CATEGORIES

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE, LOCAL EXECUTION

THE year 2024 was when we broke barriers. Ferrero India has been quietly working away to build its portfolio. This year, the emphasis was on breaking away from the clutter with storytelling, emotional resonance, and innovation to grow, exploring and fortifying digital media.

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR INDIA'S STARTUP LANDSCAPE

INDIA'S startup ecosystem, often hailed as the heartbeat of innovation, has had a transformative year in 2024. After a period of cautious optimism in the previous years, 2024 saw a significant revival in funding, underpinned by resilience, creativity and a renewed focus on value-driven growth. From Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns to groundbreaking innovations in established sectors, the pulse of entrepreneurship beats stronger than ever. As we step into 2025, the momentum promises to accelerate, with certain trends poised to define the trajectory of India's startup landscape.

THE AAP MODEL OF GOVERNANCE

The DelhiModel—A BoldNewRoad Map to Building a Developedindia by Jasmine Shah

Astrology's Role in Charity & Social Impact

CHARITY AND DONATION, described as 'Daan' in Vedic Jyotish, are spiritual and pious practices that harmonise the cosmic energies and sanctify the planetary influences in our lives. Through the selfless act of giving, not only does the receiver benefit, but the giver's soul is uplifted, purifying their heart and mind.

CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC: FROM A BUMPY RIDE TO A BUMPER BONANZA

In an all-out effort to realign itself to a mainstream growth trajectory in 2025, the retail industry finds itself with a bouquet of opportunities, bracing to unleash the true potential

INDIA'S ADLAND TO RADIATE STRONGLY IN 2025

By embracing technological innovations, understanding regional market nuances, and adapting to regulatory changes, marketers prep to build a healthy year for their brand and the overall market

SOFTWARE-DEFINED VEHICLES REDEFINING INDIA'S AUTOMOTIVE FUTURE

India's automotive industry is transforming with the rise of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). By decoupling hardware from software, SDVS are not only redefining vehicle design and functionality but also positioning India as a global leader in this innovation-driven evolution, writes BW Businessworld's Sahil Mohan Gupta.

PHIR BHI DIL HAI HINDUSTANI

The Unforgettable Divas of Bollywood by Ambassador Surendra Kumar Retd)

INDIA's MSMEs IN 2025: BATTLING DELAYS, DEBT, DIGITAL CHALLENGES

For India's beleaguered MSME sector, 2025 stands at a crossroads. The decisions made today will define the future of millions of small businesses and their role in the nation's economic story

End of a Glorious Chapter in Indian Cinema

THE 55TH EDITION of the International Film Festival of India has gone off well. The line up of films is ascribed as one reason for its success and as the festival's Artistic Director of Programming, some credit for this success has been attributed to me. So, the current going can be described as worthwhile for a 65-year-old, who is getting to do what he enjoys and gets paid for it - both in terms of money as well as recognition. And for this present situation of life, I feel grateful to Shyam Benegal.

FOR GREATER GOOD

TATA Sampann, a brand by Tata Consumer Products, has made a mark in the Indian food market by focusing on high-quality and wholesome food products. We offer a wide range of products—from unpolished dals to spices with natural oils, high-fibre poha, and premium dry fruits—that reflects our pursuit of preserving the goodness of nature. We are very particular in sourcing the best ingredients, with very few vendors qualifying the stringent criteria.

TECHNOLOGY SHAPING 'VIKSIT BHARAT'

THE strategic growth of India's technology sector is essential to the country's journey toward Viksit Bharat, driving economic, social, and industrial progress. To achieve this vision, India must leverage its expertise in technology design and services while advancing its capabilities in high-tech electronics manufacturing.

NAVIGATING INDIAN EQUITY MARKET

WE JUST bid farewell to 2024 where the Nifty 50 closed with an impressive 15 per cent annual returns, slightly above long-term average. The mid and small-cap segments have outperformed significantly, delivering returns around 30 per cent, far exceeding their historical benchmarks. Yet, by year-end, the returns across these indices have halved from their peaks earlier in the year. The market correction, which began in late September, tempered an otherwise stellar performance, leaving investors with a mix of above-average annual returns, a sense of what could have been and apprehensions about the outlook for 2025.

NAVIGATING GROWTH AMIDST CHALLENGES A 2025 ROADMAP

In a conversation with BW Businessworld’s Noor Fathima Warsia, WPP’s Country Manager for India, CVL SRINIVAS, shares insights into the company’s performance in 2024, its growth strategies for 2025, and the evolving dynamics of the advertising and marketing industry.

A JOURNEY OF GROWTH, INNOVATION & COLLECTIVE ACTION

WITH increased focus on climate action, diversity and inclusion and sustainable business practices, 2024 was a pivotal year for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) developments globally. India's distinctive socio-economic profile and development agenda demand a tailored approach to ESG considerations. The country's rapid economic growth, rich cultural diversity, and pressing environmental issues have created unique ESG challenges and opportunities. This necessitates a nuanced understanding of India's specific ESG needs and how they differ from global norms. A focused examination of these differences is crucial for businesses, investors, and policymakers seeking to navigate India's ESG landscape effectively.

THE LOOK IN YOUR EYES

Impossible beauty standards often push young people to opt for procedures that might cause irreparable damage to their health. BW Businessworld spoke to ophthalmologists about the dangers of Keratopigmentation or corneal tattooing for cosmetic reasons.

FMCG REWRITING INDIA'S GROWTH STORY

Premiumisation in the FMCG industry is set to endure, with aspirational demand rising across urban and smaller towns

Focus Will Be On Sustainable Housing

Kalyan Chakrabarti, CEO, Emaar India sees the focus on sustainable housing increasing further in 2025

A BOWL OF GOOD HEALTH

With the Indian foodservice market on the up and up, a key trend emerging is the rise of wellness focused healthy food, which we will see more of in the coming year.

BEYOND EXTRACTION: REIMAGINING THE METALS AND MINING ROLE IN A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW

As the world moves towards a low-carbon economy to arrest the increase in global warming, the mining and metals sector finds itself at the crossroads of green growth and transition.

FINANCING AND TECH FACILITATION KEY TO SUSTAINED GROWTH

AS an election year with two budgets, 2024 was significant for India's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This year, the government's focus on driving growth, improving financial inclusion and addressing structural issues within key sectors like MSMEs has become evident. The Union Budget's thrust on enhancing credit access and support, combined with the push for digitisation, financial inclusion and technology adoption, can propel the sector to achieve its true potential.

FROM HOUSING BOOMS TO INDUSTRIAL HUBS

WITH the dawn of 2025, India's real estate market stands poised for unprecedented growth across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. This pivotal juncture is characterised by exponential growth and evolving market dynamics, with each sector undergoing significant transformations. These shifts are being shaped by demographic changes, progressive policy initiatives, and economic trends.

DRIVING THE FUTURE HOW ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE TRANSFORMING MOBILITY BY 2025

N 2024, India's electric vehicle (EV) sector experienced significant growth, with sales rising 20.88 per cent to 1.39 million units. Primarily driven by technological advancement, this surge is also aided by growing consumer interest and government sops. Despite challenges, 2024 has shown promise and progress, setting the stage for a brighter future.

The 21st Century-CESS-to Succeed

IT IS STILL AN understatement to say that the global work landscape is rapidly changing, driven by technological advancements, shifting societal expectations, and a redefined sense of purpose in professional life. It has become clear that to succeed, organisations must adopt a new set of attributes that extend beyond traditional expertise: the four critical 21st Century CESS-Competencies, Empathy, Skills, and Self-Development. These four interconnected elements offer a fresh perspective on what is relevant today and are vital for guiding organisations and workforces towards a sustainable future.

INDIA'S GREEN GROWTH STRATEGY A BLUEPRINT FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE

A Blueprint for Climate Resilience

INDIA'S MEDIA LANDSCAPE: A YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION

Amid muted growth, India's M&E sector sees significant consolidation as digital transformation accelerates market evolution while traditional segments fight for the advertising pie

A SUSTAINABLE PATH TO GLOBAL HUB STATUS

AS India becomes a global economic pow-er, sustainability has shifted from a mere aspiration to a pressing need. Looking ahead to 2025 as a pivotal year for India's economic resilience, the nation must an-chor its growth around green initiatives and smoothly transition to a more sustainable future. In-spired by insights from the automotive sector's sustain-ability leadership, this article envisions the opportunities, challenges, and key initiatives at the intersection of India's green journey and global leadership aspirations.

The Lingering Old Fiscal Was a Let Down. Will FY2026 Bring Hope?

THE NEW YEAR brought confirmation of a home truth that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had portended early in December that the galloping pace of the Indian gross domestic product (GDP) had begun to decelerate.

Year of the Bull

AS 2024 SLIPS AWAY, what memories remain and what does 2025 portend? Key general elections in India, the United States, Britain, France and Bangladesh threw up old and new faces.

WILL 2025 FARE BETTER FOR STARTUPS?

While 2024 was marked by resilience amid uncertainty, the startup ecosystem is entering a reckoning phase. The era of rapid funding and overblown valuations is over. What lies ahead is a more measured and recalibrated landscape