Ujjawal Asthana, a Bengaluru-based entrepreneur, shared an emotional goodbye to the city after 14 years. He thanked Bengaluru for shaping both his career and personal life. Known for his AI-driven apps, Asthana is now moving to Pune, where he is hiring for key roles. He described his time in Bengaluru as a "beautiful experience" and is excited about the new chapter in Pune.
Paytm has introduced an automatic top-up feature for its UPI LITE service, allowing users to make PIN-less transactions for amounts under ₹500. This feature, available for Yes Bank and Axis Bank users, automatically adds money to the UPI LITE balance when it falls below a set limit. Paytm’s UPI service is designed for small payments and supports international transactions in several countries.
Three people died in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, when their car, following directions from Google Maps, drove onto an unfinished flyover. The car fell into the Ramganga river from a height of 50 feet. The victims, two of whom were named Vivek and Amit, were on their way to a wedding when the accident happened. Locals found the car the next day and informed the authorities. The families of the victims are blaming officials for negligence.
Vintage Coffee is expanding its reach within India as the country’s coffee market grows. Founded by coffee expert Tati Balakrishna, the brand has already found success in exports and is now focusing on catering to the younger generation’s coffee habits. The company plans to boost its revenue to ₹300 crore this year through e-commerce sales and more cafes. It also aims to increase its production capacity in 2025.
The government is unlikely to regulate AI and is instead focusing on a voluntary compliance code. It points to existing laws, like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, to handle issues such as data privacy, misrepresentation, deep fakes, and copyright. The government may create new laws in the future if needed, including setting up AI Safety Institutes and working with stakeholders.
A new petition filed in the Supreme Court asks for a review of bribery and fraud charges against Gautam Adani and his associates, as accused by US authorities. The petition also questions the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi) handling of these allegations. The Adani Group, which is facing bribery charges related to solar contracts, has denied all accusations, leading to increased scrutiny and calls for an investigation into Sebi’s actions.
Air India Express has expanded its winter schedule, increasing flights from Guwahati, Agartala, and Imphal. The airline now offers more weekly flights, direct connections to various domestic destinations, and improved connectivity from the Northeast to other parts of India.
A political controversy broke out in Bengal when Governor CV Ananda Bose revealed a statue of himself at Raj Bhavan to mark his two-year term. The event, which also featured a painting exhibition and planting of saplings, drew widespread criticism. Many questioned the appropriateness of unveiling a statue while still in office. Political parties, including TMC and Congress, condemned the move, calling it self-serving.
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) continued selling Indian equities for the eighth week in a row, offloading ₹26,533 crore in November. Although this is lower than October's record outflow of ₹94,017 crore, the total FPI net selling for 2024 now stands at ₹19,940 crore. Experts believe that FPI selling might slow down soon due to weaker earnings and lower valuations of large-cap stocks in India.
Anupam Mittal responded humorously to Deepinder Goyal's controversial job listing for a Chief of Staff at Zomato. Mittal posted his own job ad, offering a paid role from day one, unlike Goyal's unpaid position that required a ₹20 lakh donation. Mittal’s listing also included quirky requirements, like a negotiable salary, a "thick-skin test," and a fun job title, "ChiefOfWhat?".