LONG READS

Fixing software bugs in India’s economy

• Beyond the Budget, the key to reviving growth lies in improving economic stewardship. Here’s how
• In the upcoming Union Budget, measures must be urgently taken in order to address the protracted and worsening Twin Balance Sheet problem, including revitalizing the IBC.

Digital bank account sparks off a disruption

• Technology is hastening the transition of the bank account into a commodity. Is portability around the corner
• ICICI Bank recently tried its hand at being the disruptor by allowing even the customers of rival banks to use its mobile app. Bankers also say portability of accounts is around the corner

Brexit shock washes up on Britain’s shores

• New tariffs, bureaucracy and quotas are disrupting life in the UK. The pain has only just begun.
• The shrinking of Britain may even become physical and political. A Scottish referendum is now increasingly likely. There is a sense of exhaustion and fatigue among Britons.

How plant meat is coming of age in India

• Amid viral outbreaks and climate change, an alternative meat industry is taking root. Can it be the next big thing?
• Success is possible because there are strong triggers. Aware consumers, particularly in cities, are worried about climate change and viral outbreaks. There is a health imperative too.

The curious case of the glowing beaches

• Bioluminescent algae have caused a stir along the Arabian Sea. But the sparkle could be a climate warning sign
• India has been seeing warning signs, but what is now playing out along the Konkan and Malabar coasts indicates a perfect storm of climate change-induced fallouts is at its doorstep

How US democracy nearly came undone

• With its seat of power descending into chaos and violence, America’s democratic traditions hang in the balance
• The violence, coupled with the president’s tepid response, appeared to drive Republicans to the breaking point after years of allegiance. Many resignations might be in the offing

The faces behind the farmer revolt

• Unlikely alliances brought the disquiet to Delhi’s doorstep. Here’s the definitive behind-the-scenes account
• Many of the farmer leaders who are out on the streets have not seen eye-to-eye for years, if not decades. Yet, decisions are being taken jointly, brushing aside years of acrimony

The race to take fashion retail online

• Post-covid, apparel retailers are scrambling to build e-experiences. It’s turning out to be a steep learning curve.
• Retailers will have to quickly build more sophistication with online channel, including battling issues around fits, returns, putting full-price of products online and ensuring speed of delivery.

India’s hunt for the new Vision 2020

With a slew of development targets getting pushed back to at least 2030, what visions and goals are realistic?

A year on, China is shaking up the world

• The Middle Kingdom has come out stronger than ever after the pandemic. What are the implications for India?
• The risk for China as well as the world is that over-confidence in Beijing and persisting worries within that country about the West seeking to curb its rise might tip over into conflict

The march of 2020 in 10 key long reads

• A quick snapshot of the terms, trends and events that defined the year and how #MintLongStory responded
• Many stories focused on what the Centre should do to alleviate economic angst. The science behind the virus was a recurring theme, as well as developments on the vaccine front.

Ten books from 2020 you must not miss

• The pandemic has put paid to airport reading, but there’s always Mint’s listing of top business and economy books
• It’s tough to make predictions. But Mauro F. Guillén’s 2030 uses insights, data and research from different subjects in making predictions about how the world will look 10 years from now

How Indians lived online during 2020

• Many businesses and lifestyles were upended thanks to the pandemic. What hidden patterns does data reveal?
• Niche categories like e-grocery and online gaming have suddenly turned into whole new industry segments, which continue to register strong growth even after the end of lockdowns

The global drive to reimagine capitalism

• The pandemic has intensified calls for business to change its role in society. What will India Inc do?
• This is an opportunity for India Inc to do the right thing, put in place a template that resonates with the highest standards of corporate governance, and India’s civilizational ethos.

Inside the farmer disquiet at Delhi’s doorstep

• The protesting farmers have rejected all offers by the government. What will make them change their mind?
• Farmers from Punjab and Haryana, for now, are unwilling to trade the assured prices guaranteed by the MSP regime for the uncertainty that free markets may bring.

How hunger came back to haunt India

• With data showing a worrying rise in child undernutrition, urgent action is required. Where are the gaps?
• Getting ICDS services running immediately should be top priority, along with a resumption in school meals. Since malls and cinema halls have reopened, anganwadis should too

Dark underbelly of India Inc’s shop floors

• The Wistron incident shows the need to bring industrial relations on the front burner. What are the first steps?
• Companies serious about more harmonious relationships with the contractual workforce should offer them a pathway to up-skill and be employed as a permanent worker over time

Inside the rumble in India’s coding jungle

• WhiteHat Jr’s anxiety to create a new market has made it vulnerable to criticism. Can it now maintain growth?
• The market for coding is getting crowded. All firms are vying for the same customer base that caps out at 15-20 million. Apart from affordability, another limiting factor is infrastructure

Livestreams light up China’s mutual funds

• Bullish markets have turned mainland fund managers into streaming super-influencers. Could this go global?
• The market is ultra competitive. Platforms, including those operated by Nasdaq-listed Bilibili and TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, are racing to beef up their finance channels to attract viewers

Finally, good news on white-collar jobs

• After a wretched six months, the jobs scene seems to be turning. Who is hiring and will it last?
• Apart from technology services, sectors such as education, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, financial services, KPOs, and telecom have turned the corner and are looking to hire