StartupTalky

Tag: production

  • Story of Marvel: From Comic Books to a Universe of Superheroes

    We all know Marvel. The world’s biggest and most celebrated Superheroes Fiction producer, but it is more than just that. If we peek into its history, it is as big as it gets. Starting from a pulp fiction comic producing name, it has travelled a journey that is not spoken much. This is an article covering that journey. From almost bankruptcy to producing an enormous Cinematic Universe and huge fandom. The journey, that is heroic in every sense.

    The Origins of Marvel
    Marvel – The Golden Age(1938-56)
    Marvel – Silver Age(1956-70)
    Marvel – Bronze Age (1970-85)
    Marvel – Modern Age(1985-present)
    The Marvellous Story
    Dissecting the growth of Marvel
    Lesser Known Facts about Marvel
    FAQs

    The Origins of Marvel

    Marvel came into existence in 1939. When a comic book publisher named Martin Goodman thought to make some cash from the growing market of comic books. The title was “Timely comics” under which the first comic was published as Marvel One. Comics were short books with an average of 32 pages and at that time were just starting out. They showcased some superheroes, with their usual work of fighting the bad and re-establishing peace in the world. Superheroes like the Human torch and submariner turned the air in the town. As the comics were making their cult, More superheroes came to uplift the ground for marvel. The most important was Captain America who made a debut in 1941 as a fighting soldier. That was an outbreak almost instantly.

    Timely Comics logo

    That era, now called the “Golden Era” of comics, was the beginning of Comics celebration and Marvel. If we look back to the history of ‘how comics have travelled through time’, we can map several ages depending upon their types and traits.

    Popular Subsidiaries Of The Walt Disney Company
    Walt Disney is a leader in the media and entertainment industry. This is mainly because of its subsidiaries like ABC, ESPN, Pixar, LucasFilms, Marvel, etc.
    StartupTalkyPV Vyshnavi

    Marvel – The Golden Age (1938-56)

    The Era of World War Two. The era in time when heroes like Superman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, and Batman came in their debut. These were patriotic heroes, fighting the evil and inaugurating peace. Many times Heroes could be seen fighting real world bad guys like Hitler in the comics. The time couldn’t be perfect, the heroes struck a chord and people loved them. It laid a strong base of love for Comics as well as Super Heroes. Even in the aftermath of the traumatic times, comics were seen as a way for children to ease up their fear of war, and to neutralise their anxiety.

    The Comic Age

    Marvel – Silver Age (1956-70)

    Then came the silver age when comics with a strong base became the mainstream source of entertainment among Americans. This was the time when the golden age heroes lost a little of their shine. Heroes were tailored with time, and then we had Spiderman and The Fantastic Four. These were more into the area of mystery and horror genres.

    Silver Age Representation

    Marvel – Bronze Age (1970-85)

    This was more commonly known as the continuing age, when the heroes from the past (Most famous), that is from the golden era continued to showcase some past issues like poverty and drug abuse.

    Marvel – Modern Age (1985-present)

    The time after 1985 is the modern age of comics that is still continuing, when superheroes from comics are taken from the books, to a new genre of Movies and Series and Spin Offs. The deep dive into the world of Science Fiction.

    Later on, after the inception, Martin saw a surge in readers as commissioned writers like Stan Lee and Jack Kirby started to write for the comics. They made the heroes more personal and neighbourhood friendly than ever. Heroes like Spiderman and Fantastic Four were a hit with this hack. With these characterisations and stories connected and rooted to normal life, These writers were a hit and they pioneered the time of young new talent of writers. Writers like Jim Steranko, who introduces Nick Fury (A Fictional Secret Agent) added in the wind’s direction. Revitalising of X-Men based on comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and recurrence of Captain America as a patriotic soldier was a fad.

    The Marvellous Story

    Marvel Comics and superheroes
    Marvel Comics and superheroes

    After the golden age of comics and the success of heroes like Captain America, Martin changed the title to Atlas Comics. That experimented with new genres. Again in the 1960s, the comic producer changed its name to Marvel Comics after DC (Another Comic producer and their largest competitor) entered the market in the silver age. They both were the top players at that time. Soon Marvel got bigger and bigger and went public in 1991. As it got huge, management issues crept in and the company went almost bankrupt in 1996 and surprisingly sailed through the bankruptcy and got up again in 1998. Soon out of the pit, they started diversifying into digital comics and Marvel Cinematic Universe under the name of Marvel Studios. Which eventually was bought by Walt Disney in 2009.

    As Marvel diversified, They started to work on movies. In 2012 they dropped The Avengers, A film starring Iron Man, Captain America and Thor. All these characters were already hit and now a film starring all these was a recipe for success. In the 21st Century, Marvel saw that the most profits are from Toys and Video games of famous Heroes and merchandise of blockbuster releases.

    Dissecting the growth of Marvel

    (and How it managed to scale heights)

    I Hate Sequels. They are never as good as the first book – Connie Wills (American Writer)

    Ed Catmull, Pixar’s CEO, describes movie sequels as a form of “creative bankruptcy”

    It is evident with our personal experience too that, there is very little chance of a sequel doing better among fans than the original movie. But Marvel has kept redefining it again and again for over a decade now. If it happens once or twice, it’s luck but Marvel seems to have somehow found a formula for back to back blockbuster releases. Some of the key aspects that we can notice are –

    Equality to Flow and Renewal

    Marvel is trying (and succeeding) to follow initials and future growth. That means the comic giant is good in the continuity of its characters and the customer retention that comes with it. They are good at managing the past flow. Another thing is that Marvel is also in parallel renewing its ideas around superheroes to experiment.

    Exceeding Predictions

    Ask any Marvel fan, every movie is prediction proof. Marvel knows how to violate expectations in a fun way. Let us take an example of a famous franchise, Thor. The first part is super classic and establishes a good overview of the character, The second part is totally different in tone and the third is a comedy mixed with Hulk. This adds some suspense feel to Marvel releases.

    Rollercoaster tone

    This observation is more of an addition to the last mentioned step. If we pinpoint tones used in movies in the original order then we will find a graph that is a nice ZIGZAG figure. Showing the roller coaster of emotions or tones used in creating these movie masterpieces.

    Marvel knows how to retain its fans and that is how it has managed to create a Universe of Fandom out of comics.

    Lesser Known Facts about Marvel

    • During the early 90s, Michael Jackson tried to buy Marvel Comics. The reason behind it was that he wanted to star as Spider-Man in his version of the movie.
    • During Marvel’s boom in 1984, the head of Warner Communications’ publishing approached former Marvel editor Jim Shooter for licensing the publishing rights to the entire DC Comics universe.
    • DC refused the offer and continued to publish comics. Later on, DC became a hit with readers as Marvel hit bankruptcy in 1996.
    • Venom was created by a fan in 1982 in a contest held by Marvel Comics. Randy Schueller submitted a concept art for a storyline that involved Spider-Man upgrading his suit to all black for stealth purposes.
    • A character named Jihad was introduced eleven days before the 9-11 attack. Jihad was introduced as a character bent on world destruction and conquest. However, due to the sensitivity after the historical event of 9/11, the character was written off.
    • The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley’s trademark haircut was based on the Marvel superhero, Captain Marvel Jr.
    • The Men in Black is owned by Marvel. Originally owned by Malibu Comics, Marvel bought the rights for The Men in Black in 1994. This would mean that all films, shows, and video games have been produced by Marvel.

    FAQs

    When was Marvel comics founded?

    Marvel Comics was founded on 1939 in New York.

    Who was first Marvel superhero?

    Sub-Mariner was the first Marvel Superhero.

    Some of the most popular Marvel superheros are:

    • Spider-Man
    • Iron Man
    • Captain America
    • The Hulk
    • Thor
    • Wolverine
    • Ant-Man
    • The Wasp
    • Black Widow
    • Captain Marvel

    Who is owner of Marvel Studios?

    The Walt Disney Company is the owner of Marvel Studios.

  • How PepsiCo Uses AI in Production, Advertising, and Customer Research?

    Food companies are adjusting their ways of creating and advertising their products to keep up with the trends. Food industries are influenced by technological improvements either directly or indirectly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is having an impact on food production and processing, making it easier and faster for businesses to create products.

    PepsiCo is a wonderful example. PepsiCo is a clever AI user who understands the value of machine learning and the application of new technology. It is a well-known food and beverage company that is responsible for a number of well-known brands, including Pepsi, Miranda, Tropicana, Lays, Kurkure, and Mountain Dew. PepsiCo’s global net revenue was over 70.37 billion dollars in 2020. PepsiCo has attempted everything from utilising Snack Delivery Robots to recruiting robots.

    PepsiCo – Artificial Intelligence in Production
    PepsiCo – Consumer Research with AI
    PepsiCo – Pep Worx Data Analyst
    PepsiCo – AI for Advertisement
    PepsiCo – Robot Vera To Interview Candidates
    Conclusion
    FAQs

    Pepsico Uses AI in marketing

    PepsiCo – Artificial Intelligence in Production

    Pepsi, as one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, is constantly at the cutting edge of technology, investing substantially in artificial intelligence technologies to increase practically every aspect of its operations. Fortunately, it has the sufficient capital and expertise to put in place the tech required to make things go effortlessly.

    Shameer Mirza, senior research and development engineer at PepsiCo, understood that artificial intelligence might be used in a variety of ways to improve manufacturing process management. Mirza then created a machine learning technique that could be combined with a visual system to estimate the mass of treated potatoes. The corporation was able to save a significant amount of money because it no longer had to pay $300,000 per line (they had 35 in the United States alone) for measuring equipment. Mirza’s solutions rely solely on a camera and a computer vision model, and are basically nothing more than extra sample points obtained at no cost.

    Machine learning is helping the manufacturing unit of Frito-Lay, a PepsiCo subsidiary. One prototype uses lasers to impact chips, then listens to the sounds they make to detect texturing. To digitize the performance analysis for Frito-chip Lay’s production plants, software evaluates audio and estimates chip texture.

    PepsiCo has initiated a global training program on innovative machine learning and artificial intelligence for its internal marketing associates, in order to expand their team’s ability to use such innovations to start bringing perspectives that will improve their production plants.

    Fast-moving consumer goods(FMCG) – Business Model, Market Size, Marketing Strategies
    Have you ever wondered Why are FMCG industry is so successful and How do they have huge market share? lets understand the distribution model of FMCG Companies.
    StartupTalkyPratyusha Srivastava

    PepsiCo – Consumer Research with AI

    AI is rapidly being used by businesses for manufacturing processes and data collection. Consumer research is one of the most important avenues here. In the past, such studies relied on data from survey data, which isn’t necessarily credible.

    Thankfully, artificial intelligence (AI) is assisting academics in carefully sorting through information, identifying trends, and noting relevant insights. We can evaluate consumer insights deeply and quickly using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative analytics, artificial intelligence, and social networks. As a result, patterns and trends emerge, allowing for thorough market research into critical consumer insights.

    Tastewise, an AI tool, is used by PepsiCo to identify and anticipate food trends. Tastewise, which was founded by former Google Chief Marketing Officer Alon Chen, employs artificial intelligence to analyse massive volumes of culinary data available online. Tastewise promises that its platform has analysed more than 95 million menu items, 226 billion recipe interactions, and 22.5 billion social media posts, among so many other things, for companies such as Nestle and General Mills. PepsiCo gains a better sense of what customers are interested in as a result of these insights. PepsiCo adopted seaweed as a flavoring for savoury snacks as a result of the findings given by this algorithm—input that might not have come up in survey data.

    Pepsico uses AI for flavors

    How is Facebook Using AI to Enhance Its Shopping Features?
    Facebook is using AI for the improvement in shopping experience of its users. Read to know How is Facebook Using AI to Enhance Its Shopping?
    StartupTalkySushree Sangeeta Behera

    PepsiCo – Pep Worx Data Analyst

    Pep Worx, PepsiCo’s in-house big data and analytics platform, assists the firm and its partner companies in identifying valuable consumers by area, allowing for better product array and merchandising decisions. Stock choices, product positioning, and advertising techniques can all be aided by the system.

    According to Supermarket News, PepsiCo used Pep Worx to identify 24 million households from a dataset of 110 million US households to plug into unexpressed demand for its Quaker Overnight Oats, single-serve cups of dry oats soaked overnight in milk or yoghurt in the fridge to get a nutritious, cold breakfast cereal by the early hours.

    These victories mark the end of PepsiCo’s long journey to big data, which included decades of analysis and experiments before arriving at Pep Worx. Its first application of big data was to gain a better understanding of its one billion customers and to simplify its supply chain across its 200+ countries of operation. This information was largely in the form of compact documents before being released via Pep Worx.

    Ninjacart | Indian Company | Company Profile |
    Ninjacart, India’s largest fresh produce supply chain platform was founded in 2015. Know more about Ninjacart ’s company profile, business model, history, etc.
    StartupTalkySarika Anand

    PepsiCo – AI for Advertisement

    Many experts believe that AI is the future of advertising and PepsiCo understands it fully. From ad design to targeting specific to ad buying, AI is revolutionising what is possible in terms of advertising. One of the most difficult tasks for advertisers is to ensure that the correct audience is targeted. AI may scan a variety of data sources to assess the likelihood of a user completing a given action, resulting in more successful and proactive marketing. To reach potential customers and expand the sales process, AI can develop look-alike communities based on previous efforts.

    Machine intelligence in branding aids advertising agencies in making better use of buzzwords to quickly target buyers. The AI marketing approach and solutions enable digital marketers to reach consumers more effectively and increase income.

    PepsiCo – Robot Vera To Interview Candidates

    The organisation conducts phone interviews with job applicants and answers their questions about offered positions using the Robot Vera technique developed by a Russian corporation. The robot interviewer can examine 1,500 job applications in nine hours, compared to nine weeks for human recruiters. PepsiCo has designed Robot Vera to make calls to job seekers using powerful speech recognition technology, diverting its hiring crew to other tasks.

    It uses Vera to assess candidates for occupations like forklift delivery drivers and industry employees, as well as to hire salespeople. The system can examine CVs on job sites continuously and call candidates who meet the criteria, conducting up to 10,000 calls at once.

    Conclusion

    Artificial Intelligence, according to PepsiCo and many other corporations, is the key to surviving in an oversaturated market. PepsiCo employs machine learning for a variety of purposes, including production and the recruiting of new employees. The number of food and beverage companies utilising artificial intelligence for everything from supply chain planning to customer transparency is growing, as is the number of supply chain management applications. And PepsiCo is well aware that Artificial Intelligence is the way of the future.

    FAQs

    What technology does PepsiCo use?

    PepsiCo employs AI and machine learning in a variety of ways across the company.

    Who are PepsiCo competitors?

    Some among the PepsiCo’s top competitors are:

    • Keurig Dr. Pepper
    • Danone
    • Nestle
    • Britvic
    • Red Bull
    • Mondelez International
    • Monster Beverage

    Why is PepsiCo so successful?

    The company’s success stems from its ability to keep on top of new trends and lifestyles, providing customers with the flavours and comforts they demand.

  • Meat Industry In India: Current State, Challenges, And Growth Opportunities

    The meat production industry is a vital part of the Indian agricultural setup. According to a research, meat production in India is estimated at 6.3 million tons annually and is ranked 5th in the world in terms of production volume. India is responsible for 3% of the total meat production in the world. The nation has the world’s largest population of livestock at about 515 million.

    The meat production segment has witnessed a healthy growth rate. It is known for generating reasonable returns for the producers. In India, beef and pork serve as valuable nutrition-filled consumables and are available at relatively lower prices. Almost 70% of the Indian population is non-vegetarian. The per capita meat consumption in India every year is around 5.2kg. Chicken and fish have the highest consumption rate. The consumption of poultry meat in India was over 3.9 million metric tons in 2020.

    Indian Events Industry Gears Up Post Lockdown
    Most weddings, music launches, concerts, office functions, or themed birthdayparties these days are not simple events anymore but need the intervention of aspecific type of services collectively known as event management. Duties of event management cover selection and reservation of venues,coord…
    StartupTalkyAditi Chawda

    The Indian Meat Market
    Why is India a Favorable Destination for Poultry and Food Processing Industries?
    Advantages of Starting Meat and Poultry Production in India
    Opportunity in Poultry and Meat Sector
    Challenges Faced by The Meat Industry in India
    More About The Meat Industry in India
    The Future of Meat Industry
    FAQs

    The Indian Meat Market

    India exports more than more than 7,000 metric tons of poultry meat to other countries. Livestock trading in India is regulated by the state governments. India has the lowest per capita meat consumption in the world. It was just 5.6 kg in 2013, whereas the global average was 33.2 kg in that year. The Indian meat market mostly focuses on fresh meat; frozen meat is mostly exported.

    The volume of meat produced from 2016 to 2019 in India.
    The volume of meat produced from 2016 to 2019 in India.

    India has a large resource pool of animal castings and other by-products. The meat industry in India grew substantially during the periods of 2006-2007 and 2012- 2013. India is the second largest producer of buffalo meat in the world. The poultry meat segment is the largest sub-sector in the country’s meat industry and owned almost 50% of the total meat production in 2012-13. It is followed by beef/buffalo meat, goat meat, pork meat, sheep meat, and lamb meat.

    Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the largest meat producer followed by Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu in the specified order. Sustained income and economic growth, a growing urban population, rapidly growing middle class, changing lifestyles, improvement in transportation and storage facilities, and the rise of supermarkets in rural towns are fueling the rapid increase in the consumption of animal-based food products in India.

    Why is India a Favorable Destination for Poultry and Food Processing Industries?

    • India is the fastest growing economy in the world.
    • It is the largest producer of agricultural commodities.
    • It has the second largest consumer market globally.
    • India has significant investments in world class ports, logistics, and supply chain infrastructure.
    • Proactive government policies.
    • Investor-friendly incentives.
    • Highly skilled manpower.

    Top Oil and Gas Companies in India (2020)
    Oil and Gas Companies in India are one of the core industries of the country andthe backbone of the economy. Petroleum companies in India are one of the rulingindustries forming a core part of industrialization. They are among the eightcore industries playing a major role in the economy of India.…
    StartupTalkyYash Gupta

    Advantages of Starting Meat and Poultry Production in India

    • India has the world’s largest population of livestock.
    • India produces around 5.3 million metric tons of meat and 75 billion eggs annually.
    • India is the largest producer of buffalo meat and the second largest producer of goat meat.
    • The current processing level in poultry is 6% while it stands at 21% for meat.
    • Poultry is a highly integrated industry.
    • The country is on par with the efficiency levels of many western countries.
    • The government of India has taken steps for modernization of municipal slaughter houses to provide safe and hygienic meat to consumers.
    • Export-oriented units have invested significantly in the establishment of large slaughter houses-cum-meat processing plants laden with the latest technology.
    • Farm automation, slaughter houses, logistics, and point-of-sale cold storage infrastructures are amazing growth avenues in India given the changing preference of Indian consumers for clean, safe, and hygienic meat products.

    There are about 27 modern meat processing plants (approved after due inspection) for the export of meat. All export oriented units (EOU) are registered with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of India.

    An video about Licious, an Indian startup for meat and seafood production in India.

    Opportunity in Poultry and Meat Sector

    The table below outlines the growth opportunities for the ‘technology and equipment suppliers’ and ‘poultry industry players’.

    Technology and Equipment Suppliers Poultry Industry Players
    New technologies in meat and poultry processing. New products that add value such as frozen products, RTC/RTE, and snacks.
    Cold chains. Egg powder plants.
    New veterinary technologies and services. New feed formulations.
    Food testing labs. Hatcheries.

    Challenges Faced by the Meat Industry in India

    One of the major challenges is improving the productivity of farm animals. The average annual milk yield of Indian cattle is 1172 kg which is only about 50 per cent of the global average. The frequent outbreak of infections like the foot and mouth disease, black quarter infection, and influenza severely impacts livestock health and lowers productivity.

    The next problem is the generation of greenhouse gases by the humongous population of herbivorous animals in India. Reducing the emissions through mitigation and adaptation strategies is a major challenge.

    Crossbreeding of indigenous species with exotic stocks to enhance the genetic potential of different species has been successful only to a limited extent.

    A breakdown of meat production trend in India.
    A breakdown of meat production trend in India.

    Unregulated meat markets, tropical climate, inadequate slaughterhouse hygiene measures, and the lack of surveillance of meat-borne diseases enhance the risk of health-related and occupational hazards. According to research, there are about 8000 registered and more than 20,000 unregistered slaughterhouses in the country and most of them are devoid of basic amenities like light and ventilation. Moreover, the slaughtering and carcass-dressing processes are performed in open areas in highly unhygienic conditions following which the meat is sold with little or no veterinary inspection.

    Finally, the meat production segment is largely unorganized. Traditional production systems and disorderly practices have spoilt the reputation of the Indian meat industry.

    More about the Meat Industry in India

    While India has an abundant supply of meat, the meat processing industry is yet to catch up. Meat processing covers a spectrum of products. It includes animal husbandry, poultry farm produce, bulk frozen meat, chilled and deli meat, packaged meat, and ready-to-eat processed meat products.

    There is immense scope for meat processing in poultry. In fact, the poultry industry has made considerable progress by developing and marketing value-added products. The meat industry is slowly yet steadily catching pace on the global front with India now exporting both frozen and fresh chilled meat to more than 60 countries.

    The major item of export is de-boned frozen buffalo meat which accounts for 97 per cent of the total meat export. The major markets for Indian buffalo meat are Malaysia and Egypt while for sheep meat and goat meat, the markets are UAE, Iran, and Jordan. India also exports a small quantity of processed meat to Thailand, Yemen, and Japan and some poultry products to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Qatar.

    Top Food Chains India For Your Buckelist
    The food industry is adding up its contribution to world food trade every year.The top food chains in India has emerged as one of the high-growth andhigh-profit sectors. It is due to its immense potential for value addition,especially within the food processing industry. It has contributed almost…
    StartupTalkyBaishali Das Adhikari

    The Future of Meat Industry

    Raising animals that are in good health is essential for the production of good quality meat. Farmers’ cooperatives can play a major role in the nourishment and marketing of hale and hearty livestock. They can also encourage backward integration/contract farming. Above all, if the Indian meat industry wants to achieve global recognition, the maintenance of food safety at all stages of production, processing, packing, storage, and marketing of meat and meat-derived products while adhering to the standards prescribed by the importing countries shall make a significant impact.

    FAQs

    What is livestock industry?

    Livestock industry is the industry dealing with raising the animals and processing of the animal products for consumers.

    What is meat industry?

    The meat industry handles the slaughtering, processing, packaging, and distribution of animals such as poultry, cattle, pigs, sheep and other livestock.

    What is the rank of India in meat production?

    India ranks 5th in meat production.

    Who is the largest meat producer in the world?

    The United States is the largest meat producer in the world.

    Which state is the largest producer of meat in India?

    Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of meat in India.

    Which country is largest supplier of meat?

    Brazil is the largest exporter of meat.

  • Why is North Korea Facing its Worst Financial Crisis?

    The onslaught of the novel coronavirus pandemic has had disastrous effects ever since it broke out the past year. Though the mortality rates have significantly reduced in many countries this year, the harrowing aftermath of the disease is what is still dragging on in many others, including North Korea.

    North Korea is witnessing the worst slump that has happened in a span of more than two decades, according to experts.

    But why is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in such distress?

    For this, let’s delve into the background of the situation:

    North Korea Crisis – Latest News
    The Background of North Korea
    What went wrong with North Korea?
    The Aftermath
    Kim’s Intentions
    FAQ

    North Korea Crisis – Latest News

    June 21, 2021 – Food crisis continues to soar in North Korea, along with the economic breakdown that the country is facing. Essentials like bananas are selling at Rs 3300/kg, a packet of black tea is priced at Rs 5190, and a pack of coffee is retailing at Rs 7415.

    May 4, 2021 – In a series of statements released by North Korea on May 2, 2021, the country slammed US president Joe Bidden’s policies and rhetoric. Any talks of diplomacy are still stalled between the two nations as suspense rises in a fashion similar to that of the Cold War.

    April 8, 2021 – North Korea has decided to stay away from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. It is clear from the state-run website that the country would not be participating in the behemoth of sports events to protect its players from risking their health amidst the pandemic crisis. With this decision, it has become the first country to drop out of the Olympics.

    The Background of North Korea

    With the onset of the pandemic, North Korea had to also resort to restrictive measures on international trade and commerce to keep the pandemic at bay. However, these plans of limiting international sanctions have grown to become a self-imposed blockade on the trade, which has, in turn, backfired unprecedentedly.

    What went wrong with North Korea?

    There were a series of missteps along with some unfortunate events that together steered the situation towards the worst for North Korea.

    Thriving in a pandemic situation it was evident to define a sustainable economic plan, which North Korea did, however, it failed miserably.

    The inner circle of the government was poor with “innovative viewpoints and clear tactics” and failed to draw an effective plan that would work, Kim Jong-un said while addressing the frightened delegates of the ruling Workers’ Party last month. The economy minister, who was appointed in January has also been fired following the backlash.

    China fuels North Korea with an ample supply of spare parts for factories and other manufacturing plants based out of the East Asian nation. As North Korea had already put a stop to their international trade, it has therefore blocked the influx of raw materials and other spare parts, fearing the spread of the deadly virus. This has resulted in the shutdown of some of the major North Korean factories including the country’s largest fertilizer plants.

    Electricity has long been a chronic problem for the people of the country, which has been further aggravated by this acute deficit of materials. In addition, it has also disabled some of the country’s oldest power plants by limiting their total production of electricity. Furthermore, the production in coal mines and other mines is also experiencing massive disruption.

    Why UN believes India should invest in its Infrastructure to Revive the Economy?
    India’s economy has been heavily hit due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic andbefore the economy could recover the second wave has taken the country towards aroller coaster ride. The major cities in the country have been under lockdown inorder to contain the virus. UN has recently mentioned tha…
    StartupTalkyAlan Joseph

    Estimated GDP of North Korea in South Korean Won
    Estimated GDP of North Korea in South Korean Won

    The Aftermath of North Korea

    As per the words of Alexander Matsegora, “Without imported materials, raw materials and components, many enterprises stopped, and people, accordingly, lost their jobs,” said the Russian ambassador to the Interfax news agency.

    Times are so rough that if you manage to get something in the country, you might have to pay three to four times the prices before the crisis,” he told Interfax.

    Situations are similar even in Pyongyang, the capital and the stronghold of North Korea, which houses the country’s elites. The necessary products, including the basic food items like pasta, flour, vegetable oil and sugar, clothes, and shoes, are reducing at an alarming rate, mentioned Matsegora.

    North Korea’s trade with China depleted by around 80% last year after Pyongyang shut its borders, intending to stop the spread of COVID-19, which would have otherwise easily penetrated the feeble health infrastructures of the country.

    Though this crucial economic juncture that the country is now experiencing echoes of the famine of 1990, things have changed since then and North Korea doesn’t risk a famine at present. This is partly because of the significant development of food production and distribution across the nation and a supportive ally, China, who might come to the rescue of North Korea.

    The present economic pain would not risk Kim’s regime nor would it pressurize the country to retreat from the standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear program but it surely portends a period of excruciating pain and agony for the countless ordinary citizens of North Korea.

    Kim’s Intentions

    The way Kim Jong-un is responding to the crisis happens to be making the situation worse. Kim, who seems to be retreating to de facto Leninism, has started focusing on central planning. This has been distinctively limiting the private entrepreneurial activities, which are central to the country’s economy. This has been summed up by the Seoul-based Russian university professor, Andrei Lankov, as the “dramatic U-turn” of Kim.

    The Supreme Leader of North Korea demands the restoration and strengthening of the system under which the economy runs under the supervision of the state, which has become clear in the speeches to the ruling party. He has further added that the metal and chemical industries are the “main link in the whole chain of economic development.”

    Furthermore, Kim also has disclosed his plans to maximize the control that the state has on society along with putting a stop to the growth of foreign culture and media. In addition, he also wants to suppress the “powerful mass campaign against practices running counter to the socialist lifestyle.”

    How Much do the Presidents of Every Country Make
    The President of a country is considered as the first citizen of that country.However, in some countries there would be a leader above the President. Somemajor countries are under the rule of a Prime Minister and would not have aPresident. In addition to the salary, The President of India gets …
    StartupTalkyAlan Joseph

    Conclusion

    Kim’s recent move towards establishing a Stalinist economy work across the country, Lankov said, “is pretty much as hopeless as teaching pigs to fly”. The Seoul-based professor has also stated that Kim realizes that but he is also insecure about losing control. Therefore, he is choosing these times of crisis to expand his control over the economy and population and make his place secure.

    Kim’s intentions revolving around central planning and the “juche” philosophy of self-reliance that he seems to be adhering to, is termed as “unrealistic” where the economy of the country is dependent on the trade with China, according to the experts.

    FAQ

    Is North Korea having a food shortage?

    North Korea is facing a severe crisis after the Covid-19 pandemic, as prices of essential food items have increased sharply due to shortage.

    Why is there food shortage in North Korea?

    North Korea is going through an acute food crisis, due to the aftermath of floods, typhoons and pandemic, wherein the food prices have been as high as bananas selling for $45 (Rs 3,335) per kilogram, a packet of black tea for $70 (Rs 5,190) and a pack of coffee for $100 (Rs 7,414).

    Why is North Korea poor?

    Poverty in Korea has been attributed to poor governance by the totalitarian regime. It is estimated that 60% of the total population of North Korea live below the poverty line in 2020.

  • How did India’s leather exports witness a growth of $641 million in 2021?

    The Leather Industry of India has seen a drastic change in the exports of the country. The country being a mere raw material supplier has transformed itself into a value-added product. Leather is one of the most widely traded commodities globally. The leather export in India has seen an increase during the 2020-21 fiscal year and let’s look at the reason for it.

    Leather Export in India – Latest News
    Chairman of the council for Leather Exports, Sanjay Leekha on the growth in leather exports
    Reason for the Growth in Leather Exports in India
    The necessity for Digitalization in Leather Industry
    FAQ

    Leather Export in India – Latest News

    The leather, footwear, and the export of its products have seen an increase in its export value to around USD 641.72 million in April – May 2021. The council of Leather Exports had provided the information.

    The council for leather exports and the organization for apex trade promotion of the leather and leather products industry has also conveyed that the leather exports will maintain a similar trend in their growth and is expected to continue for the next few months.

    Chairman of the council for Leather Exports, Sanjay Leekha on the Growth in leather exports

    The newly elected chairman of the council for leather exports, Sanjay Leekha had said in a statement that the sector is back on the growth track after a long slowdown in the market due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic which had led to a fall of around 27.72 % in the exports for the year 2020 – 21.

    He said that the sector has been growing and added that the outbound shipments have shown impressive growth during the current fiscal year. As per the latest data compared to the previous fiscal year, i.e., 2020 – 21 there was an increase in the number of exports.

    The leather, footwear, and its products have seen an increase of around USD 641.72 million during the fiscal year April – May 2021 from USD 146.79 million during April-May 2020. He stated that this is considered to be a really good beginning for the sector and they are expecting to maintain it in the coming months. He also added in his statement that India is considered to be one of the favorite sourcing and investment destinations.

    Top 10 Largest Leather Producing Countries in 2021
    Top 10 Largest Leather Producing Countries in 2021

    How To Start Jute Bag Manufacturing Business in 2020 – StartupTalky
    Jute bags are used for shopping purposes. Our environment today is polluted toan extreme level. Nowadays, printed jute bags are used for shopping purposestoo. Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber. It is also popularly known asas Golden fiber. Currently, it is one of the strongest all-natur…
    StartupTalkySouvik Dey

    Reason for the Growth in Leather Exports in India

    The Indian Footwear Accessories and Development Programme (IFLADP) that was started by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) during the year 2017 – 21 has played a major role in the modernization and technological up-gradation of production units and also adding more skills to the workforce.

    This programme is one of the major reasons for increasing the production and skilling the workforce which has indirectly increased the exports of the country. With the support of the Government, there has been positive been efforts taken in the past in order to increase the capabilities of production as well as certain infrastructure facilities such as testing laboratories and design studios.

    However, all these have collectively helped in increasing the exports of the country and also helped in becoming the exporter of high-quality products that adds value. CLE has stated that they have requested the government in order to continue the IFLADP programme and is under consideration.

    The necessity for Digitalization in Leather Industry

    The chairman of the organization had stressed the importance of digitalization and added that pandemic has bought the light for the importance of the digital era. In order to gain a lot of market access, they will have to ensure to use the various digital platforms effectively.

    The e-commerce platforms and virtual exhibitions have been growing and being adopted by consumers.

    15 Small Scale Manufacturing Business Ideas with Low Investment
    The manufacturing business has been the choice of traditional businessmen for along time. It is an appropriate business if you are interested in asset-basedstartup and don’t understand the software-based companies. However people havealready worked upon different manufacturing business ideas with…
    StartupTalkyPiyush Mishra

    Conclusion

    The council has organized around 12 virtual buyer-seller meets and various B2B events which are expected to be held in 17 different countries and have also planned around 20 different events which include international exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, and designer fair.

    FAQ

    Where does India export leather?

    Hong Kong, Italy, China and Vietnam are the top leather export partners of India.

    Which state is the largest producer of leather in India?

    Tamil Nadu is the largest leather producing state in India. It accounts for 40 per cent of the country’s leather production.

    Which city is famous for leather in India?

    Kanpur is famous for its leather and is also known as the leather capital of India.