Episodes
Published 04/25/24
The insurance’s removal of age caps for buying insurance policy can be the start of much needed reforms in this sector. But questions on expense and accessibility remain. In this podcast, we break down the intricacies of these regulatory amendments, especially for senior citizens with pre-existing conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Anirban Chowdhury and Shilpy Sinha talk to Dr S Prakash MD and CEO Galaxy Health & Allied Insurance Company and Mahavir Chopra, Founder,...
Published 04/25/24
On this episode of ‘Polls On My Pod,’ host Nidhi Sharma dissects the surprising turnout in the first phase of India's 18th Lok Sabha elections. With a notable 3% decrease compared to parliament election 2019, several questions arise: was it the scorching heat, voter fatigue, or a growing sense of apathy? This episode delves into the factors behind this decline and brings you firsthand accounts from the election trail in Bihar, Kerala, and Maharashtra. Don't miss this election special episode...
Published 04/24/24
Alarmed by recent reports of questionable ingredients in baby food, protein powders, and even masalas, The Morning Brief podcast delves into the state of India's processed food industry and its product safety system. Host Kiran Somvanshi dissects the issue with Dr. Arun Gupta, convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest or NAPi, Award-winning journalist Michael Moss, author of ‘Sugar, Salt, Fat’ and ET’s Ratna Bhushan. Together they probe into the condition of India’s broken food...
Published 04/23/24
The world of media and entertainment is going through an era of generational disruption. Some find it scary; others are excited at the fast and furious pace of mega consolidation. Host Arijit Barman sits down with Arjun Nohwar, the GM of Warner Brothers Discovery in South Asia to talk about content, commerce and cinema navigating this landscape. On a personal note, Arjun’s own career path is as interesting as his current industry. From being a key part of a legacy conglomerate like the House...
Published 04/19/24
India gears up for its most extensive electoral journey yet! The 18th Lok Sabha elections kick off this Friday, April 19, spanning across seven phases. With 102 Lok Sabha constituencies up for grabs in the first phase across 21 states, the battle for governance begins! Join us for an exclusive two-part episode of The Morning Brief podcast diving deep into the heart of the electoral battleground. In the second part of this episode, host Nidhi Sharma gets you ground reality from Rajasthan. She...
Published 04/18/24
India gears up for its most extensive electoral journey yet! The 18th Lok Sabha elections kick off this Friday, April 19, spanning across seven phases. With 102 Lok Sabha constituencies up for grabs in the first phase across 21 states, the battle for governance begins! Join us for an exclusive two-part episode of The Morning Brief podcast diving deep into the heart of the electoral battleground. In the first part of this episode, host Nidhi Sharma gets insights from Shantanu Nandan Sharma and...
Published 04/17/24
The Great Indian Bustard, a majestic bird on the brink of extinction, is caught in a conflict between conservation and renewable energy. Out of this battle has come a landmark judgement from the Supreme Court: the fundamental right against the adverse impact of climate change. Host Anirban Chowdhury explores both sides of the legal tussle and analyses the newly adjudicated fundamental right. Can it truly protect those affected by climate change? With Shravan Sampath a renewable energy sector...
Published 04/16/24
Ever wondered how the guys behind those outrageously funny AIB sketches became the masterminds behind crazy-effective ad campaigns? Buckle up, because in this episode, we dive into the world of Moonshot with Deviah Bopanna himself! Deviaha, along with his fellow AIB writers, took their signature brand of sharp wit and unapologetic humor and turned the advertising world on its head. Host Apoorva Mittal cracks the code on Moonshot's magic formula. How they take care-a-damn content and turn it...
Published 04/12/24
Vistara pilots are unhappy with a new contract which makes many of them fly more and earn less. Several have stayed away from work, leading to flight cancellations and travel headaches. The airline has maxed out pilot schedules, leaving no wiggle room for contingency rostering. This mess highlights the challenges of merging Vistara with Air India, known for its own labor issues. It's not uncommon - airlines worldwide struggle with mergers and acquisitions. What issue do pilots have with the...
Published 04/11/24
India's audit profession is at a critical juncture. From risks rising for auditors, increased public scrutiny, audit fees becoming a bone of contention and a decline in students pursuing Chartered Accountancy.. the list of challenges galore. However, the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is driving positive change, and the demand for specialized forensic audits is growing. Host Kiran Somvanshi explores the challenges and the rewards of this profession with Vishesh Chandiok, CEO -...
Published 04/10/24
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi rallying his troops with the war cry of "Ab ki baar chaar sau paar," the stage is set for a gripping electoral showdown. From the BJP's strategic moves, including partnerships with regional heavyweights like Chandrababu Naidu's TDP, Jayant Chaudhary's RLD, and others, to the intricate balancing act of the Opposition's INDIA bloc, host Nidhi Sharma talks about the evolving political landscape in this episode of The Morning Brief podcast. How crucial are these...
Published 04/09/24
We all know content is king, and Indian entrepreneurs are taking the podcast world by storm. But why? Are these shows just a branding and marketing exercise disguised as content for their hosts and guests? Apoorva Mittal gets into the details with Ankur Warikoo, Entrepreneur and Content Creator, and Shantanu Deshpande, Founder of Bombay Shaving Company & Host of The Barber Shop Podcast. Tune in to the latest episode of The Morning Brief podcast! If you like this episode from Apoorva,...
Published 04/05/24
Indian stock market is testing for same-day trade settlement (T+0), which will make it among the fastest stock markets in the world: faster than Wall Street which takes 2 days to settle trades. While still optional and limited to a few stocks, it’s an aggressive move. The layers of its complexity were recently compared by Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch to peeling an onion. But cutting onions brings tears. And sure enough, not everyone is happy. Foreign investors that bring in big money to...
Published 04/04/24
Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy’s Instamart seem to have alarmed the e-commerce OGs Amazon and Flipkart as quick commerce is not just about onions and tomatoes now. There’s a lot more added to the cart! While shopping for groceries, you can also add jewellery, cosmetics, clothing, and toys to your basket. And all this in just under 15 minutes. So, can quick commerce take on the e-commerce behemoths? Mugdha Variyar and Shabori Das discuss with Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha. Also listen in for analysis...
Published 04/03/24
The Tata Group is investing a whopping Rs 91,000 crore to build India's first semiconductor fabrication plant! Semiconductors are the brains of modern devices, from toasters to phones to electric vehicles. The Indian government aims to make India a $1 trillion electronics hub in 5 years, and Tata – also the only Indian supplier to Apple – is at the forefront of this mission. Are the conglomerate’s bets truly audacious? Dia Rekhi talks about strategy, possibilities, and challenges with Pankaj...
Published 04/02/24
Did you know? 9 out of 10 transgender individuals in India face barriers in earning a livelihood, while a staggering 60% have never attended school? Discrimination, harassment, and social rejection are everyday realities for many. But amidst these challenges, there are rays of hope. Firms like Tata Steel, Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Publicis Sapient, are leading the charge towards inclusion. Join Prachi Verma on The Morning Brief podcast as she explores the trajectory of transgender...
Published 03/29/24
Warmer winters, unseasonal rains, and extreme summers seem to be the norm. And worse, much of it seems unpredictable. From clothing brands to dining tables to boardrooms, businesses are talking about adapting all-weather strategies. Some of the large corporations have already collaborated with weather forecasters. Even as we are bracing for red hot times, weather events also lead to new technology and out-of-box solutions. Is climate the single biggest risk on balance sheets today? What are...
Published 03/28/24
The JSW Group-MG Motor wants to bring the “Maruti moment” to the Indian EV industry. The steel major and Chinese auto giant have ambitious targets of flooding the market with new, flashy models and clocking 1 million sales volume by as early as 2030. The number is several multiples of the total EVs sold in India last year. Are these realisable targets? Will the partnership help MG to expand in a market that doesn’t look kindly to Chinese entities? Are there more Indo-Chinese auto partnerships...
Published 03/27/24
While India is about to see the dance of democracy, AAP’s only national face Arvind Kejriwal has been arrested. Kejriwal is the fourth AAP leader to be arrested and his incarceration comes as the biggest blow to the Aam Aadmi Party. Can he govern and mobilise from behind the bars? On the flip side, it could potentially galvanise the BJP’s opposition like never before just ahead of the polls. Host Nidhi Sharma discusses challenges and possible outcomes with Anurag Dhanda, AAP National...
Published 03/26/24
In the tech hub of India, Bengaluru, the reality for many is a daily scramble – not for coding glory, but for a sip of water. Mumbai is feeling the pinch too, with taps running dry 15% of the time. But with a growing population and thirsty industries, isn't there a way out of this water crisis? Climate change is just adding fuel to the fire. Can technology be our knight in shining armor, or can a simple shift in habits turn the tide? Kalpana Pathak sits down with Nitin Bassi, Senior Program...
Published 03/22/24
Fly91 – India’s newest airline – has taken flight. The regional airline flies into a dynamic, fast growing, cut throat, semi-oligopolistic market which has been the burial ground for more companies than it has nurtured. Almost no regional airline has survived here. But Manoj Chacko’s airline is backed by his crystal clear vision, a simple expansion plan, a brilliant main team and a solid initial financial thrust. Can Fly91 break the mould of regional carriers in India? Host Anirban Chowdhury...
Published 03/21/24
From production tools to actual music creation, AI is tearing into every segment of the music industry. The latest fad is the scarily accurate regeneration of artists’ voices: from Drake to Kanye West, Michael Jackson to SP Balasubrahmanyam. But the trend has raised excitement and alarm in equal measure. So while AR Rahman has done it the right way in a recent Rajinikanth film: with permissions and proceeds; the music directors recreating SPB’s voice have earned themselves a lawsuit. Who...
Published 03/20/24
A.M. Naik, a legend in Indian industry, rose from L&T engineer to Chairman. Over 58 years, he transformed L&T into a global giant, building essential infrastructure and iconic projects like the Statue of Unity, India's 1st nuclear submarine, the K-9 Vajra, Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Anil Manibhai Naik described winning ET’s Lifetime Achievement award as the crowning accomplishment of his professional career. Catch his uncut interview with host Arijit Barman as he recalls defending L&T...
Published 03/19/24
Ranjan Pai, the head of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, has been quietly but aggressively backing tech unicorns in recent months. Firstcry, Bluestone, Purplle - the list goes on! He has also made a reappearance at troubled companies Pharmeasy and in a way in Byju’s through the latter’s acquired company Aakash Institute. So, what makes him such a sought-after investor? And how does someone who keeps such a low profile, beat aggressive investors to land the hottest deals? Know more...
Published 03/15/24