Startup.Pedia, B-127, B Block, Sector 2, Noida (2025)

09/10/2025

Google, known for its flexible work culture, has announced an important update to its "Work from Anywhere" (WFA) policy.

Originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide employees with more freedom, the policy now comes with stricter guidelines.

Starting immediately, even a single day of remote work outside an employee’s home will count as a full week of WFA, creating a clearer distinction between WFA and regular work-from-home days.

The updated policy is designed to prevent confusion between hybrid work-from-home arrangements and WFA.

While employees are allowed to work from home up to two days per week under the existing hybrid model, WFA was intended for remote work from locations other than the home.

According to an internal company memo shared on Twitter, Google emphasized: “A single day of work from another location will now count as a full week of Work from Anywhere.”

This move ensures that employees do not unintentionally exceed WFA limits while still benefiting from occasional remote work flexibility. However, it also means employees will need to plan carefully if they want to take advantage of WFA without affecting their overall allocation.

The policy revision has sparked mixed reactions among Google employees. Many valued the freedom to travel or work remotely for short periods without it impacting their WFA balance.

By counting just one remote day as an entire week, employees worry that spontaneous or short-term travel might become difficult.

Experts suggest that while such policies help maintain operational clarity, companies must balance efficiency with flexibility to retain employee satisfaction.

Google’s policy update highlights the evolving nature of post-pandemic work arrangements. Striking a balance between operational needs and employee flexibility remains a challenge for global companies.

09/10/2025

Google is about to invest $10 billion to establish a 1-gigawatt (GW) data centre cluster in Visakhapatnam, a first for the technology giant’s investment in India.

As reported by The Economic Times, the facility will comprise three data centre campuses at Adavivaram and Tarluvada villages in Visakhapatnam district and Rambilli village in Anakapalli district.

These facilities are slated to become operational by July 2028.

The details of the agreement are expected to be finalised between Google’s top executives and Andhra Pradesh IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh in New Delhi on October 14.

According to an official press release by the Andhra Pradesh Government, the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), chaired by the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, today approved Google's landmark hyperscale data center in Visakhapatnam.

This represents a near $10 billion investment ranking among the largest digital infrastructure FDI commitments in the country.

The release said that according to an independent assessments by Access Partnership (2025) and Google's economic modeling, the project would contribute an average of Rs 10,518 crore to GSDP annually during the initial five years of operations (2028-2032), while supporting approximately 1,88,220 direct and indirect jobs per year across construction, data center operations, engineering, information technology, and supply chain functions.

Beyond direct operations, Google Cloud's productivity-led impact is expected to add Rs 9,553 crore annually (amounting to Rs 47,720 crore over five years) through digital enablement across the economy.

At the national level, comparable digital infrastructure hubs are modelled to unlock up to $2.1 trillion in value addition and support 10 million jobs by 2047.

The release stated that SIPB recognised the project as a game-changer for Andhra Pradesh's IT ecosystem and approved positioning Visakhapatnam as "AI City Vizag."

09/10/2025

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that top British universities will soon open their campuses in India. This means students can now get a world-class UK education without leaving the country.

The move is expected to make higher education more accessible, save on costs, and open up better career opportunities for thousands of young Indians.

During his official visit to Mumbai, PM Starmer highlighted the increasing demand for high-quality higher education in India.

“I am really pleased to announce that more British universities will be setting up campuses in India, making Britain India’s leading international provider of higher education and delivering on our Vision 2035,” he tweeted.

These campuses will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programs, allowing students to earn globally recognized degrees without leaving India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, noting that it adds “new dimensions” to Indo-UK relations.

He further emphasized, “It is a matter of great joy that now nine universities from the UK are going to open campuses in India. The Gurugram campus of Southampton University was recently inaugurated, and the first group of students has also taken admission.”

The presence of UK universities in India is expected to attract global talent, create employment opportunities, and strengthen India’s position as a hub for world-class higher education.

Students will gain access to international curricula, global faculty, and advanced research facilities, all while staying closer to home.

The decision to set up British university campuses in India marks a milestone in Indo-UK educational partnership. It provides Indian students with unparalleled access to world-class learning while strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations

09/10/2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that one GB of wireless data in India costs less than a cup of tea, highlighting the country’s digital revolution.

Speaking at the inauguration of the India Mobile Congress, he said, "Our success in digital public infrastructure is a testament to how committed the government is to a digital-first mindset. This is the best time to invest, innovate, and make in India.”

PM Modi said India has the world's second-largest telecom market, the second-largest 5G market, the manpower, mobility and mindset to lead.

The country recently launched its Made in India 4G Stack. With this, the country has joined the list of just five countries in the world that possess this capability, he said.

In terms of user data consumption, India is among the leading countries in the world.

"This means that digital connectivity in India is no longer a privilege or a luxury; it is an integral part of Indian life,” he added.

Listing tremendous progress made by India in the digital space in the last decade, the Prime Minister said, "1 GB of wireless data in India is cheaper than the cost of one cup of tea." "The country that once struggled with 2G, today has 5G reaching almost every district," he remarked.

PM Modi had announced on August 15 that 2025 would be a year of big changes and big reforms.

"We are increasing the pace of reforms," he said.

The Prime Minister recalled how the idea of 'Make in India' was once frowned upon by sceptics who doubted India's ability to produce technologically advanced products.

However, the country now holds immense opportunities in the manufacturing of semiconductors, mobiles, and electronics.

PM Modi urged that mobile manufacturing and components such as chipsets, batteries, displays, and sensors must increasingly be developed within the country.

09/10/2025

Paytm has introduced AI Soundbox, India’s first AI-powered device to act as a smart business assistant for payments for small and medium businesses.

Unlike the earlier Soundbox, which only alerted merchants about payments, this new version acts as a smart business assistant, providing real-time insights and financial details.

The AI assistant interacts with merchants in 11 local languages, other than English.

The merchant can ask the device questions about their sales, collections, and overall performance.

The AI responds immediately with summaries, business insights, and actionable recommendations, helping businesses make smarter decisions without spending hours on spreadsheets.

Speaking at the launch of the new device, Paytm Founder & CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said, "From bringing QR code based mobile payments to innovating the mass scale trust device, Soundbox, we are now entering the intelligence age with multiple AI first products.”

The AI Soundbox supports dynamic QR codes, tap, and insert card payments, providing smooth transactions. Merchants can track their collections through both voice and touchscreen options, while a top display shows instant payment updates.
The device works perfectly with WiFi and 4G connectivity, whether it is a restaurant, retail store, or outdoor market.

The Android-based Soundbox combines advanced software with a user-friendly design, with a Paytm Button to allow quick access to assistance and important notifications.

What’s more, any extra AI usage can be billed, offering flexibility for businesses of all sizes.

The shares of Paytm soared around 2.5 per cent on October 7 after the fintech firm announced the launch of its AI soundbox for payments.

09/10/2025

TCS is set to lay off 12,000 employees as part of a major restructuring.

Over the past month, some employees took to Reddit claiming they were forced to resign and even faced threats of blacklisting.

What’s really going on behind the scenes?

09/10/2025

Ritesh Agarwal, the entrepreneur behind OYO, recently shared a personal insight about success that has struck a chord with many.

In a heartfelt video and a thoughtful tweet, he reflected on a lesson his mother taught him – a lesson that goes beyond business and ambition.

While achieving great heights is often the focus of success, Agarwal reminds us that staying grounded and connected to our roots is just as important.

In the video, Agarwal recalls his mother’s words: “Jo ped bade hote hai woh sabse zyada jhuke hote hai” — the tallest trees are often the most bent.

He explained, “So as you become more successful in life, you should remember that you should be rooted to where you are at today or where you were at two years back when you came here.”

This simple yet profound advice reminded Agarwal that no matter how far you rise, humility and self-awareness are essential.
It’s a lesson many entrepreneurs and leaders could benefit from, especially in fast-paced, high-growth environments.

Agarwal also shared his reflections in a tweet: “Some lessons come from mentors. Others from experience. But the strongest one came from my mother, success isn’t about how high you climb, it’s about how firmly you stay rooted. The higher you rise, the more grounded you must become. That’s the compass I carry with me in every boardroom, every decision, and every new journey.”

For him, this isn’t just advice, it’s a guiding principle. It shapes how he makes decisions, leads his team, and navigates the challenges of growing OYO into a global brand.

Ritesh Agarwal’s reflection is a gentle reminder that success isn’t just about ambition or reaching the top—it’s about staying true to yourself, remembering where you started, and carrying humility along the way.

His mother’s words are a compass, guiding him through every challenge and achievement, and offering a lesson that resonates far beyond the world of business.

08/10/2025

Anupam Mittal has recently shared valuable advice for young founders and professionals looking to build strong business instincts.

In a LinkedIn post, the Shaadi.com founder reflected on his early entrepreneurial experiments and explained why mastering sales and understanding finance are the two most important steps in developing what he calls a true “Dhandha” mindset.

Mittal believes that business acumen begins with the ability to sell. Reflecting on his teenage years, he wrote,

“At 13, I thought renting books would make me rich. At 16, I tried to build a sports club.”
Though most of his early ventures failed, each one taught him something vital about persuasion, negotiation and influence. He explained that these experiences built his survival instincts and helped him understand people better.

“That’s why I tell young founders and professionals → start selling early,” he shared.

Whether it is a product, a project, or even selling yourself for a job, Mittal believes these experiences sharpen business instincts in ways no classroom can.

But according to Mittal, selling alone is not enough. To truly understand business, one must learn how industries make money. He recommends young professionals take up roles in finance, especially Equity Analysis or Investment Banking.

“Finance strips away the romance of ‘disruption’ and shows you the raw truth — where margins lie, where capital flows, and where profit pools actually sit,” he explained.

He believes that too many operators get caught up in their own stories and forget that every industry has its own economics. Understanding these fundamentals helps entrepreneurs stay grounded and build sustainable ventures.

For Mittal, “Dhandha” is not something that can be taught in classrooms. It is shaped by real-world experience, the grind of selling, and the discipline of numbers.

His message to aspiring business leaders is clear: “Sell something. Anything. Then spend a year or two learning how industries really make money.”

.com

08/10/2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced changing his official email ID to Zoho Mail.

“Hello everyone, I have switched to Zoho Mail. Kindly note the change in my email address. My new email address is [email protected]. For future correspondence via mail, please use this address,” Shah posted on X.

He concluded his post with a sign-off similar to that of US President Donald Trump: “Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.”

A multinational technology company, Zoho was founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas as AdventNet, and was renamed Zoho in 2009. Zoho Mail was launched in 2008.

Vembu serves as the company’s chief scientist, while Thomas looks after its US operations.

The Union Home Minister’s decision could be seen as a promotion for the use of Indian software and services for critical and sensitive communications. The move aligns with PM Modi’s ‘Digital India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.

Zoho Mail has robust security measures, including end-to-end encryption for emails (via S/MIME), advanced anti-spam and anti-virus filters, and two-factor authentication.

For the Indian government’s priorities, it guarantees data localisation, so that user data is stored exclusively in Indian data centres, indirectly addressing major concerns regarding foreign surveillance or regulatory compliance.

Zoho Mail gives users a privacy-first model, ensuring the service is completely ad-free and does not scan or mine user emails for advertising purposes. This makes it apt for professional uses.

Zoho Mail is integrated with the broader Zoho Workplace suite, including Zoho Docs (file management), Zoho Calendar, and Zoho Chat, providing a unified ecosystem for enterprise users.

Zoho Workplace officially thanked Shah on X: “Thank you for your trust in us, Shri

It’s inspiring to see national leadership embracing Indian innovation. The whole team joins in gratitude.”

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