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A recent report by <keyword id="23201114" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Centrum-Institutional-Research" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Centrum Institutional Research" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Centrum Institutional Research">Centrum Institutional Research</keyword> reveals a sharp rise in the number of <keyword id="21365016" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="wealthy-Indians" source="keywords">wealthy Indians</keyword> over the past five years. The data highlights that the number of individuals earning more than Rs 10 crore annually has surged by 63%, bringing the total count to approximately 31,800. Meanwhile, those earning over Rs 5 crore per annum now number 58,200, marking a significant 49% increase. <h2>Wealth growth across <keyword id="23201527" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tiers" source="keywords">income tiers</keyword></h2>The report not only tracks the increase in high earners but also highlights growth among those earning above Rs 50 lakh annually. Over the last five years, this group has expanded by 25%, with nearly 10 lakh individuals now in this income bracket. In terms of cumulative income, the report showcases rapid growth. The income of individuals earning over Rs 10 crore annually grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 121% between FY19 and FY24, reaching a staggering Rs 38 lakh crore. Those earning more than Rs 5 crore annually saw their collective income grow by 106% CAGR, amounting to Rs 40 lakh crore. Similarly, the income of those earning over Rs 50 lakh per annum increased by 64%, totaling Rs 49 lakh crore over the same period. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113328057" title="The illegal maneuvers the rich use to get richer" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The Centrum report also forecasts significant growth for India's <keyword id="20301791" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="High-Net-Worth-Individuals" source="keywords">High Net Worth Individuals</keyword> (HNI) and <keyword id="21662893" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ultra-High-Net-Worth-Individuals" source="keywords">Ultra High Net Worth Individuals</keyword> (UHNI). By 2028, their combined financial assets are expected to rise from USD 1.2 trillion in 2023 to USD 2.2 trillion, driven by an annual growth rate of 13-14% over the period from 2023 to 2028. The <keyword id="23201526" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mass-affluent-market" source="keywords">mass affluent market</keyword> is also projected to grow in early double digits during this time. <h2>A gap in professional <keyword id="20074812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wealth-management" source="keywords">wealth management</keyword></h2>While the wealth of India's affluent is growing rapidly, the report highlights a key difference between India and advanced economies: only 15% of financial wealth in India is professionally managed, compared to 75% in more developed markets. This gap suggests a significant opportunity for the professional wealth management sector as India’s wealthy population continues to grow. (With inputs from ANI)

Individuals earning over Rs 10 cr rise by 63% in India; financial assets of high net worth individuals to nearly double by 2028

Amidst the rich palette of <keyword id="19920824" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="north-india" source="keywords">North India</keyword>'s culinary legacy, where each dish tells a story of tradition and taste, food reigns as a revered art form. From the fiery allure of Chole Bhature to the velvety richness of Dal Makhani, every bite is a symphony of flavours that tantalises the senses and leaves an indelible mark on the palate. Yet, amidst this gastronomic paradise, a recent dietary study has uncovered a sobering truth that lurks beneath the delectable surface. Focused on sodium, potassium, phosphorus and <keyword id="2955085" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="protein-intake" source="Orion">protein intake</keyword>, the study delved into the dietary habits of North Indian populations, shedding light on the risks of prevalent <keyword id="473390" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="non-communicable-diseases" source="Orion">non-communicable diseases</keyword> such as hypertension, cardiovascular issues and chronic kidney disease. Over 400 adult participants, including both healthy individuals and those with early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), were meticulously analysed using 24-hour urinary excretion analysis. This method provided precise insights, avoiding the inaccuracies often associated with dietary recall. The analysis uncovered unsettling trends: protein consumption falling below the recommended dietary allowance, <keyword id="16922798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="excessive-salt" source="Orion">excessive salt</keyword> consumption far beyond recommended levels and <keyword id="21123602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inadequate-potassium" source="Orion">inadequate potassium</keyword> intake. The latter two are particularly linked with the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. These findings underscore the necessity for optimal nutrient intake to maintain cardiovascular and kidney health. They also stress the urgency for personalised dietary interventions to mitigate the risks of prevalent non-communicable diseases. Emphasising the need for targeted interventions to address the alarming dietary patterns, Prof. Vivekanand Jha, lead researcher and Executive Director at The George Institute for Global Health, India, said: “A poor nutritious diet is a major risk element for non-communicable diseases (NCD), which are of considerable public health concern. “In India, people eat different foods, so it is important to know exactly what nutrients they are getting to help prevent and manage these diseases. The high salt intake and low potassium intake point to the need to develop interventions targeted to individuals and societies.” In combating the prevalence of non-communicable diseases, researchers have advocated for multifaceted strategies. These include enhanced food labelling to empower healthier choices, reducing salt content in processed foods, and promoting the consumption of potassium-rich fruits and vegetables. In embracing an informed and holistic approach to dining, where taste and nutrition harmonise, the populations can not only savour the essence of North Indian cuisine, but also nurture their well-being with every delectable bite. The study was published in the journal <keyword id="21002179" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="frontiers-in-nutrition" source="keywords">Frontiers in Nutrition</keyword> and can be accessed <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1312581/full">here</a>.

Consuming excessive salt and inadequate potassium, protein is making North Indians prone to life-threatening diseases: Study

Defence Research and Development Organisation (<keyword id="19948662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="DRDO" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="DRDO" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="DRDO">DRDO</keyword>) will collaborate with <keyword id="19906424" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Institute-of-Technology" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Institute of Technology" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Institute of Technology">Indian Institute of Technology</keyword> (<keyword id="19906425" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iit" source="keywords">IIT</keyword>) Bhubaneswar for artificial intelligence (AI) driven surveillance and other projects, officials said. A meeting was held between DRDO and <keyword id="19971391" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IIT-Bhubaneswar" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="IIT Bhubaneswar" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="IIT Bhubaneswar">IIT Bhubaneswar</keyword> officials here on Tuesday. Binay Das, director general (DG) of Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS) cluster, DRDO, and many senior scientists and officials of both institutions were present in the meeting. During the meeting, nine sanctioned projects of the ECS Cluster of DRDO were handed over to IIT Bhubaneswar while another 7 projects are in process to be sanctioned with Rs 18 crore funding. IIT Bhubaneswar will work on the sanctioned projects, which would be beneficial in electronics warfare, <keyword id="21571619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-driven-surveillance" source="keywords">AI-driven surveillance</keyword>, power systems, radar systems etc, officials said. S R Samantaray, head of the School of Electrical sciences of IIT said the collaboration of IIT Bhubaneswar and DRDO will contribute to the emerging research and development need of defence applications, creating a platform for 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat'. This form of collaboration will enhance the sustainability of defence research programmes and will be part of the eco-system for nation building, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Binay Das advised researchers and faculty members associated with various DRDO-sanctioned projects to work systematically with proper review and risk management systems to complete the projects in time and come up with unique solutions. He said that DRDO is going through a transformation from technology chasers to become technology enablers and trendsetters. "The goal is now to move beyond attaining self-reliance to setting standards for the Indian armed forces, for others across the globe, to emulate. In this context, this collaboration, and the further opportunity to set up a Centre of Excellence at IIT Bhubaneswar would prove crucial," he added. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank">Aadhar Housing Finance IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank">Top-selling cars in India in April 2024 – Tata Punch continues to dominate</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank">Worldwide tablet shipments grow in Q1 2024 after two years of decline</a>

DRDO to collaborate with IIT Bhubaneswar for AI-driven surveillance, other projects

<div type="image" title="Companies are embracing the unbossing trend" msid="113256383" hostid="261" sizebytes="1440779"></div> If there’s one thing both a productive team member and an underperformer hates in the corporate world, it’s being micromanaged. Now, imagine a workplace where the boss isn’t calling all the shots. Instead, everyone has a voice, and innovation flows freely. The recent corporate trend of "Unbossing" promises to do just that, empowering employees by eliminating the heavy hands of hierarchy. Sounds too good to be true? Well, globally, not just the new-age start-ups, but dozens of major corporations have embraced this trend and trimmed their middle management. <h2>Managers managing managers — no more!</h2>In January last year, <keyword id="399907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="META" source="Orion">Meta</keyword> CEO Mark Zuckerberg made headlines for declaring 2023 as the “year of efficiency” and saying that he doesn’t want a management structure that's just “managers managing managers”. <div type="image" title="Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg" agency="ANI" msid="113256403" hostid="261"></div> The same month, it was also reported by Command Line that Meta's chief product officer Chris Cox, had shared a post on the company's communication platform, Workplace, highlighting the necessity to "flatten" the organisation's structure. What followed was reports of Meta slashing middle management roles. Gradually, other companies like Shopify, Bayer, and Cisco began making headlines for showing the exit door to some of their middle managers. Loosely, unbossing is essentially cutting down the middle management roles. It cuts significant costs for the company and the new-age workforce also endorses the trend as efficient in enabling faster decision-making and innovation. However, critics argue this trend also limits the extent of mentorship that the younger generation receives while entering the workforce, which often remains an intangible value if your boss turns out to be a good mentor. Therefore, for some, it’s not about firing the middle management, but just another leadership philosophy on how leaders (and ‘bosses’) should conduct themselves. This approach advocates bosses working along with the team as a part rather than shouting instructions from the top. Whatever one’s understanding, this trend of “Unbossing” appears to be taking corporate America by storm in 2023, as evidenced by hundreds of media reports highlighting the same. Overall, most agree that the trend is restructuring organisational hierarchy to enable direct communication between employees and leaders. Cut to 2024, this trend is still prevalent and making headlines. A Bloomberg report recently said that Georges Elhedery, the incoming CEO of HSBC Holdings, might also consider plans to streamline the company's operations by reducing layers of middle management. But what’s the scenario in India? Are Indian companies ready to ditch the old-school approach and adopt this new way of working? Let’s dive in and see what the experts have to say! <h2>Layoffs to impact senior professionals: Naukri.com survey</h2>A survey by job portal Naukri.com early last year had suggested that recruiters in India expect a decline in layoffs during the first half of 2023. The survey, which included responses from 1,400 recruiters and consultants across ten industries, revealed that only 4 percent of participants anticipated layoffs to be the main focus of hiring activities within their organisations. However, the survey also highlighted that information technology roles and senior professionals were likely to be the most affected by hiring adjustments. About 20 percent of recruiters predicted that layoffs would predominantly impact senior professionals, while freshers are expected to face the least disruption from these hiring corrections. Interestingly the survey came around the same time when the Unbossing trend had begun picking up pace abroad. <h2>Layoffs at Wipro, <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> and Collegedunia</h2>In January this year, Wipro India was in the limelight for laying off hundreds of its mid-level executives. The company reportedly culled many jobs as part of its strategy to improve margins. An ET report citing two sources familiar with the situation had said that the leading Indian IT firm reduced mid-level roles at its onsite locations. "Notices began being issued earlier this month, and hundreds of mid-level executives onsite are being let go," one source revealed. Another source added, "They have costly resources onsite in Capco, and although growth is returning, it's not sufficient. Aparna Iyer, Wipro's chief financial officer, has been tasked with delivering better margins this quarter." <div type="image" title="Amazon decided to lay-off middle managers in May" msid="113256170" hostid="261"></div>Then in May, Amazon also decided to reduce layers of middle management within its customer service divisions as part of an organisational restructuring, a Fortune report had said. The cuts impacted over 100 customer service managers in Level 5 and Level 6 middle management roles, both in call centres and virtual positions, primarily based in the U.S. and India. Not just large tech companies, startups too seem to be adapting the <keyword id="23125775" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="unbossing-trend-in-India" source="Orion">unbossing trend in India</keyword>. Last month, educational portal Collegedunia confirmed that around 100 employees from its Study Abroad department had been given the pink slip. A report in CNBC-TV18 had said that additional job cuts were happening across other departments as part of a broader reorganisation. The restructuring, as per the report, was aimed at automating many tasks to reduce costs. Interestingly, despite the layoffs, Collegedunia had posted 13 job openings on LinkedIn for various roles in different locations, primarily entry-level positions requiring up to two years of experience. "While Collegedunia is laying off several employees, it is also hiring fresh talent, allowing them to keep staffing levels up but at a lower cost," one employee told CNBC-TV18 at the time. Another source confirmed that while Collegedunia had been actively recruiting for some months, it has also been letting go of employees, including senior staff members with 7-8 years of experience at the company. <h2>What do experts say?</h2> <div type="image" title="Experts&amp;#39; opinion on unbossing trend" msid="113256250" hostid="261"></div>Mr. Sumit Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, told Business Insider India, “From the perspective of HR leaders and CEOs, the strategic culling of middle management is viewed as a means to streamline operations, reduce overhead, and foster a culture of autonomy and innovation.” He also noted that even though employees can “exercise greater ownership and agility in decision-making” through this approach, there are also significant downsides. “The erosion of middle management creates a vacuum in leadership development, mentorship, and the retention of institutional knowledge, potentially leading to disengagement, a weakened talent pipeline, and misalignment with organisational objectives,” Kumar noted. Talking specifically about the Indian scenario, he said, “Implementing this trend in India would be a strategic move, positioning organisations to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving business environment. However, to fully capitalise on this approach, developing a more robust talent pipeline that integrates the ability to multitask at all levels is imperative. In today's landscape, leadership demands thinkers, strategic visionaries, and individuals who can execute with precision. We need to cultivate a new breed of leaders who are both thinkers and doers, capable of navigating complex challenges while driving innovation and growth. By building versatile, agile leaders through targeted talent development programs, Indian organisations can ensure they are well-prepared to thrive in a decentralised, high-performance environment.” RP Yadav, Chairman and Managing Director of Genius Consultants Limited, told ET recently that the Unbossing approach simplifies hierarchies and encourages open communication between frontline employees and senior management. He had added that the concept of “the oldest in the room is always the wisest of all” is no longer applicable. Meanwhile, Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD and CEO of CIEL HR Services told ET that the unbossing trend is predominantly seen in tech companies, creative roles, and startups, where swift decision-making and the unrestricted exchange of ideas are crucial. For example, the tech sector often thrives with flattened hierarchies that support rapid innovation and agility, while creative industries such as advertising and media use unbossing to cultivate a more collaborative and idea-focused environment. Thus, the unbossing trend is gaining traction beyond global companies and is finding its way into Indian organisations as well. While this approach can streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance agility, experts caution that it also brings challenges, such as gaps in leadership development and the loss of institutional knowledge. To fully harness the benefits of unbossing, Indian companies must focus on cultivating agile leaders who can navigate complex challenges and drive growth. By building a strong talent pipeline and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, Indian organisations can position themselves to thrive in a more decentralised and dynamic business environment. Do you have insights or personal experience to s hare on layoffs, <keyword id="34447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="workplace-trends" source="Orion">workplace trends</keyword>, or career changes? Contact us at businessinsider@timesinternet.in.

SIMPLY PUT: What’s with all “Unbossing” talks? Are Indian companies also embracing this global trend?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Indian economy has grown strongly under Narendra Modi, whose party is set to win another term.</li><li>India's success has caught the eye of figures including Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, and Tim Cook.</li></ul>India's powerful economic growth and blossoming middle class under Narendra Modi have caught the eye of corporate titans like Elon Musk, Jamie Dimon, and Tim Cook.Modi is pretty much a shoo-in for a third term as prime minister after the national election now underway ends on June 1. But the work starts there, as he'll have to navigate thorny issues such as youth unemployment, income inequality, and reliance on sanctioned Russian oil.<h2>Fueling growth and shaking hands</h2>India's economy has more than doubled in size during Modi's decade in charge to more than $3.7 trillion last year.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/04/29/asias-growth-and-inflation-outlook-improves-but-risks-remain">recently upgraded</a> its growth forecast for real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to a robust 7.8% this year, 6.8% in 2025, and 6.5% in 2026.India has already overtaken Britain to become the world's fifth-largest economy. It's on track to leapfrog Japan and Germany into third spot behind the US and China by 2027.The country's flagship stock index has also tripled in value since Modi took office in May 2014, thanks to wealth gains and growing investment appetites.Moreover, <a target="_blank" href="https://sbi.co.in/documents/13958/36530824/270224-HCES_Feb24.pdf">one estimate</a> puts the percentage of the Indian population living on less than $2.15 a day at below 5%, down from 12% in 2011. However, the <a target="_blank" href="https://pip.worldbank.org/country-profiles/IND">World Bank</a> pegged that figure at nearly 13% in 2021.India's middle class has also ballooned with 60 million people now earning the rupee equivalent of more $10,000 a year — about $37,200 once adjusted for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/profile/IND">purchasing power</a>. Goldman Sachs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/indias-affluent-population-is-likely-to-hit-100-million-by-2027.html">expects</a> the ranks of the relatively affluent to swell to 100 million by 2027."Modi has done an unbelievable job in India," JPMorgan's Dimon <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jpmorgan-jamie-dimon-economy-inflation-recession-stagflation-geopolitics-crypto-bitcoin-2024-4">told</a> the Economic Club of New York last month. "I know the liberal press here, they beat the hell out of him. He's taken 400 million people out of poverty."Musk has <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1781541775183610310">posted</a> on X that he's looking forward to visiting India and meeting Modi this year. He delayed his trip last month, blaming "very heavy Tesla obligations." The pair are expected to discuss Tesla building a multibillion-dollar factory in the country.As for Apple's Cook, he hailed India on a November earnings call as an "incredibly exciting market" and a "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-tim-cook-obsessed-india-consumers-iphone-2023-7">major focus of ours</a>" given the explosive growth in potential customers as locals get richer.<div type="image" title="Sundar Pichai, Tim Cook, Narendra Modi, Joe Biden" height="3907" width="5861" msid="109838230" hostid="261" sizebytes="846512"></div>Modi has also met with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Microsoft boss Satya Nadella, and Alphabet's Sundar Pichai. He's likely to be seeking to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in India — and to capitalize on bosses' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-china-relations-reshoring-manufacturing-jobs-made-in-america-2023-10">desire to hedge their bets on China</a> given its strained relationship with the US, economic woes, and how disruptive its strict pandemic lockdowns were to global supply chains."India's population and economic growth numbers are causing a lot of global executives to revisit their India presence and consider scaling up," Richard Rossow, a senior advisor and chair in US-India Policy Studies at the Center for Strategic &amp; International Studies, told Business Insider."Paired with increased concerns about supply chain resilience and security concerns about China, it's a very good time for a hard push to win investments."The United Nations said that India and China both had a population of 1.426 billion in April last year, meaning India is probably now the most populous given its rising birth rate.<h2>Change for the better — mostly</h2>Modi has instigated a raft of major economic reforms since taking office, intended to make India more business-friendly, and boost government revenues by taxing more of the country's vast informal economy.He rolled out a tax on goods and services, simplified bankruptcy laws, lifted FDI restrictions, cut corporate income tax, and ended retrospective taxation.However, not all of Modi's moves spurred growth."Demonetisation was a key economic policy which had negative effects on the economy," Kunal Sen, a director of the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics, told BI.Sen is the author of several books about India's economy and a professor of development economics at the University of Manchester.He was referring to Modi's sudden declaration in November 2016 that all 500 and 1,000-rupee bills — 86% of Indian currency in circulation — would <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-ending-500-and-1000-rupee-bills-to-fight-corruption-2016-11">no longer be accepted as legal tender</a>.The government's goals were to capture undeclared income, get rid of counterfeit currency, broaden the tax base, and bring more activities into the formal economy."The other key economic policy was JAM — the trinity of bank accounts for the poor, mobile numbers and a biometric card. This last economic policy has been revolutionary," Sen said.He was hailing a broader digitization drive under Modi that has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/how-indias-digital-payments-ecosystem-has-evolved-in-the-last-one-year/slidelist/90595832.cms">transformed</a> how Indians bank, invest, pay their taxes, and conduct business.<h2>Prosperity for all</h2>Modi's efforts have helped to usher in a more prosperous era for some Indians, but many have been left behind.Young people are India's beating heart, with about half its population under 25 and almost two-thirds under 35. Matching those hundreds of millions of people with jobs has proven a challenge, with youth unemployment almost tripling from below 6% in 2000 to about 18% in 2019. It still stands at a hefty 10% in 2023, per the <a target="_blank" href="https://webapps.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---sro-new_delhi/documents/publication/wcms_921154.pdf">International Labor Organization</a>.The report found that nearly 30% of India's graduates were unemployed in 2022, and only about 10% of the working-age population was formally employed.<div type="image" title="A farmer uses oxen to plow fields for lentils in Nimaj, Rajasthan, northern India." height="3464" width="5196" msid="109838232" hostid="261" sizebytes="690700"></div>"Unemployment is a big issue," Rossow said, emphasizing this isn't just a problem with recent graduates but a "much, much larger bubble: the underemployed farm laborers."Rising agricultural productivity is likely to help farm workers make a faster transition to city life in the years ahead, but they'll struggle to secure modern jobs in the services industry "without significant reskilling and education," Rossow said.As a result, lower-skilled manufacturing and assembly jobs and lower-end services jobs will be needed, he added.Another major challenge will be tackling a widening wealth divide. The richest 10% of the population hold more than 72% of the nation's wealth, per an Oxfam report <a target="_blank" href="https://d1ns4ht6ytuzzo.cloudfront.net/oxfamdata/oxfamdatapublic/2023-01/India%20Supplement%202023_digital.pdf?">published</a> last year.Business tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani both rank among the world's 15 richest people, per the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/">Bloomberg Billionaires Index</a>. Luxury-goods sales are booming with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.carwale.com/news/mercedesbenz-lineups-waiting-period-reduced-in-india/">long waitlists</a> for flashy purchases like the Mercedes "G Wagon."<div type="image" title="The Ambani family onstage with Rihanna." height="854" width="1280" msid="109838233" hostid="261" sizebytes="99148"></div>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/anant-ambani-pre-wedding-festivities-lack-empathy-india-radhika-merchant-2024-3">lavish pre-wedding party</a> thrown by the Ambani family earlier this year was singled out by some as an affront to the huge number of Indians living in poverty.Almost 1.3 billion people live on less than $3,500 a year by one estimate, and India ranks 111th on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globalhungerindex.org/ranking.html">Global Hunger Index</a>, below even North Korea.Rising equality is partly explained by a "capital-intensive mode of economic growth along with increasing power of business conglomerates," Sen told BI, referring to how huge companies like the Adani Group secure huge government contracts to build ports, bridges, highways, and other infrastructure.A third challenge is regional inequality, as some states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh haven't experienced the same growth and modernization of their economies as others, Rossow said.<h2>The Russia riddle</h2>One striking aspect of Modi's economic boom has been its reliance on Russia since it invaded Ukraine in early 2022.India went from getting 2% of its crude oil from Russia before the war, to 35% last year. During that period, the US and Europe slapped sanctions on Russian oil to defund Putin's military machine and punish Moscow for attacking a sovereign nation.Despite that, India purchased an estimated $37 billion of Moscow's oil in 2023 — 13 times the amount it bought annually prior to the conflict. Its buying helped Russia rake in a <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-economy-oil-sales-india-ukraine-war-moscow-western-sanctions-2024-2">record $320 billion</a> of federal revenue last year.Indian demand for Russian oil has <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-oil-trade-crude-india-discount-barrel-sanctions-price-cap-2024-2">cooled</a> in recent months as new sanctions have made it <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/russia-economy-oil-energy-exports-india-imports-revenue-sanctions-discount-2024-3">more expensive</a>, but the buying remains controversial.Officials in India have <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/crude-oil-prices-india-russia-trade-geopolitics-opec-supply-puri-2024-2">defended</a> the purchases, saying that if they'd bought Middle Eastern oil instead, global crude prices would have shot up.India is also one of the world's largest oil refiners and has helped Western nations to maintain access to refined petroleum products even as they're refraining from buying Russian crude directly.Yet the country imports 85% of its oil, so its overriding interest is securing the cheapest oil possible to support its development, said Neelima Jain, a senior fellow and chair in US India Policy Studies at CSIS."India will continue to buy Russian oil if the price remains favorable and allows for firm volume guarantees, as the country prioritizes energy affordability and accessibility during its rapid rural-to-urban transition, which has led to a 6% year-on-year growth in energy demand," she told BI."In an inflationary environment, economics [rather] than geopolitics will drive India's energy choices."<div type="image" title="Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin" height="3196" width="4714" msid="109838234" hostid="261" sizebytes="426292"></div><h2>India the IT hub</h2>Under Modi, India has made big strides in modernizing its economy, combating bureaucracy, and appealing to foreign investors.Big Tech stalwarts like Microsoft have a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-has-so-many-patents-its-outsourced-the-job-to-india-2013-5">long history</a> of outsourcing to India, but recent efforts to cut red tape and slash corporate taxes appear to have fueled fresh interest.Sweeping layoffs at Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, Salesforce and other US tech titans in the past few years could presage a large exodus of jobs to India.Sanjay Shetty of Randstad India <a target="_blank" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/outsourcing-hubs-like-india-to-bag-40-of-jobs-lost-to-layoffs/articleshow/101088673.cms?">told The Economic Times</a> last summer that he expected 30% to 40% of the tech jobs eliminated globally to move to India by 2025."India is going to be the biggest gainer in the medium to long term, as almost every company that we speak to is looking at expanding its India base," Shetty said.Even if that pans out, it won't be a panacea for a country facing not just unemployment and underemployment, but also stark income inequality, regional disparities, and the risk of alienating Western allies by continuing to buy Russian oil.Yet overall, India appears to be headed in the right direction."The growth is real, if focused on a few key states," Rossow said. "India's dynamic technology services sector is to IT services what China is to manufacturing. So there is much to cheer, even as the reform agenda seems to never end."

Tech titans love Modi's economic powerhouse India — despite mass unemployment and abject poverty 

<keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword>, a vibrant and modern city-state, offers a blend of cultural heritage, modern attractions, and natural beauty. It's a popular destination for travelers from India, thanks to its proximity, cultural similarities, and an array of exciting attractions. Here’s a guide to some of the <keyword id="21879861" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Best-places-to-visit-in-Singapore" source="Orion">best places to visit in Singapore</keyword> that will captivate <keyword id="20102333" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-tourists" source="keywords">Indian tourists</keyword>. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="1. Marina Bay Sands" comment="subhead" text="1. Marina Bay Sands">1. <keyword id="21172707" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Marina-Bay-Sands" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Marina Bay Sands" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Marina Bay Sands">Marina Bay Sands</keyword></cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="1" msid="110582127" hostid="261" sizebytes="1337875" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Iconic Marina Bay Sands with its stunning rooftop infinity pool.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Marina Bay Sands is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks. This luxurious resort complex includes a hotel, a shopping mall, a museum, two large theatres, and a world-class casino. The highlight is the SkyPark, a rooftop infinity pool that offers stunning views of the Singapore skyline. Though access to the pool is reserved for hotel guests, visitors can still enjoy the panoramic view from the observation deck. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="2. Gardens by the Bay" comment="subhead" text="2. Gardens by the Bay">2. Gardens by the Bay</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="2" msid="110582147" hostid="261" sizebytes="2496276" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The futuristic Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Located next to Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic park spanning 101 hectares. It features the famous Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome. The Supertrees, with their towering vertical gardens, come alive at night with a spectacular light and sound show. The Flower Dome showcases plants from around the world, while the Cloud Forest houses a stunning indoor waterfall. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="3. Sentosa Island" comment="subhead" text="3. Sentosa Island">3. Sentosa Island</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="3" msid="110582166" hostid="261" sizebytes="1946087" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Enjoy thrilling rides at Universal Studios Singapore on Sentosa Island.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Sentosa Island is a resort destination that offers a variety of attractions. Universal Studios Singapore, an exciting theme park with rides and shows, is a major draw for families. The island also features beautiful beaches, the S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, and the Sentosa Merlion. Visitors can reach Sentosa via a scenic cable car ride from Mount Faber. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="4. Little India" comment="subhead" text="4. Little India">4. <keyword id="21879864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Little-India" source="keywords">Little India</keyword></cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="4" msid="110582180" hostid="261" sizebytes="1933820" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Colorful shops and vibrant streets of Little India.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Little India is a vibrant neighbourhood that feels like a home away from home for Indian tourists. The area is filled with colourful shops, traditional Indian restaurants, and cultural landmarks like the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. The bustling Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour shopping complex, offers everything from electronics to groceries. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="5. Chinatown" comment="subhead" text="5. Chinatown">5. Chinatown</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="5" msid="110582223" hostid="261" sizebytes="1831455" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Explore cultural heritage at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown.&amp;lt;br&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Chinatown is a cultural enclave that showcases Singapore’s rich Chinese heritage. Visitors can explore the Chinatown Heritage Centre, visit the beautiful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, and enjoy delicious street food at Chinatown Food Street. The area is also known for its traditional shops and markets selling souvenirs, textiles, and antiques. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="6. Orchard Road" comment="subhead" text="6. Orchard Road">6. Orchard Road</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="6" msid="110582243" hostid="261" sizebytes="2265189" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Shop till you drop at the luxurious malls on Orchard Road.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Orchard Road is Singapore’s premier shopping destination. This bustling boulevard is lined with luxury boutiques, department stores, and shopping malls. Popular malls include ION Orchard, Ngee Ann City, and Paragon. Besides shopping, Orchard Road offers a variety of dining options, from high-end restaurants to casual eateries. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="7. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari" comment="subhead" text="7. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari">7. Singapore Zoo and Night Safari</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="7" msid="110582255" hostid="261" sizebytes="2702872" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Experience wildlife up close at the Singapore Zoo.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The Singapore Zoo is renowned for its open-concept exhibits that allow animals to roam in naturalistic habitats. Highlights include the Fragile Forest, the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia, and the Orangutan Island. Adjacent to the zoo is the Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo, offering a unique opportunity to observe nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="8. Clarke Quay" comment="subhead" text="8. Clarke Quay">8. Clarke Quay</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="8" msid="110582269" hostid="261" sizebytes="1373695" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Clarke Quay&amp;#39;s lively riverside nightlife.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Clarke Quay is a riverside quay that comes alive at night with a vibrant nightlife. The area is filled with restaurants, bars, and clubs, making it a popular spot for evening entertainment. Visitors can also enjoy a scenic river cruise to see Singapore’s skyline and iconic landmarks illuminated at night. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="9. Singapore Flyer" comment="subhead" text="9. Singapore Flyer">9. Singapore Flyer</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="9" msid="110582293" hostid="261" sizebytes="1554420" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Panoramic city views from the Singapore Flyer.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>The Singapore Flyer is a giant observation wheel that offers breathtaking views of the city. Standing at 165 meters, it is one of the world’s tallest Ferris wheels. The 30-minute ride provides panoramic views of landmarks like Marina Bay, the Singapore River, and even parts of Malaysia and Indonesia on a clear day. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="10. Haw Par Villa" comment="subhead" text="10. Haw Par Villa">10. Haw Par Villa</cmsannotation> <div type="image" title="10" msid="110582307" hostid="261" sizebytes="2497550" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Discover Chinese mythology at the unique Haw Par Villa.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>Haw Par Villa is a unique theme park that showcases Chinese mythology and folklore. It features over 1,000 statues and dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese legends and history. The park is best known for its Ten Courts of Hell, a series of gruesome displays illustrating the Buddhist concept of hell. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Tips for Indian Travellers" comment="subhead" text="Tips for Indian Travellers">Tips for Indian Travellers</cmsannotation> Food: Singapore is a food lover’s paradise with a variety of Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Visit hawker centres for affordable and delicious local food. Weather: Singapore has a tropical climate. Carry light, comfortable clothing and stay hydrated. Transport: The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system is efficient and convenient for getting around the city. Language: English is widely spoken, making it easy for Indian tourists to communicate. Singapore’s mix of cultural experiences, modern attractions, and natural beauty makes it a wonderful destination for Indian travellers. Whether you’re exploring futuristic gardens, indulging in world-class shopping, or enjoying vibrant nightlife, Singapore has something for everyone. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Frequently asked questions" comment="subhead" text="Frequently asked questions">Frequently asked questions</cmsannotation> 1. Do I need a visa to travel to Singapore? Yes, Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Singapore. You can apply for a Singapore visa online or through authorised travel agents. The visa process is straightforward and typically takes about 3-5 working days. 2. What is the best time to visit Singapore? Singapore has a tropical climate with consistent temperatures year-round. However, the best time to visit is between February and April when the weather is relatively dry and pleasant. Avoid visiting during the monsoon seasons (November to January and June to September) when heavy rains can disrupt outdoor activities. 3. What is the local currency and how can I exchange money? The local currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). Money can be exchanged at banks, currency exchange counters at the airport, and authorised money changers throughout the city. ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted at most establishments. 4. Is Singapore safe for tourists? Yes, Singapore is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists. It has low crime rates and a very efficient public safety system. However, it’s always advisable to take common precautions, such as safeguarding your belongings and being aware of your surroundings. 5. What is the best way to get around Singapore? Singapore has an excellent public transportation system, including the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and buses, which are efficient, clean, and affordable. Taxis and ride-hailing services like Grab are also widely available. The EZ-Link card or Singapore Tourist Pass are convenient options for unlimited travel on public transport. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/international/webstories/top-10-activities-to-do-in-singapore-for-an-unforgettable-visit-in-2024/slidelist/110551251.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">10 best things to do in Singapore for an unforgettable visit</a>

Best places to visit in Singapore for Indians

<ul><li><keyword id="9025059" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="abhik-choudhury">Abhik Choudhury</keyword>, Chief strategist &amp; founder, Salt and Paper Consulting writes how brands colors are now both category and audience agnostic. </li><li>He further shares a few reasons behind this paradigm shift. </li></ul> What do Volkswagen, Volvo, Tata, Ford and GM have in common? They all are reliable family cars with blue logos. How about KFC, McDonalds, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut and Burger King? They all are global fast food chains with either or both, red and yellow in their identities. And till about a decade ago, it was all fine and dandy till digital content clutter multiplied our brand exposure to a whopping 5000+ on an average day. And that meant the compelling need for acute differentiation over everything else. Let’s look at the topical industry of the year - EdTech. The whole industry came into being post digital burst. And in their identities, whilst catering to the same audiences their approach to <keyword id="9709248" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="brand-colors">brand colors</keyword> couldn’t have been more drastically contrasting. Byju, India’s second most valuable startup at $10Bn adorns a bright purple, something which experts used to put in the segment of richness and royalty. Udemy with its coral shade usually seen in lifestyle brands has intentionally moved away from its launch color of grass green. Coursera on the other end of the spectrum is safely engulfed in the reliable blue (think sweet spot between the old and new Facebook color). And finally look at Khan Academy, a blend of sea green and ocean blue. I would argue brands colors are now both category and audience agnostic. And there are four reasons for this major paradigm shift. The Differentiation Paradox: Of course the trained mind might argue the above example is just an anomaly so let’s go back to the automobile category we opened our discussion with to see this point through. In the last decade, the new electric car segment is slowly overpowering old heavyweights. What’s interesting though is as much as these shiny, new kids stand for the same brand promise of blending sleek style, sustainability and automation, their colors try to intentionally stay as apart as possible. Leading the pack Tesla shines in its signature passion red, Faraday Future graces the color of powerplay jet black, Fisker has famously named its brand colors California sunset (orange) and Pacific ocean (blue), the Chinese born Byton decks a more luxurious grey and the adventure friendly Rivian chose orangish yellow. Superdry’s orange boasts of its fun and bold collection, Zara’s black promotes the high street range inspired by luxury fashion weeks. And why not, as the concept of brand colors needed to be synonymous with the “brand experience”. Now though, the audience is aware enough to know that just because Grab taxis are green, they don’t only move with an oil free, electric fleet. Honestly, as long as the story behind your choice of brand color is believable you can paint the canvas with whatever you wish for. Breaking the traditional need for popping colors, Unilever’s new age Talenti Gelato comes in a pure transparent identity to just focus on the product and cut the clutter in the ice cream shelf simultaneously. Ola, India’s answer to Uber uses an exclusive pear color something eponymous with sporty, not exactly a massy cab service using Wagon R &amp; Swift Dzire cars. But does it work? Quite brilliantly actually, the point of differentiation is well made and well reaped. The Niche Maze Before the digital era, market penetration used to be mostly about what the masses demanded. And honestly rightfully so, for neither there was internet to measure the size of niche interests nor a way to get them delivered online to spurt segments scattered all over. And what it has resulted in is making colors more unisex, boldly unique and universally acceptable. Lyft’s Magenta and Dunzo’s Mint Green paves way for many more to come in the coming decade. Let’s try to understand the repercussions of not having niche colors. In the Indian media ecosystem look at the known brands Zee News, NDTV, ABP News, Republic, Aaj Tak, BBC Hindi, The Wire and Firspost ALL have red in their logos. Let’s forget for a second if all these brands have similar personalities, experience or values of the color red. Let’s rather say in 2021 you want to start a media corporation catering to millennials. Don’t you think a berry blue or sunshine yellow will give you a niche identity distinctively apart from all your industry peers and make the consumer immediately associate you with the color no matter on which medium it is used? Reliance Jio certainly would have considered it while starting to slowly move towards Persian blue from its bright red similar to core competitors Airtel and Vodafone. So would have AirBnB while choosing a coral shade over their old blue similar to Booking’s identity. <div type="image" title="Color Logos Case" msid="77389917" hostid="261"></div> Content Overload: One of the most profitable industries inarguably today is the smartphone hub with over 1.5Bn average annual unit sales and still a long way in penetrating the global population. No matter where you are from, you can’t deflect from its plethora of content across platforms. Oppo and Vivo with their selfie camera positioning had planned a budget of INR 2200 crores for the Indian market to dwarf Samsung at its own game. Xiaomi, who finally did overthrow Samsung poured INR 3500 crores last year aiming at an even more aggressive advertising strategy. All pointing towards an inevitable content war subtly numbing the audiences to all headlines and creatives. And hence you see Xiaomi goes with a blazing orange, Oppo graces forest green, One Plus Christmas red, Google Pixel a more humbling grey to Apple’s black while Vivo goes for sailor blue. We aren’t talking about one off anomalies that used to happen in every category like Ferrari’s legendary lemon yellow backdrop whilst Audi, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Jaguar &amp; Lexus all go with the same kind of logo in metallic elements on their cars. These smartphone examples are of all category leaders and none come close to the other’s color no matter how close their audience, personality and brand experience might be. Now one of the major brand identity tests is to create a fictional character with a rich personality to match with your corporation’s values, vision and heart. The catch is, it only works if your audience feels that metaphor coming alive too. Otherwise as you will agree, every horse breeder can sell a Unicorn. And with all due respect the 2020s audiences have evolved from all color tones (and it’s kind of fair if not lovely). Now they are more interested and invested in what you actually do both with your offering and beyond it for the overall society. They know how to filter the frills from the flowers. Typography before color: The formula is minimal typography for maximum impact. Uber tweaked its logo element to a bolder no nonsense font of its name. Indian food delivery pioneers have removed their famous spoon and now just have Zomato written in a thicker and slightly curved style. The legendary Absolut Vodka which had a designer cursive line - ‘Country of Sweden’ in the logo itself has switched to just a navy blue Absolut enjoying the solitude. Visa has removed the card element last decade and even fired the fiery yellow edge to allow blue to engulf all of its typography on this one. Dominos have hit puberty late but by making the name come out of the inclined box they now demand complete attention. IHop, Dunkin... the list honestly keeps going on but the verdict is clear. Clarity of your name in the logo, something that can be read in a nanosecond during a digital post or banner is what works today. And when pure simplicity takes absolute precedent, intricate elements, three tone color schemes and parallel mascots take a backseat. Bold is the new black and clarity is the new color. Millennials demand this world to stop seeing colors, at least without any preconceived prejudices. And if anything the creative industry should be elated with this transformation, one less box to fit into. Let the old labels make way for legacy. If only the world would start having bold brands who can make shirts for men and call it pink. Oh wait, we already do - Pink Shirtmaker, London owned by the Louis Vuitton group. By Abhik Choudhury, Chief strategist &amp; founder, Salt and Paper Consulting. He is also a visiting faculty of Market Research and Campaign Planning at <keyword id="9497386" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-indian-institute-of-mass-communication">the Indian Institute of Mass Communication</keyword>, New Delhi. You can reach him at abhik@saltandpaper.co.

The relevance of brand colors are redundant, it’s all about differentiation

<keyword id="1575" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="congress" source="Orion">Congress</keyword> president <keyword id="19897159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mallikarjun-Kharge" source="keywords">Mallikarjun Kharge</keyword> on Monday wrote an open letter to the country's bureaucracy on the eve of counting of votes for the <keyword id="19923279" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha-elections" source="keywords">Lok Sabha elections</keyword>, urging officers to adhere to the Constitution and serve the nation "without fear, favour and ill-will against anybody". "Do not get intimidated by anyone. Do not bow down to any unconstitutional means. Do not be afraid of anyone and discharge your duties, based on merit, on this counting day," he wrote. "We owe it to future generations, a vibrant Democracy and a long-lasting Constitution, as penned by the makers of modern India," he said. The counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections will be held on Tuesday. <div type="javascript" title="Custom" contenttype="Infographic"><cdata><![CDATA[]]></cdata></div> "In this hope that India remains truly Democratic in nature, I extend good wishes to each one of you, and expect that our eternal ideals of the Constitution remain untarnished," the Congress chief said. In his appeal to all civil servants and officers, he said he is writing in his capacity of the Leader of the Opposition (Rajya Sabha) and as the president of the <keyword id="19964138" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-National-Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian National Congress" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Indian National Congress">Indian National Congress</keyword>. He congratulated the Election Commission of India, the Central Armed Police Forces, state police forces, civil servants, district collectors, volunteers and all in the bureaucracy who were involved in the smooth conduct of the mammoth general elections. "Our inspiration and India's First Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel famously called the civil servants as the 'Steel frame of India'. The people of India are well aware that it is the Indian National Congress which established numerous institutions, laid their solid foundation, and devised mechanisms for their independence, on the basis of the Constitution of India. "Independence of the institutions is paramount, for every civil servant takes oath of the Constitution that they 'will faithfully and conscientiously discharge their duties and will do right to all manner of people in accordance with the Constitution and the law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will'," he said. "In this spirit we expect every bureaucrat and officer - from top to bottom of the hierarchy, to discharge their duties in the spirit of the Constitution, without any coercion, threat, pressure or intimidation either from the ruling party/coalition or from the opposition party/coalition," the Congress chief said in his letter. He said that the Congress, through the Constitution prepared by inspirational founding members such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, B R Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sarojini Naidu and countless others, not only created a framework of strong governance, but also ensured affirmative action through representation of the marginalised in the bureaucracy and the civil society. "The last decade has witnessed a systemic pattern to assault, undermine and suppress our autonomous institutions by the ruling party. India's Democratic ethos are being consequently damaged. There is a widespread tendency to turn India into a regimental dictatorship. "We are increasingly seeing some institutions shedding their independence and brazenly following the diktats of the ruling party. Some have completely adopted their style of communication, their way of functioning, and in some cases even their political rhetoric," Kharge said. But it is not their fault, he said. "With brute power, threat, coercive mechanisms and misuse of agencies, this tendency to bow to the powers that have become a way for their short-term survival. Even though, in this denigration, India's Constitution and Democracy have become a casualty." The Congress chief also said that the "will of the people" is supreme, and people want Indian bureaucracy to again be the same 'Steel frame of India' as envisaged by Sardar Patel. "Indian National Congress now urges the entire bureaucracy, to adhere to the Constitution, enact their duties, and serve the nation, without fear, favour and ill-will against anybody," Kharge said. Counting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections would be held on Tuesday, and both the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc have claimed victory. Meanwhile, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared a purported letter of the Congress in which it has asked all its cadres to reach the counting centres. However, there was no confirmation of the letter from the Congress. "<keyword id="1571" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="congress-party" source="Orion">Congress party</keyword>'s instruction to its workers' reads like a manual to riot...There is absolutely no merit in asking people to assembly in state and district offices because counting happens in a designated secure zone for each Lok Sabha, unless the idea is to unleash mobs and disrupt the process," Malviya said in a post on X while sharing the unsigned letter of the Congress.

'Follow Constitution, serve nation without fear': Congress chief Kharge writes open letter to bureaucrats

<ul><li>A study released by <keyword id="56000" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNICEF">UNICEF</keyword> and the <keyword id="11129455" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="geena-davis-institute">Geena Davis Institute</keyword> on Gender in Media (GDI) on <keyword id="30293" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gender-Bias">Gender Bias</keyword> and Inclusion In Advertising In India has found that Indian ads have highly streotypical female characters.</li><li>The study explores how popular Indian advertisements can replace such harmful typecasts with balanced portrayals to inspire girls and boys of their possibilities, unrestrained by gender stereotypes.</li></ul>Although female characters are prominent in ads in India, they are still highly stereotyped. Women are less likely to be shown in public spaces and in paid employment; more likely to be selling domestic products and food to other women as well as responsible for childcare and shopping. Female characters in ads also tend to be thin, unlike men who are portrayed as different body types. These are some of the findings of a study released today by UNICEF and the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (GDI) on Gender Bias and Inclusion In Advertising In India. The study explores how popular Indian advertisements can replace such harmful typecasts with balanced portrayals to inspire girls and boys of their possibilities, unrestrained by gender stereotypes. “Gender socialization is a learned behaviour from childhood," says Dr. <keyword id="6262621" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="yasmin-ali-haque">Yasmin Ali Haque</keyword>, UNICEF India Representative. "Children observe and learn social cues from parents, family, and the society around them, including the advertising they see around themselves. UNICEF is committed towards ensuring gender equity and girls' empowerment, which forms the core of our gender responsive programming. This report will help us challenge biases and advocate more effectively with the Indian advertising community, and across South Asia with all businesses, to support our goal of achieving gender equality for the benefit of all children." Geena Davis, Academy Award Winning Actor, Founder and Chair of the Institute says “Misrepresentation and harmful stereotypes of women in advertising have a significant impact on women - and young girls - and how they view themselves and their value to society. While we do see female representation dominate in Indian ads, they are still marginalized by colorism, hyper-sexualization, and without careers or aspirations outside of the home. The stark inequality evident in portrayals of females in these advertisements must be addressed to ensure an equitable society. This collaborative study with UNICEF and its partners sets the foundation for improvement in India and across the globe.” Conventional gender norms constantly devalue women and girls, making it difficult to secure their rights and reach their full potential. From a declining sex ratio, girls dropping out of schools, marrying before 18 years, and not being supported to work outside the home: these all reflect a significant gap in investments in her future pathways beyond marriage. Media can help shift the narrative and provide diverse and powerful templates to fuel her aspirations and simultaneously shift people's perceptions around her. The research measures over 1,000 television and YouTube advertisements aired across India in 2019. The ads were provided and translated by the International Advertising Association (<keyword id="1546917" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IAA">IAA</keyword>), which is also committed to translating the recommendations into action, beginning with a round-table discussion to be organized by the IAA with leading business representatives. IAA will also work with members to launch campaigns to deconstruct harmful stereotypes, in support of UNICEF's priorities. <keyword id="4722871" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="megha-tata">Megha Tata</keyword> President - IAA-India Chapter/ MD, <keyword id="249330" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Discovery-Communications">Discovery Communications</keyword> -South Asia said, "Advertising and marketing play a powerful role in the process of gender socialization and women and girls' empowerment, and the India Chapter of the IAA has been at the forefront of many initiatives concerning creative nuances in communicating gender issues. Being a strategic partner to this effort has not just been exciting but also very satisfying. The Association has supported the sample base for the study and will lead the dissemination of findings in India on the importance of modelling equitable gender norms. We hope this will become a benchmark for similar meaningful studies to be conducted in different parts of the world.” The study has been undertaken with the support of UNICEF's partners, including the advisory board members from UN Women, Population First, the Centre for Women's Development Studies, and Jamia Millia Islamia University.

Indian ads have prominent female characters but they are still highly stereotyped: Study

<keyword id="542865" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-institute-of-technology-madras" source="Orion">Indian Institute of Technology Madras</keyword> (IITM) on Monday said it has generated Rs 1,081 crore from sanctioned projects and consultancy during 2021-22. According to IITM, the over Rs 1,000 crore consists of Rs 768 crore in funds from projects sanctioned by the State and Central Governments and Rs 313 crore in industry consultancy. These collaborations are facilitated by a dedicated team at the Centre for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (IC &amp; SR), <keyword id="6356755" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iit-madras" source="Orion">IIT Madras</keyword>, which is headed by Prof. <keyword id="3807344" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="manu-santhanam" source="Orion">Manu Santhanam</keyword>. The major projects that drove the surge in funding during 2021-22 include: 'Education through Information and Communication Technology using Direct-to-Home (DTH)' headed by Prof. K. Mangala Sunder and Prof. Arun Tangirala - Rs 300.28 crore; 'Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS)' headed by Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian - Rs 99.5 crore; '<keyword id="15392539" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="speech-technologies" source="Orion">Speech Technologies</keyword> in Indian Languages' headed by Prof. <keyword id="2732" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="hema" source="Orion">Hema</keyword> A Murthy - Rs 50.6 crore and 'Collecting Datasets and Benchmarks for Building Indian Language Technology' headed by Dr Mitesh Khapra - Rs 47 crore. V. Kamakoti, Director, of IIT Madras, said, "The performance of the Centre for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research is very encouraging and perfectly aligned with the Strategic Plan of IIT Madras. This is a reflection of our increased interaction with funding agencies and industry." SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/maruti-suzuki-recalls-9925-cars-in-india-over-a-defect-in-the-rear-brake-assembly-pin/articleshow/95198499.cms">Maruti Suzuki recalls 9,925 cars in India over a defect in the rear brake assembly pin</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/boat-joins-cult-fit-to-launch-at-home-workout-programme/articleshow/95199482.cms">boAt joins cult.fit to launch at-home workout programme</a>

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