RESPECT STARTS AT HOME !

Self respect and respect to others brings respect of others .This fundamental is very true not only in human beings but matters in case of countries as well . Unless Indians don't respect their own currency in India,  how others are expected to....Any visit of mine to any Indian duty free shop will  trigger this thinking , last being few days back !

                                    

Whats is after all a duty free shop ? Why Indian duty free shops are different?

Everyone knows what , where and why a duty free shop , no doubt . But I am sure the perception about a duty free shop differs from person to person . If one thinks  that duty free shops are only for the luxury items or liquor , I have to differ . Even chocolates or toys or souvenirs or fridge magnets are available there. Duty free shops are places where good branded genuine international products are available at the cheapest prices . It is also a place where host country's products of repute are displayed to the outside world . It is not limited  just for the rich traveller but common man as well . I have seen very often the rush of the people including the very common expatriates shopping in such places in the airports of Arabian Gulf states. Duty free shops which are located in the departure/arrival terminals after check in  and immigration clearance make the buyer feel at ease and select few goodies at his or her leisure time . Window shopping is even better !

In case of  tourists who have spent few days in any country , duty free shops are convenient places to spend the excess local currency the tourist might have accumulated with during their stay,  to buy mementos , local products or any other goods to take home . But not in India . India will accept all major currencies of the world but for the Indian Rupee !! As if we are eager to say the outside world that our Rupee is not trustworthy !!!

Where is India now ?

India joined the ranks of the major currencies of the world adapting a symbol for the Rupee in July 2010 . India is a G 20 member . India is a country with a foreign reserve of $ 300 billion plus while economy is growing at a rate of 5-6 % as of now . India is one of the largest 10 industrial giants ( although it lands up at times to total electricity outage in  half of the nation due to 'technical glitch' ) . Despite the fact that value of Rupee has gone down in recent months , Indian Rupee symbolises the strength of the economic system and rising prowess which is recognised the world over .

But for some strange reason India refuses to accept own currency at own duty free shops !! Interestingly this happens only in duty free shops which is fully owned by the Govt . All   other shops in the same vicinity owned by private owners or even some semi Govt ,  welcome the Rupee.

Quite a number of Indian and overseas organisations and handful of members of parliament have raised this issue over the years but not with much effect .  Journalists have written articles many times . Civil bureaucrats , who rarely travel abroad or lack exposure to international crowd but controls the ministries , have not given much thought about this , it seems. Under certain conditions Indians on a trip abroad can spend some small monies ($135) in own currency at Indian duty free shops as per a rule made in 2005 .

Apparently India might have decided to accept only foreign currencies soon after she became a republic in 1950 , when India was craving for foreign exchange  and was begging around the world for financial aids.

                                             

What others do?

I did some research on the subject. The fact I could find is surprising . None of the BRIC countries or G10 or G20 countries treat their own currency the way Indians treat !!  All these countries welcome their own currency as priority in their duty free shops along with other major currencies of the world (Indian currency not included) !!!  China displays the prices only in RMB ,  while Russia in Roubles , Brazil in Real and Mexico in Pesos.......Some of these countries was in a similar state of what is in India but changed years back .

What about local products ?

Indian duty free shops  displays  Indian products such as tea , spices , handicrafts etc  . Most of these products the westerner is thought to be after from the time Vasco Da Gama or East India company landed in India . It is fine . But now the international traveller would be equally interested if not more , in world class Indian brands of modern products such as in textiles , leather , computer hardware/software/peripherals... because tea and spices will be available in all the supermarkets of those countries . Duty free shops are excellent places to show case home grown products which are of international standards or intended to be promoted to be so .

Conclusion

When India is on a drive to have world class international airports , it is high time that India rise to the occasion . While other countries look at India and expect to take a front seat in the new world economic order , it is high time that India takes a seat.

Than being just an armchair critic , I thought I should do what I can in this matter . I have written not less than 5 times  all these years in the suggestion books kept in those Indian duty free shops . I have sent  2 mails each to Govt secretaries and Union ministers who handle this  . None responded or even acknowledged .Then I thought it will be a better idea to bring to the attention of the Prime Minister himself . Searched for the PMO web site and has sent a request . An auto computer generated acknowledgement is received . This much this far .....

  

                                                                                                                                   


Images: Courtesy Google.

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" BUY now ...DIE later " !!

Over the last few years , people in general  have become health conscious , albeit most of us will not follow that .  At the same time in certain other scenarios many of us  are ignorant how   'dangerously' we are leading our lives in this world . Do you know the aftermath of using asbestos products in our everyday life ? If not , I would suggest you to read further....If you do , still I would  recommend to read the tail piece, which may be a news to you....

Back in 1984 , while I was on a Govt project in Qatar , it was specific to use non asbestos roof sheets .Why it is to be non asbestos instead of asbestos which is commonly used , led me to find out that asbestos products which includes roof sheets is banned  because of health hazards .This was a surprise news for me then . Hailing from a country where this is still being extensively used , I invite those readers who are not aware of this threat . Asbestos kills!

                                          

Popular building material

Since 1950 s Asbestoes is a popular building material . It is so because of the affordability along with the characteristics - resistance to fire, good insulator and anti corrosive . Mixed with cement , asbestoes fibre cement roof sheets  -AC roof sheets - is a house hold name  in many parts of the world and widely used. Asbestoes is also used in manufacture of  automobile brake linings , insulators, flooring tiles , packing ropes , parts of toys....

The hidden danger

In 70 s  it was found out that breathing in air containing asbestoes fibre can lead to diseases . Later it was confirmed that prolonged inhalation of asbestoes fibre can cause serious illness including cancers.Even a diseases is named as Asbestosis , which can be also a direct cause of ' Mesothelioma'- lung cancer !! Both workers in the related industry and consumers like any one of us of the products are at risk.

It may be noted that it may take 30 years or more for asbestoes related cancers to emerge !

                                                                                                                           

                                       

The ban , semi ban , no ban and not-for-me-yes-for-you  restrictions

It is interesting to note how the issue of asbestoes is handled in different countries.

Australia stopped the mining of asbestoes  in 1983 and phased out in 1989, banned entirely in 2003.Italy banned it in 1992. Japan in 2004.European Union has completely banned it .USA did the ban in 1980 s. Asbestoes is banned in 50 countries so far. It is banned by ILO ( International Labour Organisation ,WHO ( World Health Organisation) and WTO ( World Trade Organisation). In spite this many countries continue to use it , even increasing the rate of consumption many folds.

 Canada , one of the largest producers of asbestoes , continues to produce it and export but enforced not to use it internally !! Number of people or organisations there are opposing the export as well .In fact it is their popular awareness slogan for the foreigner buyers of this dangerous material - Buy now..Die later - which I have used as the caption!!

Russia , Brazil and China , the largest producers of asbestoes in the world continue to extract it , export and consume as well.  Sadly , the commercial benefits which may run to millions may be influencing these countries of not banning asbestoes ...atleast so far.

India is one of the countries where asbestoes is extensively used to this day . Unfortunately India 's  commercial use grew 300% over last 30 years or so. India also has few mines in Rajastan and Andhra which contribute to 10 % of total consumption. Not less than 100,000 workers are in the manufacturing industries  while consumers are countless ! BWI - Building and Wood workers International has warned in 2008 that India is on the verge of a devastating asbestoes cancer epidemic .The fact that it will take over 10-50 years for the cancers to be identified in individuals from date of exposure make this issue unnoticeable at the moment but soon or later will blast out when it will be too late to contain!!

What one can do..

The least one can do is ensure that no products containing asbestoes to be used as a consumer . Never use AC roof sheets for the dwelling houses or for that  matter not even for  stables or petty work areas . Try to find out whether asbestoes is used while buying products such as brake pads , toys , electrical insulating materials , building materials such as floor tiles etc .This could be difficult for a lay man but let us start making efforts for it ..It is worth it.

Never work in areas where asbestoes particles will be inhaled. Even in suspected work places use dust masks.

Pass the message to friends, colleagues and relatives.......Make efforts of awareness among the dear and the near.

                              

Tail piece

World Trade Centre in USA was built before asbestoes restrictions were put in place there. As the twin towers collapsed in 9/11 , the authorities had to get rid of thousands of tons of steel scrap, possibly contaminated with asbestos and other toxic risks.Do you know where it landed up? China and India!! It was exported !!! Probably that steel scrap after reprocessing might have been used by some of us in the form of  spoons , utensils or other forms or even exported back to USA !!!!

 

photographs :courtesy google images

Is it AIR INDIA company or EAST INDIA company ?

Last week a photo related to ongoing strike of pilots of Air India which was published in all Indian newspapers caught my attention . Photo of hunger striking  pilot with a ply card  -  Is it Air India or East India company?  Why this comparison?  Obviously East India Company stands for corporate abuse, exploitation and monopoly power.Rather than about Air India, the current plight of which every educated Indian know ,my mind tangentially went to the famous/ infamous East India company (EIC)......Wants to share something about East India company which most of us is not aware of  or noticed ....from an angle of  a business executive having years of international business exposure.

The original vision

British East India company was formed in 1600 in the private sector. It was the first company to issue public stock, owned by few wealthy merchants in England,125 shareholders to be precise.The capital was 72000 pounds.The Govt had no shares, not even direct control.The primary intention of the company was not bad, it has to be presumed.To trade with India, China,Far East ....The company will have its ships,export goods anything saleable from England to these lands and take goods such as spices,tea,cotton,saltpeter(potassium nitrate -which is a must in making gun powder, which was abundant in China) from the east and sell the same in England with a good margin.The company got an exclusivity by a royal charter.The idea got  immediate recognition among most of the lead trading houses of Europe which culminated in formation of many similar East India companies -Danish, Dutch,Portuguese,French and Swedish- in the following decades -  a trend valid even these days.Once a business plan is found successful there will be a lot of copy cats.

The beginnings

East India company landed in India in 1608 while the Mughal empire was in power.But it was an empire already on decline. Early trading stations in India for the company were in Surat,Madras(Chennai), Bombay(Mumbai) and Calcutta  as permitted by Emperor Jahangir.The activities of the company grew rapidly.Company prospered .

                        

                                                                                courtesy :google

A rival company from England

The sudden prosperity of the owners and the staff of the EIC invited competitions from others from England.By an act that was passed in 1698 a parallel East India company officially named the ' English Company Trading To The East India ' was floated under a state backed indemnity of 2 million pounds.The powerful stock holders of the old company quickly subscribed a sum of 315000 pounds in the new company and dominated the body!The two companies wrested with each other for some time both in England and India for a dominant share of the trade.The companies merged in 1708 by a tripartite agreement involving both companies and the state.Definitely a forerunner of present day corporate mergers , acquisitions and take overs !!

Transformation

The company became  favorites of the rulers to an extent  in 1717 by completely waiving customs duty for the trade.Share prices of the company shot up.Then how a business house which didnot have even an iota of malicious ambitions when formed became rulers of  India?

As the power of Mughals receded with emperor Aurangzeb, local rulers wanted more presence. And they quarrelled to each other very often. British who were in charge of the company in India then saw it as a threat for their interests mainly for the flow of business - procurement,logistics and export of goods to England.East India company took a strange decision unknown to any business house till then - to hire soldiers to keep peace .British soldiers came to India for the purpose,who recruited locals and trained them as well for the purpose. Using the military power whenever a dispute among the locals rulers resolved, the power of the company grew.The year 1766 was the turning point for the East India company.It was given the diwani  or revenue right for the whole of Bengal .Share prices of EIC rose up again in London. As years went company cleverly saw that disputes among the local rulers is good for them ..to grow ..to rule...Each opportunity was used.More opportunities were created.The company then saw that the disputes are always there so that they can resolve!!!....The British Empire in India had emerged......

                           

                                                                               courtesy :google

EIC was an anomaly without a parallel in the history of the world  whether one likes it or not.Started as a small trading firm with little subsciptions of few private individuals . Gradually rose to a commercial body with large resources at its command  and then exercising military  power,assuming administrative functions,own currency  in the lands it traded....finally in the form of a sovereign power!The company wound up in 1858 in the following year of Indian mutiny and thereafter the rule shifted to British empire till 1947.

Well planned , well executed (?)

Incidentally how 'smart ' the British were(with all due love and affections to hundreds of my British friends- personal and official ), when it came to taking out Indian natural resources to London in pre independence days,I had to narrate my personal experience of 1974.I was then an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Dept  posted at Nilambur, a remote place in Kerala . Nilambur is famous for its teak  forests. As a part of investigation of new schemes and projects I had to travel in a jeep a lot including forest area , which I used to enjoy since I was hardly 24 then.

Once while  I was driving in the Nedumkayam reserved forest area about 25 kms away from the HQ, I came up to a road bridge . A very modern steel bridge , which even these days India may miss in many towns.The steel girders were all imported from England .Why such a modern bridge was constructed by the British , probably 100 years back,deep in the forest ( while they neglected many town areas), I was curious.A very picturesque scenery around.There was a plaque indicating a spot where the engineer who constructed the bridge was buried. He died accidentally while taking a dive to the river near the bridge, but his wife decided to bury him there than taking his body to a cemetery .

                    EIC was an anomaly without a parallel in the history of the world  whether one likes it or not.Started as a small trading firm with little subsciptions of few private individuals . Gradually rose to a commercial body with large resources at its command  and then exercising military  power,assuming administrative functions,own currency  in the lands it traded....finally in the form of a sovereign power!The company wound up in 1858 in the following year of Indian mutiny and thereafter the rule shifted to British empire till 1947.

Well planned , well executed (?)

Incidentally how 'smart ' the British were(with all due love and affections to hundreds of my British friends- personal and official ), when it came to taking out Indian natural resources to London in pre independence days,I had to narrate my personal experience of 1974.I was then an Assistant Engineer in the Public Works Dept  posted at Nilambur, a remote place in Kerala . Nilambur is famous for its teak  forests. As a part of investigation of new schemes and projects I had to travel in a jeep a lot including forest area , which I used to enjoy since I was hardly 24 then.

Once while  I was driving in the Nedumkayam reserved forest area about 25 kms away from the HQ, I came up to a road bridge . A very modern steel bridge , which even these days India may miss in many towns.The steel girders were all imported from England .Why such a modern bridge was constructed by the British , probably 100 years back,deep in the forest ( while they neglected many town areas), I was curious.A very picturesque scenery around.There was a plaque indicating a spot where the engineer who constructed the bridge was buried. He died accidentally while taking a dive to the river near the bridge, but his wife decided to bury him there than taking his body to a cemetery .

                                                   

Only after so many years I had the answer to my own query.The British had constructed good roads and bridges in the forest so that they could take out the teak logs to England.For this purpose during those years , a railway track was also constructed linking Nilambur to Shornur, a major railway junction to this day . And the railway was broad gauge! A big teak tree  fell in the deep forest could be easily transported by road to Nilambur railway station and then by train to Shornur , from there to Chennai..Ships take them to London from Chennai!

Last laugh?

Coming back to East India Company,what is the current status now?At least those who does not know it would be interesting .It is live and  owned by Indians now. In 2011 a large Indian business group acquired the controlling shares of the East India Company and which is now in active business ! Can Indians have the last laugh now ? Too early to say ,but at least they can smile now ....

Sadly from what is going on in the country about Air India , it seems we Indians have not learned from our own past history!!!

                                                        

POST SCRIPT                                      

                                                                                                                                      02April  2013                                                                                           

World is very small, it seems. It could be a strange coincidence that me and Mr. AJ Overwater, CEO, THE EAST INDIA COMPANY FINE FOODS LTD, LONDON had a formal meeting in my office three weeks back. We were discussing on possibilities of a JV in opening a branded restaurant  in Doha !!                                                                                                           

WHAT AND HOW TO NEGOTIATE BUSINESS DEALS

Good negotiation skills give boost for any person to be successful whether in life or job or business.It is more of a inborn talent but can be acquired to an acceptable level through exposures,interactions and observations.If your toddler child has asked for an ice cream and you have agreed for it for  doing his or her home work means the child has successfully negotiated a deal without you realizing it!!One requires these skills in all spheres of daily life- home,office, market..... 

Innumerable books on the subject are available in the market for years. Lots of research have taken place.Through Internet a lot of sites can be accessed .Class room lessons are available as a part of curriculum of various courses.All this can help in a small way but I do not think that it will have a major impact.All one requires is common sense,information and communication skills to be a successful negotiator,in that order.Actual practice can make the skills sharper.Here I will try to write what I have learned over the years with a perspective of engineering industry in mind.Extempore.Obviously I do not claim these comments to be the last word on the subject (not even the first!) since I am not an academic expert  but still could be useful for the young business executives all round the world.I started reading books on management after reaching that level than vice verse....This could be a change!

Ultimate Aim

The very aim of concluding a deal after negotiations is not to out beat the prospective partner in all respects but to achieve a fair deal,provided you got the best rates /terms possible.(1)To reach into a workable ,mutually acceptable and efficient agreement (2) to have the same good relationship with the partner company, if not better after the deal is through and executed, so that more and more business can be done in the future.

Place of meeting

As far as practically possible prefer place of negotiations to take place in your office.If that is not possible,try for a third party place-in a hotel or such places.Last resort,of course is the other party's office.The impact will be different in each case.If it is with a subcontractor or supplier,insist for your place.

Persons with whom one should negotiate

You can negotiate with a lot of persons representing the other party - sales representative, sales manager,procurement manager,administration manager,finance manager,CEO ....the list goes on.It is not advisable to discuss with all or step by step to reach conclusions.Bottom line is that you should negotiate with one or a group who can take decisions from their side.You also should be en powered to take decisions.If limited,you should know the limitations well or include the person from your side who can finalize the terms in one go.

Do your home work well

Before we meet to negotiate and conclude deals , one should study the subject in depth.Mark points to be discussed and agreed in particular.There could be hard points( points difficult to be agreed by the other party)and soft points.Each one to be identified and one should know up to what level he or she can stretch. One should have a crystal clear idea which are negotiable points and which are not,whats is available in the market .

No loose talk please

In order to make a friendly atmosphere or because one is stressed up , many talk loosely - more than required.On many occasions I had the advantage of this loose talk by others.They slipped up with many info unknown to me which worked against them.

Limit the number of attendees

Please limit the number of participants from both parties for such a negotiation . In many instances the boss doesn't do his home work instead take his assistants for the negotiations along with him.The more the crowd  less the chances of a fair deal for both parties.Remember that decision making and taking responsibility is a part of your job and cannot be hired out to others.

Negotiate as a whole package

As far as possible points to be agreed are to be negotiated as a whole and not piece by piece.There could be different topics as diverse as fiance/ terms of payment and technical matters but it is to ones advantage that all topics are covered, discussed and agreed in one go than in different meetings with different professionals involved at different venues.

General topics to be agreed

In general and in particular to  engineering industry any contract/order can be bisected to 5 parts as follows :

1. Scope of contract /order .

2. Amount of contract /Rate

3. Terms of payment

4. Delivery/contract period

5. Other conditions.

Now I shall go to one by one. But please note that one need not go in this order in  negotiation meetings.One has to be 'wise' enough to choose the order which may change from each meeting.

1.0 Scope of  Supply /contract /order /deal

This is to be studied in depth.Details of the product/ project , manufacturer , whether it complies fully to specs or not,country of origin..all to be agreed clearly without any ambiguities by both parities.If any exclusions agreed to be particularly highlighted.In short this has to be precise and elaborate.

2.0 Amount /Rate

The art of bargaining comes here.Thorough info on available alternatives /competitors and their prices is a must before one indulges in this.Little bit of market intelligence on the keenness of the other party to have this contract won has to be ascertained.Depending on the type of contract whether lump sum or rate,amount and rates are to be agreed . Even if it is a lump sum amount, break up depending on BOQ (bills of quantities) has to be agreed.If a discount is agreed,it has to be identified whether it is for overall or for some items.Both will have different impacts later as one executes the contract.Unit of currency has to be specifically noted in an international contract,which will have an impact in a fluctuating currency market .

3.0 Terms of payment

Another important point where both parties are to be explicitly clear.Thorough knowledge of Incoterms(International commercial Terms ) and its implications is a must before one indulges in this topic.Letter of credit or not and conditions related,advances if any, period of settlement of invoices, retention if any - all to be discussed and agreed.If it is to be based on a certified invoice the implications of this clause has to be fully known.

4.0 Delivery period /contract duration

Again excellent knowledge of Incoterms is applicable here.If it is delivery - delivered to store/site, ex works,C and F,CIF,ex store ,FOB  -will have its own implications,financial and otherwise.If it is contract related,whether it is including testing and commissioning etc are to be clear.

5.0 Other conditions.

There will be so many other conditions which are to be discussed and cleared.All these conditions need not arise in all the occasions but the topics are listed below so that one can choose which is applicable in each case . Each topic is self expressive but  can be elaborated but I prefer to refrain from this because this write up will be lengthy .

5.1 Warranty/Guarantee              5.2 Quality Assurance /Quality control       (QA/QC)

5.3 Cranage /Haulage                  5.4 Health ,Safety &Environment (HSE)

5.5 Performance Bond                 5.6 Insurance

5.7 Security  of products delivered /works finished .      5.8 Electricity/Water

5.9 Site office /facilities                5.10 Third Party Inspections (TPI )

5.11 Taxes - sales tax , income tax etc                       5.12 Retention Amount /Period

5.13 VAT                                     5.14 Programme ( Primavera , MS Projects etc )

5.15 Liquidated Damages             5.16 Customs

5.17 Validity                                5.18 Shop drawings/Working drawings

5.19 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)             5.20 Accessibility to site/store /Permits

5.21 Working time                        5.22 Force Marjorie

5.23 Variations                             5.24 Tests

5.25 Samples                               5.26 Practical completion Certificate (PCC)

5.27 Final completion certificate (FCC)                           5.28 Trade Unions

5.29 Form of Agreement                                                5.30 Documentation

5.31 Letter of Intent LOI                                                 5.32 court of law in case of disputes

Conclusion

It is advisable that once the meeting is about to be over, read out the important points.I sometimes insist on signature of both parties on this draft , then only and retain the signed copies.This will be helpful in clarity of agreements which are to follow, because in many companies the agreement is prepared by others , that too take a lot of days.

I have tried to compress this topic to few pages which could have been  written in volumes ..intentionally .My interest is to list out only the essence to readers , who can use this as a ready reckoner on the subject .I would be pleased if one finds this useful in his or her career .Any comments - good or bad -is welcome so that I myself can learn .....learning and corrections is an never ending process - in life and business .

                                              

CAN INDIA MAKE IT ?

For the last few years , pundits of world economy are predicting India to be the richest country in the world (GDP) surpassing USA by 2040 and China by 2050! Twenty  years back even such a thought would have given a jolt  to many, but not now, although the finale is bit early to be confirmed. The latest in the series on the subject is WEALTH REPORT 2012 compiled by Knight Frank & Citi Private Bank which  came out few weeks back . Can India make it ?

                                                               http://www.thewealthreport.net/ 

I was 27 when my maiden trip abroad was made.While working for Govt of India (Kerala) ,I had an opportunity to have a stint in Tripoli (Libya). I took an Alitalia flight from Mumbai to Rome and then to Tripoli in 1977. Since then I have visited not less than 30 countries apart from the fact that I live in Qatar for the last 28 years where I interact with so many multi nationalities.All these years ( till probably 5 years back) wherever I travelled - West, East , Middle East ,Far East...every one -barring few who are really learned- looked at an average Indian  in a perspective far from truth - poor and illiterate!! No body knew the fact that there was an acceptable percentage among Indians who were opposite to that definition, much above the world standards. Initially it was a cultural shock for me to note that .World press systematically aired news about the teeming millions of  ' poor' Indians who could be a ' liability' for the rich nations!Wealth of India was stolen by the western colonists for centuries did not matter to anyone!Whatever India contributed to the world over the centuries in culture ,science, morality went hardly noticed over massive poverty in  the land. Rather than remembering the fact that Indians taught the world the value of zero(0)  centuries back , India was considered to be a zero by others till recently !!

Well, in fact Indians cannot blame anyone else for that impression. In 1950s and 1960s PL480 ships carrying free rice, wheat and milk powder used to dock Indian ports frequently to feed the poor. As late as in 1985, India used to airlift its gold reserve physically to pledge it with IMF for loans! The change in the perspective of others about India might have started after turn of the century which also turned a new leaf in the history of India.I got personally the taste of the such a change in 1998 when I visited Germany .While in Frankfurt as soon as I hopped a taxi , the driver asked me in his broken English " Are you from India?" .Yes, I replied . "On business here ?" .Yes , again I replied. "Are you a computer engineer ?" Sure I am an engineer but not a computer engineer , I answered . I smiled myself .That's a welcome change .Usually they used to ask about the poverty back home or the filth in Mumbai they saw in TV or the clarification whether Indira Gandhi is daughter of Mahatma Gandhi ......

India got independence and made a 'tryst with destiny' in 1947. First Prime Minister Nehru spoke on the occasion of declaration of independence on 14 August midnight in Constituent Assembly of India ...." Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny.......At the stroke of of the midnight hour ,when the world sleeps , India awakes to life and freedom........".He was a good speaker and writer anyway albeit his policy on development is yet to be assessed. Yes , what nobody noticed then was that it was awakening of a sleeping giant!!

                             

            Original video - speech of Nehru on 14 Aug 1947 - 'tryst with destiny'

                                                                                                courtesy - you tube

Soon after India got the freedom ,economy was inspired by the erstwhile USSR model . Five year plans , large investments in public sectors , exorbitant import duties ...days of 'licence raj'...Obviously ' rapid growth' of USSR might have influenced Indian planners and economists that time. Unfortunately India did not benefit much from practicing mixed economy. Nevertheless during this period investments were made in setting up premier  educational institutions in medicine , engineering and science ,although few in number .India probably had the toughest time economically in the years followed .Waiting period for a telephone to be installed was over 10 years ! One has to book and wait for the delivery of a scooter for not less than 8 years !! Hardly few owned a car which was considered a luxury . India remained an 'underdeveloped ' country for many decades going around the wealthy world with begging bowl ! We preferred to call it 'aid'! I think it has come to our habit over the years, even now we do accept!! . Every one knows how UK reacted when India decided to go for French jets recently instead of British .

In 1980s after being denied super computer manufactured by Cray Inc,USA as a result of technology embargo, India started a programme to develop an indigenous super computer.In hindsight I would remark that it was a bold decision - a mile stone for events to follow . In 1990 a prototype was produced and was exhibited at the Zurich super computer show that year which surpassed most of the existing systems then ! Eventually India produced PARAM 8000 India's first super computer.

Fall of USSR could have been an eye opener for India . In 1991 was the kick off of the liberalisation policy - a U turn from what has been practicing till then . India slowly but steadily adapted free market policies and liberalised economy to international trade.Economic growth paced at a higher speed. Dividends of establishing medical, scientific and technological institutes in the country started showing the results. Private sector became strong. Growth centered in service and technology sectors was remarkable .Developed world started investing in India in money and technology.There was a jump in the size of the middle class consumer and skilled labour force. India started growing economically fast till 2010.

High inflation and  political paralysis has slowed down the growth in 2011.Expected growth in 2012 is 6.9% .Standard &Poor (S&P)  has down graded India's economy from stable to negative few days back .They say due to weakening debt profile and sluggish investment climate but the Govt says it is not an alarming situation - only a 'wake up call' . EU crisis could also be a reason of the slow down .  India is likely to pick up the speed once again.

                        

 Interestingly India may be an emerging economic power house but the boom has failed to eradicate the hunger among the poor . At least so far. People in certain areas still struggle for clean potable water while bottled mineral water is abundant . Interruptions and outages in power supply still persists while generators and inverters area plenty in the market to be bought. Quality education  still a dream while thousands of technical colleges are established , in spite President Obama warns the American students to learn fast otherwise Indians and Chinese students will take them over! Child malnutrition and excellent hospitals co exist. Diseases linked to affluence especially heart problems are overtaking poverty related illnesses such as tuberculosis and diarrhoea!! Even now India has a record number of people living below poverty line while one can find exclusive showrooms for worlds best limousines, watches , fashion products in every city in India . Domestic air travel volume has tremendously increased while quality of basic public infrastructure has not picked up . Corruption is wide spread in Govt. Unemployment or rather underemployment exists esp among the university educated class in spite west is apprehensive of out sourcing their  jobs to India or jobs  are not to be 'Bangalore'ed'!  Most of the world's leading consumer brands are either already there in India  or will enter soon .( In 2008 it was in this context  that President Bush made a remark that " prices of goods in the world is getting affected because the Indians and Chinese started eating". Infact his comment made was factual - sudden  increases of the consumption of not only food , energy etc by China and India had an impact ...) Even simple Indian 'chai' (tea) is going to be influenced by Twining of UK soon!! While India joined the elite club of nations few weeks back test firing AGNI showing the world the capability in ICBM , there could be Indians who is in the look out how and when the next meal reaches him or her . Fancy mansions and illegal slums could be seen in the same vicinity . Indians continue to go abroad to take up menial jobs !That's the India of 2012.

Currently India is lagging much behind China . But then how the experts of  world economy predict that eventually India will take over ?

Is it possible by a secularist , multi pluralistic country like India where corruption is rampant and left extremism is on the rise? One of the BRIC group but India is different to others. China has been a hare and India like a tortoise and like the legendary story goes would India make it?

                        

India is a democracy , although bit  far from perfect now. Over a period of next decades it will mature more and one can expect that the Govt institutions will be more transparent and responsive . India will overtake China in population by 2030 . India is expected to be the country with largest young population . Type of growth of Industry in India which is more domestic centred is expected to make an impact which is different to China's type of growth .  India's home grown , innovative private sector could be more result oriented in the long run . Education system  expected in future in India is poised to meet the world standards. Even now it is a known fact that professional graduates from premier institutes of India can really compete with those in USA , Europe or elsewhere (not a small achievement considering the fact that we were a colonised people until six decades back)!!  It could be an irony that those very rich nations are now looking forward to countries like china and India for more orders to tide over these recession days of theirs !!!

                   

                        

India is a land of contrasts. It is a nation as of now where  'pizza- reaches-you-faster-than-ambulance' and has to move much forward to accomplish the title .But India has started the journey and against all odds it is likely to hit the target than not. But if India cannot achieve good living standards of her people consistent with the country's high levels of economic growth  it has no meaning.

                                         

                                                            ________________________



Land of LAND CRUISERS...

Land Cruiser(LC), as most of us know is a SUV. Surprisingly percentage of Qatari households in the country which owns a LC would be practically 100%!  No other country in the world may come near to this record.Not even Japan!It is difficult to believe but true.What makes Qatar the biggest market for LC in terms of market share.Read...

                        

                                         Qatar is a country where along with a host of other products automobiles are imported.One can find all the cars of the world - mostly of the middle and high ends- plying in the streets.Japanese, American, German, French, British, Italian, Swedish, Korean...the list can go further. Japanese cars of Toyota ,Nissan and Honda are very popular among expatriates. Mercedes and BMW brands are common among nationals . Sight of a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce or a Porche or a Lamborghini is not uncommon on the roads.Hummer came in all of a sudden and vanished in the same speed .But hold, there is a favorite brand among nationals .It is a Toyota Land Cruiser! The roads of Qatar are packed with LCs!

                                             typical scene in Doha       courtesy google images

Young , not very young,middle aged,reasonably old - all Qatari men love to drive this leviathan.Young ladies too.VIPs,IPs,common man among the nationals drive this LC which is omnipresent,ubiquitous in city roads, highways,desert roads alike.Interestingly nationals prefer white colour.Pearl white to be precise. So many LCs ,90% of the total number flashing this colour is seen to be believed. Police force also uses a lot LCs.

Records state that Toyota Jeep BJ prototype was developed in 1951.When the test driver drove it to sixth stage of mount Fuji in Japan it made history. Eventually Toyota over the years developed and launched LC which has eaten up market share of other brands of SUVs of the world ..Range Rover ,Land Rover, Mercedes,BMW....

                                         dune bashing         courtesy google images                           

Doha, capital of Qatar was a sleepy fishing village in the fifties. Economy of the country itself was depending on traditional business of pearl harvesting. Invention of cultured pearl by Japan dented the pearl business elsewhere including Qatar. But soon oil exports of the country made a change here. Developments of the country  were started in the sixties and speeded up in seventies.It must be in these years automobiles started imported to the country en masse. Soon LC found its place in Qatar. It was in late nineties and thereafter developments in Qatar got into top gear .A vibrant phase of systematic developments continues to date with excellent futuristic planning.Qatar which essentially floats on oil and natural gas ,has the highest per capita GDP on earth now.Now the expatriate foreigners in the country outnumber citizens almost five to one!!

Other than the buying capacity, blend of tradition,modernity and reliability along with power and luxury might have made this SUV the dearest for the national . LC , they say is ideal for dune-bashing,a sport practiced by the young in the country.It is also could be favorite among those who practice falconry.It is wonderful in beaches and for outings.Understandably resale prices of LC is much higher comparing to others. Being modern 'ships of desert' but easy to handle in city roads also might have contributed Qatar to be a Land Cruiser land.

                                                    dune bashing...          courtesy google images

                                                                                   _________________________________________________

" VIVA INDIA "

Narration of the meeting with the oldest business executive whom I have met (so far)...

One of the unique experiences working in Qatar - for that matter working in any of the gulf states ( Qatar,S. Arabia,UAE,Bahrain,Oman&Kuwait)- is that one gets a lot of opportunities to meet and mix with different nationals of the world.If one happens to work in a senior position in business sector such opportunities are limitless.One can interact, work together,do business,socialise with people of different background,  different culture hailing from different corners of the world, those who work in Qatar or those who visit the country on business.The above factor has a counter point as well .If one does not have the capabilities to move with other people with varied background , it would be a herculean task to climb the success ladder of the corporate in this part of the world.

In Qatar statistics indicate that 80% of the population are expatriates from other countries- mainly from the Indian subcontinent ,Near and far eastern countries , Africa and  Middle East followed up by Europeans. There are quite a number from US . Few from S America and Oceania. Visitors on business are mostly from Europe ,US , Japan , India, China and others. Even business executives from Lithuania ,Poland or Rumania come to Doha .Other than oil,cement, reinforcement steel   most of the products - industrial, construction ,consumer- are  imported. The economic boom Qatar is going through for the last so many years have attracted business men from all over the world.The fact that US and Europe is going through a slump in economy now and rise of Qatar to be the richest country on the world has boosted the position of the country to be a most sought after destination by foreigners.

When Mr.Sergio Verdini,President of Fastverdini,an Italian co manufacturing construction equipment for which my company is the distributor, along with his General Manager visited us officially, it was just a routine business matter, I thought.

When I was introduced to an elderly person -smartly dressed with pleasing manners- I was a bit curious. He spoke English reasonably well compared to many Italians I have met.

As we talked  business matters I was trying to judge his age in my mind - could be 70 or 75 ,I thought. He presented their case well, reciprocated very well on out standing issues . It was time for me to part because of another meeting I had to attend. I asked him his age. He is over 80 ! He has been working since 1954 and still going strong. He travels world wide and came to Qatar after visiting S Arabia!! In contrast in India one retires from work at 55,58 or max 60 ! If he has sufficient money he will retire even much earlier!!

I asked what is the secret of him keeping fit and trim physically and mentally. His reply surprised me. " I practice yoga . I have been doing it  for the last few decades . And I like Indian philosophy and read a lot". Smilingly he continued " I am not a vegetarian but eat meat in limited quantity. I am on liquid food once a week although my doctor advises against that" But he has never visited India , he told me.

After the business talk when I was about to leave the room , he stood up and shook my hand warmly and said loudly "VIVA INDIA . I LOVE INDIA ".

Later only I realised the fact that he happens to be the oldest person whom I have met so far for business. When I sent a customary note to him about the out come of the meeting by e mail I asked for a photograph for records. He sent his and his familys' . Let  Mr Verdini continue to have the good health and spirits. Viva Mr Verdini!!