-founders of these $1 billion start-ups.
India’s contribution may be a meagre 2 per cent to global food major Cargill’s annual revenue. But the US firm sees better prospects in India, which could emerge as a strategic country by 2030. A lot of planning is going on for the firm’s faster growth in India.
As part of these plans, Cargill decided to launch a digital platform for agriculture Digital Saathi. Though confined to Karnataka now, it has managed to rope in 30,000 farmers. There are various other plans that the firm has for this platform.
Cargill India President Simon George talks about his plans for India, for the electronic platform and other things such as food innovation lab, edible oil business, tapping renewable energy and the promising animal nutrition business.
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Fourth-quarter GDP numbers reveal weak consumption and demand due to the high inflation and uncertainty caused by the war.
All of us have faced financial emergencies and were in need of funds immediately. The first solution that comes to one’s mind under such a situation is to liquidate securities and investments. But what if you can continue to hold them and yet, get some cash? Here’s where a loan against securities (LAS) can help.
In the latest episode of the Portfolio Podcast, Parv Shah and Vishal Balabhadruni discuss the features of this loan offering and important aspects of this facility. Listen in!
Rice is grown throughout India -- from Assam in the East, right down to Tamil Nadu in the South. Each state has its own climate and each environment is unique and this could impact yield.
Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute have developed several new rice varieties that are well suited to grow in each of these environments while giving higher yields. They conducted 559 on-field trials across Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh to identify these varieties.
In this podcast, Rutam Vora speaks to Kuntal Das, Seed System & Product Management, IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, to find out more about the new rice varieties. Listen in.
Agriculture is both a cause and a victim of the consequences of climate change. In the previous episode of Fieldnotes we spoke to Renuka Diwan, a young scientist who had founded a startup called Bioprime to help farmers fight adverse climatic conditions through bioscience formulations. But at the same time, India’s agriculture is a climate change contributor too. It accounts for 20% of the national Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. If India’s agricultural sector was an independent country, it would be the 7th highest greenhouse gas emitter, ranking above Brazil, South Korea, Canada, and Mexico. India has more than 100 million smallholder farmers with limited capacity and incentives to reduce their carbon footprint. It has the largest cattle population. Nearly a third of the world’s cattle live here. And India is the second-largest producer of rice, a crop that accounts for 2.5% of global GHG emissions.
Can Indian agriculture, which is part of the climate change problem, be a part of the solution? What can entrepreneurs in this sector, and the investors who fund them, do to address this?
Mark Kahn, the managing partner and co-founder at Omnivore in a candid conversation with TR Vivek talks about the many innovations by entrepreneurs on this front and the assorted challenges of being in the agribusiness in India.
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On the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Japan trip, he attended the Quadrilateral Security summit along with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
This meeting among these leaders is the fourth in one year – they met virtually twice in March 2021 and 2022 and met each other in Washington D.C last September.
What did they discuss? Here’s all you need to know.
Veteran bankers such as KV Kamath have opined that the Indian banking industry is in the best shape in the last 50 years when it comes to asset quality and capital adequacy. But the stock markets are barely reflecting the optimism. The Bank Nifty index on a one-year basis trades almost flat while the Nifty is still in the green. Where do we go from here with respect to bank stocks? Hamsini Karthik and Kumar Shankar Roy in the latest episode of Portfolio Podcast discuss loan growth, asset quality, profitability and return profile of banks, and the road ahead for this important sector. Listen in!
CRISIL recently launched a sustainability yearbook to gauge India Inc.’s environmental, societal and governance -- popularly called ESG -- performance. What is in this Sustainability Yearbook? V Nivedita talks to Miren Lodha, Director, CRISIL Research to understand the issue better. Listen to the podcast now!
On May 19, The Supreme Court held that the recommendations of the GST Council are not binding on the Union and States. What does this mean for the Opposition ruled states and the concept of “one nation, one tax”.
Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal shares his thoughts.
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It is layoff season in India’s startup land
The last few years have been go-go season in India’s startup scene. India has the third-largest startup ecosystem after USA and China. At last count India had 100 unicorns – that is startups which are valued at more than a billion dollars. A lot of this has been made possible by investment from international venture and private equity funds which have helped companies not just with seed capital but provided growth funds and helped them scale to address a potential 1.4 billion domestic customers as well as tackle international opportunities.
However, there is a nuclear winter regarding funds approaching the Indian startup sector. Also, some Indian start-ups are taking longer to become viable businesses.
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The Supreme Court has ruled that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) council’s recommendations are not binding on the Union government, and States only have a persuasive value as the country has a cooperative federal structure. What are non-BJP State governments saying on the SC ruling? Listen in.
The CPI inflation figures in April shot up to 7.79 per cent, an eight-year high. However, these rates are not uniform across India. It is 9.12 per cent in West Bengal, 9.02 per cent in Telangana and 8.9 per cent, while it is 5.08 and 5.37 per cent in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
So what is it that is helping these southern states? Parvathi Benu explains. Listen in.
Climate change has emerged as one of the biggest threats to the already low income of India’s small farmers. Unseasonal rains, colder winters, hotter summers, and prolonged dry spells are confusing not just the farmers but also the crops they grow. The chemical agri inputs required to mitigate the impact of climate change add to the farmers’ expenses and make them poorer. A young Pune-based startup called Bioprime may have a potentially game-changing solution to enhance the profitability of small-scale farmers. BioPrime says its goal is to offer relief to farmers worldwide, struggling with crop loss, temperature fluctuations, drought, resilient insects, and diseases. To achieve this, this startup born in a lab and founded by three plant science researchers from Pune university has developed effective and affordable next-generation agri biological with time-proven biomolecules, life-friendly chemistry, smart material, and less energy use. Bioprime says its patented agri biologics technology follows Mother Nature’s way rather than tamper with it.
To talk about the exciting innovations, TR Vivek is joined by BioPrime’s CEO Renuka Diwan. Renuka is a rare woman entrepreneur in India’s overwhelmingly male-dominated agribusiness space. Renuka a PhD in Plant Sciences from the University of Pune and a postdoctoral in genetic engineering. She has worked extensively on bioactives for over 13 years and has a patent filed for large-scale production of a certain class of metabolites. She also has over 15 years of experience in plant tissue culture and designs. We talk to her not only about the challenges of being a woman entrepreneur but also about the transition from the lab to the market.
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The Supreme Court has put the application related to India’s sedition law on hold. This comes a day after the Central Government had agreed to re-examine the law and some its colonial provisions. What led to this decision and what do legal professionals feel about the move? Listen in.
In a statement issued on Sunday, G7 nations--- France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States --- have condemned Russia’s “unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal military aggression against Ukraine” and promised to cut their dependency on Russian oil. What are the main promises in the statement? Listen in.
Demand for silver is strong but the prices remained suppressed. Many factors are in play in influencing the prices. Akhil Nallamuthu and Parv Shah discuss these factors and tell us what’s in store for the white metal.
The upcoming WHO centre at Jamnagar, Gujarat, is tasked with scientifically validating the efficacy of ancient therapies.
Why do these centuries-old therapies such as Chinese Tui Na, Japanese Kampo, African herbal medicines or Indian Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani or homeopathy need validation?
What is one to expect from WHO for sustenance of traditional medicines, that is the first port of call for a majority of the population around the world.
Rutam Vora explains.
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India is having problems with its wheat crop -- a recent report in this newspaper stated that the production could be 10-20 million tonnes below this year’s estimate of 111 million tonnes due to the early onset of summer. The Centre also admitted that its procurement target will not be met this year. Why is this happening?
TR Vivek speaks to Prasanna Rao, co-founder and CEO at Arya.ag about the issue in this podcast.
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India’s biggest IPO has begun today. After much debate, the LIC IPO is now open to all investors. Many have welcomed the move. Will this move motivate more insurance companies to be listed? What lies ahead for India’s insurance sector? BusinessLine’s Deputy Editor, Surabhi, tells us more in this episode of BL Context.
Batteries have been used in all vehicles all the time and we don’t have to be scared of them. Only, there is a need to ensure that the manufacturers are more safety-conscious and don’t try to cut corners by cutting costs.
Explains
With government officials at the Centre saying wheat production this year could be 8-10 million tonnes lower than initial estimates, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and other State agencies may find it tough to even procure 20 million tonnes (mt) of the grain during the current rabi marketing season.
Subramani Ra Mancombu explains!
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is set to become the largest listed insurance company in India and fifth largest listed insurance player globally. Kumar Shankar Roy and Hamsini Karthik discuss the much-awaited IPO’s valuation, business nitty-gritties, rewards, and risks.
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After a little more than a month since Russia started its military operation in Ukraine, is peace in sight?
In what could be the first sign of de-escalation of tension between Russia and Ukraine, Russia has said that it would to scale down military operations around Kyiv and northern Ukraine on Tuesday.
As you know, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine on the 24th of February. At that time, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed the Ukrainian government was overseeing a “genocide” in the eastern regions of the country. This comes days after Putin recognised Donetsk and Luhansk as independent regions.
Officials from both nations met several times to negotiate peace, but there was no breakthrough. This time, they met in Istanbul, Turkey, and it looks like the negotiations are bearing fruits. Russia has promised to reduce ops in some regions, while Ukraine has proposed adopting a ‘neutral status’.
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Even though “Writing With Fire” did not win the award for the Best Documentary Feature at the 94th Academy Awards, India still has a reason to celebrate -- Namit Malhotra’s visual effects and animation company DNEG’s work for The Dune won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. This is not the company’s first award. In fact, the company has six Oscar-winning films to its name and now Dune joins the list.
In this podcast, Meenakshi Verma Ambwani & Chitra Narayanan speak to Namit Malhotra, Chairman and CEO of the multi-award-winning company.
Psychiatrist Samir Parikh and clinical psychologist Kamna Chhibber have written a very timely and relevant book on this urban phenomenon – we may even call it a silent pandemic – of crippling loneliness.
In ‘Unfilled Barrels’, journalist Richa Mishra tries to understand why the hunt for oil and gas has been challenging in India, despite strong foundations laid by the first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. In this reading from her book, she sets the context and also asks the pertinent question that despite the current government setting aggressive targets to bring down the import bill, why does the country continue to be heavily import-dependent. She provides some of the answers in the book.
About the BookUnfilled Barrels: India’s Oil Story
Richa Mishra
Bloomsbury India
Rs 580 ; 207 pages
The recent announcement by Zomato a restaurant aggregator and food delivery platform that it would provide 10-minute delivery has sparked off a lively debate on the quick commerce segment. While most of the attention and angst – rightly so – has been focussed on the safety of the riders or delivery personnel in India’s teeming traffic, there are various other aspects to the business.
Issues like the long-term viability of this model, basket size of orders, margins, size of the market they are trying to address, possible regulatory hurdles, whether such experiments have succeeded internationally all have to be looked into.
Several other players especially in the grocery delivery segment like Blinkit, Zepto, and a few others have made such promises and are experimenting with those models. They were not even the pioneers. Even earlier both Ola and Swiggy tried similar quick service through their Dash and Insta programmes with varying degrees of success.
In this podcast, Deputy Editor, Venkatesha Babu who heads the Bengaluru Bureau of Business Line decodes the clamour surrounding the growing ‘Quick Commerce’ market and the current controversies surrounding it.
The casual gaming industry is giving brands a new horizon to engage their audiences on non-gaming apps and websites. Many brands like Amazon, Paytm, and Airtel have seen a 40% revenue increase after incorporating games in their ad strategies. Here’s a conversation on the same with Yashash Agarwal, Co-Founder of Gamezop - a gaming solutions provider.
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This conversation you’re about to hear is a part of BusinessLine’s Table Talk series, conversations with leaders on their life and times and businesses. In this episode, the vivacious new MD and CEO of United Spirits, Hina Nagarajan, speaks to BusinessLine. For the uninitiated, Hina Nagarajan is the first woman to lead a liquor company of such a large scale in the country.
She talks about how the pandemic stoked demand for premium liquor, the growth in in-home consumption, and the company’s new marketing strategy to meet the needs of a changing India in a freewheeling chat. She also opens up about the IIM Ahmedabad experience and her interests beyond corporate life.
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The Indian National Congress may be looking like a dated party now. But perhaps, it can draw inspiration from its own 2004 election win, when it snatched victory against impossible odds – at a time when the ‘India Shining’ campaign of the Vajpayee government was going strong.
In her book, advertising veteran gives a minute-by-minute account of the marketing and advertising campaign by Leo Burnett that contributed to one of the most dramatic wins in Indian elections, and which has become a B-school case study. Jayashree M Sundar
In this podcast, Sundar takes us through the pitch meeting, attended by the likes of Salman Khurshid, Ambika Soni, Ahmed Patel and Motilal Vohra.
About the BookDon’t Forget 2004 – Advertising secrets of an impossible election victory.
Jayshree M Sundar
Vitasta
Rs 495; 284 pages
K Gurumurthy and Akhil Nallamuthu discuss recent significant factors that have driven the swings in crude oil, and what you need to watch out for.
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Delivering humanitarian medical aid involves immense planning and procurement of medicine and other healthcare supplies, besides ensuring the physical safety and mental well-being of healthcare and aid workers on the frontline, among other things.
Simi Basheer, Director - Human Resources and Facilities with MSF (Doctors without Borders) South Asia, gives us a peep into the mammoth task involved in getting medical aid to those in strife-torn regions. An insight, as the world, witnessed the third week of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
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The subject that we are discussing today will seem gross. A Bengaluru-based start-up called Loopworm, which was started by two IIT Roorkee graduates, is working to bring food waste back into the food cycle using biotechnology.
Loopworm’s mission is to solve the global protein deficiency and waste generation. The start-up is involved in protein farming, but not pulses, dairy or meat. It farms an insect called the black soldier fly, whose larvae can become a high source of protein for commercially farmed fish, shrimp, poultry and even pets.
Currently, the feed for poultry and fish consists of fish meal which is usually made from vast quantities of catch from the oceans. It’s a depleting and increasingly expensive source. Loopworm says farmed insects are the most sustainable and eco-friendly way to feed the animals we eat
The black soldier fly is a sleek-looking fly that many confuse with a wasp. It is not a pest and can be put to use by humans. They play a similar role to redworms as valuable decomposers in breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. They can break down the bacteria in their food.
TR Vivek is in conversation with Ankit Bagaria on this curious, and, somewhat smelly business.
What are oil shocks and how would such scenarios affect the Indian economy amidst the Russia-Ukraine crisis? BusinessLine’s Richa Mishra tells us more.
You have heard of gray, blue and green hydrogen, which refer to processes through which the gas is produced. Now, we welcome you to Gold Hydrogen -- something that might well turn out to be the savior of the planet.
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In this podcast Sai Prabhakar and Hari Viswanath discuss whether the TCS buyback adds any value to the shares, and what the current global disruptions could mean for the stock.
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Just as the global economy is recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the crisis brought about by Russia’s military operation in Ukraine threatens to send the world into recession.
How will the crisis impact the world? and will it impact India?
Nivedita V talks to Dipti Deshpande, Principal Economist, CRISIL.
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The Vladimir Putin administration has decided to suspend exports of fertilizers. The announcement followed after Russian President Putin warned of “negative consequences” of the Western world’s sanctions.
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Oil prices have been soaring and now the US says that they will ban oil imports from Russia. This development seem to be taking place at a time when the world is finally finding its footing after being immensely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Would the move obstruct the Indian economy’s path stability?
BusinessLine’s Amiti Sen explains.
The Russia-Ukraine war has been roiling global markets over the last week.
Sai Prabhakar and Hari Viswanath discuss implications for investors and how they need to proceed in the current context.
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In one of our recent episodes, we looked at the fodder crisis in India, a country with 540 million cattle, the largest in the world. Dairy farming is the lifeline of millions of small farmers in the country. Even when crops fail, dairy farming provides them with at least bare minimum income and nutritional security. Given the importance of dairy farming in India, have you ever wondered how the farmers trade in this precious commodity called cattle? There are of course local networks and cattle fairs like the famous one in Pushkar, but is that enough?
Two young women entrepreneurs from IIT-Delhi are attempting to solve for the problem with an agritech startup called Animall. Animall is often described as an Instagram-cum-Amazon for cows and buffalos. Animall was co-founded by Neetu Yadav, the now CEO, and Kirti Jangra, the COO. Founded in 2019, the startup has made rapid progress attracting more than $25 million in venture capital. The app has been downloaded by more than 10 million farmers. TR Vivek speaks to Kirti Jangra about the company’s cool idea born in a hackathon and the challenges of being rare women entrepreneurs in the area of agriculture.
Plenty of work is on in Indian laboratories on ways to switch over to green sources of heat and bring down costs.
Here are two such technologies.
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India produces nearly 1.7 million tonnes of grapes every year and Maharashtra contributes nearly 70 per cent of the output. Grape is a highly profitable crop. Of the 1.7 m tonnes, only a tiny fraction goes into winemaking and wine grapes offer even better returns. It is estimated that grape farmers make anywhere between Rs 40-80 for every litre of wine consumed. In comparison, Barley and wheat farmers earn just Rs 12 for a litre of beer and sugarcane farmers just Rs 4 for a litre of molasses-based hard liquor.
To increase the income of grape farmers, the Maharashtra government last week allowed supermarkets with an area of more than 1,000 sq feet to sell wine. Wine-makers are obviously cheering and the move seems to have thrilled the farmers too. But the BJP, the opposition party in Maharashtra, says this would abet alcoholism. Is there indeed a big social cost that the government is overlooking to help farmers? And does it indeed help farmers or merely the big winemakers?
TR Vivek is in conversation with Jagdish Holkar, the president of The All India Wine Producers Association (AIWPA) the Apex body of wineries in India, on these issues.
Investing in infrastructure funds looks attractive after the Union Budget’s massive allocation to the infrastructure sector. But investors must take note of a few points before taking the plunge. Tune into this conversation between Maulik Madhu and Sai Prabhakar to understand if you should invest in these funds
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In her union budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has more green to talk about, but missed major announcements regarding a crucial sector- the oil and gas sector.
What awaits the oil, gas and Energy sector in the long run and what is likely to be India’s strategy in this regard?
Richa Mishra, BusinessLine’s Chief of Bureau, Hyderabad, and Kolkata helps us understand India’s short-term and long-term strategy in the sector.
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Budget 2022-2023 does not seem to have introduced any major changes for the taxpayer. But there are a few provisions that could change the way in which the public manages their personal finances. BusinessLine’s Chief of Research Bureau, Parvatha Vardhini C, tells us more
Budget 2022-2023 has proposed a few alterations with regards to policies pertaining to finance and investment. Cryptocurrencies have also been discussed. How would these changes impact investors and what would they mean to private cryptos?
BusinessLine’s Associate Editor, SK Lokeshwarri, shares her views.
Budget 2022-2023, presented by Finance Minister - Nirmala Sitharaman, on February 1, has seen many new provisions with regards to agriculture, telecom and even taxes. But has the Budget proven to be a boon to the middle class and would it impact the future of certain political parties in the upcoming election held in some of India’s crucial States (including Uttar Pradesh and Punjab)?
BusinessLine’s Delhi Bureau Chief, Poornima Joshi, shares her thoughts.
In her presentation of Budget 2022-2023, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that farmers will get Rs 2.7 lakh crore as payments for MSP. What are the other provisions that the Budget offers to the agrarian sector?
Siddharth MC speaks with Subramani Ra Mancombu for more details.
On February 1, 2022, the Union Finance Minister - Nirmala Sitharaman - presented the Budget for 2022-2023. Among the many announcements, the statement pertaining to 5G services has brought many smiles and is likely to make the telecom game more interesting than ever before.
The Parliament has begun its Budget Session and on February 1, 2022, Union Finance Minister - Nirmala Sitharaman - would be presenting the Budget for this fiscal year. There has been a lot of buzz about the allocations towards different sectors and the impact of the Budget on the Indian economy in the days ahead. What should the Government emphasise on and what is the need of the hour?
BusinessLine’s Editorial Consultant, Aarati Krishnan, tells us more.
We are more than halfway into the Modi government’s second tenure and we are heading into an election season. Is this budget the semi-final for the Centre?
V Nivedita speaks to Poornima Joshi, Chief of Bureau, Delhi to understand why this budget is important for the Centre and for the BJP..
Keerthi Sanagasetti, Research Analyst delves into the wish list of some of the key sectors of India Inc that are in need of stimulus from the upcoming Union Budget.
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Amid the many discussions over the economy and corporate world, certain aspects of personal finance have also caught the public’s attention this time around. Will there be a hike in standard deductions and what should the Government focus on in Budget 2022?
BusinessLine’s Chief of Research Bureau, Parvatha Vardhini C tells us more.
Over the past two years, thousands of new investors have joined the stock market and have enjoyed a good rally. Now, the markets have become more volatile and there are several headwinds, like high inflation, rising crude oil prices and selling by FPIs, that could impede the rally.
Senior Assistant Editor Palak Shah talks about some of the expectations of retail investors from the upcoming Budget.
tells us about what’s on the stock and bond market wishlist,besides what is likely on the crypto-currency front from Budget 2022-23.Listen in!
India Inc is part of the countries economic success story and by the numbers it looks like Corporate India saw growth over the previous quarters of this fiscal.
Is there anything on India Inc’s wish list from the union budget 2022-23. , Senior Assistant Editor, BusinessLine tells us more.
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