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India's government <keyword id="21309215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthcare-spending" source="keywords">healthcare spending</keyword> appears to be on the rise, but a closer look reveals a concerning trend. While the headline figures might suggest an increase, the reality is a steady decline in health expenditure as a proportion of both the <keyword id="19936553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget" source="keywords">budget</keyword> and GDP over the past five years (2018-19 to 2023-24). This decline is even starker when adjusted for inflation. In real terms, spending has barely kept pace since 2019-20. As a percentage of the total budget, health spending has shrunk from 2.4% in 2018-19 to just 1.9% in 2023-24. Similarly, the share of GDP allocated to health has fallen from 0.30% to 0.28%, as per a report from the Times of India. <h2>Growing expectations ahead of <keyword id="15478236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2024" source="Orion">Budget 2024</keyword></h2>As the Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> prepares to present the full budget for the current fiscal on July 23, the expectations from the health sector has only been growing. “The Union Budget 2024-25 is a pivotal moment for India's healthcare sector. Building on the ₹64,180 crores allocated in 2023-24 under the Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana, we need enhanced tax incentives and financial support for healthcare startups to catalyze innovation. Significant investments in <keyword id="21226679" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-health-infrastructure" source="keywords">digital health infrastructure</keyword>, particularly AI, will improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency,” says Dr Sravani Reddy G, Founder &amp; CEO, Soprav Healthcare Consulting. “Strengthening public-private partnerships will improve healthcare accessibility and quality, leveraging private sector efficiency. Additionally, focused efforts on affordability and access, such as reducing out-of-pocket expenses and improving insurance coverage, are vital for a more equitable healthcare system.” “The healthcare sector in India is on the brink of excellence. There is an increased focus on treating unique patient cases, robotic surgeries, and increasing prominence of AI for accurate diagnosis. To reach the next phase, emphasis must be laid on innovation, research &amp; development, and infrastructure development. These are the foundations for India’s health sector to achieve an international standard of treatment for all,” hopes Joseph Pasangha, Group COO, SPARSH Hospital, Bengaluru. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111730426" title="Pan-India rollout of U-WIN to track routine immunisations likely by Aug end" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Health tax not helping enough </h2>This situation is further complicated by the introduction of the <keyword id="22446013" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-cess" source="keywords">health cess</keyword> in 2018. This tax levy was intended to boost government spending on healthcare, particularly for the underprivileged. However, the collected funds seem to be merely filling the gap created by cuts to regular budgetary allocations for health. In 2022-23, over Rs 18,300 crore of the central government's health spending came from the health cess. Excluding this amount, the actual budgetary allocation for health stands at a concerning Rs 59,840 crore. This is lower than the pre-pandemic level of Rs 66,042 crore allocated in 2019-20, even without adjusting for inflation. <h2>Where's the money going?</h2>The intended purpose of the health cess seems to be falling short. In 2018, health spending accounted for 2.4% of the government's total expenditure. If this ratio had remained constant in 2023-24, the health budget should have been over Rs 1.07 lakh crore. Instead, the revised expenditure, including the health cess, stands at just Rs 83,400 crore. Even the additional allocations for the COVID-19 pandemic (Rs 10,655 crore and Rs 15,955 crore in 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively) cannot mask the overall decline. When combined with the regular health budget (excluding health cess), the total spending in these years still falls short of what it would have been if the 2.4% share of 2018-19 had been maintained. <h2>More for alternative medicine</h2>While the share allocated to Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga &amp; Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) has seen a significant increase, spending on crucial areas like health research has seen only marginal growth. Additionally, a major portion of research funding goes to the Indian Council of Medical Research, with only a temporary increase during the peak of the pandemic response. The most concerning decrease is in the allocation for health and family welfare, encompassing national programs, the National Health Mission, and health system strengthening. This critical area has seen a substantial decline in its share of both GDP and total budget expenditure, falling from a peak of over 2% in 2017-18 to a mere 1.7% in 2023-24. Excluding the health cess, this figure drops even further to 1.5%. <h2>What this means</h2>This decline in government health spending raises serious concerns about India's commitment to public healthcare, particularly for its most vulnerable populations. Increased investment in health is crucial for a growing nation like India, and a reversal of this downward trend is essential to ensure accessible and quality healthcare for all. The 2024 Interim Health Budget saw a boost in total healthcare expenditure from Rs. 79,221 crore to Rs. 90,171 crore. Experts have opined that The healthcare budget should encompass at least 2.5% of the total budget. But it remains to be seen how the exact picture will turn out to be on July 23. “The 2024-25 budget presents an opportunity to build on past successes while addressing shortcomings, ensuring that India's healthcare system remains resilient, innovative, and patient-centric. This budget can pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future for all," concludes Dr Reddy. (With inputs from TOI) <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111689743" title="Union Budget 2024: A handy FAQ guide to decode the upcoming budget" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Despite pandemic and growing health scares, India’s budget share for healthcare continues to decline

The next time you join a new organisation, closely look at its reporting hierarchy. Do you have a mid-level manager to report to, or do you have a direct line to the senior executives? If your answer is the latter, you’re most likely part of an organisation that has “unbossed” itself. Many companies, like life sciences behemoths Bayers and Novartis, have recently hopped onto this un-bossing trend. Closer home, Wipro reportedly laid off many of its middle <keyword id="20235360" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="management" source="keywords">management</keyword> employees recently. The IT major is said to have undergone a major un-bossing, even though the main purpose of the exercise was to improve efficiency. So, what is this un-bossing trend all about, and how are Indian companies taking up to it? And most importantly, will it do anyone good? Let's find out. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What does Gen-Z want?" comment="subhead" text="What does Gen-Z want?">What does <keyword id="20334202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gen-Z" source="keywords">Gen-Z</keyword> want?</cmsannotation> A recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that by 2025, Gen-Z (born after 1996) will account for 27% of the global workforce. While there are no official figures, a young country like India is expected to have an even higher proportion of Gen-Z workforce, with estimates suggesting 25 crore as against roughly 40 crore <keyword id="19955338" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="millennials" source="keywords">millennials</keyword> (those born between 1981 and 1996). While the numbers might not be far apart, their work priorities certainly are. For millennials, it has traditionally been about job stability and steadily climbing the corporate ladder. But for Gen-Z, purpose, <keyword id="19986702" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flexibility" source="keywords">flexibility</keyword>, respect at their jobs and a solid work-life balance are key. They are not lured into simply jumping the corporate ranks. As more companies make way for younger blood in offices, millennials are confronted with a unique, almost existential challenge. With Gen-Z embracing newer tech, remote working and prioritising flexibility and respect at work, corporations are increasingly doing away with <keyword id="22056604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mid-level-managers" source="keywords">mid-level managers</keyword>, mostly millennials. Even in 2022, millennials were also the hardest hit during <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/millennials-won-the-great-resignation-now-theyre-losing-the-big-firing-/articleshow/94076963.cms">the Great Firing Phase</a> as well. Sanchita Tuli, director of <keyword id="6393327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Human-Resources" source="Orion">Human Resources</keyword> at Great Lakes Institute of Management notes that un-bossing is a natural progression, as more organisations will eventually move towards developing flatter reporting hierarchies. “However, it remains pertinent only to limited industries, like technology, where changes are dynamic and quick. Un-bossing will be nearly impossible in certain industries like education, where one will always need a certain degree of experience to handle higher-order roles. Another industry where un-bossing will not take place is hospitality, where they would be needed to drive daily operations,” she explains. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Bye-Bye mentorship?" comment="subhead" text="Bye-Bye mentorship?">Bye-Bye <keyword id="20874153" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mentorship" source="keywords">mentorship</keyword>?</cmsannotation> What about mentorship and the handholding done by these mid-level managers, which is so crucial during the initial years of one’s career? "Gen Zers are new to the world of work, and they do really need managers to help them find the ropes. Ultimately, eliminating this kind of middle management position means less guidance, less coaching, and less mentoring, which I feel like is still desperately needed in a post-COVID world," <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/companies-are-unbossing-workplace-culture-and-millennials-are-in-the-firing-line/articleshow/110311358.cms">says</a> Shoshanna Davis, the founder of Fairy Job Mother to Business Insider. Tuli, however, believes that the new generation could also benefit from un-bossing. She believed that the trend offers scope for new talent to access <keyword id="22056605" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cross-functional-guidance" source="Orion">cross-functional guidance</keyword> and mentorship, both within the organisation and online as well. In fact, many organisations are increasingly engaging industry professionals to take up training and mentoring sessions for their young, incoming talent. This could benefit the younger lot by motivating them to take on initiatives and action, all on their own. Zoomers are already unenthused by management. They are the generation that coined the term "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lazy-girl-job-trend-tiktok-explained-defending-low-stress-work-2023-7">lazy-girl jobs</a>" and strongly believe in the benefits of "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-quiet-quitting-work-ethic-millennials-money-struggles-2023-10">quiet quitting</a>." And at the end of the day, solid managers will always be in demand. As per a 2022 report by ThoughtExchange, around 79% of Indian youngsters prioritise having a supportive manager, who is equally invested in their personal growth and professional development while working. For most parts, Gen-Z merely wants to boot out micromanagement and workplace toxicity, something that has come to be deeply associated with mid-level management. Clearly, the role, which was earlier simply a link between fresh talent and senior management, is in need of a rehaul. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Don't be a boss, be a leader" comment="subhead" text="Don't be a boss, be a leader">Don't be a boss, be a leader </cmsannotation>To buck this trend, mid-level managers will need to be more agile and adaptable to the changing times. In other words, they need to be as un-bossy as possible. That the oldest, most experienced member of the lot will necessarily also be the wisest is a notion that should be retired. Mid-managers need to be facilitators, and not mere bosses dictating the job. As Tuli states, mid- managers will need to work on fostering a safe and positive workplace culture, where experience, constructive feedback, and new perspectives find equal value and voice.

The 2024 Great Unbossing — Desi Edition: How is global trend of firing mid-level managers taking shape in India

<ul><li>Indians embrace the ‘clean beauty’ trend with natural, organic, green, and allergen-free ingredients.</li><li>Japanese products emphasize preventive measures instead of fixing damage.</li><li>Japanese skin and hair care products claim to be simple and require minimal effort to use. </li></ul>K-pop and K-dramas have ushered in a new trend of K-beauty regimens, which have picked up across India too over the last decade. But it’s not the only Asian beauty trend that’s making inroads in this fast-growing market. Japanese beauty companies are also making a beeline for the Indian market to cash in on the ‘natural ingredient’ trend. Late last year, one of Japan’s largest cosmetics companies <keyword id="19951131" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shiseido" source="keywords">Shiseido</keyword> partnered with <keyword id="19919253" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shoppers-stop" source="keywords">Shoppers Stop</keyword> to launch its NARS brand in India. Not only has it plans to open 14 stores in Mumbai and Delhi, but it’s also marketing the brand via <keyword id="19955203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sephora" source="keywords">Sephora</keyword> stores. And there are more to come, says a report by <keyword id="20604035" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-data" source="keywords">Global Data</keyword>. With India’s health and beauty market projected to grow at 5-6% between 2022-27, they aim to make a significant impact, the data and analytics firm adds. J is the new K of beauty It’s not that there are no similarities between J-beauty and K-beauty. They share the same DNA of being rooted in R&amp;D, and Japanese brands also introduced revolutionary products like oil cleansers. “While K-beauty relies on eye-catching product assertions, trendy ingredients, unconventional packaging, and quick results, J-beauty emphasizes efficiency, enduring effects of formulations, and refined packaging akin to Western beauty goods,” explains Mani Bhushan <keyword id="19906945" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shukla" source="keywords">Shukla</keyword>, consumer analyst at GlobalData. In general, beauty regimens are picking up fast as Indians focus on self-care. Adding to that, social media and rapid urbanization are making them pay more attention to personal appearance. Not only are Indians keen on new-age beauty trends, but they also seek brands that are ethical, sustainable, and safe. Moreover, consumers now pay a lot more attention to ingredients that go into beauty products. And Japanese cosmetics can rank higher in this regard, opines Global Data. They aid the ‘clean beauty’ trend, which encompasses product claims like natural, organic, green, and allergen-free. Japanese beauty products place importance on preventive measures instead of fixing damage. “Recognizing the increasing demand for natural and organic products in India, J-beauty manufacturers have rolled out new formulations to meet the preferences of the discerning consumer base, including ageing individuals,” adds Shukla. What’s the next trend? Indian consumers are constantly hunting for the next big beauty trend. As per GlobalData’s Q4 2023 consumer survey, 74% of female consumers are consistently or frequently influenced by the uniqueness and enjoyability of a product or service when making health and beauty purchases. If easy to use and less cumbersomeness picks up as the next trendsetter, Japanese companies could have an upper hand. Japanese skin and hair care products claim to be simple and require minimal effort to apply and use. “Although both K-beauty and J-beauty incorporate multi-step routines into their skincare regimens, they differ in complexity. J-beauty sets itself apart from the former by embracing a more streamlined approach with fewer products, resembling Western beauty regimens,” says Shukla. As per GlobalData’s survey, 66% of female consumers in India said that their choice of a beauty product is influenced by how well it aligns with their time and money constraints.

Move over K-beauty, Japanese brands are here to take over India’s clean B-trend

<keyword id="21381873" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Priyanka-Goswami" source="keywords">Priyanka Goswami</keyword> is an accomplished Indian <keyword id="22673137" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="racewalker" source="keywords">racewalker</keyword> known for her dedication and achievements in the sport. The 28-year-old athlete from Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in her career, notably winning a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and another at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships. Despite these impressive accolades (which includes her second appearance at the Olympics) Goswami has recently found herself at the centre of a <keyword id="20638490" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-media-storm" source="keywords">social media storm</keyword> — not for her performance on the track, but for a now-deleted video she posted showing her using an air conditioner in her accommodation. <h2>Tough competition, somehow tougher critics</h2>As per reports, the Indian government had sent 40 AC units to the Olympic Games Village after the country’s athletes had complained of discomfort. Paris had begun to suffer from a sudden rise in temperature and humidity, which had impaired the quality of sleep of many athletes. Goswami and other Indian Olympians had made reels celebrating the move. However, social media platforms were quickly flooded with negative comments from disgruntled observers. Most of these were directed at Goswami, questioning her commitment and dedication to her sport. The criticism has been harsh, with some even blaming her less-than-stellar performance at the <keyword id="20201477" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Paris-2024-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris 2024 Olympics</keyword> as an outcome of the decision to “make reels” instead of “focusing on the sport”. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Priyanka Goswami finished 41st in the women's 20km race walk with a time of 1:39:55, significantly behind her personal best and national record of 1:28:45 set in 2021. This was her second Olympic appearance, having previously finished 17th at Tokyo 2020. Many critics were “generous” enough to point out the regression in rankings over the past Olympics. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112283254" title="WATCH: Sweden’s Truls Moregard stuns Olympics crowd with an insane trick shot in table tennis final!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, the fact that the 20km race walk is a demanding event that tests the limits of physical and mental endurance seemed to be lost on all of these faultfinders. Walking 20km in a single bout is challenging by itself; it is a whole other matter on the elite international stage. In racewalking, athletes have to maintain a rapid pace while adhering to strict technique rules, making it one of the most challenging disciplines in athletics. Many also pointed out that Goswami had been training in Switzerland on “taxpayer’s money”. While this may certainly be true, considering how the athlete herself had posted reels of the same, barely anyone seemed to acknowledge the fact that this was part of Goswami’s training. Athletes often train at high altitudes to prepare for big events because the thinner air means there is less oxygen to deliver to their muscles. This forces their bodies to work harder, leading to more efficient workouts. <h2>The struggles of race walking in India</h2>Race walking is certainly not an established sport in India, often overshadowed by more popular disciplines like cricket, badminton, and other athletics. This lack of recognition translates into limited resources and support for athletes who choose to pursue it. In addition, race walkers in India frequently face uncertainties regarding training facilities, funding, and opportunities to compete on international stages. Even in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Indian race walkers had to reportedly overcome significant hurdles, including confusion over the selection process, a lack of inadequate training infrastructure and limited exposure to high-level competitions. Despite these challenges, athletes like Priyanka Goswami remained committed to their sport, striving to make a mark on the international stage despite the odds stacked against them. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112193514" title="Why have the Paris Olympics 2024 athletes been given over 2 lakh condoms?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, the combination of these factors has led to India struggling to make a significant impact in Olympic race walking events so far. The best performance to date was by KT Irfan, who finished 10th at the London 2012 Olympics with a time of 1:20:21. In the men's 20km race walk this year, Vikash Singh finished 30th with a time of 1:22:36, and Paramjeet Singh Bisht placed 37th with a time of 1:23:48. Akshdeep Singh, who holds the national record, did not finish the race due to an early exit this year. <h2>Paris Olympics is already pretty TikTok-ified</h2>It has become common for Olympians, even high-level ones, to make TikToks. The platform provides a way for athletes to share behind-the-scenes content, offering fans a glimpse into their lives at the Olympics. While many appreciate this transparency and the personal connection it fosters, there is some criticism. Detractors argue that making TikToks can distract athletes from their training and competition focus. However, supporters believe it humanises athletes and promotes their sports to a broader audience. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112227840" title="Paris Olympics: India beat Australia for first time in Olympics since 1972, finish 2nd in Pool B" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Several international athletes have embraced TikTok to share their Olympic experiences, with team USA gymnast Suni Lee, Australian diver Sam Fricker, and rugby player Ilona Maher being notable examples. These athletes have provided unseen content, from life in the Olympic Village to personal training routines and competition moments. The backlash against Priyanka Goswami for using an air conditioner underscores the intense scrutiny athletes face, especially during high-stakes competitions like the Olympics. While her performance may not have met expectations, the harsh criticism highlights the pressures and challenges faced by elite athletes.

Why is the internet mad at an elite Indian Olympian for using the AC?

Mumbai is set to experience a "Sky Full of Stars" moment as Coldplay fans from around the world prepare to descend upon the city for the band’s highly anticipated January 2025 concert. The return of the British pop-rock sensation, which hasn’t performed in India since 2016, already sent a wave of excitement among fans — most of whom paid a hefty price for the highly sought after tickets. And now, it’s time for the hoteliers in the city to mint money. The return of Coldplay seems to have triggered a surge in hotel bookings and accommodation searches. A September <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/coldplay-india-mumbai-hotel-rates-soar-to-1-lakh-a-night-dy-patil-stadium-coldplay-tickets-11727087010459.html">report</a> said that five-star hotels within a 20 kilometre-radius of the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, where the British band is set to perform, are charging almost ₹1 lakh per night during the concert dates. Data from the digital travel platform <keyword id="20081252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agoda" source="keywords">Agoda</keyword> reflects the same enthusiasm among fans. According to the platform, hotel searches in Mumbai soared by an incredible 33 times immediately after the concert was announced. Further, domestic searches for accommodations jumped 45 times on the day of the announcement. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114422542" title="Coldplay concert chaos aftermath: PIL filed in Bombay HC to demand stricter controls over online ticket sales" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director for the India Subcontinent and MEA at Agoda, emphasised the appeal of this event: "Earlier this year, we saw Indians flock to Thailand to watch Coldplay perform live in Bangkok. The band’s popularity among Indians suggests that Mumbai is about to be the stage for something really memorable, and we are thrilled to help travellers find the perfect stay for the event.” Evidently, it isn’t just Indian fans driving this trend. This demand also extends to international fans, with top searches coming from France, the UAE, the UK, Spain, and Australia. Coldplay’s global fan base reflects a broader trend in the music and tourism sectors, where major concerts often transform host cities into tourist hotspots. In 2022, a similar surge was seen in Seoul when BTS held their live concerts, drawing fans from over 100 countries and pushing local accommodations to their limits. As anticipation for the Coldplay concert builds, Agoda is advising fans to secure accommodations early to take advantage of the competitive rates and options. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113665893" title="It is cheaper to watch Coldplay perform in Abu Dhabi than to pay scalpers for Mumbai tickets" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Coldplay concert 2025 signals massive travel boom; triggers 33x increase in Mumbai hotel searches: Agoda

India's economic engine is roaring, and the job market reflects that optimism. The latest <keyword id="20613906" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Economic-Survey" source="keywords">Economic Survey</keyword> 2023-2024 paints a picture of a growing economy brimming with opportunities, but also cautions of potential roadblocks on the road to success. <h2>Cause for celebration</h2>The good news is plentiful, if the recent Economic Survey tabled by <keyword id="20426375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Finance-Minister-Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman">Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> is to be believed. The <keyword id="20054242" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="unemployment-rate" source="keywords">unemployment rate</keyword> has dipped to an impressive 3.2% in 2022-23, signifying a more vibrant job market. Increased participation of young people and women in the workforce presents a golden opportunity to leverage India's demographic dividend and achieve greater gender equality. Additionally, a surge in net payroll additions under the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) indicates a healthy rise in formal jobs, offering much-needed security for workers. The government's "Skill India" initiative is gaining traction, with a significant rise in the number of people undergoing skill development programs, the Economic Survey highlighted. This is crucial, as India's burgeoning tech scene, with its skyrocketing number of startups, is creating a wealth of new opportunities that demand a skilled workforce. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111920956" title="FM Nirmala Sitharaman tables Economic Survey 2023-24 in Lok Sabha" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Challenges on the horizon </h2>However, amidst the optimism, there are challenges to navigate. While <keyword id="107950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="Orion">Artificial Intelligence</keyword> (AI) promises to revolutionise industries, it also poses a threat to some existing jobs. The Economic Survey emphasises the need to use technology for collective benefit, advocating against over-reliance on automation. Another significant hurdle is the widening <keyword id="21466653" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skills-gap" source="keywords">skills gap</keyword>. The rapid transformation of the <keyword id="20001119" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="services-sector" source="keywords">services sector</keyword>, marked by the rise of domestic service delivery powered by technology (think online food delivery and home automation) and the diversification of India's services exports beyond traditional sectors like IT, demands a workforce equipped with specialised skills. Areas like Blockchain, Machine Learning, <keyword id="19906883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cybersecurity" source="keywords">Cybersecurity</keyword>, <keyword id="19960489" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cloud-computing" source="keywords">Cloud Computing</keyword>, and Web and Mobile Development are becoming increasingly important. Outdated regulations, particularly those related to land use and restrictions on women's working hours, are further hindering job creation and female labour force participation. Deregulation in these areas is crucial to unlock India's full growth potential, according to the Economic Survey. The report also highlights the need for industry to take the lead in fostering innovation and skill development. Collaboration with academia and revamped vocational education programs are key to bridge the current skill gap. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111922453" title="AI casts huge pall of uncertainty over impact on workers across skill levels: Economic Survey" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Opportunities beyond tech</h2>The Economic Survey identifies promising sectors with the potential to create a significant number of jobs: <ul><li>Agro-processing: This sector can be a major job generator, especially in rural areas.</li><li>Care Economy: The growing demand for elder care and childcare services presents an opportunity for skilled professionals.</li><li>Tourism: While AI might moderate India's services export growth, the report emphasises the importance of the <keyword id="20260982" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourism-sector" source="keywords">tourism sector</keyword>, which is relatively less skill-dependent, for employment generation. To capitalise on this opportunity, public policy should focus on enhancing the tourism sector's infrastructure and services.</li></ul><h2>Upskilling for the future</h2>India's job market is on an exciting trajectory. But addressing the skills gap, adapting to technological advancements and promoting innovation is crucial. By upskilling the workforce through government and industry collaboration, India can become a high-value partner in areas like cybersecurity and enterprise management. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111923191" title="Economic Survey 2024 – industries grow by 9.5%, fueling economic growth to 8.2%" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Economic Survey 2023-2024 highlights emerging job trends in AI, Cybersecurity, 3D Printing and Web Development

After years of intensified focus on <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, <keyword id="19992404" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tuberculosis" source="keywords">tuberculosis</keyword> (TB) has once again emerged as the leading <keyword id="20564668" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="infectious-disease" source="keywords">infectious disease</keyword> killer worldwide. This resurgence is a sobering reminder that despite our pandemic response, TB has continued to claim lives, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resources are often stretched thin. According to the latest <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organization" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Health Organization" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Health Organization">World Health Organization</keyword> (<keyword id="19895006" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WHO" source="keywords">WHO</keyword>) report, approximately 8.2 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2023, marking the highest number of cases recorded since global monitoring began in 1995. <h2><keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> and Indonesia</h2>The recent spike in TB cases is largely driven by increases in two countries — India and Indonesia. Together, they accounted for 45% of the global rebound in TB diagnoses between 2021 and 2023, underscoring their critical role in the worldwide fight against TB. Three other countries, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Pakistan, also made significant contributions, collectively accounting for another 32% of the increase. This means that more than three-quarters of the global resurgence in TB can be traced to these five countries alone. One key reason for these increases is the “backlog” effect created by COVID-19 disruptions. During the pandemic, healthcare systems in many countries, including India and Indonesia, had to shift focus to COVID-19, which delayed TB diagnosis and treatment. In 2023, as these countries ramped up recovery efforts, many previously undetected TB cases surfaced, creating an apparent spike in reported numbers. This trend highlights the importance of sustainable healthcare infrastructure capable of handling simultaneous health crises. <h2>Gaps in TB case detection</h2>Despite the daunting increase in TB cases, some countries have made notable progress in <keyword id="23741990" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="treatment-coverage" source="keywords">treatment coverage</keyword>. Among the 30 high-burden TB countries, those with the highest levels of treatment coverage in 2023 included Brazil, India, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia, with coverage rates surpassing 80%. India’s <keyword id="21052657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-tuberculosis-elimination-program" source="keywords">National Tuberculosis Elimination Program</keyword> (NTEP) has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in this, aiming to eradicate TB by 2025 — five years ahead of the global target. By focusing on expanded testing, improved diagnostic tools, and more accessible treatment options, India has achieved high treatment coverage levels despite the challenges. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114732986" title="Air Quality Alert: Nearly 30% of asthma cases tied to fine particulate matter exposure from bad air" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, a significant treatment gap remains. The difference between estimated TB incidence and actual diagnoses still affects millions, especially in countries with large populations like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, China, and Myanmar. These five nations together account for about 50% of the global gap in reported TB cases, with India alone responsible for 16% of the discrepancy. <h2>India’s unique position in the global TB fight</h2>As the nation with the largest share of global TB cases, India has a unique and critical responsibility in addressing the disease. The high TB burden in India is tied to several factors, including undernutrition, poverty, and limited access to healthcare in rural areas. Moreover, with 26% of all TB cases globally, India’s battle against TB will significantly impact the global fight. The government’s financial support for TB-affected households also aims to reduce the economic burden of treatment. However, challenges remain, especially with <keyword id="22004277" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="multidrug-resistant-TB" source="keywords">multidrug-resistant TB</keyword> (MDR/RR-TB). While treatment success rates for MDR/RR-TB have reached 68%, diagnosing and treating all drug-resistant cases is an ongoing challenge. In 2023, India’s coverage of preventive treatment for TB among people living with HIV and close contacts of TB patients also saw improvements, but underfunding continues to limit the full scope of TB elimination efforts. <h2>Global funding gaps</h2>Global funding shortages for <keyword id="21039793" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TB-prevention" source="keywords">TB prevention</keyword> and treatment are a significant hindrance to progress. Only $5.7 billion of the targeted $22 billion in funding was met in 2023, and for LMICs — where nearly all of the TB burden lies — the available funding falls well short of their needs. The United States remains the largest bilateral donor, and contributions from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria are crucial. However, these funds are not enough to meet essential TB service requirements, leaving healthcare systems under-resourced. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114646545" title="Doctors struggle to treat long Covid patients in India; researchers point to inadequate studies" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Even in 2022, only one-fifth of the $5 billion target for research funding was achieved, as per the report. This underfunding hampers the development of improved diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines, which are crucial to TB prevention and treatment. Moreover, many of the drivers of TB are related to social factors, such as undernutrition, smoking, alcohol use, and diabetes, making it imperative to address these root causes. For instance, almost half of the TB-affected households globally face what the WHO calls "catastrophic costs" in seeking treatment. This burden is particularly severe in India, where low-income families often forgo treatment due to financial constraints. As WHO’s Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus puts it, "The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it, and treat it.” The WHO’s Global tuberculosis report 2024 can be accessed <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/tb-reports/global-tuberculosis-report-2024">here</a>.

Tuberculosis dethrones COVID-19 as world’s top infectious killer again; Half of all new cases from India, Indonesia

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some expat Indians are moving back home to launch companies of their own.</li><li>India's booming market size, internet growth, and post-pandemic spending is driving their decision.</li></ul>Nithin Hassan, 41, has always been fascinated with building something of his own.As a child in India, he would get in trouble for dismantling electronics around the house just so he could peek inside.In college, in true <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/startups-to-bet-your-career-on-in-2024-2024-2">startup</a> fashion, he started working on a small business out of his parent's garage in Bengaluru, assembling computers for friends and family.It was the early 2000s and the internet was not the trove of knowledge it is today — Hassan was relying on books to learn. Finding mentorship and the right guidance was a challenge, too.Everyone around Hassan told him that going to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/resume-tips-google-software-engineer-skills-experience-careers-software-tech-2024-3">US for a master's degree</a> was the next big opportunity. So he did.Over the next 16 years, he put his startup plans on hold and worked at some of the world's biggest companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta.<div type="image" title="Nithin Hassan" height="2450" width="3266" msid="113831978" hostid="261" sizebytes="215682"></div>But the pandemic felt like a turning point. And its aftermath made India look like a lab-designed business environment: It had just become the world's most populous country, the pandemic had created <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/private-consumption-continues-to-be-supported-by-pent-up-demand-finance-ministry/articleshow/99069973.cms?from=mdr">pent-up demand</a> for consumer products, and growing internet adoption made commerce more scalable, he said.So Hassan left behind about $500,000 in annual pay at Meta to move back to Bengaluru in December 2023 with his wife and two children. He has since launched two startups.Hassan is part of a group of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">expat Indians moving back</a> home to venture out on their own. As such, he's also part of a decades-long trend of reverse migration back to India.The trend began in the 1990s and picked up at the turn of the century, driven by the economic collapse in 2008, said Binod Khadria, the president of Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism. Many of those who returned to India for work were largely working for multinational companies.Today, the impetus for the move often looks a bit different: It's driven by factors like unstable visa policies and economic recessions, which lead to uncertainty when it comes to jobs and duration of stay in these destinations.Many returnees find work in tech, but the finance, retail, and climate sectors also absorb a large number of expat Indians, Khadia said. And some of the returnees are heading back to India to start companies of their own.India is undergoing a startup explosion. The country reported over<a target="_blank" href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2043805"> 140,800 recognized startups</a> at the end of June — nearly 50,000 more than last year — and credited them with creating 1.6 million direct jobs.To be sure, not all of these companies will make it big — and some do still stumble, like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://inc42.com/features/what-are-the-current-problems-being-faced-by-oyo/">Oyo </a>and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/blackrock-hsbc-funds-byjus-startup-valuation-zero-edtech-india-raveendran-2024-6">Byju's</a>. But the chaos, where even established startups are trying and failing, makes India a fair playing field for new entrants, Hassan said.Business Insider spoke to six <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-vc-wants-see-5-traits-new-founders-fundraising-antler-2024-8">first-time founders </a>about why they have recently returned to India after spending several years, or even an adult life, abroad.<h2 id="0e4a3c47-ba19-4690-8b52-c6bfece1c81d">Fastest-growing economy</h2>The health of the economy and interest from investors are fueling the entrepreneurship boom.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-billionaire-karan-adani-plans-challenge-china-dominance-seaports-2024-8">India's economic growth</a> in 2023 — 8.2% — was the fastest of all large economies worldwide. That's led to greater purchasing power, which lets companies, including startups, sell more.India's inflation rate of about 3.5% is well below its annual wage growth of 9.6%. This makes inflation less of a challenge than it is for slower-growing peers, where consumer-focused businesses have been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-jobs-report-sentiment-consumers-elections-recession-inflation-mortgage-rates-2024-9">hurt by high prices</a>.Investors are getting in on the action.From 2015 to 2021, the number of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sequoia-capital-vc-firm-split-china-india-2023-6">unique investors in India</a> nearly quadrupled, though the number is tracking much lower this year, per PitchBook."Other than a slight downturn in 2022 and 2023 due to global macroeconomic factors, VC funding has been consistently growing in India," said Ben Mathias, a managing partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia &amp; India.Besides funding, domestic developments have encouraged founders and VCs too, Mathias said.The Indian government's Universal Payment Interface system has spurred consumers and businesses to pay online, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bcg.com/press/2june2022-digital-payments-in-india-projected-to-reach-10-trillion-by-2026">40% of all digital payments</a> globally happen in India today, the partner said.Programs like Startup India, which provides founders benefits like tax exemption, easier compliance, and funding support, have made creating a company smoother.Devyani Parameshwar worked in the microfinance and fintech space in India in the 2010s before heading to the UK and Africa. She returned to India in 2022 to launch a financial management venture."It's changed dramatically. I remember standing in line at various ministries in Delhi trying to get meetings and then trying to get answers and it wasn't easy in the past," she said of her memories of India.Now, she can use an online platform to ask the country's central bank and banking regulator questions.It's easier than ever for foreign companies to invest in India, which means startups have a clearer exit path through acquisition — something VCs think hard about before entering new markets or writing checks.<h2 id="e5dd7b6f-a09f-4ff2-84c1-5907de96dc5e">Market ripe for the taking</h2>For Rohan Bhide, who spent most of his college and professional life <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-in-big-tech-before-launching-my-own-startup-engineer-2024-9">preparing to launch something of his own</a>, a trip home in 2017 while he was studying in the US was a turning point.Indian telecom giant Reliance had recently launched a cheap unlimited data plan, which spiked Indian internet adoption. India was charting among the countries with the highest online transactions."That really, really drew my attention," said Bhide, who worked at Meta after graduation. "It was my dream come true — a huge market, a huge user base, and at the same time, the ability to adopt technology was incredible."Bhide returned to India in January, leaving behind about $580,000 in total compensation at ticketing platform StubHub. He and a cofounder are working on launching a consumer tech product later this year.<div type="image" title="Rohan Bhide" height="2304" width="3072" msid="113831979" hostid="261" sizebytes="218468"></div>Most Indians grew up wanting to work at a multinational company — but that's changing, Bhide said.Freelancing, running your own business, or working for a startup is much more socially acceptable now, because people see the success of other Indian startups. The country has the third-largest number of "unicorns" — companies worth $1 billion or more — with 64, per PitchBook.<h2 id="7f423804-745b-4e04-a250-839e01663f09">Boom in entrepreneurship culture</h2>A lot has changed since Hassan first wanted to launch his hardware startup in the early 2000s.Tech hot spots like Bengaluru and Gurugram have seen a boom in entrepreneurship culture in the last few years, with meet-ups, networking mixers, and even morning walks with like-minded builders.<div type="image" title="man standing in front of mountains in USA" height="2268" width="3024" msid="113831980" hostid="261" sizebytes="141132"></div>Dhruv Anand, who left Google in the US to move back to India in 2021 to launch an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-most-promising-2024-9">AI startup</a>, said that there were lots of other founders and mentors to help guide him."If you want to figure out who's the right chartered accountant to talk to, who's the right lawyer to help you draft agreements, all of that stuff is very easy," Anand said."It's been a really, really supportive community," Bhide said. There are people "telling you about their entire lives just because they want to help you and they're hoping that you pass the favor onto the next person who moves to India and wants to start their own company."<h2 id="3c8bff36-e855-4530-9b44-bcc7f36b0825">Not everything is perfect</h2>Although these founders made the decision to return to India, that doesn't mean they no longer see the benefits of operating in the US.Ruchit Garg founded an agriculture startup in Silicon Valley in 2016, with a focus on supporting farmers around the globe. In 2019, he returned to India, where his late grandfather worked as a farmer.Garg has been building in India ever since, but he says its startup ecosystem cannot yet compete with the Valley's decades of experience."The overall ecosystem was more mature back in Silicon Valley. It's still one of the best places for entrepreneurs. India isn't there yet, although it's growing pretty drastically," he said.Despite efforts to digitalize key processes, many bureaucratic challenges persist.For most founders, after living in US cities where populations are a fraction of those in Mumbai and Bangalore, congested roads and poorer air quality are also everyday annoyances.But India provides some big perks, including affordable domestic help and the appeal of building solutions for problems they witness firsthand."It's a different joy to be able to build for problems that you feel for very personally," Parameshwar, the fintech founder, said. When she worked in Africa, she needed translators. Now, she can speak with her users herself.Bhide said the general sentiment among local founders is shifting from "Build from India" to "Build for India."For some founders, being surrounded by family and the culture they grew up in was another selling point.Niranjan Vemulkar moved back to India in 2015 and later founded a digital legacy planning platform.He said that he never fully felt at home in the US, where he lived for over a decade."For us, it was the fact that we wanted to raise a family in an environment where the children would have access to the grandparents and Indian culture," Vemulkar said. "The fact that you could come back to India, start something of your own and figure things out in an ecosystem which was potentially booming for startups, was just a cherry on the cake."Are you in India and have a story to share about the tech and entrepreneurship landscape? Please reach out at shubhangigoel@insider.com

Some techies are leaving cushy Silicon Valley jobs to launch startups at home in India

<ul><li>The <keyword id="20656465" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iPhone-16-Pro" source="keywords">iPhone 16 Pro</keyword> and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to be <keyword id="20054650" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Made-in-India" source="keywords">made in India</keyword> soon after their global debut.</li><li>This will be the first time that the Pro models are being made in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>.</li><li>Domestic production is expected to slightly bring down the cost of the <keyword id="22846245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iPhone-Pro-models" source="keywords">iPhone Pro models</keyword>.</li></ul>In a boost to <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword>’s iPhone production in India and the country’s Make in India initiative, the iPhone Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro will be made in India, making them the first Pro models to be made in the country. According to a<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-20/apple-s-first-made-in-india-iphone-pro-models-coming-this-year"> report</a> by Bloomberg, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be assembled by Apple’s partner <keyword id="19926050" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Foxconn" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Foxconn" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Foxconn">Foxconn</keyword> at its facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. The assembly of the devices will reportedly begin just weeks after their launch. The company has reportedly started training thousands of workers as it aims to produce the Pro models in India as close to their global debut as possible. Last year, Apple produced the<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-15-iphone-15-plus-with-usb-type-c-port-improved-cameras-launched-starting-at-799/articleshow/103615581.cms"> iPhone 15</a> in India and this was available from day one. Soon after this, the iPhone 15 Plus was produced in India by <keyword id="20003591" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pegatron" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Pegatron" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Pegatron">Pegatron</keyword>. The<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-15-pro-pro-max-can-record-3d-videos-that-can-be-viewed-on-vision-pro-in-a-magical-way/articleshow/103616220.cms"> iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max</a> were imported in the country. The ‘Made in India’ iPhone 16 is expected to be available in India from day one. Apple has been pushing its production in India since 2021, as its push for diversification of its production from China was welcomed with production-linked incentives (PLI) from the Indian government. In FY24, the Cupertino tech giant assembled iPhones worth $14 billion in India, accounting for 14% of its global output. While Foxconn is expected to spearhead iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max production in India, the <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword> and Pegatron are also expected to assemble the Pro models later this year. <h2>Domestic production to make iPhones cheaper</h2>While there is no confirmation from Apple, the report reveals that Apple will be able to meet the domestic demand for iPhones in India through locally assembled devices by the end of the year. This is expected to slightly bring down the prices of iPhones in the country. Apple is expected to export the bulk of the domestically produced Pro models of the iPhone 16 series to the US, Europe and the Middle East after meeting the local demand. Apple saw robust sales of around $8 billion in the country in FY24, an increase of around 33% year-on-year. Apple shipped over 10 million iPhones in 2023 in India, up from 6 million in 2022. The company recorded a 6% market share in the Indian smartphone market in 2023. Experts have said that there is a definitive trend of Apple attracting many first-time users for its newly launched iPhones in India, alongside the strong sales of previous-generation devices. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/orient-technologies-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112646237.cms">Orient Technologies IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/indian-pc-market-records-7-1-growth-in-q2-2024-hp-leads-with-nearly-a-third-market-share/articleshow/112643060.cms">Indian PC market records 7.1% growth in Q2 2024, HP leads with nearly a third market share</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-records-7-2-growth-in-the-first-half-of-2024-vivo-leads-the-market-in-q2/articleshow/112629172.cms">Indian smartphone market records 7.2% growth in the first half of 2024, Vivo leads the market in Q2</a>

The iPhone Pro models will be made in India for the first time this year

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The death of a 26-year-old EY employee has triggered a conversation about India's work culture.</li><li>The employee's family says that she was overworked — and that it reflects a wider problem.</li></ul>Fourteen-hour work days, meetings during vacations, and no overtime.To some, this may sound like a job from hell. But for many employees in India, it's just another working day.India has one of the toughest work cultures in the world. In 2022, according to the most recently available data from the <a target="_blank" href="https://ilostat.ilo.org/topics/working-time/#">International Labour Organization</a>, the average employee in India worked 46.7 hours a week, compared to about 38 in the US.Not only are employees in India working long hours, but many are also doing it under intense pressure."The pressure is very, very high," Jennifer Hephzibah, a senior HR professional in India, told Business Insider. "If you don't deliver it at a particular time, you either lose your bonus, or you lose your job. It doesn't matter what you're going through otherwise."A Boston Consulting Group <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/india-hr-revolution-building-workplaces-for-the-future&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1727195342438866&amp;usg=AOvVaw366N6_QMHZIy6fbfnMv__Y">survey</a> of 11,000 workers in eight countries in October 2023 found that 58% of Indian respondents reported feeling burned out — the highest share of any of the countries, including the US (50%), the UK (47%), and Japan (37%).<h2 id="56dd16d5-8f41-4ab5-aad1-efb517f1a780">'Glorifying overwork'</h2>This always-on culture has come under the spotlight recently following the death of an EY employee, Anna Sebastian Perayil, in July.Peryail's father, Sebastian Perayil, told<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/what-action-will-ey-take-anna-sebastians-father-speaks-to-tnm"> The News Minute</a> that he believed his daughter died of a combination of health issues, including work stress and acid reflux which triggered a lack of sleep. The official cause of Perayil's death, however, remains unclear."Anna was unable to sleep on most days and couldn't eat on time," he told the publication. "After a whole night of work, she would have to wake up at 7:30 the next morning and repeat the same cycle."According to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/mother-pens-letter-following-death-of-26-year-old-daughter-due-to-work-stress-urges-ey-chairman-to-reflect-on-toxic-work-culture/article68656957.ece"> The Hindu</a>, Perayil's mother emailed Rajiv Memani, the chairman at EY India, in the wake of Perayil's death, saying her daughter had collapsed four months into the job after struggling with "the workload, new environment, and long hours."She also accused EY of "glorifying overwork."EY told BI it was "taking the family's correspondence with utmost seriousness and humility" and called Perayil's death an "irreparable loss."<h2 id="0e580f7b-a1b5-40de-bcd5-4c5e1cd9f1da">A 70-hour workweek</h2>Concerns about India's workplace culture are not new.Last year, the software billionaire and Infosys founder Narayana Murthy sparked controversy after saying that young people in India should be willing to work 70 hours a week to help the country progress."India's work productivity is one of the lowest in the world," he told<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES8ZNSTswrs"> The Record</a>, going on to say that unless India improved several factors including its work productivity, "we will not be able to compete with those countries that have made tremendous progress.""So, therefore," he continued, "my request is that our youngsters must say: "'This is my country. I'd like to work 70 hours a week.'"The comments appear to reflect wider expectations in India, even among employers with head offices elsewhere.Kavach Khanna, a former EY analyst in India, told BI that he believed he was expected to do more work than his US colleagues."We used to talk to colleagues in the US in the same roles, and their experience was completely different from ours," Khanna said. "They would get to go for client meetings, leave the office on time, no stretched workdays, and they weren't overburdened like we were."EY did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<h2 id="c34411b0-4cf7-4ac6-b8b5-d828d78369df">Cost centers and cheap labor</h2>Huge multinational companies, such as EY, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Accenture, have set up cost centers in India.These centers, also called Global Capability Centers (GCCs), manage everything from cyber security to product development. They can also manage human resources and accounting.They are cheaper to run in India due to lower labor costs, and they help companies tap into a wide and hungry pool of tech-savvy, English-speaking talent.An <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://assets.ey.com/content/dam/ey-sites/ey-com/en_in/topics/consulting/gcc/2023/06/ey-future-of-gccs-in-india-a-vision-2030.pdf">EY report in 2023 </a>projected that India is set to host at least 2,400 such centers by 2030, with a market value of more than $100 billion.An associate at the Indian office of a multinational banking and advisory firm told BI that even at his Western company, he believed Indian employees were expected to work longer and harder.He said 16- to 18-hour workdays — including some weekends — were normal in his job."A lot of multinational corporations use India as a cost center because of the cheap labor," said the associate, who wanted to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. "Offices in other countries have boundaries and then dump their extra work on us."Jeanie Chang, an executive coach who specializes in workplace mental health, said she had noticed such a trend, too. "It definitely exists that multinational companies tend to think, 'We love that the Indians work hard, so let's keep doing that.'"Chang also noted that some Asian communities place a cultural importance on work ethic that can lend itself to exploitation."There's a word in Japanese and Korean," Chang said, "that literally means 'overworking yourself to death.' That should say something."<h2 id="799c5726-4028-4993-85d3-1175f4f96f4d">Fear of replacement</h2>So what is stopping employees from demanding change?Part of it might come down to competition. In 2022, <a target="_blank" class="" href="http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/India%20Employment%20Report%202024.pdf">according to the India Employment Report 2024</a>, India's youth made up nearly 83% of the country's total unemployed population. With <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/budget/68432023-Economic-Survey-2023-24-Complete-document">India's workforce</a> thought to number well over 500 million, each job counts.Hephzibah, the senior HR professional, said that the sheer number of available workers has contributed to a feeling that employees are expendable, and has held them back from saying no to unreasonable demands for fear of losing their jobs.Perayil's mother's email, for instance, said her daughter "did not know how to say no.""She was trying to prove herself in a new environment, and in doing so, she pushed herself beyond her limits," the email said,Hephzibah said this was especially true for younger workers, who may not have enough experience to become critical within the company yet."In the bigger companies," she said, "if you don't deliver, that's it: You're replaced."<h2 id="76d9e66d-7e50-4929-bb3f-86da08d669dd">Cultural differences</h2>Chang told BI that she's had Indian employees point out their lack of resources compared to international peers in the same company."They tell me, 'Jeanie, we don't have effective mental-health resources, but we hear the US does,'" she said.In a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx"> Gallup State of the Global Workplace report</a> published in 2024, only 14% of the roughly 2,262 Indian employees surveyed said they were thriving at their workplace, compared with 34% of the 128,278 employees surveyed globally.Hephzibah, who has worked in both Indian-owned and multinational companies, told BI that multiple colleagues had left or requested transfers outside India in recent years — mainly because of the work culture.She also found cultural differences when conducting training sessions for employees in India and the US.When implementing the Indian training schedule for one company's American employees, Hephzibah faced pushback on issues like late session timings."They said, 'We're not going to work after 6 and they could clearly call it out without feeling bad," Hephzibah said. "The problem in India is that people get scared to speak up because their jobs might be impacted."<h2 id="c1e23a63-b3a5-4dfe-9fda-a228d77f5f16">The way forward</h2>In Hephzibah's opinion, overtime and vacation policies need to be strictly enforceable in India."Outside, we're very careful to communicate that we care because they have legal backing to sue," she said. "Over here, that entire system is missing."She agreed with Chang that effecting systemic change would also be up to the leaders and middle management, and not just down to a country's laws."What is the leadership believing in? Is leadership overworking?" Chang said. "Because if they are, they're going to overwork their employees."

You Searched For "trends india 2022" and got 10 results

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