iWorld
And now a nationalistic SIM card, courtesy Patanjali
MUMBAI: A swadeshi SIM card! Well, that was just waiting to happen, if we discount the other telecom services in India. So, after a slew of FMCG products, comes the co-branded service from Patanjali group, of course with a government-controlled telecom operator as a partner: swadeshi samridhhi (national prosperity) SIM card.
Speaking at the launch, Patanjali’s Baba Ramdev cited the “welfare of the country” as a motif of the alliance with BSNL. However, Patanjali fans need to hold their horses for now because at the initial phase only the employees and office bearers of Patanjali will be able to avail the benefits of the SIM card.
“Patanjali’s plan is BSNL’s best plan. In Rs 144, one can make unlimited calls from any part of the country. We are giving 2 GB data pack, 100 SMSes. The members of Patanjali have to just show their identity and their SIM will be activated,” BSNL chief general manager Sunil Garg said.
After full-fledged launch, the ‘Swadeshi Samridhhi’ card will have its own perks including 10 per cent off on Patanjali products. More importantly, it comes with medical and life insurance covers of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh ( subject to a number of conditions), respectively.
While in Goafest 2018, Baba Ramdev revealed Patanjali’s plan to venture in the dairy sector and mineral water, this move was definitely an unexpected one. After competing with international FMCG brands, it is ready to take on bigger companies in an industry which is expected to be worth over Rs 14 trillion by 2020. However, FMCG and telcos being entirely two different sectors the future course in one is hard to predict the success in the other.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
