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NDTV
26-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
How The Wellness Market Made The Menopausal Woman Its Newest Milch Cow
Once upon a time, menopause was a taboo topic in Indian households, spoken of only in whispers. Like menstruation, it was surrounded by fear and endured in silence, with little research or discussion. In the past decade, however, this silence has started to dissipate. Women across the country are openly sharing their experiences-hot flashes, brain fog, and sleepless nights-bringing menopause into the light. But as awareness grows, so does the commercialisation of the conversation. The Hush Is Now A Conversation Over time, Indian women themselves have been the primary catalysts in opening up dialogue around menopause and its troublesome sister, perimenopause. Recently, Namita Thapar, a judge on Shark Tank India, opened up about her perimenopause struggles during an episode of the show. She shared details about experiencing heavy bleeding, discomfort, and low haemoglobin levels, leading to anemia, even while filming the show. Women don't prioritise their health & don't speak up. I've used the shark tank platform to speak about my experiences with mental health, IVF, fitness & now perimenopause. Most women are not aware of the symptoms, treatment options, let's get educated & take charge of our health — Namita (@namitathapar) March 4, 2024 In the past few years, women have swapped notes on everything from mood swings to bone density scans, majorly online. This new visibility is vital. Yet visibility, in a market economy, rarely arrives alone. It brings commerce as its slightly over-eager plus-one, and commerce rarely arrives without a suitcase of insecurity. The Price Tag Of Menopause If you go online and type "menopause" into any e-commerce search bar today (or even Google) you'll find a plethora of products. From powders, probiotics, hormone-balancing lattes, pillow mists and cooling pyjamas, to supplements and yoga mats. It doesn't stop here. If you're into Ayurveda, you can also find a "menopause starter kit" or "menopause care kit" which are retailing from Rs 4,999, and consists of supplements, medicines and what not. Ironically though, these figures land with a dull thud when set next to the findings cited by Dr Amrita Razdan, obstetrics and gynaecologist, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, that Indian women's earnings drop by an average 4.3 per cent in the first four years after diagnosis, and by 10 percent by year four. Many cut hours or quit entirely because of unmanaged symptoms, coupled with very less workplace support. Do Women Really Need All These Menopause Products? Dr Razdan tells NDTV, "There is no strong clinical proof that these supplements significantly ease menopausal symptoms." "Women may find temporary relief in supplements like black cohosh or various vitamins, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is weak. But, there is no strong clinical proof that these supplements significantly ease menopausal symptoms," she adds. She further mentions a Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) that is also gaining attention and may help certain cases of debilitating hot flashes or vaginal dryness. However, Dr Razdan stresses that possible side effects such as irregular bleeding, blood clots, and, in rare cases, stroke. Dr Razdan emphasises that the Hormone Replacement Therapy must first be weighed carefully with a gynaecologist. Anshul Singh, head, clinical nutrition and dietetics department, Artemis Hospitals, agrees. He adds that menopause is a normal phase in every woman's life, typically between the ages of 45 and 55, when menstrual periods end. Some of the common symptoms include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, insomnia, and joint pain. Not all women suffer from these symptoms severely. Many remain unaffected by menopause. But he warns that despite this, the markets are full of products that offer easy fixes or balanced hormones. Menopause Isn't Something To Be "Fixed" "From supplements that will supposedly reset your system, to beauty creams aimed at menopausal skin, the language is such that it suggests menopause is something to be fixed. This can lead to stress and unnecessary reliance on products that aren't even scientifically tested to work," he adds. Anshul says that most of these menopause supplements are not regulated strictly, and they don't all work very well. Manvi Agnihotri, a dietician and founder of The Sweet Change, says that during menopause, there is a drop in oestrogen and progesterone, which does lead to changes like slower metabolism, mood swings, sugar cravings and fatigue, but that doesn't mean women need to throw money at every trending product. Lifestyle Choices And Tackling Menopausal Symptoms Manvi says what's often missed in all the noise is how much of this can be managed through realistic, everyday choices. These lifestyle choices include doing yoga, which all the experts agree can be the best way to tackle a few of the symptoms. "Lifestyle solutions such as yoga, which can be absolutely wonderful, but you don't have to use a special menopausal yoga mat to stretch and breathe," Dr Amrita says. Remember, the so-called "menopausal" yoga mat emblazoned with lotus petals does not stretch your hamstrings any better than a plain-coloured mat. Manvi says one of the biggest culprits during this time is sugar. Refined sugar wreaks havoc by causing insulin spikes, worsening inflammation, and contributing to weight gain and brain fog. Replacing it with something that doesn't mess with blood sugar, like a natural, zero glycemic index alternative, can genuinely help. She adds that this won't solve everything overnight, but it can stabilize energy, reduce cravings, and help women feel more in control. Experts also say that some supplements, such as calcium and vitamin D, may be beneficial for bone health, however, any supplement should be taken after expert advice. Practices like yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety and improve well-being. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a cool, comfortable sleeping environment to ease night sweats. The Menopause Merchandising Menopause merchandising is particularly pernicious in India, where patriarchal structures already bar many women from formal healthcare. Experts tell us that the gender health gap is widest among those in low-paid, precarious employment, who are rarely offered sick leave for period pain, let alone menopause. "We're living in a time where menopause is being over-medicalised and, frankly, over-commercialised. You name it-pills, powders, even yoga mats labelled 'for menopause'-and it's being sold to women under the idea that this natural phase of life needs fixing. But menopause isn't a disease. It's a transition," Manvi says. Gurugram-based dietitian Pranjal Kumat agrees. He adds that menopause is a fact of life. "This stage does bring about some change, but is not a cause for material concern. There is often unnecessary shock regarding middle age. For women who experience harsh symptoms, other options such as hormone therapy or medication can be taken. Otherwise, basic lifestyle adjustments are enough," says Kumat. We don't need menopause merch. We need more honesty, more awareness, and fewer empty promises dressed up as wellness fixes.
India.com
05-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Meet woman who lives in Rs 50 crore house, wears shoes worth Rs 2000000, is director of..., her net worth is Rs..., her name is...
There are many women in India who are proud owners or directors of their companies. With all the potential, skills and unique ideas, these women are running successful businesses today. Similarly, today we will share the story of a female executive director of one of the leading Indian multinational pharmaceutical companies, and not only that, she is also a TV star. Apart from being a famous TV star and a director of a successful company, this woman is someone who enjoys a luxurious life. From a house worth crores to shoes worth lakhs, she is known for her lavish living style. These hints might have been enough for you to understand that we are talking about none other than Namita Thapar. Namita is a famous businesswoman and has also become a TV celebrity with her prominent appearance on the business reality show Shark Tank India. Namita is the head of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. Apart from her business endeavours, Thapar lives a lavish life. She owns a high-end home and cars and has a massive net worth. Yes, you read that right! Being the managing director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Namita comes in third position in terms of net worth. Do you know that Namita lives in a house which is worth Rs 50 crore? Not only that, Namita also featured at the Cannes Film Festival where she wore shoes that were worth Rs 20 lakh. As per media reports, she owns expensive luxury cars like BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and Audi Q7. Born on March 21, 1977, Namita comes from a traditional Gujarati family. During her childhood days, her family always emphasised education. Hence, she qualified the CA exam from ICAI. Later, she did her MBA from Duke University. Although Namita always wanted to become a businesswoman, she believed that she had to learn a lot before entering the business world and so she decided to do a job. She started her career in the United States Bay Area, where she worked for 6 years in the field of marketing and finance in two different companies. After that, she returned to India. She started working as the Chief Financial Officer in her father's business, Emcure Pharmaceuticals. Apart from being the managing director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, she is also the founder and CEO of Incredible Ventures Ltd. This company teaches entrepreneurship to youth aged 11 to 18 years. As per reports, Namita Thapar's net worth is Rs 600 crore.
Business Standard
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
SVP India Announces Fast Pitch 2025 Finale to Spotlight Grassroots Changemakers Across India
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 23: Social Venture Partners India (SVP India), India's largest community of engaged philanthropists, will host their annual marquee online event 'Fast Pitch' on April 24. This high-impact virtual fundraising event aims to bring powerful grassroots stories to the fore, offering a national platform for select NGOs to connect with citizens across our country, share their social impact journeys, and raise funds to support their work. Over the past three months, 10 diverse NGOs, shortlisted from 258 applicants across India, have undergone a rigorous training program in storytelling and fundraising. Guided by a professional storytelling trainer and dedicated SVP India partners as coaches, these NGOs are now equipped to communicate their mission with clarity and heart. Speaking on the significance of this event, Govind Iyer, Founding Board Member and All India Chairperson, SVP India stated, "Each non-profit in the Fast Pitch 2025 cohort brings a bold mission rooted in grassroots action. Fast Pitch is about giving these changemakers the tools and the platform to be heard beyond their local communities--by donors, supporters and citizens who believe in long-term change. These are the stories India needs to hear." The ten finalists will present their 5-minute pitches to a distinguished jury - Namita Thapar, Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Reshma Anand, Regional Director, Ford Foundation India, and Sridhar N E, Chief Sustainability Officer, TITAN Company Ltd. The jury will assess the NGO pitches on their potential for lasting social impact, innovation and resilience. Now in its fourth edition, Fast Pitch has emerged as a powerful enabler of visibility and fundraising in the social sector. Over the past three years, over 5,200 people have tuned into the virtual event, contributing over Rs15.8 crores in grants to 36 NGOs. This year's cohort includes: 1. Anahad Foundation - Working to conserve and evolve India's folk music heritage by empowering the folk musicians with production technology and building the largest repertoire of Indian folk music through extensive audio-video documentation. 2. Biome Environmental Trust - Promoting sustainable, climate resilient water & sanitation systems in association with Governments, diverse communities and corporates in Karnataka. From implementing community-driven water management projects and conducting research with institutions, to shaping water policies and building capacity through hands-on training, Biome is dedicated to promoting sustainable water practices. 3. Eastern Himalayan Foundation - Closing opportunity gaps for youth in North Bengal and the Northeast by providing access to skills, knowledge and training that would allow them to become change agents for themselves and their communities. 4. Lokmanya Public Charitable Trust - Advancing rural underdevelopment by focusing on areas like education, healthcare, skill development, agriculture, women's empowerment, and overall community growth. 5. NeevJivan Foundation - Building alternate livelihood options for tribal women & youth through skill development and vocational training, reducing dependence on agriculture and thereby preventing migration to the cities. 6. NudgED - Addressing the global learning crisis through their free mobile app designed to empower parents in low-income communities to support their young children (ages 3-8) in foundational learning at home. The app provides content in Hindi and Marathi, with audio support, and is optimized for low-end mobile devices to ensure accessibility for all. 7. Sunrise Learning Foundation - Empowering neurodiverse individuals and their families through education, employment readiness skills and parent support services including counselling sessions, training workshops, mom & child programs, certificate courses etc. 8. The One All Trust - Using the sport of Ultimate Frisbee to engage at-risk youth from underprivileged and tribal communities. The organisation focuses on empowering young girls and boys, many of whom face early child marriage, school dropouts, domestic violence and substance abuse. 9. UPAY (Underprivileged Advancement by Youth) - Addressing social issues like illiteracy and unemployment by making quality education accessible to marginalized children in street, urban slums, and rural areas of India through two impactful initiatives - Footpathshaala (Turning Footpaths into Schools) and Reach & Teach (Bringing school to doorstep). 10. Vidyoday Muktangan Parivar Foundation - Reimagining 'science education' in zilla parishad schools by strengthening learning outcomes in government secondary schools through curriculum innovation and teacher support. Fast Pitch 2025 is open to anyone interested in listening to impactful stories about social change. REGISTER at to meet the changemakers, hear their stories, and support their work.
Hindustan Times
22-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Masters' Union celebrates 5 startups featured on Shark Tank India this season
Masters' Union, the Gurgaon-based new-age institution renowned for its industry-driven and practitioner-led approach to management and engineering education, has achieved a remarkable milestone--five student-founded startups from its community have been featured on Shark Tank India this season. This accomplishment underscores the institution's commitment to fostering real-world entrepreneurship through its innovative, hands-on learning model. Also read: Gurgaon land deal: 7 yrs on, hardly any progress in probe Project Clay, a mentorship platform connecting high school students with young professionals, secured funding of INR 15 lakh for a 10% equity stake from Namita Thapar. This investment highlights the platform's potential to revolutionize career guidance for students. Another standout venture, HiveSchool, specializing in sales training, received strategic advice from Aman Gupta to take their program offline. Demonstrating agility, HiveSchool launched India's first dedicated offline business school for sales education even before their episode aired, reflecting their commitment to addressing industry needs promptly. The five Masters' Union startups featured on Shark Tank India represent a diverse array of industries, showcasing the breadth of innovation within the community: * Bullspree - A stock market gaming app, making investing accessible and engaging through gamification. * HiveSchool - A sales school equipping students with practical training and industry exposure. * MemoTag - A healthtech solution offering real-time insights and alerts for dementia patients. * Nexera Health - A technology-driven platform providing end-to-end healthcare solutions for corporates in India and Southeast Asia. * Project Clay - A mentorship platform connecting high school students with young professionals to provide real-world career guidance. Three of these startups were founded by Masters' Union graduates, while the remaining two, Project Clay and Nexera Health are a part of the institution's startup community. Over the past five years, Masters' Union has incubated numerous startups, many of which have successfully scaled their operations. This success is driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture supported by world-class infrastructure, including AI labs in partnership with PwC, startup incubation hubs,mentorship from industry leaders, and investments in cutting-edge resources to help students build their ventures. Also read: HC bars online platforms from publishing woman's river rafting clip after she claims harassment What sets Masters' Union apart is its hands-on learning model. Instead of traditional exams, students are assessed based on real business outcomes--whether it's building an e-commerce business in their first term, launching a YouTube channel in the second, developing a blockchain protocol in the third, running a cloud kitchen in the fourth, or creating a hardware product in the fifth. Unlike traditional exams, assessments of students are based on key business metrics like ROI, profitability, and NPS, ensuring graduates leave with practical and industry-ready skills. Also read: FM Nirmala Sitharaman holds talks with US business leaders in San Francisco Masters' Union is a premium tech & business school based in the corporate district of Gurgaon. It was founded in 2020 with the philosophy of hands-on learning where students learn by doing. The leadership behind Masters' Union consists of graduates from Stanford, Wharton, and IITs and IIMs. Unlike traditional colleges, the faculty at Masters' Union comprises MDs, CXOs and AI Experts from companies such as Amazon, Apple, IBM, McKinsey, PwC, and KPMG. Additionally, the Institute also brings in faculty from the world's top-ranked universities such as Oxford & Harvard.
Business Standard
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Five Startups from Masters' Union Community Feature on Shark Tank India
VMPL New Delhi [India], April 22: Masters' Union, the Gurgaon-based new-age institution renowned for its industry-driven and practitioner-led approach to management and engineering education, has achieved a remarkable milestone--five student-founded startups from its community have been featured on Shark Tank India this season. This accomplishment underscores the institution's commitment to fostering real-world entrepreneurship through its innovative, hands-on learning model. Project Clay, a mentorship platform connecting high school students with young professionals, secured funding of INR 15 lakh for a 10% equity stake from Namita Thapar. This investment highlights the platform's potential to revolutionize career guidance for students. Another standout venture, HiveSchool, specializing in sales training, received strategic advice from Aman Gupta to take their program offline. Demonstrating agility, HiveSchool launched India's first dedicated offline business school for sales education even before their episode aired, reflecting their commitment to addressing industry needs promptly. The five Masters' Union startups featured on Shark Tank India represent a diverse array of industries, showcasing the breadth of innovation within the community: * Bullspree - A stock market gaming app, making investing accessible and engaging through gamification. * HiveSchool - A sales school equipping students with practical training and industry exposure. * MemoTag - A healthtech solution offering real-time insights and alerts for dementia patients. * Nexera Health - A technology-driven platform providing end-to-end healthcare solutions for corporates in India and Southeast Asia. * Project Clay - A mentorship platform connecting high school students with young professionals to provide real-world career guidance. Three of these startups were founded by Masters' Union graduates, while the remaining two, Project Clay and Nexera Health are a part of the institution's startup community. Over the past five years, Masters' Union has incubated numerous startups, many of which have successfully scaled their operations. This success is driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture supported by world-class infrastructure, including AI labs in partnership with PwC, startup incubation hubs,mentorship from industry leaders, and investments in cutting-edge resources to help students build their ventures. What sets Masters' Union apart is its hands-on learning model. Instead of traditional exams, students are assessed based on real business outcomes--whether it's building an e-commerce business in their first term, launching a YouTube channel in the second, developing a blockchain protocol in the third, running a cloud kitchen in the fourth, or creating a hardware product in the fifth. Unlike traditional exams, assessments of students are based on key business metrics like ROI, profitability, and NPS, ensuring graduates leave with practical and industry-ready skills. Pratham Mittal, founder of Masters' Union, emphasized, "Seeing five startups from our community pitch on Shark Tank India is a proud moment. It reaffirms our belief that when education is deeply connected to industry, innovation naturally follows. At Masters' Union, we don't just prepare students for jobs--we prepare them to lead and build. Our programs are designed to instill an entrepreneurial mindset that gives students the confidence and capability to start their own ventures, whether immediately or later in their careers. Last year alone, around 26 startups were launched by our graduates, and we aim to see this number grow. By challenging students with real-world business problems, we ensure they develop the resilience, problem-solving skills, and execution mindset needed to succeed in any business environment." About Masters' Union: Masters' Union is a premium tech & business school based in the corporate district of Gurgaon. It was founded in 2020 with the philosophy of hands-on learning where students learn by doing. The leadership behind Masters' Union consists of graduates from Stanford, Wharton, and IITs and IIMs. Unlike traditional colleges, the faculty at Masters' Union comprises MDs, CXOs and AI Experts from companies such as Amazon, Apple, IBM, McKinsey, PwC, and KPMG. Additionally, the Institute also brings in faculty from the world's top-ranked universities such as Oxford & Harvard. Visit
