The metrices of success vary when applied to different aspects of life. Increasingly, the concept of success has broadened to include the well-being of the individual and the environment, in addition to the organisation – a realisation that is being driven home more than ever before by the coronavirus pandemic around the world. The impact of the deadly virus on the global economy is being likened to the 2008 financial crisis by experts. The airline and the travel sectors, in general, have been among its first casualties. This edition of the magazine has columns and features on the impact of Covid-19 on the healthcare and aquaculture sectors in India.
Our cover story is about the Fastest Growing Companies in India. Our assessment of these companies is based on a study of their revenue and profitability data for the last four financial years. In the ‘Super Heavy Weight’ category, the companies on the top rung include Rajesh Exports, Hindalco Industries and JSW Steel. In the ‘Heavy Weight’ segment, Ashok Leyland, Reliance Infrastructure and Tata Projects came out on top. In the ‘Middle Weight’ category, Dalmia Bharat, Graphite India and Lifestyle International made up the upper crust. ‘Welter Weight’ has Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing, Prakash Industries and Phillips Carbon Black as top performers.
This issue of BW Businessworld offers a special focus on India’s bilateral trade relations with Australia and the United Kingdom. Australian Minister Simon Birmingham’s visit to India in February may be a prelude to a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), significant now that India has refused to be part of the multilateral Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Birmingham’s visit could also herald a new chapter in India - Australia relations. In times when building indigenous defence capability and developing the ecosystem are among the priorities of the government of the day, we bring to you a conversation with the UK Defence minister on key technological collaborations, such as a joint programme for engine development for next-generation fighter jets.
Our second cover story is on the Women Entrepreneurship Summit & Awards (WESA), an annual BW platform that honours and celebrates exceptional women entrepreneurs whose innovative approach and ideas that rise above the clutter, have created positive changes in the business and social ecosystem in India. Award winners this year include Atishi Marlena Singh (politician, educator, political activist and legislator), Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani (Co-founders, Emmay Entertainment), Darakhshan Husain (Co-founder & COO, Glam Studios), Malika Sadani (Founder & CEO, The Moms Co.) and Ayesha Chenoy (Founder & CEO, RepIndia). Get to know these exceptional women and learn of their work in our special feature.
Of course, we also have our regular features and columns that you look forward to. I do hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we did writing it.
Happy Reading!