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The Journey Of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

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Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the richest woman in India and the owner of Biocon India, had quite a different journey planned for her when she started out. When Shaw was announced as the managing director of Biocon India, little was known about the lady who would work to become one of the most influential women in the country. While there was a lot of attention coming Biocon’s way, not many knew that Kiran was running the entire show from the garage of her home! The beginning days of Biocon were just like those of other great startups and had only two employees (and the blessings of Shaw’s father.)

The beginning 

Growing up, Kiran was in awe of how tuned in India as a country was to the field of science and chemistry. The daughter of a Master Brewer, Kiran always wanted to do something in the same field as her family’s business. Despite it not being a commonly followed career choice by women, Kiran decided to break the barriers and for most of her early adult life, worked to achieve her goals. With her family behind her decision and ready to push her forward not matter what, Kiran decided to pursue her dreams by joining a brewery course at Ballarat College, Melbourne University. Although she came back to India with a degree in hand, Mazumdar realised her dreams were far from coming true.

By the late ’70s, the fight was so hard, Kiran had no choice but to look for an alternative. She was refused job after job and everywhre she went, people started saying no. Even those who said yes to her plan initially, were now saying no. However, Kiran could not give up. She could not say no to making her dreams come true. Just when she thought she was stuck at a dead end, she decided to shift lanes and pick biotech as the alternative course. With no knowledge in this field and no idea on how to start building this firm, Shaw definitely had her work cut out. The only thing she knew biotech and brewing had in common was that both had the same sense of mixtures and proportions that go into creating the final product!

Picture credits: entrepreneur.com

The journey to the top

At a time when women doing anything out of what was expected was a mythical fact, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw showed everyone that her dream was worth a lot more than what society said or thought. Fueled with the belief that if you wanted to do something, you just had to make it come true, Shaw changed the field of biotech in India forever. Biotechnology as a field wasn’t known to the world when Shaw entered and at the time, bankers were extremely apprehensive about giving their money to a field they knew nothing about. It was only after after the first IPO Biocon raised, that people realised Shaw wasn’t here to joke around!

Picture credits: businessworld.com

With a net worth of $ 3.2 billion, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is now among the top richest women in the world and is named as one of the most influential people in the world of science and technology (according to Forbes.) Not only did she grow Biocon to a stage where it is the 4th largest producer of insulin in the world, as a part of the Prime Minister’s Council on Trade  and Industry in India and the US-India CEO Forum, Kiran works every day to better the world one cure at a time!

 

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Andhra Pradesh Hotels Association Announces Boycott of Swiggy Over Unethical Practices and Payment Delays!

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The Andhra Pradesh Hotels Association (APHA) has declared a statewide boycott of Swiggy, effective October 14, 2024. This decision stems from ongoing grievances regarding the food delivery platform’s alleged unethical practices and its failure to make timely payments to restaurants.

Reasons for the Boycott

At a media conference on October 4, APHA President R.V. Swamy outlined several critical issues that prompted this drastic action. One of the primary concerns is the significant financial losses that restaurants are experiencing due to Swiggy’s high commission rates. Initially, both Swiggy and Zomato operated in Andhra Pradesh with zero commission fees. However, these rates have escalated over time, with Swiggy now charging between 20% to 30% on orders. According to Swamy, restaurants are losing between 40% to 60% of their menu prices because of these practices.

Another major issue raised by the APHA is the delay in payouts from Swiggy, which reportedly holds restaurant earnings for up to 12 days. This delay places immense financial strain on smaller establishments that rely heavily on timely revenue to sustain their operations.

Allegations of Unethical Practices

The APHA has accused Swiggy of implementing “uninformed discounts,” where price reductions are applied without consulting restaurant management. This practice not only affects the profits of the establishments but also leads to confusion among customers regarding pricing. Furthermore, members of the association expressed concerns about Swiggy altering restaurant menus without prior consent, often selling items at lower prices or offering promotions like “Buy One Get One Free.” Such actions undermine restaurants’ pricing strategies and can damage their brand integrity.

Additionally, the association criticized Swiggy’s refund policies, stating that neither customers nor restaurants receive refunds for canceled orders. This lack of accountability exacerbates the financial difficulties faced by restaurants already struggling with high operational costs.

Response from Zomato

In contrast to Swiggy, Zomato has reportedly engaged in constructive discussions with the APHA and has shown willingness to address many of their concerns. Zomato’s responsiveness has fostered a more favorable relationship with restaurant owners, highlighting a growing divide in how each platform is perceived within the industry.

Future Implications

The impending boycott against Swiggy signifies a critical moment in the ongoing tensions between food delivery platforms and local businesses. As APHA prepares to halt sales through Swiggy, it remains uncertain how this decision will affect both the delivery service and participating restaurants across Andhra Pradesh.

This boycott could serve as a wake-up call for food delivery companies to reassess their business practices and consider more equitable arrangements with restaurant partners. The outcome may influence similar actions in other regions as restaurant owners increasingly seek fair treatment in an evolving market landscape.

In conclusion, the APHA’s decision to boycott Swiggy reflects deep-rooted frustrations within the restaurant industry regarding commission rates, payment practices, and overall treatment by food delivery platforms. As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how both parties respond and whether any resolutions can be reached before October 14.

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Mahindra Group Launches Dedicated AI Division to Drive Innovation and Efficiency Across Its Business Portfolio!

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The Mahindra Group has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation journey by launching a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) division. This initiative, spearheaded by Bhuwan Lodha, aims to harness the power of AI across the conglomerate’s diverse business sectors, streamlining operations and enhancing overall efficiency.

Centralizing AI Efforts

The newly established AI division is designed to centralize all AI-related activities within the Mahindra Group. By consolidating these efforts, the group seeks to implement a more coherent and effective strategy for utilizing AI technologies across its various enterprises. Lodha, who previously served as the digital chief for Mahindra’s automotive sector, emphasized that the growing importance of AI over the past two years necessitated this focused approach. He noted that many companies had been experimenting with AI on a smaller scale, but now there is a concerted effort to bring these initiatives into mainstream operations.

Tailored Solutions for Diverse Sectors

The AI division is committed to developing tailored solutions that cater specifically to the needs of Mahindra’s diverse business units, which include automotive, real estate, and hospitality. The division will not only create proprietary solutions but will also seek out innovative technologies from startups and academic institutions globally. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that each sector benefits from cutting-edge advancements in AI.

Collaboration with Tech Mahindra

While the new division will not have the same capacity to hire domain specialists as Tech Mahindra, the group’s IT services arm, it plans to closely collaborate with Tech M to leverage their expertise. This partnership will facilitate the development and deployment of advanced AI solutions tailored to enhance operational efficiency across Mahindra’s various businesses.

Building Talent and Career Opportunities

One of the key goals of the AI division is to consolidate talent within the Mahindra Group. By creating a dedicated career path for professionals specializing in AI, the division aims to attract and retain skilled workers who can contribute meaningfully across multiple sectors. Lodha highlighted that this initiative would not only provide exciting career opportunities but also foster a culture of innovation within the organization.

Generative AI Implementation

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), a prominent entity within the group, has already begun implementing generative AI technologies in its operations. The company has automated maintenance processes for robots and heavy machinery on factory floors, significantly reducing downtime and improving productivity. Additionally, generative AI is being utilized to enhance customer service through advanced chatbots, which streamline interactions and save time for customer service agents.

Strategic Partnership with Google Cloud

In a complementary move, Tech Mahindra recently announced a strategic partnership with Google Cloud aimed at accelerating generative AI adoption across Mahindra’s businesses. This collaboration will leverage Google Cloud’s advanced AI technologies to develop applications that enhance critical business functions such as engineering, supply chain management, and customer service. By integrating these technologies, Mahindra aims to optimize operations and improve customer experiences significantly.

Conclusion

The establishment of a dedicated AI division within the Mahindra Group underscores its commitment to embracing technological innovation as a driver of business success. By centralizing its AI initiatives and fostering collaboration with industry leaders like Tech Mahindra and Google Cloud, the group is well-positioned to unlock new growth opportunities across its diverse portfolio. As this division evolves, it will be interesting to observe how it transforms operations within Mahindra and sets new benchmarks in various industries.

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CCI Approves Merger Between Reliance and Disney

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CCI Approves Merger Between Reliance and Disney

Competition Commission of India (CCI) has granted approval for the merger between Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and The Walt Disney Company’s Indian media assets, valued at approximately ₹70,000 crore (or $8.5 billion). This significant development was announced on August 28, 2024, and is set to create the largest entertainment
conglomerate in India, encompassing 120 television channels and two streaming services.

The merger involves RIL, Viacom18 Media Private Limited, Digital18 Media Limited, Star India Private Limited, and Star Television Productions Limited. Following the deal, Reliance will hold a 63.16% stake in the new joint venture, while Disney will retain 36.84%. The CCI’s approval comes after previous concerns regarding the merged
entity’s potential dominance in cricket broadcasting rights, which could adversely affect competition and advertisers in the market.

The CCI noted that the approval is contingent upon the compliance with certain “voluntary modifications,” although specific details of these modifications have not yet been disclosed. The merger is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 or early 2025, with Nita Ambani appointed as the Chairperson and Uday Shankar as Vice
Chairperson of the joint venture.

This merger positions the new entity to compete vigorously against major players such as Sony, Netflix, and Amazon, leveraging a vast content library and extensive distribution capabilities. The merger agreement also includes provisions for Disney’s films and productions to be distributed in India through the new joint venture, which is anticipated to significantly enhance its market presence and operational efficiency in the competitive entertainment landscape.

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