WorklifeIndia

India’s unemployment rate was at almost 8% last month, a recent study has reported, significantly higher than that seen in the last many years. The situation is so bad that two Indian states saw violent protests last week, with some job seekers setting railway carriages on fire. There is also a huge mismatch in available jobs and people with the right skills for them.

The government has announced plans to create millions of new jobs by promoting local manufacturing and big spending on infrastructure. But the gap in demand and supply is huge.

Can India create enough jobs to meet the needs of its hundreds of millions of poorly employed people, especially the youth? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss ways to tackle India’s jobs crisis.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

India’s online space has seen an alarming rise in misogyny and harassment of women during the pandemic. In a recent incident, more than 100 prominent Muslim women were put up for sale in a mock online auction. Critics say cyber bullying and trolling of Muslim women in particular has worsened in recent years in India’s polarised climate.

So, what are the right doors to knock on, if facing online hate? Do women, particularly those who are vocal and influential in India’s patriarchal society, know their basic cyber rights? How does it impact their mental wellbeing? And what’s causing this environment of online hate to spread wider?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss what’s prompting online misogyny and the ways to deal with it.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Five states in India are headed to regional ballots in the coming weeks. More than 180 million people are eligible to vote to choose their local leaders for nearly 690 assembly seats. Physical rallies and election roadshows have been banned due to the pandemic, and poll campaigning has shifted online, with hashtags and digital rallies dominating the election battle. Many political parties have even trained their workers as “social media warriors” to spread their message.

But can digital campaigning really be effective in states that have many regions still with little or no access to the internet? Can virtual meetings really replace the impact of seeing your leaders in person? And does misinformation influence voting behaviour?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss the way digital campaigning is shaping India’s elections.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

A sharp surge in coronavirus cases in recent weeks has made India’s key cities brace for the pandemic’s third wave. Many places have imposed weekend curfews and other restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, driven mainly by the Omicron variant. Nationwide, rising infections are a sombre reminder of the devastating second wave. Experts say the new wave may not be as devastating as the previous one, but advise caution against increasing caseloads.

How well are hospitals prepared to handle the additional pressure? Can vaccine manufacturers develop solutions for the virus’s mutations? And how can state authorities ensure social distancing and other measure to stem the spread?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how India is dealing with the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Dr Murad Banaji, mathematician, University of Middlesex, London; Kirill Dmitriev, CEO, Russian Direct Investment Fund; Shobana Kamineni, executive vice chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group; Dr Shahid Jameel, virologist, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, UK

For many, a retirement plan is something that usually ranks far down the list of more urgent priorities - but the expectations we have for our later years may not completely match up with reality. For example, would you have a fixed income that matches the pace of inflation when you retire?

Recent studies have pointed out that most people are not aware of how much they really need to save for their silver years. Nearly 80% of urban Indians are not ready for retirement, according to one such study.

So, what should you be doing to achieve that dream life after retirement? And what if you want to retire early and pursue an alternative career?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss the skills, the saving plans, and the mindset you should have as you plan for your retirement.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Many successful start-ups have been founded in India over the last decade, but a vast majority of them are led by men. While many Indian women have entrepreneurial ambitions, it is often more difficult for them to succeed. In fact, a recent study by the World Economic Forum says that worldwide, women entrepreneurs face a systemic lack of access to capital, credit, land, or financial products that prevent them from starting a company. There is also an unconscious bias and a lack of family support and child-care options, especially in India’s patriarchal society.

So what’s holding India's women entrepreneurs back, and what needs to be done to encourage more women to break through these barriers?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how India’s women leaders and businesswomen are breaking stereotypes and making a name for themselves.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Have you ever sat in a room surrounded by gift wrapping paper, a pile of holiday or festive gifts, and wondered whether you will ever use any of them? Once again, we are in the middle of the gifting season. And the dilemma for many of us is what to buy.

How can you make that joy even more special for someone receiving the gift? Is it okay to just go ahead and buy the most expensive gift you can find? Should a bunch of flowers or a cake accompany every present you give? Would you rather gift a voucher, a digital card or an investment? Or are you for a sustainable present, or one that focuses on an experience?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss the many, many ways you can choose a perfect gift.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Global fans of Korean popular culture, known as the K-wave or ‘hallyu’, crossed 100 million in 2020, according to a Korean government agency. In India, everything from K-dramas to music to food and beauty products seems to be making huge inroads. While Korean thriller Squid Game topped the OTT charts for weeks since its release in 2021, music streaming giant Spotify ranked BTS as its fourth most popular boy band in 2020 in India, and the Korean language has seen a dramatic rise in Indian takers.

What’s causing this Korean rush in a land hugely dominated by Bollywood culture? Is the K-wave here for the long haul? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss the rise of K-wave in India.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Renting high fashion is becoming popular worldwide as more and more people move towards sustainable fashion options. But the industry faces several challenges, especially stigma and taboo related to renting clothes. In India too, although the idea has been around for several decades, renting attires for occasions other than weddings, continues to raise eyebrows.

While many feel fashion rentals in the country may not be following stringent hygiene measures, others think renting clothes and handbags frequently helps the circular fashion economy. So is it mostly the Gen Z or millennials who are into fashion rentals? Is social media lifestyle making luxury designer wear more accessible and affordable through rental services? What is the new business model for subscription fashion services?

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors:

Resignations in many countries have gathered pace and made headlines around the world. More than 4.3 million workers quit their jobs in the US in August alone.

The pandemic has been a key reason why many in India have also decided to reconsider their choice of career. According to studies, nearly 68% of people in India want to switch their industries, and more than 50% of workers want to try something in which they have little to no experience.

But how easy or difficult is it to make the switch to an entirely new skillset? What is driving this migration of talent across sectors? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how talent migration is affecting India’s job market and the workforce.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Tushar Verma, travel influencer and co-founder, Untouched Lands; Akshita Wadhwana, founder and director, The Empty Crate Company; Rajneesh Singh, managing partner, SimplyHR Solutions