Swiggy Instamart Challenges Amazon, Flipkart with 10-Minute Smartphone Delivery
Swiggy Instamart is making its mark in the premium electronics segment with the launch of 10-minute smartphone deliveries. Offering popular devices like the iPhone 16e, Samsung M35, and OnePlus Nord CE, the service is available in 10 major cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. With a focus on fast, convenient shopping, Instamart aims to redefine the tech-buying experience, offering a wide range of smartphones from top brands. The move marks an expansion of quick commerce beyond groceries, challenging established players like Amazon and Flipkart.
Narayana Murthy Critiques AI Hype in India, Calls it “Silly, Old Programs”
At TiE Con Mumbai 2025, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy criticized the growing trend of artificial intelligence (AI) in India, calling many of the so-called AI programs "silly, old programs." He expressed concern that ordinary software is being marketed as AI simply due to the current AI craze. Murthy explained the core principles of AI, focusing on machine learning and deep learning, and emphasized the potential of deep learning in mimicking human behavior. While acknowledging that technological advancements might eliminate some jobs, Murthy also highlighted that AI could create new opportunities if applied wisely, particularly in sectors like autonomous vehicles and healthcare.
Tesla Begins Hiring in India, Signaling Market Entry Following Elon Musk’s Meeting with PM Modi
Tesla Inc., the electric vehicle giant led by Elon Musk, is taking significant steps towards entering the Indian market, with the company currently hiring for 13 key positions across customer-facing and operational roles in Mumbai and Delhi. This move follows a high-profile meeting between Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States, where discussions were held about Tesla's potential expansion into India. Recent policy changes, such as the reduction in import duties on high-end vehicles, make India a more favorable market for Tesla. While India's EV market is still in its early stages, the country presents a promising growth opportunity for Tesla, especially as the company seeks to address its slowing global sales.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Introduces Income Tax Bill in Parliament Amidst Opposition Walkout
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Income Tax Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, aiming to simplify India's tax laws. The bill seeks to reduce the complexity of the existing tax framework by cutting down on the number of sections and using plain language. However, the introduction of the bill was met with strong opposition, leading to a walkout by several MPs. Opposition members raised concerns about the bill's structure, with some questioning the increase in sections compared to the previous 1961 Act. Sitharaman responded by highlighting the reduction in sections from 819 to 536 and clarified that the bill would address over 4,000 amendments to the old Act. To address further concerns, she proposed sending the bill to a Select House Committee for detailed review before its final approval.
Meta to Lay Off 3,600 Employees Next Week, Targeting ‘Lowest Performers’
Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is set to lay off 3,600 employees next week, focusing on the company’s "lowest performers." The layoffs will begin on Monday, February 12, with notices being sent to employees across multiple countries, excluding Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands due to local regulations. Despite these cuts, Meta plans to expedite the hiring of machine learning engineers and other business-critical roles as part of its broader strategy to align with its 2025 priorities. The company’s restructuring comes amid a slowdown in the broader labor market, with job openings in the U.S. declining to a three-month low.
