Uttarakhand is one of the Indian states with ample tourism opportunities. Due to the prevalence of significant religious sites, and the abundance of nature, tourism has been thriving here. That is until Covid when all the major religious events and vacations came to a standstill. Since tourism is a major source of income for Uttarakhand and the survival of thousands of small business owners are at stake, economic stimulus packages are much needed and most welcome when the Covid restrictions are lifted.

Economic package for tourism stakeholders

Tourism stakeholders will become recipients of an economic package sanctioned by the Uttarakhand Government from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. This financial support from the state government is aimed at bringing the tourism industry back from the throes of devastation amidst the diminishing second wave of Covid-19. It’s also aimed at giving the state economy a boost.

Financial assistance to be availed

Amount

The State Government has sanctioned a directive of close to INR 66.6 Cr as relief package. Eligible beneficiaries will receive financial assistance of INR 2000 per month. The financial assistance for key stakeholders will be provided at the rate of INR 10,000. Beneficiaries can also avail exemptions in license and renewal fees. There are also interest reimbursement benefits to be availed.

Beneficiaries

Homestay owners registered with the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) are eligible under the package as individual beneficiaries. People working in tourism businesses registered in tourism departments are also eligible. Registered tour operators, adventure tour operators, 630 trekking guides registered with the tourism department of Uttarakhand, 93 boat operators at the Tehri Dam reservoir in the state of Uttarakhand and businessmen in the tourism department of Uttarakhand are the beneficiaries of the support programme. Businessmen of registered rafting and aero sports also meet the eligibility criteria.

Duration

The relief amount will be deposited directly to the account of the beneficiary for a six-month long duration. Also, stakeholders under the Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali and Deendayal Upadhyay Home Stay Scheme loan (tourism self-employment schemes) will receive financial assistance on their interest reimbursements for a 6-month period.

How to avail the support

To avail the support, eligible stakeholders in the tourism industry need to register on the Uttarakhand tourism portal. After successful application process, approvals and confirmations received, the concerned District tourism Development Officer (DTDO) will deposit the relief amount directly in the bank account of the beneficiary through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) on behalf of the District Magistrate.

Many of us have been working from home for close to two years now. Employees that cannot afford staying at home are doing quick runs to the workplace to sort things out before returning to work from home when the need doesn’t arise. Also, to reduce their risk of infection, other employees are delegated to fill in for them when a mandatory in-office presence is required. This is what a hybrid workplace looks like and companies are adopting this work model at a rapid pace.

What is a Hybrid workplace?

A hybrid workplace has been around but has come to the fore only recently. Unlike a traditional office setting, a hybrid workplace supports a more flexible mode of work among the workforce of an enterprise. It supports both remote working as well as in-office working in a way that employees can switch or choose their work mode to suit requirements. It’s a business model that works on a pre agreed arrangement where employees can pivot much quicker in case of emergencies.

How the pandemic has fuelled its adoption

Return to work has turned out to be a mere theory as the possibility of returning to the old way of working is now history. Since the long-term effects of the pandemic are still unknown, adopting a hybrid business model looks like the only right direction to move for businesses. Due to the pandemic, businesses are prioritising the needs of employees. And flexibility is one such need. Also, companies had no choice but to cut down on unnecessary travel which has fuelled the adoption of the hybrid workplace.

Are we moving towards a hybrid workplace?

Everything is achieved through virtual connect

Earlier, creative brainstorming was possible only through physical face-to-face meetings. However, with the level of sophistication available in collaboration tools, you can achieve a level of team connect that’s much more efficient. Employees are quickly developing the skill sets required to permanently communicate virtually. This points out that we are slowly but surely moving towards a hybrid workplace.

Companies cannot risk becoming irrelevant

The pace at which new technologies are emerging is increasingly rapid. In this scenario, there is a higher risk for organisations, especially start-ups, to be irrelevant if they stick to the old ways of working or nurture the status quo. This fear of being irrelevant is making companies adopt the hybrid work model more implying that the future work will be hybrid.

Prioritising both business and employee health

There has been a clear shift towards prioritising both business as well as employee health among organisations. They are unknowingly making the transition to a hybrid work setting because prioritising employee well being is fostering business health and vice versa. Businesses have also found that reskilling employees to get them adjusted to the hybrid work model has its many benefits in terms of productivity and efficiency. Companies are also investing in employee experience platforms which are providing great results. All of this indicates that a hybrid work model is emerging as a viable business model.

Cars24 is a Gurgaon based start-up which recently joined the unicorn league. Cars24 is the biggest online marketplace in India for used vehicles. 

Spike in Website Traffic with the onset of the pandemic 

Cars24 reported a four-fold increase in their website traffic. It is astonishing that this increase began precisely with the start of the pandemic which clearly shows the increased demand for used vehicles during the pandemic. 

Upcoming funding deal valued at $250 M 

The company is working out a funding deal valued at $250 M backed by investors including DST Global. If successful, this deal could double Cars24’s site value between $1.6 M to $2B. 

Renewed interest towards pre-owned cars during the pandemic

The demand for used vehicles has spiked in India since people are afraid to take public transport. The second-hand vehicle market exploded during the pandemic. Since the spending thresholds have reduced for people from all walks of life, investing in a brand-new car has taken a backseat. There is also no concern regarding the status symbol which a pre-owned car might bring to the table. 

Business model of Cars24

Cars24 is aimed at easing the process of the used car, pre-owned motorcycles and scooters’ trade in India. Cars24’s business model is to price vehicles based on AI algorithms. The insights from the data will match the least troublesome car with its soon to be owner. 

Cars24 have their own reconditioning facilities where vehicles to be listed for sale will be refurbished. The refurbished vehicles can be returned within 7 days without the need to furnish a reason for the same. Each vehicle sold through Cars24 will enjoy a six-month long warranty period. The business model of Cars24 also includes customised financial services and vehicle lending products. 

Global expansion to new markets

The start-up is actively exploring new markets and has already set up base in Australia and the United Arab Emirates. They also have plans to stretch their presence in more middle eastern and southeast Asian markets. 

For 2021, the company has already set aside funds worth INR 738 Cr ($98 M) for expansion of its international operations. Through their global expansion, they want to cater to new and unique consumers across the world. 

Cars24 was particularly interested in the Australian market since the consumer base here loves cars and had never experienced a business model quite like Cars24 which made it simple to trade in pre-owned refurbished vehicles.

Future and Forecasting

Currently, Cars24 is operating 20 car studios in more than 10 locations. About 400 cars are being catalogued by the company each day. They have an assortment of more than 10,000 cars. 

For the year 2021, they have planned to establish 7 refurbishment workshops spanning an area of 50 acres in total. They also want to hit targets of 20,000 refurbished cars monthly. 

Brands across numerous industry segments mainly skincare, FMCG and F&B like gourmet coffees, packaged frozen foods, lifestyle and consumer tech, luxe health and wellness are attempting D2C and are successful at it. Although these product ranges are mid-high priced, they are successfully capturing consumers from Tier II and Tier III cities through D2C. Instagram ads of D2C online shopping websites, and listing products directly on social commerce platforms like Shopify are attracting huge traffic and purchases for small brands.

Benefits of going D2C and its need

Going D2C during the current pandemic is beneficial because people are confined to their living spaces and the most popular activity during lockdowns is to order for products online. Businesses across various industries can experience improved bottom lines by taking the D2C route. Digital infrastructure has given rise to the trend of quick one-tap buying of products online since customers need to fulfil their cravings and desire to get their favourite products home delivered during lockdowns.

Manufacturers now taking the direct selling route

Brands and manufacturers see D2C as an easy channel to sell products on a global scale. The first step to taking the direct selling route is to become a digital first brand. Consumer behaviour has taken a paradigm shift in the recent past. Social distancing has forced people to purchase a range of goods through online channels. Digital mediums are heavily influencing the decision-making process of online shoppers. Manufacturers and brands thus began taking the direct selling route to meet the high demand. There has also been a shift in consumption demographics with more demand coming from women shoppers belonging to Tier II and III cities. Traditional retailers and manufacturers are thus jumping in to take a piece of the cake.

Indian start-ups have stepped up to do their bit in resolving the oxygen crisis that has come about with the second wave of Covid-19. We have witnessed how popular names in the start-up ecosystem spared no thought in rolling out employee wellness benefits, organising vaccination drives, and doing everything they can to procure oxygen concentrators from countries like China to fill the gaping hole in India’s healthcare system. While most start-ups are not undertaking full-fledged construction and are raising funds to purchase equipment and import parts, a number of innovative start-ups are attempting to create affordable alternative solutions. 

Start-ups who are building Oxygen Concentrators in India

Indeema Fibres

Indeema Fibres Pvt. Ltd., an IIT Kanpur start-up is all set to supply 5500 oxygen concentrators this 25 May. The start-up bagged the order post approval from the Department of Science of Technology along with the Prime Minister’s Office. Interestingly, Indeema Fibres has always been in the Oxygen Concentrators business and now have a critical responsibility at hand. They are tasked with producing Covid-specific concentrators that need 90% concentration. Indeema has received their very first order for 4500 oxygen concentrators from the ONGC CSR fund. 

Engineering & Environmental (E&E) solutions

The next start-up that has come up with an innovation to tackle the cost problem of a generic oxygen concentrator is Engineering & Environmental (E&E) solutions. The start-up has successfully built and tested a low-cost oxygen concentrator prototype at Aligarh. While an imported oxygen concentrator costs anywhere between INR 65000 – 90000, this low-cost alternative is priced at just INR 35000. Which is a massive difference and a big step towards making the much-needed medical equipment affordable for all in India caught in the second wave of the pandemic. 

The technology behind this prototype is called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) which requires Zeolite as a commercial adsorbent. However, Zeolite is currently not available at the scale at which they require which has halted the mass production of this product. 

The Phi Factory

The Phi Factory is a Hyderabad based start-up which has come up with a unique device called their ‘portable oxygenerator’ as part of the start-up’s ‘Vayuputra project’. Priced at INR 2500, these alternative oxygen concentrators can produce oxygen for 12 hours. The start-up is currently working to fulfil over 45000 requests from government departments, state governments, and individuals. 

Exalta

The next start-up working to provide a sustainable alternative to the oxygen problem in India is Exalta. A renewable energy start-up, they recently launched mini oxygen concentrators that are 100% Made in India and do not rely on import of parts. Priced between INR 20000 and 40000, Exalta’s mini oxygen concentrators are based on their innovation called ‘solar oxygen tree’. The devices are currently being manufactured in Noida and if scalable, can help tackle the oxygen crisis in the country.

As people worldwide battle COVID-19, India is struggling to contain the spread of the virus and keep its citizens safe. To deal with this chaotic outbreak, Indian authorities have only approved two vaccines: Covishield by Oxford-AstraZeneca, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Other foreign vaccines, such as the Russian Sputnik V, have only recently been approved by the Ministry of Health for use.

The tragedy and travesty caused by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic did not subside, and India is already facing the second phase of infection and destruction. The resurgence of COVID-19 cases has presented new challenges to the failing health and economic system. 

Start-ups are taking Covid-19 head on. Several start-ups have stepped up efforts to create a safety net on their employees during the killer second wave of the pandemic sweeping across India. The focus of these start-ups has been to provide help and assistance where it’s needed the most – their employee fraternity. From creating Covid-19 funds for employees, providing employee wellbeing benefits and financial support for Covid affected employees and their families, start-ups seem to be doing more for their employees than the Government is doing for its people.

Precise employee wellbeing benefits offered.

Start-ups are providing financial assistance to cover covid-related expenses. Funds are being raised to extend physical and mental health care as well as insurance cover. Salary advances are being handed out and arrangements are being made for vaccination drives for employees and their families. 

Home medical equipment like Oxygen Concentrators is being stocked for team members, their families, and communities. 

Several Covid-19 related employee benefits are being rolled out whereby corporates and start-ups are offering to bear the expenses of vaccinations and are organising vaccination camps on their premises. 

Start-ups are also expanding the umbrella of coverage for Covid-19 in their group insurance plans. Employees are getting extra time off to connect with mental health services.

Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897/Epidemic Act was invoked by various States/Union Territories (UT) following the Pandemic in March 2020. But, it was followed by Amendments – being the need of the hour.

Epidemic Act: What it constitutes?

The Act came into existence to tackle bubonic plague in Mumbai during British India in 1897. The law was enforced in the past to contain several diseases like Swine Flu, Malaria and Dengue and Cholera as the ordinary acts were not sufficient to take the appropriate action. And the law continues to provide special powers under its provisions to the central and state government to implement containment measures at the time of spread of the disease/epidemic.

Epidemic Act: What are the Legal Provisions?

The Epidemic Act is the shortest act in India and has four sections. The legal provisions include:

Power to States/UT

As per Section 2 of the Act, the government has special provisions/measures to propose regulations to contain the spread of the epidemic disease.

Power to Central Government

Section 2A empowers the government to take measures/pass any regulation for the inspection of any ship/vessel arriving/leaving India at the time of outbreak of any disease/epidemic and detain any person with the intention to sail therein.

Penalty

Section 3 of the Act states, any person who disobeys an order or whose actions may harm human life and raises safety concerns shall be punished with imprisonment and fine as per section 188 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Protection to People

Section 4 of the act states, “No Suit/legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done or intended to be done in good faith.”

2020 Amendment: Why was it important?

The act provisions helped to manage Covid-19 but, to an extent. More than 123 years old, the Epidemic Act demanded modifications for many reasons specially to protect the incidents of violence being witnessed against the health care workers across the nation while they performed their duties during the Pandemic.
In 2020, the Central Government announced, ‘The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance 2020’, to change the act/to add provisions to punish whosoever conducts an ‘act of violence’ (harm/injury/hurt/intimidation/danger) against the health care workers – Doctors/Nurses/Paramedics/Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) etc. or obstructs them to perform their duties within the clinical premises or otherwise serving during the pandemic or any loss/damage to the property (hospitals/mobile medical units) or documents in their possession. The act recognizes these activities as a cognizable and non-bailable offence. Hence, anyone found guilty shall be imprisoned up to a period of 7 years with heavy fine and the investigation matter for such cases shall be conducted in a time-bound manner.

Over the last couple of years, Chennai has quickly become a hub for start-ups and small businesses, making it a very attractive option for investors in what is essentially becoming a snowball effect for growth prospects and a significant number of funding deals.