The Morning Brief

What should the world’s most populous country, with more than a fifth of its people aged below 10 have? A huge toy market. But despite a large customer base and deals like Reliance’s purchase of toy giant Hamley’s, we are still a hundredth of the global toy market. Two reasons: unorganised players account for most of the market and the organised players have always sold mostly imported toys. The g...

The Indian consumer market is seeing a dynamic shift, with the resurgence of local brands as formidable challengers to industry giants like Tata, Britannia, HUL and Nestle. Data from Kantar's Brand Footprint report showcases local brands like Sargam, Vidisha and Bhagwati making remarkable leaps in consumer brand rankings, shaking up the nearly $180 billion FMCG market. Karnataka-based brand Teju M...

900 million voters, 545 Lok Sabha seats, 4123 State Assembly seats - Can India really synchronize this dance of democracy through One Nation, One Election? An old idea with a new decibel in debate. What is the economic, logistical, and political possibility of it becoming a reality? Host Kiran Somvanshi gets the pros and cons from: Akshay Rout , Senior Fellow, NITI Aayog & Former Director Gene...

India's massive diamond industry is grappling with a prolonged crisis. Western sanctions on big miner Russia, inflation in the US and a downturn in China have hit the industry which cuts and polishes nine of ten diamonds in the world. Exports from the world's top diamond exporter are down; companies are cutting output, salaries and staff. In Surat, that controls 90% of India's diamond trade, the f...

Zepto - the quick climber in quick commerce! With a billion-dollar valuation, what is making this 2-year-old company zip in a race with others that are backed by big corporates? Get the scoop on how Zepto is capturing the Kirana corner in quick commerce from its investors. TMB Host Mugdha Variyar speaks to Vivek Subramanian of Goodwater Capital , a new investor in Zepto and a backer of several glo...

India could soon see its largest-ever pharma deal as the 10th biggest pharma company by revenues -- Torrent -- is trying to buy the fourth largest one -- Cipla. But, is the bullet too big to bite for Torrent? Is the funding feasible? Will the compatibility not of portfolio but of philosophy, and people, be a challenge? Will Torrent’s M&A ambition extend beyond pharma and power to possibly once...

In a tell-tale journey, TMB Host Dia Rekhi takes you into the world of live-stream apps and in-app gifts for creators, exploring how the murky underbelly of 'content creation' is multiplying as explicit content exploiting the lack of a regulator. In this episode of The Morning Brief podcast, we hear from Deepak Salvi, co-founder of a live streaming app Chingari which introduced the live-streaming...

Cannabis culture is catching on and hemp businesses are sprouting everywhere. The global industry of cannabis is pegged at $57 billion but Indian startups are having a hard time exploiting it due to a lack of regulatory uniformity and clarity. What do you do if its fibres can be turned into fine clothes and sturdy ropes but its resin is a prohibited narcotic drug that can land you in jail? TMB Pod...

Pilots are succumbing to fatigue. Long flying hours, night flights, apathy from employers, overdependence on AI and outdated regulations are leading to a health and safety hazard for aviators and flyers. Two Indian and a Chilean pilot died earlier this month. Five globally were incapacitated while flying. Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks to an IndiGo pilot who chose to be anonymous as he reveals the...

The story of a diamond in the rough to dizzying valuations and a glittering exit - The Journey of CaratLane. In this podcast, ET's Samidha Sharma has a candid conversation with CaratLane founder Mithun Sacheti as he reveals the twists and turns in finding funding, almost missing Tiger Global, getting Tatas to the table, and the tough talk with guru Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. You don't want to miss it! I...

Aamchi Mumbai just got its first IIM, the much-needed B-school in the country's financial hub. The countless CAT exam aspirants are more excited, as it means more than 550 additional seats will be available for admissions. But why did a 60-year-old institute like NITIE have to seek the IIM tag? How will it leverage its new identity? And what's the significance of an IIM being in the country’s fina...

As the final countdown for touchdown of Chandrayaan-3 begins, the whole world turns its eyes to the skies. With this, India's third moon mission looks to have learned from the past expeditions, as Vikram looks for a perfect landing spot even if everything fails. Amid a skyrocketing global space race, TMB host Anirban Chowdhury speaks to Dipankar Banerjee of Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observa...

Step into the realm of Mohamed Alabbar , the orchestrator behind Emaar Properties and more. His canvas stretches far beyond bricks and mortar, reaching the heights of innovation. Amidst the awe-inspiring Burj Khalifa in Dubai, he crafts new chapters. But Alabbar isn't merely a virtuoso of architecture – he's redefining frontiers. A special edition of The Morning Brief catches him mid-flight from L...

Biogas is not a bygone. In fact it may soon be the game changer to disrupt LPG and natural gas usage. Even as startups are setting up biogas plants, conglomerates like Reliance Industries and Adani Group are betting thousands of crores on this segment. With the world's largest manufacturing facility for biogas plant set up in Pune by global social enterprise Sistema Bio, Host Kalpana Pathak explor...

Step back in time to June 1947, when Lord Mountbatten proposed a division of British-ruled India. The resulting partition birthed India and Pakistan but also ignited one of the most rapid and immense migrations in human history. Amidst the chaos emerged tales of resilience as individuals transformed adversity and made enterprises that are household names that still resonate today. Join Dia Rekhi o...

From an expert committee in 2017 to a law in 2023, the Data Protection Bill has been around the block a few times. But does the final rulebook protect and serve or has the debate diluted its purpose? ET’s Surabhi Aggarwal and Aashish Aryan get answers from IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a candid conversation about the implementation and the critique of govt accountability and the scope of the new...

A new licensing regime for laptop imports, which will be effective in November, has sent ripples through the tech landscape. Worried about soaring laptop prices? With over 70% of India's laptops imported, it's a valid concern. Are price hikes inevitable? Will the laptop sector face shortages? Will the government stick to its decision or do a Ctl+Z? And, could this move ignite domestic laptop produ...

The Tesla tease has been ongoing for India since 2019, but a renewed relationship following PM Modi’s US visit has the Elon Musk backed EV giant recharging its plans for the world’s 3rd largest auto market. With a new land lease in Pune, an Indian-origin CFO, and a rumored affordable price tag, Tesla seems to finally be gearing up for India. Host Anirban Chowdhury engages in a conversation with Ho...

India's capital markets regulator, Sebi, has been the talk of the town under the dynamic leadership of Madhabi Puri Buch. As the first woman and non-IAS individual to head Sebi, her tenure has been marked with bold orders and regulations, leading to increased proactiveness of the Sebi. While efficiency has increased, not all market participants are pleased, but few dare to air their concerns openl...

India is the biggest whisky-guzzling nation in the world. But it’s also a market where people drink mostly in their homes and cheap bars fight for the remainder of the customers. Running a bar in India is a challenge. It’s a balanced manoeuvering of regulatory hurdles, costs, quality and presentation. And yet four Indian bars made it to Asia's 50 Best Bars this year. In this episode of The Morning...

There is a buzz again that Cipla is toying with the idea of selling out to private-equity firms Baring Asia and Blackstone, at least partially, if not seeking a full exit. In this episode of The Morning Brief, Vikas Dandekar , Editor - Pharma and Life Sciences at ET Prime, walks down memory lane. Host Anupriya Nair also discussed in this episode why the speculated Cipla sale is not a mere M&A...

From imposing an export duty in 2022 to taking rice off the export menu in 2023, the Indian govt has sent ripples across the global food chain. Even as the IMF urges India to reconsider the ban, the govt is steadfast in its policy decision.  Host Ratna Bhushan explores if India is facing a rice shortfall or if is this a protectionist measure. And the impact of the global food crisis and impact of...

The demerger of ITC’s Hotel business spoiled the party of the ITC stock rally which has taken the stock up 70% in the past one year. So, what was it about the demerger that irked the investors? Is it simply a buy on buzz and sell on rally or are shareholders feeling short-changed with the scheme? Why is ITC still holding 40% in the demerged entity? In this episode of The Morning Brief podcast, hos...

A toxic workplace is a silent intruder that's rotting organisations from within. Making headlines of late, viral videos exposed managers from HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finserv berating their employees, sparking a nationwide debate on workplace toxicity. Did you know an increase in toxicity is causing higher attrition rates? A common toxic trait seen at workplaces is superiors demanding 24*7 access to em...

As India leads the race in Disney's downfall with an exodus of over 4 million subscribers after it lost the IPL streaming rights to IPL to Mukesh Ambani-led Jio, the business is on a sticky wicket, and the market is abuzz with whispers of a split between Star and Disney. Comeback CEO Bob Iger seeks strategic options for its business, including a joint venture or a sale, as part of a broader cost-c...