Kunal Kamra, Tuberculosis, Almonds

Welcome to 1947—your clear, unbiased source for news that helps you cut through the noise and form your own conclusions.

It’s March 25. Today: Kunal Kamra’s stand-up backlash, tuberculosis eradication, and record almond imports from California. Plus, job openings at Amazon, Agoda, GoDaddy, and more in Who’s Hiring at the end.

Policy, Governance & Regulation

> Mumbai Comedy Club Shuts Down After Kunal Kamra Controversy
The Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai has announced its temporary closure after being vandalized by Shiv Sena workers. The attack followed Kamra’s stand-up act, where he criticized Maharashtra’s shifting political alliances and used the term ‘gaddar’ (traitor), which Sena workers saw as a reference to Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The club stated it was re-evaluating how to provide a platform for free expression without endangering its staff and property. (Hindustan Times, Hansal Mehta’s tweet)

> Justice Yashwant Varma Transferred Amid Probe
The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended transferring Justice Yashwant Varma from the Delhi High Court to the Allahabad High Court. This follows a Delhi HC decision to reassign his judicial work and an ongoing probe into the discovery of burnt cash at his home on Holi. A three-judge panel is investigating the matter. (Moneycontrol)

> Buddhists Protest for Control of Mahabodhi Temple
Buddhists across India have launched protests demanding exclusive control of Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple, their holiest shrine. Demonstrations have intensified after police forcibly removed protesting monks from the site. Led by the All India Buddhist Forum, rallies have spread from Ladakh to Mumbai and Mysuru. Protesters argue that Hindu monks, empowered by existing laws, are performing rituals that undermine Buddhist traditions and are calling for a repeal of the law governing temple management. (Al Jazeera)

Health & Environment

> India Struggles to Meet 2025 TB Eradication Goal
Despite PM Modi’s 2018 pledge to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, India remains far from its target. The country recorded 2.5-3 million new cases and over 400,000 deaths in 2023, accounting for 26% of global TB cases. Challenges include treatment shortages and the rise of multi-drug-resistant TB, with delays in government approvals further hampering progress. (France 24, DW)

> Rajasthan Rule Change to Raise Solar Project Costs
A new amendment to Rajasthan’s land registration laws is set to increase costs and delay renewable energy projects. Companies must now pay stamp duty on land agreements for solar projects, raising land expenses by 8%-10%, industry executives say. (Reuters)

Business

> Rice Export Restrictions Lifted to Boost Agricultural Shipments
India has removed its last restrictions on rice exports, aiming to double agricultural shipments by 2030 and stimulate economic growth. As the world’s largest rice exporter, this move has pressured rival producers, with the price of Thai white rice falling significantly. The decision aligns with India’s goal to increase agricultural and food exports to $100 billion by the end of the decade, more than double the $48.15 billion in exports from 2023-24. (Financial Times)

> DGCA and Airlines Clash Over Transparency in Airfare Data
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and India’s top airlines are in dispute over the regulator’s request for detailed data on airfares over the last two years. The DGCA is seeking information such as individual passenger fares, booking dates, and flight occupancy to analyze ticket pricing trends, particularly following public outrage over high peak-season fares. However, airlines are hesitant to share such granular details, suggesting instead that they provide broader data to protect sensitive commercial information. (Economic Times)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> Quick Commerce Platforms Become Ad Powerhouses
Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart are rapidly transforming into major ad platforms, attracting financial services, stock-trading apps, and real-money gaming platforms. With annualized ad revenue of ₹3,000-3,500 crore, these platforms are pulling in nearly half of what Amazon India earned in FY24, despite Amazon having a larger user base. This shift highlights the growing potential of quick commerce as not just a retail space, but a key venue for digital advertising. (The Ken)

> Tech Startups Secure $2.5B in Q1 2025
India's tech startups raised $2.5 billion in Q1 2025, up 13.6% from the previous quarter and 8.7% year-over-year, making India the third most-funded country after the US and UK, per Tracxn. Auto tech, enterprise applications, and retail led the funding, with late-stage startups seeing increased investments, while early and seed-stage funding declined. (Economic Times)

> Tata Neu Chases Elusive Superapp Ambitions
Tata Digital’s Neu app, launched in 2022 as a superapp integrating services like payments, shopping, and food delivery, has not lived up to expectations. Despite 91 million downloads, growth has slowed, with a sharp 80% YoY drop in Q4 2024 downloads.

In an attempt to revive the app, Tata is betting big on quick commerce through Tata Neu Flash, which bundles groceries from BigBasket, medicines from Tata 1MG, fashion from Tata Cliq, and electronics from Croma. However, the absence of a core service to retain users, coupled with a late entry into 10-minute grocery delivery, has hindered its ability to compete with Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart. (Livemint)

Quick Hits

> The Centre will introduce a standardised hospital billing format mandating clear, itemised cost breakdowns to enhance transparency across hospitals and diagnostic centers.

> Uniqlo has launched a three-year vocational training program in Delhi to equip underprivileged youth, especially women, with retail and sewing skills for stable employment.

> India will conduct its first-ever naval drills with 10 African nations in April, aiming to strengthen maritime ties and counter China's influence in the Indian Ocean.

> Frasers Group will open 350+ Sports Direct stores in India and Southeast Asia under its partnership with Indonesia’s MAP Active, marking its entry into India, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

> A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe into the honey-trap scandal in Karnataka, involving a senior minister, 48 individuals, including judges

> India's almond imports from California hit a record 400 million pounds in 2023-24, growing 21% year-on-year and reinforcing its position as the top export market.

> Apna Mart, a franchise-driven omnichannel grocery chain, raised ~$25 million in a funding round led by Fundamentum and Accel, boosting its 15-minute delivery and retail expansion.

Worth a Look

Five years ago, PM Modi announced India's first COVID-19 lockdown. These pictures capture the haunting, unprecedented reality of that time.

Who’s Hiring

> Amazon is hiring a Business Development Manager for Prime. The role requires a top-tier MBA and over seven years of relevant experience.

> Agoda is hiring a Fintech Specialist Counsel. Interesting role for candidates with prior M&A experience and willing to relocate to Bangkok.

> Scaler School of Technology is hiring a Community Affairs Lead and Program Manager (Innovation Lab). The startup launched a four-year residential undergraduate computer science program in 2023.

> Google One is looking for a Product Manager to drive growth and innovation.

> GoDaddy is hiring a Corporate Counsel to assist with commercial transactions, preparing agreements, and more.

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