23 APRIL BW BUSINESSWORLD

offer wellbeing and safety guaran-
tees that seem to be the exclusive
area of qualified housekeeping com-
panies. Moreover, property mainte-
nance is one of the keys of a profes-
sional monthly rental. It is impor-
tant for developers to ensure that
everything in your apartment is
working perfectly and appliances are
free of damages, the walls look like
new, and that there are no plumbing
issues. Hence reputed holiday home
developers have on board a trained
maintenance team to carry out a
review of every detail, warranting
that guests have everything they
require on their arrival.

Luxury amenities
Appealing to the contemporary resi-
dents, comprising millennial rent-
ers, is easier said than done, particu-
larly with so much competition in
the marketplace. Often, it comes

Secondhomesofferingconducive,hygienic,and from taxes and municipal and prop-
peacefuloptionsforworkandstayhavebeengradually erty taxes are deducted if paid from
rental income. Other tax benefits
gainingtractionamongstconsumers include, full interest amount
adjusted against rental income of
down to the apartment’s amenities, Market (property) listing sites second homes, long-term capital
interior design and decor. Second Listing your property on relevant gain earned by sale of an asset that
homes offering increased conveni- property listing sites is an easy and can be adjusted with the purchase of
ences and high-class amenities like a quick step to gain assured rentals. a holiday home. The pandemic and
kitchen with a modern design and From global exposure and insur- the sudden shift in the work culture
appliances, modern decor in the liv- ance, to technology, and advice, you has led many people to re-evaluate
ing area, bedrooms and bathroom, are in the right hands when you list their lifestyle choices and invest-
plenty of storage, smart home tech, your property with known property ments. Furthermore, the amalgama-
sound-proofing, home with pet- listing websites. These platforms tion of remote working, amplified
friendly features, pool, gym and offer you immediate accessibility to a affordability, the desire to expand
security features, help alleviate buyer large set of audience while ensuring investments, and low-interest rates
lifestyle alongside increasing rental your property is visible to a global on home loans has been creating a
benefits. audience, exposing you to the high- favourable atmosphere for Indians
est possible number of prospective to capitalise on second homes. Based
Making the right choice bookers. on these encouraging sentiment
Investing in holiday homes by drivers, our country’s holiday homes
reputed industry players can help Tax benefits on holiday homes market is slated for substantial
offer steady cash flow, considerable The tax benefits on holiday homes expansion in the coming
appreciation, tax advantages, and include, 20 per cent deduction of years.
competitive risk-adjusted returns, total interest paid on under-con-
making it a sound and hassle-free structed holiday home, deduction of The author is Managing Director and
investment. interest on the holiday home loan CEO, NirvanaRealty

Photograph by Rachel Claire 23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 101





WESA WINNERS
ESSAY

104 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

Unending BREAKING BIASES
Quest For
Entrepreneurial 1 AddittiJain,FounderandCEO,IKICHIC
Victory 2 Akshita Gupta , CEO ,ABL Workspace
3 AmarpreetRai,Co-founderandDirector
The paradigm is changing steadily, people are of Operations and Development, Sanrai Med
recognising the potential, and the momentum India
is growing and will continue to grow. BW 4 AnoojaBashir,CEO,Ourea
Disrupt Women Entrepreneurship Awards is 5 AradhanaMinawala,Co-founder,TheCAI
an initiative that works as an incubator or a Store
push to elevate the women in the league of 6 ArpiMehta,Co-founderandCEO,
entrepreneurship By Resham Suhail Toothsi
7 ChytraVAnand,FounderandCEO,Kosmo-
T heWomenEntrepreneurshipSummitandAwards(WESA)isanexclu- derma Skin, Hair and Body Clinics
sive initiative of BW Disrupt in association with BW Businessworld that 8 DeviKondapi,CEO,MSRCosmosLLC
celebrates exceptional women entrepreneurs whose clutter-breaking 9 DivyaJain,FounderandCEO,Safeducate
approaches have created positive changes in the business and startup Learning
ecosystem in India. BW Disrupt is keen to acknowledge and enable 10 Eshanka Wahi , Founder , Eshanka Wahi
women founders and achievers who have opened up new avenues for Entertainment
themselves and also for others. BW Disrupt WESA endeavours to acknowledge 11 GauriAgarwal,Founder,SeedsofInno-
and appreciate women leaders who are paving the path not only for themselves cence -IVF and Surrogacy Centre
but others as well. 12 JaspinderBhatia,Co-founder,ibentos
13 LiberathaPeterKallat,Chairpersonand
Jury Deliberation MD , Dreamfolks Services
The esteemed jury panel included Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder and Presi- 14 ManishaDhingra,Co-founder,WiZ
dent, Indian Angel Network (IAN), Bhuvana Ravi, Director, Drishya Education Care
Scholarship Foundation and other notable leaders. The process of finalising 15 ManishaMatanhelia,Co-founderand
winners took place under the supervision of jury chair -- Meena Ganesh, Co- Director , Syenergy Environics
founder, MD and Chairperson, Portea Mewwwdical. 16 MayurakshiDas,FounderandCEO,
ElixirAi
Around 800 nominations came in from across the sectors and industries 17 MeghnaAgarwal,Co-founder ,Innovent
which were then brought down to over 300 post the first screening round. Spaces
Subsequently, after the second level of deliberations, nominees who were 18 MeghnaKrishna,Co-founder,bMultist-
shortlisted and invited to present before the power-packed jury panel. reamTechnologies
19 MugdhaPradhan,FounderandCEO,
Given on the right-hand side of the page is the list that includes women who Thrivetribe Wellness Solutions
are on the mission to achieve aspired goals by breaking all the ceilings and 20 NainaRuhail,Co-founderandCEO,Van-
biases. ityWagon
21 NehaMotwani,Co-founderandCEO,
Fitternity
22 PavitraShankar,ExecutiveDirector,
Brigade Group
23 PriyankaGill,Co-founder,TheGood
GlammGroup
24 RachnaJaiswal,FounderandDirector,
AKJ Industries
25 RakhiWadhwa,Co-founder,Knorish
26 RavinaJain,FounderandCEO,TheSkin
Story and The Beard Story
27 RoopaKumar,FounderandCEO,Purple
Quarter
28 Runam Mehta , CEO , Healthcubed India
29 ShilpaKhannaThakkar,Co-founder,
Chicnutrix
30 ShrutiAggarwal,Co-founder,Stashfin
31 SoniaKararha,FounderandCEO,ReVeRa
LearningandSolutions
32 SrishtiBhatia,Founder,FreshforPaws
33 SunainaHarjai,FounderandDirector,
HatsOffAccessories
34 SushmaSinghvi,Founder,Gunjan
Foundation
35 T.M.Supraja,Proprietrix,Vahanthi
Consultancy
36 TaniyaBiswas,Co-founder,SUTA
37 VaishaliGupta,Co-founderandHead
Brand Marketing ,Pep Technologies

*The list is in no particular order*

Photo illustration: Ian Mikraz 23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 105

BW EVENT/ WESA

ACKNOWLEDGING
WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

ContributingtotheexponentialgrowthofIndia’sstartupecosystem,
womenwhoarehustlingtoachievegreatersuccessasentrepreneursneed
toberecognised.Asneakpeekintothetwo-daylongWESAdedicatedto

celebratingtheentrepreneurialspiritofwomen ByReshamSuhail

Asteadily growing tribe of women Chief Guest Sethurathnam Ravi while giving his address
entrepreneurs in India have been marking
their identity, across domains and
industries. Today, entrepreneurship does
not look at gender, it is mainly about the
uniqueness of the idea, execution and resilience.
Women have to shoulder many responsibilities wherein
the family takes precedence and therefore they have
more load on them, comparatively. The Economic
Survey 2021-22, showed that India had become the
world’s third-largest startup ecosystem after the US
and China.

In his opening address, Annurag Batra, Editor-in-
Chief, BW Businessworld and Founder, exchange4media
Group stated, “In my opinion, to be able to deal with
uncertainties is one such quality that is needed to
become a successful entrepreneur, whether a man or a
woman.”

WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

While recalling the days of 1996-98 when she along
with her husband Krishna Ella decided to come
back to India from the US to begin their disruptive
entrepreneurial journey, Suchitra Ella, Co-founder and
Joint Managing Director of Bharat Biotech said, “What
a journey it has been!” Reminiscing her initial days,
Ella resonated with the challenges and experiences
many young entrepreneurs could have faced in

106 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

connected to the industry and
application mode.”
“Not just this country but the
world is a bigger platform for us
to look forward to. Sustainable
businesses could bring you on par
with the Western countries and
the counterparts in the respective
sectors,” said Ella while concluding
her address and receiving her
award at the BW Disrupt WESA
event.

SPARING NO EFFORTS

The in-person event on day one

of WESA included three different

A still shot from a panel discussion, Urvi Shrivastav, Editorial Lead, BW CFO World panel discussions that majorly
holding a mike while moderating the session covered the discussion around
the nuances of driving businesses

and do’s and don’ts of being an

building an enterprise from scratch. Continuing on the entrepreneur. The major outcome of the discussion was

same lines, she shared, “We did not know what to do, an emphasis on being bold while raising funds, placing

where to start from but we just jumped in with an aim to growth of talent before processes and maintaining

disrupt technologies in healthcare and life sciences.” discipline. Rashi Gupta, Co-founder, Rezo.ai while

Considering healthcare as the least attractive sector speaking at one of the panels said, “The new normal has

for youngsters, Ella talked about starting her journey 25 added a plethora of opportunities that have opened

years ago and said, “Sustaining the young enterprise multiple possibilities for people to grab. There was a

was about enabling talent, training the human resources chain effect that positively impacted and enabled young

and more.” She emphasised that STEM (science, entrepreneurs to take the plunge.” So day one was

technology, engineering and mathematics) is the packed with enthralling and meaningful conversations,

word going forward. Skillset is much more important which ended with the award ceremony. Sixteen

than the mindset. Adding to the same, Ella mentioned, outstanding and impact-making women entrepreneurs

“Institutions need to move away from a theoretical from across the industries bagged the BW Disrupt WESA

way of imparting knowledge and make students more awards ranging across ten varied categories.

Photographs by Bobby Singh 23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 107

BW EVENT/ WESA

L-R: Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld Media; Sethurathnam Ravi, Managing Partner, Ravi Ranjan &
Company; Sukirti Gupta, Founder, Sipping Thoughts; Bhuvana Ravi, Director, Drishya Education Scholarship Foundation

THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP LANDSCAPE L-R: Annurag Batra, Suchitra Ella, Co-founder, Bharat Biotech
International; Sukirti Gupta , Founder, Sipping Thoughts ; and
On day two of the BW Disrupt WESA event, industry Bhuvana Ravi, Director, Drishya Education
veterans and women leaders came together to
ponder on relevant topics in the series of panel
discussions. In the initial part of the day, Meena
Ganesh, MD and Chairman, Portea Medical
joined in to present her keynote address and said,
“More number of women have started joining the
corporate sector and startup ecosystem as well
but retention and sustenance of women have not
changed adequately. There is a long way to go.”

Vineeta Singh, Co-founder and CEO, SUGAR
Cosmetics, one of the Shark Tank India fame, joined
and shared her insights. Singh spoke about the
background picture as to what it takes to build such
a large enterprise. Adding to the same, she said, “As
an entrepreneur, it is important to think about the
sustainability of the business. Delivering customer
value and employee growth comes before
delivering to the invested value proposition.”

The day proceeded with back-to-back panel
discussions addressing an array of topics around
the startup sector and more focus on women in the
segment. Galveen Kaur, Co-founder, Connect and
Heal along with three other panellists put forth her
suggestions on work-life integration.

108 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

innovation, problem-solving and
communication is important for
entrepreneurs as well.

AIMING TO GET THE GOLD

Panel discussion chaired by Jyotsna Sharma, Senior Associate Editor, Runam Mehta, CEO, HealthCube
BW Businessworld that shed light upon potential takeaways from leading India discussed about enabling
entrepreneurs a comprehensive culture in
the company. She said, “It is

important to imbibe ‘respect for all

irrespective of any bias’ culture at

every level.” Adding to the same,

other panellists mentioned that

men tend to talk over women,

discourage ideas suggested by

them or do not give credence based

on gender, this is something that

needs to be changed at the mindset

level. The need is to reframe the

fundamental norms and bring about

a mindset change. Biases against

women in the startup segment was

one of the topics to ponder upon

and the panellists candidly put forth

L-R: Ruhail Amin, Senior Editor, BW Businessworld; Sukirti Gupta, Founder, Sipping their first-hand experiences and
Thoughts; Rashi Gupta, Co-founder and Chief Data Scientist, Rezo.ai; and Sunaina stories.

Harjai, Founder and Director, Hats Off Accessories A PARADIGM SHIFT

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE The eight-hour long day was
power-packed with virtual panel discussions and

Building workplaces where women thrive was one of keynote addresses offering numerous path-breaking

the topics that drew the audience’s attention. Saumya key takeaways. The founders speaking on different

Singh Rathore, Co-founder of WinZO, Deepti Prasad, panels agreed with one another that the recent

Co-founder of spyne.ai along with four more women pandemic has taught everybody to be adaptive,

founders discussed the strategies to build an inclusive agile and innovative. Companies have changed their

and encouraging environment at the workplace. frameworks and business models in order to match the

Mentorship is of supreme significance in order to start pace. Despite the challenge of social connectivity, the

a business. This panel drove the conversation around blended learning and hybrid approach will be the road

mentorship and how it can impact the growth of a ahead to go along with. A recent World Bank report

startup company. says India can grow in double digits if more women

According to Deepali Naair, Director, Digital Sales, participate in the product line of the economy. Women

India and ASEANZK Digital Sales Centre, Bangalore, entrepreneurship not only contributes to women’s

IBM, it is vital to bring change at the grassroots level empowerment but also to the nation’s economic

in order to change the fabric of the society. Adding to growth. Today, India is a compelling growth story poised

it, Naair said, “IBM is working on a mission to ensure for rapid growth which eventually would help women

that students and more importantly girls receive equal entrepreneurs in valuation and investments. The ability

education and can pursue STEM education.” Reiterating to juggle many roles at work and home makes them

the need to focus on education, Naair stated that better at managing time and priorities, leading to an

holistic development shall be at the core. Focusing on overall impact on the country’s bright future.

23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 109

GUEST COLUMN BY JOGIN DESAI

INDIAN BIOTECH IS STILL AN
UNTAPPED POWERHOUSE
WAITING TO BE UNLEASHED

The Indian
biotech

ecosystem has
the potential
to be the next

revolution that
can power

India’s dream
of becoming
a $5 trillion

economy

I navirus. The budget for the Department of Biotechnology, India’s premier agency
for life science development is Rs 2,581 crore. The budget for life sciences for Purdue
T IS THE STATED GOAL of the cur- University (not a top 50 science university in the US) is Rs 3,000 crore.
rent government to make India a $5
trillion economy in the near term. This Let us take one problem at a time and try and find solutions.
would make India creep out of the “de-
veloping country” tag and move slowly Non-Linearity of Basic Science Research
towards a “developed country” tag. No Japanese scientists were studying bacteria in 1987 and were surprised to discover
country in the history of the world has repeated, interspersed sequences of a gene when they were studying bacterial
become a developed country without metabolism. At that time, no one had any idea that funding for this project would
sustained investment in science. create one of the most consequential technologies of our time. Therein lies the first
problem of non-linearity.
The Indian economy lost Rs 32,000
crore every day during the 21-day lock- Without a capability in basic sciences, it is not possible to be leaders in science
down during the first wave of the coro- but it is impossible to create a linear correlation between basic science funding and
eventual outcomes which are beneficial to society. When governments make budg-
ets, especially in a resource-constrained country like ours, it is quite natural that they
would lean towards funding areas where there is a near term, predictable return.

Every $1 that the National Institute of Health, the largest funder of biomedical
research in the world spends, generates $8.38 of private research after eight years.
The Human Genome project alone is estimated to have spurred investments of over
$1 trillion globally – a stunning 178 fold return on investment.

110 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

The government simply needs to bite Translational Science Funding The VC community
the bullet and fund science at over two I once made a presentation to a venture capitalist needs to step up and
per cent of GDP, based on the experi- who very candidly said, “I cannot even under-
ence of the past 200 years. stand your business deck, how do I understand partner with

Scientist as Wealth Creator your business?” In the West, there are several bio- founders who, in turn,
Barring a few people who are truly techs focused VC funds that have scientists and have the
passionate about life sciences (and the clinicians on their rolls. Barring a few exceptions,
country needs to be grateful to them),
the sad fact is that most people who the Indian venture capital community has shied responsibility of ex-
start a Bachelors in life sciences do so
because they could not get into engi- away from taking bets on biotech innovation. plaining the
neering or medicine. The main reason Australia runs a translational research pro- science ... here is a
for this is that life sciences is simply not
a financially rewarding career in India. gramme where, upon qualification, the govern-

A Ph.D in life sciences today earns ment provides a 40 per cent rebate on all costs little known fact:
less than any IT professional with basic and then venture capitalists take it from there. If
experience. If we truly need to moti- we truly want to jump start translation in India, Biotech
vate the next generation of scientists, we will have to stop talking about incremental investments
we have to demonstrate an “Infosys”
version of a biotech where there is sub- reductions in GST for customs duty etc. (which consistently provide
stantial wealth creation for the top 200 have a nominal effect) and provide a booster dose better returns than
employees. of such benefits.
The VC community needs to step up and part- tech investments!
Established companies as well as
startups need to be generous with their ner with founders who, in turn, have the respon-
stock option programmes and prove
that they present a once- in-a-lifetime sibility of explaining the science with a story that
wealth creation opportunity for scien-
tists who succeed in their goals. Science is understandable and relatable. If the VC com-
needs to be seen as an aspirational pro-
fession, just as engineering and medi- munity needs more persuasion, here is a little known fact: Biotech investments
cine are seen today.
consistently provide better returns than tech investments!

We stand as a nation at the crossroads. Invest in science for the next 20 years at

over two per cent of the GDP and become a developed nation, or do not invest and

continue to be a developing nation and become the manufacturing warehouse of

the world. We got lucky with Covid. Let us ensure that we do not depend on luck

the next time and truly become Atmanirbhar for our citizens.

The writer is Founder & CEO, Eyestem
The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of BW Businessworld

Photograph by Alexraths 23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 111

AFTER HOURS WELLBEING

SPIRITUAL What do we all seek?
WELLNESS
IS A MUST We seek happiness and
peace, and this reflects in
We seek happiness and peace. However, unless we our desire for wellness.
experience spiritual wellness, it is difficult to be truly However, unless we expe-
peacefulorhappy By AiR Atman in Ravi rience spiritual wellness, it
is difficult to be truly
Spiritual wellness is beyond the wellness of the peaceful or happy.
body and the mind. It is about living with faith, Spiritual wellness is an
hope and trust. It is about turning to spirituality important part of our over-
and realising the truth. It is about realising that all wellness because spirit-
God is not who we think God is, but a Power, a ual wellness is true
Power that is supreme and immortal. It is about realising wellness.
who we are, and what the purpose of life is.
Ironically, we pay so
much attention to making
our body beautiful, that we
forget to focus on spiritual
wellness. While it is impor-
tant to eat healthy and to
exercise, there is much
more to physical wellbeing
than fitness and looking
good. In fact, Yoga, which
is commonly used as a syn-
onym for physical exer-
cises, is actually a spiritual
term that comes from the
word Yuj, which means to

112 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

Therealisationofthetruthnotonlyliberatesusfromallsuffering
whilewearealive,butalsofromtheKarmiccycleofdeathandrebirth.

Werealisethat weareactorsthatcomeandgo

be ‘in union with God’. the mind itself robs us of body and mind and there- through silence. Silence
our peace. fore, are free from the pain leads to awareness, con-
Are we the mind? and misery that comes sciousness, what the
Unlike the popular belief However, if we go a step with it. Buddhists call mindful-
that the mind is king, the further, we realise that the ness. And it is in this state
mind is actually our mind is an illusion; it is The realisation of the of consciousness of the
enemy. It constantly bom- just a bundle of thoughts. truth not only liberates us truth, that we experience
bards us with thoughts, from all suffering while we true bliss; SatChitAnanda.
creating fear, stress, and So where is the mind? are alive, but also from the
anxiety. We must tame the We know where the brain Karmic cycle of death and If there is wellness of the
‘monkey mind’ and make is, where the heart is, rebirth. body and mind, our life
it still by observing it. We where the lungs are. But will of course be qualita-
must stop it from jumping has anyone seen the mind? We realise that this tively better. All that is
from thought to thought. No. The mind doesn’t world is a cosmic drama; toxic will be eliminated.
exist. Therefore, neither that we are actors that We will live with positivity.
So, how can we tame the are we the body, nor the come and go. We start But despite that, we would
monkey mind? If we look mind that we can’t find. looking at the world just as not have discovered spirit-
at the word MONKEY, it we would view a movie or a ual wellness, and there-
has a tail, the EY. We have Then who are we? We play. fore, true wellness.
to cut the EY. The EY is are ‘ That,’ the power
Ever-Yelling and Ever- within. We are the Soul, We do not get disturbed It is time to realise that
Yearning. When we tame the Spirit, the Atman. about things happening wellness, true wellness, in
the monkey mind, when around us. We live with everyday life, is about spir-
we cut its tail, it becomes a The purpose of life, our acceptance, and surrender itual wellness.
MONK. Then, we achieve goal, is to realise we are the to the ‘Divine Will’.
peace of mind. Otherwise, Soul. The realisation of the The author is Founder,
truth creates true wellness. Silence is food for the
We realise we are not the Soul. The spiritual bliss of AiR Institute of Realisation
the Soul is experienced

23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 113

AFTER HOURS BUSINESSOFDESIGN

Thefutureoffashionisprelove–it
allowsconsumerstosavemoney
andsavetheplanet.Prelove
democratisesfashion.With
thewholeworldembracingthe
concept,it’stimeforSouthAsiato
catchup ByShehlinaSoomro

THE FUTURE
OF FASHION
IS PRELOVE

AT the moment, fashion produces more CO2 of fast fashion by 2030. and Poshmark.
than aviation and shipping combined, it’s Vestiaire Collective (10 However, Asia has been
responsible for 20 per cent of global waste-
water, 35 per cent of microplastics in the mn users), Depop (30 mn a largely untapped mar-
ocean, and most shockingly 85 per cent users) and Vinted (45 mn ket. Vestiaire Collective
of textiles end up on landfills or are incinerated. users) have won over has raised financing last
However, a shift in consumer mindset, aware- year specifically to tap
ness of the global climate crisis and the consumers in Europe Korea and Japan and
emergence of resale platforms are over the last dec- Saritoria was launched in
helping to buck the trend. ade, each garnering June in India to tap the
valuations of over $18 bn opportunity for
Last year, the Business of Fashion South Asian resale for
estimated the global resale market to $1 bn. local Indians and the
be worth $130 bn, while Thredup Similarly, the US diaspora.
have predicted that the resale sector has been domi-
will be double the size nated by uni- The acceleration of
corns The Fashtech is instrumental
RealReal in the expansion of the
preloved market.

Platforms like Saritoria
enable everyday consum-
ers to create their own
resale businesses at the
click of a button and

114 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

monetise clothing which Asuccessfulprelovemarketshouldfocusonaccessingluxury
would otherwise never andqualityatlowerpricesratherthantheresaleoffastfashion
see the light of day again.
many different brands in If the culture is differ- successful prelove market
As technology contin- different locations to find ent and the clothes are should focus on accessing
ues to advance, so too will outfits is just not compat- different, a platform luxury and quality at
the ease of access to the ible with modern life- addressing the market lower prices rather than
resale market. styles, especially for needs to cater to those the resale of fast fashion.
specific needs.
Further, preloved plat- NRIs. Preloved means More importantly,
forms expedite the shop- instant access to luxury In addition, South Asia brands recognise that
ping experience for items at a fraction of is going to be dispropor- promoting an authentic
couture. the price. tionately affected by cli- preloved market provides
South Asia has its mate change so consumer a better alternative to
For many, long own designers and education will be a key fakes.
lead times, the needs that cannot factor in highlighting the
requirements be easily plugged need for sustainability. Fakes and copies are a
to go for into a western big issue for luxury
multiple fit- model (or app!). Inherently, there is a houses that do not want
tings and strong culture of preserv- the quality of their brand
making ing and handing on herit- and craftsmanship to be
visits to age pieces from genera- diluted by knock-offs.
tion to generation or
sharing heavy lehengas As a result, the impor-
and saris between cous- tance of brand-specific
ins and girlfriends. authentication is key.

Taking the next step of There is no question
buying quality controlled that the future of fashion
and curated items that are is prelove, it’s just a mat-
carefully filtered should ter of time.
be an easier step for the
South Asian consumer. The author is based in

Given the ubiquity of London and is the founder of
low-cost clothing in Asia
it seems natural that a a global online platform for

preloved South Asian couture,

Saritoria

23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 115

AFTER HOURS AUTHORSPEAKS

With Love: Remo
Fernandes with wife
Zenia after their
wedding in 2018

A N Indian CHRONICLE panies and some of the
pop music top ones bid for it, and
icon who OF BRAVE eventually I chose Harper
has enter- Collins.
tained an DREAMS
entire generation of I believe writing a biog-
fans with his brand of Remo Fernandes is a much-loved Goan raphy can be therapeutic.
pop, rock, and Indian institution and his memoir serves up a It helps to put your life
fusion besides playback fascinating slice of Goa’s social history into perspective. I did it
singing, Remo Fernandes By RUHAIL AMIN more or less for this pur-
recently released his pose and before I knew it,
memoir, Remo: The not as a pop star,” he says. not enough written about it was a public thing and I
Autobiography of Remo Fernandes recently spoke Goa, and a book on Goa welcomed it with open
Fernandes. Any story of to BW Businessworld will be very interesting. arms. I had always
Fernandes would be about his book and more. decided that if I write my
expected to have music as Excerpts: So I started writing it story I will do it honestly.
its central theme, but he for myself like everything That is what a lot of peo-
has kept music altogether What was the inspi- else. After a few chapters ple have said about my
out from the book, mak- ration behind writing I was suggested to send it book and I am highly
ing it instead the story of this book? to a literary agent, who honoured by this feed-
a rich and full life — filled I love reading autobiogra- Amitav Ghosh had intro- back.
with professional highs phies and have always duced me to. She loved
and lows as well as per- enjoyed reading them. For the few chapters that I While writing the
sonal triumphs and trag- a long time I felt there was had written and shared
edies. “I have written this with the publishing com- book, was it tough for
book as a writer who has
grown up in Goa, lived in you to choose
Europe, has done hitch-
hiking expeditions in between what to omit
Europe and Africa, and
and what to include?
I wrote whatever I felt was
important and most
importantly what I
remembered. There was
no one I reached out to
remind me of any inci-
dents. It is my story in all
respects.

While submitting the
manuscript to Harper
Collins, my editor pointed
out that I haven’t written
enough about music,
especially the Hindi film
songs.

I expected him to slash
and cut the autobiogra-
phy because it had run
into 1,40,000 words,
while the average Indian

116 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

Live Show: Playing with his
band, Beat 4, in 2003. Below:
Remo at his ancestral home
in Siolim in Goa

this was a very different theme of this book,
experience and it just
flowed through me. and it’s a subject very

autobiography is around Was writing this book Music is a big part of close to your heart.
90,000 words.
challenging at any your contribution and When you look at Goa
Surprisingly for me,
instead of 1,40,000 stage? you choose not to today, what do you
words, he made it For me it was always like
1,50,000. I was happy how I make my music, I write about it in the miss?
that he wanted me to let it flow. Since it was a Goa is no longer the Goa
write more. Some of the story about my own life book. What was the that I grew in. That was
feedback that I have and included incidents another reason that I felt
received is that people from my childhood days, reason behind that? an obligation to write
have enjoyed reading this it was not a difficult task I felt that everybody knows about it through this
voluminous book and for me. Unlike fiction about my professional book. In my view, the
wished it could go on. where people have to achievements and I Goa that I knew is gone
worry about the plot line, wanted this book to reflect and it’s gone forever.
my personal life. I have
written this book as a It is sad that nobody
writer who has grown up protected it. My first few
in Goa, lived in Europe, chapters are dedicated to
has done hitchhiking this. What pains me most
expeditions in Europe and is that when there was
Africa, and not as a pop nothing to save, people
star. This is the reason I started a movement to
have deliberately omitted ‘Save Goa’. It had no
the music part in this book. meaning by that time, it
was just a slogan and
Goa is the central even some political par-
ties were named ‘Save
GoaisnolongertheGoathatIgrewin. Thatwasanother Goa’. Initially, it hurt me
reasonthatIfeltanobligationtowriteaboutitthrough for years and years, and
thisbook. Inmyview,theGoathatIknewisgoneforever then I decided to let go
and live with it.

[email protected]

23 April 2022 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 117

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This book purports to be a reset button for a world you to meditate by simply
tormented by a pandemic and other disturbances. It is that writing your thoughts down.
“gentle jolt, an awakening, a silent whisper, a reminder that a I understood how this
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It made me imagine life as a
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needs a refresh, a world outside – the sounds, of achieving that. It doesn’t are in your hands, and you
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been a better time to read this to learn to listen. A week by week learning
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jolt, an awakening, a silent our own artificial ways of to birds chirping, to the to listen to the stories all
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a true well-wisher would After reading this book clock to the whistling pines. you to pay attention to the
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embrace. All of this is what perspectives – allleadingto true listening is, how you Whatever business,
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Cameron brings to you, to happiness. Isn’t that It promises to take you on a you follow, there will never be
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life-changing ways.

RajeevSharma isFounder,

Awrizon Digital Consultancy

118 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022

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COLUMN By Astro Friend Chirag Bejan Daruwala

What the Stars at organising an event for a friend or fam-
Foretell for You ily member. Your romantic life blooms
with the transition of Venus in the 7th
A RIES:Ganeshasays,you’llre- VIRGO: You’ll be relieved to learn that house in the second week. You may suffer
alise now that you were creat- your previous efforts have paid off hand- from fever and headache occasionally.
ed to be authentic rather than somely. Reassurances will pervade your
flawless. Go with the flow and day. In the last week of April, your over- SCORPIO: This month you’ll finally
the eradicate toxins from your optimism will drag you down. Bring eve- make time for your family and friends.
life. Avoid unnecessary ad- rything into the open before you make It’s an excellent time for trips. Trust your
justments in the second week. You make any relationship decisions. intuitive energies. In the second part of
room for a special person in your life. April, someone will try to steer you in the
LIBRA: The first part of the month will wrong direction. You will be able to start
TAURUS: This month, a weight you’ve be stress-free and relaxing. You will excel afresh in your relationship. Watch the
been carrying will be lifted. Prag- health of your children.
matism will save you from losing
money and wasting time. You assert SAGITTARIUS: People you have confi-
your priorities now, but choose your dence in save you from a major difficulty.
words carefully. Venus ensures that
you find a companion in your corpo- Make sure you only take on jobs that
rate circle. Watch your health. assist you in the long run. Married cou-
ples may have minor misunderstand-
GEMINI: Anything you’ve mis- ings, because of Rahu’s unfavourable
placed will be compensated now. transit. Watch your health if you have
You will begin to put your words into diabetes or high sugar levels.
action, but resist over enthusiasm,
as that may lead to trouble. You may CAPRICORN: You’llbebusywithnew
be caught unawares by a crisis, how- ideas and plans, but people may try
ever. Your partner will offer you op- to steal your ideas. The energy boost
portunities to enhance your career from Lord Sun helps you accomplish
this month. your tasks quickly. Your partner and
you will plan out your future. Those
CANCER: Your bravery will lead Astrologer: Chirag Bejan Daruwala looking for love may find a compat-
you to the position you truly deserve. ible Taurus or Cancer native. Watch
Lord Sun will continue to lead you WHAT DOES THE your health.
in your journey. Don’t try to accomplish MONTH OF
too many things at once, however. Venus APRIL 2022 AQUARIUS: . The placement of the
does not favour romance in the first half planets in your zodiac this month, in-
of the month. If you have blood pressure HAVE IN STORE FOR YOU? dicate that you will spend a lot of time
issues, watch your health. CARRYING FORWARD THE focusing on yourself. You will have
LATE BEJAN DARUWALA’S to face your anxieties and misgivings.
LEO: In the first week of April, you will Krishna advises that you reaffirm your
receive some vital information. This LEGACY, THE AUTHOR faith. Ketu’s transition is unfavourable.
fantastic news will alter your mind. GUIDES YOU SO YOU MAY Watch your health.
You’ll be pleased with the choices your MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT
children make now. Steer clear of legal LIFE HAS TO OFFER NOW PISCES:This month, you’ll be repaying
affairs, since Rahu will trouble you with favours to someone who helped you in
them. Avoid going to court, especially your lowest point in life. Do not prioritise
over business affairs. Also, make every this connection over your ideals. Domes-
meeting a priority tic problems can throw you into disarray.
Watch your health in the first half of the
month.

The author is the reknowned astrologer Bejan
Daruwalla’s son and carries forward his legacy

120 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022



LAST WORD PRADEEP MULTANI

Indian Trade
Will Be Impacted

Pradeep Multani, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the
Russia-Ukraine war has short-term and long-term implications for India’s economy

T heimmediateimpactof due to the expected shortfall in
the Russia-Ukraine war international markets due to the
on the Indian economy ongoing war. India, one of the
can be seen in the form major exporters of pharmaceu-

of rise in crude oil prices, financial tical products to Ukraine, will

markets turbulence and the pros- also be impacted, and the auto-

pect of rising current account defi- mobile sector’s input cost is also

cits, which will weaken the rupee expected to rise. The industries

even more against the dollar. that depend on major inputs such

Russia is the world’s second- as oil, chemicals, fertilisers, gas

largest crude oil exporter; the utilities, refining and marketing

ongoing sanctions will inevita- will have a negative impact.

bly raise oil prices, which are now

hovering around $110. If fuel costs Impact on MSME

remain high for an extended pe- The Russia-Ukraine crisis has

riod of time, prices of other goods created uncertainty not only in

that India imports will climb in prices of crude oil but also in most

the international market as well. of international commodities.

On the bilateral trade front, The ongoing tussle could add to

trade between India and Russia India may face delays in the high cost of raw materials and
consignments and the closure of potential
stood at $8.1 billion in FY21, may impact the price-cost mar-
with India exporting roughly future deals as a result of sanctions on gins of the producers. Though
$2.6 billion and importing Russia. It will also have an effect on MSME sector is not directly
$5.5 billion. The resultant
trade deficit stood at $2.8 bil- India’s manufacturing competitiveness connected with the Global
lion. At the same time, India is in the global market Value Chains as compared
to the large conglomerates, the

Ukraine’s largest export destina- Russia-Ukraine war will have

tion in Asia-Pacific with bilateral trade in some impact on exports vis-à-vis disrupt-

FY21 amounting to $2.5 billion. India imports $2.1 billion ed value chains. As MSMEs are contributing more than

from Ukraine and had a trade deficit of $1.69 billion in 40 percent in India’s exports, the disrupted exports will

FY21. Ongoing war will impact that number now. have an impact on working capital of MSMEs.

Russia and Ukraine are the major global suppliers In a nutshell, India’s long-term fate amidst the ongoing

of wheat, corn and sunflower oil. Together, these two situation in the international territories is fairly unpre-

countries account for 90 per cent of India’s sunflower dictable since serious short-term consequences began

oil import. India imported around $1.89 billion worth to manifest just hours after Russian soldiers invaded

of sunflower oil in 2021, 70 per cent of which came from Ukraine. India may face delays in consignments and the

Ukraine, which has not sent a single shipment in the on- closure of potential future deals as a result of sanctions on

going month. Considering the demand for edible oil in Russia. It will also have an effect on India’s manufactur-

India, the rise sunflower oil prices will drive up inflation ing competitiveness in the global market.

in India.

Steel prices are likely to remain high in the short term As told to Ashish Sinha

122 | BW BUSINESSWORLD | 23 April 2022