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Firstpost Defence Summit 2024: Ready to unveil the future roadmap of Indian aerospace and defence
Mumbai: The Firstpost Defence Summit 2024 is set to convene on 24 February 2024, in the heart of New Delhi, bringing world leaders, industry stalwarts, policymakers, experts, and senior diplomats together to chart the course for the future of Indian Aerospace and Defence sector.
At the summit, participants from countries like the United States, Israel, Vietnam, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines, Ukraine and Japan, apart from India, will delve into the changing dynamics of the defence industry and explore strategies to propel India as a global leader in manufacturing, exports, and research and development (R&D) in this critical sector.
In recent years, the Aerospace and Defence sector has witnessed significant transformations, driven by technological advancements, evolving geopolitical landscape, and changing security threats. Recognizing the need for proactive measures to adapt to these changes and seize emerging opportunities, Firstpost is hosting this first-of-its-kind summit that brings together stakeholders from across the globe to catalyse dialogue, foster partnerships, and shape policies that will shape the future of defence in India.
The summit will also serve as a platform to showcase the best global business practices across various facets of the Aerospace and Defence sector, including Manufacturing, R&D, Academia, Startups, Technology, and Data Security. The event will feature discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions centred around three key sub-themes:
1 Building ‘Capacities’ for Economically Strategic Aerospace and Defence
2 Promoting Comprehensive R&D Ecosystem for the Defence sector
3 Strengthening the DRDO-Industry-Academia and Startup Ecosystem
Speaking about this initiative, Palki Sharma, Editor, Firstpost said “We, at Firstpost, are proud to present the first-of-its-kind Defence Summit, which will catalyze driving conversations on security, technology and strategic choices. We are delighted to take this first step in providing a platform for defence officials, policymakers & world leaders to discuss and share insights on the future of defence.”
Network18 chief executive officer (Digital) & president of corporate strategy Puneet Singhvi, highlighted how the summit will play a crucial role in the nation’s pursuit of becoming a key defence exporter. He said, “As the global geopolitical stage evolves, India marches forward in its transformation. In this unwavering drive towards defence modernization, Network18 takes great pride in initiating the first-ever platform that drives conversations on the future of defence. The Firstpost Defence Summit 2024 is the beacon illuminating crucial arenas such as aerospace, AI, UAVs, cyber warfare & naval security. The summit is poised to redefine India’s role as a leading defence exporter on the global stage. By amplifying voices and ideas, we feel proud to pave the way for a future where India’s prowess in defence technologies and capabilities shines brightly, fostering prosperity & security for all.”
The summit will feature keynote addresses and sessions by stalwarts like Shri Rajnath Singh, the Minister of Defence of India; General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff in India; Ehud Olmert, the Former PM of Israel; Djoomart Otorbaev, the Former Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan; Dr. Samir V Kamat, the Chairperson of DRDO; Mariya Ahmed Didi, the Former Defence Minister of Maldives; Dr Nidhi Bansal, the Director of Technology Development Fund at the Ministry of Defence and Vivek Lall, the Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, among others.
The Firstpost Defence Summit 2024 promises to be a landmark event, setting the stage for collaborative efforts towards building a robust and resilient Aerospace and Defence ecosystem in India.
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.
