Daybreak

Rona Kumar Gunjan, a business reporter from The Ken, shares insights on the soaring property prices in India that have surged nearly 30% over the last two years. She discusses how younger generations are increasingly leaning towards renting due to affordability concerns and job mobility. Rona also explores the emotional attachment to home ownership, reveals the disparity between rising prices and stagnant incomes, and highlights the financial advantages of renting versus buying. Her analysis sheds light on the potential for reverse migration as living costs soar.

Delve into eye-opening discussions on the financial struggles of India’s wealthy women, who often grapple with a lack of control despite their riches. Explore how China's rare earth export policies pose risks to India's electric vehicle ambitions. Uncover the surprising links between silver shortages, AI, and clean energy, impacting everyday prices. Finally, question India's aspirations for sovereign AI and examine the capacity gaps that hinder progress in a rapidly advancing tech landscape.

Private equity is changing the landscape of Indian schools, sparking debates about education quality. The promise of better infrastructure often leads to budget cuts and high staff turnover. As schools go corporate, the founder-led ethos weakens, impacting trust and culture. International curricula draw significant investment, but the focus on cost-cutting can threaten academic standards. Examples of both decline and success illustrate the complex dynamics at play in this evolving educational sector.

AI is revolutionizing language learning in India, with local startups focusing on practical outcomes rather than gamification. Despite Duolingo's popularity, the app struggles to convert users into paying customers. The discussion highlights the unique status of English as a credential in India, crucial for job opportunities. As AI enhances its teaching capabilities, Duolingo adapts its strategy to include personalization and efficiency. The future hinges on whether users seek translation or aspire for deeper language skills.

Discover the intriguing world of succession coaches in India, where the rich navigate family feuds and the complexities of wealth transfer. Explore how these experts act as mediators and strategists, ensuring dynasties don’t implode. With a growing demand for succession coaching and a shortage of professionals, the fascinating dynamics of family firms and their future unfold. Learn how coaches facilitate leadership transitions, encourage the next generation's involvement, and emphasize the importance of planning for legacy and continuity.

Nuha Bubere, a renowned reporter known for her in-depth analysis of Flipkart, discusses the company's struggles amid competition and leadership challenges under CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy. She highlights his intense, metric-driven management style and the impact of recent executive departures. Atul Krishna, a business reporter, explores India's groundbreaking policy allowing foreign universities to open campuses, emphasizing its implications for higher education and global competitiveness. Together, they provide a fascinating look at evolving business landscapes in 2025.

Amazon is quietly venturing into at-home diagnostics in India through a partnership with Orange Health Labs. This low-risk strategy targets existing customers without heavy advertising. The collaboration leverages Orange's efficiency while sidestepping challenges of managing logistics. Despite modest revenue from its pharmacy and clinics, Amazon is taking a cautious approach, learning from its U.S. healthcare attempts, and maintaining flexibility in the growing Indian market. Is this a genuine ambition or simply a strategic placeholder?

Praveen Gopal Krishnan (PGK), Chief Product Officer at The Ken, discusses a groundbreaking case-build competition that flipped traditional formats on their head. He highlights how AI is reshaping disruption, allowing over 1,000 teams to target major incumbents like McKinsey and Netflix with real problems and workable prototypes. Surprisingly, even established companies volunteered to be dissected by students, eager to learn from fresh insights. PGK emphasizes that disruption is no longer theoretical; it's actively happening as anyone can innovate.

The podcast explores the rise of Miko, a Mumbai-based robotic toy maker targeting American kids. It dives into Miko's unique approach to addressing screen addiction and contrasts its strategy with failed US rivals. The discussion highlights Miko's cost advantages from Indian manufacturing and its innovative hybrid product strategy. Despite reaching significant sales, the company faces mounting losses and the risks of scaling. With the holiday season approaching, will Miko's strengths be enough to navigate the challenges that have doomed others?

Uttar Pradesh has transformed into a major smartphone manufacturing hub, with Noida at its center. Factory jobs have surged in the region, driven by supportive policies and proximity to Delhi. However, this growth is concentrated in a narrow corridor, leaving much of the state behind. The podcast explores challenges, including workforce gaps and low female participation, while shedding light on worker conditions and systemic inequalities. Plus, experts warn about the risks tied to reliance on external infrastructure for future sustainability.