The Morning Brief

Kiran Rathi, Telecom vertical head at The Economic Times, Nikhil Narendran, a partner at Tri-Legal specializing in data protection law, and TV Ramachandran, President of the Broadband India Forum, dive into the controversial Sanchar Saathi app. They discuss how outdated surveillance laws allowed the government to overreach, the pushback from big companies like Apple, and the implications of forced SIM binding. The conversation exposes significant privacy concerns and explores what reforms are needed to protect citizens in the digital age.

In this engaging conversation, Mohit Aron, co-founder of Nutanix and Cohesity, shares insights from his impressive tech journey in Silicon Valley. He discusses the fundamental importance of hyperconvergence and how it remains relevant amidst cloud hype. Mohit highlights the overlooked realm of secondary data management and its role in ransomware detection. As he dives into his new startup, Syphon, he critiques the sales tech landscape. He also addresses the challenges in India’s AI ecosystem and the need for aligning personal and national interests for lasting innovation.

In a fascinating chat, Vidit Aatrey, Co-founder and CEO of Meesho, shares insights into the company’s innovative asset-light model that's challenging giants like Amazon and Flipkart. He discusses achieving 50% order growth and positive cash flow while expanding into AI personalization and financial services. Vidit also explores the challenges of scaling sustainably, rising return rates, and leveraging WhatsApp resellers. His unique perspectives on Meesho's market strategy and future plans provide a fresh view on e-commerce in India.

In this conversation, Arun Kumar Parameswaran, Executive Vice President and MD for Salesforce South Asia, shares insights from his 30 years in the industry. He discusses the transformative power of the agentic enterprise, where AI agents and humans collaboratively redefine business operations. Topics include the shift to intent-centric design, the importance of trust, and how unified data can lead to auditable decisions. Arun highlights significant opportunities for Indian businesses in areas like hyper-personalization, fraud detection, and instant commerce, emphasizing the future's reliance on human-AI partnerships.

Purvi Jothani, an employment law expert and founder of LawQuest, joins Vandana Gurnani, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to discuss India's major labour law reforms. They explore the consolidation of 29 laws into four, the impact of the new 50% basic pay rule, and parity for fixed-term employees with permanent staff. Jothani highlights recognition for gig workers, while Gurnani addresses compliance challenges and the government's push for universal social security. This insightful conversation provides guidance for both employers and workers navigating the new landscape.

Join Prashant Jain, co-founder and CIO of 3P Investment Managers, as he shares insights from his extensive career in fund management. He discusses whether today's market valuations are echoing historical bubbles and expresses his preference for large caps over small and mid caps. Jain warns of potential pitfalls in consumer and manufacturing stocks and analyzes the recent surge in IPOs. He also explores the implications of the AI boom and provides his expectations for the future of Indian equities, advocating for a diversified investment approach.

Grant Lee, Co-founder and CEO of Gamma, shares insights on his innovative design and AI-native productivity platform. Frustrated by tedious slide formatting, he transformed presentations with a writing-first approach that gained traction in India and Asia. Grant discusses Gamma's expansion plans, the role of AI in user experience, and the importance of a lean, collaborative work culture. He also addresses hiring challenges due to visa issues and emphasizes the essential skills for a future heavily influenced by AI.

Harish Bijoor, a business and brand strategy specialist, and Lloyd Mathias, a marketing veteran and angel investor, delve into the emerging landscape of women's cricket post-World Cup victory. They discuss the historical imbalance in brand investments favoring men’s cricket and advocate for impactful storytelling to engage fans. Mathias emphasizes the need for standalone sponsorships and year-round engagement strategies, while Bijoor highlights international equity gaps. Together, they explore the exciting potential for women's cricket to carve out its own identity and thrive.

Nandini Piramal, Chairperson of Piramal Pharma, and Arjun Juneja, COO of Mankind Pharma, delve into the future of India's pharmaceutical industry. They discuss Piramal's transformation focusing on CDMO and hospital generics, and Mankind's journey to innovation in obesity treatment. Topics include the importance of quality in manufacturing, the challenges of global regulatory scrutiny, and the need for a quality-first culture. They emphasize strategic partnerships and share ambitious visions for 2047, aiming for leadership in the evolving pharma landscape.

Jessica Rajan, a business reporter for The Economic Times, and Manu Toms, an analyst from ET Prime, dive into the turmoil surrounding Byju’s insolvency. They discuss the intense bidding for key assets like Aakash and Great Learning, led by Ranjan Pai and UpGrad. Legal challenges and allegations of mismanaged funds complicate the situation. The power of the Glass Trust looms large, controlling the fate of creditors. The conversation paints a picture of distress and opportunity in the edtech landscape.