The Morning Brief

Urvashi Singh, Deputy Director General (TB) at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, leads a discussion on India's battle with tuberculosis. They dive into staggering statistics, revealing 24 lakh cases last year, and tackle the need for better diagnostics and treatment strategies. The panel highlights the stigma surrounding TB, the importance of treatment adherence, and innovative healthcare solutions. They also discuss the imbalance in research funding between TB and other diseases, urging for more investment in this critical area.

In this engaging discussion, Shuvadip Banerjee, Chief Digital Marketing Officer at ITC Limited, sheds light on the Maha Kumbh Mela's unique fusion of spirituality and consumerism. He reveals how the event has become a marketing goldmine, attracting over 400 million devotees. Banerjee delves into cultural engagement in marketing, showcasing successful brand strategies that resonate deeply with local customs. He also critiques the commercialization of spirituality, emphasizing the need for authentic connections with pilgrims in spiritual tourism.

Ola Electric faces scrutiny for announcing expansion plans on social media before stock exchanges, raising eyebrows about market disclosure norms. The discussion dives into how social media impacts stock prices and the need for updated regulations. Participants argue for transparency in information sharing and highlight the challenges Indian companies face in defining material information. SEBI's role in improving disclosure practices, alongside comparisons with U.S. regulations, adds layers to the debate, questioning if the traditional framework is still relevant.

In this engaging discussion, Sharmistha Mukherjee, an automotive industry expert from ET, delves into how Chinese companies are adopting 'Indianisation' strategies to navigate complex market dynamics. She explores how geopolitical tensions shape these partnerships and the government's role in demanding local leadership. The conversation also covers the challenges faced by brands like BYD and MG Motor in establishing a foothold in India’s automotive sector, while addressing the critical balance between trade deficits and security concerns.

In this enlightening discussion, M Pattabhiraman, an Associate Professor of Physics at IIT Madras and founder of Free Fincal, teams up with Ravi Saraogi, Co-founder of Samasthiti Advisors, to delve deep into retirement planning. They emphasize the critical need to start saving early, exploring concepts like the FIRE movement. The duo provides practical strategies for balanced asset allocation, safe withdrawal rates, and investment approaches tailored for retirees. They also highlight the cultural challenges in India regarding future savings versus current expenses.

In this engaging conversation, Sandip Patel, Managing Director for IBM India & South Asia, shares insights on IBM's ambitious growth strategy in India despite global tech layoffs. He discusses the company's focus on expanding in tier-two cities, fostering talent, and driving innovation through technologies like AI and hybrid cloud. The chat covers exciting applications of IBM's WatsonX, the essential balance of responsible AI practices, and how emerging technologies could propel India towards a $10 trillion economy.

From debunking myths about the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) to highlighting the importance of decentralized surveillance systems and rapid vaccine development, host Vikas Dandekar talks to Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Chairman, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA, Dr. Vinod Scaria, Chief Data Officer, Karkinos Healthcare, and Dr. Raches Ella, Chief Development Officer (Cdo), Bharat Biotech. They discuss the evolving landscape of viral outbreaks, greater pandemic preparedness, and the need for vaccine innovations. Credits: CNNNews, Firstpost, WION, IndiaTodayYou can follow Vikas Dandekar on his Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read his Newspaper Articles.  Check out other interesting episodes  like: Should we re-examine India’s ‘Growth Story’?, The 2024 Gold Rush, What Will Bitcoin 100k Mean For Indian investors?, Need For Speed To Fill The Skills ______,  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.

Aashish Aryan, Deputy Chief of Bureau, Technology at ET, discusses India's groundbreaking Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. The act mandates parental consent for children under 18 to access online platforms, reshaping child data protection. Aryan delves into how data fiduciaries will ensure age verification and tackle misinformation. The conversation also addresses the potential mental health implications of digital exposure for children and emphasizes the importance of parental collaboration and education in navigating these new regulations.

Pratik Oswal, head of passive funds at Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund, teams up with Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO of Anand Rathi Wealth, to dive into the booming world of passive investing. They discuss the remarkable growth of index funds and ETFs, highlighting their rise from 13% to a projected 40% of assets in India by 2027. The duo debates the merits of passive versus active management, emphasizing how investor behavior impacts returns. Tune in for insights on navigating mutual fund choices and the need for a balanced investment approach.

Chetan Kumar, Senior Assistant Editor at TOI and a space enthusiast with over a decade of experience, dives into India's ambitious space plans for 2025. He discusses pivotal missions like Gaganyaan's uncrewed test flight and the Chandrayaan-4 lunar mission. The collaboration with NASA on the NISAR satellite promises to revolutionize climate science. Additionally, Kumar highlights the burgeoning role of the private sector, with innovative satellite launches and technologies set to redefine India's position in global space exploration.