Latest news with #MohandasPai
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Allow WFH in Bangalore and Mumbai': Viral post slams time and energy lost to traffic, many echo sentiment
A social media post urging companies to allow work-from-home (WFH) in traffic-heavy cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai is going viral on X (formerly Twitter), striking a chord with thousands of professionals navigating long commutes daily. Several users echoed the sentiment, pointing out that modern work setups no longer require daily office visits.(Pexel) 'Companies should allow WFH in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai. If physical presence isn't needed, there's no point wasting time, energy, and money battling traffic and poor infrastructure. Half your energy is wasted just reaching office,' wrote the user, whose post has garnered wide attention and sparked a heated debate online. (Also Read: 'Bengaluru traffic will improve by 30% in a year': EaseMyTrip co-founder after meeting city officials) Check out the post here: Several users echoed the sentiment, pointing out that modern work setups no longer require daily office visits, especially when most corporate communication already happens virtually. 'Yes. Physical presence, if required, should be once a month or so, not a few days a week. You're exhausting employees and they'll eventually quit for more flexible workplaces,' one user responded. Another noted, 'Majority of corporate meetings happen over Microsoft Teams, you talk to your US-based managers and even your Indian teammates online. So why make people commute only to attend virtual calls?' Mental and physical fatigue Other reactions also highlighted the mental and physical toll of urban commutes. 'It's not just the two hours lost in traffic, it's the mental exhaustion. Air quality is poor, and commuting drains people. At home, you can even take short naps and come back recharged,' someone pointed out. Many users also expressed frustration that remote jobs have become harder to find. 'It feels like there's an unofficial mandate for mandatory office presence. Remote work opportunities have dried up, and companies are not encouraging WFH like before,' said another. The viral post has reignited ongoing conversations about flexible work, urban infrastructure, and employee well-being in India's busiest metros. (Also Read: 'Terrible governance': Mohandas Pai on Bengaluru's rankings at Swachh Survekshan 2025)
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Allow WFH in Bangalore and Mumbai': Viral post slams time and energy lost to traffic, many echo sentimnt
A social media post urging companies to allow work-from-home (WFH) in traffic-heavy cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai is going viral on X (formerly Twitter), striking a chord with thousands of professionals navigating long commutes daily. Several users echoed the sentiment, pointing out that modern work setups no longer require daily office visits.(Pexel) 'Companies should allow WFH in cities like Bangalore and Mumbai. If physical presence isn't needed, there's no point wasting time, energy, and money battling traffic and poor infrastructure. Half your energy is wasted just reaching office,' wrote the user, whose post has garnered wide attention and sparked a heated debate online. (Also Read: 'Bengaluru traffic will improve by 30% in a year': EaseMyTrip co-founder after meeting city officials) Check out the post here: Several users echoed the sentiment, pointing out that modern work setups no longer require daily office visits, especially when most corporate communication already happens virtually. 'Yes. Physical presence, if required, should be once a month or so, not a few days a week. You're exhausting employees and they'll eventually quit for more flexible workplaces,' one user responded. Another noted, 'Majority of corporate meetings happen over Microsoft Teams, you talk to your US-based managers and even your Indian teammates online. So why make people commute only to attend virtual calls?' Mental and physical fatigue Other reactions also highlighted the mental and physical toll of urban commutes. 'It's not just the two hours lost in traffic, it's the mental exhaustion. Air quality is poor, and commuting drains people. At home, you can even take short naps and come back recharged,' someone pointed out. Many users also expressed frustration that remote jobs have become harder to find. 'It feels like there's an unofficial mandate for mandatory office presence. Remote work opportunities have dried up, and companies are not encouraging WFH like before,' said another. The viral post has reignited ongoing conversations about flexible work, urban infrastructure, and employee well-being in India's busiest metros. (Also Read: 'Terrible governance': Mohandas Pai on Bengaluru's rankings at Swachh Survekshan 2025)
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'Terrible governance': Mohandas Pai on Bengaluru's rankings at Swachh Survekshan 2025
Former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai has spoken out on Bengaluru's rankings at the Swachh Survekshan 2025 survey and awards, strongly criticizing the local government for the city's cleanliness after it was listed amongst the bottom five major Indian cities. Mohandas Pai has been verbose about Bengaluru's civic issues.(File Photo, X/@sabeer) READ | Bengaluru ranked fifth dirtiest among major Indian cities in Swachh Survekshan 2025 The latest survey saw Bengaluru join Ranchi, Chennai, Ludhiana, and Madurai in the category of the dirtiest cities. This outcome prompted a sharp rebuke from prominent voices, including Mohandas Pai, who in his remarks expressed regret over the state of cleanliness in Bengaluru, calling it a 'big shame' for both the city and Karnataka. 'A big shame for Bengaluru and Karnataka. We have a city corporation @BBMPCOMM @BBMPofficial and govt @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar which cannot even keep the city clean! Terrible governance,' he wrote on social media site X, triggering a fresh discussion on civic apathy. 'In 2015 we were 15th cleanest city in the country. We can feel where it stands now, so these results are no surprise,' a user replied, while another said, 'The entire city is a dump yard.' READ | 'Hardly a garbage-free stretch': Author slams Bengaluru's civic neglect, calls it collapse of urban governance While Bengaluru's reputation took a hit, several other cities stood out for their sanitation achievements, with Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Lucknow, Raipur, and Jabalpur emerging as some of the cleanest metropolitan areas, while Indore, Surat, and Navi Mumbai entered the distinguished 'Super Swachh League', reserved for cities showcasing exemplary public cleanliness. 'Skid game' in Bengaluru Amid rising frustration over the city's decaying infrastructure, a few residents organized a striking street performance, drawing inspiration from the hit Netflix show 'Squid Game.' The group donned colourful, recognizable costumes and navigated a footpath which was more of a challenging obstacle course, full of loose stones, exposed wires, and yawning gaps. The residents even had to leap across open drains, dramatizing the daily hurdles pedestrians face. READ | 'Its skid game for Namma Bengaluru…': Residents enact scene from this series to highlight civic apathy. Watch Their act, equal parts satire and social commentary, was captured in a now viral video, underscoring the everyday stress encountered by Bengaluru's commuters.
Hans India
16-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Karnataka's bike taxi ban sparks digital revolt
The Karnataka High Court has upheld a previous single-judge ruling to prohibit bike taxi services statewide starting June 16, stirring massive backlash online. The decision, which follows a prolonged legal dispute involving ride-hailing giants Rapido, Uber, and Ola, has been widely criticized by citizens, entrepreneurs, and public figures alike — many calling for reconsideration at least within Bengaluru, a city plagued by chronic traffic jams. Initially, operators were given a six-week grace period to wind down, ending in May. However, after appeals from platforms, the court allowed an extension until June 15. With no further relief granted, services will cease across Karnataka from Sunday. Bike taxis had become a cost-efficient, flexible commuting option, especially in a city where delayed Metro projects and limited bus connectivity force people into gridlock. Social media erupted following the verdict. Former Infosys CFO T.V. Mohandas Pai urged the government via X (formerly Twitter) to reverse the decision. 'Bike taxis generate employment, decongest roads, and aid citizens,' he posted, slamming the move as 'anti-people.' Many echoed Pai's views, calling bike taxis a 'functional fix' to Bengaluru's traffic nightmare. Others highlighted their impact on students and gig workers, calling for legalization under specific norms like yellow-board, KA-registered bikes. Users even urged Karnataka to look beyond Indian models and consider Southeast Asian success stories like Jakarta's ojek services.
Entrepreneur
09-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Biggest Issue for Startups is Lack of Capital, Regulatory Reforms Needed: Mohandas Pai
Restrictive regulations of the government have resulted in inadequate domestic capital for the Indian startup ecosystem, said Mohandas Pai, Chairman at Aarin Capital, who called for reforms in policy and better investments to drive the ecosystem in an interview with PTI. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Restrictive regulations of the government have resulted in inadequate domestic capital for the Indian startup ecosystem, said Mohandas Pai, Chairman at Aarin Capital, who called for reforms in policy and better investments to drive the ecosystem in an interview with PTI. "We have 1,65,000 registered startups, 22,000 are funded. They created USD 600 billion in value. We got 121 unicorns, maybe 250-300 soonicorns, the biggest issue for startups is the lack of adequate capital," said Pai. India ranks third globally, behind the US and China, where startups investments recorded USD 2.32 trillion and USD 835 billion respectively. "We just put in USD 160 billion, out of which possibly 80 per cent came from overseas. So local capital is not coming in," he added. Pai also said that changes in the regulatory realm will allow insurance companies to get involved in fund-of-funds, and also called for better flexibility in investment structures. Pai also suggested that the government's fund-of-funds be expanded to INR 50,000 crore from the existing INR 10,000 crore. According to an EY-IVCA monthly PE/VC roundup, private equity and venture capital (PE/VC) investments in India declined by 20 per cent in April 2025 compared to March 2025 in value terms. Vivek Soni, Partner and National Leader, Private Equity Services, EY said that April 2025 recorded USD 4.7 billion in PE/VC investments, 6 per cent lower than investments in April 2024 and 20 per cent lower than in March 2025 with the number of deals in April 2025 being 4 per cent lower year-on-year. Pai also suggested that the country eradicate barriers for startups to do business with public sector units. "Even though the government has reformed it, it doesn't work in actual practice. It must be opened up, and I think that has to be a mind shift. The problem in India is that all the big companies try to beat down the small startups and give them less money, and force them to sell the technologies and use them, and often don't pay them on time. This culture of hurting the small people should change," Pai added. The EY report also said that PE/VC investments in April 2025 totalled USD 4.7 billion, 6 per cent lower than the US$4.9 billion recorded in April 2024. The number was also 20 per cent lower than the USD 5.9 billion recorded in March 2025. The number of deals in April 2025 declined by 4 per cent year-on-year, with 108 deals compared to 113 in April 2024, while remaining consistent with the deal count in March 2025 (108 deals). Somdutta Singh, Founder and CEO, Assiduus Global, said that there's no denying that the Indian startup ecosystem has had its share of funding challenges. But what's unfolding now is less a crisis and more a shift, a recalibration that's making space for more thoughtful, resilient growth. "Yes, seed and early-stage startups are finding it harder to raise funds this year. Deal volumes in that bracket have dipped, and capital is flowing more freely into later-stage ventures. But that doesn't mean early innovation is being ignored. What we're seeing is a market that's becoming more selective, more focused. Investors are looking for stronger fundamentals, clearer business models, and long-term viability. For founders who are prepared, this is not a drought, it's a filter," said Singh.
