BusinessLine Podcasts

The situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated since the US started to pull out its troops. The nation has witnessed a series of terror attacks by the Taliban and the security forces are struggling to stop the organisation from regaining control of large swaths of land. The number of civilian casualties has risen steadily --29 per cent during the first quarter of this year compared to 2020. Another...

On Sunday, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath unveiled a plan to stabilise the population, bringing down the gross fertility rate among women, reduce maternal and infant deaths, improve nutrition and access to family planning programmes, abortions and contraceptives. He said that the increasing population was a hurdle in development. The many members of the BJP have appreciated the initiative, whil...

mRNA-based treatment had begun in the mid-90's. But it was restricted due to its low stability and quick trigger of an immune reaction. Then again, recent reports have said that researchers have overcome these limitations and the mRNA-based treatment has proved to be more beneficial than traditional vaccines. But what are mRNA vaccines? Listen to the podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://p...

Kitex garment Ltd in recent weeks is into a stand-off with the Kerala government due to raids done by the government agencies at one of its factories. The group which was founded in the 1970's,manufactures a range of products from garments to aluminium to curry powders, has alleged harassment by government agencies by rushing into the factory for raids. Sabu Jacob, chairman of Kitex said that “We...

Despite having a low unemployment rate and a strong workforce participation, Iceland’s GDP per person ($46,981) is higher than most OECD countries and other Nordic countries, but their GDP per hour worked ($55.4) is lower than most OECD countries and Nordic countries, even though Icelanders worked more than their European counterparts. Trade unions, civil society organisations and workers suggeste...

With increasing focus on climate change, good governance and the sense of social responsibility, companies the world over have are looking to engage the society in which they function in, invest in clean technology and practise good governance model. CRISIL has been tracking these developments across various industries and sectors, and has recently published a report, named CRISIL ESG India Compen...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi overhauled his cabinet on Wednesday, inducted 43 youthful, professionally qualified members, largely with OBC/SC/ST backgrounds. This reshuffle was also significant as some senior ministers were dropped. BusinessLine's Poornima Joshi explains the developments that lead to the change. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/business-line/mes...

India barely processes 3% of the nearly 600 million tonnes of grains and fruits and vegetables it produces. The lack of processing creates seasonal price shocks for consumers and massive losses for farmers when prices crash. The ability to process food, and make value additions, especially closer to the farmgate, can increase rural incomes. TR Vivek speaks to Vaibhav Tidke, CEO of S4S Technologies...

It’s beginning to look a lot like the end of the Vijay Mallya era. The lifetime chairman of Kingfisher could be getting fired by the Board. In this episode of news explained, we are going to break down how Mallya might get ousted from power from the company he founded. Heineken owns nearly 62 per cent of Kingfisher and United Breweries. In an annual general meeting set to happen on July 29, the bo...

The lockdowns in different states have eased and business resumption is catching up to speed. It's time to take a look at how the economy is doing and devise preventative measures against the Covid third wave. According to Nomura, business resumption is racing towards levels seen during the pre-second Covid wave.  Read the full story here --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com...

The National Restaurant Association of India has approached the Competition Commission of India to resolve issues with the food aggregators. The apex body of Indian restaurateurs said that they wanted to show how "they have been affected by the inherently anti-competitive practices of Zomato & Swiggy". What are the issues? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/busine...

The Olympic Games will take place on July 23, 2021. This sporting event was scheduled to be conducted in 2020. But the Covid-19 pandemic had played spoilt-sport and the event was posted.  The Olympic Games is also being conducted despite a lot of opposition in Japan owing to the rise in Covid-19 cases across the country.  While there are many varying views on the Olympics, one group of people seem...

Move over, organic food. Health-conscious consumers are taking it one step higher, heading for hydroponic produce of fruits and vegetables, right on their rooftops. A whole host of start-ups have entered this market. Once economies of scale kick in, this segment has a huge potential to grow. Read the full story here. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/business-lin...

PharmEasy co-founder Siddharth Shah outlines the entrepreneurial journey of the five young co-founders behind this online pharmacy company, and why they “never say never”. As co-founder & Chief Executive of API Holdings (parent company of PharmEasy), Siddharth speaks to Business Line on working with industry veterans like Aditya Puri and Dr Velumani, both representing different generations and eco...

After a controversial decision by the European Union to exempt those who have taken the Covid-19 vaccines from certain companies from travel restrictions within the EU region, several nations are now allowing Indians who took the Covishield shot to travel. Here's all you need to know. To listen to the previous episode, click here --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show...

In a conversation with BusinessLine, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman shares her thoughts on the four years of GST regime, the challenges the economy faces, and the way forward.  Listen.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/business-line/message

Twitter India's troubles seem to be never-ending. A day after news came that Twitter India's interim grievance officer for India Dharmendra Chatur quit. Twitter seems to be in the soup again with FIRs being registered for putting up distorted India map and allowing access to child sexual abuse material. What are the latest development in the Twitter India saga; Here's all you need to know. To know...

Looks like meme stocks are here to stay. In this episode of news explained, we are talking AMC, GameStop, Blackberry and so on. The hedge funds who short-sold these stocks have lost a whopping $12 billion in just six months. AMC Entertainment and GameStop have raised over $1 billion each after their stock rallies this year. AMC Entertainment and GameStop have raised over $1 billion each. Here's ev...

Multiple member states in the EU have started to issue digital “vaccine passports” that will enable individuals to move freely for work or tourism with fewer roadblocks. The document will serve as proof a person has been vaccinated against Covid-19.  The problem is that only the vaccines that have received EU-wide marketing authorisation have been approved for the programme. So, one must be vaccin...

Is organic farming a constricting ideology like any other, a way of life, virtue-signaling or indeed a serious business proposition? TR Vivek is in conversation on the question with Rajshekhar Seelam, the founder of 24 Mantra, India's biggest organic brand, and Sajan Raj Kurup, the founder of the well-known ad agency Creativeland Asia who has started a new integrated organic platform venture calle...

In the final episode of Fighting Climate crisis - a series related to the environment, conducted in association with UNICEF India - we speak with Rishi Aggarwal of the Mumbai Sustainability Centre to learn more about managing wastes at our own homes. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/business-line/message

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is conducting an all-party meet on Jammu and Kashmir. The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, which consists of  PDP, National Conference, and other regional parties, are participating in the meeting. Why was this meet convened? What are the possible issues that could be discussed? Poornima Joshi Analyses --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.co...

Hong Kong’s sole pro-democracy publication Apple Daily published its last edition on Thursday. This comes after five editors and executives were arrested and millions of dollars in its assets were frozen as part of China's increasing crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous city.   Listen to the podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/business-line/message

On Tuesday, members of several parties, including the TMC, Samajwadi Party, National Conference, CPI(M), CPI, Aam Aadmi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal met at NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s home. They discussed issues like Covid management, the attack on institutions and unemployment. Is a mega opposition alliance on the cards? Listen to the podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spoti...

The ayurveda-versus-allopathy debate has taken a new turn. Now, the Uttarakhand government has decided to allow ayurvedic doctors to prescribe select allopathic medicines to patients in emergencies.  What do the authorities have to say about the decision?  Listen to the podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/business-line/message