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India backs global AI while building its own, says MeitY secretary
NEW DELHI: India is keeping its AI doors wide open, but it is also busy building a strong home base. That was the message from S Krishnan, secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, on the “IndiaAI in Action” podcast by the Startup Policy Forum.
“We are not a closed economy,” Krishnan said, adding that India welcomes global investors and cutting-edge technology. At the same time, he said the government is determined to build serious capability within the country, starting from the ground up. The aim is simple, what is made in India should stand tall in the global marketplace, and should be built while competing with the very best.
Krishnan pushed back against the idea that the government is tilting the field too heavily in favour of domestic players. Instead, he described a strategy that blends openness with smart incentives. Compute infrastructure located in India receives lower rates and subsidies, helping data remain sovereign and giving startups a fair shot. Indian companies will also gain access to Indian datasets, creating space for innovation that reflects both global ambition and local realities.
According to Krishnan, this balanced approach mirrors the early days of India’s IT revolution, where strong infrastructure powered breakthrough growth. “We are working on building the best infrastructure and the best models in India,” he said in conversation with Startup Policy Forum president and CEO Shweta Rajpal Kohli.
India, he added, has not been slow to adopt AI. “We now have more than 38,000 GPUs on offer. It is not that we are denying anybody the resources,” he noted.
On regulation, Krishnan described a watchful but pro-innovation stance. The government is ready to legislate if needed, but its current priority is enabling progress. He cited the prime minister’s view that India should approach AI with optimism, focusing on productivity and growth rather than fear.
The “IndiaAI in Action” series, created with the Government of India’s IndiaAI Mission, spotlights how Indian startups are using AI in sectors from fintech to healthcare. It also sets the stage for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where global leaders will gather to shape the future of responsible and inclusive AI.
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Britannia 50-50 settles crunch vs melt debate with new TVC launch
Pant and Rodrigues front campaign reviving ‘Na Re Naa Naa’ jingle
MUMBAI:For three decades, 50-50 has played on the idea of duality, pairing two flavours in one cracker. With Cheeze Dipped, the brand shifts the spotlight from flavour to texture. Built with 22 baked layers for a structured crunch and enrobed in cheese for a smooth finish, the product aims to deliver a 50 percent crunchy and 50 percent melty experience.
To bring the contrast alive, the brand has rolled out a new TVC featuring cricketers Rishabh Pant and Jemimah Rodrigues. Conceptualised by Mullen Lowe Lintas Group, the film turns the Crunch versus Melt debate into playful banter, with Pant and Rodrigues embodying two distinct snack personalities. The back-and-forth builds to a simple resolution, both experiences can coexist in one bite.
Adding a dose of nostalgia, the iconic “Na Re Naa Naa” jingle returns in a refreshed avatar, reconnecting the brand with a new generation while nodding to its cricket-led legacy.
Britannia vice president marketing Siddharth Gupta said the brand has always celebrated contrast, from its early “Na Re Naa Naa” days to its cricket associations. With Cheeze Dipped, he noted, the idea moves beyond flavour and comes alive through texture. Bringing together male and female cricketing icons under 50-50 felt like a natural extension of that thought.
Rodrigues said the campaign’s central idea resonated instantly, adding that the lively exchange with Pant captures the crunchy versus melty debate in an entertaining way. Pant echoed the sentiment, calling the concept relatable and saying the playful banter made the shoot enjoyable.
Mullen Lowe Lintas Group president creative Sarvesh Raikar, described 50-50 as one of India’s most loved biscuits and said the new variant required a fresh expression of duality. The contrasting energies of Pant and Rodrigues, he added, offered the perfect metaphor for crunch and melt.
The Britannia 50-50 Cheeze Dipped Crunchy Layered Sandwich is currently available across select cities at leading retail outlets and on quick commerce platforms, inviting snackers to stop choosing sides and simply take a bite.
