New Gold Loan Rules Burden Borrowers in India

Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth, recently shared valuable insights on leadership through a LinkedIn post. She emphasized that true leadership isn't about control but about collaboration and trust. Reflecting on her conversation with an aspiring entrepreneur, she highlighted how many leaders mistakenly expect their teams to solve problems independently. Alagh offered three key principles for effective leadership: allow your team to lead, communicate honestly, and encourage risk-taking. She also suggested five practical changes to enhance team dynamics, including sharing responsibilities and learning from failures. Her message resonated widely, igniting discussions on leadership styles and team success.

India is set to remove a controversial 6% tax on digital advertisements that primarily impacted major U.S. tech firms like Google and Amazon. This decision aims to alleviate trade tensions with the United States, which were heightened after former President Trump threatened tariffs on countries including India. The change will be part of the Finance Bill 2025, with Parliament likely to approve it soon, making the new rules effective from April 1. As India and the U.S. work towards a significant trade agreement, this move signals a willingness to enhance bilateral relations and support the growth of digital services in the country.

The rupee showed impressive strength, gaining 34 paise to close at 85.63 against the US dollar, as foreign institutional investors (FIIs) returned to the stock market with significant buying. After a long stretch of selling, FIIs purchased stocks worth over Rs 13,500 crore in just three days. This buying spree has helped the rupee recover all its losses from earlier this year, rising 2.63% from a low of 87.95. Analysts believe that if the dollar remains under pressure and FIIs continue their inflow, the rupee could strengthen further. Market conditions, influenced by geopolitical factors and US Treasury yields, are also playing a role in this positive trend.

India has demanded that Samsung pay $601 million in back taxes and penalties for avoiding tariffs on telecom equipment. This is one of the largest claims in recent years. The government found that Samsung misclassified imports to dodge tariffs on essential components used in mobile towers, particularly for Reliance Jio, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Despite Samsung's claim that it followed Indian laws, customs officials accused the company of violating regulations and presenting false documents. The issue highlights India’s increasing scrutiny of foreign businesses and their practices, raising concerns among foreign investors about potential tax disputes.

Waaree Renewable Technologies is making headlines as it secured a Letter of Award (LOA) for a significant solar power project. This project involves the engineering, procurement, and construction of a ground-mounted solar power system with a capacity of 170 MW AC/255 MW DC, valued at approximately ₹232.30 crore. Scheduled for completion by the financial year 2025-26, this achievement highlights the company's growing role in India's renewable energy sector. Recently, Waaree also received a LOA for another solar project worth ₹740.06 crore. The stock has shown fluctuating performance, currently trading significantly lower than its 52-week high.

Zomato Ltd. and Jio Financial Services are set to join the Nifty 50 index on March 27, a change that could attract significant investments. This inclusion is expected to bring in about $602 million for Zomato and $308 million for Jio Financial Services. However, Britannia Industries and BPCL will exit, leading to outflows of $238 million and $225 million, respectively. Other companies will also see changes in their index weights, affecting their stock values. As the market adjusts, investors will need to stay informed about these developments to make wise financial decisions.

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz took full responsibility for accidentally adding journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a group chat with top officials discussing military strikes in Yemen. In his first interview, Waltz expressed embarrassment over the mistake, which he believed occurred due to a mix-up with contact names. The chat included sensitive discussions about operations against Houthi rebels, though Goldberg did not publish any classified details. President Trump defended Waltz and downplayed the incident, stating there was no critical information shared and emphasized that everyone makes mistakes.

Harsh Goenka recently celebrated Bollywood actor Boman Irani’s inspiring journey from a hotel worker to a film star. In a heartfelt social media post, he shared a video of Irani at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, where the actor reminisced about his days serving tables. Irani, who started as a room service employee, emphasized how hard work and discipline helped him achieve his dreams. He expressed gratitude for his past and the full circle of returning as a respected guest. Today, at 65, Irani is a celebrated actor known for iconic roles in Indian cinema, showcasing that no dream is too big.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has taken a significant step by forming a High-Level Committee (HLC) to address conflicts of interest and investment issues among its board members. This decision comes after scrutiny of former chairman Madhabi Puri Buch regarding alleged conflicts. The committee will gather experts to review disclosure practices for board members and is expected to report back in three months. Additionally, SEBI has increased the disclosure threshold for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 50,000 crore, reflecting the growing trading volumes in the cash equity market.

Chandraprakash Padiyar, Senior Fund Manager at Tata Asset Management, is optimistic about India's economic recovery. He predicts that Q4FY25 will surpass Q3FY25 and FY26 will show even better growth than FY25. Padiyar highlighted that while some sectors like consumer goods face challenges, domestic industries and manufacturing companies are expected to perform well. He noted the importance of careful stock selection for long-term investors and emphasized the positive shift in government spending and the Reserve Bank of India's pro-growth stance. However, global tariff risks could impact corporate earnings, especially for export-focused businesses.

OpenAI has introduced exciting updates to its Advanced Voice Mode, enhancing the way users interact with its AI voice assistant. These updates aim to reduce interruptions, allowing users to think and respond without being cut off. Free-tier users will enjoy smoother conversations, while paying subscribers will experience an even more advanced version that is direct and engaging. In tandem with these enhancements, OpenAI also released a study that explores the emotional impact of AI interactions, revealing that heavy users may face challenges like loneliness. As the competition in AI voice assistants grows, OpenAI is focused on improving user experience while being mindful of emotional well-being.

Standup comedian Kunal Kamra has stirred controversy with his new satirical music video that mixes humor with recent vandalism incidents at The Habitat in Mumbai. This video, part of his original standup, showcases clips of the vandalism while he sings a parody. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been demolishing parts of the venue, citing rule violations. Kamra criticized this demolition, arguing that venues should not be punished for a comedian's words. He firmly stated he won't apologize for calling Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a "traitor," insisting that his comments reflect others' sentiments too.

India’s cricket team is gearing up for a challenging tour of England, beginning with a Test match in Headingley on June 20. Before that, some top players will participate in two four-day matches against the Lions in late May and early June. This preparation aims to secure India’s first away Test series victory in England since 2007. Among the promising players, Karun Nair has been impressive this domestic season, making a strong case for selection. With Rohit Sharma likely to lead the team, all eyes will also be on star bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s recovery from injury.

Chaitra Navratri is a vibrant and important Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, celebrated for nine days from March 30 to April 7, 2025. This festival marks the start of the Hindu lunar new year and culminates with Ram Navami, celebrating Lord Ram's birth. During these nine days, devotees engage in fasting, meditation, and rituals to seek blessings for health and prosperity. Each day honors a different form of Goddess Durga, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Young girls are worshipped on the eighth or ninth day, embodying divine energy. The festival brings spiritual renewal and joy to many across India.

IKEA is expanding its presence in India by introducing smaller format stores in northern cities like Delhi-NCR. These stores aim to be more accessible, allowing customers to plan, buy, and refurbish their homes without needing to visit large outlets. The company's strategy focuses on being just a click away online and within 30 minutes of customers physically. With a diverse range of products, from affordable items to premium furniture, IKEA caters to a broad audience. Additionally, the company is adapting its offerings to fit Indian lifestyles, including special furniture solutions that accommodate local needs.

The United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), representing over eight lakh bank employees in India, called for a two-day strike to demand better working conditions in the banking sector. However, after discussions with the chief labor commissioner, the strike was postponed. The government agreed to consider the employees' demands, which led to the cancellation of the strike scheduled for March 24. Banks are expected to function normally as the unions seek to improve employee lives through these demands. A new date for the strike or further updates from the government are yet to be announced.

Toll plazas across India play a significant role in road revenue collection. The Bharthana toll plaza in Gujarat tops the list, having collected over ₹2,043.81 crore in five years. It saw its highest collection of ₹472.65 crore in 2023-24. Other notable plazas include Jaladhulagori in West Bengal and Barajore in Uttar Pradesh, which also reported impressive toll collections. In total, the top-10 toll plazas gathered ₹13,988.51 crore, contributing over 7% to the national toll revenue of ₹1.93 lakh crore during the last five years. This gives a glimpse into the importance of tolls in India's infrastructure funding.

Ishan Kishan stole the show at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad with an explosive 106 runs off just 47 balls, leading Sunrisers Hyderabad to victory against Rajasthan Royals. After this remarkable performance, Kishan celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony at the team hotel, where he was honored as the man of the match. Formerly a star player for Mumbai Indians, Kishan's move to SRH has sparked excitement among fans. His century not only showcased his talent but also raised hopes for a potential return to the Indian national team, with his coach believing this innings could open new doors for him.