Industry Leaders Share Insights on Kolkata’s Economic Future at ET NOW Leaders of Tomorrow Springboard

On March 18, 2026, Mr. Rajesh Kewat, CEO of Fastinfo Group, was invited as a distinguished panelist at the prestigious ET NOW Leaders of Tomorrow Season 13 – Springboard, Kolkata Edition. Hosted at Fairfield by Marriott, Kolkata, the 45-minute panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Ritwika Gupta, News Editor and Anchor at Times Network, and revolved around the theme: “Kolkata: Gateway to Eastern India’s Economic Growth.”

The event brought together an influential gathering of 70–100 MSME leaders, startup founders, entrepreneurs, and business stakeholders, making it a significant platform for leadership and regional economic dialogue.

Joining Mr. Kewat on the panel were Mr. Murali Krishnan, Co-Founder & CMO of Wow! Momo, and Mr. Sanjiv Ganeriwala, Chairman of the Mining Council at West Bengal ASSOCHAM. Together, they shared strategic insights into Kolkata’s evolving business ecosystem and its growing importance in India’s economic landscape.

Key Business Insights Shared by Mr. Rajesh Kewat

1. What Positions Kolkata as a Strong Economic Engine for Eastern India?

Highlighting Kolkata’s positioning as an emerging economic engine, Mr. Kewat shared his entrepreneurial journey from starting with just Rs. 1,000 to building a multi-crore enterprise employing over 500 professionals. He emphasized a critical business advantage, stating that “Kolkata has a very good talent with cost advantage compared to other states.” This enables businesses to reduce costs, scale faster, and drive sustainable growth.

2. Insights from Fastinfo on Navigating India’s Digital Economy

During the discussion, Ms. Ritwika Gupta asked what insights has FastInfo gained about the market, India’s digital consumers, and the broader digital economy while operating at the intersection of technology and services and connecting businesses with consumers in Kolkata. Responding to this, Mr. Kewat shared a fundamental insight drawn from his experience with Online Legal India, Fastinfo’s flagship compliance platform for MSMEs. He stated, “If services are provided the right way to the consumers and their feedback is good, they will come back to you again and again.” He further emphasized that delivering exceptional service builds long-term customer loyalty and plays a crucial role in driving sustainable growth in India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

3. How is Kolkata Emerging into a Growing Tech and Economic Hub?

While responding to whether Kolkata has developed its own tech cluster amid the growing presence of IT firms and GCCs in Newtown and Rajarhat, Mr. Kewat presented a compelling comparison, stating, “Old Delhi and New Delhi to Old Kolkata and Rajarhat, Newtown being New Kolkata.” He further emphasized that “the foundation has been laid, and it's only a matter of time before New Kolkata reveals its potential,” highlighting a gradual shift that is set to redefine the city’s economic identity.

4. How Can Kolkata Retain Its Talent from shifting to other Cities?

Addressing the growing challenge of young talent shifting to cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Gurgaon, Mr. Kewat highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective. He stated, “Companies should value talent with the right pay; at the same time, individuals must carefully evaluate factors like CTC, cost of living, lifestyle, and long-term impact before making a decision.” To explain this further, he shared a practical example: “Many professionals purchase a home in Kolkata on EMI, yet move to another city for just a 10–20% salary hike. They end up paying EMIs for a house they do not even live in, while also staying away from their families. In most cases, when adjusted for higher living costs, the actual benefit is negligible.”

Concluding on a heartfelt note, he added, “If you have taken birth in Bengal, you should do something for Bengal.”

5. Roadmap for Young Engineers and Tech Entrepreneurs Starting in Kolkata

Responding to a practical question raised by Ms. Ritwika Gupta on how young engineers or tech entrepreneurs can begin their journey in Kolkata, especially in terms of mentorship and funding Mr. Kewat highlighted the growing influence of the AI era, stating, “Today, the biggest mentor is AI and self-learning.”

Further he reflected on his own entrepreneurial path, he shared how he started his venture with just Rs. 1,000 by building his own website, creating content, and curating as per customer’s needs. This hands-on and self-driven approach eventually enabled him to scale the business into an organisation employing over 500 people.

Drawing from his 12 years of corporate experience, Mr. Kewat emphasised that his success was not driven by resources but on consistency, motivation, and execution. Notably, despite being a software engineer, his first venture was not in core IT; instead, an online RTI application platform, which later became the foundation for developing his flagship brand, Online Legal India.

6. One Structural Shift for Policymakers to Unlock Growth

Finally, on advising policymakers for a pivotal structural shift to ignite Kolkata and Eastern West Bengal's next growth phase, Mr. Kewat's response was profound and singular: Mindset.

The discussion was further enriched by the insightful perspectives shared by the fellow panelists, whose diverse experiences added depth and balance to the conversation. Their viewpoints complemented Mr. Kewat’s insights, offering the audience a well-rounded understanding of Kolkata’s evolving business and economic landscape. The engaging exchange of ideas, combined with the energy of the audience, made the session both impactful and inspiring. Overall, the event stood out as a thoughtfully curated platform for meaningful dialogue, leaving attendees with valuable takeaways and a renewed sense of optimism for the region’s growth.

The event came to a close with an extended heartfelt thanks from Ms. Ritwika Gupta to the panelists Mr. Rajesh Kewat, Mr. Murali Krishnan, and Mr. Sanjiv Ganeriwala for their invaluable insights, leaving the audience inspired and equipped for tomorrow's challenges.