Former CVC Member Suresh N Patel to Head Banking Sector Reform Committee

Starting a business does not always require significant capital or a large team; sometimes it is enough to understand market needs and act in time. Vikas D. Nahar founded the healthy snack brand Happilo in 2016, starting with just 10,000 rupees and two employees. According to Traction data from January 2026, after almost a decade, the company's valuation reached approximately 700 million rupees.

However, this was not his first entrepreneurial experience. Before that, Nahar spent several years studying issues related to food production, international trade, and consumer brand creation.

Vikas D. Nahar grew up in a family involved in growing coffee and black pepper in Sakleshpur, Karnataka. He then received education in computer applications at the University of Bangalore, followed by an MBA in Marketing at Symbiosis Centre for Management and Human Resources Development (SCMHRD) in Pune. After graduating, he worked in the trading sector and gained experience in international spice trade with Jain Group. During this work, he had the opportunity to study packaged products and goods sold in stores across various countries in detail.

Before launching Happilo, Vikas had already tried himself in business. In 2011, he launched a retail project called Satvik Specialties Foods, which sold chocolate and sugar-free products. His older brother was also involved in this venture. Nevertheless, in 2015, Vikas decided to exit this enterprise. Having gained the necessary experience, he focused on the growing market of branded dried fruits and healthy snacks, as such products were much scarcer then than they are now, and customers often relied on traditional shops or foreign brands.

Vikas launched Happilo in September 2016. Initially, this business operated as a sole proprietorship, and the company was officially registered in 2018. Despite the modest initial capital, additional investment was later required to expand the business. According to available information, Vikas received an interest-free loan of 75 lakh rupees through a government credit guarantee program. These funds helped increase processing capacity, automation, packaging, and the business's supplier network.

Happilo gained an advantage through listing on BigBasket early on. After this, the brand was able to reach customers in six major cities. Gradually, the company increased its presence not only on online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart but also in physical retail stores.

Vikas D. Nahar also participated in the Shark Tank India show in the 2023 season as a guest investor, where he evaluated the business ideas of other entrepreneurs. In a video published as part of the show, Vikas D. Nahar stated that about 20 investors declined to invest before the launch of Happilo. Nevertheless, he started and developed his business.

According to Traction data from January 2026, Happilo's valuation was around 700 million rupees. Previously, in January 2022, its valuation was estimated at approximately 1.6 billion rupees. However, in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the company's revenue decreased by 15 percent, amounting to 282.57 million rupees. During this period, the company also incurred losses of 9.55 million rupees. The story of Happilo demonstrates that while a business can be built starting with small investments, there remains constant complexity in further development and profitability.

Users can now send parcels via train without visiting post offices at stations. Indian Railways plans to launch a door-to-door parcel delivery service in eight major cities.

This new service is called 'Ghar Se Ghar Tak'. It allows customers to place orders for receiving and sending parcels directly from their homes. The pilot launch of this service was successful, and the railway now intends to implement it as a regular service in eight cities across the country.

This initiative is expected to benefit ordinary citizens, as well as small entrepreneurs and online sellers.

Initially, the service will be available in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Pune. Customers can book the sending and receiving of parcels from home through the Rail Parcel App or the railway's website. South Central Railway shared information about this service on social media on May 6, 2026. According to the railway, this measure aims not only at parcel delivery but also at supporting business and strengthening connections between people.

The railway collaborates with logistics companies within this service. The railway is responsible for transporting parcels from one city to another, while logistics partners handle picking up the parcel from the customer's home and delivering it to the specified address. Customers can order a parcel up to 15 days before the train departure, and they also have the option to book one day before the scheduled train departure. Logistics partners must hand over the parcels to railway staff no later than one hour before the train departs.

Through the Rail Parcel App, customers can not only book a parcel but also make online payments and track its location. Each booking will be accompanied by a 10-digit Progressive Reference Number (PRR). This number will allow customers to find out the status of their parcel. Additionally, the app will provide digital GST invoices and real-time tracking updates. Payment options include UPI, credit cards, debit cards, and internet banking. Verification using a One-Time Password (OTP) will be required to ensure parcel delivery.

The railway has established cancellation and refund rules for this service. If a customer cancels a freight booking before the parcel is picked up, they will receive a full refund for the freight charge minus an administrative fee of ₹10. However, refunds for home pickup and delivery services will be processed according to the policy of the respective logistics partner, not the railway's rules.

This new railway initiative could significantly benefit those who regularly send parcels between cities. Small entrepreneurs, online sellers, and private customers will be able to send parcels without leaving home. They will no longer have to visit railway stations to drop off or pick up parcels. The railway's goal is to make its parcel sending services more convenient and accessible. Nevertheless, for now, the service will only be available in eight cities, and the exact start date has not yet been announced.

In 2026, young Indians aged 20 to 25 are changing the traditional concept of retirement. For previous generations, such as Gen X and baby boomers, retirement meant working until age 60 in government or private service, receiving funds from the Provident Fund (PF), and living off that pension. However, the current youth plans to leave work between the ages of 35 and 40, rather than worrying about retirement at 30.

This approach is known as the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early), which involves achieving financial independence and retiring early. Young people aged 22–25 are preparing to become debt-free and financially independent through regular investments via SIPs, stocks, and increased income.

FIRE primarily means financial freedom and the ability to retire early. It does not mean that after 35 years old, a person stops working and becomes lazy. The goal is to accumulate enough capital so that one does not have to be forced to work a 9-to-5 job just to earn a living.

After achieving financial independence, a person can engage in any activity of their choice, whether it is traveling, painting, photography, or social work. Furthermore, they will not have to worry about whether the salary arrives at the end of the month.

Unlike the previous generation, which saved 20% of its income, young members of Gen Z adhering to the FIRE movement save and invest 50% to 70% of their salary. They maintain a disciplined lifestyle, avoiding wasteful spending and purchases of expensive status brands.

These young people aim to create a fund equal to 25 times their annual expenses. This principle is called the 25 rule. For example, if annual expenses are 6 lakh rupees, the FIRE goal is to accumulate capital worth 1.5 crore rupees.

Gen Z believes that simply keeping money in bank deposits or savings accounts is insufficient to combat inflation. Therefore, young people aged 22–24 start working on investments and alternative sources of income immediately after starting their careers.

Using equity mutual funds and SIPs, they immediately begin investing small amounts, such as 10–15 thousand, to take advantage of the power of compound interest. They also invest in stocks and index funds, which have the potential for multiple growth in the long term.

Instead of depending only on one salary, they create additional and third streams of income through freelancing, content creation, or digital products. This is done with the aim of generating passive income without the need for constant employment.

Gen Z has witnessed the older generation tiring of work pressure, toxic corporate culture, and illnesses. This cohort is convinced that nothing is more valuable than time and peace of mind. The main focus of the FIRE movement is on high savings, investing, creating multiple income streams, and building a fund equal to 25 times the annual expenditure. Thanks to this, young people strive to achieve financial freedom at an early age to spend important years of life on their own terms, rather than in office cubicles.