

Daybreak
The Ken
Business news is complex and overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. Every day of the week, from Monday to Friday, Daybreak tells one business story that’s significant, simple and powerful.
Hosted from The Ken’s newsroom by Snigdha Sharma and Rachel Varghese, Daybreak relies on years of original reporting and analysis by some of India’s most experienced and talented business journalists.
Hosted from The Ken’s newsroom by Snigdha Sharma and Rachel Varghese, Daybreak relies on years of original reporting and analysis by some of India’s most experienced and talented business journalists.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2024 • 10min
Why Doon School and Mayo College are no longer the obvious choices for India's elite
Once the pinnacle of prestige, elite boarding schools like Doon and Mayo are now grappling with modern challenges. The rise of international schools is pushing them to adapt to stay relevant. They are re-evaluating their traditional approaches and transforming their curricula. Innovative programs and outreach initiatives are now key to attracting a broader student demographic. The landscape of elite education in India is shifting, and these schools must evolve or risk losing their status.

Oct 7, 2024 • 12min
All you need to know about India's most-hyped GenAI company
Learn about Sarvam, a Bangalore-based generative AI startup that raised over $50 million in just six months. Discover their innovative new products aimed at legal professionals, including AI agents and multilingual models. While enterprise customers are happy with the performance, developers have raised concerns about voice-based models and the reliance on synthetic data for training. With rising competition, Sarvam faces pressure to address these issues in future releases.

Oct 4, 2024 • 30min
Can cheap seats come with extra legroom? We ask the man behind India’s first budget airline
Captain GR Gopinath, the pioneer behind Air Deccan, shares his incredible journey of revolutionizing air travel in India. He highlights how budget airlines democratized flying, making it accessible to the masses. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies in the competitive landscape of domestic aviation. Gopinath also discusses the current frustrations passengers face despite the booming market, and the looming pressures on budget airlines due to rising operational costs. Tune in for insights on the future of aviation in India!

Oct 3, 2024 • 12min
India's largest non-bank is a prisoner of its own growth
The podcast explores the intense pressure faced by employees at a major non-bank financial institution in India, following a tragic incident linked to overwhelming work targets. It delves into the aggressive growth strategies that have established the company as a leader in the industry. Additionally, the discussion highlights the challenges of maintaining this rapid growth amidst regulatory scrutiny and evolving customer expectations. The human cost of success and the future of employee welfare are key themes that resonate throughout the conversation.

Oct 2, 2024 • 11min
How Birkenstocks went from being a clunky, orthopaedic sandal to the new it-shoe
Birkenstocks, once seen as practical orthopedic shoes, underwent a stunning transformation into a fashionable trend. The brand embraced collaborations with high-end designers like Rick Owens and Valentino, catching the attention of celebrities and influencers. As these chunky sandals became must-haves, they made their way into everyday outfits. Now, the Birk craze has reached India, where targeted marketing strategies are helping them carve out a niche amidst local competition. Discover how comfort met style in this captivating journey!

Sep 30, 2024 • 12min
Meet the unlikely winners of India's quick commerce boom. Local brokers.
Discover the intense race for real estate in India’s quick commerce boom. Major players are scrambling to establish dark stores to meet evolving consumer demands for both everyday items and high-value goods. Insights into how companies select locations based on data and neighborhood needs unveil the strategic thinking behind this rapid growth. The spotlight also shines on local brokers and property owners who are unexpectedly reaping the benefits in this competitive landscape.

Sep 29, 2024 • 13min
Why half of India's young doctors are drowning in debt
F M, a 32-year-old psychiatrist running a clinic in South Mumbai, shares her struggles as a young doctor in India, highlighting the overwhelming student debt from expensive medical education. She discusses the fierce competition from corporate healthcare and the pressure to maintain a social media presence. F M reflects on the challenges of adapting to telemedicine and how these factors impact the viability of independent practices. Ultimately, she questions whether the sacrifices made in pursuit of a medical career are worth the financial and emotional toll.

Sep 27, 2024 • 31min
Daybreak News Wrap: Musk vs Brazil; why we can't trust online news; and Meta's cool new sunglasses
Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, and Alexandre de Moraes, a Supreme Court Justice in Brazil, delve into the heated dispute over the platform's ban in Brazil due to disinformation. The conversation also highlights a study linking social media owners to trust issues in news. Lastly, the discussion wraps up with Meta's latest announcement of stylish augmented-reality glasses that blur the lines between fashion and technology.

Sep 26, 2024 • 25min
Why replicating China's iPhone city model in India is a short-term fix for a long-term problem
Explore the marvel of iPhone City, where Foxconn employs around 200,000 workers to meet skyrocketing iPhone demand. Delve into India's manufacturing scene as it mirrors China's labor model, but faces unique challenges. Discover the impact of automation and its implications for job sustainability. Gain insights into the vital roles of regional labor, including emerging opportunities for women. Plus, enjoy a dive into the art of captivating opening lines in literature and film, revealing their power to engage audiences from the very start.

Sep 24, 2024 • 11min
Is Flipkart bringing a knife to the fintech gun fight with Super.money?
Explore Flipkart's ambitious leap into fintech with the launch of Super.money, aimed at redefining digital payments and credit solutions. Discover the challenges it faces in a competitive landscape bustling with contenders. Will this credit-first approach revolutionize consumer spending and adoption? Tune in to find out how Flipkart plans to navigate this complex financial terrain and what it means for the future of digital commerce.


