The Morning Brief

Explore the dramatic fall of Gensol Engineering and BluSmart Mobility, as financial mismanagement and liquidity crises spiral out of control. Discover how their intertwined fates raise questions about business models in India's EV sector. Will BluSmart survive the fallout of its heavy reliance on Gensol? Plus, hear about Uber's potential interest in acquiring Gensol's vehicles and the challenges electric cab services face, from maintenance to charging infrastructure. The future of clean energy startups hangs in the balance.

Saloni Shukla, an accomplished banking analyst from ET, dives into the escalating crisis at IndusInd Bank. She unpacks alarming accounting discrepancies threatening massive losses, and the resulting regulatory investigations. Discussions on governance failures and leadership turmoil reveal the bank's precarious position. Who's accountable? Can trust be restored? Saloni also highlights the strategic shifts the bank must undertake to regain stability amidst scrutiny and market uncertainties.

David Ricks, Global CEO of Eli Lilly, shares insights on tackling chronic diseases in India with the launch of Manjaro for obesity and diabetes. He discusses the delicate balance of pricing strategies that ensure accessibility while remaining profitable. Ricks also emphasizes the power of strategic partnerships in enhancing healthcare, from local businesses to tech innovations. He sheds light on the transformative role of biotechnology in health solutions and the challenges posed by political and regulatory landscapes within the pharmaceutical industry.

Akshay Jatia, President and CEO of Westlife Foodworld, shares his journey with McDonald's in India, a brand that has thrived since 1996. He discusses how McDonald's is adapting its menu to local tastes while focusing on tier II and III cities for growth. Jatia highlights the evolution of the QSR market, driven by digital engagement and changing consumer preferences. He also delves into the competitive landscape and the unique position of McCafe, emphasizing the blend of Indian flavors with global offerings.

Teena Thacker, ET's pharma expert, joins a senior official from AIIMS, India’s largest hospital, to discuss alarming staff shortages impacting patient care. They reveal over 2,500 vacancies amidst rising demand, urging the health ministry for improved recruitment and compensation. The conversation also highlights delays in AIIMS' master plan due to bureaucratic hurdles and budget constraints, shedding light on the urgent need for reforms in India's healthcare system to tackle mismanagement and underutilization of resources.

What is common to Amitabh Bachchan, Arijit Singh, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff? They have all acquired legal approvals to protect their personality rights? That is to protect their voices, body scans, any other kind of likeness or personality trait from AI misuse, and read AI cloning for commercial use. A-list celebrities in India are incorporating clauses in their legal contracts with film producers to protect themselves from the harmful impact of synthetic media. Are these enough in a space with scant rules and awareness? Host Anirban Chowdhury talks to Sameer Nair, Managing Director at Applause Entertainment, Priyanka Sinha, Co-Founder & Partner at A&P Partners and creative consultant Amit A Vermaa.Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Corner Office Conversation with Maersk’s Keith Svendsen and Chris Cook, Tata, Airtel’s DTH merger: Will 2 Negatives make a Positive?, Tesla Tug-of-War: Maha, AP woo Elon Musk, 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 Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has partnered with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio to bring Starlink’s satellite communication services to India. This landmark collaboration between a global space-tech pioneer and India’s telecom giants could redefine connectivity, bridging gaps in areas with limited land-based infrastructure and bringing mobile connectivity to the 400 million people who are unconnected or under connected. But what led to this partnership between companies that were bickering over spectrum allocation weeks back? What makes this low-earth orbit satellite technology so revolutionary, and how might it transform India’s telecom sector? And will this tie up, which clearly has larger geopolitical implications, hasten regulatory nods for satcom in India? Host Anirban Chowdhury along with ET’s telecom expert Kalyan Parbat decodes it all. Tune in. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Corner Office Conversation with Maersk’s Keith Svendsen and Chris Cook, Tata, Airtel’s DTH merger: Will 2 Negatives make a Positive?, Tesla Tug-of-War: Maha, AP woo Elon Musk, 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 Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At first glance, Donald Trump and Willy Wonka share an unexpected similarity; both are influential, unconventional figures who control access to exclusive realms. While Wonka’s golden ticket sought a successor fueled by creativity and integrity, Trump’s Gold Card offers U.S. residency but only for those who can afford the hefty price tag. Hosts Neil Ghai & Prachi Verma, joined by Sukanya Raman, Country Head of Davies & Associates, Rajiv Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com, and David Lesperance, Managing Director of Lesperance & Associates, unpack the sharp differences between the EB-5 visa, a long-standing route for foreign investors and Trump’s Gold Card, a glitzier, costlier option with fewer obligations. They dive into what the Gold Card truly offers, the tax incentives it teases for the ultra-wealthy, and whether it’s a groundbreaking approach or simply EB-5 with a premium upgrade. As America’s immigration doors open wider but only for those with deep pockets we ask: Is this the new face of the American Dream?You can follow Neil Ghai on his Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read his Newspaper Articles.    Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: The Lost City of Rakhigarhi, One Nation, One Election, Many Contentions,  Polls On My Pod: Rumble in the Jungle of Jharkhand, Polls On My Pod: Haryana Potboiler: Caste Politics, Agniveer and Farm Distress, Polls On My Pod: J&K’s Decade-Long Wait Ends, and more! Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube   Credits: DawnNews EnglishSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nirmala Sitharaman, India's Finance Minister, shares her insights on the nation's economic landscape. She discusses plans to streamline GST rates and address inventory dumping concerns. Sitharaman emphasizes navigating global trade challenges and renewing confidence in India's future. The conversation touches on India’s strategic bilateral agreements with the US, EU, and UK, highlighting the importance of national interests amid shifting dynamics. A must-listen for those curious about India's economic priorities!

On this International Women’s Day, host Nidhi Sharma goes beyond boardrooms and corporate success stories to bring you the voices of women who have fought against deep-seated prejudices and unimaginable hardships to create change at the grassroots level.   Meet Shaheen Mallik, an acid attack survivor who turned her pain into purpose by founding the Brave Souls Foundation, helping 300+ survivors rebuild their lives. Hear from Purnima Devi Barman, the wildlife conservationist who transformed societal perception of the endangered Hargila Stork, mobilising an army of women to protect the species. And listen to Dr. Shikha Meel Barala, a legislator and IVF specialist who battles the deeply ingrained bias of son preference to this day.   Their journeys are filled with resilience, determination, and a wistful longing for a world where such battles aren’t necessary. Tune in as we bring you their extraordinary stories of courage and change.   Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: The Lost City of Rakhigarhi, One Nation, One Election, Many Contentions,  Polls On My Pod: Rumble in the Jungle of Jharkhand, Polls On My Pod: Haryana Potboiler: Caste Politics, Agniveer and Farm Distress, Polls On My Pod: J&K’s Decade-Long Wait Ends, and more!   You can follow our host Nidhi Sharma 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. Credits: National Geographic, The Better India, Cornell Lab of OrinthologySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.