Young India is set to replace China to become the growth engine of the Asian continent. India is ready to emerge as the economic superpower of Asia driven by the young population of the country.
According to multiple media reports, China’s biggest challenge at present is the rapidly aging population which will climb to more than half a billion by 2017. Meanwhile, India has the advantage of a younger population assisted by gains in foreign direct investments, technology, manufacturing and increased revenue. A detailed report by Deloitte LPP., states India will drive the third great wave of Asia’s growth following Japan and China, with the workforce increasing to 1.08 billion people from 885 million in the next 20 years. As per the report, India will account for more than half of the increase in Asia’s workforce who will be better trained, skilled and better educated than the existing populace.
However, this boom in the workforce will also require the right framework to sustain and promote growth and development. While India has seen some major developments in the economic sector this past couple of years, consistent government support along with a focus on educated women in the workforce and skilled labor is essential for sustained growth. In 2015, India overtook both China and America in terms of foreign direct investment with an inflow of $ 63 billion. Another great potential in India rising as a manufacturing hub is due to the availability of cheap labor while the labor costs in China continue to rise. At the same time, initiatives such as the Make In India program, Startup India hub, artificial intelligence task force, credit schemes and Agri Udaan schemes for agriculture based startups have only encouraged startups and improved domestic manufacturing of products. The GST rollout also gave startups the breathing room to develop and expand before having to pay taxes by leveling the tax field, increasing tax credit and simplifying the entire taxation process.
India’s fast emerging startup ecosystem although had a sluggish growth, made a name for itself in the global startup ecosystem as the 3rd fastest growing hub for startups. In 2017, multiple Indian startups caught the eye of Silicon Valley investors and incubators with more than 12 startups raising close to $ 74 million through funding and acquisitions. The startup ecology also picked up momentum in the past few months due to numerous government initiatives, increase in the total number of investors and incubators, global interest and encouragement from industry veterans. India also became a pumping ground for multinationals based in Japan and China owing to the big unexplored Internet of Things industry.
Japanese and Chinese markets have already begun embracing the opportunities that arose from the aged populations in sectors including nursing, consumer goods for the elderly, age appropriate housing and social infrastructure. By 2050, Asia will have to cope with over $ 1 billion people aged above 65 years. But, by then, India’s pool of tech talent coupled with low cost tech innovations, cheap labor, better governance, new initiatives and closer military ties with superpowers of the world will push the developing nation to become the economic growth driver of the continent.
Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) has introduced Meta AI, an AI assistant, powered by Llama 3 language model, designed to be your one-stop shop for information, chat, and creativity. This means you can get real-time information on Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram without ever leaving the app!
Meta AI’s search strategy is an intriguing twist. While it may appear to be a competitor to Google and Bing, it contends that Meta AI is not a competitor, but rather a collaborator. Here’s why:
By relying on established search engines as sources, Meta AI positions itself as a user-friendly tool that combines the best of Google and Bing. Imagine getting results from both Google and Bing in the same search. As you are exposed to different points of view, you may gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject. They’re calling it the “most intelligent AI assistant that you can freely use,” so it will be interesting to see how it compares to other assistants on the market.
How does Meta AI help you?
Search Powerhouse: Meta AI combines Google Search and Microsoft Bing results to provide you with a more comprehensive view of your queries.
Chatty companions: Need answers or simply want to talk? Type “@MetaAI” into Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp and let the conversation begin.
Creative Spark: Feeling artistic? Meta AI allows you to create custom stickers and photos based on your text descriptions.
Where to Find Your Meta-AI Buddy:
Look for Meta AI in the search bars on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.
To respond to posts, interact with Meta AI directly in Facebook’s main feed.
Explore the new meta.ai website for extended conversations.
Type “Imagine” into your WhatsApp chat to generate real-time images.
The future may even include access via Meta’s VR headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses.
The Future of AI Assistants
Only time will tell how Meta AI integrates into our lives, but it certainly offers a glimpse into an interactive future where AI assistants cater to our search, chat, and creative needs. Whether Meta AI becomes a true partner to search giants or forges its own path remains to be seen.
Meta AI promises a brand new way to search and interact with information. Do you think this AI assistant will change the way we use social media? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Farming has been an integral part of India’s history and culture for ages. It’s been the foundation of the Indian economy, supporting millions of people with food and jobs. Crops and agriculture hold immense importance in Indian society, not just in terms of money, but also in terms of culture, community, and spirituality.
Farming is a way of life for many people in India, but it can be a difficult and unpredictable business and farmers face a number of challenges, from erratic weather patterns to low market prices for their crops. Kheyti is a social enterprise founded in 2015 by Saumya, Kaushik Kappagantula, and Sathya Raghu. The organisation provides sustainable solutions to small farmers in India, helping them overcome challenges and improve their lives.
Kheyti’s flagship product is the “Greenhouse-in-a-Box,” a low-cost modular greenhouse that allows farmers to grow high-value crops year-round, even in unfavourable weather conditions. operates on a subscription-based model, where farmers can purchase a “Greenhouse-in-a-Box” kit or sign up for crop advisory services on a monthly or annual basis. Kheyti.com also earns revenue by connecting farmers with markets and buyers, taking a small commission on sales. They work to keep the costs low by partnering with local manufacturers to produce their products and leveraging tech to provide personalised crop advisory services at scale.
They also provide crop advisory services to farmers, offering personalised advice on crop selection, planting, and management. In total, The company has helped over 6,000 small farmers increase their incomes by an average of 300%. You call them small farmers, Kheyti calls them Smart farmers!
While there are other companies in India that offer similar solutions to small farmers, Kheyti stands out for its focus on sustainability, innovation, and community involvement. It works closely with farmers to develop tailored solutions that meet their needs while focusing on sustainable farming practices. Through its efforts, Kheyti has improved soil health, reduced water usage, and increased yields of various crops.
Looking ahead, Kheyti plans to expand its reach to more farmers in India and beyond and aims to continue developing new products and services that can help small farmers overcome the challenges they face. With its commitment to sustainability and innovation, The visionaries at Kheyti claim it has the potential to transform the agricultural sector and contribute to a more equitable future for all.
Imagine the joy and hope Kheyti brings to struggling farmers in India. With Kheyti’s help, over 6,000 small farmers have transformed their lives, becoming Smart farmers who handle challenges and succeed. With sustainable solutions, Kheyti is not only revolutionising agriculture but also spreading hope for a brighter future.
Clubhouse is a new type of social networking platform which is an audio only platform. This means every conversation takes place through audio where users speak to let their thoughts known. Users can create and host rooms where speakers will talk about a particular topic. Originating in the Silicon Valley, Clubhouse attracted some major names onto its platform like Elon Musk, Evan Williams, Reddit co founder Alexis Ohanian, former Y Combinator President Sam Altman, AngelList co founder Naval Ravikant, Ashton Kuthcer, Oprah Winfrey, Drake, Kevin Hart and many others are some of the influential personalities who are on Clubhouse. There is however a catch as Clubhouse is currently limited to iOS.
Leher is an Indian made alternative to Clubhouse and is a similar audio sharing and listening startup. Leher also has video support unlike Clubhouse and is also available for both Android and iOS. However, Leher does not have the biggest names in the world on its platform but it does have significant micro influencers and is growing at a rapid pace. Within 180 days of its beta version launch, the company claimed to have its users spend about 44 minutes every day and 250,000 minutes per month for live video sessions.
We at Startup Stories are curious to see which among Leher or Clubhouse would our readers choose to take part in a virtual discussion. Please let us know your answer in the poll below.
