

The Morning Brief
The Economic Times
To make sense of the week’s hottest stories in business, economy, politics and markets, journalists from the Economic Times chat with reporters and industry leaders in this thrice-weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 6, 2023 • 40min
Rajiv Jain’s Adani Adventures
As Gautam Adani battled his worst crisis ever, one little known investor and his firm came to his rescue. Rajiv Jain’s GQG Partners last week laid a $1.87 billion bet on the conglomerate by buying stakes in four of its companies. This, at a time when the group had lost more than $120 billion in the markets thanks to a damning report from American shortseller Hindenburg accusing it of corporate fraud. Who is Rajiv Jain and why has he placed the most daring bet of his life on the embattled ports-to-power business empire? Host Arijit Barman talks to the man himself. Credits: MoneyControl, ETNow, CNBC-TV18, WION If you liked this episode from Arijit Barman, check out his other episodes on Where does Gautam Adani Go From Here? Part 1, Gautam Adani: Dharavi's New Dada and Vodafone Idea: Any Idea Sirji? You can follow our host Arijit Barman on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 2, 2023 • 27min
Board Games: India’s Latest Successful Startups
A new tribe of entrepreneurs is fast sprouting across the startup landscape: board game creators. India has a long history of board games. Their popularity resurged during the pandemic and has sustained beyond. Game nights are common, board game cafes are opening across cities, and OTT shows have made people aware of international strategy games beyond Monopoly and Cluedo. In India, new board games are being constantly created: themed on local history, politics and popular culture. From Shasn, Mahabharat, Indus, Bharata 600 BC and Karigar-e-Taj to The Poll there’s scores of indigenous games raring to take on the German OG of board games renaissance: Catan. Dia Rekhi delves into this fascinating new ecosystem—biggest names, ideation, production, margins, investment, taxes and competition—with Phalgun Polepalli, creator of Mozaic Games, and the creator and director of The Civic Games Lab, as well as Prashant Maheshwari, Co-founder - MeepleCon, and Abeer Kapoor, Founder, Civic Games Lab. Credits: Memesys Culture Lab, Wishberry, Angry Indians Game Official If you like this episode from Dia Rekhi, you can check out her episodes - Twitter Tales, India vs Europe: Regulatory Rift, ChatGPT Explained and Explored, Band, Baaja, Billions and more You can follow our host Dia Rekhi on her social media: Twitter & Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 1, 2023 • 30min
PCOS, the epidemic that needs immediate attention
India is facing a fresh health catastrophe, wrote ET’s pharma guru Vikas Dandekar in a recent article in ET Prime. 1 out of every 5 women in India is now suffering with polycystic ovary syndrome. It is fast closing on diabetes as the big health challenge and they are both intrinsically linked. Host Ratna Bhushan explores this epidemic with Vikas and pours over his findings. Also in the episode, experiences from women dealing with PCOS and the toll it has taken on not just physical but mental health. Hear from reputed gynecologist Dr. Sonia Naik also on how urban and affluent girls are most impacted and the soaring risk of other diseases such as diabetes from PCOS. With no approved drugs or treatment plan how do you battle this epidemic? Ratna Bhushan seeks answers in this episode. Highlights: 03:12 till 06:44 - The experience of 2 PCOS patients06:50 till 15:37 - Vikas Dandekar's report15:57 till 26:36 - Dr. Sonia's observation If you like this episode from Ratna Bhushan, check out her other episodes on Millet Mania, From Bite to Flight: Varun Berry’s Big Plans Ahead, From Bikaner to BSE: Snacking Away and more! You can follow our host Ratna Bhushan on her social media: Twitter and Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google PodcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 27, 2023 • 31min
Markets in March: Only fear and no greed
The global war on inflation is now attacking portfolios as the 6-month return on the Nifty turns negative. With the latest inflation data in the US igniting bets for further rate hikes the market mood has made a U-Turn and this time India is outperforming in the underperformance. What are the macros indicating and what will it mean for the markets, Sajjid Chinnoy from JPMorgan and Rohit Srivastava from indiacharts.com, join host Anupriya in decoding these confusing street signals. Credits: 11AliveHighlights:03:02 till 18:37 - Sajjid Chinoy's perspective13:56 till 15:39 - Nouriel Roubini on RBI18:57 till 29:43 - Rohit Srivastava's take If you like this episode from Anupriya, check out her other episodes on Survivor Island: The Startup Finale, Downsizing to Down Rounds, Nirav Modi: Extradition or Asylum - The Scam Explained, Call of Duty: The Inflation Warzone and more! You can follow our host Anupriya on her social media: Twitter and Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 23, 2023 • 29min
Angel Tax, the demon that haunts startups
Will the angel tax be the death knell for startup funding? Host Mugdha Variyar explores this setback for startups as worry of valuations take centre stage. Who is the best evaluator, what is the best method and why are FEMA and Income Tax norms in contradiction? The Morning Brief gets answers from across the ecosystem we speak to - Siddarth Pai, Co-Chair of Regulatory Affairs Committee - IVCA and Founding Partner - 3one4 Capital - Akhilesh Ranjan, Former member, CBDT, Advisor Tax Policy, PwC- Nikunj Bubna, Founder and CEO - TheWowBox India Pvt. Ltd,- Meyyappan Naggappan, Partner Tax Practice, Trilegal Credits: Narendra Modi Youtube Channel, India Today Conclave, ANI News, CNN-News18, If you like this episode from Mugdha Variyar, check out her other episodes on The Gig Economy Gets Grimmer, Will the digital rupee gain currency in India? and more! You can follow our host Mugdha Variyar on her social media: Twitter and Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 22, 2023 • 30min
Lithium: India's Quest for White Gold
As the world goes greener, the love for lithium is growing at an unprecedented pace. What is this rare earth metal all about and why is it the new oil for the global economy? China is the current king of the lithium kingdom but can India's latest find in J&K break the supply chain almost monopoly? Kalpana Pathak speaks to Pankaj Sharma, Director and Co-Founder, Log9 Materials; Dr. VN Vasudev, CEO-Mineral/Metals Exploration, MPXG Exploration Pvt Ltd. India and Swati Dsouza, Program Head, India ZEV Centre at UC Davis. Credits: CNBC If you like this episode, check out Kalpana Pathak’s episode on Are we also living in a Joshimath?, Industry 4.0: Enterprise vs Employee?, Can diamonds be for every pocket? and more! You can follow our host Kalpana Pathak on her social media: Twitter and Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 20, 2023 • 28min
Can Air India be an Emirates?
Will the biggest order of new passenger aircraft in history, put Air India on the runway for success? What does the mega buy mean for it as brand and network? Can fliers hope to finally get a world-class long haul Indian flight carrier or will the pending royal mess of disputes and losses cloud the path? Host Anirban Chowdhury evaluates if the Air India can finally be a truly global airline with insights from John Strickland, Owner of JLS Consulting London, Amit Thakran, Associate Practice Lead - CAPA India. Also a 'Behind-The-Scenes' scoop with Arindam Majumder of Economic Times on the biggest order of new passenger aircraft in history. Credits: CNBC Television, CNBC-TV18 and ANI News If you like this episode from Anirban Chowdhury, check out the other episode on Are Startup Community Funding Platforms Gaming The System?, The Great Indian YouTube Thali and more! You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 16, 2023 • 47min
The Business of Whiskey
What happens when the largest beer brewer in the world decides to launch its first-ever hard spirit-an American blended whiskey in India? AB InBev India, the leading beer and beverage company announced the launch of Budweiser Magnum Double Barrel whiskey in the Indian market. But the real question is - Is India, which has its taste for single malts or scotch whiskey then how will the dawn of bourbons look? our debutant host Shabori Das deep dives with Vineet Sharma, Vice President - Marketing & Trade Marketing at AB InBev India; Keshav Prakash, Founder - Vault Fine Spirits and Arijit Bose, Vertical head - Countertop division at Third Eye Distillery. Disclaimer - This episode does not advise or promote any consumption of Alcohol. The intention is purely informational.You can follow our host Shabori Das on her social media: Twitter and LinkedinCatch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 15, 2023 • 35min
Are Startup Community Funding Platforms Gaming The System?
What are CSOPs and are crowdfunding platforms like Tyke in regulatory grey areas? With zero investor rights, minimal buyback obligations on companies and accounting jugglery, do thousands of investors stand to lose money on this platforms? These are the questions host Anirban Chowdhury was determined to get answers to as he got intrigued by new fundraising platforms constantly cropping up in India’s very dynamic startup landscape. In this episode of TMB we speak to 1) Tushaar Talwar a corporate lawyer who first pointed out the 'grey area' in such investment platforms 2) Founder of startups who have used 'crowdfunding' or CSOPs: Muthukumaran Ramanathan, Founder Vanghee.com, Rohan Sinha, founder of Kohbee, 3) Sandeep Parekh, former executive director Sebi as we question the legal loopholes. 4) Hitesh Gajaria, former senior partner of KPMG pours over the questionable accounting of these instruments on the books of these startups 5) Anurakt Jain, Co-founder and CEO at Klub, a debt funding platform. Credits: Tyke Invest If you like this episode from Anirban Chowdhury, check out his other episodes on The Chanda Kochhar Chronicles: CEO In Custody, India vs Europe: Regulatory Rift, Tata’s Revival Runway for Air India and more! You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 13, 2023 • 38min
Dividends from Drones
Curious about the business of drones, TMB host Kiran Somvanshi visited the factory of IdeaForge, India’s largest drone makers. From being a futuristic idea to a surveillance tool to having multiple use cases in agriculture, infrastructure, pharma, sports, films, rescue operations and wars, the unmanned aerial vehicle has come a long way. And with one company making a crackling stock market debut and another in the wings, there’s money finally chasing this business. Besides IdeaForge's CEO Ankit Mehta she also talks to Smit Shah, President, Drone Federation of India and Prateek Srivastava, founder and MD of DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations If you like this episode from Kiran Somvanshi, you can check out her episodes - MamaEarth Maange More, Rating The Raters, Making India Inc Accessible, From Bikaner to BSE: Snacking Away and more You can follow our host Kiran Somvanshi on her social media: Twitter & Linkedin Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Google Podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


