iWorld
Namita Thapar takes pioneering partial exit from Rare Planet investment at 3.5x return
Mumbai: In 2021, Shark Tank debuted in the Indian market, providing a valuable platform for a diverse range of entrepreneurs to showcase their businesses. One remarkable success story from the show is Rare Planet, now recognised as India’s largest airport retailer. Rare Planet’s outstanding performance in the last two years after securing a deal on the show has now created a landmark achievement marking the way for the first-ever exit for a Shark with a 3.5x return on their investment. Started as a venture in the first year of BTech by Ranodeep Saha and later joined by Vijaya Kumar TR as co-founder, the success of this company stands as a testament to the opportunities and recognition that Shark Tank India has brought to aspiring entrepreneurs in the country.
Ranodeep Saha’s exceptional pitch with co-founder Vijaya Kumar TR in Season 1 of Shark Tank India left a lasting impression on the sharks, particularly Namita Thapar. The pitch seamlessly integrated the company’s commitment to social responsibility, prompting Thapar to make an independent investment in the company. Within just two years of securing funding for the show, Rare Planet has achieved remarkable growth, witnessing a five times revenue increase and double-digit PAT profit.
Namita Thapar was impressed by Rare Planet’s remarkable revenue achievements and commendable impact on the lives of over 10,000 artisans. Since the initial investment by Namita and their appearance on Shark Tank India 1, Rare Planet’s footprint has expanded significantly by 12 times growth in stores across India. Starting from a presence in five airports, the company now operates in over 37 airports with 50 stores nationwide. The company has diversified its offerings, introducing Rare Planet Luxe, a luxury format, situated across multiple airports. This format will be extended further in new airports in the pipeline. Also, the new format SITARA for Indian Fashion Accessories brand across nine airports, and brand 2M minimart for convenience retail format across Tier 2 airports.
Rare Planet’s airport retail stores boast an extensive inventory of over 10,000 unique handcrafted items, and décor, ranging from mugs, copper bottles, cups, and plates, to Kulhads, along with stationery, jewellery, and accessories all created by more than 10,000 local artisans who are associated with the company. Notably, most of these artisans are women, pouring passion, hard work, love, and care into beautiful products every day. Beyond fostering artistic endeavors, Rare Planet is actively involved in making a positive impact on the lives of its artisans. The company contributes to education funds for the children of these artisans, thereby enabling them to dream big. This noble cause has resulted in over 8,000 artisans experiencing a substantial 180 per cent increase in their income, facilitating the education of over 1,000 children.
Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd executive director Namita Thapar: Rano stands out as a founder who personifies humility, determination, and an unwavering passion for supporting artisans. Meeting his parents in Kolkata left a lasting impression on me—the pride in their eyes while recounting his entrepreneurial journey truly touched my heart. This is one story to watch out for, “picture abhi baaki hai”.
Rare Planet co-founder Vijaya Kumar TR: Namita Ma’am has been a guiding force for us, meeting with us on multiple occasions to provide invaluable insights into our overall strategy. Her expertise, particularly in pricing and marketing, has played a pivotal role in our exponential growth.
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
