BS Manthan highlights: US protective of its top dog status, it feels beleaguered, says Suman Bery
Business Standard Manthan highlights: Catch all the latest developments from the summit here
 "US is protective about its top dog position, Suman Bery, vice chairperson, NITI Aayog said.")
US is protective about its top dog position, Suman Bery, vice chairperson, NITI Aayog said.
BS Manthan highlights: Manthan, the annual summit by Business Standard, began on Thursday, February 27, at the Taj Palace in New Delhi. In celebration of Business Standard’s 50th anniversary, the two-day event gathered some of the most influential voices in government, policy, and industry. Speaking at a panel discussion on ‘Future of Jobs’ on Day 2, Radhicka Kapoor, senior employment specialist at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), stated that automation is likely to enhance productivity by freeing up time for other activities while displacing some jobs at the same time. Citing a study conducted two years ago, Kapoor stated that only 2.3 per cent of global jobs were susceptible to automation,
Kapoor said that if we had discussed the future of jobs a little less than a decade ago, the conversation would have been very different. “Early studies raised concerns about job displacement. But today, as we discuss this in 2025, we can confidently say there will not be a ‘jobs apocalypse’.”
Across two vibrant days, Manthan provided a platform for sharing insights on how India can prosper in a complex and evolving global landscape.
In a fireside chat at the second edition of Manthan, HCL co-founder Ajai Chowdhry highlighted the need to focus on Make in India chips, arguing that the country is still learning the game of manufacturing semiconductors. "If you do not have your own semiconductors, you are really asking for trouble," he said.
For this, Chowdhry noted the need to train people to power the manufacturing sector. "A lot of work has been done to train 50,000 people for manufacturing. All universities across the country have been given targets to actually achieve that," he said.
6:49 PM
US has the privilege to reshape the rules of the game to suit its needs: Suman Bery
6:43 PM
India's policymakers need to keep an eye on consequences of Trump's decisions: Suman Bery
As one of the largest economies in the world, India is likely to be affected by the dollar, US bond yields etc. There, our policy makers need to keep an eye on these indirect consequences of President Trump's actions, Suman Bery said at BS Manthan.
6:23 PM
US is protective of its top dog status, it feels beleaguered: Suman Bery
"The US has the privilege to reshape the rules of the game to suit itself. I think that is not unusual. But what's slightly more intriguing is why the US feels beleaguered at this particular time. US is very protective of its top dog position. And I think that its now being threatened, particularly by China, Suman Bery, vice chairperson, NITI Aayog, said.
6:12 PM
Some jobs are likely to be automated, while productivity of other occupations will increase: Radhicka Kapoor
6:06 PM
Upskilling is crucial for the workforce to adapt to new technologies: Hiranmay Pandya
6:04 PM
Future of jobs will depend on policy decisions: Radhicka Kapoor
"When we talk about the question of the future of jobs, whether the potential benefits will be realised or not, will depend on the policy decisions that are made globally. How countries put in their skilling systems in place, what kind of industrial sectoral policies they have, what social protection systems they put in place is of critical importance," Radhicka Kapoor, senior employment specialist, ILO, said.
5:47 PM
Services sector, fintech, manufacturing are growth drivers: Sumita Dawra
"Startups are employing a lot of people. We're very proud about the fact that today, India is the global hub for the GCCs. They are employing lakhs of young people at the moment," says Sumita Dawra, secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment.
5:31 PM
Govt should support farmers through essential service: Ajay Vir Jakhar on farming sector
"Should people stay in farming or move out? If they stay, do we have the right support structure in place? From a farmer’s perspective, I agree we need better employment opportunities, but those opportunities are scarce. If available, 99% of farmers would leave farming today. The key issue is not about forcing farmers out, but offering them a choice. Many farmers, especially small-scale ones, will never find agriculture profitable, no matter what the government does," Ajay Vir Jakhar said. The government’s role should be in supporting farmers through essential services—healthcare, education, public transport—not through cash transfers, which won't solve the root problem, Jakhar added.
5:15 PM
Agriculture needs a policy focused on increasing farmers' income: Ajay Vir Jakhar
5:12 PM
Focus should be on moving people out of agriculture, says CSC Sekhar
"In the short term, increasing the profitability of agriculture is essential, but in the medium to long term, the focus should be on moving people out of agriculture. Most farms are small and marginal, so either farm size needs to increase or more people should move to higher-productivity jobs outside agriculture. However, as Ramesh pointed out, the non-agricultural sector faces growth challenges, and people transitioning from agriculture need skills to be absorbed into other sectors," says CSC Sekhar, professor, Institute of Economic Growth (IEG).
4:55 PM
Income in farm sector has grown, despite ongoing challenges in agriculture: Ramesh Chand
"The economic condition of farmers varies across states, but at the national level, they’ve moved from the top to the bottom. Farmers, especially low-income labor—whether agricultural or non-agricultural—are concentrated in the lower middle-income and poverty categories," says Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog.
4:37 PM
Business Standard Manthan: Experts weigh in on the role of agriculture in India’s growth story
3:58 PM
You have to take advantage of who you are: Julien Tornare
"It is very important that when you jump into a market like India, you not only talk about your history, your heritage, but also show that the brand will evolve with the clients. The brand will not get older next to the clients, but will become more young," says Julien Tornare, CEO, Hublot.
3:53 PM
Tax on luxury goods in India is a big barrier: Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot
3:36 PM
Despite blips, capital finds its way where value is being created: Anshoo Sharma
Speaking on the funding winter, Anshoo Sharma said,"Capital find its way where value is being created. That has always been true. There might be some blips of things going up, things going down, but in India, I'd say from a startup perspective, we are in a golden age."
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First Published: Feb 28 2025 | 10:17 AM IST
