MAM
Empowered minds: Women entrepreneurs driving change in India
Mumbai: Amidst the colorful and dynamic realm of Indian entrepreneurship, a formidable force of change and innovation has emerged in the form of women entrepreneurs. Challenging societal norms and breaking barriers, several visionary women have ushered in a new era of inclusivity and diversity, leaving an unforgettable impact on the entrepreneurial landscape. In this feature we are showcasing the achievements of five exceptional women entrepreneurs who with their visionary leadership, innovative startups, and relentless pursuit of excellence have left an indelible mark across various industries, shaping the future of entrepreneurship in India and inspiring a new era of transformation and progress. These women embody the spirit of determination, resilience, and innovation, inspiring generations to break through stereotypes and drive meaningful change.
Nykaa CEO & founder Fallguni Nayar
Falguni Nayar, the founder, and CEO of Nykaa, has revolutionized the beauty and wellness industry in India. Her startup, Nykaa, is an e-commerce platform that offers an extensive range of beauty products and services. Nayar’s vision and entrepreneurial acumen have created a one-stop destination for customers seeking quality beauty products. With a strong online presence and offline retail stores, Nykaa has become a leading brand in the Indian beauty market, empowering customers to explore and enhance their beauty and wellness journeys.
MamaEarth co-founder Ghazal Alagh
Mamaearth co-founder Ghazal Alagh is an advocate for eco-friendly living. Mamaearth offers a range of toxin-free and sustainable personal care products for the entire family. Alagh’s commitment to sustainability has garnered Mamaearth a loyal customer base. Her startup’s rapid growth and success reflect the growing importance of conscious consumption and ethical choices in the consumer goods industry. Under Alagh’s leadership, Mamaearth has expanded its product offerings to include a diverse range of eco-friendly alternatives that resonate with environmentally conscious consumers. By leveraging natural and organic ingredients, the brand prioritizes both the well-being of its customers and the planet.
QuoDeck CEO & co-founder Kamalika Bhattacharya
Kamalika Bhattacharya is the CEO, and co-founder of QuoDeck, a B2B SaaS Digital Engagement and Enablement Platform. Her startup, QuoDeck, offers a comprehensive digital training and engagement platform that empowers organizations to create interactive and engaging learning experiences. With a strong passion for utilizing interactivity, games and advanced analytics to achieve meaningful results, she has transformed how organizations interact with and empower their workforce. Having a vast experience of 22 years in working with startups and expertise in securing private equity and venture capital, Kamalika’s journey as an entrepreneur was well-prepared. In 2017, she co-founded QuoDeck, a groundbreaking B2B SaaS platform that has flourished under her guidance.
Thanks to Kamalika’s unwavering commitment to excellence, QuoDeck now serves esteemed Fortune 500 clients from diverse industries. Recognizing the rising demand for mobile-friendly, bite-sized, and engaging content, she has customized QuoDeck’s offerings to drive higher engagement and faster learning outcomes for on-the-go audiences.
Hasura COO & co-founder Rajoshi Ghosh
Hasura COO & co-founder Rajoshi Ghosh is at the forefront of transforming app development in India. Hasura is a leading platform that provides instant GraphQL APIs to developers, enabling them to build, deploy, and scale applications effortlessly. Ghosh’s entrepreneurial vision has made app development more accessible and efficient, empowering developers to create cutting-edge solutions and revolutionize the tech industry. Under Ghosh’s leadership, Hasura has emerged as a trailblazer in the tech space, attracting global recognition and partnership opportunities. Her passion for technology and commitment to developer empowerment have positioned Hasura as a go-to platform for building modern applications.
Pristyn Care co-founder Dr. Garima Sawhney
Pristyn Care co-founder Dr. Garima Sawhney, is revolutionising healthcare in India. Pristyn Care is a healthcare startup that offers specialized and advanced medical treatments across multiple surgical specialties. As a uniform startup, Pristyn Care aims to provide seamless healthcare experiences to patients through a tech-driven platform and standardized procedures. Dr. Sawhney’s entrepreneurial journey reflects her commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services with a focus on patient-centric care and advanced medical practices. With Pristyn Care’s rapid growth and recognition, Dr. Sawhney has become a driving force in transforming the healthcare landscape and empowering patients with accessible and reliable healthcare solutions.
These remarkable women entrepreneurs are leading the way in revolutionizing the tech industry in India.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
