India's explosive growth in infrastructure, digitization, and human resources is evident in record-breaking achievements across all sectors. With a booming economy, soaring market capitalization, and increasing foreign investments, global agencies recognize India as the next growth driver, positioning it for significant economic influence.

European business leaders remain optimistic about another Trump presidency, with potential trade shifts and capital relocation. Investor 'patriotism' declines amid EU challenges. US policies influence productivity. The EU must address hurdles to boost competitiveness and attract investments for future success.

Infusing external talent to bring fresh perspectives, specialised expertise and strategic insight is imperative to propel the business forward. However, the senior talent acquisition process is not without challenges.

Presswalas and dhobis, integral to Indian culture, face extinction due to modern appliances. Aspirations for energy-efficient living prompt reconsideration of their relevance in combating climate change and pollution.

Elon Musk pushes for driverless cars, against remote work. Judith Butler envisions a world sans Zionism, normalizing 'they' pronouns. Jainism's banking influence overlooked. Absence of non-violence, compassion, and gentleness in the discourse.

According to projections for rural and urban productivity, by 2030, urban India will account for 70% of GDP. India targets to become a developed nation with a $26 tn economy by 2047. Rural productivity must grow from 50% of urban productivity today to at least 75%. Also, quality of life across urban and rural India must also transform.

The international aid squeeze has led to a reduction in official development assistance (ODA) to food systems, creating a financing gap of $350 billion per year. Multilateral development banks (MDBs) and international financial institutions (IFIs) play a crucial role in this context but need to improve impact assessment and reporting. The World Bank has shown leadership with its scorecard, but more needs to be done to quantify the cost of inaction.

When the Tendulkar era began, superheroes appeared on the cricket field. Their legend was improved by advertising, particularly the Cola Wars, and our collective imagination was captivated. Regular wins fueled our nation's ever-growing self-assurance, and assertive wealth made us easily accessible while training. Indian teams were no longer manned by city graduates and middle-class engineers.

Research on electoral funding provides interesting insights into the role of personal wealth on electoral outcomes. Money becomes less important when there is a wave. An important aspect of Indian elections is that ruling parties face anti-incumbency. Incumbents, because of their position, have more resources and money. But they are routinely defeated.

In the world of private equity, AI stands out as path-breaking in its potential. Goldman Sachs had put AI investment burgeoning to $200 bn by 2025. This now appears conservative. All that optimism is widening the arena of impact and extending to allied industries like semiconductors, servers, storage, networking, data management and analytics.

For many other Asian economies, domestic economic conditions warrant a cut in interest rates, but fears of currency depreciation could hold their central banks back. If private investment and consumption are the next growth engines, will lower interest rates help?

The spectre of Palestine is haunting America, with a few powerful powers forming an alliance to exorcise it. This has led to the idea of a free Palestine being conceived as a threat by the few, who have made it their mission to impress upon the many that only their perspective carries the burden of proof, the blessing of history, and the benefit of reason. The current conflict bears many similarities to the war in Vietnam, with the US having supported South Vietnam between 1963 and 1973 and just

Today, music can be far more explicit than it was in Tipper-era America. What was OMG yesterday has become meh today.

China's cartographic activities, from renaming areas in other countries to asserting historical rights in the South China Sea, are part of a larger geopolitical strategy. This approach aims to strengthen China's narrative domestically and internationally, impacting sovereignty disputes.

Whom do voters blame for rising corruption? The central or state governments? They blame the central government (25%) a bit more than state governments (18%). But no less than 56% of voters say 'both'.

Influencers like Dolly Chaiwala have the power to influence opinions. His fame as a tea-concocter made a random White senior citizen famous. Bill Gates' visit to Dolly Ki Tapri increased his popularity. The impact on followers and admirers is uncertain.

Goldman Sachs has coined monikers for stocks driving stock market rallies in Europe and Japan. Investors globally are betting on a small clutch of sectors. The market is becoming more volatile due to fancy valuations and the rise of generative AI. China's equity markets point towards a reordering of the global economy.

Former Intel India chief, Avtar Saini, died in a speeding car accident while cycling in Navi Mumbai. The tragedy highlights the safety concerns that prevent affluent Indians from choosing cycling as an environment-friendly option. Urban authorities must prioritize improved roads management, promote helmet and lights usage. Investment in cycle-only lanes and education for motorized vehicle-users is essential.