MAM
Policy with a pulse Kotadia joins FICCI to shape India’s Medtech moment
MUMBAI: When healthcare meets policy, the stakes are anything but clinical. India’s fast-growing medical devices sector has added a new voice at the table with the appointment of Bhargav Kotadia as co-chair of FICCI’s Medical Devices Committee.
Founded in 1927, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has long been a bridge between government, industry, academia and research institutions. Within that ecosystem, its Medical Devices Committee plays a central role in shaping India’s MedTech agenda, from regulation and manufacturing to innovation and global competitiveness.
Accepting the appointment, Kotadia thanked FICCI president Anant Goenka and reiterated Sahajanand Medical Technologies’ commitment to the sector. He pointed to the scale of opportunity ahead, noting that industry estimates peg India’s medical devices market at around USD 30 billion by 2030, making it one of the country’s most promising growth engines over the next decade.
That growth, he said, aligns closely with the prime minister’s Viksit Bharat vision, as India positions itself as a global hub for healthcare manufacturing and innovation. With sustained collaboration between industry and government, Kotadia added, the focus will be on strengthening the MedTech ecosystem, improving global competitiveness and driving sustainable, innovation-led expansion.
Beyond the appointment itself, SMT is expected to remain actively involved in the committee’s work, contributing to policy formulation, stakeholder consultations and thought leadership. The company has, in recent years, played a visible role in discussions around regulatory reform, import substitution, R&D enhancement, Free Trade Agreements and the adoption of advanced technologies in healthcare delivery.
SMT’s continued leadership presence within FICCI underscores a broader shift in India’s medical devices narrative: from dependency to design, from imports to innovation. As policy frameworks evolve and ambitions scale up, the committee’s work will help determine how quickly and confidently India’s MedTech story moves from potential to practice.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
