businessline's State of the Economy Podcast

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businessline's State of the Economy Podcast

India’s economy has been hailed as the bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several of its sectors still stutter about even while others seem set to fire on all cylinders. To help you make sense of the bundle of contradictions that the country is, businessline brings you podcasts with experts in areas ranging from finance and marketing to technology and start-ups. Tune in!

  1. -6 J

    Indian affordable housing experiences a 25% drop due to high costs and policy gaps

    In this episode of the State of the Economy podcast businessline’s Abhishek law is joined by Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO, to discuss key challenges in the Indian real estate sector, particularly around affordable housing.   Hiranandani shares his insights on the current state of affordable housing, which has experienced an unexpected 25% drop in numbers, something he has never seen in his 40+ years of experience. This decline is seen not only in major cities but across the country, creating a shock for both developers and the government.  The discussion delves into the reasons behind the slump, with Hiranandani highlighting factors like the exhaustion of the PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) interest subsidy scheme and the persistence of high RBI interest rates. He suggests that the government needs to expedite the new affordable housing policy and reduce interest rates to stimulate demand.   The conversation also touches upon the gap in the market for large-scale affordable housing projects, especially from major developers. High land prices and taxes, such as stamp duties and development charges, are making it difficult to build affordable homes, with 50% of a home’s cost in Mumbai going towards taxes.   Hiranandani draws attention to the global norm of rental housing, pointing out that in developed countries like the United States, 50% of the population lives in rented homes. He urges the government to introduce policies that incentivise the development of rental housing, just as they have for commercial properties, to accommodate the growing demand for flexible living spaces.    (Host: Abhishek law Producer: Amitha Rajkumar) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.

    16 min

  2. 30 JANV.

    Can India achieve Atmanirbharta with just 0.75% GDP on research? 

    In this episode of the State of Economy Podcast, businessline's Dalip Singh speaks with Lt Gen Kapil Aggarwal (Retired), a former Director General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers about the pressing issues in defence funding and reforms. With India's defence budget hovering around 1.9-2% of GDP for FY 2024-25, the conversation tackles whether this allocation is sufficient to meet modernisation needs and the increasing demands of future warfare.  The podcast highlights the gap between current defence spending and the Standing Committee on Defence’s recommendation of 3% of GDP. General Aggarwal offers insights on the lack of domestic absorptive capacity in defence manufacturing and the challenges of increasing indigenous production. He also discusses the crucial role of R&D in defense, emphasising the need for more investment from both public and private sectors.  With a focus on strategic reforms, the episode sheds light on the necessary policy changes to boost self-reliance in defence and the broader economic impact of a more robust defence sector.  General Aggarwal shares valuable insights into India's defence budget and modernisation strategies, emphasising the importance of capital expenditure (CapEx) to sustain operational maintenance while enhancing the nation's military capabilities. He explains that, with rising salary and pension costs, it is essential to focus on domestic defence manufacturing and indigenisation, which require robust research and development and the expansion of production capacity.   The conversation goes on about the early stages of the Agneepath recruitment scheme, exploring its potential savings in salaries and pensions in the long run, though immediate financial benefits are still in the future.  General Aggarwal addresses the concerns of the private defence industry regarding the dominance of public sector undertakings in major contracts. He concludes by stressing the importance of strategically blending the strengths of both sectors to ensure India’s operational readiness and long-term defence self-sufficiency.  (Host: Dalip Singh; Producer: Prethicshaa ) About the State of the Economy podcast India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.

    28 min

  3. 23 JANV.

    Can India’s agriculture sector achieve 4-5% growth with improved conditions?

    In this episode of the State of the Economy podcast, businessline’s Subramani Ra Mancombu talks to Anand Ramanathan, Partner and Consumer, Products and Retail sector Leader, Deloitte India, about the agriculture sector's performance and expectations for the upcoming fiscal year.   With strong growth forecasted at 4-5% compared to the previous year's less than 1.5%, industry experts discuss how favourable weather, improved monsoons, and increased credit availability have bolstered the sector.   The conversation also covers important topics such as financial inclusion for farmers, the impact of direct benefit transfers, and the push for better infrastructure and market linkages to ensure efficient growth.   Ranganathan shares his insights on the need for more focus on new crops like millets and horticulture, as well as the potential for scaling up food processing capabilities in India to tap into global demand. The discussion also goes onto talk about the importance of farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and urban farming to increase consumption and improve efficiency in the sector.  As the government prepares for the next fiscal budget, Ranganathan offers recommendations on how budgetary allocations could further support agricultural growth, including higher financial support for farmers, improved crop varieties, and incentives for food processing businesses.   Host: Subramani Ra Mancombu; Producer: Amitha Rajkumar About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.

    16 min

  4. 21 JANV.

    What new frontiers are being explored beyond electrification in India's decarbonisation journey?

    In this episode of the State of Economy Podcast, businessline's Rishi Ranjan Kala speaks with Naveenn Khandelwal, CEO of BrightNight India, a leading renewable energy company based in the U.S. with a strong presence across India, Australia, and Bangladesh. Under his leadership, BrightNight has developed a portfolio of over 7 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity and raised over $3 billion for various renewable projects.  The episode starts with Khandelwal discussing India's role in achieving the goal of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel power by 2030. He highlights the country's growing energy demand, electrification of industries, and adoption of green technologies such as green hydrogen and green ammonia. He stresses the importance of U.S.-India collaboration in clean energy, focusing on technological exchanges, supply chain cooperation, and financing.  Khandelwal addresses the challenges in India’s renewable energy sector, including land acquisition, policy stability, and infrastructure development, while also noting the vast opportunities available. He discusses how Bright Night's AI and machine learning tools can optimise large-scale renewable projects throughout their lifecycle, continuously evolving to meet high-quality standards.  The conversation shifts to the complementary strengths of India and the U.S., with technology and financing from the U.S. and India's skilled workforce and low-cost engineering. Khandelwal emphasises integrating innovation to accelerate the energy transition.  He suggests key areas for improvement: enhancing storage solutions, optimising capital flows, boosting distributed solar, and promoting value-added manufacturing. He advocates for more private sector participation in transmission infrastructure and calls for an ambitious renewable energy target, noting the global need for 4000 GW of renewables by 2045.  (Host: Rishi Ranjan Kala; Producer: Prethicshaa Gurumoorthy) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.

    23 min

  5. 15 JANV.

    How India is meeting the global demand for tech talent and innovation

    In this episode of businessline’s State of the Economy podcast, Sanjana B speaks with Debashish Bhattacharyya, Chairman of PanIIT Alumni India, about India’s rise as a global powerhouse in tech talent.  Bhattacharyya traces the evolution of India’s IT sector, noting, “We are actually poised at almost the leading edge of the technology... our guys, our people are at the forefront, whether sitting in India or whether sitting outside of India.” He discusses how the country’s shift from basic coding to developing cutting-edge technology is contributing not only to global growth but to India’s own economy.  Reflecting on the changing landscape of India’s role in tech, he adds, “At this point of time, if you look at technology and with generative AI and other things coming in, we find that many of these things, the low-end jobs, are going to be taken over. In fact, today we have software that actually takes design and converts it into optimised software.”  Bhattacharyya also explains why India has emerged as a top destination for global companies, saying, “Cost is definitely one of the factors... but even more than cost, our knowledge of English, our pool of STEM-educated graduates, and our ability to look at larger canvases and drive down to the actual requirement of the application are key contributors.”  He concludes with an insight into the future of tech talent, acknowledging the rapid pace of technological change: “What I learned today is going to be obsolete tomorrow. Unless I keep upskilling... the way of learning is changing, particularly when you are trying to keep abreast or ahead of technology.”  Listen in to know more.  (Host: Sanjana B, Producer: Siddharth MC) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.

    17 min

  6. 6 JANV.

    Q2 GDP at a 7-quarter low: what does it mean for the common man? 

    In this episode of the State of Economy Podcast, businessline's K R Srivats speaks with Dr. D.K. Srivastava, Chief Policy Advisor at EY India, to discuss the economic challenges currently facing India, with a focus on both macro and microeconomic policies and their effects on the common man.    The episode starts with Srivastava explaining the key factors behind the slowdown include insufficient capital expenditure by the government, a contraction in investments, and global economic conditions. The conversation shifts to inflation, income growth, and employment trends, with Srivastava predicting the necessity of maintaining a 6.5% growth rate to keep the economy on track and avoid negative impacts on urban incomes and employment.  The discussion touches on the vital policy measures, including fiscal consolidation, the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) role, and government actions to manage food inflation. Srivastava specifically discusses microeconomic interventions such as the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, a food security scheme extended until 2029, and its potential for reducing poverty and improving welfare for low-income households.  However, Srivastava argues that the government’s focus should shift from short-term subsidies to addressing structural unemployment challenges. He believes the key to long-term welfare improvements lies in creating sustainable, productive employment, rather than relying on temporary welfare benefits.   Looking ahead to 2025, Srivastava stresses the importance of structural reforms, particularly in skill development and education, to match the needs of India’s evolving economy. He also highlights that while fiscal policies and interventions like controlling fuel prices can offer short-term relief, meaningful price reductions will depend on long-term supply-side improvements, such as investments in non-conventional energy and domestic reserves.  In summary, while immediate relief may be limited, Srivastava emphasises that long-term reforms are essential to fostering sustainable growth and improving the overall economic well-being of India’s citizens.  (Host: K R Srivats; Producer: Prethicshaa Gurumoorthy) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.

    32 min

  7. 5 JANV.

    What strategies can sustain growth in India’s plantation sector?

    In this episode of businessline’s State of the Economy podcast, Vishwanath Kulkarni sits down with K. Mathew Abraham, President of the United Planters Association of Southern India, and Managing Director & CEO of Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company (P) Ltd . Together, they explore the current state of India’s plantation sector in 2024, discussing its challenges, opportunities, and what the future holds for this vital industry.  The year 2024 proved to be a mixed bag for the plantation sector. While commodities like tea, coffee, cardamom, and rubber saw bullish price trends, several external factors created hurdles. Erratic climate patterns, geopolitical tensions, and rising costs deeply affected production and profitability.  Abraham highlights how global conflicts, including those in Ukraine, Russia, and West Asia, disrupted maritime trade routes like the Suez Canal, compounding logistical costs. He remarks, "Price increase was largely a supply side phenomenon rather than a demand side sector, as there has been a decline in production due to the adverse impact of climate change, which is indeed not a very encouraging scenario."  The discussion also underscored that higher commodity prices did not translate to higher profits due to escalating input costs. Wages, fertilizers, fuel, and pesticides have seen significant price hikes, further straining margins. Abraham explains, "The present price rise therefore mostly gets nullified and as a matter of fact, in real terms, the commodity prices are still on a decline."  Looking ahead, Abraham acknowledges a mixed short-term forecast. While coffee and spices show positive price trends, commodities like tea and rubber are expected to face more challenges. He stresses the need for structural changes to overcome hurdles and sustain growth.  "Importantly, what needs to be done is to have a holistic approach for all plantation commodities to enable the sector to be cost competitive in the marketplace by optimizing mechanisation while simultaneously also investing in long-term field developmental programs," Abraham notes. He emphasises the importance of government subsidies, R&D investments for climate-resilient clones, and marketing efforts to boost global demand for Indian plantation products.  Listen in!  (Host: Vishwanath Kulkarni; Producer: Rowan Barnett, Siddharth Mathew Cherian) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.

    7 min

  8. 3 JANV.

    Precision farming and AI revolutionise food production systems 

    In this State of the Economy podcast, businessline’s Prabhudatta Mishra talks to Ashok Kumar Singh, former Director of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, about the unique perspectives on India’s agricultural landscape and the challenges ahead as the nation aims to achieve food grain self-sufficiency by 2047.   Singh delves into cutting-edge solutions, including climate-resilient crop varieties, biofortified foods, and advancements in smart agriculture technologies like AI, IoT-based irrigation, and precision farming.   The podcast also discusses critical topics such as the role of public-private partnerships in driving agricultural innovation, genome editing as a non-GM alternative to enhance crop productivity, and the need for a centralised agricultural knowledge management system to empower farmers. The conversation goes on to discuss the agricultural challenges and technological solutions for small and marginal farmers are explored in depth. A significant concern is the economic viability of adopting advanced agricultural technologies for farmers with small landholdings.   Singh illustrates how technologies like drones can be highly efficient for targeted pest control, reducing costs and pesticide residues. He explains that even small-scale farmers can benefit from such advancements through collaborative systems like Farmers' Producer Organizations (FPOs) and custom hiring centers. These entities enable farmers to share resources, such as drones and other machinery, ensuring cost-effectiveness and accessibility without the need for individual ownership.  He further explores the need for linking Minimum Support Price (MSP) with the nutritional profile of biofortified varieties. This would incentivise farmers to adopt these crops and ensure their economic sustainability.   Singh advocates for aligning policy mechanisms, such as those by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), to support this integration.

    45 min
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À propos

India’s economy has been hailed as the bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several of its sectors still stutter about even while others seem set to fire on all cylinders. To help you make sense of the bundle of contradictions that the country is, businessline brings you podcasts with experts in areas ranging from finance and marketing to technology and start-ups. Tune in!

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  • Création
    businessline
  • Années d’activité
    2023 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    343
  • Classification
    Tous publics
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    Copyright© 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.
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    businessline's State of the Economy Podcast

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