Tecno is on a launching spree. A couple of months ago, they launched the first made-in-India and affordable foldable phone, the Tecno Phantom Fold. This time around, Tecno brings something for all the content creators, camera enthusiasts and the general public alike, the Tecno Camon 20 series. The series includes three phones, the Tecno Camon 20, Camon 20 Pro and the Camon 20 Premier. The entire series is distinguishable, with a unique puzzle design throughout the line-up with different rear designs based on the model of choice.
Camon 20
Starting at just 14,999 INR, the Camon series is powered by a respectable Helios G85 coupled with a 64MP primary sensor sporting Tecno’s latest AI innovation in their camera capture software called GRBW+ Pro. Offered in base specifications as compared to the entire line-up, the Camon 20 impresses with the camera alone. The Helios G85 and the 6GB RAM are sufficient for a budget device, with HiOS based on Android 13 running on the entire new series of phones. Tecno Camon 20 also features other software enhancements and AI algorithms, making this budget camera-centric phone perform wonders in all light conditions. The large AMOLED FHD+ with an in-display fingerprint scanner and up to 256GB ROM makes this an appealing budget package. Camon 20 shall be on sale from 20th May 2023.
Camon 20 Pro
Available in 128 and 256GB ROM, the Camon 20 series performs better with the Mediatek Dimensity 8050 processor coupled with 8GB RAM + 8GB expandable. An AMOLED 6.67-inch 120Hz panel with an in-display fingerprint sensor adds charm to the Camon 20 Pro. Also, it brings functionality like a headphone jack, a rear that looks identical to the more capable Camon 20 Premier and all the goodies of AI algorithms from the flagship phone in the series. The 128GB variant is priced at INR 19,999, whereas the 256GB variants can be had for INR 21,999. The Camon 20 Pro series will be available post 2nd week of June and looks like a promising lower-mid-range phone with impressive camera features.
Camon 20 Premier
The Tecno Camon 20 series’s flagship phone brings the best features in a rather affordable package. Like the Camon 20 Pro, this phone sports similar MediaTek Dimensity 8050, 8GB RAM + 8GB expandable, a similar large 120Hz AMOLED panel with colour accuracy and flat glossy edges. The USP of the Camon 20 Premier, which makes it interesting, is the sensor-shift stabilisation found in the iPhone Pro series. Not only does this phone sport a moving sensor for added stability and low-light capabilities, but it also features better cameras with a 50MP + 108MP (primary) + 108MP UW sensor that doubles as an excellent macro sensor. The OIS + sensor shift enables great video stability and low-light images. The launch of the premier is awaited in the last week of June, and if priced competitively, it just might be one of the best cameras on a smartphone at an affordable price.
The Camon 20 series gets 5000mAh Li-ion batteries with bundled 45W chargers. Speaking of the CAMON 20 series in India, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of TECNO Mobile India, mentioned, “TECNO has changed gears and has started making strong inroads in the premium segment by bringing best-in-class technology in our smartphones for our users at much accessible price points. Through our CAMON portfolio, we continually strive to push the boundaries and revolutionize the photography experience. With the CAMON 20 series, we present a solution for those seeking exceptional night photography capabilities, delivering sharper and more detailed pictures in any lighting situation. This new camera-centric range of smartphones brings together innovative imaging technologies delivering advanced portrait and video capabilities that let users record those emotional motion moments in sharper detail, while its striking aesthetic design and powerful performance complete an all-around exceptional user experience.”
We wish Tecno all the best with the Camon 20 series. We barely had time to click some pictures and videos from these phones, but our little experience showcased some promising results. We would like to see some competitive pricing on the Camon 20 Premier 5G as and when it launches by the end of June. The 6nm Dimensity 8050 and the additional expandable RAM over the DDR4x 8GB RAM, with good AMOLED panels, make an appealing case for the Camon 20 series. The hardware seems impressive, and the camera software AI algorithms are also fascinating. We hope the overall UI improves with time and updates flow as frequently as the Tecno phone launches.
If you are looking for an excellent tablet that serves as a healthy companion to your already large phones, there are only so many good options in India. Samsung makes excellent AMOLED tablets, but those are priced in similar categories as the iPads and the sheer iPad OS features, ecosystem locks, and restricted customisations are in a niche of their own. Xiaomi launched its Pad 5 almost two years ago, and this year it finally has competition from OnePlus. I bought the Pad 5 during its first sale and have been using it ever since. It has got several updates and is running the on the latest MIUI 14 OS based on Android 13. There is a significant price difference between the two, but how good is the new OnePlus Pad vs Xiaomi’s offering from two years ago? Let’s find out.
Design and built – Two different approaches
The Xiaomi Pad 5 features what you would consider an iPad Pro design form factor. It’s a polycarbonate matte-finish rear design with a camera island familiar to Xiaomi phones during the launch year. The rounded rectangle design is excellent to hold in hands from different angles and feels symmetrical. Overall it’s a tried and tested design with tactile buttons and relatively thicker bezels. Quad speakers with Dolby Atmos support stereo switching based on the tablet’s orientation. At 511 gms, the tablet does feel tiring to hold when gaming for long, but a stand can solve this issue for most tablets. At 11 inches in a 16:10 aspect ratio, the physical dimensions are smaller than the OnePlus Pad.
The OnePlus Pad has an exciting design with a 2K 11.61-inch display. Despite weighing more than the Xiaomi Pad 5, at 550 gms, the OnePlus Pad feels slimmer to hold thanks to the clever design. Both the tablets miss a headphone jack, which is a huge turn-off. So they had the space to fill in 4 speakers in both tablets but could not make room for a little headphone jack? OnePlus expects you to use this tablet in landscape mode for most of your usage. Hence, the cameras are also placed in landscape orientation at their rear and upfront.
Display – 500nits of goodness
Why does one take a tablet? It has to be their display. In 2021, Xiaomi offered the Pad 5 with 500 nits of brightness IPS 2.5K+ panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The content looks rich, and display settings allow ample customisations on both tablets. In isolation, these tablets provide excellent video viewing performance coupled with great audio quality from Dolby Vision and Atmos support on both these tablets. The OnePlus Pad hits the ball right out of the park with support for a 144Hz refresh rate and a similar 2k resolution with similar 500 nits of brightness. OnePlus also offers various customisation options on the display as per your liking, which are more or less similar to Xiaomi Pad 5.
The real difference arises when one watches HDR content. Playing the same content next to each other reveals that the Xiaomi Pad 5 does good black levels, but then again, it suffers insane black crush issues. A thing reminiscent of 2021 Xiaomi devices in India, my Xiaomi Mi 11x has this black crush issue when playing HDR content. The OnePlus Pad, on the other hand, does not produce the same HDR brightness levels or deep black contrasts, but overall is the better display among the two for overall content consumption. Games and HDR content have no issues in the darkest areas, while the extra screen estate brings an increased immersive experience. On standard videos, you cannot go wrong with either of the tablets with sharpness, colours and saturation.
Performance – More than satisfactory
Considering that the Xiaomi Pad 5 was launched in the year 2021, it bought a balanced performance with the Snapdragon 860. It’s a 7nm SoC and has been performing flawlessly since the time I own the Xiaomi Pad 5. I have been gaming on this tablet ever since, and with updates, the tablet has become more efficient, if not powerful. The 6GB RAM + 3GB expandable is enough in most scenarios, but MIUI could get aggressive at RAM management, especially with gaming apps in the background.
OnePlus Pad is powered by a 4nm Mediatek Dimensity 9000 processor with 12GB RAM + 4 GB expandable. This one performs flawlessly and at times, better than the Snapdragon 860 in the Xiaomi Pad 5. This is apparent, especially during gaming; you can carry much higher frames and graphics settings in comparison. For example, Call of Duty mobile allows 120fps on the OnePlus Pad compared to a max of 90fps on the Pad 5. RAM management is similar to Xiaomi Pad 5, though games tend to reload if put in the background for more time than necessary. Overall, the wireless connectivity with dual-band WiFi on both pads is impressive, with the OnePlus Pad scoring high on WiFi 6 support and Bluetooth 5.3 compared to Bluetooth 5 on the Pad 5. Every app opens and performs excellently on these tablets.
OS – Tables turn
Performance shall only be as good as the software it runs on. This applies to both the Xiaomi Pad 5 and the OnePlus Pad. OnePlus Pad runs on the Oxygen OS 13.1, and apart from flexible Windows settings, nothing resembles anything special for the tablet. OnePlus needs to improve on this and provide an OTA update specifically for the OnePlus Pad. This feels like Color/Oxygen OS displayed on a large screen. The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes the cake in the software department. The tablet is feature loaded with gestures, multitasking capabilities with up to 5 windows running together, a dock accessible in most apps irrespective of the orientation and much more. MIUI 14 on the Pad 5 eliminates all the bloatware usually associated with affordable Xiaomi devices and brings a neat usage experience tailored to the tablet form factor.
Camera – They exist
OnePlus thinks we use the tablet in landscape orientation and never turn it to portrait mode like we never consume digital magazines or read articles online in comfortable portrait modes. Nonetheless, the camera placement is questionable. If you’re right-handed, you will smudge the rear and front cameras on the OnePlus Pad by simply holding the tablet. The best part is that the front 8MP with motion tracking and the rear 13MP camera are decent enough for use. Do not expect any phone-level performance from either tablet, but here are some photos and videos for your reference.
Accessories – Promises
Apart from chargers, the additional accessories for OnePlus Pad include a magnetic keyboard with a mouse pad that supports gestures. This accessory is worth 8K INR, making it a perfect small productive machine on the go. The typing experience is excellent for a tablet accessory, and the mouse pad is generous enough for the form factor. There’s also a stylus for all the creatives out there, which costs 5K INR and is nothing as impressive as the Apple Pencil or the Samsung S-pen but does its job well and charges magnetically via the OnePlus Pad. Xiaomi, on the other hand, has disappointed big time with its accessories options, there is only the Pen that can be had for 6K INR and brings 240Hz touch sampling with pressure points, but there is still no keyboard case available. Bluetooth keyboard is the only option as of now for the Xiaomi Pad 5. I hope they bring promised accessories with the next iteration; that said, isn’t it high time?
Battery and charging
The Xiaomi Pad 5 has a generous 8720mAh battery which charges via the bundled 33W charger. The OnePlus Pad has a 9510mAh battery which charges at 67W via the bundled 100W charger. The OnePlus Pad charges faster and lasts longer thanks to its efficiency and the Mediatek Dimensity 9000 4nm processor. If the Xiaomi Pad 5 lasts about 2-3 days over gaming, video consumption and music listening, the OnePlus Pad can easily surpass that time by almost 12 more hours than the Pad 5.
Verdict
The OnePlus Pad is definitely the one to get among the two if you are in the market for a great Android tablet. The Xiaomi Pad 5 was launched almost two years ago and still serves as an excellent value proposition for people strictly on a budget. In a world where flagship phones cost twice as much as these tablets, the OnePlus Pad brings flagship performance in a significant form factor. It is worth the additional asking price compared to the Xiaomi Pad 5. I am a Xiaomi Pad 5 owner, and the OnePlus Pad impresses with the hardware but desperately needs good tablet-oriented software. An exemplary job OnePlus on your first tablet. Xiaomi, it’s time for the Pad 6!
Shivya Nath is a well-known travel blogger, author, and speaker who has inspired thousands worldwide to pursue a more mindful and sustainable approach to travel. Born and raised in India, Shivya quit her corporate job at 23 to travel the world and share her stories through her blog, The Shooting Star. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and is recognised as one of the leading voices in responsible tourism. Today, Shivya continues to travel the world, sharing her experiences and insights with her followers while advocating for a more responsible and sustainable approach to travel. Let’s see what’s her thought on sustainability.
Exhibit: What inspired you to become a climate activist, and how did you get involved in this cause?
Shivya Nath: We’re living through a climate emergency – which is not just an environmental issue but also intersects with gender, social justice, biodiversity and much more. As a travel writer and storyteller, I’ve been lucky enough to witness the incredible beauty of our planet but also how climate change is changing entire landscapes and cultures. It’s almost impossible to tell real travel stories without addressing how climate change is impacting the places we visit and advocating for climate action both within the industry and globally.
Ex. How do you think technology can help address climate change, and what role does it play in the fight against climate change?
Shivya: Technology has a major role to play, both in mitigation and adaptation. In order to stay under 1.5°C of warming, we need to scale renewable energy and carbon capture and storage technologies to complement reduced consumption and nature-based solutions. To adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, we need advanced technology to predict erratic weather changes and extreme weather events.
Ex. In your opinion, what lifestyle changes can individuals make to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future?
Shivya: We can play an important role in driving climate action by urging the organisations we work for to measure and reduce their Scope 1 & 2 emissions and work with their value chains to reduce Scope 3 emissions. By making climate change a political issue, we can also intimidate local, regional and national governments to consider it in their daily decision-making. In our personal lives, actions like reducing consumption, installing renewable energy, choosing low-carbon transport, opting for a plant-based diet, segregating, composting and recycling waste, and flying less can make for meaningful sustainability choices.
Ex. What are some of the most pressing environmental challenges that we face today, and how can we work together to address them?
Shivya: We’re simultaneously facing the interlinked crises of climate and biodiversity. The first step is to educate ourselves on what is happening, why, and what needs to be in the bigger picture. As we learn, we can use our voice, online or offline, to create awareness among our friends, families and social media followers.
Ex: How do you stay motivated and engaged in this cause, despite the many obstacles and setbacks that you may encounter?
Shivya: We don’t have a choice! To give up is to accept that we’ll hit 1.5, or worse, 2°C of warming, leading to a colossal loss of human and non-human lives.
Ex: Can you talk about a particular project or initiative that you have been involved in that has made a positive impact on the environment?
Shivya: I recently founded Climate Conscious Travel, an impact consultancy with destinations and businesses to integrate community-centric climate action into tourism offerings. This includes developing carbon-neutral trips, climate change communication through tourism, and sustainability research and storytelling. Through my blog and Instagram, I also continue my work as a travel storyteller creating awareness about sustainable tourism, climate change, zero-waste living, veganism and other interlinked areas.
Ex: How do you balance the need for immediate action on climate change with the need for long-term solutions and systemic change?
Shivya: The two are interlinked. A change in climate policies today, for instance, will pave the way for long-term solutions and systemic change. We’ve already seen this in the growth of electric vehicles and some renewable energy technologies.
Ex: What do you see as the biggest barriers to progress on climate change, and how can we overcome them?
Shivya: Public apathy is a significant barrier. Suppose we don’t collectively demand bolder climate ambition and action. In that case, there will never be enough political will and sweeping policy changes to do what needs to be done to seek a low-carbon development pathway and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Ex: Finally, how do you envision a more sustainable future, and what steps can we take today to make that vision a reality?
Shivya: A sustainable future will be one where we globally curb our emissions and use a mix of nature-based and technological solutions to remove what we’ve already emitted. Such a future will reward a minimalist lifestyle, with things like green electricity grids, sustainable aviation fuel, electric transport, conscious travel, upcycled fashion, and zero-waste alternatives becoming the norm rather than the exception!
We’re living in the digital era which means the human experience is now deeply connected with the digital world. Be it food or clothes, all things required are now just a few clicks away making our lives easier. On the other hand, there are a plethora of applications designed to help people from every walk of life be it kindergarten rhymes or senior citizen support. The digital landscape has undoubtedly changed how people lived their lives but a few grave concerns remain the same. One such concern is that of women’s safety.
If you’re an Indian reader then I do not need to reiterate the horrors women go through in our country. Robbery, domestic violence, assaults and rapes are over the news in India at a disturbing rate which begs us to ask the question of whether women are truly safe in the country. In our women’s special edition, we wanted to get our readers acquainted with these women’s safety applications in case of an unfortunate event. Check them out now
112 India
Perhaps the most important application when it comes to women’s safety in the country is the 112 India app. It is an all-in-one women’s safety app that can be used to issue SOS alerts with only one single tap in any situation. The application is available on both Android and iOS devices in 23 states and Union Territories across India. Users need to simply register themselves using their phone number and add the necessary information. In addition, users may also be asked to enter an emergency contact number to notify that person in case of an emergency. The app’s functionality is pretty straightforward too as it automatically sends the user’s details like name, age, emergency contact, and location to nearby volunteers and generates an automated call to 112 which is the state emergency control room.
My Safetipin: Complete Safety
In today’s age, women and men function on an equal footing. This means, more and more women are now stepping out of the house to work and provide for their families. However, the unfair threat of safety looms over women which has been effectively addressed by the My Safetipin application. This app’s goal is to make cities safer by generating safety scores for places around the country by collecting massive data. The application sports features like GPS tracking, emergency contact numbers, direction to safe locations around cities, pins and alerts for unsafe areas and also provides the safest route options for women.
Sheroes
Sadly, social media is also not an entirely safe place for women. Receiving threats and unsolicited pictures is a common occurrence women face around the world. This is where Sheroes comes into the picture, it is a leading social media platform exclusively for women. At Sheroes, women can share their passions through posts and videos in a safe digital environment. Sheroes is not just limited to being a social media platform for women but also a helpline where women can chat anonymously and share their feelings. Community legal support and Mahila Kanoon support are also available at Sheroes.
bSafe
bSafe is a comprehensive safety app for women that boasts a wide range of features. It’s equipped with the bSafe alarm which broadcasts the exact location and an audio-video from the location for ease with your emergency contact. It also features the ‘Follow Me’ feature which allows users to virtually track GPS until their loved ones have arrived at the location. An interesting feature in the application is the fake call feature which helps people escape an unwanted situation by pretending they’re on a call with someone.
Chilla
Chilla is a unique application that serves the singular purpose of triggering an alert message. Women can be stuck in situations where they are unable to press the emergency button on their phone during an attack, in such cases, they can shout loudly and activate the SOS alert on their device.
India has seen a surge in women-led businesses in recent years, with many entrepreneurs breaking barriers and making a mark in various industries. These businesses and women leaders are not only empowering women but also contributing to India’s economy and job creation. Thanks to startups being celebrated in the mainstream culture with shows like Shark Tand India, more and more women are testing the waters and entering the startup arena. These women-led businesses are not just successful but also break the sexist stereotypes that limit women’s reach in the world.
Nykaa
Nykaa is a Mumbai-based wellness brand founded by Falguni Nayar in 2012. It is an online beauty and wellness store that offers a range of products, including makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrances. Nykaa has raised over $100 million in funding and has more than 100 retail stores across the country. The startup has disrupted the beauty industry and has become a leading player in the market.
Zivame
Zivame is a Bangalore-based startup founded by Richa Kar in 2011. It is an online lingerie store that offers a wide range of products for women. Zivame has raised over $50 million in funding and has more than 30 retail stores across the country. The startup has disrupted the lingerie industry, which was traditionally dominated by male-led companies.
The Moms Co.
The Moms Co. is a Delhi-based startup founded by Malika Sadani in 2016. It is a natural and toxin-free skincare brand for moms and babies. The startup has raised over $5 million in funding and has a presence in over 10,000 stores across the country. The Moms Co. is a pioneer in the natural skincare industry and has made a mark with its innovative products.
Vahdam Teas
Vahdam Teas is a Delhi-based startup founded by Bala Sarda in 2015. It is an online tea store that offers a wide range of teas from different regions of India. Vahdam Teas has raised over $17 million in funding and has a presence in over 100 countries. The startup has disrupted the tea industry, which was traditionally dominated by established players.
SUGAR Cosmetics
SUGAR Cosmetics was founded by Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee in 2015. It is a makeup brand that offers a range of products, including lipsticks, eyeliners, and foundations. SUGAR Cosmetics has raised over $20 million in funding and has a presence in over 10 countries. The startup has disrupted the makeup industry and has become a leading player in the market.
FabAlley
FabAlley is a Delhi-based startup founded by Shivani Poddar and Tanvi Malik in 2012. It is an online fashion store that offers a range of products, including clothes, accessories, and footwear. FabAlley has raised over $8 million in funding and has a presence in over 200 cities across the country. The startup has disrupted the fashion industry and has become a popular choice among young women.
YourStory
YourStory is a Bangalore-based startup founded by Shradha Sharma in 2008. It is a media platform that covers startups and entrepreneurs in India. YourStory has raised over $18 million in funding and has a reach of over 10 million readers. The startup has played a significant role in promoting and supporting the startup ecosystem in India. These are just a few examples of the many women-led businesses in India that are making a mark in various industries. These startups are breaking barriers and inspiring more women to become entrepreneurs. We’re in 2023 and it is definitely high time for people to stop underestimating what women can achieve in various fields across the globe!
I enjoy taking on new challenges, actively setting objectives for myself, and establishing new benchmarks as a leader for my team and the brand. Additionally, I practice discipline in my personal and professional lives to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I am also constantly seeking newer ways to do bigger and better things as an individual and as a member of society.
Q2. What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?
In my opinion, dedication is the core value that aspiring leaders should instil in themselves. Dedication is the key to success, one must adhere to the rules that have been set for the growth of the business to achieve the company’s vision for the larger good of society.
Q3. One thing you believe is essential for sustained growth.
Consistency, rooted in business practices, can become a major growth driver and is the underlying secret ingredient to all your strategies and daily operations. It ensures success since entrepreneurs do what they enjoy. It will keep you motivated to work harder and push through everything necessary to achieve your daily goals.
Q4. One book that you love and the one you’ve bookmarked?
I love reading books, especially biographies and anthropology books. My current favourite book is Negotiating the non-negotiable, written by Daniel Shapiro. The book offers a useful framework for understanding identity through the five pillars (BRAVE) – beliefs, rituals, allegiances, values, and emotionally meaningful experiences – and how conflicts can arise when one of them is threatened.
Q5. Leadership quotes that inspire you
I truly believe in Dare to act and get inspired by your past mistakes, it’s a life hack; we must develop self-confidence in order to learn from our own mistakes. By overcoming our shortcomings, we become stronger as we know our strengths and weaknesses. It wouldn’t be as easy for us to understand ourselves without the mistakes we have made. More than quotes, it is people who inspire me. Thanks to my work, I keep coming across amazing personalities with something unique to offer and learn from.
Q6. What is your unique way of maintaining a work-life balance?
Make a plan and stick to it. In my opinion, maintaining a healthy balance in both areas is extremely important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My life as an entrepreneur is tremendously demanding, and this stays consistent the entire year. Since most of my time is spent in the office, I make sure to take time out for my family, especially post work and during the weekends. Being a morning person, I wake up at 5 AM and stay strictly offline and focus on my morning ritual with my family, which includes practising Yoga and exercise, followed by a healthy breakfast and spending some quality and precious time with my children. After finishing my morning ritual, the next thing I do is to make daily goals and keep my to-do list handy, which assists me in focusing on specific goals that I must achieve before the end of the day. Knowing when and what to do makes me more comfortable at work.
Q7. Significant learning in the past couple of years?
Both personally and professionally, I’ve learned how important it is to be agile in all situations and stay positive to be able to lead a balanced life. Another key learning is that focusing on one goal at each stage allows us to plan for the future more effectively.
Q8. Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?
I mainly use health monitoring and team collaboration apps to streamline my day. With just one swipe on my realme phone and smartwatch, I can easily navigate my daily health chart to any important meeting, even on the road. The applications I’m hooked to are: Whatsapp and Twitter are my top favourites. Twitter allows you to connect with your target audiences and express yourself freely. Whatsapp keeps me updated and stays connected with my family, friends, and work team.
Q9. What is your technology detox?
Technology detox for me is spending as much time as possible with my family and loved ones alongside my daily morning exercise routine.
Q10. If money was not a bar, what piece of tech and automobile would you own?
I think with hard work and perseverance, I have managed to achieve a decent lifestyle. Over the years, I have seen the power technology holds and how it can bring the best of citizen services to an entire population and provide the right tools to empower youth. I, along with my team at realme, are working towards making technology more accessible to the youth by making smartphones and the entire connected TechLife ecosystem, including hearables, smartwatches and smart appliances, available to them at relevant price points with a mission to help the youth Dare to Leap and achieve success in what they do.
I’m a Marwari, and there is a business in my blood. I believe in the equality of women and opportunities for all because I’m a Mumbaikar. Lastly, I’m an Indian, so I believe humanity and kindness are above money and power.
Q2. What is the one subject you think aspiring leaders should learn?
Sociology. You need to learn more about society and people to find opportunities for change and improvement.
Q3. One thing you believe is essential for sustained growth.
Good health and stable wealth.
Q4. One book that you love and the one you’ve bookmarked?
The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership by Steven Sample.
Q5. Leadership quotes that inspire you
“It is better to be feared than to be loved if one cannot be both.” – Niccolò Machiavelli
Q6. What is your unique way of maintaining a work-life balance?
Hang out with the people who expand your mind and your heart.
Q7. Significant learning in the past couple of years?
Being open-minded to reinventing yourself and being relevant to newer generations.
Q8. Some productivity apps and technologies you use in your daily life?
I want to try the Notion app for OKRs.
Q9. What is your technology detox?
Deleting social media apps from my phone from Monday to Friday.
Q10. If money was not a bar, what piece of tech and automobile would you own?
I believe in owning tech and automobile companies, not just the product.
With his soulful voice, catchy tunes, and engaging lyrics, Guru Randhawa has taken the Punjabi music industry by storm and has won the hearts of millions of fans not just in India but across the globe. Besides being a musician, he is a tech-savvy individual who has leveraged the power of technology to reach out to his fans and grow his fan base, along with experimenting with new-age music production techniques.
His ability to blend traditional Punjabi folk music with contemporary pop beats is a testament to his innovative spirit and willingness to embrace new technologies. In this exclusive interview, we delve deeper into Guru Randhawa’s journey as a musician and his thoughts on the intersection of music and technology. We explore the various aspects of his work that have made him a household name in the Indian music industry.
Exhibit: What was it like working with Kapil Sharma on your latest song?
Guru Randhawa: It is always great working with artists whom you admire. Kapil Paaji has been a dear friend since I’ve known him. I love his work, and it was great to collaborate with him on his debut song. While I was shooting for Kapil Sharma’s show, we discussed the idea of making a song together, and I’m glad to see it come to life. The response has been really great as well.
Ex: How do you think the driving experience has changed over the years as technology and electric vehicles have become more prevalent?
Guru: I think advances in fields of technology are happening at a rapid rate, and the future of cars is electric. In fact, we see a lot of that in developed countries, and it’s making its way to IndiGuru: Driving cars has indeed become a seamless experience with assistance like ADAS and many more.
Ex: Out of all your songs, which one holds the most emotional value for you?
Guru: My recent song, “Alone”, is very emotional, and I’m currently enjoying that.
Ex: Are there any songs or albums you think are particularly suited for driving, and why?
Guru: I like listening to soundtracks of Hans Zimmer, I enjoy Weekend’s music on drives, some Punjabi legends, and trying out new artists as well.
Ex: You’ve been in the music industry for over a decade now. How has the journey been? And what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out?
Guru: Yes. I’m grateful for everything. God has been kind, and it’s all a blessing! I’m thankful to my fans for their undivided support. Honestly, I’ve grown so much as an individual and artist. Overall, it’s been an enriching experience for me and very special too. As I said, I started my career as an independent artist and always kept at it. I believe one should never give up, keep putting in that effort, and love what you do, even if it is challenging. Consistency transcends into success.
Ex: How does the experience of driving a car compare to performing on stage or recording music?
Guru: Yes, both activities involve adventure and thrill. Sometimes both are really relaxing as well. Each day is a new experience that I look forward to.
Ex: You’ve collaborated with many different artists over the years, from Pitbull to Jay Sean. Who would you like to work with next, and why?
Guru: I would love to collaborate with Bruno Mars because I absolutely love his music.
Ex: Your music often blends traditional Punjabi sounds with modern beats and rhythms. How do you balance these two influences in your work?
Guru: I think it comes to me naturally, maybe because I was born in a village in Punjab and later moved to Delhi for higher studies. So I think both places have had their influences on my music and style.
Ex: Your song “Lahore” became a massive hit, with over 1 billion views on YouTube. Did you expect it to become so popular, and what do you think made it resonate with so many people?
Guru: Well, I think it is the simplicity of the song that makes it easier for people to connect.
Ex: You’re known for your energetic live performances. How do you prepare for a show, both mentally and physically?
Guru: Yes, of course, we work hard on our live shows regarding a set list, rehearsals and production. Not just for live shows, but otherwise, on a regular basis, I take care of my health.
Ex: Do you think there is a connection between music and driving, and if so, how would you describe it?
Guru: Yes. Music has a connection with everything. It’s the rhythm of life. It enhances the state of mind and is the best company while driving. I like listening to my songs first in the car, which gives me the right feel about them.
What is a unicorn startup? The term unicorn refers to privately held companies valued at over $1 billion. India’s startup ecosystem is home to a number of well-known and emerging unicorn startups, out of which Flipkart is the most notable and most successful unicorn startup. The success of Flipkart has been driven by the rapid adoption of online shopping in India and the company’s ability to adapt quickly to the changing market.
Besides Flipkart, there are about 108* unicorn startups in India, but here, we’re only focusing on the 17 unicorns, which are a mix of already emerged and a few emerging ones, as we’re focusing more on the behind-the-scenes stories. Over the last 10-15 years, India’s unicorn startups have not only made a significant impact in their respective sectors but also have become a symbol of the country’s rapidly growing technology and startup ecosystem.
Byju’s
Industry – EdTech
Founded in – 2011
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2018
Tagline – Fall in love with learning
Valuation – $22 billion
Founders – Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath
Parent Organization – Think and Learn Private Ltd
The Story –
Byju Raveendran, a B.Tech graduate from a small town in Kerala, was working in a multinational shipping firm as a service engineer. In 2023, he started helping his friends prepare for the CAT entrance exam, as he had a burning desire to make a difference in the field of learning and teaching. While preparing, out of curiosity, he decided to appear in the exam and scored 100%.
Later, he started conducting free mathematical workshops but realised there had to be a better way to teach and learn. Determined to make a change, Byju and his co-founder wife, Divya Gokulnath, started working on a new learning platform, where he offered interactive video lessons on a wide range of subjects, from mathematics and science to history and geography.
The platform they created was designed to make learning more fun and engaging and to help students easily understand complex concepts. Today we call that platform, Byju’s, and it has over 150 million registered students and is valued at $22 billion. With its strong focus on technology, innovation, and scalability, Byju’s is well-positioned for continued growth in the future.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“Education is the single most powerful tool that can shape the way our youth thinks” – Byju Raveendran
When you’re determined to make your dreams come true, you work tirelessly to build them, and Kunal Shah is one such hard-working individual. He began his career as a software engineer before venturing into the world of entrepreneurship with PaisaBack and FreeCharge. After the acquisition of FreeCharge, he founded CRED in 2018, as he wanted to offer more privileges and benefits to people having good credit scores.
The company was started with a mission to make credit card payments simple and transparent for consumers as the industry was plagued by hidden charges and confusing terms and conditions. CRED was always focused on building a strong brand, and one of the key factors that contributed to the company’s success was its focus on customer experience, which helped the company earn over 7 million users.
What’s next?
To enable a good life for creditworthy individuals.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
‘If you look at history, nobody has been rewarded for paying back on time. We want to fix that.’ – Kunal Shah
Dream11
Industry – Fantasy Sports Platform
Founded in – 2008
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2019
Tagline – Jab Dream bada ho, toh koi akela nahi hota. Dream Big, Dream11!
Valuation – $8 billion
Founders – Bhavit Sheth & Harsh Jain
Parent Organization – Sporta Technologies
The Story –
Every sports fan likes to spend a lot of time discussing their favourite teams and players, but not everyone ends up founding an app for fans to participate in fantasy sports. Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth are two such sport-packed souls who saw an opportunity to create a platform that would allow sports fans to create their own teams and compete against each other for prizes.
Without hesitation, Harsh and Bhavit quit their jobs and started their own company in 2008, Dream11. The company has always ensured that it complies with all laws and regulations related to fantasy sports in the countries it operates, which has helped to build trust with users and regulators. Along with cricket today, the platform allows users to play fantasy hockey, football, kabaddi, basketball, volleyball, etc.
To stay on the success path, Dream11 made strategic partnerships with major sports leagues and teams, such as the Indian Premier League and the Pro Kabaddi League. Currently, the company has a presence in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, while the founders have inspired countless individuals to pursue their own dreams of entrepreneurship.
Swiggy
Industry – Online Food Ordering and Delivery Platform
Founded in – 2014
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2018
Tagline – Swiggy karo, phir jo chahe karo!
Valuation – $10.7 billion
Founders – Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy and Rahul Jaimini
Parent Organization – Bundl Technologies
The Story –
By the time you’ve reached here, you might have ordered something on Swiggy, which speaks volumes about its popularity. The start-up was founded in 2014 by Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy, and Rahul Jaimini, who saw a gap in the market for an efficient and reliable food delivery service in India. On one hot summer day, Sriharsha and Nandan realised the need for better online food delivery options in India as the existing options were slow, unreliable, and the food often arrived cold.
They developed a food delivery app and named it ‘Bundl’ in 2013 but decided to shut it down within a year as they wanted to brainstorm more on the delivery process. While brainstorming, they met Rahul Jaimin and decided to start the Start-up with the name Swiggy. The user-friendly app gained a lot of engagement in a short period, made good returns and significantly changed the food delivery industry. Today, besides India, Swiggy is also operational in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
What’s next?
To elevate the quality of life of urban consumers by providing unparalleled convenience.
Some start-ups take a couple of years to achieve what they’re looking for, while some take decades to achieve the same. Fractal Analytics is an AI company that provides consumer packaged goods, insurance, healthcare, life sciences, retail, and technology services. It was founded in 2000 by five graduates from IIM Ahmedabad in Mumbai when the word start-up was less mainstream than it is today. Due to internal conflict, it took Fractal over 20 years to earn a unicorn tag.
In 2005, the company decided to move the business to the US, as the country was home to a massive number of clients. However, in a couple of years, two of the co-founders took an exit from the company. Things took a turn when along with two co-founders, the company lost one of its key clients. The circumstances attempted to stop Fractal from getting a tag of a unicorn for over a decade, but the company continued to evolve over the years and improved its platform until it became a unicorn in 2022.
Tata 1mg
Industry – E-pharmacy Platform
Founded in – 2015
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2022
Tagline – Bringing care to health
Valuation – $1.25 billion
Founders – Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal and Vikas Chauhan
Parent Organization – Tata Digital Limited
The Story –
Where there’s a will, there’s a TATA, but the backstory of Tata 1mg is something you should know and take notes on. The startup was initially launched as Healthkartplus in 2013, the time when people, especially Indians, started trying their hands at online shopping, be it for books, gadgets, etc. The journey of 1mg began as a consumer awareness platform, helping them learn about their medicines while also comparing prices of the various alternatives for the brand that they were prescribed.
Initially, there were just three employees (only the founders), Prashant Tandon, Gaurav Agarwal, and Vikas Chauhan, but today 1mg has over 200 members across multiple locations throughout India. Back then, there were very few trustworthy online pharmacies in India, which helped 1mg become the most trusted name in the industry in a short time. In June 2021, Tata Digital acquired a majority stake in 1mg, and the company got a new name – Tata 1 mg.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“We must learn to survive, and then we will thrive – Prashant Tandon”
LivSpace
Industry – Home Renovation & Interior Designing
Founded in – 2014
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2022
Tagline – Hassle-free dream home interiors for any budget
Valuation – $1.2 billion
Founders – Anuj Srivastava & Ramakant Sharma
The Story –
You might have seen the TVC of Livspace starring Virat Kohli (in a TURBAN) and Anushka Sharma. The story of Livspace began when the founders set out to design their dream homes and discovered the industry needed to be more integrated. The omnichannel home interior and renovation company was founded by a Google veteran, Anuj Srivastava & his IIT-Kanpur classmate Ramakant Sharma in 2014. Shagufta Anurag, the founder of Space Matrix, was also the company’s co-founder.
The start-up saves you from all the hustle and bustle you have to deal with, from carpenters to plumbers and confusing rates to unreliable schedules. The designers at Livspace create a mock-up for the customer using Livspace’s proprietary software, and once accepted by the client, they hire third-party contractors to get the job done. Livspace earned the title of a unicorn when it successfully raised $180 million in a round led by KKR, taking the value of the firm to over 1$ billion.
OYO Rooms
Industry – Hospitality
Founded in – 2013
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2018
Tagline – #AurKyaChahiye
Valuation – $9 billion
Founders – Ritesh Agarwal
Parent Organization – Oravel Stays Limited
The Story –
How often have you stayed at the hotel while on vacation or outing? The chances are at least 10-15 times in your lifetime. Well, the founder of OYO rooms, Ritesh Agarwal, used to travel a lot from the age of 17 and every time he stayed at the hotels, he experienced the scarcity of quality hotels, especially in the budget segment. To help people from having such a horrible experience, he launched Oravel Stays, an online portal for vacation rentals.
The platform collapsed in a short time, but two fortunate things happened. First, the relationships Ritesh had formed with hotel owners helped him a lot and secondly, he got an opportunity of the Thiel Fellowship, a two-year program from PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. During his stay fellowship in California, he relaunched Oravel Stays as OYO Hotels & Homes to create India’s largest chain of affordable, standardised hotels.
As soon as he arrived in India, he started reaching out to the hotel owners he had worked with earlier during his days at Oravel Stays. With all the hard work, he managed to acquire rooms in hotels across the country and transformed them into OYO, which boosted the hotel’s occupancy rates from 19% to 90% in the first month only. Today, Oyo rooms are widely distributed all over India, in more than 800 cities, with more than 23,000 hotels and 850,000 rooms.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“Start small, nail it and then make it big – Ritesh Agarwal”
Meesho
Industry – Retail and E-commerce
Founded in – 2015
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2021
Tagline – Not just a homemaker, a Meesho Entrepreneur
Valuation – $4.9 billion
Founders – Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal
Parent Organization – Meesho Inc
The Story –
Another startup co-founded by IITians. Now a unicorn, Meesho started as a reseller platform allowing users to resell products via their social channels such as WhatsApp, Instagram etc. The founders, Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal started the company with the goal of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs in India. In the early days, the team focused on building a solid product and acquiring users through word-of-mouth and referral marketing.
Within a few months, they realised that their target market was primarily women in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities looking for flexible and low-cost ways to earn income and decided to tailor their product and marketing strategies to serve this demographic better. In 2017, the startup raised $3.4 million in a seed funding round, which allowed them to expand and invest in team, technology and infrastructure. Today, Meesho has over 15 million registered sellers and reaches over 200 million customers.
What’s next?
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“For growth, focus on your customers. Nothing else matters. – Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal”
upGrad
Industry – EdTech
Founded in – 2015
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2021
Tagline – A journey as dynamic as us
Valuation – $2.25 billion
Founders – Ronnie Screwvala, Mayank Kumar, Phalgun Kompalli, and Ravijot Chugh
Parent Organization – UpGrad Education Pvt. Ltd
The Story –
We’ve various e-learning options for students, but what about professionals looking to upgrade their careers? Yes, the same thought was the base of upGrad, an EdTech startup founded in 2015 by Ronnie Screwvala, Phalgun Kompalli, Mayank Kumar, and Ravijot Chugh. The journey of upGrad began with the goal of providing quality education to working professionals and students in India looking to upskill and advance their careers.
Like the rest of the startups, upGrad faced several challenges, including a need for more awareness and understanding of online education in India but managed to conquer all the crises that came in way. The company started with just a single program, in digital marketing and within a short while but quickly expanded its offerings to include programs in data science, software engineering, and business management.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“Failure never stopped anybody who didn’t want to be stopped – Ronnie Screwvala”
Zomato
Industry – Online Food Ordering and Delivery Platform
Founded in – 2008
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2015
Tagline – Every meal matters
Valuation – $5.4 Billion
Founders – Deepinder Goyal, Gaurav Gupta, and Pankaj Chaddah
The Story –
Back in the 2000s, writing a food review was rare, as people only used to follow word of mouth instead of looking for the review on the internet. The founders of Zomato were working at Bain & Co in New Delhi when they came up with the idea of Foodiebay, now known as Zomato. At first, it started as a food blog, providing information about restaurants in the Delhi region and by providing restaurant information, including menus, prices, and user reviews, through its website and mobile app.
In only nine months, FoodieBay became Delhi’s most preferred restaurant directory, and the founders decided to start the services in Mumbai and Kolkata. In 2010, the name Foodiebay was officially changed to ‘Zomato’, and since then, the company has grown to become one of the most popular food delivery apps in India and across the globe. The company also faced major hurdles during their decade-long journey and always bounced back with a better solution to thrive the crises.
Info Edge (India) played a huge role in the formation of Zomato as they were the first to invest about US$ 1 million when the startup did not have enough funds to start the app. By 2013, Zomato expanded its business in foreign countries such as Sri Lanka, UAE, Qatar, South Africa, the UK, the Philippines, New Zealand, Turkey, and Brazil. Since 2014, Zomato has acquired Poland’s Gastronauci, Italy’s Cibando, and US-based online table reservation platform NexTable.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“When you are still building an organization, don’t be defensive about your culture – Deepinder Goyal”
Ola Electric
Industry – Automotive
Founded in – 2017
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2019
Tagline – Ready or not, a revolution is coming
Valuation – $5+ Billion
Founders – Bhavish Aggarwal
Parent Organization – Ola Cabs
The Story –
EVs are the key to a sustainable future, and Ola Electric wanted to take the lead. The company was founded by the electric vehicle arm of Indian ride-hailing giant Ola with an aim to make electric mobility accessible and affordable for all by deploying a fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) and building a network of charging infrastructure across the country.
The journey of Ola Electric began with the launch of a pilot project in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in 2017. Ola Electric, which started making two-wheelers in 2021, will introduce the sportiest car ever manufactured in India with an electric vehicle that has a range of more than 500 km and even accelerates from 0-100 in less than 4 seconds.
Ola Electric also entered into a partnership with leading automakers such as Mahindra and Tata Motors to develop and manufacture electric vehicles in India. Today, Ola Electric has a fleet of thousands of electric vehicles on the road and more than 100 charging stations in multiple cities across India and is valued at over $5 billion.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“Don’t take shortcuts while building your company, keep trying for the best – Bhavish Aggarwal”
Bangalore has been a fortress of EdTech platforms, and in the case of Vedantu, it all began with private lessons to a handful of students in their local community. The online tutoring platform was initially founded in 2011 but launched for the public in October 2014. The EdTech platform was founded by four friends from the IITs who were passionate about education and wanted to make a difference in the lives of students – Vamsi Krishna, Pulkit Jain, Saurabh Saxena, and Anand Prakash.
Vedantu provides services to students from grades 4th to 12th for the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) & Central Board of Secondary Education. The EdTec platform uses an innovative Whiteboard Audio Video Education (WAVE) program for their 1-1 student-teacher live sessions. The EdTech company provides education to students with both free and paid classes options and aims to provide test preparation courses for the JEE, NTSE, and PSA exams in the future.
PharmEasy
Industry – Pharmaceutical
Founded in – 2015
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2021
Tagline – Take it easy, PharmEasy
Valuation – $5.6 Billion
Founders: Dharmil Sheth and Dr Dhaval Shah
Parent Organization – API Holdings Private Limited
The Story –
Back in 2014, when people were experiencing door-to-door delivery services from the brands like Zomato, Flipkart, Swiggy, and Amazon, the founders of PharmEasy thought, why not deliver health care items right at the door in the same way? The pharmaceutical industry in our country is one of the poorly organised industries, but no one was complaining about it until you’re travelling hundreds of kilometres to buy one tablet.
Dharmil Sheth and Dr Dhawal Shah co-founded PharmEasy in 2014 with the goal of making healthcare a lot more accessible in India. The duo created a healthcare delivery platform to simplify and modernise the healthcare setup in India. Thanks to the digitisation of the pharmaceutical industry, we can now order our medicines online from the comfort of our homes, without any hustle and with the most budget-friendly rates.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“Your belief in yourself will drive everything around you. – Dharmil Sheth”
Razorpay
Industry – FinTech
Founded in – 2014
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2020
Tagline – #Powering Disruptors
Valuation – $7.5 Billion
Founders: Dharmil Sheth and Dr Dhaval Shah
The Story –
Seeing an Indian company leading the pack is rare, but Razorpay has achieved it in the payment sector. It started as a project to solve the problem of online payments and has since grown into one of the prominent members of the coveted unicorn club. Before co-founding Razorpay, Harshil Mathur and Shashank Kumar decided to work on a crowdfunding platform, but soon, the duo realised that online payment was a problem for small & medium-sized (SME) businesses, particularly e-commerce platforms.
The founders of Razorpay, Shashank and Harshil, studied Mechanical Engineering at NIT Allahabad and IIT Bombay, respectively. They first met on a train journey, and while conversing, they both got stuck on one question – how to accept payments online. They offered lower fees than their counterparts as they wanted to revolutionise payment options and access to several online payment methods for business entities, including credit & debit cards, net banking, and UPI.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“Throwing things around in the calendar does not help… maintain a to-do list – Harshil Mathur”
Groww
Industry – FinTech
Founded in – 2017
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2021
Tagline – There’s just one right way
Valuation – $5 Billion
Founders: Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh, and Ishan Bansal
Parent Organization – Nextbillion Technology
The Story –
Spending time with the right people can take you to the right places. Earlier, when it came to investing, people had to do a lot of paperwork and bank visits and stand in long queues, but now we have various options. Today, with startups like Groww, to begin investing and managing your wealth, you need a few things – a bank account, some disposable income, and a smartphone. Groww is one of several startups that have aroused the curiosity of investors.
The startup was founded in 2016 by four former Flipkart workers, Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh, and Ishan Bansal. The platform was started to make investing more accessible to young people by simplifying the process, and it uses technology to reach the right audience, reducing its operational expense. Groww offers various services to consumers by providing investment offerings in mutual funds, stocks, IPO, and digital gold.
A quote from the founder that can change your perspective
“Always try to understand the business first and then the price of the stock – Ishan Bansal”
Urban Company
Industry – Household Services
Founded in – 2014
Entered the Unicorn Club in – 2021
Valuation – $2.1 Billion
Founders: Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Raghav Chandra and Varun Khaitan
Parent Organization – UrbanClap Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.
The Story –
Who empowered professionals from the industries like massage, cleaning and salon? A startup founded by three great minds, Abhiraj Singh Bhal, Raghav Chandra and Varun Khaitan, named Urban Company. Before founding Urban Company, Abhiraj and Varun launched Cinemabox, a service that allowed travellers to stream movies on their phones on planes, trains or buses, which lasted for only 6 months.
Later on, they met Raghav and during one of their intense conversations, they understood the country was lying behind the in-home services market, like finding the right plumber, electrician, or beautician. Right then, they decided to work on the idea and founded Urban Company, formerly UrbanClap, in 2014. Today, it has more than 40,000 service partners across 50+ cities in India, the UAE, Singapore, Australia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
What’s next?
The company plans to expand and train and upskill 5 lakh service partners, of which 2 lakh will be women partners, by 2030.
India is a country known for its diverse and delicious cuisine. The cuisine dates back over 5000 years, and over the centuries, it has been influenced by many foreign arrivals, such as Persians, Mongols, British, Portuguese, and Chinese, among others.
In India, people take long routes only to munch on their favourite dishes. Be it the spicy street food of the north to the coastal seafood of the south, no matter what type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something to delight your taste buds.
Today, we have many modernised restaurants and cafes throughout the country where you can find various celebrated dishes, but one can not get a touché of heritage at these newbies. To get that feeling of nostalgia and heritage, you must have to get into these eateries in India.
Britannia and co.
Being a Mumbaikar, starting off the heritage list of eateries without Britannia and co. would be a sinful move for me. The city is home to various iconic Irani cafes, and currently, these are the only places in Mumbai where you can have a dose of heritage.
The restaurant was established in 1923 by Boman Kohinoor, and the place where it is located will surely remind you of the old times. When in the city, don’t miss out on having a cup of Irani chai with Bun Maska at the Britannia and co.
Cost for Two: ₹2,000
Address: 16, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai
Recommended Dishes: Berry Pulao, Dhansak, Patra ni Machi, Salli Boti, and Caramel Custard
Tunday Kababi
Every time I had meat with Lucknowis, all they had to say was, “Kabhi Lucknow Aao”, as the city is best known for its kebabs and nawabs. I haven’t got lucky to have a taste of meat in Lucknow, but I can recommend you a great place to have a feast of kebabs.
Established in 1905, Tunday Kababi is an affordable place to have a variety of kebabs that have no match. The founder of the place, Haji Murad Ali fell from the terrace when he was young and lost his left arm; that’s how the eatery got its name, Tunday Kababi.
Cost for Two: ₹400
Address: 168/6, Old Nazirabad Rd, Mohan Market, Lucknow
Recommended Dishes: Mutton Tunday Kebab, and Mutton Biryani
Moti Mahal
Do you like butter chicken or dal makhani? Please move ahead if you don’t! The delicious dishes were invented in the 1950s by Kundan Lal Jaggi, Thakur Dass, and Kundan Lal Gujral, the founders of the world-famous Moti Mahal restaurants.
One day, while experimenting, they added tomato sauce to their chicken curry, and the dish they made that day came into existence as butter chicken. The heritage restaurant has been serving people since 1947 and is one of the favourite places to eat amongst Delhites.
Cost for Two: ₹1200
Address: 3704, Netaji Subhash Marg, Old Dariya Ganj, Daryaganj, New Delhi
Recommended Dishes: Butter Chicken, Dal Makhani, Tandoori Chicken, and Keema Naan
Central Tiffin Room / Shri Sagar Restaurant
The first filtered coffee I ever had was from the Ram Ashraya, a simple restaurant located in the serene locality of Matunga, Mumbai. Since then, I’ve drunk down a lot of filtered coffee and was looking for the best version of it, which I had in CTR Shri Sagar, Bangalore.
Y. V. Subramanyam established the iconic restaurant in the 1920s, where they serve authentic South Indian delicacies. The place is heaven for dosa lovers, and one should not leave the city without having a scrumptious breakfast at the CTR Shri Sagar.
Recommended Dishes: Benne Masala Dosa, Kesari Chow Chow Bhath, and Crispy Vadas
Shaikh Brothers Bakery
The capital of Assam, Guwahati, is not only home to the famous Kamakhya Temple, but the city also nests one of the oldest bakeries in India, Shaikh Brothers Bakery. The place was a favourite amongst British officials as well as Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
The place was established in 1885 by Shaikh Ghulam Ibrahim when he realised the potential of setting up a bakery in Assam when he was on a work tour in Assam. Even after 135+ years, the bakery hasn’t lost its pre-independence charm.
Cost for Two: ₹300
Address: 195, Hem Baruah Rd, Pan Bazaar, Guwahati
Recommended Dishes: Dry Cake, Hot Dog, and Chicken Pastry
Indian Coffee House
Situated on the busy college street of Kolkata, the Indian Coffee House is a place that brings nostalgia and heritage out of you. The place is not popular for its delicious food but known for being a part of our heritage.
The coffee house was established in 1876 and has been a favourite place to hang out and a renowned meeting place (adda) for intellectuals and students, such as Satyajit Ray, Amartya Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, and Aparna Sen.
Cost for Two: ₹300
Address: 15, Bankim Chatterjee St, College Street, Kolkata
Recommended Dishes: Chicken Kabiraji, Hot Coffee, and Mutton Afghani Cutlet
Kesar Da Dhaba
The heritage list of eateries wouldn’t be complete without including a dhaba from the Indian state of Punjab, a place known for its foodies and roadside dhabas. Kesar Da Dhaba is a place where you can have authentic Punjabi food soaked in ghee.
The dhaba was established in 1916, and since then, it has been serving a great variety of Punjabi dishes to us. The dhaba will not provide you with a luxury ambience, but the food you’re going to get here will make a place of its own in your heart.
Cost for Two: ₹500
Address: Chowk Passian, Shastri Market, Near Town Hall, Amritsar
Recommended Dishes: Lacha Paratha, Malai Kofta, Punjabi Chhole, Dal Makhani, and Lassi
