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Webchutney co-founder &CEO, Sidharth Rao reveals the incredible stories of India’s most successful digital entrepreneurs in his first book, ‘How I Almost Blew It’, published by Westland
MUMBAI: CEO and Co-Founder of India’s leading digital agency, DentsuWebchutney, Sidharth Rao today, announced the releaseof his first book ‘How I Almost Blew It’, an anthology of the myriad stories of India’s highly admired entrepreneurs. Encapsulated by this well-known digital honcho and published by Westland Publications (an Amazon company), the book narrates the heart-stopping stories of speckled industry tycoons and their critical life lessons.
The book is an account of how some of the most successful entrepreneurs of India built their businesses such as Sanjeev Bikhchandani (Info Edge and Naukri.com), Deep Kalra (MakeMyTrip), Deepinder Goyal (Zomato), Ashish Hemrajani (BookMyShow), Sahil Barua (Delhivery),Kunal Shah (FreeCharge), MurugavelJanakiraman (Bharat Matrimony), Ajit Balakrishnan (Rediff.com), Anupam Mittal (People Group), Brijesh Agarwal (India MART), Jitendra Gupta (Citrus Pay), Pradeep Kar (Microland), SatyanGajwani (Times Internet), Rajesh Jain (IndiaWorld), Alok Mittal (JobsAhead.com), R. Ramaraj (Sify) and Girish Mathrubootham (Freshworks) —that will shock, reveal and inspire.
Delighted to being a first time author, Sidharth Rao, CEO and Co-Founder of DentsuWebchutney, says, “I consider myself privileged to have had the opportunity to pick the brains of so many icons of India's internet story. Webchutney and I have both been on the other side of the table with some of these founders and their companies as marketing partners, and now I'm excited to tell their stories about their fortitude, courage, hard work and sometimes dumb luck that helped them succeed. I will forever remain grateful to them for freewheeling conversations with me that helped me write the book. I hope it will be liked by the readers and to those who have the potential to start their own businesses.”
How I Almost Blew It is a light, non-fiction read and a guide containing lessons, wisdom and insight into the industry for your own start-up. Alluring to young and older readers of the business world, these spell-binding and intriguing stories of near-fiascos are industry wisdom, yes, but also critical life lessons.
MAM
Walkabout launches India’s first athlete recognition for over-55s
Walkabout Athlete Program offers Rs 25,000 stipend and national spotlight to active seniors 55 plus in track, badminton, cycling, swimming, kabaddi and more.
MUMBAI: Age may be just a number, but for India’s over-55 athletes it’s finally getting the medal it deserves without anyone having to hang up their boots. Walkabout, India’s largest community platform for active agers (55 plus), has rolled out the Walkabout Athlete Program, the country’s first formal initiative to recognise and support older adults who continue to compete seriously in organised sports. From track and field to badminton, cycling, swimming, martial arts, kabaddi, hockey, pickleball and even chess, the nationwide search is on for anyone over 55 who simply hasn’t stopped playing.
Selected athletes will receive a Rs 25,000 recognition stipend to help with training, equipment, entry fees or travel. They’ll also earn official Walkabout Athlete status, exclusive gear, and a national platform through content features, press interviews, social media spotlights and priority access to Walkabout events across India.
The first cohort will pick 4 to 5 athletes in the initial phase. Applications are open pan-India, with a selection panel judging consistency of participation, community influence, the quality and relatability of each athlete’s story, willingness to engage, and diversity across geography, sport and gender.
Walkabout co-founder and MD, BD and partnerships Ashwini Kapila put it perfectly, “I know a 58-year-old still competing in badminton tournaments. A community member took up athletics at 65. These people are everywhere in India, yet almost none get recognised. India has strong systems to find its next Olympic medallist, we’re building one that finds the 55-year-old who never stopped training. Both matter. Competitive sport doesn’t have to end at 30 or 40.”
The programme builds on Walkabout’s growing momentum in active ageing. In December 2025 the platform hosted its first Walkabout Senior Games in Mumbai (Juhu), followed by the nostalgic Senior Ball Night at Pioneer Hall in Bandra in March 2026. Founded in 2024 by Deval Delivala and Ashwini Kapila (formerly Getsetup India), WalkAbout has raised seed funding from HDFC Bank and partners with names including Raymond Realty, Bblunt, Furtados and Uber.
While India pours resources into spotting young talent, Walkabout is quietly championing the millions of adults over 50 who never left the field. This isn’t about nostalgia alone, it’s about giving late-life athletes the recognition, support and visibility they’ve long earned. Applications are now open for anyone ready to step into the spotlight and show that the game isn’t over until you decide it is.
