CATEGORIES

Climate Action Set To Weather Volatile Times

Even as climate action weathers potentially disruptive uncertainties, including wars, geopolitical tensions, and elections in the world's biggest democracies, the global sustainability agenda promises to stay on track through 2024

"We Are One of The First FMCG Companies to Achieve Plastic Neutrality"

A transformational leader, Angelo George has positioned Bisleri as a socially responsible brand, leading initiatives for plastic and water neutrality. Excerpts from an interview with Saurabh Kumar:

India Inc. Gears Up For Climate Action

As sustainability gathers momentum, corporates in India are embedding climate action in operations, focussing on crucial touchpoints like green energy and geospatial technology

AVIATION ON A NET-ZERO FLIGHT

The aviation industry's rapid growth is triggering concerns over carbon emissions. Investing in sustainable aviation fuel, modern infrastructure and technology, besides giving the obvious returns of reduced emissions, will help amplify India's pitch as a responsible partner in the global climate action story

CBAM KNOTS IN INDIA'S TEXTILE STORY

Months after the European Union launched the transitional phase of its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the textile sector, though not yet included in the target sectors, in India finds itself highly unprepared for the impact. From challenges posed by environmental compliance demands to rivals' growth and slow governance support, the industry faces a complex fabric of issues

A DEEPER ALLIANCE WITH DEEPFAKE

While it has gained notoriety for its unethical use, deepfake technology has the ability to revolutionise businesses in areas like advertising, education, political campaigning, etc. Regulatory support and greater inclusion in the formal IT sector can lend it the much-needed legitimacy

MELTDOWN IN THE POWER CORRIDORS

After years of dominating the power trading market, the Indian Energy Exchange stares at loss of leadership position and relevance as the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission gears up to implement market coupling of power exchanges. Seen as the first step towards a centralised power distribution, this move could pose an existential threat to IEX

OLA ON FULL CHARGE FOR ITS IPO RIDE

The electric two-wheeler manufacturer is betting big on its proposed IPO, with nearly half the shares on offer for sale coming from founder Bhavish Aggarwal's account. While its position as a market leader is a huge confidence booster, Aggarwal's past failures, unfavourable reports around regulation violations and battery mishaps might dent its prospects

Collaborative Efforts Key to Eastern India's Development

The eastern region of India presents a paradox, being commonly characterised as a region abundant in resources yet plagued by poverty. It is imperative that governmental support, both at the Central and state levels, be directed towards this region to foster a conducive environment for business. Business growth alone can break down forever the persistent barrier of poverty in this region.

Market Forces Alone Not Enough to End East's Poverty

To achieve India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat@2047, it is crucial that all states and regions contribute to India’s development. Equitable participation in India’s growth story by all states will not only ensure greater social inclusion but will also support and nurture the country’s fascinating diversity.

RAGE OF THE FAST AND FURIOUS

Southern states are angry despite being beneficiaries, along with western states, of the country's unequal industrial development. In their rush to gather new forms of industrial opulence, ... they continue to benefit from the cheap labour of central and eastern regions. Will the former share their riches for a more equitable growth of the union of states?

Inside India's Podcast Revolution

The rising popularity of podcasting has made India the third largest listening market in the world. Considered still in its infancy, the Indian podcast industry is drawing attention from brands and has created its own set of influencers who are as popular as they get

SANJEEV BARNWAL

FOUNDER AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, MEESHO

OPENING HAPPINESS WITH A CHILL PILL

Juan Pablo Rodriguez, the chief executive officer of Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, aims to do his best each day and believes in enjoying the present to the fullest without worrying excessively about the future

CUSTOMERS WANT ELEVATED SAFETY, REFINED DRIVING EXPERIENCES

Aryaman Thakker, executive director of premium and luxury car dealer Group Landmark, talks about five trends in consumer demands and expectations from the automobile industry and how it is responding to them

WHEN A GLOBAL COLA GIANT GOT A LESSON IN HUMOUR

The campaign for non-alcoholic beverage Pepsi is a major highlight of ad film director Prahlad Kakar's extensive portfolio. However, while things took off to a great start, they did not quite end well. In his memoir, Kakar gets candid about his relation with the brand, from having an exciting collaboration that was instrumental in the brand's rise in India to eventually parting ways over difference of creative opinions

Spectacle around the Written Word

The rising number and scale of literature festivals in the country shows that while they may or may not make great business, their popularity is unmistakable

Consumption Pattern Slightly Different This Election Year

Election years usually bring in volatility in the market. Vijay Chandok, managing director and CEO of ICICI Securities, talks about opportunities and challenges in 2024 for the stock market.

Building a COPing Strategy

India has offered to host the 33rd edition of the UN's Conference of the Parties in 2028. To drive global agenda on climate action as the COP host, it will have to prepare itself to go beyond climate justice advocacy and come up with viable solutions where the interests of developing nations can be balanced with those of the planet

IN THE MARKET OLD IS GOLD

There was a lot of hype around the growth potential of new age brands like Zomato, Paytm and Nykaa at the time of launch of their initial public offerings two to three years ago, but the poor show of these IPOs at the bourses reflected the sentiments of increasingly cautious investors who prefer to bet on the strong fundamentals of legacy companies

Navigating the Cybersecurity Skill Gap: Balancing Human Expertise and Technological Resilience

The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is a critical issue, but it's not just about personnel numbers-it's about equipping experts to tackle evolving threats

TWICE BORN AT THE BOURSES

While the first few months of 2023 saw nothing going right for the Adani Group, market watchers do not see much going wrong for the 35-yearold group as it enters the New Year

RAGHURAM RAJAN

It Is Too Early to Celebrate India's New Growth Path

Collaboration or Cannibalisation? IT's AI Dilemma

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a new protagonist has emerged—generative artificial intelligence. Its promise is as vast as the Indian Ocean, but so are the apprehensions surrounding it.

Of Human Choices in an AI World

2023 has emerged as one of the next big frontiers in human-artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration. However, as we explore the possibilities and consider the challenges, a few fundamental questions remain unanswered: can India’s tech services industry expect significant revenue growth from this technology soon? What are the risks associated with large-scale deployment of generative AI? Why is human control crucial for the future of AI?

FACING GEN AI

Can Indian IT Companies Evolve to Turn a Global Monster into an Ally?

THE COMEDY SHOWSTOPPER

The actor and comedian has faced several challenges but his ability to make people laugh, his next-door-boy image and the ability to connect with masses, have enhanced his brand value

Larger Than Life

S.S. Rajamouli has been a catalyst for change in the perception of south Indian films. His blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR are credited with revitalising the Indian film industry when it struggled to impress masses

GUNEET MONGA - A WINNER FOR THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

Before Guneet Monga's win for The Elephant Whisperers, no Indian production had ever won an Oscar. Her triumph represents a better future for independent filmmakers in India

THE BAAZ IGAR

After lacklustre years, the overwhelming success of Pathaan and Jawan this year has given hope to other Bollywood movies waiting in the aisles of benefitting from a rub-off effect of King Khan's Midas touch