In business, growth often creates a new kind of complexity that is rarely discussed openly. As companies expand and founders gain exposure to new opportunities, many begin to evolve beyond their original role. They explore new ventures, new interests, and new identities, all while attempting to maintain visibility in an increasingly competitive environment. At first, this appears ambitious. Over time, however, it can quietly become one of the biggest obstacles to personal and

Airport handles 148 ATMs; 20,500 passengers daily Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has swiftly established itself as a high-capacity aviation hub, with airport officials highlighting sustained growth in passenger traffic alongside stable operational performance since its launch on December 25, 2025. The latest data indicates that the airport is currently handling more than 148 air traffic movements (ATMs), translating into approximately 20,500 passengers p

Mumbai: India's most pressing economic imbalance is not the widely debated north-south gap, but a stark east-west divide. According to Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, rectifying this massive disparity hinges almost entirely on the revival of one city: Kolkata. Speaking on the relative economic performance of Indian states, Sanyal emphasized that restoring Kolkata to its former glory as a premier industrial and financial hub is no lo

Financial freedom is not about owning everything today; it is about the ability to choose tomorrow. Bharath, a 34-year-old salaried professional in Pune, earns Rs 85,000 a month. On paper, he’s doing well. He owns a 2BHK apartment, drives a decent car, recently upgraded to a premium smartphone, and his home is filled with modern appliances. But by the 25th of every month, his bank balance is close to zero. Where does the money go? A closer look reveals the answer: EMIs. Rs 32

When investors evaluate any investment, the first number they usually think of is the “profit”. What extra have we earned? Naturally, this feels exciting. But the important question is: does this number truly reflect how well your money has worked for you? This is where investors must understand the difference between absolute returns and XIRR. This difference is important across asset classes - whether it is a stocks portfolio, mutual funds portfolio, insurance product, LIC

In the early stages of building a business, growth is often driven by clarity, speed, and conviction. Founders make decisions quickly, rely on their instincts, and push forward with a strong sense of belief in their methods. This decisiveness is not only necessary, it is often the very reason the business begins to grow. However, as businesses cross certain thresholds, particularly beyond the Rs 5 crore mark, the nature of growth begins to change. What once created momentum c

The much-publicised Rs 12 lakh tax-free benefit is real—but only for taxpayers with limited deductions. With FY 2025–26 underway, taxpayers across India are once again faced with a crucial decision—whether to continue with the traditional old tax regime or shift to the new regime under section 115BAC. The debate has gained fresh momentum this year, driven largely by the widely discussed claim that individuals can pay zero tax up to Rs 12 lakh under the new regime. While this

New Delhi: As war simmers across the volatile landscape of West Asia, whether in the form of a direct confrontation between Israel, United States and Iran, or through Iran's hybrid warfare involving groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis, the tremors are no longer confined to the region's borders. They are coursing through the arteries of the global economy. India's chemicals and petrochemicals sector, heavily dependent on this region for critical raw materials, finds itself a

In MSMEs, digitisation fails when it asks for faith. Start where it offers relief. This is the point where many leaders make the costliest mistake: They treat digitisation like a “big bang”. ERP rollout. Full automation. Everything at once. And then they act surprised when the company rejects it. Let me say it plainly: Most MSMEs don’t fail at digitization because of technology. They fail because of adoption. Which Seat? Inherited seat: you’re under pressure to “make it moder

For many families, a home loan is the biggest financial commitment of their lives. So, it is natural to think that the faster you repay it, the better it is. After all, becoming debt-free sounds emotionally satisfying and financially responsible. But personal finance is not only about emotions. It is also about opportunity cost. Cheap Money A home loan is usually among the cheapest forms of borrowing available to an individual. In many cases, especially for younger borrowers

Trust has always been considered one of the most valuable currencies in any professional relationship. Whether in healthcare, business, or leadership, it is this trust that allows individuals to move forward with decisions, often in situations where they may not possess complete clarity themselves. It is built over time, but what is less often acknowledged is how quickly it can begin to erode. A recent experience brought this into sharp focus. During a medical consultation, w

From UPI payments to credit cards and loans, recent financial changes are making everyday transactions safer, faster and easier to manage. India’s financial system is changing quickly, especially with the growth of digital payments and stricter banking rules. Recent updates in UPI payments, credit cards and loans are designed to make transactions safer, more transparent and easier for everyone. From paying a grocery bill to applying for a home loan, these changes are beginnin

Most change fails not from resistance, but from weak coalition design. Even if you negotiate well, you can still fail for a boring reason: You built the wrong coalition. This week we step into the third act of this series: modernize without backlash. Most leaders walk into an MSME thinking change is a vote. If most people agree, you win. That’s corporate thinking. In legacy Indian SMEs, the majority is usually passive. The people who matter are the ones who can stop the flow.

For decades, businesses built across generations relied on a quiet but powerful advantage. Their reputation was earned over time, relationships were nurtured personally, and trust was reinforced through consistent experience. In industries such as jewellery, where legacy often defines credibility, this model created stability that was difficult to disrupt. Today, that stability is being tested in ways that are not always immediately visible. In a recent conversation with a th

Amid war-driven oil shocks and a weakening rupee, the RBI opts for caution and reform. India delivered a strong performance in 2025, with growth estimated at 7.6 percent and inflation contained at 1.95 percent, setting the stage for continued momentum into 2026. Benefiting from a ‘Goldilocks’ mix of robust growth and subdued inflation, the government presented a budget focused on long-term stability rather than short-term stimulus. Following last year’s front-loaded rate cut,

In trading, survival matters more than chasing quick profits. Over the past few years, Futures and Options (F&O) trading has become extremely popular in India. What was once a segment dominated by professionals and institutions is now crowded with retail traders, many of whom enter the market with the hope of making quick money. With easy-to-use trading apps, low brokerage charges, and constant exposure to market content online, more individuals are stepping into derivatives

The old guard isn’t blocking change. They’re protecting something AI generated image Once you stop begging, and you stop shouting, you still have to do the hardest part: You have to bring the old guard along without breaking the room. And the quickest way to get this wrong is to treat it like a logic problem. It’s not. It’s closer to a family wedding. In an Indian wedding, seating is never “just seating”. You don’t move people around by saying, “This arrangement is more effic

While I definitely love my work, April always makes me nostalgic about a concept we all loved as children - summer vacations. Summer vacations meant freedom. They meant slower mornings, afternoon naps, mangoes, learning a hobby, family trips, cricket with friends, and the simple joy of not having to look at the clock every hour. It was a time filled with excitement, relaxation, and the feeling that life could be enjoyed at your own pace. As adults, however, that feeling becom

In recent years, the idea of work has undergone a visible transformation. The rise of digital platforms has created opportunities that were once unimaginable, allowing individuals to build visibility, generate income, and establish a presence without the traditional pathways that once defined professional success. This shift has, in many ways, democratised opportunity. Yet, it has also introduced a subtle complexity that is not always immediately recognised. A growing number

From FY 2026–27, taxpayers may benefit from higher rebates and revised exemptions, but they will also need to be more careful with documentation. From 1 April 2026 (FY 2026–27), India’s direct tax system will move into a new phase with the enforcement of the Income-tax Act, 2025 and the Income-tax Rules, 2026. From a chartered accountant’s perspective, the intent behind these changes is clear: to make tax laws easier to understand, reduce procedural complexity, and improve co