The Morning Brief

In 2025, the Indian rupee has quietly become Asia’s worst-performing currency but the real impact isn’t just on trading screens, it’s inside Indian homes. From higher cooking oil prices and costlier foreign education to travel bills and shrinking savings returns, rupee volatility is reshaping middle-class finances in ways few anticipate. Why is the currency weakening despite strong GDP growth, healthy forex reserves, and a manageable current account deficit? Host Anirban Chowdhury talks to Madan Sabnavis, Chief Economist, Bank of Baroda to unpack how import inflation seeps in with a lag, why RBI interventions focus more on volatility than levels, and why currency swings hurt consumers more than a steady decline. With foreign investors pulling billions out, US-India trade talks stalled, and global sentiment overpowering fundamentals, the rupee’s fate may lie beyond domestic control. Listen In:You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and Linkedin Check out other interesting episodes from the host like Battle Beyond Borders, Peace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror Attack, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Rebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Half your milk comes from animals grazing on land the government calls wasteland. The mutton in your biryani? Same story. We're talking ₹1.3 lakh crore annually 5% of India's GDP built on ecosystems we've systematically mislabeled as worthless since the British needed a tax category for "land we can't monetize. Now we're converting these "wastelands" into solar farms at scale without asking the millions of pastoralists who depend on them, or calculating the carbon stored beneath them, or wondering what happens when milk and meat prices spike because we've paved over the free grazing grounds that keep them affordable. The twist? These aren't degraded lands waiting for rehabilitation. They're ancient grasslands and savannas that have existed for millennia, doing exactly what they're supposed to do. We just never bothered to look closely enough to notice. Until now, when it might be too late. Host Anirban Chowdhury asks Dr Abi Vanak, Director, Centre for Policy Design at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE-CPD), to explain. Listen in:You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and Linkedin Check out other interesting episodes from the host like Battle Beyond Borders, Peace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror Attack, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Rebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to build and scale a remote-first company across borders, regulations, and cultures? In this episode, host Himanshi Lohchab talks to Alex Bouaziz, co-founder and CEO of Deel, on how the company grew from a startup idea into a global HR and payroll platform operating in over 150 countries. Bouaziz reflects on early pivots, lessons from Y Combinator, and the idea of founder–product fit that continues to shape Deel’s culture and strategy. The conversation explores Deel’s expanding product suite, investments in payroll infrastructure, its approach to compliance, and how capital has been deployed through acquisitions and innovation. The episode also examines broader shifts in global hiring, cross-border talent movement, and India’s increasing role in Deel’s long-term plans offering a clear-eyed view of how companies manage scale and complexity in a rapidly changing world. Tune in.You can follow Himanshi Lohchab on her social media: X and Linkedin Check out other interesting episodes of ET in the Valley: ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s nuclear energy framework is set for its most consequential reset in decades with the passage of the Shanti Bill. In this episode, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks to ET’s executive editor, politics Pranab Dhal Samanta and Anubhuti Vishnoi to unpack what the new law changes and why it matters now. The discussion traces India’s long nuclear journey: from staying outside the Non-Proliferation Treaty and building indigenous capabilities, to gaining global legitimacy after the Indo-US nuclear deal. Yet, despite access to international fuel and technology, expansion remained sluggish, constrained by strict liability norms and a tightly controlled, state-led model. The Shanti Bill seeks to change that. It consolidates existing laws into a single framework, removes supplier liability, aligns compensation rules with global conventions, and introduces graded liability caps. Crucially, it opens the door to private participation, separates regulatory and operational roles, and clarifies responsibilities across the nuclear fuel cycle while keeping strategic control with the state. As nuclear power is expected to play a larger role in India’s long-term energy mix, this episode explains how the new framework could reshape the future of civilian nuclear power in the country. You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host likeBattle Beyond Borders, Peace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror Attack, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Rebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon and much more.Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.Credits: Films Division, Indian National Congress, DNAIndiaNews, AP Archive, MintSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the global pharmaceutical industry enters a period of profound transition, this episode of Corner Office Conversation examines what lies ahead. Hosts Vikas Dandekar and Teena Thacker talk to Stefan Oelrich, Head of the Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer AG, about the forces reshaping drug discovery and access from trade tensions and shifting innovation hubs to the promise and uncertainty of cell and gene therapies. Oelrich reflects on Europe’s struggle to stay competitive as capital and talent flow increasingly toward the US and China, and argues that meaningful reform will require faster regulation, leaner bureaucracy, and quicker patient access. He also addresses the looming loss of exclusivity for blockbuster drugs and outlines how Bayer plans to offset revenue impact with a packed pipeline of new launches. India emerges as both an opportunity and a test case, offering scale and growth while raising tough questions on affordability and access. At its core, the conversation asks whether breakthrough science can move fast enough to serve patients without losing public trust.You can follow Vikas Dandekar on his social media: X and Linkedin and read his Newspaper Articles.You can follow Teena Thacker on his social media: X and Linkedin and read her Newspaper Articles.Listen to Corner Office Conversation: Corner Office Conversation with Knight Frank’s William Beardmore-Gray and Shishir Baijal, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Corner Office Conversation with Gunjan Soni, Country Managing Director, Youtube India, Corner Office Conversation with Elizabeth Reid, Head of Search, Google and much more. Catch the latest episode of “Corner Office Conversation” on: Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts,and wherever you get your podcasts from.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do small businesses still wait months to be paid, even when the law says 45 days? In this episode of The Morning Brief, we examine one of the most persistent stress points in India’s MSME ecosystem: delayed payments. Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with Basant Kaur, Country Head of C2FO and Ramesh Dharmaji Senior advisor of the Global Alliance of Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) to unpack why payment backlogs—running into over 7.3 lakh crore rupees—continue despite legal mandates. The conversation moves from banking credit flows and risk appetite to the promise and pitfalls of platforms like TReDS, and why buyer participation remains the missing link. The episode also explores whether regulation alone is enough, or if behavioural change, digital infrastructure, and faster dispute resolution are equally critical. As MSMEs power jobs, exports, and growth, the discussion raises a timely question: can India fix its payment bottleneck before it chokes the very enterprises driving its economy?Tune inYou can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host likeBattle Beyond BordersPeace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror AttackCorner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho CorporationRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the HorizonBooking’s APAC Chief on Travel Trends, AI, and LoyaltyReliance’s AI PlaybookText-to-Theater? How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 1How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2 Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From no age gating on sexual content to the absence of statutory warnings around smoking on screen, Microdrama apps are violating critical rules associated with publishing curated digital content. In this episode, host Dia Rekhi speaks with Mallika Noorani of Parinam Law Associates on how platforms dismissed as “just two-minute videos” are in fact operating outside the law, despite clearly falling under India’s Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code. The discussion lays bare systemic failures: missing content ratings, weak or misleading age gates, absent parental controls, poor accessibility features, and routine neglect of mandatory health disclaimers. Noorani explains why neither format nor duration offers legal cover, how microdrama platforms qualify as publishers of online curated content, and what due diligence truly requires. The episode also probes broken grievance redress systems and opaque subscription practices that leave users exposed, with little protection or recourse.You can follow Dia Rekhi on social media: Linkedin & XCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From big data’s earliest breakthroughs to AI-driven software automation, Ashish Thusoo has been at the centre of enterprise technology’s biggest inflection points. In this episode of ET in the Valley, host Surabhi Agarwal speaks with Ashish Thusoo, co-founder and CEO of CurieTech AI. About how data, software, and enterprise IT are being reshaped once again. Tracing his journey from Oracle in 1998 to redefining data processing at Facebook, and later building cloud-scale platforms, the conversation unpacks why AI-led automation of integrations is emerging as the next frontier. Thusoo also weighs in on whether the AI wave spells disruption or opportunity for Indian IT firms, the froth around valuations and circular deals, the uncertainty over H1B visas, and what makes technology companies endure in Silicon Valley. Listen in You can follow Surabhi Agarwal on her Linkedin, X profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Check out other interesting episodes of ET in the Valley: ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s economy appears strong on the surface: high growth, low inflation, rising global interest and a confident narrative around the “India decade.” But is the optimism masking deeper structural risks? In this wide-ranging roundtable, leading voices from business, policy and economics examine what is really driving India’s growth and what could hold it back. In the latest edition of The Economic Times CEO roundtable ET’s Executive Editor Sruthijith KK talks to Priya Nair, CEO & MD, Hindustan Unilever, Uday Kotak, founder, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group, Lalit Keshre, Co-founder & CEO, Groww, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior Lawyer, Debasish Mishra, Chief Growth Officer, Deloitte South Asia as they explores rising rural incomes, consumption shifts, entrepreneurship beyond metros and the promise of digital public infrastructure, while also confronting persistent challenges: weak private capex, underinvestment in R&D, judicial delays, export competitiveness and concentration risks across key sectors. Listen in You can follow Sruthijith K.K. on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s quick-commerce boom is masking a growing public-health crisis. A new analysis reveals that half of all packaged foods sold on these platforms are junk, HFSS or ultra-processed, with some apps listing unhealthy items at rates as high as 62 percent. What looks like convenience is reshaping consumer behaviour, especially among Gen Z, where late-night impulsive ordering has become routine and, in many households, a daily habit. At the same time, medical research links ultra-processed foods to a wide range of diseases including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular problems, kidney disorders and even depression raising alarms about long-term dietary patterns. In this episode host Anirban Chowdhury talks to Sachin Taparia founder of Local Circles and public health and nutrition expert Dr. Arun Gupta, convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi). Despite this, India still lacks strong front-of-pack warning labels, stalled for years by industry pushback and regulatory delays. With digital storefronts acting as unregulated corner stores and offering almost no nutritional guardrails, this episode examines how an everyday swipe has quietly turned into a nationwide dietary risk and what it will take to reverse the trend. Tune in.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google and Accel have teamed up to launch their first-ever AI Cohort in India, a pre-seed program designed to back the country’s most ambitious AI founders at a moment when global giants like Microsoft are announcing multibillion-dollar AI investments in India. In this episode, host Anirban Chowdhury talks to Jonathan Silber, Co-Founder & Director of AI Futures Fund, Google, and Accel partners Prayank Swaroop and Pratik Agarwal to unpack why India was chosen as the global starting point, what the program offers, and how it aims to shape the next wave of AI innovation. From early access to cutting-edge Google DeepMind models to hands-on mentorship from engineers, researchers and venture partners, the guests explain how the cohort is built to give Indian startups a genuine global advantage. They discuss the surge in AI adoption across India, the challenges founders face in scaling internationally, and why both organisations believe India is ready to produce category-leading AI companies for the world. Tune in.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fireflies started as a small experiment by two young engineers trying to fix a simple workplace problem: remembering what was said in meetings. A decade later, it has quietly become one of the few profitable AI companies operating at global scale. In this episode, of ET in the Valley, host Himanshi Lohchab talks to Co-founder & CEO at Fireflies.ai, Krish Ramineni traces that path from manually joining calls as “Fred” to validate demand, to rebuilding the product after securing early access to OpenAI’s APIs. He discusses the pressure of fast followers, why note-taking was only the entry point, and how Fireflies is now expanding into sector-specific workflows across healthcare, finance and retail. Krish also explains why the company resisted the fundraising race, how it approached M&A interest, and why he believes the next phase of AI will involve “AI employees” handling routine work across tools. It’s a grounded conversation about discipline, timing and what real adoption looks like in an overheated AI market.Tune in.You can follow Himanshi Lohchab on her social media: X and Linkedin Check out other interesting episodes of ET in the Valley: ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s biggest airline didn’t just stumble, it unravelled. When IndiGo collapsed, thousands were stranded, but the real story runs much deeper. Aviation insiders unpack how ignored fatigue rules, poor planning, and a culture of silence pushed India’s largest carrier into chaos. In this episode, Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks to Capt. Amit Singh of Safety Matters, Ameya Joshi of Network Thoughts, and ET’s Arindam Majumdar to decode how IndiGo’s days-long meltdown exposed deep cracks in pilot planning, safety oversight, and the regulatory system meant to keep flyers safe. Experts explain why new fatigue rules triggered panic, how a shortage of captains spiralled into mass cancellations, and whether the crisis was mismanaged or engineered. A revealing look at monopolistic power, weak checks, and what happens when a dominant airline pushes the limits.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube. Credits: NDTV, News9Live, CNNNews 18See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bourbon is having a moment and Sazerac wants India to be its next big frontier. In this episode, of the Corner Office Conversation ET’s Ratna Bhushan talks to Diego Bianchi, VP,Global Hubs at Sazerac, who takes us inside Kentucky’s historic Buffalo Trace Distillery to understand how the 200-year-old American spirits giant plans to grow in a market long ruled by Scotch. Bianchi breaks down the company’s India strategy: educating new drinkers, betting on cocktail culture, expanding distribution, and building brand stories that resonate with a young, curious consumer base. He also weighs in on tariff cuts, pricing pressures, regulatory challenges, and why India is now one of Sazerac’s most important growth markets. Can bourbon move from the fringes to the mainstream in India? This conversation explores the stakes and the storytelling behind that push.Tune In.You can follow Ratna Bhushan on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Listen to Corner Office Conversation: Corner Office Conversation with Knight Frank’s William Beardmore-Gray and Shishir Baijal, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Corner Office Conversation with Gunjan Soni, Country Managing Director, Youtube India, Corner Office Conversation with Elizabeth Reid, Head of Search, Google and much more. Catch the latest episode of “Corner Office Conversation” on: Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts,and wherever you get your podcasts from.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India wants manufacturing to power its next big leap from 17% to 24% of GDP, and eventually to a $30 trillion economy. But how realistic is that in a world of tariffs, fractured supply chains and geopolitical churn? In this episode, host Anirban Chowdhury talks to Rahul Jain, India head at the Boston Consulting Group, who breaks down what it will actually take. He explains why India’s large domestic market is an advantage, why indigenisation and exports must rise together, and why scale, cost competitiveness and real R&D investment will decide whether India becomes a global manufacturing force, why three-quarters of cost-cutting programmes fail, how resilience has become a core business metric, and why CEOs need to get comfortable making decisions in uncertainty rather than waiting for stability. As global alliances shift and AI reshapes business, he argues that India’s demographics, STEM talent and political stability give it a rare opening if industry and government can move with speed and discipline. Listen in:You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India's government ordered every smartphone to pre-install its Sanchaar Saathi cybersecurity app then quietly withdrew the mandate within weeks after Apple and privacy experts cried foul. But the real story isn't the U-turn. It's what this episode exposes: India's surveillance laws are 30 years old, written for phone tapping, not the digital age. The government can access your personal data without consent, without oversight, without accountability. While the app mandate failed because Apple had power to push back, most Indians don't. This episode unpacks the regulatory overreach, the privacy concerns, and why outdated laws give authorities a blank check over your digital life.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.Credits: NEWS9 live, CNBC-TV18See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of “The Morning Brief” ET in the Valley series we go inside the mind of one of Silicon Valley’s most quietly influential founders a technologist who reshaped modern data centers with a single insight: keep compute and storage together because the network will always slow you down. Host Surabhi Agarwal talks to Mohit Aron, co-founder, Nutanix and founder, Cohesity about the idea that grew into hyperconverged infrastructure and why, even in an age of cloud and AI, the basic physics of data still haven’t changed. We also dive into the forgotten world of secondary data backups, archives, test systems and how cleaning up that chaos unlocked new possibilities, from ransomware detection to AI-driven analytics. Now working on his third startup, he explains why sales tech remains so broken and why fixing it felt urgent. Beyond the products and companies, the conversation widens to the Valley’s overheated AI moment, circular funding loops, and the stark contrast with India’s still-nascent deep-tech ecosystem. He also opens up about immigration, accountability, and why aligning personal incentives with national goals may be the only real way to drive long-term change. Tune in.You can follow Surabhi Agarwal on her Linkedin, X profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like ET in the Valley: Grant Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of Gamma, ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick Wendell, ET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad, ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati Staniszewski and much more.Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A zero-commission bet that rewired India’s e-commerce playbook. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Samidha Sharma and ET’s Pranav Mukul break down Meesho’s unconventional rise with CEO Vidit Aatrey from leveraging WhatsApp resellers and an asset-light model to becoming a category-shaping marketplace challenging Amazon and Flipkart without owning warehouses. With 50% order growth, positive cash flows, and plans to go public, Meesho now eyes AI-led personalisation, financial services, and deeper entry into affordable categories. But as return rates climb, margins thin, and investor scrutiny sharpens, a bigger question looms: can Meesho scale sustainably while staying true to its low-cost DNA? Tune in.You can follow Samidha Sharma on her Linkedin, X profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. You can follow Pranav Mukul on her Linkedin, X profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like Battle Beyond Borders, Peace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror Attack, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Rebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon and much more.Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will the rise of the agentic enterprise redefine the future of work, technology and scale for Indian businesses? Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with Arun Kumar Parameswaran, Executive Vice President and MD of Salesforce, South Asia, about the shift from traditional digital transformation to a new era where autonomous AI agents collaborate with humans to reshape how organisations operate. From hyper-personalised experiences delivered at massive scale to AI-led credit decisions, fraud detection and instant commerce builds, the conversation explores how this model is set to transform speed, efficiency and global reach. It also examines why trust, auditability and the right balance between humans and AI will determine which companies truly capture the potential of this next technological wave. Tune in.Listen to Corner Office Conversation: Corner Office Conversation with Knight Frank’s William Beardmore-Gray and Shishir Baijal, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Corner Office Conversation with Gunjan Soni, Country Managing Director, Youtube India, Corner Office Conversation with Elizabeth Reid, Head of Search, Google and much more.Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India's biggest overhaul of labour laws has officially taken shape, reshaping how millions of workers and thousands of businesses will operate. In this episode, host Anirban Chowdhury, ET’s national editor, economics, Deepshikha Sikarwar and Yogima Seth Sharma talk to labour secretary Vandana Gurnani, Poorvi Chothani, founder and MD of LawQuest and Anjali Sardana, founder of Pronto about what the shift from 29 separate laws to four unified labour codes really means from a stricter, clearer wage definition to the long-awaited recognition of gig and platform workers. We explore how the new 50% basic pay rule could alter take-home salaries, why fixed-term employees now stand on par with permanent staff, and how the raised retrenchment threshold aims to balance flexibility with worker safeguards.The conversation also examines the realities of state-level implementation, potential compliance challenges for companies with distributed teams, and the government’s push toward faceless, tech-enabled filings. Whether you’re an employer preparing for transition or a worker trying to understand your rights, this episode offers a sharp, practical guide to India’s new labour landscape.Listen in: You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host likeBattle Beyond Borders, Peace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror Attack, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Rebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is India’s stock market truly overheating, or is this simply the new normal? From stretched small- and mid-cap valuations to the frenzy in consumption, manufacturing, defence and a flood of IPOs, this episode unpacks the signals and the noise. Host and ET’s markets editor Nishanth Vasudevan talks to veteran fund manager Prashant Jain, co-founder and CIO of 3P Investment Managers, who argues that today’s markets are still far from the euphoric highs of 1992, 2000 and 2007. Jain also weighs in on the global AI bubble, India’s market resilience, and why he believes large caps could be the most sensible bet in the years ahead whether you’re a new post-COVID investor or a seasoned market participant.Tune in: You can follow our host Nishanth Vasudevan on his social media: Linkedin & X Check out other interesting episodes like - Nobel Laureate James A Robinson On Power and Prosperity, AI and Society, Corner Office Conversation with Apollo’s Dr Preetha and Suneeta Reddy, Groww’s ₹6,600 Cr Leap - Fintech’s Big Market Test Begins , OML CEO on the Creator Economy’s Next Wave & much more.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.

Born out of a consultant’s irritation with endlessly formatting slide decks, Gamma has grown into a tool that found global momentum during the generative-AI shift. Its writing-first philosophy and redesigned user experience helped it catch on especially in India and parts of Asia well before the company spent anything on formal marketing. In this episode of ET in the Valley, host Himanshi Lohchab speaks with Grant Lee, co-founder and CEO of Gamma. Lee outlines the company’s international adoption, its expanding ambitions beyond presentations, and the prosumer community that has fueled its rise. He also discusses Gamma’s work culture built around a lean, generalist-heavy team, deliberate hiring, and a conscious move away from Silicon Valley’s intense work norms. The conversation also touches on the AI talent race, visa-related hiring challenges, and the skillsets that will matter in a future where managing AI becomes part of everyone’s job.You can follow Himanshi Lohchab on her social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes like - Nobel Laureate James A Robinson On Power and Prosperity, AI and Society, Corner Office Conversation with Apollo’s Dr Preetha and Suneeta Reddy, Groww’s ₹6,600 Cr Leap - Fintech’s Big Market Test Begins , OML CEO on the Creator Economy’s Next Wave & much more.Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s Women in Blue have just delivered a World Cup win that electrified the nation, but what comes after the euphoria? In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Choudhury talks to branding and marketing veterans Harish Bijoor and Lloyd Mathias about what this historic moment means for the future of women’s cricket from visibility and storytelling to sponsorships, fan economies and year-round opportunities. We look at the structural shifts the sport needs, the commercial forces shaping its next phase, and what it will take to turn one breakthrough win into a sustainable, thriving ecosystem. Are we finally ready to build women’s cricket for the long haul?Tune in: You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host likeBattle Beyond Borders, Peace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror Attack, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Rebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon and much more. Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.Credit: StarsportsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s pharmaceutical industry is at an inflection point and in this episode, two of its young influential leaders break down where it’s headed next. In this episode of Corner Office Conversation host Vikas Dandekar talks to Nandini Piramal, Chairperson of Piramal Pharma, and Arjun Juneja, COO of Mankind Pharma for an unfiltered conversation on legacy, reinvention, and the race toward innovation. From Piramal’s bold portfolio pivots and quality-first culture to Mankind’s rise from a domestic challenger to a top-three giant, the episode explores how two very different companies are preparing for the coming decade. The leaders discuss drug innovation, India’s obesity-treatment boom, partnerships, global regulatory scrutiny, and why 2047 will be a defining milestone for Indian pharma. Tune in:You can follow Vikas Dandekar on his social media: X and Linkedin and read her Newspaper Articles.Listen to Corner Office Conversation: Corner Office Conversation with Knight Frank’s William Beardmore-Gray and Shishir Baijal, Corner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho Corporation, Corner Office Conversation with Gunjan Soni, Country Managing Director, Youtube India, Corner Office Conversation with Elizabeth Reid, Head of Search, Google and much more. check the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Byju’s, once India’s biggest edtech success story, is now fighting for survival. Its parent company, Think & Learn, has run out of money and is undergoing insolvency. That means its key assets including Aakash Educational Services and Great Learning are up for sale. Two big names are now competing for pieces of the company: Ranjan Pai, who already owns a majority stake in Aakash after converting debt to equity, and Ronnie Screwvala’s UpGrad, which is interested in Great Learning and other strong-performing units. But the final decision isn’t theirs. It lies with Glas Trust, the US lenders who hold 99% voting rights. They’re looking for the quickest repayment and are also pursuing allegations that $533 million was moved out of reach. Meanwhile, more than 20 legal cases and limited information from the promoters are slowing down the process. In this episode, host Dia Rekhi talks to ET’s Jessica Rajan and ET Prime’s Manu Toms to break down who’s bidding, what’s happening inside the insolvency, and what the future looks like for Byju’s. Tune in:You can follow Dia Rekhi on social media: Linkedin & XCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like: Hooked in 90 Seconds: The Micro Drama Boom, A Spoonful of Death, Dissecting 2025’s Biggest IPO: Tata Capital and much 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: gyanwallahPW, Nas Summit, CNBC-TV18, moneycontrol, TechCrunch, BYJU'S, yourstorytvSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s metros are seeing an unexpected dawn ritual take hold. Before sunrise, thousands gather on streets and promenades not chasing medals, but community. Run clubs have quietly become one of the fastest-growing social forces in urban India, offering structure and belonging in cities where loneliness is rising. In this episode, host Pranav Varshney talks to Sidharth Yadav, founder of Stride and several runners to examine how these informal groups evolved from fitness meetups into “third spaces” that cut across age, profession, and athletic ability. The shift is striking: Gen Z is now more likely to meet people through workouts than night-outs, and social media has turned hyperlocal running groups into city-wide networks. Brands, too, are paying attention, positioning themselves where this new culture gathers. Beyond the hype, the trend reveals something deeper: a generation searching for routine, accountability, and real-world connection. This episode goes inside the movement reshaping mornings, habits, and social life across urban India. Tune in. Check out other interesting episodes like - ET in the Valley: Databricks Co-founder Patrick WendellTerrorism 2.0Digital Gold: The Hype and The Blind SpotsPhysics Wallah Founders on IPO, Growth and Losses Corner Office Conversation with Apollo’s Dr Preetha and Suneeta ReddyNobel Laureate James A Robinson On Power and Prosperity, AI and Society Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The real future of AI’s trajectory is being shaped by players who can convert deep data, cloud-first design, and measurable gains into sustainable models.This episode breaks down how early, unpopular bets on cloud adoption and machine-learning workloads are now separating the winners from the laggards in the AI race, and why profitability remains elusive even at unprecedented scale. On The Morning Brief – ET in the Valley, host Surabhi Agarwal speaks with Patrick Wendell, Co-founder & VP of Engineering of Databricks, about how decisions once dismissed as “too risky” helped Databricks build for long-term scale. Wendell also breaks down the real economics of the AI boom, the surge of talent coming out of India, and why true progress will be measured not by valuations but by whether the full AI stack can actually make money. Tune in. You can follow Surabhi Agarwal on her Linkedin, X profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Catch more episodes of ET in the Valley: ET in the Valley: ElevenLabs Co-Founder Mati StaniszewskiET in the Valley: Replit Founder and CEO Amjad Masad Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When terror walks in wearing a stethoscope or carrying a university ID, how do you even begin to see it coming?”The Delhi car blast has forced India to confront an unsettling new reality: white-collar extremism, where trained professionals—doctors, engineers, academics—operate far from the traditional profile of militancy. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury traces how a few posters on the outskirts of Srinagar opened a trail leading investigators into a covert network built to blend in, not stand out. To unpack this shift, we speak with ET’s Hakeem Irfan Rashid, who maps the origins of the case, and experts — Dr. Christine Fair and psychologist Dr. John Horgan, author of the acclaimed book The Psychology of Terrorism — who explain how modern extremism is becoming fluid, grievance-driven, and increasingly shaped by online radicalization. As internet-enabled lone-wolf actors rise and global conflict zones spill over into new geographies, the conversation asks a pressing question: are India’s institutions, intelligence frameworks, and even our basic assumptions about risk prepared for this next phase of threat?Tune InYou can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host likeBattle Beyond BordersPeace Perished: Explaining the Pahalgam Terror AttackCorner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho CorporationRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the HorizonBooking’s APAC Chief on Travel Trends, AI, and LoyaltyReliance’s AI PlaybookText-to-Theater? How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 1How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2 Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital gold is booming - but is it safe? India’s love for gold has gone digital. From ₹1 micro-purchases to 24x7 vault-backed convenience, digital gold is fast becoming the new-age savings habit. But behind the glitter lies a grey zone - hidden markups, patchy audits and no regulatory oversight. Now, with SEBI stepping in to sound the alarm, the question is whether this booming fintech favourite can stay credible without a watchdog. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury unpacks the rise, risks and realities of digital gold with Abhinav Kaul, Senior Assistant Editor at ET Wealth and Harshad Chetanwala, Co-founder of MyWealthGrowth.com. Follow the host, Anirban Chowdhury, on Linkedin and X, and click here to explore more of his work. Check out other interesting episodes like - Are We Going Back to Gold Standards?Physics Wallah Founders on IPO, Growth and LossesCorner Office Conversation with Apollo’s Dr Preetha and Suneeta ReddyGroww’s ₹6,600 Cr Leap - Fintech’s Big Market Test Begins Nobel Laureate James A Robinson On Power and Prosperity, AI and SocietyOML CEO on the Creator Economy’s Next WaveRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube. CREDITS: FirstpostSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edtech star Physics Wallah has taken a bold leap - from the virtual classroom to Dalal Street. What began in 2016 as Alakh Pandey’s YouTube channel for JEE and NEET aspirants has grown into a $2.8 billion unicorn—now testing investor sentiment with a ₹3,480 crore IPO. Yet, despite the hype, subscriptions remain sluggish and market buzz subdued. Is this the next phase of India’s edtech story or another early reality check for a celebrated startup? Ahead of the listing, ET’s Startups Editor Samidha Sharma and reporter Tanishka Dubey sat down with founders Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari to unpack the company’s rapid rise, its financial strain, and what comes next in its expansion playbook. Tune in. Check out other interesting episodes like - Groww’s ₹6,600 Cr Leap - Fintech’s Big Market Test Begins Nobel Laureate James A Robinson On Power and Prosperity, AI and SocietyCorner Office Conversation with Apollo’s Dr Preetha and Suneeta ReddyOML CEO on the Creator Economy’s Next WaveRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Software no longer needs to be written - it can now be imagined.In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Himanshi Lohchab sits down with Amjad Masad, founder and CEO of Replit, the $3 billion AI-native coding platform redefining how the world builds technology. Masad traces his journey from Amman to Silicon Valley, the creation of Replit, and how AI agents are ushering in a post-coding era - where productivity is measured not in lines of code but in creative intent. He explains why India’s 17 million developers stand at a once-in-a-generation inflection point - if the country can shift from cost arbitrage to innovation arbitrage. It’s a conversation on ambition, automation, and the audacity to reimagine work itself. You can follow Himanshi Lohchab on her social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes like - Nobel Laureate James A Robinson On Power and Prosperity, AI and SocietyCorner Office Conversation with Apollo’s Dr Preetha and Suneeta ReddyGroww’s ₹6,600 Cr Leap - Fintech’s Big Market Test Begins OML CEO on the Creator Economy’s Next WaveRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do nations rise - and why do they fail? In this special edition of The Morning Brief, ET’s Executive Editor Sruthijith KK speaks to James A. Robinson, co-author of the seminal Why Nations Fail and co-winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics, on the shifting architecture of power, prosperity and politics. Robinson unpacks why economists no longer lean on the term “capitalism,” the perils of simplistic theories like “geography is destiny,” and how inclusive institutions - not authoritarian efficiency - determine a nation’s fate. From India’s deep democratic roots and Africa’s untapped potential to the United States’ “mad rush for productivity” that he calls “a train wreck waiting to happen,” Robinson offers a profound reflection on the forces remaking our world. You can follow Sruthijith K.K. on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes like Yuval Noah Harari on Information, Invasion, IndiaAnother Big Betting Scam!!Groww’s ₹6,600 Cr Leap - Fintech’s Big Market Test Begins Corner Office Conversation with Apollo’s Dr Preetha and Suneeta ReddyOML CEO on the Creator Economy’s Next WaveRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apollo Hospitals’ 42-year journey is coterminous with the story of how India has been trying to modernise its healthcare. In this episode Host Vikas Dandekar talks to Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive vice chairperson of Apollo Hospitals and Suneeta Reddy, MD, Apollo hospitals as they take us inside the institution: history, challenges and mission. From the time a young poor patient who was unable to afford treatment triggered the idea of Apollo in founder, chairman Dr Prathap C Reddy’s mind to becoming a global medical institution attracting patients from 147 countries, the conversation tracks its evolution as well as the tectonic shifts in India’s health ecosystem. The Reddys break down the country’s structural gaps: the shortage of beds, doctors and nurses, the rise of NCDs, and why preventive health has become India’s biggest economic risk. They lay out Apollo’s playbook: technology-led scale, AI-driven diagnosis, telemedicine networks, genomic forecasting, and the push for affordability without compromising outcomes. You can follow Vikas Dandekar on his social media: X and Linkedin and read her Newspaper Articles.Catch more stories from your host Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma, Corner Office Conversation with Eli Lilly's Global CEO David Ricks, Corner Office Conversation With Umang Vohra, MD and Global CEO, Cipla, India vs TB: Where are we at? And much more.Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cricket, cash and the dark web of betting — the scandal has come full circle. The Enforcement Directorate has frozen over ₹11 crore in assets belonging to former Indian cricket stars Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, who are caught in the crosshairs of a money-laundering probe. At the heart of the investigation is 1xBet, a global betting platform banned in India yet flourishing through celebrity endorsements, offshore loopholes, and sophisticated digital marketing. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with ET’s financial crimes expert Rashmi Rajput to unravel how this underground economy thrives in plain sight. Tune in: You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like Bhilai to Burj: The Rs. 5,000 Cr Bollywood Studded Mahadev Book ScamIs Women’s Cricket in India Finally Out of the Shadows? Groww’s ₹6,600 Cr Leap - Fintech’s Big Market Test Begins OML CEO on the Creator Economy’s Next WaveRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the Horizon Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

India’s largest retail broker is making its debut on Dalal Street - but can Groww sustain its blistering rise once the markets start asking harder questions? Founded in 2016 by four ex-Flipkart entrepreneurs, Groww has reimagined investing for young India - through clean design, relatable content, and a promise of simplicity in finance. Its ₹6,600-crore IPO now is a test of whether scale built on retail exuberance can evolve into long-term resilience. With 80% of its revenue still anchored in broking and regulators sharpening their scrutiny of speculative trades, Groww faces its toughest market yet - the public one. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with Pratik Bhakta, ET’s in-house fintech expert, to decode Groww’s journey - its breakout playbook, its pressure points, and whether this listing signals India’s fintech maturity or just another market mirage. You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host likeCorner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho CorporationRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the HorizonExplaining RBI’s Raft of Deregulations Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What began as a simple idea—to change how we hear and interact with voices—has turned into a global tech movement. In this brand-new limited podcast series of The Morning Brief- ET in the Valley, host Surabhi Agarwal speaks with ElevenLabs co-founder Mati Staniszewski about the company’s mission to revolutionize voice technology. From its Polish roots and multilingual vision to expanding across India with support for Hindi and Tamil, ElevenLabs is reimagining how language, AI, and creativity converge. The discussion dives into the company’s collaboration with Indian enterprises, Mati’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi, and the challenges of navigating a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. As voice models grow more sophisticated and creators monetize their own voices, the episode explores whether ElevenLabs’ blend of innovation, ethics, and global ambition could redefine how the world listens—and speaks—in the AI era.Tune inYou can follow Surabhi Agarwal on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Check out other interesting episodes from the host likeCorner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho CorporationRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the HorizonBooking’s APAC Chief on Travel Trends, AI, and LoyaltyReliance’s AI PlaybookText-to-Theater? How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 1How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2 Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was indeed historic — India’s women’s cricket team finally lifted their first-ever ODI World Cup trophy on home soil, ending decades of near misses and heartbreak. But can one glorious win rewrite a long, uneven story? In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with Ace sports journalist K. Shriniwas Rao and is joined by Divyanshu Singh CEO of JSW Sports to trace India’s remarkable yet turbulent journey — from pandemic disruptions and coaching shake-ups to the rise of fearless young stars redefining the game. The conversation delves into deeper questions: Why does the sport still grapple with a shallow talent pool, inconsistent marketing, and a Women’s Premier League yet to reach its potential?As the dust of victory settles, the episode asks whether this World Cup win can be more than a moment of pride — could it spark a lasting transformation for women’s cricket in India?You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host likeCorner Office Conversation with Sridhar Vembu, CEO, of Zoho CorporationRebel Foods’ chief on Building Brands, Tech, and an IPO on the HorizonExplaining RBI’s Raft of Deregulations Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From indie music festivals to global comedy tours, Only Much Louder (OML) has long been the backstage engine of India’s creator revolution. In this episode of The Morning Brief, hosts Anirban Chowdhury and Aanya Thakur sit down with OML CEO Tusharr Kumar to decode the shifting dynamics of digital influence from short-form fame and creator-led brands to the fusion of online buzz with offline fandom. What began as a talent management outfit for comics and musicians has now transformed into a data-driven machine shaping how creators build careers, businesses, and even micro-cultures. As India’s creator economy races toward a projected $1 trillion by 2030, a potent mix of instinct, data, and storytelling is redefining what it means to be an artist-entrepreneur.Tune InYou can follow Aanya Thakur on her Linkedin profile and read her Newspaper Articles. You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: X and LinkedinCheck out other interesting episodes from the host like: Corner Office Conversation with Gunjan Soni, Youtube India., Text-to-Theater? How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 1, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, and much more.Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once hailed as India’s coolest craft beer brand, Bira 91 is now facing a sobering reality, mounting losses, unpaid dues, investor mutiny and a probable drag down to bankruptcy court. What went wrong with the company that promised to make beer fun, youthful, and proudly Indian? In this episode host Anirban Chowdhury talks to ET’s Ratna Bhushan and Manu Toms also joined by Poonam Chandel, Managing Director of NeuWorld Spirits to trace Bira’s journey from startup stardom to financial freefall. Together, they unpack founder and CEO Ankur Jain’s bold vision, the early buzz that fooled investors, and the missteps: overexpansion, regulatory blunders, and reckless spending that led to its downfall.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinYou can follow Ratna Bhushan on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. You can follow Manu Toms on his Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read his Newspaper Articles. Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

From selling contact lenses in 2010 to building a global eyewear brand across India, Japan, and the Middle East, Lenskart's journey mirrors the rise of India’s new-age consumer startups. ET’s national editor for startups Samidha Sharma and startups tracker Pranav Mukul talk to Peyush Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Lenskart, as he traces the company’s evolution from an online retailer to a company launching one of India’s most anticipated IPOs. Bansal opens up on global expansion plans, the leap into smart-glasses and AI-led eye tests, and the balancing act between valuation, investor expectations and vision. Tune inYou can follow Samidha Sharma on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. You can follow Pranav Mukul on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

India’s real estate is at an inflection point. In this episode of Corner Office Conversation, hosts Anirban Chowdhury and Kailash Babar talk to Knight Frank’s Global Chairman William Beardmore-Gray and India Chairman and MD Shishir Baijal to unpack what’s behind record-high office demand, rising cross-border capital flows, and India’s shift into the world’s promising office markets. They discuss the surge of GCCs, the luxury-housing boom, and why institutional investors are eyeing living sectors like senior and student housing. The conversation also explores how PropTech, AI, and ESG are transforming global property decisions—and what lessons India can draw from China’s slowdown.Tune in:You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinYou can follow Kailash Babar on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

Rebel Foods disrupted India’s dining landscape by proving that you don’t need high streets to build high-value brands. From Faasos and Behrouz Biryani to Oven Story and Sweet Truth, it runs 20-plus brands across 10 countries — all powered by tech, not tables. In this episode of The Morning Brief, Co-founder and Group CEO Jaydeep Barman tells Anirban Chowdhury how the company transformed kitchens into a scalable platform for global restaurant brands.He opens up on the company’s origin story, its no-CV culture, cold-emailing Sequoia for funding, using data and automation in every kitchen, and why slow scaling beats fast burnout.Listen in: You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinListen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel is getting smarter, deeper, and more digital. Booking.com’s Asia-Pacific MD Laura Houldsworth joins Brand Equity’s Anirban Roy Choudhury to decode how global travel is changing and why India has become the industry’s biggest opportunity. She discusses the rise of digital-first travellers, the surge in spiritual and alternative stays, and how Booking is embedding AI to personalize journeys — from inspiration to experience. Tune inYou can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinListen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

From Lagaan to RRR, Indian cinema has gone truly global. But behind the glitz of overseas premieres and record-breaking box offices lies a fast-changing battlefield. In this explosive conversation, Host Rajesh Naidu talk to veteran overseas distributor Pranab Kapadia to unpacks the billion-rupee world of international film distribution: how Bollywood grew from 300 screens in 2003 to 60+ countries today, the diaspora’s unmatched influence, and why the U.S. alone powers up to 50% of overseas revenues. But a perfect storm is brewing. Trump’s 100% tariff on foreign films, the rise of streaming platforms, and shifting audience behaviour could redraw the cinematic map. Will the next Rocky Rani or RRR find its audience in theatres or on OTT? And can Indian cinema keep expanding into untapped markets from Africa to Eastern Europe? Tune in.You can follow Rajesh Naidu on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

In India the so-called pharmacy of the world children are dying from the very medicines meant to heal them. The Morning Brief’s latest audio deep dive travels from rural Madhya Pradesh to Tamil Nadu’s factories to uncover how a cough syrup laced with industrial chemicals like diethylene glycol killed at least 25 children and how a system built on 80-year-old drug laws allowed it. Host Anirban Chowdhury talks to fathers who lost their children,  Dr Arvind Bagga, professor emeritus and former head of pediatrics at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Pramod Verma, Inspector General at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh,  public health activist and author Dinesh S Thakur, lawyer and author Prashant Reddy T. Dinesh, JJ Hospital veteran Dr Ishwar Gilada  and ET's pharma editor Vikas Dandekar This story exposes a broken drug regulation system and the human cost of neglect. Tune in: You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinYou can follow Dia Rekhi on social media: Linkedin & TwitterListen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

What happens when a small Indian software firm quietly evolves into a global SaaS powerhouse without external funding or data monetization? In this episode of Corner Office Conversation, ET’s tech experts and hosts Surabhi Agarwal and Suraksha P sit down with Zoho founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu and his leadership team to trace the company’s extraordinary rise from its humble beginnings in the 1990s to becoming a billion-dollar global player. The discussion explores Zoho’s early bet on SaaS, its commitment to ethical growth, the bold decision to build talent from rural India rather than urban hubs and why India has to be self reliant in tech to avoid weaponisation by the giants. As the conversation unfolds, it probes a larger question: can a homegrown tech company balance global ambition with local empowerment while staying fiercely independent? Tune InYou can follow Surabhi Agarwal on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. You can follow Suraksha P on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Tariffs trump trade, Health Hazards in your Grocery Bag, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Explaining India’s Record FDI Freefall and much more.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.

India is YouTube’s fastest-growing market home to a young, ambitious generation that’s transforming from viewers into global creators. In this conversation, host Anirban Chowdhury talks to Gunjan Soni Country Managing Director of YouTube India to break down how the platform is powering this shift. She talks about the explosive rise of Shorts, the growing influence of connected TV, and how linguistic diversity and AI are opening new frontiers for creators. Soni also dives into YouTube’s evolving monetization ecosystem from ad revenue and fan funding to affiliate models and how Indian creators are turning content into thriving businesses. The discussion doesn’t shy away from the tough issues: burnout, platform dependence, algorithm myths, and the guardrails around AI-generated content. Tune in:You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

The stage is set for one of India’s most riveting political contests, the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. Nine-time Chief Minister Nitish Kumar faces perhaps his toughest test yet, battling fatigue and anti-incumbency. Tejashwi Yadav is going beyond RJD's traditional Muslim Yadav votebank, while political strategist turned challenger Prashant Kishor is out to disrupt the traditional equations. On the ground, caste remains the central axis of Bihar’s politics from the Yadav, Muslim bloc to Kurmis, Kushwahas, and the Extremely Backward Classes, every community holds the key to a few crucial seats. Adding to the churn is the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision, which has seen millions struck off and added back to the voter rolls, sparking controversy and court hearings. In this episode, Host Nidhi Sharma talks to ET’s Kumar Anshuman and Anubhuti Vishnoi to decode the political map of Bihar with ground reports, data, and insights from shifting alliances and freebies to law-and-order issues and the two-phase polling strategy. This is the battle that could redefine Bihar’s political future.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinYou can follow Anubhuti Vishnoi on her Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. You can follow Kumar Anshuman on his Linkedin profile and read his Newspaper Articles. Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much 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: IndiaTV, NDTV, NDTV ShortsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if binge-watching your favorite show took less time than making a cup of coffee? Welcome to micro dramas: Bite-sized, 90-second stories turning our scrolling habits into a global entertainment phenomenon. Born in China as duanju, this $7-billion industry blends romance, revenge, and slick and yet inexpensive production to redefine how stories are told, sold, and streamed. Host Dia Rekhi speaks to Wenwen Han, founder of the Short Drama Alliance, who takes us inside China’s micro drama factory, where 100 new shows drop every day. ET’s Rajesh Naidu decodes India’s fast-rising market powered by homegrown apps like Cuckoo TV and Flick TV. Is this the future of storytelling or just another digital fad? Tune In.You can follow Dia Rekhi on social media: Linkedin & Twitter Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much 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: DramaBox - Stream Drama Shorts, Story TVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In its boldest liberalization push in years, the RBI has announced 22 deregulatory measures in a single day, the highest in its modern history. Among other things, banks can now finance corporate takeovers, investors can pledge more equity for credit, and companies can borrow up to a billion dollars abroad without prior approval. The central bank isn’t cutting interest rates, it’s cutting red tape. But as the guardrails come off, critical questions arise. What’s driving this hyper-liberal shift under Governor Sanjay Malhotra? Is this a decisive step to deepen capital markets and attract dollars or does it sow the seeds of new financial risks? And how ready is the banking sector to take on these new risks? Host Anirban Chowdhury sits down with ET’s Associate Editor Sugata Ghosh to decode the strategy, the stakes, and the risks behind RBI’s most aggressive financial deregulation drive in years.You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinYou can follow Sugata Ghosh on his Linkedin, Twitter profiles and read her Newspaper Articles. Listen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.

The future of India’s most ambitious overseas port project hangs in the balance. With the US reinstating its sanctions for Iran’s Chabahar Port, India faces a strategic dilemma: risk Washington’s ire or abandon years of investment, regional influence, and its only land route to Afghanistan that bypasses Pakistan. In this episode, Host Anirban Chowdhury talks to ET’s P Manoj and Arun Gupta, former Managing Director of India Ports Global to break down how Chabahar went from a symbol of India’s westward ambitions to a geopolitical tightrope with ports dismantled, directors resigning, legal opinions sought, and China waiting in the wings. What does this mean for India’s trade corridors, its ties with Iran, and its standing in West Asia?You can follow Anirban Chowdhury on his social media: Twitter and LinkedinListen to Corner Office Conversation our new show:: Corner Office Conversation with Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe, Corner Office Conversation with The New Leaders of Indian Pharma and much more. Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Why Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?, How AI is Rewriting Cinema Part 2, Trump vs Harvard: India Impact, Of Dragons and Elephants: Modi–Xi in Focus and much more. 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.