Rishma Kapur

Indian start-ups like OYO, Ola, WittyFeed, Cleartrip, and Stasis are expanding their global presence, driven by the ambition to tap into overseas markets and the opportunities that come with such expansion. These companies, ranging from content platforms to health technology ventures, are adapting to challenges and leveraging in-depth research to succeed both domestically and internationally. While some have faced difficulties, such as Zomato's retreat from nine international markets, others are enjoying a good market share and using their experiences to improve their offerings across different countries.

The cryptocurrency sector in India has faced significant challenges following the Reserve Bank of India's ban on banks dealing with virtual currency players, leading to a decline in transaction volumes and innovation. Experts like Nischal Shetty and Rahul Raj emphasize the need for positive regulations to foster growth and prevent brain drain. Despite the downturn, peer-to-peer transactions have seen an uptrend, offering a silver lining. The Financial Stability and Development Council's proposal to ban private cryptocurrencies adds to the sector's woes, although it encourages the use of blockchain technology. Comparatively, countries like the US, South Korea, and Japan are experiencing growth due to supportive regulatory environments.

The FIFA World Cup 2018 has led to a significant increase in business for restaurants and bars in India, with many establishments offering special deals, menus, and activities to attract football fans. Venues like Monkey Bar, The Regenza By Tunga, Tunga Paradise, and Irish House have reported higher sales and increased customer engagement, particularly during matches involving popular teams. The event has also drawn more foreign tourists, contributing to the overall boost in the hospitality sector.

Goa and Kerala are the safest states for women in India according to the Gender Vulnerability Index (GVI), with Goa leading and Kerala following. The index, structured by NGO Plan India and released by the Women and Child Development Ministry, ranks states based on education, poverty, protection, and health. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are at the bottom of the list, indicating higher vulnerability for women in terms of health and poverty. The report highlights regional disparities in crimes against women, child marriages, education, health, and poverty, with significant variations across different states.

In 2016, 4G technology significantly drove data traffic growth in India, contributing 60% of the incremental data volume, according to Nokia's Mobile Broadband Index study. Overall data traffic increased by 29%, with 4G and 3G together forming 76% of the total data traffic. The study highlighted the need for Indian operators to explore advanced technologies to meet growing demands. Social media, messaging applications, and video consumption were major drivers of data usage. Industry experts predict continued growth in the mobile ecosystem, with increased capital expenditure and expansion of 3G and 4G markets. The government's digitization initiatives and the development of Smart Cities are expected to further boost data usage.