Respect Is Not About Wealth, But Ethos

"Respect for listed companies stems from their actions, not their status." - Warren Buffett

This special issue contains our annual feature on India's Most Respected Companies. We track strong and resilient India Inc.'s narrative as it bounced back from the challenges posed by a pandemic and the slowdown that followed. The 2024 list of India's Most Respected Companies has been prepared in collaboration with TechSci Research, at the end of a perception survey of leading listed companies, based on their overall performance in the 2022-23 financial year. We don't just assess the financial performance of the companies, but also delve into their ethos.

It is evident that India's top listed companies wield significant influence not only over the country's economy, but also over Indian society through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. In the 2023 financial year India Inc. actively contributed towards uplifting society through its robust CSR programmes and employee-centric policies. Indian companies have created wealth and prioritised shareholder returns. The featured companies have emerged as responsible corporate citizens, leveraging their resources and expertise to address pressing societal issues and nurture conducive work environments. The Most Respected Companies are those who simultaneously demonstrate a deep commitment to their stakeholders and the broader community, who diligently work towards sustainable development, shared prosperity and nation building.

Do read our in-depth report on the splendid growth of India's construction equipment industry, thanks to the strong government-led investment in infrastructure projects. This trend is expected to continue through the second-half of the current fiscal. We also bring to you a special package on India's Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) market which hurtles towards three-fold growth and a cumulative turnover of $100 billion by 2025. This landscape is being fired by disruptive innovation. Powerhouses like Nykaa, SUGAR, Lenskart, boAt and many others, aren't just challenging traditional industries, they are redefining them. 
Challenges lurk around this glorious path too. Fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) giants for instance, are now acquiring D2C startups in a bid to stay relevant. Even amidst this   consolidation, D2C brands continue to attract both funding and celebrity engagement. As pioneers like Mamaearth and Nykaa lead the way in raising equity through initial public offerings (IPOs), the D2C sector is poised to reshape and redefine India's retail landscape.

Of course, we also bring to you all our regular columns and features. Happy reading!