iWorld
Firstpost to cover Raisina Dialogue. with star-studded Ideas Pod
MUMBAI: India’s premier diplomatic jamboree kicks off this week with a twist, as digital news platform Firstpost is muscling its way into the action with its own intellectual sideshow. The Ideas Pod—a collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF)—promises to be where the real fireworks happen at the 10th Raisina Dialogue.
From 17 to 19 March, while diplomats and ministers exchange pleasantries in the main hall, Firstpost will corral the cream of the geopolitical crop into its broadcasting pen for what promises to be unvarnished conversations on everything from nuclear proliferation to artificial intelligence.
The news outfit has secured an impressive roster of talking heads, including New Zealand’s prime minister Christopher Luxon, Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, and the International Atomic Energy Agency’s top man Rafael Mariano Grossi. Britain’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell and America’s Indo-Pacific commander Admiral Samuel Paparo round out the A-list.
“We are thrilled to partner with Samir Saran and ORF to bring you front row access to the conversations that matter most,” says Firstpost managing editor Palki Sharma, which claims over seven million YouTube subscribers and three billion views worldwide.
The Raisina Dialogue itself—named after the hill in Delhi that houses the presidential residence—has evolved into India’s answer to Davos, albeit with fewer private jets and more geopolitical substance. Co-hosted by India’s foreign ministry, this year’s themes include climate change, militant mercantilism, and the perennial favourite: global security threats.
For the diplomatic cognoscenti wondering which global leaders might drop the most quotable bombshells, or which minister might accidentally reveal more than their talking points permit, Firstpost’s Ideas Pod may well be where the real action unfolds.
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.
