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On Episode 620 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ajay Bagga, Market Expert.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:29) Markets snap a 4-day winning streak(03:41) Is a flood of fresh funds swamping markets and distorting valuations(18:49) The gold paradox between America and the rest of the world(21:04) GST collections have doubled in last 5 years(27:11) Global air cargo grows despite 11% drop in Asia to North America routes. Jet fuel prices down sharplyhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 619 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ashok K. Bhattacharya, Editorial Director at Business Standard.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(05:48) Markets are just 2.5% away from September peak even as record highs are predicted(08:41) Rupee has best day in two years(10:03) Luxury EV sales are zooming(12:29) Are India's PSUs really a source of value creation?https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
Can digital traceability transform India's agriculture and food exports?__________________________________________In this insightful episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, host Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Mark Kaplan, co-founder of Wholechain, a global platform improving supply chain transparency across food and agriculture sectors — including India.From shrimp farms in coastal India to cooperatives in Mexico and sustainable dairy in Ireland, Mark shares how real-time data, digitized workflows, and traceable sourcing help producers meet international standards, access new markets, and reduce compliance burdens.For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 617 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Rishi Agrawal, CEO and Co-Founder of Teamlease Regtech.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:10) The stock markets see 1,000 point jump(02:26) Bank stocks in vogue as HDFC Bank hits an all time high(06:02) Sales of houses drop 20% on year in top 7 cities(07:25) How running a solar power plant, a sector favoured by Government, can still mean 2,735 total compliance instances in a year(21:37) Japan pushes back on the US trade deal, Spain offers an option for US bound students(23:29) Black box analysis begins and so does the flow of communicationhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 616 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vikas Jain, Co-founder and Chief Investment Officer at Multipl.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Markets gain for second day on Israel-Iran truce(01:45) Oil prices stay down(02:54) How mutual investors are diversifying their holdings on the back of record SIPs(14:11) One in four Indians say they use only mobile phones to consume media contenthttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 615 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Sheetal Sapale, Vice-President (Commercial) at Pharmarack. We also feature an excerpt from our upcoming interview with Mark Kaplan, Co-Founder at WholeChain, part of our Build on Blockchain Series.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets shrug off middle east tensions, for now(04:33) Oil prices fall sharply as markets breathe easy(05:43) Tata Motors says no rare earths problem for now(07:41) More action in India's weight loss drug market as more MNCs muscle in(08:34) Understanding drug MNC strategy in India(21:48) Building traceability for shrimp farmers in India exporting to the westhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 614 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Amit Tandon, Founder and Managing Director at IiAS. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Stock Markets unmoved by the Middle east war, for now. Iran launches missiles at Qatar(03:57) The rupee turns weak as the dollar strengthens(06:15) Oil prices recover from a steep drop as traders look at supply impact(10:52) Oman to become first Gulf country to charge Income Tax in sign of changing times(12:00) India's promoter led companies control their fate and fortune in more ways than onehttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 613 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Indrani Bagchi, CEO at Ananta Aspen Centre. SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:38) Markets power up on Friday, brace for Monday(11:52) Tax collections are down(13:23) America returns to a middle east warhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
India's dairy industry is quietly transforming and private players are leading the charge.In this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with dairy industry veteran Rajiv Mitra about the rapid growth of India's private dairy sector, which now handles half the country's milk. From trade policy tensions with the US and UK to the challenges of exporting value-added dairy products like paneer, cheese, and yoghurt, this episode unpacks the economics, politics, and future of Indian dairy.Mitra explains why India protects dairy in FTAs, the role of 80 million smallholder farmers, and why local brands are thriving despite low margins and logistics hurdles. He also delves into the global export potential of Indian dairy — and what must change for India to compete.
On Episode 611 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vandana Hari, Founder & CEO of Vanda Insights. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) A Cloud of caution over the stock markets(02:08) A big rush of IPOs could dampen market activity(05:04) Oil prices rise again as analysts compute war risk premia(13:47) Global FDI flows falls a sharp 11%, China most hit(15:30) Air India reaches out to passengers and public to announce 15% reduction in international flights, says ill-fated aircraft and engines were in good shape(18:54) Slim foldable phones is where the action isIndia's Job Crisis Explained: Why Millions Still Can't Find Workhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 610 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Dipti Deshpande, Director and Principal Economist at Crisil. We also feature an excerpt from our recent episode of our podcast How India's Economy Works hosted by Puja Mehra.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Analysts are scratching their heads over oil prices(02:01) War tensions pull down indices again(03:17) Nifty 500 companies have reported single-digit yoy sales growth (+5% yoy) for eight quarters now(05:41) Economists would prefer not to have gold in India's inflation indices(14:15) Sebi eases compliance for foreign investors in sovereign debt(15:19) The Link Between Jobs and Investment with Amit BasoleIndia's Job Crisis Explained: Why Millions Still Can't Find Workhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 609 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks you through the top business news stories of the day. We also feature an excerpt from our extended discussion with Algorand's Technical Lead for India, Nikhil Varma in our ongoing “Build On Blockchain” Series.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:21) Markets slip as Trump warns Iran(06:44) No direct risk to India on Israel-Iran war.(09:19) Citibank says gold prices will fall(10:59) Exporters to the US are wanting out of dollars into Euros and yuan.(13:20) Build on Blockchainhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 608 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Mahesh Balasubramaniam, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance Company (Kotak Life). SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets hold out against war fears(01:29) Gold prices hit an all time high, cross Rs 100,000 (04:34) Oil prices are in uncharted territory for now even as consolidation waves continue(10:07) China is seeing another DeepSeek phenomenon, this time it is in biotech.(11:59) India's life insurance business, riding on post Covid shifts, is pushing the digital frontiers though the majority is still physical. https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 607 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks you through the top business news of the day. We also feature an excerpt from our recent weekend edition featuring Anshul Jain, Chief Executive – India, SE Asia & APAC Tenant Representation at Cushman & Wakefield. SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:19) Markets take hit on Israel-Iran war, uncertainty returns (08:34) Oil prices zoom, bigger concern than stockmarkets(09:57) India holds back rare earth exports to Japan(13:26) The world's hottest office space market is…https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Anshul Jain, Chief Executive - India, SE Asia & APAC Tenant Representation at Cushman & Wakefield, to unpack the sharp rise in commercial real estate demand across India — especially driven by Global Capability Centres (GCCs), domestic expansion, and post-pandemic workplace shifts.From Bangalore's dominance in leasing activity to the rise of institutional investors, Anshul breaks down the numbers, the sectors driving growth (like BFSI, pharma, and engineering), and how green buildings, amenities, and hybrid work models are transforming modern office demand.The conversation also explores:a) Why GCCs are driving a third of India's office space demandb) How net absorption post-COVID surged by over 30%c) The premiumization of office space and rise of Grade-A infrastructured) The future of REITs and office investments in Indiae) Key policy and infrastructure gaps that must be addressed to sustain growth
On Episode 605 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist and Head - Research & Outreach at ICRA, Safi Ahsan Rizvi, Advisor at National Disaster Management Authority as well as Captain Sam Thomas, President at ALPA India. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:48) Markets plunge suddenly by over 990 points(03:30) Retail inflation drops to 6-year low of 2.82%(12:00) Air India's shocking disaster.(20:09) Heat waves return to India as monsoon stalls. A check on preparedness.https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 604 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Gopal Jain, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Gaja Capital. SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take: Cable TV's Digital Disruption(06:17) Markets edge up once again, tracking Asia(06:39) US says it has a trade deal with China, the latter yet to respond(10:56) Dedollarisation is rising, differently from what was predicted earlier(13:51) Should you buy stocks of companies that provide steady dividends…or not?(24:31) Malls are converting retail stores to entertainment zones as ecommerce pressure buildshttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 603 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to G Chokkalingam, Founder at Equinomics Research & Advisory Pvt Ltd. We also feature an excerpt from our extended interview with Algorand's Anil Kakani and Nikhil Varma in our ongoing “Build On Blockchain” Series. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Markets take a breather as bank stocks see selling(03:12) Is it the macro story or micro story that is driving Indian stockmarkets right now(11:00) How Wall Street banks are doubling down on Indian derivatives(13:00) Rare earth crisis escalates for Indian companies, Maruti to slash production of some models(15:29) Build On Blockchain(21:08) Apple's Liquid Glass fails to enthuse the markethttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 602 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ajay Trehan, Founder and CEO at AuthBridge.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Nifty hits 2025 high as markets gather strength(03:41) How the froth in railway stocks highlights the valuations dilemma (08:00) Big payouts by companies as dividends(09:34) Nvidia founder Jensen Huang gushes about the UK, says he will invest there(11:07) How lenders are scanning way more data points about you thank you think before clearing your loan applicationshttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 601 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vivek Kumar, Economist at QuantEco Research as well as Ashish Modani, Senior Vice President and Group Head (Corporate Ratings) at ICRA Ltd for Infra.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:29) The markets rise on rate cut news, strong macro fundamentals(06:51) Steepest interest rate cut in 5 years surprises bankers, markets(16:43) RBI says still wary of Crypto(18:20) Inventory levels at auto dealerships rise again as entry level cars see sustained pressure(19:43) Infrastructure shifts, sectors like roads are slowing down, newer, possibly unexpected ones are picking uphttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
How do you build a mobile payments network where banks barely function and cash is king?On this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Nigel Pont, Senior Advisor for Humanitarian Affairs, HesabPay (Afghanistan's leading mobile payments platform — now expanding into Syria) and the Algorand Foundation.From war zones to wallets, this episode dives into how HesabPay is helping people access money digitally — even without smartphones or bank accounts — and why trust, not technology, remains the biggest challenge.Timestamps:(00:00) How Nigel Pont got involved with HesabPay(02:40) How HesabPay fills a gap and how it works(05:20) The trust deficit(06:39) How the e-wallet works and integrates with the Afghanistan Banking system(08:15) Understanding the blockchain aspect(10:38) The challenges with blockchain(13:03) limitations of the digital payment infrastructure(15:00) A Model for setting up digital payments infrastructure(17:27) Cross border transactions(18:50) On-ramping fiat to crypto(22:15) Digital payment infrastructures in advanced country users(24:39) Adoption rates and need for inbound payments(26:50) The fee rates(28:01) Tech applicable for disaster response(30:30) Working within regulation in Afghanistan and SyriaListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 599 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Rohit Arora, CEO & Co-Founder at Biz2Credit & Biz2X as well as Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary-General at the ASCI.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets break out of their losing streak(02:49) Rupee among the worst performing Asian currencies in recent periods(04:32) India's census exercise is slotted, 7 years behind schedule(05:17) Rare earth supply fears spread around the world, automotive companies gear for plant shut downs(08:06) Did you know who actually makes almost 90% of the famous Dubai viral chocolate?https://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 598 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Nikhil Dhaka, Vice President, Primus Partners. We also feature an excerpt from our upcoming interview with Nigel Pont from our Build On Blockchain series.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Rich valuations put pressure on markets again(04:09) Oil prices are climbing once again, crossing $65 a barrel(05:50) OECD says US growth will slow to 1.6% from 2.8% the previous year(07:34) India Inc's expenditure and interest costs are muted(08:27) Why China's clamp down on rare earth exports is causing panic world over(18:07) How tech is enabling humanitarian cash transfers in Afghanistan and Syriahttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 597 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ayaz Memon, veteran sports journalist and commentator.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets bounce in fag end of trade as they grapple with uncertainty(02:16) Foreign brokerages are still wary of high valuations(04:51) US Dollar Index will fall 9% says Morgan Stanley(07:17) Maruti wants the Govt to step in to revive small car sales, Tesla is a no show(11:03) Gulf and Indian airlines exchange terse words on bilaterals at IATA summit in Delhi(14:02) IPL 2025 ends today. The journey so far and aheadhttps://www.investing-referral.com/aff303Listeners! We await your feedback....For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 596 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to DK Joshi, Chief Economist at Crisil limited.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(08:21) Markets lurch in continued search for bearings(09:53) GST collections cross 2 lakh crore again in May(10:43) India's GDP growth comes in at 6.5%, what does a longer range picture for the Indian economy look like?(24:19) Another inflation fighting move sees reduction in duties on edible oil imports(25:31) Big IATA meet in Delhi forecasts lower costs for airlines this yearListeners! We await your feedback....For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
India's Cancer Crisis: Why Thousands Die Without TreatmentIn this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Dr. KS Sharma, former senior anesthesiologist at Tata Memorial Hospital, about India's cancer care infrastructure, the alarming mortality rate, and the urgent shortage of trained oncologists.India records over 1.5 million new cancer cases each year, yet 60% of patients can't access proper treatment due to lack of hospitals, cost barriers, and limited trained specialists. Dr. Sharma discusses the ground realities — from the challenges in radiation and chemotherapy access to the rural-urban gap in healthcare delivery.Topics Covered:Why India's cancer mortality rate is nearly 50%Gaps in cancer care infrastructure and hospital capacityThe shortage of surgical and medical oncologistsRole of Tata Memorial and regional cancer centresPublic vs. private healthcare affordability in oncologyPolicy gaps and what needs fixingIf you care about health equity, public healthcare, and India's medical future, don't miss this episode. Like, share, and comment to join the conversation.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction02:10 – How Dr. Sharma learned about the cancer care crisis06:25 – Why India lacks cancer infrastructure14:45 – Mortality vs. curability of common cancers22:00 – Workforce shortages and training needs36:50 – District-level healthcare gaps49:10 – Policy solutions and way forwardListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 594 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks you through the top business news. We also feature excerpts from our interviews with Ram Singh, economist and Director of the Delhi School of Economics and Dr. KS Sharma, Dean Academics at Tata Memorial Hospital.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Markets close up after uncertain session(02:32) More economists are betting on an interest rate cut(03:54) Don't pop the champagne on the court freeze on Trump tariffs(06:31) India's highest tax payers are not those you think they should be(12:31) Cancer cases in India are rising and the rising number of hospitals are not able to copeListeners! We await your feedback....For more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 593 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Gulam Zia, Senior Executive Director - Research, Advisory, Infrastructure, and Valuation and Executive Director at Knight Frank.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(07:53) Markets stay volatile as global cues weigh in(11:45) More foreign brokerages are upgrading their view on emerging markets including India(15:39) Indian students are not quite welcome in the USA(17:55) Young Indians want to buy houses now, in contrast to earlier approach of renting, many closer to health facilitiesListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 592 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Victor Vanya, Director and Co-Founder at EMA Solutions. We also feature an excerpt from our extended interview with Algorand's Anil Kakani and Nikhil Varma.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Why playing Trump tariffs is dangerous when valuations are tight and growth is slow(05:21) India must be transparent in terminating business contracts like Celebi(07:28) Build on Blockchain(13:44) Tesla sales dive again in Europe by 49%(15:30) India's energy markets are going haywire because of unseasonal rains and lower than expected demandListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 591 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vijai Mantri, Co-Founder & Chief Investment Strategist at JRL Money as well as Shankkar Aiyar, veteran economic journalist and author.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) The stock markets rise on macro news, tariff relief(01:50) JP Morgan gives a thumbs up to emerging markets including India against developed markets(14:58) Mumbai sets once in a century record for rains in May as city reels(17:11) Why do India's urban centres collapse every year during heavy rainsListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 590 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Poorvi Chothani, Founder and Managing Partner at LawQuest.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:21) Markets seek direction in the face of erratic global flows(06:38) Monsoons hit the earliest in 16 years in bittersweet news(08:18) India GDP may have picked up last quarter, thanks to stronger rural spend(09:44) India has a new oil find in the Arabian Sea(10:47) What does the US Government on international students in universities like Harvard mean?Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On this episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj in conversation with Mirai Chatterjee, Chairperson of the SEWA Cooperative Federation, to explore how SEWA is using digital technology and blockchain to transform the lives of over 3.2 million women workers in India's informal economy.From digital health passports to blockchain-backed identity systems, this is a powerful conversation on trust, inclusion, and the future of women-led innovation.Highlights from the episode:1) How SEWA uses DigiLocker & blockchain to secure women's welfare access2) Real examples of women adapting to tech, apps, and digital financial tools3) Why digital documents are vital for health, insurance & pensions4) How SEWA builds cooperatives run by informal women workers5) Stories of grassroots leaders turning into digital champions
On Episode 588 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Jaspreet Bindra, Founder at Tech Whisperer Ltd as well as Ashutosh Singh, Managing Director and CEO at Asia Index.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) India is now being driven by Wall Street once again(04:39) Oil prices come down as more supply looms on the horizon (05:02) The owner of the iconic Sensex is launching more indices. What does that mean?(13:18) Google announced some hundred new AI apps on Wednesday. How many will actually matter for companies and individuals? (22:05) And very warm nights are rising faster than very warm days as India gets hotter, says a CEEW studyListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 587 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Rajnikant Behera, Executive Director, Finance at RSB Group as well as Advocate Shirish Deshpande, consumer court expert. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets rise after gaining confidence(01:34) Morgan Stanley quotes India's new terror doctrine as part of the bull case for 89,000 Sensex(07:19) India's auto components industry is holding steady(17:16) Another bank shuts down, will depositors be in the lurch?Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 586 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Mirai Chatterjee, Director at Self-Employed Women's Association, or SEWA as well as K. Ramakrishnan, Managing Director - South Asia at Worldpanel Division, Kantar. SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Markets slide down(02:37) Monsoon is arriving even earlier than the early projections(05:01) How Chinese businesses are gearing up for a new trade world even if the tariff tantrum goes away(06:55) How SEWA wants to use blockchain to help women in poorer sections of society build their identities(18:29) Tracking FMCG sales trends with Kantar. How categories like homecare are showing unusual growthListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 585 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vinay Singh, Co-Founder and Partner at Fireside Ventures as well as Sheetal Sapale, VP Commercial at Pharmarack. SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(01:00) Markets slide down in search for fresh traction(02:49) Gold prices are back up(04:10) Britain has kissed and made up with the EU as it signs another trade deal(05:42) Why sales of cardiac drugs are shooting up and the segments driving it(11:26) How silver consumers are driving demand for new types of products and servicesListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 584 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ankit Mehta, CEO at ideaForge Technology. SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:41) Indian markets hold gains of last week, valuation concerns return(07:12) Gold prices ease off but are still high for jewellery purchases(08:08) Turkish airport services company Celebi goes to court in India(09:24) China steps up buying of Canadian crude(11:16) How the India-Pakistan war has changed the dynamics for India's largest drone makersListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
In this episode of The Core Report Special Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj interviews Chetna Sinha, founder of Mann Deshi Foundation and Mann Deshi Bank, about the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face in rural India when accessing business loans and capital. Learn how Mann Deshi is empowering thousands of rural women by overcoming barriers like lack of collateral, no credit history, and lengthy loan approval processes.Discover the innovative ways technology and financial inclusion are enabling women-owned microenterprises in sectors such as tailoring, catering, and grocery retail to thrive and grow. Chetna shares insights on digital KYC, credit rating tools, and working capital support that are transforming lives and boosting rural economies.If you're passionate about women entrepreneurship, microfinance, rural business development, and financial empowerment, this podcast episode is a must-watch.Timestamps:(00:00) Women Entreprenuers getting loans(01:45) Lack of Assets(02:14) Credit Score(02:50) Other documents + Statistics(04:21) Average customer of Mann Deshi Bank(05:20) Typical business categories of Women Entrepreneurs(07:25) What blockchain enables for Women Entrepreneurs(08:22) KYC(09:50) Mann Deshi's Credit Rating Tool(11:54) Ease of getting loans(13:13) Tokenisation of Assets with Blockchain(15:20) The role of software companies(17:03) The state of the rural economy(17:56) Mann Deshi's achievements(18:30) Microcredit is outdatedListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inJoin and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channelSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 582 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Anand Kulkarni, Director at Crisil Ratings.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Indian stocks hit 7-month high since October, Sensex up 1,200 points in sudden jump.(02:48) Oil prices slide sharply as the US and Iran engage with each other.(04:20) Trump tells Apple to pause manufacturing in India(08:00) India has offered zero tariffs, says Trump, India denies, once again(08:55) Rural India's telecom consumption is rising sharply even as urban slows down. What does that mean?Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 581 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Indrani Bagchi, Chief Executive Officer at Ananta Centre as well as Garima Kapoor, Economist & Executive Vice President at Elara Securities (India).SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:31) Markets claw back after a roller coaster ride(05:29) Bank of America replaces Japan with India as top Asian stock pick(07:27) Are India-US relations breaking down right now?(13:58) Inflation is at a 6-year-low. What does that mean and can it sustain?Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 580 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ajay Srivastava, Founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative, Chetna Gala Sinha, Founder and Chair at Mann Deshi Bank & Mann Deshi Foundation as well as AVM GP Sharma, President (Meteorology & Climate Change) at Skymet Weather.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) The markets reverse some of the post ceasefire gains(03:51) Inflation hits a 6 year low of 3.16%(05:50) What happens to India' s China + 1 plans?(18:11) Decoding the arrival of the rains and monsoon 2025, the early forecasts (27:53) Build On Blockchain: Why women entrepreneurs find it tough to get loansListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 579 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Ambareesh Baliga, Veteran Market Expert as well as Abhishek Goenka, Founder and CEO at India Forex & Asset Management.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Indian stock markets have their best sessions in more than 4 years(03:17) Gold prices drop as its safe haven(04:30) Where will the markets go from here?(15:07) The dollar is strengthening once again, which trajectory will the Rupee take here on?(23:07) India's closed airports are open again for business Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 578 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Dharmakirti Joshi, Chief Economist, Crisil Limited.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(04:21) Markets set to edge up on ceasefire moves(10:54) Oil prices are holding steady in the lower 60s(13:52) Decoding India's positive macroeconomic data that starts with the monsoons and analysing its potential impact Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 576 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Anuj Choudhary, Research Analyst at Mirae Asset Sharekhan as well as Rakesh Bhatnagar, Director General at Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VoICE).SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) Markets fall towards end of trading day on heightened border tensions(02:50) Rupee falls as currency markets reflect more fears than equities(07:41) Good news, inflation is still coming down(10:48) Are India's cyber defenses strong and prepared for attacks?Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 575 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Gaurang Shah, Senior VP at Geojit Financial Services, Bjarne Schieldrop, Chief analyst commodities at SEB as well as Prabhu Dhamodharan, the convenor of the Coimbatore-based Indian Texpreneurs Association.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:09) Resilient markets close in the positive in the face of India attacks on Pakistan(12:12) Could $2.5 trillion of Asian holdings in USD start flowing out?(14:24) China buys even more gold, cuts interest rates(16:15) Oil prices are facing multiple demand and supply stress points? Where could they land?(24:40) India sees never before levels of airport closures on border conflict(26:08) After UK, could EU be next as India's apparel industry gears up to capture more shareListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 574 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Indrani Bagchi, Chief Executive Officer, Ananta Centre as well as R.S. Sharma, the former Director General of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), and current Chairperson of both ONDC and the Algorand India Advisory Board.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) The markets show surprising resilience(04:03) Asian currencies are charting new and unexpected paths(08:15) India and UK announce a much-delayed Free Trade Agreement, dramatic customs reductions in some products may be coming(11:29) Build on BlockchainListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 573 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to C S Vigneshwar, President at FADA as well as Gulam Zia, Senior Executive Director - Research, Advisory, Infrastructure, and Valuation, Executive Director at Knight Frank.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) FIIs buy $4.8 billion in 12 sessions as markets rise(04:44) Oil prices fall as OPEC supply overhang sets in. Rupee gains(08:15) CNG car sales overtake diesel for the first time, hybrid is bigger than electric(15:09) India's real estate sales trends are now diverging after moving in sync for some years Listeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
On Episode 572 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Jay Kothari, SVP-Equities at DSP Mutual Fund as well as Rajani Sinha, Chief Economist, CareEdge Group.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:38) Markets poised for steady run during week(14:44) Warren Buffet hands over reins of Berkshire Hathaway(17:36) Oil prices set to fall further as Saudi Arabia joins US in stepping up output(20:09) Samsung charges income tax department of unfair penalty of $520 million on imports, says Reliance was allowed duty free on same product(21:30) Maharashtra leads as top performing stateListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube
What's powering Lenovo's next big leap in India? In this exclusive episode of The Core Report Weekend Edition, Govindraj Ethiraj interviews Shailendra Katyal, MD and CEO, Lenovo India, diving deep into Lenovo's bold bets on AI, gaming, and Made-in-India tech.As Lenovo marks 20 years in India, this in-depth conversation explores:✅ Lenovo's vision for AI-driven innovation & hybrid cloud solutions✅ The rise of gaming culture in India and Lenovo's Legion strategy✅ Why Made-in-India manufacturing is central to Lenovo's global plans✅ How Lenovo is expanding in data centers, cooling tech & green IT✅ Behind-the-scenes of Lenovo's B2B & B2C growth across India✅ Lenovo's R&D labs & the push to make India a global tech hubKatyal also shares exclusive insights on quick commerce delivery, AI in devices, SMB digitization, and India's digital transformation journey.
On Episode 570 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj takes you through the biggest stories in business and manufacturing.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(07:33) US markets roil after negative GDP growth(09:48) GST collections hit all time high in April(11:35) Oil is back around $60 a barrel(14:14) Investors are now selling US corporate bonds(15:53) Two Indian companies including Adani scrap ambitious chip manufacturing plansREGISTER for Accenture's Data and AI WeekListeners! We await your feedback....The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirementsFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin | Youtube