Investors lost ₹5 lakh crore today
and did you stare at your wife?
Good morning! Mondays aren’t just the start of the week - they’re the starting line for all the goals you’re about to conquer. Consider this your first step toward greatness!
But before we start, here’s a dose of positivity for you:
‘You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great’
Now, let’s get started with the BUSINESS UPDATES…
📌 Sensex plunges 800 points
The stock market had a tough day falling for the fourth session in a row. Sensex dropped over 800 points, and Nifty fell by 250 points. Investors lost ₹5 lakh crore in just a few minutes, with total losses over four days reaching ₹17 lakh crore. Midcap and smallcap stocks suffered even more.
But, why is the market falling?
Crude oil prices hit a 3-month high due to U.S. sanctions on Russia, hurting India since we import a lot of oil.
The rupee fell to an all-time low of 86.27 against the dollar, making things worse.
With Donald Trump about to take office, concerns over higher trade tariffs are causing worry.
Big investors pulled out over ₹21,000 crore this month, adding to December's ₹17,000 crore selloff.
Investors are cautious about the upcoming Union Budget and fear it might not meet expectations.
Strong U.S. economic data means interest rates are unlikely to drop, affecting global markets.
Companies aren’t showing strong earnings, and experts expect improvement only later this year.
Bharat's GDP growth is expected to slow to 6.4%, the lowest in four years, shaking investor confidence.
📌 Mahakumbh 2025 expected to boost trade by Rs 2 lakh crore
The Mahakumbh 2025 has started in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and is expected to bring in ₹2 lakh crore through trade and business. It is the world's largest human gathering, with an estimated 400 million visitors during the month-long event.
Here’s how much money will be earned:
₹40,000 crore from hotels, guesthouses, and other accommodations.
₹20,000 crore from packaged foods, meals, and beverages.
₹20,000 crore from items like lamps, idols, incense, and books.
₹10,000 crore from taxis, buses, and logistics.
₹10,000 crore from tour guides and packages.
₹10,000 crore from ads and promotions.
₹3,000 crore from medical camps and Ayurvedic products.
₹1,000 crore from e-tickets, Wi-Fi, and payments.
📌 PM Modi to inaugurate Z-Morh tunnel in J&K today
This 6.5-km tunnel connects Gagangir and Sonmarg on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, providing year-round access to Ladakh. It shortens travel time between these areas from over two hours to just 15 minutes and avoids avalanche-prone sections of the road. The project, completed in 2023, cost ₹2,400 crore.
The tunnel is important for both defense and the economy. It allows troops and supplies to reach Ladakh in all seasons and boosts tourism by making Sonmarg a year-round destination. Residents will also benefit from better trade, healthcare, and job opportunities.
📌 How is the 90-hour workweek debate shaping up?
It intensified after L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s controversial remarks about working 90 hours a week went viral. During an employee interaction, Subrahmanyan dismissed the idea of time at home, quipping, "How long can you stare at your wife?" and suggesting employees should also work Sundays.
His comments sparked a wave of outrage across India Inc., with industry leaders offering sharp rebuttals:
Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, criticized the idea, saying: "Work-life balance isn’t optional; it’s essential. Turning life into a perpetual office shift is a recipe for burnout, not success." He joked, "Why not rename Sunday to ‘Sun-duty’?" and promoted working smart over endless hours.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, took a dig at Subrahmanyan’s remarks, saying, "I love staring at my wife; she’s wonderful." He emphasized the importance of holistic living: "If you’re not spending time at home, with friends, or reflecting, how will you make the right decisions?"
Rajiv Bajaj, MD of Bajaj Auto, argued for quality over quantity: "What matters is the quality of work, not the hours logged. Let 90 hours start from the top." He likened inefficiencies in organizations to a bottleneck, always forming at the top.
Harsh Mariwala, founder of Marico, shared his perspective: "I’ve never worked 90 hours a week in my career, except for rare occasions. The quality of work matters more than just clocking hours." He warned against overburdening employees, saying, "If pushed too hard, they might join another job."
Vineet Nayar, former CEO of HCL, criticized glorifying long hours: "The best ideas and breakthroughs come from a mind that is alive, engaged, and free to experience life." He advocated for flexibility, saying, "Work more if you want, but make space for moments that make life worth living."
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, humorously responded to Mahindra’s comment, saying, "Even my wife thinks I’m wonderful; she loves staring at me on Sundays. Quality of work over quantity always."
Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, cheekily added, "But sir, if husband and wife don’t look at each other, how will we remain the most populous country in the world?"
Namita Thapar, executive director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the importance of personal interests: "If I work 90 hours a week, how will I have time for Philosophy, Bollywood, and Shayari, which have taught me valuable leadership lessons?"
So, what’s your take on it? Let us know in the comments!
That’s it for today.
See ya 👋
