Outlook Business Magazine - March 2024

In this issue

THE FALL

DIE ANOTHER DAY

Having fallen out of favour with investors, shareholders and the Reserve Bank of India in recent months, the cause of Paytm’s current woes is the same that led to its initial quick rise Vijay Shekhar Sharma.

10+ mins

The rich are getting richer, but the poor are not getting poorer : T.V.SOMANATHAN

Increasing consumption among the middle class and the poor in India is a valid policy challenge, the answer to which lies in creating more jobs, says T.V. Somanathan, finance secretary and secretary of expenditure in the Union Ministry of Finance. In an exclusive interview, he also discusses why the current income tax rates are reasonable and why he finds the 3% fiscal deficit target questionable among other issues.Edited excerpts:

3 mins

HUNGRY AND POOR YOKED TO FARM POLICIES

Farmers are demanding a legal guarantee of MSP on crops. But MSP is not the silver bullet; over the past two decades, high food inflation has distorted not just the Indian economy but has also affected millions of poor, making India perform poorly on the global hunger index

10 mins

Policy Booster for Industrial Development of Bihar

With its investor-friendly policies, the Nitish Kumar government has underlined Bihar's new identity as the Land of Industry’, which is widely known for its industrious people and hardworking labour force.

9 mins

Women Break Through the Khaki Glass Ceiling In Bihar

The Nitish Kumar government has taken pioneering initiatives to increase women's participation in the police force, empower women and enable sensitive policing.

1 min

ILLUSIONS Of GROWTH

Powered by easy credit, a section of Indians is splurging on premium products; at the same time, agricultural wages have stagnated and the share of the self-employed has steadily gone up. Post-pandemic, the Indian economy is going through a lop-sided recovery

5 mins

THAT TUMBLING FEELING

India’s FMCG giants are struggling with sluggish growth. Declining sales and tough competition from local brands have dampened the sentiments around many popular legacy brands. Can the marquee names rev up a new growth engine?

8 mins

Dynamic Women Achievers

Discover the vibrant narratives of dynamic women achievers breaking barriers and reshaping the landscape across diverse fields. From trailblazing entrepreneurs to influential thought leaders, this article celebrates the resilience, innovation, and impactful contributions of women who defy norms, inspiring a new era of empowerment and progress.

6 mins

AWARENESS, GUIDANCE KEY TO RETIREMENT PLANNING : V. VAIDYANATHAN

DFC First Bank has seen remarkable success in 2023, riding on impressive financial performance, with deposits growing at 40% thanks to customer-friendly banking initiatives and tools. In an exclusive interview, V. Vaidyanathan, managing director and chief executive officer of IDFC First Bank, speaks about the importance of retirement planning early in life, the emotions of those concerned and the tools for retirement planning which can provide financial security and peace of mind

5 mins

TAPAN SINGHEL TRANSFORMING INSURANCE: EMBRACING THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

Digitisation has touched all industries, and the insurance sector is not far behind. There have been many changes post-Covid, but it is time to understand the next step in this journey. Digitisation has touched all industries, and the insurance sector is not far behind. There have been many changes post-Covid, but it is time to understand the next step in this journey. Tapan Singhel, MD and CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, speaks about how digitisation can enable the interchange of data to develop capabilities that can benefit customers and save millions of lives. Edited excerpts:

7 mins

START-UPS NO COUNTRY FOR WOMEN FOUNDERS

While India is third in the pecking order globally in the start-up ecosystem, women founders struggle to even get a start. Investors see them as less capable and hesitate to fund their ideas

5 mins

Love Sex & Dhokha At Work Place

Not all office romances have a fairy-tale ending like the Obamas. In some cases, love turns sour and complications arise. No wonder HR honchos dread co-workers falling for each other and then falling apart

5 mins

B.K. KALRA GenAI WILL MAKE CREATIVITY MORE PRECIOUS

Change is difficult, but it also brings agility, says B.K. Kalra, president and CEO of global IT services company Genpact, referring to the disruption in businesses brought about by generative artificial intelligence. In an exclusive interview with Nishant, he gives details of Genpact's focus on becoming an Al-first company, its Al-assisted learning platform Genome, its strategy for growth in coming years and more. Edited excerpts:

4 mins

A NATION STUCK BETWEEN MISSING JOBS AND GROWTH AMBITIONS

India grapples with a job crisis fuelled by factors including high youth unemployment, educational and skill imbalance and low female participation, among others. In their book, The Elephant Moves: India’s New Place in the World, Amitabh Kant and Amit Kapoor explore India’s economic evolution through the lens of competitiveness, stressing the need for, and challenges to, policy changes in its run to becoming a developed economy by 2047

3 mins

INVEST, REINVENT REJUVENATE

The two-day Outlook Money 40After40 Retirement Expo saw experts speak on a variety of topics on retirement planning, including the need to start early, invest diligently, as well as avoid pitfalls in the market. The expo also focussed on wellness and celebrity perspective on the golden years

4 mins

GETTING HER PRIORITIES RIGHT

Smita Jatia, vice chairperson of Westlife Foodworld, has donned many a hat—she is a wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, mentor and philosopher. While she feels there is no work-life balance for women, she believes it is important to set priorities and say no when necessary

3 mins

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Outlook Business Magazine Description:

Outlook Business Magazine is a monthly magazine published by The Outlook Group. It was first published in 1998 and is aimed at business leaders and professionals.

The magazine covers a wide range of topics related to business, including economics, finance, technology, management, and leadership. It also publishes articles on current events, social issues, and politics.

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