Weekend wrap: Ratan Tata's legacy, Ola Electric's woes, smartphone pinkies and more

Dear Reader,

Another week draws to a close, and there’s much to discuss across the business and tech world. As Ratan Tata’s passing sends ripples of emotional reflection throughout India, former employees of Tata Cliq opened up about how his leadership values shaped their careers. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle space saw turbulence as Ola Electric faces rising customer complaints and a noticeable dip in market share—raising questions about the company’s once-stellar reputation.

Additionally, with World Mental Health Day just behind us, we put the spotlight on the importance of mental well-being in high-pressure environments through insights from a former Google employee. And something seems to be off with the GenZ folk as they begin showing off their smartphone pinkies.

Join us as we dive into these stories and more, keeping you informed on the latest shifts in business and more.

Top stories from the week

’My parents received a letter thanking them when I joined’: Ex-Tata Cliq employees recall Ratan Tata’s company culture

Former employees of Tata Cliq recall how Ratan Tata’s compassionate leadership and values were ingrained in the company’s culture. Many employees never met him personally but felt his influence through practices that valued not only the workers but also their families. For instance, a former Cliq employee shared that her parents received a letter of thanks when she joined Tata Cliq, reflecting the deep respect the Tata Group held for its employees.

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The Ola Electric Saga: Are surge in complaints and declining market share a wake-up call for Bhavish Aggarwal?

Ola Electric, once dominating India’s electric two-wheeler market, is now facing a surge in customer complaints and a sharp decline in market share. The company has been under fire for long wait times, unresolved technical issues, and customer dissatisfaction. The government has also issued notices for potential violations. Once holding nearly half the market, Ola’s share has fallen to 27%, with competition from legacy automakers Bajaj Auto and TVS Motors rapidly increasing. Is this a wake-up call for Ola’s founder Bhavish Aggarwal?

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Gen Z folk are showing off their ‘smartphone pinkies’ — and the images are horrifying

A new trend called “smartphone pinky” is gaining attention, with Gen Z users flaunting bent or dented pinkies caused by holding their phones for extended periods. This quirky phenomenon is becoming a viral sensation on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. While some celebrate their “iPhone pinkies” as a badge of honour, medical experts warn that these habits could lead to more serious conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve damage.

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The Nobel Prize-winning ‘godfather of AI’ says he’s glad one of his students had a hand in ousting Sam Altman from OpenAI

Geoffrey Hinton, a newly awarded Nobel laureate in physics and the “godfather of AI,” expressed pride that his former student, Ilya Sutskever, played a role in ousting Sam Altman from OpenAI. Hinton noted that Altman prioritised profits over AI safety, diverging from the original vision of OpenAI. Though Sutskever later expressed regret for his decision, Hinton’s remarks highlight the growing tensions within the AI industry.

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World Mental Health Day: Ex-Google employee shares tips on protecting mental health at the workplace, says he experienced stress and anxiety

On World Mental Health Day earlier this week, former Google employee Nicholas Whitaker opened up about the stress and anxiety he faced during his 13-year tenure at the tech giant. He talked about the importance of setting boundaries, practising mindfulness, and aligning work with personal values to maintain mental well-being.

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