Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to young chief executive officers and corporate leaders at the Champions of Change Event organized in New Delhi at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra, on Tuesday. The event aimed to create a dialogue between the government and startups where everyone from the Government including the PM, the secretaries and the ministers were accessible and eager to listen to their views in a very informal and private manner.
More than 200 young CEO’s and corporate leaders participated in the event where groups of 35 people brainstormed on the six chosen themes. The six themes chosen for the event included New India, Make In India, Cities Of Tomorrow, World Class Infrastructure, Doubling Farmers Income and Fixing Finance. The event was not a one way discussion with speeches from the government but a platform to brainstorm, ask questions and form action plans which would then be presented to the PM in the 10 minutes allotted to them.
Addressing the entrepreneurs present, PM Modi stressed on the need for every person to feel as a part of the government, feel that the country belongs to them and work for its development. Invoking Gandhi and the freedom struggle, he added that a mass movement was needed for India’s development.
As industry leaders, think about what more can be done for the poorest of poor. We can solve India’s problems if we work together. – PM Narendra Modi
The Champions of Change event provided a platform where entrepreneurs were able to discuss pressing issues such as jobs creation, ease of doing business, climate change, tourism, health care, Make in India, innovation and smart cities. Acknowledging the need for proper execution, PM Modi also stated that the different groups of entrepreneurs, which were set up to suggest policy initiatives, could also be attached with the relevant ministries on a permanent basis.
The event signaled the intent of the government to support the champions of change and their commitment to follow up the execution of the ideas submitted by the entrepreneurs to truly transform India.
PhonePe’s PINCODE app has launched a 24×7 online medicine delivery service in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune, promising delivery of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines within 10 minutes from nearby local medical shops. Unlike conventional e-pharmacies that use dark stores, PINCODE partners exclusively with neighborhood pharmacies, enabling faster deliveries and supporting local businesses in the digital economy.
Customers without prescriptions can select a “no prescription” option when ordering; a qualified doctor then provides a free teleconsultation and issues a digital prescription compliant with telemedicine guidelines, ensuring seamless access to medicines. The app offers competitive pricing by passing discounts from local pharmacies directly to customers and charges no delivery fees.
PINCODE’s hyperlocal model enhances healthcare accessibility and convenience while empowering local pharmacies, helping them remain integral to their communities and stimulating local economic growth. Launched in 2023, the app focuses on quick commerce with an emphasis on speed, reliability, and supporting local sellers.
In summary, PhonePe’s PINCODE app is transforming medicine delivery in major Indian cities by combining ultra-fast 10-minute delivery, free doctor consultations, and a hyperlocal sourcing model that benefits both consumers and neighborhood pharmacies.
Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.
In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.
Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.
Jeyandran Venugopal, the outgoing Chief Product and Technology Officer of Flipkart, is set to become the CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the retail arm of Reliance Industries. His appointment, expected to be finalized in May after his exit from Flipkart, signals Reliance’s push to strengthen its retail business with a technology-first approach.
Venugopal brings extensive experience from leading roles at Flipkart, Myntra, Yahoo, Snapdeal, and Amazon, where he focused on scaling technology platforms and driving innovation. At Flipkart, he managed product, engineering, data science, and more, helping build robust systems and improve user experience.
His move comes as Reliance Retail undergoes transformation, including cost-cutting and a renewed focus on digital growth. Venugopal’s leadership is expected to accelerate Reliance’s ambitions in omnichannel and tech-driven retail, positioning the company for continued dominance in India’s evolving market.