Entrepreneur Stories
Amazon To Deliver Liquor Online In West Bengal
In what could be considered as a game changing move, e-commerce giant Amazon secured clearance to deliver liquor in the Eastern state of West Bengal. The news comes according to a notice put out by the West Bengal State Beverages Corp, the state’s authorized agency to carry out online retail of liquor, on Friday. The notice also said Amazon was one of the companies found to be eligible for registration with the authorities.
This move is significant as Indians consume a huge amount of alcohol but online deliveries have been prohibited, until now. West Bengal is India’s fourth populous state and has a population of more than 90 million people. Amazon was invited to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the West Bengal state. According to the estimates by IWSR Drinks Market analysis, the market Amazon is looking to make inroads into, is worth $27.2 billion dollars.
When the COVID-19 pandemic reached India, the Government declared a complete lockdown and sale of alcohol was completely prohibited. When the lockdown rules were relaxed and the alcohol shops were allowed to happen, India witnessed a rush to the liquor stores like never before. Following the reopening of wine stores, some States have allowed Swiggy and Zomato to deliver alcohol and the food delivery giants cashed in on the heavy demand.
Each state sets its own alcohol sales policy. West Bengal last month invited companies to express interest in “handling electronic ordering, purchase, sale and home delivery of alcoholic liquors from licensed retail outlets” to eligible legal-age consumers in the state. Grocery delivery major, Big Basket also won approval to deliver alcohol in West Bengal state.
Let us know if you think India will allow online alcohol delivery in the future.
Entrepreneur Stories
Apple MacBook Air M5 Launched: M5 Chip, 22-Hour Battery in India
Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Air with M5 chip, starting at $999 for 13-inch and $1,299 for 15-inch models. The MacBook Air M5 boasts a 2nm M5 chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 50 TOPS Neural Engine for seamless AI tasks like real-time translation and 8K editing. Up to 22 hours of battery life, Thunderbolt 5, and Wi-Fi 7 make it the ultimate ultraportable, now 10% thinner at 0.44 inches with fanless cooling.
Key MacBook Air M5 features include Liquid Retina XDR display (500 nits, nano-texture option), 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker Spatial Audio. Colors like new Sky Blue join Midnight and Starlight. Pre-orders are live today, with macOS Sequoia 15.4 enhancing Apple Intelligence and iPhone Continuity for students, pros, and remote workers.
Why buy MacBook Air M5 now? It outpaces Snapdragon X Elite rivals with ecosystem magic and future-proof performance, eyeing top 2026 laptop sales. CEO Tim Cook calls it “more capable than ever.” Visit apple.com for M5 MacBook deals and specs.
Entrepreneur Stories
Zupee Bolsters Short-Video Play with Vertical TV Acquisition Under INR 40 Cr
Delhi NCR-based gaming startup Zupee has acquired Mumbai-based microdrama platform Vertical TV in a deal valued under INR 40 Cr. This move strengthens Zupee Studio, its short-video arm launched in September 2025, by integrating Vertical TV’s expertise in bite-sized dramas like romance and thrillers.
Facing challenges from India’s 2025 real-money gaming ban, Zupee valued at $1 Bn after raising $120 Mn has pivoted to non-gaming content, including recent layoffs of 40% of its workforce. The acquisition builds on its November 2025 purchase of Australian AI firm Nucanon for interactive storytelling, targeting its 200 Mn+ users with engaging, mobile-first formats.
This deal underscores the rising microdrama trend in India, helping Zupee diversify amid regulatory pressures and compete in the short-video space dominated by quick, shareable content for on-the-go audiences.
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T.N. Seshan: The Fearless Reformer Who Redefined Indian Democracy
T.N. Seshan’s name stands tall in India’s history as the man who transformed the nation’s electoral system with extraordinary courage and integrity. Born in 1932 in Kerala, Seshan grew up with values of discipline, education, and service to the nation — virtues that shaped his illustrious journey. From his early brilliance at Madras Christian College to his advanced studies in public administration at Harvard University, Seshan’s path reflected rare determination and intellect. Joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1955, he built a reputation as a no‑nonsense officer committed to efficiency and honesty, serving in key roles such as Secretary of Defense and overseeing vital national programs.
As the Chief Election Commissioner of India in 1990, T.N. Seshan sparked a new era of electoral integrity. In a system once marred by corruption, violence, and malpractice, Seshan brought order, fear, and respect through his groundbreaking reforms. He introduced voter ID cards, imposed strict spending limits on campaigns, and insisted on transparency at every level of the election process. Despite criticism from political circles that labeled him dictatorial, his relentless pursuit of fairness empowered every citizen to vote fearlessly. Under his leadership, the Election Commission became a symbol of strength and integrity in Indian democracy.
Seshan’s passing in November 2019 marked the end of an era, but his message continues to resonate across generations. Leaders from every corner of the country mourned the loss of the man who restored faith in free and fair elections. His enduring legacy reminds us that true leadership lies not in wielding power, but in serving people with honesty, courage, and conviction. T.N. Seshan’s life remains a timeless inspiration a reminder that democracy thrives only when its citizens are vigilant, responsible, and fearless.
