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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Mergers 2025: Survival instinct or strategic masterstroke
Aditi Maheshwari is a freelance writer, and has been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. She is a contributor to several magazines. LESS ... MORE In 2025, the global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) landscape has evolved beyond traditional synergy-driven motives. The aftermath of the 2024 geopolitical upheavals, including shifts in U.S. leadership and escalating global tensions, has compelled companies to reassess their strategies. For Indian enterprises, this re-evaluation is particularly pertinent as they navigate a volatile global economy. Global M&A activity is projected to surpass $4 trillion in 2025, marking the highest level in four years. This surge is not merely a return to pre-pandemic norms but reflects a strategic consolidation trend. Companies are pursuing mergers to achieve scale, access new markets, and acquire technological capabilities, rather than solely focusing on cost synergies. (Sources: JPMorgan, Reuters, Dealroom) The technology sector continues to dominate, with M&A activity reaching $640 billion in 2024, a 16% increase over the previous year. This growth is driven by investments in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity, as companies seek to enhance their digital transformation efforts. (Sources: PwC, Grant Thornton Bharat) India's M&A activity reached a three-year high in Q1 2025, with deal values totalling $27.5 billion, a 29.6% year-over-year increase. This growth is fuelled by strong corporate balance sheets, a surge in domestic consolidation, and increased foreign investment. (Sources: Business Standard, Mint) In 2024, India witnessed 2,186 deals valued at $116 billion, representing a 33% increase in deal volumes and a 76% increase in deal values compared to the previous year. Sectors such as technology, healthcare, and infrastructure have been particularly active, reflecting the country's robust economic fundamentals and strategic importance in the global supply chain. (Source: Grant TFhornton Bharat) Drivers of M&A activity: Survival and strategic scale Technological Disruption The rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies has compelled companies to acquire capabilities to remain competitive. In India, the AI sector is expected to reach \$17 billion by 2027, prompting significant M\&A activity as firms seek to integrate AI into their operations. (Source: Geopolitical Realignments The re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump and his pro-business policies have influenced global M&A dynamics. Approximately 56% of CEOs plan to actively engage in M&A in 2025, up from 37% in September 2024. However, uncertainties around interest rates and potential trade tariffs continue to pose challenges. (Sources: Reuters) Economic Pressures Companies facing economic headwinds are turning to M&A as a means of survival. Smaller firms, particularly in the SaaS sector, are struggling to secure funding and are considering mergers or acquisitions as viable options. (Sources: The CFO Club) Strategic opportunities and challenges For Indian companies, the current M&A landscape presents both opportunities and challenges. The surge in domestic consolidation reflects a strategic move to achieve scale and enhance competitiveness. However, navigating regulatory complexities and geopolitical uncertainties requires careful planning and execution. The Indian government's focus on fostering innovation and digital transformation, coupled with a favourable investment climate, positions the country as an attractive destination for M&A activity. However, companies must remain vigilant and adaptable to capitalize on these opportunities effectively. The Bharat blueprint: Strategic inflection points for M&A: Regulatory Landscape in India: A Double-Edged Sword The Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023, implemented in 2024, introduced a deal value threshold of ₹2,000 crore. While this enhances transparency, it complicates deal structuring, especially for tech and startup acquisitions. Pre-filing consultations have become critical tools for managing regulatory risks, making Company Secretaries pivotal in transaction execution. India's 'China Plus One' Strategy Global players seeking supply chain resilience are acquiring Indian firms to localize manufacturing. For instance, Apple suppliers such as Pegatron and Wistron are expanding in India through M&A and joint ventures. FDI inflows in manufacturing via M&A channels surged by over 40% in FY2024–25 (Source: DPIIT). MSME, ESG, and Green M&A Trends Many MSMEs are merging due to rising compliance costs under GST 2.0 and e-invoicing mandates. Meanwhile, ESG-driven M&A is gaining ground, particularly in renewable energy. Adani Green's acquisitions illustrate how ESG is now a due diligence imperative. Rise of Domestic Institutional Capital Indian investors like LIC, GIC, and ChrysCapital are increasingly backing strategic consolidations in sectors like agritech and edtech. This reduces dependency on foreign VC funding and encourages long-term strategic alignment. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and M&A India's DPI initiatives (UPI, ONDC, Account Aggregator framework) have fuelled a new breed of data-rich startups, leading to strategic acquisitions. M&A logic is increasingly driven by API interoperability and real-time data potential. Global Tax Structuring Complexities With BEPS 2.0 and global minimum tax frameworks in play, Indian firms undertaking outbound M&A must manage tax defensibility across jurisdictions. CS professionals are stepping up as ecosystem architects, aligning governance with international fiscal protocols. Post-Merger Cultural Integration India's regional diversity and promoter-led legacy structures make cultural integration a complex task. Mergers like Zomato-Blinkit highlight the challenges of aligning teams, values, and operations. India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) The IMEC initiative is spurring M&A activity in logistics and port infrastructure. Strategic interest from firms like DP World shows how infrastructure corridors are reshaping acquisition targets and priorities. AI-Powered M&A Analytics Companies are leveraging GenAI tools to evaluate targets, forecast synergies, and optimize post-merger integration. Infosys and TCS are building internal AI-based decision systems to support M&A workflows. Navigating the M&A landscape in 2025 The M&A landscape in 2025 is characterized by a shift from traditional synergy-driven deals to strategic consolidations aimed at survival and scale. For Indian companies, this presents a unique opportunity to strengthen their market position and drive growth. However, success in this environment requires a nuanced understanding of global dynamics, technological trends, and regulatory landscapes. In India, mergers are no longer just boardroom decisions; they are embedded in the country's regulatory evolution, digital infrastructure, and global repositioning. From DPI-enabled fintech takeovers to ESG-mandated sustainability buys, the 2025 Indian M&A climate reflects a strategic maturity. As regulatory frameworks sharpen and cross-border complexities multiply, Indian enterprises are not just reacting — they are reshaping the very logic of scale, resilience, and global integration. As companies navigate this complex terrain, strategic foresight, agility, and a commitment to innovation will be critical in leveraging M&A as a tool for long-term success. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Billion-dollar soloists!
Aditi Maheshwari is a freelance writer, and has been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. She is a contributor to several magazines. LESS ... MORE Once considered a fantastical oxymoron, the one-person unicorn has emerged as a provocative symbol of the AI era—a startup with a valuation of $1 billion or more, built and run (at least on the surface) by a single founder. Thanks to rapid advances in generative AI, automation tools, and decentralized workflows, the barrier to entry for entrepreneurship has never been lower—and the ceiling, never higher. But beneath the headlines lies a far more complex—and revealing—reality. What is a one-person Unicorn? A one-person unicorn is a venture that achieves billion-dollar valuation with only a single visible founder or operator, often empowered by AI and digital platforms to execute what used to require entire teams. In 2024–25, the median AI startup achieved unicorn status with just 203 employees, down from 414 for non-AI unicorns, according to a Dacxi Research report (2025). Several went even further—reaching massive valuations with fewer than 20 employees. Notable examples: Safe Superintelligence (SSI): Co-founded by Ilya Sutskever, valued at $32 billion with ~20 employees. Anysphere (creator of Cursor, an AI coding assistant): $100 million in annual revenue with <50 staff. ConvertKit: Solo-founder Nathan Barry built this email platform to $29 million/year in revenue. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has predicted the rise of fully operational one-person companies reaching unicorn valuations, calling it one of the most profound shifts in the entrepreneurial economy. Business models driving solo-scale success One-person unicorns follow a specific formula that trades human scale for system scale: 1. Product-led growth (PLG): Self-serve SaaS or platforms where users onboard, adopt, and pay—without sales teams. 2. AI-first infrastructure: From marketing to customer service to content generation, most core tasks are handled by AI agents like Claude, or Synthesia, etc. 3. Global digital distribution: Zero inventory, zero warehouses. Distribution happens through code, cloud, and community platforms—YouTube, Discord, Substack, etc. 4. Revenue multipliers: Freemium models, premium subscriptions, and embedded payments drive high margins with minimal ops. Case in point: 'Devin,' the AI software engineer by Cognition Labs, is already executing full-stack development tasks, opening the door for solo founders to build complex products without teams. Source: Cherubic Capital, 2025 The missing layers: What the hype doesn't ashow While the above paints a thrilling picture, the reality is far more nuanced. Several foundational updates are often missing from the mainstream 'solo billionaire' narrative. 1. The 'one-person' illusion: Hidden human layers Most so-called one-person ventures are powered by fractional workforces—freelancers, micro-agencies, and contract advisors. 56% of AI-led startups use fractional experts regularly Source: Deel Workforce Trends Report, Q1 2025 Solo founders may not have full-time staff, but they build modular 'pop-up teams' on-demand—marketers for launches, legal consultants for compliance, or designers for UX upgrades. Insight: The one-person unicorn is less a lone wolf and more a conductor of invisible orchestras. 2. AI overdependence: Stack centralization risks Most solo founders depend on the same few AI tools—OpenAI, Notion AI, Zapier, etc. While efficient, this introduces vulnerability. 72% of solo-run startups rely on just 2–3 AI platforms for over 80% of operations. Source: Center for Responsible Tech, April 2025 If pricing, policy, or access changes—so does the business. 3. Burnout and founder load syndrome AI doesn't replace human decision-making stress. Founders often bear everything—vision, execution, finance, content, product. 68% of solo-founders experience weekly burnout Source: Wellness Index, 2025 Translation: AI reduces the need for co-workers, not cortisol. 4. The babysitting problem: AI quality management Solo entrepreneurs often spend more time correcting AI errors than saving time. Solo operators spend 14–20 hours weekly fixing AI-generated outputs. Source: OpenAgent Research Lab, 2025 Instead of delegation, it becomes micromanagement of machines. 5. Valuation ≠ Cash flow Billion-dollar headlines often mask poor cash fundamentals. Only 1 in 7 AI unicorns with <10 employees are cash-positive. Source: Crunchbase Intelligence, May 2025. These ventures raise high on VC optimism and AI FOMO, but many lack sustainable, monetized user bases. 6. Regulatory whiplash incoming AI-powered solopreneurs are flying into a storm of emerging regulation: India's AI Code of Ethics (2025) mandates algorithm transparency and audit trails. EU AI Act (2025) enforces documentation of bias mitigation, explainability, and data consent. In the EU alone, 41% of solo-AI startups failed initial compliance checks in Q1 2025. Source: DataGov Lab Europe Bottom Line: You can't automate legal liability. 7. The next frontier: Zero-person unicorns Pilot projects like AgentCorp in UAE and AutoMaCo in Singapore are testing fully autonomous businesses, launched and run entirely by AI agents—with no founder, no team. What began with solo founders is evolving into founder less ventures—a revolution in ownership and agency. What 2025 has added to the solo unicorn playbook? 1. AI co-founders gaining legal recognition In 2025, jurisdictions like Singapore and Estonia have started exploring frameworks where AI agents could be granted partial co-founder status under supervised accountability structures. This is reshaping the legal definition of entrepreneurship and opening new conversations around IP ownership and liability in founder less ventures. 2. Surge in one-person VC deals According to the Q2 2025 Sequoia Pulse report, 19% of early-stage funding rounds in AI startups went to solo founders. Notably, most of these pitches leveraged interactive AI prototypes built entirely without engineering teams—further validating investor confidence in solo-led, AI-built MVPs. 3. India's DPIIT fast-track for solo founders In March 2025, India's DPIIT introduced a fast-track registration and compliance lane specifically for AI-first solo ventures, including tax benefits for those with <$1M in human payroll costs but over ₹10 crore in digital revenue. This aims to boost high-output solo innovation in the Indian startup ecosystem. 4. AI Co-pilot wars intensify The competitive landscape for solo entrepreneurs is being redefined by AI copilots. OpenAI's new StartUp GPT, Anthropic's Claude Pro Builder, and Google's Gemini Ops Suite have launched dedicated platforms in 2025 that allow solopreneurs to ideate, build, market, and sell—all via voice or prompt interfaces. These platforms now come bundled with startup insurance and basic compliance templates. 5. Creator-SaaS crossovers redefining solopreneurship As of May 2025, over 31% of successful solopreneurs are creator-founders monetizing SaaS tools built atop their content base—e.g., YouTubers launching niche automation tools, or Substack writers turning newsletters into full-stack education startups. This hybrid model now earns over $500 million quarterly across platforms like Gumroad, Podia, and Kajabi. 6. Escalating AI ethics audits by VCs Top-tier venture capital firms like a16z and Lightspeed now mandate AI ethics audits before disbursing funds to solo-run ventures. These audits include hallucination tracking, dataset provenance checks, and algorithmic bias mapping—making ethical transparency a new barrier to funding in 2025. 7. Mental health tech for solo founders on the rise In response to increasing burnout rates, new 2025 platforms like FounderWell, SoloSanity, and MindLoop have emerged. These offer AI-based therapy bots trained on solo-founder stressors, peer networks, and burnout-prevention routines—indicating that mental health is becoming as scalable as code. The Paradox of Power and Precarity One-person unicorns represent the outer edge of what AI, ambition, and automation can achieve. They are symbols of radical efficiency—but also of quiet fragility. They are lean but not light. Autonomous but not independent. Brilliant, yet brittle. The solo founder is not just a builder. They are a platform, a publisher, a programmer, a policy negotiator—and above all, a bet on their own bandwidth. The future may well belong to the lone genius who leverages AI. But behind every unicorn, solo or not, is a system—and that system is more crowded, more complex, and more human than it first appears. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Solo, Swift, Unstoppable!
Aditi Maheshwari is a freelance writer, and has been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. She is a contributor to several magazines. LESS ... MORE In a business world once dominated by sprawling corporations and vast workforces, a silent revolution is reshaping the rules. Today's disruptors are not conglomerates but agile, innovative, and authentic individuals — the solopreneurs. These independent professionals are proving that passion and adaptability can outperform scale, that personalized solutions can surpass mass production, and that authenticity can succeed where corporate anonymity falls short. Welcome to the new economy — where lone innovators no longer merely survive. They lead. Once perceived as freelancers or side-hustlers seeking flexibility, solopreneurs have rapidly advanced from the margins of the gig economy. Today, they are not just participants but trailblazers, disrupting industries, influencing corporate strategies, and building personal brands that command significant influence. Solopreneurs now account for over 30% of the Indian workforce (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, September 2024). India's freelance economy — a major segment driven by solopreneurs — is projected to reach $20–30 billion by 2025 (PayPal, September 2024). This sector is growing at an impressive 20% annually (Our Business Ladder, February 2025). This shift transcends solo working. It represents the rise of agile, adaptive micro-enterprises that challenge the rigidity of traditional business models. New-age business models The niche e-commerce seller: Entrepreneurs sourcing unique handcrafted textiles from regions like Rajasthan or Kutch, selling globally through Instagram and Shopify while managing every aspect from curation to logistics. The specialized consultant or coach: Professionals transitioning from corporate roles to offer tailored consulting or coaching in digital marketing, finance, or wellness, leveraging webinars, social media, and online advertising. The content creator & educator: Subject matter experts building loyal audiences on platforms like YouTube or blogs, monetizing through ads, sponsorships, and premium digital products such as e-books and online courses. The hyperlocal service provider: Home bakers, beauty professionals, and skilled repair experts growing businesses through WhatsApp and Instagram, serving local markets with personalized services. The creative boutique professional: Graphic designers, writers, and other creatives establishing distinctive brand identities and attracting clients seeking their specific expertise. Solopreneurs: Impacting far beyond themselves Economic Growth: By creating self-employment, addressing niche markets often ignored by large corporations, generating revenue, and contributing to tax bases. Scaling just 10% of India's current own-account workers could create thousands of new jobs (SiliconIndia, April 2023). Inspiring entrepreneurship: The visible success of solopreneurs, often amplified on social media, encourages others to launch independent ventures. Inflation has driven many toward solopreneurship since 2020, with 57% citing financial pressures and 52% driven by the desire to be their own boss (QuickBooks, February 2024). Promoting regional crafts: Solopreneurs offer direct-to-market channels for artisans and traditional craftspeople, preserving cultural heritage and supporting livelihoods. Accelerating digital adoption: As early adopters of technology, solopreneurs promote digital literacy among consumers and small businesses. Delivering hyper-personalization: They offer bespoke experiences and products, a level of personalization that larger corporations struggle to achieve. Demonstrating agility: Solopreneurs can pivot quickly in response to market shifts, exemplifying resilience. Empowering underserved groups: Enabling financial independence for women, residents of smaller towns, and those facing employment barriers. Building trust through authenticity: Personal branding fosters consumer loyalty in an era where trust in faceless corporations continues to decline. Rewriting the corporate playbook Solopreneurs are influencing corporate strategies in profound ways: Talent acquisition: Corporates increasingly hire solopreneurs as consultants for specialized, on-demand expertise. Innovation models: Crowdsourcing and partnerships with independent creators are becoming mainstream R&D strategies. Marketing shifts: Influencer collaborations and creator-led campaigns often outperform traditional advertising. Workplace culture: Flexibility, remote-first models, and project-based teams — once exclusive to solopreneurs — are now embedded in corporate cultures. The collaborative solo era While valuing independence, today's solopreneurs thrive through collaboration: Co-working spaces: More than shared offices, these are hubs for networking and knowledge exchange. Digital collaborations: Creators forming micro-agencies for specific projects. Platform economies: Utilizing marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr, and AI-driven platforms connecting them to global opportunities. Corporations are adapting by, partnering rather than poaching talent, streamlining onboarding for micro-consultants, and investing in platforms that nurture independent talent ecosystems. As Harvard Business Review forecasted in 2025: 'The future corporation is not a fortress. It's a hub.' India's solopreneurial rise: Driving a larger shift! India now ranks second in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) 2024, up from 16th in 2022 — signalling a rapidly maturing entrepreneurial ecosystem. With over 844 million internet users, solopreneurs have unprecedented access to consumers and collaborators worldwide, overcoming traditional barriers related to infrastructure and capital. More than 68% of freelancers in India depend upon social media to find suitable work opportunities. The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) estimated that India's gig workforce would grow to 23.5 million by 2029-30, up from 7.7 million in 2020-21. The overall Indian startup ecosystem is thriving, with over 1.59 lakh recognized startups as of January 2025. While not all are solopreneurs, this indicates a strong culture of individual business creation. Over 51% of new startups are emerging from Tier II and Tier III cities, suggesting that solopreneurship is not limited to major metropolitan areas and is expanding across the country. However, the path is not without challenges. Nearly 41.6% of solopreneurs have operated their businesses for less than a year, reflecting both the appeal and volatility of solo ventures. Furthermore, only 22% of Indian unicorns over the past decade were started by solopreneurs, compared to 78% co-founded ventures, suggesting that collaboration can offer an edge in scaling. Moreover, a large segment of solopreneurs might operate in the informal sector, making data collection difficult. Government and industry reports often focus on broader categories like 'self-employed,' 'freelancers,' or 'startups,' rather than the specific segment of solopreneurs. In contrast, Indian corporations reported modest 5.0% year-on-year revenue growth in Q4 FY2024, ending the fiscal year with a 3.7% annual increase — a growth rate that underscores the agility advantage solopreneurs often exploit. Solopreneurs as agents of social change There are approximately 10 million social enterprises worldwide, accounting for about 3% of all businesses globally. Collectively, these enterprises generate around $2 trillion in annual revenue and create nearly 200 million jobs as per Social Mission Canada Inc. Exemplars of the One-Man Army spirit: Consider Munaf Kapadia, founder of The Bohri Kitchen. Once a Google employee, he started as a solopreneur running a weekend pop-up with his mother's cooking. His venture scaled to multiple outlets and earned him a spot in Forbes 30 Under 30. Harsh Agrawal, founder of ShoutMeLoud, began as a solo tech blogger and transformed blogging into a full-time career, helping others through affiliate marketing and SEO consulting. Even leaders like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who founded Biocon with a seed capital of Rs. 10,000 in her garage in 1978, began as solopreneurs before scaling into multinational ventures. These stories exemplify a core truth: Freedom isn't found in a corner office. It's forged at the solopreneur's desk. Solopreneurs may not yet match corporations in sheer scale, but they are undeniably reshaping the economic landscape. They have redefined success — from seeking job security to owning opportunities. As the gig economy evolves into a robust economic force, solopreneurs are no longer knocking on corporate doors or waiting for a seat at the table. They are designing new doors — and crafting entire tables where they set the rules. Armed with digital tools, vast market access, and an indomitable spirit, today's solopreneurs are crafting a new narrative where enterprise size is eclipsed by vision and innovation. The future belongs to those who can move swiftly, think independently, and lead with purpose. The pioneers of today's solopreneur movement are not just lone wolves — they are the architects of tomorrow's economy. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
A golden opportunity beyond gold!
Aditi Maheshwari is a freelance writer, and has been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. She is a contributor to several magazines. LESS ... MORE In a world fraying at the edges with scarcity—of trust, values, peace, and even water—Akshay Tritiya arrives each year not as a date, but as a defiant whisper of abundance. 'Akshay' means imperishable or never diminishing. On this day, according to Hindu and Jain beliefs, the laws of decay are temporarily suspended. What you begin today, flourishes. What you give today, multiplies. But in 2025, does the eternal still hold relevance in the temporary? India's gold demand during Akshay Tritiya crossed 37 tonnes in 2024, with a market value of over ₹25,000 crores, according to the World Gold Council. The digital gold market also witnessed a 26% uptick, with fintech players reporting record purchases via apps like PhonePe and Paytm. But beneath the glitter of 22-karat emotion lies a silent question: Are we buying abundance or just buying into a belief? The original spirit of Akshay Tritiya was not rooted in consumerism, but in contribution. It was a day to sow—not just seeds in soil, but values into time. The Ved Vyasa began dictating the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha on this day. Lord Krishna bestowed the inexhaustible Akshaya Patra to Draupadi—an urn that would feed endlessly till the end of the day. How ironic that a day about infinite giving has now become a festival of infinite buying. The Buddha, in one of his past lives, is born as a kind-hearted hare. On a holy day meant for doing good—similar to Akshay Tritiya—the hare sees a hungry man (actually the god Indra in disguise) and decides to offer himself as food. He jumps into a fire, but the flames don't harm him. Touched by his pure and selfless act, Indra honours the hare by placing his image on the Moon. This story gives a fresh meaning to Akshay Tritiya: when you give with no expectation, that kindness never fades. In today's world, where we measure everything in numbers, maybe what truly lasts is the kind of love and generosity that can't be counted. For Jains, Akshay Tritiya marks the day when Lord Rishabhanatha, the first Tirthankara, broke his year-long fast with sugarcane juice offered by King Shreyansha. This is not a tale of asceticism alone, but of resilience, restraint, and timing. In today's world of instant gratification, this story doesn't just extol fasting—it teaches the value of conscious consumption, the very thing climate economists have been pleading for. Akshay Tritiya has always been seen as an auspicious day for property purchases, stock investments, and gold buying. But 2025 offers a deeper lens: India's retail investor base grew to 151 million in 2025, and the number of SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) crossed ₹20,000 crore/month, a historic high. Akshay Tritiya is increasingly being rebranded by financial institutions as the 'Investors' Diwali.' In the rural economy, fintech-enabled microloans are being disbursed heavily on this day—seen as a promising date for launching small businesses. Women-led self-help groups (SHGs) received over ₹3,500 crore worth of loans across India in April 2024 alone. The day is morphing from one of ritualistic buying to ritualistic investing, both in capital and causes. Water, the most akshay element in ancient belief, is now under siege. Reports from the Central Ground Water Board (2024) revealed that 64% of Indian districts face alarming water stress. What once symbolized limitless bounty—be it rivers like the Ganga or the rains of Akshay Tritiya—is now marked with red flags. The greatest irony? Akshay Tritiya's cultural rituals involve gold mining, paper packaging, and water-intensive food preparation—all of which contradict the very spirit of sustainability the day was born from. Could we instead celebrate by planting trees that outlive us or setting up water-harvesting pits that outlast our consumption? Time to Shift the Narrative from 'Buying for Her' to 'Building with Her' Akshay Tritiya is often dubbed as the 'Women's Diwali' by marketers. Gold sales are heavily targeted at women, reinforcing age-old tropes of gendered wealth. Yet, women in India own just 20% of physical property and have access to less than 30% of total financial credit, as per RBI data (2024). Rather than just giving women gold, can we start funding their startups, education, and legal rights? Let Akshay Tritiya be the day you invest in a girl's college education, not just her bridal trousseau. Imagine if, just for one day a year, time became your ally, not your enemy. Akshay Tritiya offers that loophole. No astrologer, no planetary retrograde, no cosmic dissonance—this day is free of all celestial flaws. It is the 'Zero Gravity Zone' of Karma. What you begin today becomes your legacy, not just your task. Whether it's healing a broken relationship, starting a fitness regime, quitting an addiction, or writing a book—April 30, 2025, is your invincible first step. Not because magic happens. But because you believe it will—and that belief is the real akshaya. Call to Action: Redefine Akshay! So, this year, don't just buy something that glitters. Do something that echoes. Plant a tree. Forgive someone. Write the first page of your book. Open an SIP. Teach a child. Skip the gold, wear courage instead. Let Akshay Tritiya 2025 be the year the imperishable finds a new form— not in what you own, but in what you dare to start. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rich Past, Missed Present!
Aditi Maheshwari is a freelance writer, and has been a student of Economics, Advertising, Marketing, Psychology and also of the Institute Of Company Secretaries Of India. She is a contributor to several magazines. LESS ... MORE India is a land where time stands still in stone — where ancient temples, royal palaces, and timeless ruins whisper stories of a bygone era. With 3,697 monuments and archaeological sites officially classified as Monuments of National Importance (MNIs) under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the country is a treasure trove of history waiting to be experienced. Yet, in the grand theatre of global tourism, India's cultural legacy continues to be underplayed. From the resplendent Taj Mahal to the intricacies of Sanchi Stupa, India's architectural marvels are scattered across its length and breadth. While these sites have seen growing interest among domestic travellers, the international audience remains relatively sparse. In 2023, centrally protected ticketed monuments welcomed 48 million domestic tourists — a testament to homegrown heritage enthusiasm. Yet foreign tourist numbers tell a less enthusiastic story: only 9.24 million international tourists visited India in 2023. While that reflects a strong rebound from 6.44 million in 2022 — a 43.5% increase — it pales in comparison to global leaders. France and Spain, for instance, each welcomed over 80 million international visitors in 2023 alone (UNWTO, 2024). By mid-2024, India had already received 4.77 million foreign tourists, signalling further momentum. However, this is not nearly enough given India's potential. The Taj Mahal continues to dominate as India's most visited monument, drawing over 6 million domestic visitors in 2024. Ironically, foreign visitor numbers to this world wonder have dropped significantly — to just 300,000 in 2023. This points to an urgent need for strategic international marketing, modernized amenities, and smoother access for overseas travellers. Meanwhile, the Qutub Minar is catching foreign eyeballs and is now the second most-visited monument among international tourists in 2023–2024. But many other heritage gems — from the rock-cut marvels of Ellora to the mystic ruins of Hampi — remain largely unexplored on the global circuit. Though the ASI continues to safeguard MNIs and provide basic amenities like signage, pathways, and ramps for the differently-abled, several challenges remain. Many monuments are plagued by crumbling infrastructure, encroachments, lack of sanitation facilities, and inadequate interpretation materials. Recognizing the issue, the government is in the process of delisting 18 centrally protected monuments that no longer hold national relevance, with a view to concentrate efforts on more significant sites. India's tourism sector contributes about 4.6% to the GDP (Ministry of Tourism, GoI, 2024). This is modest compared to nations like Thailand (12.5%) or Spain (14.6%), where tourism is central to economic planning. Aggressive policy decisions like visa-free travel, airport-to-hotel shuttle services, and digital-first experiences have played a key role in drawing global tourists to those countries. If India is to turn its rich past into a flourishing present, the following pillars must be prioritized: Infrastructure Modernization: Clean restrooms, informative displays, multilingual audio guides, and shaded rest zones are basic expectations today. UNESCO-styled immersive experiences could also help. Smart Digitization: Augmented reality tours, virtual ticketing, global SEO campaigns, and social media storytelling can bring India's heritage to a much larger audience. Local Integration: Empowering communities around heritage sites with training, home-stays, and tourism-linked micro-enterprises can create jobs while preserving authenticity. Policy Innovation: Fast-tracked visas, travel corridors with key nations, off-season discounts, and heritage festivals tailored for international guests can act as catalysts. Sustainability Focus: Limiting footfall in vulnerable monuments, adopting green energy, and mandating eco-conscious tourism operators can protect India's heritage from over-tourism and neglect. Cultural Sensitivity: Training guides and staff on etiquette, global cultural nuances, and inclusive communication can make India more tourist-friendly in subtle but powerful ways. India's monuments aren't just relics of the past — they're living invitations to the world. With thoughtful action, the subcontinent can reposition itself as a heritage haven that rivals the best in the world. What we need is not just footfall, but meaningful footsteps — the kind that honour history while building the future. India's heritage doesn't suffer from lack of glory — it suffers from lack of global imagination. The problem isn't that we don't have stories to tell, but that we've failed to tell them loud enough, smart enough, and far enough. In a world where content drives curiosity and convenience dictates travel choices, our monuments can no longer rely on mystique alone. If we want the world to arrive, we must first arrive at a realization ourselves — that preserving the past is not enough. We must package it, position it, and proudly present it as an irreplaceable part of the global cultural conversation. Until then, we risk being caretakers of forgotten wonders, watching history fade under our watch. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
