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New Delhi, The <keyword id="76562" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Confederation-of-All-India-Traders">Confederation of All India Traders</keyword> (CAIT) has welcomed the <keyword id="6358021" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget">Budget</keyword> proposal to impose 2 per cent extra tax on foreign e-commerce companies whether engaged in business of <keyword id="6371194" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sale">sale</keyword> of goods or providing services, acceptance of offer for sale, placing of purchase order, acceptance of purchase order, payment of consideration or supply of goods and services partly or wholly. As per a statement, it has also been clarified in the Budget that the tax will be applicable for consideration of sale of goods, irrespective of whether the provider owns the portal, and consideration of provisions of services irrespective of whether services are provided or facilitated by e-commerce operators. The provision has been made in the Budget by proposing amendments to Section 163 sub clause (3), Section 164 clause (cb), Section 165 sub section (3) and clause (b) of The <keyword id="6374292" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance-act">Finance Act</keyword>, 2016. The provision will be applicable retrospectively with effect from April 1, 2020. All such foreign companies which are engaged in sale of goods or providing services through any online mode will come under the purview of this provision and will have to pay 2 per cent extra w.e.f. from April 1, 2020. It's a bold step taken by the government which has been heartily welcomed by the traders across the country, CAIT said. National president of CAIT, B.C. Bhartia, and secretary general, Praveen Khandelwal, while appreciating the move, said that the proposal expands the definition of "online sale of goods" and "online provision of services", thereby eliminating all confusions regarding what could be the true definition of e-commerce in <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>. CAIT has welcomed the conceptual construct of this provision even as it studies its fine print. The provision amply reflects the intent of the government to crackdown on the the unholy business practices of global e-trailers to monopolise and control Indian e-commerce and retail trade, CAIt said . Bhartia and Khandelwal informed that the introduction of equalisation levy is meant to create a level playing field and to prevent circumvention of tax laws on the digital transactions. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations are also9 working on the issue, as there is a global consensus on bringing a mechanism to tax the digital economy adequately. Though equalisation levy in India has undergone changes in 2020 from its introduction in 2016, certain changes have been introduced vide the <keyword id="123776" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Bill">Finance Bill</keyword>, 2021 SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/mukesh-ambani-ratan-tata-and-anand-mahindra-might-come-together-for-indias-new-national-hydrogen-mission/articleshow/80645570.cms">Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, and Anand Mahindra might come together for India’s new National Hydrogen Mission</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indigo-paints-shares-listed-at-2607-which-is-at-75-premium-to-the-set-price-band-at-1488-1490-per-share/articleshow/80643645.cms">India’s fifth-largest paint maker Indigo Paints IPO lists at 75% premium over the issue price</a>

Amazon, Flipkart, Microsoft to pay 2% extra tax now

New Delhi, The <keyword id="76562" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Confederation-of-All-India-Traders">Confederation of All India Traders</keyword> (CAIT) in a communication sent to Union Commerce Minister <keyword id="6355222" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="piyush-goyal">Piyush Goyal</keyword> demanded <keyword id="2465241" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="immediate-action">immediate action</keyword> against e-commerce entities including <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>, <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>, <keyword id="830092" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zomato">Zomato</keyword>, <keyword id="6358977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="swiggy">Swiggy</keyword> and others. "It is a case of daylight robbery of e-commerce entities in India and therefore demand immediate action against the erring e-commerce portals and online mechanism providers," CAIT said. CAIT has accused Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy and various other e-commerce entities for violation of mandatory display of Country of Origin and Manufacturer, seller Details on products sold through their respective E-Commerce Portals as required under the Consumers Protection (E Commerce) Rules,2020, Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Act, 2011 and guidelines of Food Safety &amp; Standards Authority of India. CAIT has asked Goyal to take action against E-commerce entities including Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Swiggy and others. "It is a case of daylight robbery of e-commerce entities in India and, therefore demands immediate action against the erring e-commerce portals and online mechanism providers," CAIT said. CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal in a communication to Goyal said that e-commerce entities conducting business in India including Amazon, Flipkart and others are highly violating the mandatory conditions spelled out in above Acts. "It is a pity that particularly in e-commerce every guidelines, Rules &amp; Regulations, Laws and policies are being flouted openly and no department has so far taken any cognizance of compliance issues resulting in a highly vitiated and mess like e-commerce trade of India," CAIT said. Bhartia and Khandelwal said that Rule 10 of Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 provide that e-commerce entities should have to display name and address of the manufacturer, name of the country of origin, common/generic name of the product, net quantity, best before/use by date (if applicable), maximum retail price, dimensions of the commodity, etc. This rule was introduced in June 2017 and provided a transition period of six months thereby its implementation from January 1,2018 but even after a lapse of three years, the above rules are not being complied by e-commerce companies prominently by Amazon, Flipkart, etc. Failure to make declarations as above will amount to selling non-standard packages and will invite penalty under the above said Act, including fine or imprisonment or both, CAIT said. Both trade leaders further said that similar obligations were imposed on e-commerce food business operators vide guidelines issued by the Food Safety &amp; Standards Authority (FSSAI) on February 2,2017. "But such FBOs like Zomato, Swiggy, etc. are not complying with the above rules," CAIT said. Bhartia and Khandelwal said that under Rule 4(2) of the Consumer Protection (E Commerce) Rules, 2020, it is provided that every e-commerce entity shall provide the following information in a clear and accessible manner on its platform, displayed prominently to its users, namely, legal name of the e-commerce entity, principal geographic address of its headquarters and all branches, name and details of its website, and contact details like email address, fax, landline and mobile numbers of customer care as well as of grievance office. Similar provisions are also spelled out in Press Note 2 of the FDI Policy, 2016. CAIT said no e-commerce entity has appointed a Nodal Officer as also complying with above provisions. Important rights of the consumers are being violated as they are not aware of the seller or description of the product at the time of purchase of products from e-commerce portals. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/mrs-bectors-shares-are-down-32-from-the-peak-post-listing-analysts-say-it-is-still-overpriced/articleshow/80430865.cms">Mrs Bectors shares are down 32% from the peak post listing — analysts say it is still 'overpriced'</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/indias-co-working-sector-wants-recognition-under-real-estate-tax-benefits-as-flexible-workspaces-aim-for-a-significant-revival-in-the-post-covid-era/articleshow/80431768.cms">India’s co-working sector wants recognition under real estate, tax benefits as flexible workspaces aim for a significant revival in the post-COVID era</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/how-to-check-allotment-status-of-indian-railway-finance-corporation-irfc-ipo/articleshow/80406208.cms">Indian Railway Finance Corporation IPO allotment: Here’s how to check share allotment status</a>

CAIT seeks action against Amazon, Zomato, Flipkart and Swiggy for 'daylight robbery'

The Central Pollution Control Board (<keyword id="68804" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="CPCB">CPCB</keyword>) has told the NGT that it has issued show cause notices for closure of operations to <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword> and <keyword id="6356684" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="patanjali">Patanjali</keyword> Peya as they are not registered with it and have not responded to its communications on the matter. In a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal, the CPCB has said the show cause notice under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, has been issued to these units on October 8, for closure of their operation and environment compensation for non-compliance of provisions of Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2018. The CPCB further informed the NGT that four firms -- Hindustan Coca-cola Beverages Pvt Ltd, Pepsico India Holding Pvt Ltd, Bisleri International Pvt Ltd, and Ms NourishCo Beverages Ltd -- are registered with CPCB. 'However, they have not provided information for evidence based assessment of implementation of action plan for fulfilment of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) liability'. The documents submitted by them have not been endorsed by state pollution control boards (SPCBs) and accordingly, the show cause notice has been issued to these firms as well. It also informed the NGT that "Amazon Seller Service Pvt Ltd, Coca-Cola India Pvt Ltd, Parle Agro Pvt Ltd, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp Ltd have been recently granted registration by CPCB as Brand Owner/producer under Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules,2018". It told the NGT that they are required to submit quarterly progress reports and comply with conditions stipulated in the registration certificate issued to them. With regard to the tribunal's direction on environmental audit of these firms, the CPCB said it has held deliberations with expert agencies on the matter. "Since, it will be for the first time that such an audit shall be conducted, a committee has been constituted to deliberate and suggest mechanism for conducting environmental audit as well as specify the agencies which can be engaged for such audits," the CPCB said. It said that directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has been issued to all SPCBs for identification of the Brand owners/ producers who are operating without registration from them and to take action against the defaulting units as per provisions of PWM Rules, 2018 which may include closure of their operations, and levying Environmental Compensation. The report said: "Further, CPCB receives applications for registration under Rule 13(2) of PWM Rules. Applications are examined by CPCB and clarification/information, if any, are communicated to the applicants. However, many such applicants have not responded to CPCB's queries. "As the applicants are non-compliant during this period, list of such applicants has also been forwarded to the State Board for taking action against the defaulting units as per provision of PWM Rules,2018 which shall include closure of their operations, and levying environmental compensation". The NGT has directed the CPCB to conduct environmental audit and recover fine from Amazon and Flipkart for violation of environmental norms. The green panel observed that the statutory regulators were not taking coercive measures, including invoking of "polluter pays" principle for enforcing the statutory norms against the e-commerce firms. The CPCB has earlier told the NGT that e-commerce giants need to fulfil their extended producer responsibility under the PWM Rules and need to establish a system for collecting back the plastic waste generated due to the packaging of their products, the CPCB had earlier told the NGT. "Primary responsibility for collection of used multi-layered plastic sachet or pouches or packaging is of producers, importers and brand owners who introduce the products in the market," it said. The submission came in response to a plea filed by a 16-year-old boy who has approached the tribunal to stop e-commerce giants Amazon and Flipkart from excessive plastic use in their packaging. Aditya Dubey, through his legal guardian, has pleaded the NGT to direct Amazon and Flipkart to stop excessive use of plastic in packaging the goods delivered by the firms. In the second plea, Aditya alleged violation of the PWM Rules by Coca-Cola India Pvt Ltd, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Pepsico India Holding Pvt Ltd, Bisleri International Pvt Ltd, Parle Agro Pvt Ltd, Patanjali Peya Private Ltd, NourishCo Beverages Ltd, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp Ltd in terms of principle of Extended Producer Liability. "The e-commerce companies are covered under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. But due to a lack of monitoring and implementation, the respondents continue to use excessive amounts of plastic in wrapping and packaging their sold items," said the plea, filed through advocate Meenesh Dubey. Dubey's plea had contended that the companies deliver items in cardboard boxes, which are too large as compared to the size of the items being delivered. "To ensure that the sold items do not move around in the outsized boxes, they wrap the items in multiple layers of plastic sheets and plastic bubble wraps and thereafter fill the large empty spaces in the boxes with additional sheets of single-use plastic," it had said. Once goods are delivered, the plastic waste is thrown away in garbage and it ends up at landfill sites, leading to a burden on the earth and damaging the environment, it said. <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/wipro-board-approves-9500-crore-share-buyback-plan/articleshow/78638511.cms">Wipro board approves ₹9,500 crore share buyback plan</a>

Flipkart, Patanjali issued show-cause notice for closure of units over registration under Plastic Waste rule

<ul><li>Retail giant <keyword id="80487" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="walmart">Walmart</keyword> has to pay a $282 million for a bribery investigation which involves its business in India, Brazil, China and Mexico. </li><li>Walmart had acquired Indian e-retail unicorn Flipkart in 2018. </li><li>Meanwhile, Uber, too, in its IPO had mentioned that it was being investigated for bribery in several countries including India.</li><li><keyword id="28721" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cognizant">Cognizant</keyword> too had paid a $28 million fine for bribing Indian officials </li></ul>Walmart has gotten into trouble in the US for its business in India. The retail giant has to pay a $282 million fine in the US for a bribery investigation case for Walmart’s business in India, Brazil, China and Mexico. The case relates to Walmart’s businesses in these countries before 2011. “We’re pleased to resolve this matter,” said Walmart President and CEO, Doug McMillon. “Walmart is committed to doing business the right way, and that means acting ethically everywhere we operate. We’ve enhanced our policies, procedures and systems and invested tremendous resources globally into ethics and compliance, and now have a strong Global Anti-Corruption Compliance Program. We want to be the most trusted retailer, and a key to this is maintaining our culture of integrity.” The company’s statement also says that as part of its deal with the <keyword id="118911" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Department-of-Justice">US Department of Justice</keyword> (DOJ), Walmart has also signed a Non-Prosecution Agreement with them which means the DOJ will not prosecute the company in the next 3 years if it complies with the rules. The US-based retail giant had first announced its India entry with its offline signature retail outlets in 2007. While it may not have made a mark back then, it came into the spotlight in 2018 when it acquired Indian e-retail unicorn Flipkart for $16 billion – one of the biggest e-commerce deals in the world. Not the only one However, Walmart is not the first company in the recent times to run into trouble in the US for corruption charges in India. When Uber announced its IPO, its filing in the US mentioned that it is being investigated for “small payments to police in Indonesia and other potential improper payments in other countries” in which it operates or has operated including Malaysia, China, and India. In the past, Cognizant too had paid $28 million in fines to the Securities and Exchange Commission in the US, for bribes paid to Indian officials for building permissions. See Also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/uber-ipo-filing-reveals-it-is-under-investigation-for-improper-payments-in-india/articleshow/68905292.cms">Uber IPO filing reveals it is under investigation for ‘improper payments’ in India</a>

Walmart has to pay $282 million as fine in the US for bribing government officials in India and other countries

<ul><li>A draft policy for India’s burgeoning <keyword id="35621" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-commerce">e-commerce</keyword> sector is expected to be finalised by the end of the year. </li><li>A key proposal calls for opening up e-commerce firms to 49% foreign ownership, only if they source domestically-produced goods. </li><li>Since 2016, the government has allowed 100% foreign ownership in firms that employ the marketplace model, like <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>. </li></ul> A draft policy for India’s burgeoning e-commerce sector has been in the works for a while. While a government committee, comprising nine sub-groups and led by Suresh Prabhu, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, is putting the finishing touches to the policy, a number of key proposals of have been revealed. And one, in particular, concerns the government’s “Make in India” scheme. An FDI-focused taskforce led by Rita Teaotia, the secretary of the Commerce Ministry, has suggested allowing e-commerce platforms that utilise an “inventory model” to be as much as 49% foreign-owned. Currently, only food retailers are afforded this ownership allowance. E-commerce firms that use the inventory model manage their own inventory and actually own the products that are put up for sale, selling them to consumers directly. However, foreign entities need to source these products domestically and the founder of the business needs to be an Indian resident. The move will likely give small-and-medium enterprises a boost and attract even greater investment to India’s e-commerce sector. The proposal will require the creation of an agency tasked with accrediting “made in India” products. Currently, e-commerce platforms that have even a minimal foreign ownership aren’t allowed to deploy the business-to-consumer model. Since 2016, the government has allowed 100% foreign ownership in firms that employ marketplace models, like Flipkart, which was recently purchased by Walmart. Companies employing the marketplace model act as facilitators between buyers and sellers. So, Flipkart doesn’t directly sell the product but gives registered companies a chance to sell their products. A national regulator The government committee has submitted a number of other proposals. These include a recommendation that calls for the data of Indian consumers be stored “exclusively” in India within two years. This precludes data not collected in India and the recommendation is line with the draft data protection bill released by the by the Srikrishna panel earlier. Additionally, the draft policy also calls for the establishment of a national regulator for the e-commerce industry. This will be vital to ensuring that the interests of consumers and small businesses are safeguarded, especially amid fears that India’s e-commerce sector would be flooded with foreign-made products. The regulator will also ensure that all foreign investment caps are complied with. The e-commerce policy is currently being fine-tuned, before being opened up to stakeholder consultations. It is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

India may loosen FDI rules in the e-commerce sector to give “Make in India” a boost

The government has released a 268-page document detailing taxation rules and procedures for various sectors including ecommerce players and taxi aggregators under <keyword id="6354679" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST">GST</keyword>. 
 
The Central Board of Excise and Customs has covered registration, valuation and payment, scope and time of supply, refunds, seizure and arrest and other issues. 
 Taxi aggregators such as <keyword id="6354720" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ola">Ola</keyword> and <keyword id="1042120" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uber">Uber</keyword> will have to register under GST regime and there will be no threshold exemption for them. Also, e-commerce players such as <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword> and <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword> will also need to register under GST regime irrespective of value of supply made by them. 
 
The industry has been demanding centralised registration and not with every state where a company has business. 
 
"A person providing information or any other services incidental to or in connection with such supply of goods and services through electronic platform would be considered as an operator. A person supplying goods/services on his own account, however, would not be considered as an operator," said the FAQs. 
 
Moreover, if tax evaded is over Rs 2.5 crore, penalty could extend up to five years of jail with a fine, three years if tax evaded is Rs 50 lakh-Rs 2.5 crore and one year if it is between Rs 25-50 lakh. Evasion of tax exceeding Rs 2.5 crore would be considered cognisable and non-bailable.

Now, registering for GST must for taxi aggregators, e-commerce companies

The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=competition+commission+of+India">Competition Commission of India</a> (CCI) has accused <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=google">Google</a> of abusing its dominant market position to rig search outcomes and if proven right, this can lead to long <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=regulatory+battle">regulatory battle</a>. 
 
Queries were raised by the watchdog to which 30 businesses, including <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=flipkart">Flipkart</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=facebook">Facebook</a>, Makemytrip.com, Nokia’s maps division, and other social networks, travel and content sites, responded and complained that Google abused its dominant market position. 
 
Based on the corroborated complaints, the CCI director-general has filed a report that accuses Google of abusing its dominant position to rig search outcomes, both the actual search result as well as sponsored links. This marks the first case globally where an anti-trust body is formally raising such charges against Google. 
 
Google has time till September 10 to file its response to the findings and present itself before the seven-member commission headed by Chairman Ashok Chawla, a week later. 
 
The CCI may also impose a fine up to 10% of Google's income. 
 
Meanwhile, Google said it was reviewing the report from the CCI and exuded confidence that they follow prescribed Indian laws. 
 
As per the CCI’s report, Google is liable on two counts, first being Google's proprietary content and second on sponsored links. 
 
Proprietary content means that for instance, even though a website may have a higher hit rate for a specific section, Google’s content is given priority. Like Google Hotels gets preference over other travel portals that may have higher traffic and therefore mathematically more appropriate as first results of a search. 
 <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword> stated that it found search results to have a direct correlation with the amount of money the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ecommerce">e-Commerce</a> portal spends on Google advertising. 
 Meanwhile, the CCI report dismisses Google's submission that its nature of search is similar to that of <keyword id="6354576" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Facebook">Facebook</keyword> and Twitter, which the report says are social networks, not web searches. 
 
Google's using foreign arbitration clauses in case of disputes is also considered abuse of dominance, according to the report. 
 
Though Google can seek more time to respond to the CCI report, it was fined Rs1 crore last year for delaying information the commission had sought. 
 
Google’s case will be represented by law firms AZB &amp; Partners and Economic Law Practice. 
 
(Image: Josephmallozzi.wordpress.com)

Is Google really using its power to rig results? If yes, it is in deep trouble

Come Valentine’s Day and people (read men) are in a tearing hurry to buy the most offbeat and perfect gifts for their loved ones at the very last moment. But most of us fail to think out of the box and the outcome is a pile of all-too-predictable <keyword id="464407" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="gift-items">gift items</keyword> that tend to infest our homes on each and every occasion – be it Valentine’s Day or Christmas, Holi or Diwali. If you want to find the most suitable gifts without the least hassle, try <keyword id="2059416" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wishpicker">Wishpicker</keyword>, a 9-month-old, Noida-based start-up that curates and aggregates gift items &amp; gift ideas from reputed merchants and helps you find the most relevant gifts as per your choice/preference – so that you won’t have to hunt for another shop – online or offline. But unlike other gift sites, this one does not sell gifts. Once you find something suitable and decide to buy it, you will be redirected to the merchant site for making the purchase. 
 Wishpicker uses an <keyword id="2059433" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Automated-machine-learning-system">automated machine learning system</keyword> for its <keyword id="2059417" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gift-recommendation-engine">gift recommendation engine</keyword> – so that it can identify usage patterns and come up with most <keyword id="2059425" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Relevant-gift-ideas">relevant gift ideas</keyword> based on age, relationship, occasion and other parameters. As a result, the start-up is able to maintain a conversion rate that is much higher than plain vanilla e-commerce stores. And the gift suggestions can be really exotic at times – right from buying a piece of land on the moon to getting your sweetheart’s face printed on a flower petal. Want to know more about Wishpicker and its offerings? Here is a snapshot that captures the start-up’s vision and viability. 
 
Who runs Wishpicker (www.wishpicker.com): A team of nine young enthusiasts led by co-founders Prateek Rathore and Apurv Bansal. While Prateek is a <keyword id="163598" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="computer-engineer">computer engineer</keyword> from IIT Delhi, Apurv is a <keyword id="6405797" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="civil-engineer">civil engineer</keyword> from the same institution and was Prateek’s batchmate. Prateek also holds a post-graduate degree in Management from the <keyword id="2059415" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="IE-Business-School-in-Spain">IE Business School in Spain</keyword>. The duo later roped in Tejendra Singh, a B.Tech in Computer Science from IIT Patna, as a core technology member. 
 Earlier, Apurv had worked as a consultant but finally left his high-paying corporate job at <keyword id="122749" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bain-Company">Bain &amp; Company</keyword> in Mumbai to start Wishpicker when Prateek returned to India after finishing his management studies. The duo started working on the concept in early 2013 and Wishpicker.com went live in June last year. “Initially, we were operating from the terrace of Prateek’s parents’ flat in Delhi. But we shifted to Noida when the team grew,” recalls Apurv. 
 
What inspired the venture: Personal misadventures. Both Apurv and Prateek faced great difficulties when it came to finding the right kind of gifts for friends and families. “We were at a loss about what to buy and searching for gifts online simply stumped us. We were overwhelmed by the number of options available across the sites. Also, each site claimed it was selling the ‘best gift’ but that personal touch was somewhat missing,” reflects Apurv. “That’s when we realised that a lot of people face the same problem and we should do something about it. Wishpicker is here so that buying gifts turns out to be a happy experience instead of a harrowing one,” he adds. 
 
What’s the pitch: The name reveals the business pitch, according to the co-founders. As the site is helping people ‘pick’ the right gifts for their loved ones (that’s what you wish, don’t you?), Wishpicker is just the right name for it. And the ‘intelligent’ gift recommendation engine offers a never-before curated experience of gift-buying, helping you become a better gift giver who is both thoughtful and creative. “At Wishpicker, you will find a <keyword id="2059442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Readymade-gifting-inventory">readymade gifting inventory</keyword> from across the Internet and you can customise your search for best-ever recommendations. That’s our USP for driving business,” explains Apurv. 
 
How it works: What we like about this site is the all-too-simple user interface in spite of a complex backend. For one, you need not register or log in and can start gift hunting right away, from a wide range of gift items, <keyword id="858869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="gift-vouchers">gift vouchers</keyword>, <keyword id="2059445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Experiential-gifts">experiential gifts</keyword>, etc., provided by some of the best companies and brands. Gifts can be broadly searched based on age, occasion and recipient’s relationship with the giver. You can further fine-tune the search by setting up various other parameters such as personality, budget, type of gift, product category and so on. Gift recommendations are also made based on the likes and interests of the recipient on Facebook. This is a real-life reflection of his/her personality and helps you select gifts that the recipient will actually ‘like’ and cherish. Wishpicker has already tied up with 20 or so merchants/e-commerce partners, including <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>, <keyword id="2059448" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="HappilyUnmarried">HappilyUnmarried</keyword> and <keyword id="640104" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ferns-n-Petals">Ferns N Petals</keyword>, among others. It is now planning to increase the number of tie-ups. 
 
As gifts are curated from some of the best brands, users can access the very best that is available across the Web. What’s more, you get all at one place, essentially making Wishpicker a one-stop shop for the best gift ideas. The recommendation engine, based on automated machine learning, has been internally developed by the Wishpicker team and is constantly worked upon to ensure a never-before user experience. 
 
Claim to fame: Stickiness, traction and conversion. Wishpicker wishes to be a Google for gifts and seems to be making decent progress in these three key areas, as per the numbers divulged by the company. 
 
Show me the money: <keyword id="6399165" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="revenue-generation">Revenue generation</keyword> happens through commission per sale. According to the co-founders, the site sees more than 150,000 unique visitors per month and it is growing at 80% month on month. The annual <keyword id="2059458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="GMV-run-rate">GMV run rate</keyword> is now Rs 1.5 crore and this is expected to double in the next 2-3 months, given the current growth rate. 
 Wishpicker is self-funded till date but will be raising its first round of <keyword id="6364511" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="angel-funding">angel funding</keyword> by the second quarter of CY2014. “We put together a <keyword id="572926" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="seed-capital">seed capital</keyword> of Rs 15 lakh and we are now looking to raise under a million dollar for the next round of development,” says Apurv. The money raised will be mostly used for enhancing the technology platform and venturing further into the global market. 
 “The problem we are trying to solve – deciding what to gift and how to find it easily – is globally relevant. Moreover, we have an extremely scalable model as our platform is totally Cloud-based. So we are planning to go global in a big way soon after cracking the <keyword id="47445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-market">Indian market</keyword>,” details Apurv. Even now, Wishpicker has a significant presence in the US, the UK and the Middle East as people from these countries send gifts to India. But in the next phase of global expansion in the third quarter of this calendar year, the UK market will be the primary focus of the start-up. 
 
Biggest challenge: There are loads of gifting sites in India but most of them work like normal e-commerce sites, instead of aggregating and curating gift information, powered by an intelligent recommendation engine. “For gifting sites, the <keyword id="5189" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="competition">competition</keyword> evolves around stickiness – it is essential to ensure that one finds the right gift for the right occasion and comes back often. But a site with a limited inventory cannot assure that and that’s where we are ahead,” affirms Apurv. 
 
He, however, thinks the biggest challenge is to build the right team. “Without a great team, your business is bound to fail. When running a start-up, you will never be short of work, and will constantly feel the need for more people. But the key is not to hire in a hurry and make sure that the candidate is not only talented and hardworking, but also gels well with the culture of the company. Because a wrong hire will push you two steps behind,” he reflects. 
 
Tips for budding entrepreneurs: There is no perfect time to start your own business. If you believe that you are solving a problem that’s affecting a large number of people and have the confidence that you can execute it with perfection, you should just go for it. Age, capital and experience are more of psychological constraints. Once you begin, everything else will fall in place.

Want To Buy Your Beloved Land
On The Moon? This Start-up Helps You Find The Perfect Gift

New Delhi: Having marked a 20-year milestone in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>, global tech giant <keyword id="19902762" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Google" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Google" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Google">Google</keyword> is upbeat about its next innings here with Artificial Intelligence (<keyword id="19899640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="keywords">AI</keyword>) playing a big role in it, India MD <keyword id="23412065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Roma-Datta-Chobey" source="keywords">Roma Datta Chobey</keyword> said on Thursday, adding that the company is aligning its vision and strategy fully to the country's growth and ambitions. In an interview to PTI, Chobey said Google believes that AI should be regulated but in a way that strikes a fine balance between user benefit -- which is "still at a nascent stage" -- and at the same time, fosters innovation. India is a very important market for Google, she said, underlining the company's deep commitment in areas spanning AI, payments, <keyword id="20055897" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Pixel" source="keywords">Google Pixel</keyword> manufacturing and skilling amongst others. To a question on the concerns flagged by some Indian startups on alleged anti-competitive practices, Chobey said Google has been "deeply and closely" partnering and working with the startup ecosystem in the country, and that millions of apps are hosted on <keyword id="22336128" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Playstore" source="keywords">Google Playstore</keyword>. "As Google, we've been deeply partnering with the startup ecosystem, and on Google Play, we host millions of apps...we also invest in training Android developers... "So I think we've been deeply and closely working with the startup ecosystem in India, and we remain committed and will continue to do so through India digitisation fund... We have startup accelerators, we have dedicated AI startup accelerators where startups are able to access our advanced technology, work closely with us, and that work is only increasing," she said. Google has completed 20-year milestone in India, and is looking forward to the next 20 years in which "AI is going to play a big role here", she observed. "When it comes to AI, we are focused on three pillars. The first one is how are we leveraging AI to help every individual in the country. The best way we, as Google, can do it is by using AI to democratise information as well as opportunity. "When we talk about skilling, etc, that talks to the opportunity bit. Secondly, we want to really play a significant role in developing the already-thriving AI ecosystem in India, by investing in infrastructure, by scaling the AI engine. And of course, we will do all of this very, very responsibly, sustainably and inclusively," she said. The third pillar in Google AI strategy is around building for the future, she said. "...to create a really thriving workforce that is primed to be successful in the AI-powered world. That space is evolving and evolving fast, and we want to keep pace with it. I also want to add here that we as part of Google India team feel so proud that there's so much work that's happening in India which is not just solving for India, it's solving (things) globally," Chobey said. Google on Thursday lined up a slew of AI-powered innovations, announced Indian language capabilities for Gemini Live, and unveiled new updates for Google Lens, Google Maps, as well as Google Pay at the tenth edition of 'Google for India' event in New Delhi. The Google top boss asserted that India is and will remain an important market for the company. "From Google's perspective, India has always been a very important market for us. We've always very uniquely solved for India, worked locally with partners, we spoke of 'India digitization fund'... We started Pixel (phone) manufacturing here... I spoke about GPay... So that continues. India for Google is a very important market, both from a user perspective, but also from the kind of research development that is happening," she said. Google, she said, is aligning its goals to India's growth and vision. "Today, we have over 10,000 Googlers, working out of India for India and other markets as well. And we have presence across 5 cities, so multiple offices here, that's really, really important... When it comes to India, I always say this - what is good for India, is good for Google... "So we are very finely integrating our objectives, our vision, to what is really good for India, and will continue to do so," she said, adding that India will remain a very important market for the company. Google is leveraging India to not just solve local challenges, but also global ones, Chobey added. The first Made-in-India Google Pixel 8 devices started rolling off production lines in August in India. "Watch out the space... we will talk about it more. But we're really, really happy and proud about the fact that we have started manufacturing Pixel 8 in India. Of course, we have now also have service centers in India. Google Pixel 9 is available on Flipkart, through Croma tie up...Reliance digital tie ups...and so on so forth. So we are really invested in this space," she said.

Looking ahead at our next 20 years in India, AI will play big role here: Google India MD

<ul><li>Noise has launched the <keyword id="21944894" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NoiseFit-Origin-smartwatch" source="Orion">NoiseFit Origin smartwatch</keyword> in India.</li><li>The <keyword id="21944893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NoiseFit-Origin" source="Orion">NoiseFit Origin</keyword> is priced at ₹6,499 and comes in six colour options.</li><li>Here’s my review of the NoiseFit Origin smartwatch that will help you decide whether you should buy the smartwatch or not.</li></ul> Noise recently launched the NoiseFit Origin, the company’s latest smartwatch in India. The NoiseFit Origin is among the company’s premium offerings and is packed with features. The device, equipped with the company’s new chipset is aimed at offering a smoother user experience compared to the company’s other watches. In addition to a new processor, the smartwatch also comes with a new user interface, which the company has named Nebula UI. I have been using the NoiseFit Origin smartwatch for a few days now, and here is my detailed review of the smartwatch that will help you decide whether you should buy the smartwatch. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="NoiseFit Origin price and availability" comment="subhead" text="NoiseFit Origin price and availability"><keyword id="21944895" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NoiseFit-Origin-price" source="Orion">NoiseFit Origin price</keyword> and availability</cmsannotation> The NoiseFit Origin smartwatch has been priced at ₹6,499 and is available in six colour options – Classic Black, Classic Brown, Jet Black, Midnight Black, Mosaic Blue and Silver Grey. The smartwatch is available from Amazon India, Flipkart, Noise online store and Croma stores across the country. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="In the box" comment="subhead" text="In the box">In the box</cmsannotation> <ul><li>NoiseFit Origin smartwatch</li><li>Charger</li><li>Documentation</li></ul><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="NoiseFit Origin pros and cons" comment="subhead" text="NoiseFit Origin pros and cons">NoiseFit Origin pros and cons</cmsannotation> Pros <ul><li>Design</li><li>Bluetooth calling</li></ul>Cons <ul><li>The companion app needs some polishing</li></ul> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Design and display" comment="subhead" text="Design and display">Design and display</cmsannotation> The NoiseFit Origin smartwatch comes in six colour options, including two with leather straps and four with silicone straps. The watch that I tested was the Silver Grey colour variant with a Silicone strap. The NoiseFit Origin smartwatch features a circular crown with what the company has called a Contour cut design. The watch offers 3ATM water resistance, meaning you don’t have to worry about using it while it is raining. The watch comes with a stainless steel body and offers thin bezels, giving it a premium look. The metal build ensures that the watch is durable and you don’t have to worry. The watch comes with two buttons – a rotating crown on the top right side that is used to navigate the menus and a customisable button at the bottom right that can be set to perform whatever function you prefer, be it triggering a workout, performing a test or more. <div type="image" title="Band" msid="110945583" hostid="261" sizebytes="34384" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;NoiseFit Origin strap&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The silicone strap offered with the strap is good and felt comfortable during my usage. I did not experience any skin irritation during my use. Even if you have sensitive skin, you do not have to worry about irritation. At the back, the watch features a plastic case that houses all the sensors and the magnetic pins for the charger. The company has also used the back to highlight some of the features of the smartwatch. <div type="image" title="Display" msid="110945635" hostid="261" sizebytes="39172" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;NoiseFit Origin display&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Coming to the display, the NoiseFit Origin smartwatch features a 1.46-inch AMOLED display with a 466 x 466 resolution and a brightness of 600 nits. While the watch does not come with auto-brightness, it allows you to select from five brightness levels. The watch offers ample brightness so you don’t have to worry about visibility even in direct sunlight. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Features and performance" comment="subhead" text="Features and performance">Features and performance</cmsannotation> The NoiseFit Origin smartwatch is equipped with the company’s new EN1 processor that performs well. Unlike a lot of budget smartwatches, the NoiseFit Origin does not lag and feels smooth to use. The smartwatch runs on the company’s new Nebula UI, which feels good to use. The UI is well-designed and does not feel clunky. The notification centre does need some work as multiple notifications make it a bit tricky to use. <div type="image" title="Heart" msid="110945580" hostid="261" sizebytes="41060" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Heart rate tracking on the NoiseFit Origin&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The NoiseFit Origin smartwatch is equipped with advanced tracking sensors which offer 24/7 heart rate tracking, blood oxygen tracking, sleep monitoring, stress level monitoring and more. It offers over 100+ sports modes including cricket, swimming, functional strength training and even more. It also offers sedentary and water reminders to help you stay active and hydrated. During our testing, we found that the watch’s tracking capabilities were fine, with small deviations when compared to reliable devices such as a Garmin or a certified oximeter. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Battery life" comment="subhead" text="Battery life">Battery life</cmsannotation> Coming to battery life, the NoiseFit Origin offers a decent battery life. While it is claimed to offer a seven-day battery life, during my usage with some activity tracking, I was able to get around five days of usage. This is something that will vary, depending on the features that you have turned on and your usage. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Verdict" comment="subhead" text="Verdict">Verdict</cmsannotation> The NoiseFit Origin is a decent smartwatch that offers a lot of features in a well-designed package. The smartwatch is definitely the best Noise smartwatch I have used so far and can be considered among the best devices in its segment. If you are in the market for a smartwatch around ₹6,000, the NoiseFit Origin is worth considering. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a purchasing guide or recommendation. We advise readers to do additional research, including hands-on usage of the device at a retail outlet, before making a decision. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/alienware-x16-r2-review/articleshow/110879384.cms">Alienware x16 R2 review – powerful gaming laptop with a premium design</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indian-smartwatch-shipments-remain-flat-in-q1-2024-the-year-expected-to-end-in-a-decline/articleshow/110789121.cms">Indian smartwatch shipments remain flat in Q1 2024, annual shipments expected to end in a decline</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/lenovo-loq-15-review/articleshow/110456546.cms">Lenovo LOQ 15 review – gaming laptop with a sturdy design</a>

You Searched For "Flipkart fine" and got 10 results

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Want To Buy Your Beloved Land On The Moon? This Start-up Helps You Find The Perfect Gift

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