Showing posts with label IIPM-Publication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IIPM-Publication. Show all posts

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Fitting tribute to lasting peace

The Nobel Peace Prize this year was given to three women after an elongated wait by the fairer gender. This time, the committee deserves accolades for a very well considered decision

It had been more than a century since a woman received the Nobel Peace Prize. The unbecoming trend came to an end this year with the committee presenting the honour to not one, but three women in 2011. This year, the award would be shared by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee and Yemeni political campaigner Tawakul Karman – these women have been credited for their role towards peace movements & women rights. Gbowee led a radical peace movement named Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace that was instrumental in ending the Second Liberian Civil War. Karman advocated freedom for women journalists and the lifting of the ban on SMS news services. She was also a prominent leader in the protests against Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson’s main achievement is giving the war-ravaged country a relatively peaceful regime since she was elected in 2005. Yes, the prize would further give mileage to Ellen especially at a time when elections are just around the corner. But such a mileage is well earned. This prestigious award would also dilute the political negativity that has been spread by the opposition. Even the Liberian Supreme Court recently dismissed all cases against Ellen (cases on ‘violation of constitutional clause’ as Ellen was abroad for 10 years before the elections; and also the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s decree that she be barred from office as she apparently supported former president Frank Taylor, convicted now for serious war crimes).


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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

No more begging bowls

Chennai launches drive to rehabilitate beggars

Chennai has unrolled a visionary programme for the rehabilitation of beggars. From June 6, those begging in common places in the city will be caught and sent to rehabilitation and protection centres with the help of NGOS. Last month Chennai corporation identified some 451 beggars. Out of them 179 persons were mentally challenged. Then they were admitted in hospitals for treatments. Chennai Mayor M. Subramanian is spearheading the campaign.

Commissioner of Chennai corporation Rajesh Lakhoni told TSI that they are identifying beggars in main places of Chennai. “Till now we have identified thousand beggars. They have been categorised into five groups: old aged, physically challenged, mentally challenged, healthy but socially deprived women and mothers begging with children. They will be rehabilitated soon.” According to the drive, old-age persons will be admitted in government homes for old aged and will be given food and medical help. Those who are healthy will be given employment opportunities. There are plans to give education to children also. The homes run by social welfare department will be used for this purpose.

Some eighteen NGOs are girding up to take part in this programme. Also, Lakhoni said the corporation will rope in police to stop beggary in the city. Of late the city has been swarmed with beggars. Begging rackets were also busted. Cases have been reported of women administering sleeping pills to children. That is why the government this time is serious to address the issue.

Kakkum Karangal, an NGO, that supports the drive of Chennai corporation is ready to help the old aged and women. “We told the corporation that we will provide food, medicine and housing to old aged and women,” said Gnanaraj, founder of Karangal. John Milton, co-ordinator of Karunalaya, another NGO told TSI that they are also willing to assist the corporation in their drive by giving children education free of cost.

But some members of the civil society are not happy with the corporation’s move. A Chennai-based writer and social sceintist, A. Marx, is opposing the move. Marx, who was part of a fact-finding team that studied the conditions of beggars in the city, criticised the corporation for its drive against beggars. “First, Chennai corporation Mayor talked about a beggar-free city. Then he said that mentally challenged beggars will be rehabilitated. But only professionals can handle them. Is the corporation prepared for it?” he asked.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Saturday, June 19, 2010

CBI’s credibility under scanner

The HC wants the Rizwanur case to be probed afresh

The latest Kolkata High Court’s order in the Rizwanur Rehaman murder case has justified the necessity to think beyond the prevailing system of delivering justice. The May 18 order of the Division Bench, comprising Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Prasenjit Mondal, has not only cancelled the CBI’s charge-sheet against seven persons, including a few top police officials, but the case as a whole.

Besides, the court has indicted the West Bengal government for its “indecisive and vacillating” attitude. The court has further ordered a fresh CBI probe as “the case is fit for CBI investigation due to the gravity of the situation”. After this verdict, the credibility of the agency is being questioned.

Several advocates of the High Court, including Kalyan Banerjee and Idris Ali, have hailed the judgement as ‘historic.’

Computer graphics teacher Rizwanur’s body was found from railway tracks on September 21, 2007. Prior to that, he was allegedly being harassed by top police officers for marrying a Hindu girl Priyanka Todi, the daughter of Ashok Todi, owner of big hosiery company. He was being pressurised to snap nuptial ties. His murder united the state’s intellectuals, students and Muslims. After being severely criticised by them, the state Chief Minister ordered a CID probe into the whole affair by cancelling a three-day probe by the state-controlled Railway Police. Besides, a judicial enquiry was also announced. Later, the CID handed over all its findings to the CBI, which was asked by Judge Soumitra Pal to monitor the investigation as ‘Special Officer’ and report back to the High Court. The agency had submitted charge-sheet against seven persons, including Police Commissioner Prasun Mukherjee, DC (Detective Department) Ajoy Kumar, Sukanti Chakraborty and Krishnendu Das of Anti-Terrorist Squad under Section 306 (Abatement to Suicide) of IPC.

The Division Bench observed that Justice Pal has not asked the CBI for a full-fledged investigation, but the Central agency did so. On the other hand, the CID stopped its investigation without any reason and handed over all documents to the CBI. It was after this that the Bench observed that the state has failed to understand the ‘gravity’ of the case. The latest order also pulls up the CBI officials for ignoring the FIR lodged by Rizwanur’s elder brother Rukbanur at Kareya Road police station.

Now, the court has asked the Central investigative agency to file a case under Article 302 against the culprits based on Rukbanur’s FIR and investigate the matter. The CBI has been given only four months time to place its findings in the court. Although the government is upset with the judges’ remarks, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said: “We are not going to challenge the order in higher court”. But the Todis are likely to knock the doors of the Supreme Court.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Monday, June 14, 2010

EARTH BEAT

As the world observed the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, TSI’s Anu Gulmohar took stock of the steps taken by the Indian government, companies and citizens towards preservation of Gaia


Like the blue-skinned Na’vis in the Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar”, India has its own tribe of nature loving people, the Dongria Kondh, whose plight too is akin to the Na’vis. Where the Na’vis world was threatened by the desire of humans to mine unobtanium, the Dongria Kondh tribal community has to fight off the company planning on mining for bauxite on their sacred mountain. Mining on the Niyamgiri mountain in Orissa is expected to cause 36 streams and two rivers to dry up, and the dust and pollution from the mining will destroy people’s key food source – mango, pineapple, orange and other fruit plantations. This reclusive and traditional tribe, with a population of nearly 8000, is hoping that if the fictional story of the Na’vis could move so many people around the world, their very real impending tragedy would stir enough people to avert the devastation of their environment. As India joined with the world in celebrating the 40th Earth Day, one wonders if our nation is indeed working towards becoming greener and more ecologically conscious, or if this was just another day with little meaning and infinite brouhaha.

“There are two Indias – one India is the tribals (sic), the peasants, who are way ahead of western conservation. And then you have the rich India, which is only wanting to predate, which has given up the sensibility of the Indian ecological culture and has not adopted the sensibility of the global environmental consciousness either. So, they want to be global in money grab but not global in environmental responsibility. The problem for India’s environment today is the corporations and the rich. And they have a negative consciousness; not just a zero, but a negative consciousness,” says Vandana Shiva, an environmental activist and author. “Environmental clearances are given, with a bribe. For example, why should Vedanta have gotten environmental clearance either for mining bauxite in Niyamgiri or for creating what they call a Vedanta University in the prime agricultural land between Puri and Konark in Orissa? Both clearances are totally fraudulent!” exclaims Shiva.

The picture today isn’t all that bleak though, where several praiseworthy steps are being taken by the Indian government and the corporate houses. For instance, India’s first eco-friendly sports complex, Thyagaraj Stadium, was inaugurated on April 2 in New Delhi. Built with the latest in green building technology and eco-friendly material, it also makes use of solar energy for lighting purposes and will conserve water through water recycling and a rainwater harvesting system in a bid to minimise carbon footprint. Then on April 14, a bio-diesel train was launched in Bilimora, Gujarat, which will use a blend of 10 per cent bio-diesel, and cause a reduction in the emission of carbon-dioxide to a large extent. “I really applaud Jairam Ramesh on the moratorium on the Bt Brinjal plant, which is very significant for bio-diversity and public health,” adds Vandana Shiva. Another initiative is the Green India Mission, which is a part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change. On April 13, Environment & Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh announced that the Mission would aim for the afforestation of six million hectares and expand forest cover from 23 per cent to 33 per cent of India’s territory. But the formulation of the Mission is awaited, as the Minister aims to make the process participative through public consultation. Environmentalists are not overly impressed by the Green India Mission though. Vinuta Gopal of Greenpeace India says, “This has been a plan that India has articulated many times over. It is not new. The Green Mission is merely a new avatar.”

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Import of chinese SIMs can compromise national security

Several Chinese and European companies sell SIM cards in India. Other than the Chinese companies, almost every other company has set up its personalisation centre in India. The fact that Chinese companies have not set their personalisation centre in India generates more suspicion. The two main Chinese companies, Watchdata and Eastcompeace, control more than 30 per cent of the Indian SIM card market. Data from Electronic Computer Software Promotion Council, Union ministry of commerce, reveal that during the last year (Between April 2008 and February 2009) around 11,68,17,092 SIM cards have come from China. These companies are selling SIM cards to Indian cellular companies since last three years. As per an estimate, more than 30 crore chinese SIM cards have reached the Indian market. The country head of Eastcompeace, Rajnish Giri told TSI, “We are the largest SIM card and Smart Card manufacturers of Asia. Our personalisation centre is completely safe and is SAS certified.” The SIM secure keys are kept with the Chinese bosses.

When TSI asked why Watchdata does not have its personalisation centre in India, Vijay Parthasarathy, country head, Watchdata Technologies (India), said, “Our personalisation centres are in Singapore and Japan. The whole issue of setting up a personalisation centre in India is ridiculous. I don’t think your question has an answer”.

It is an important question that how safe is our SIM card data in the hands of a country which has been accused of hacking and stealing data of other countries. India and China have a nervy relationship. Apart from the Tibet controversy and Chinese help to Pakistan, India has boundary disputes with China. Stealing important information of countries is part of the Chinese foreign policy. An advisor with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, Brigadier (retd) Rumel Dahiya says, “Around 30,000 people are supposed to be involved in the task of hacking Cyber and communication networks. Also, a large number of people in China are doing it out of curiosity and nationalism.” There is an unofficial ban in America and European countries on import of mobile phone and communication service equipments from China. If china is viewed with suspicion by not just India but the whole world, there is solid reason behind it. Suvrokamal Dutt, an expert on international affairs, says, “Inquiries into hacking of computers of important organisations around the world has revealed that since the 80s, the source of nearly every hacking was in China. Right from Microsoft and NASA to White House and the British Parliament, all have had their servers and computers accessed by Chinese hackers. As Chinese companies are controlled by the government, they come under suspicion. Union home minister P. Chidambaram’s action is totally correct.”
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Thursday, April 08, 2010

Elephants and Beaches

While Ooty and Kodaikanal have been done to death, a few other places in Tamil Nadu offer a completely fresh experience. Hop on for a brief ride

Kumbakonam –Thanjavur

Situated in the Cauvery delta, the Chola country is known for its grand temples and their marvellous architecture. The big temple built by Rajaraja Chola exactly a thousand years ago is undoubtedly a major tourist attraction. A Unesco World Heritage site, its millennium year is being celebrated in 2010. Rajaraja's son Rajendra tried to emulate his father by building another massive temple at Kangaikonda Chozhapuram, which is also a structural marvel. Apart from these, the Cauvery delta is filled with numerous temples and their very interesting mystic sthalapuranas. The nine temples in nine places around this area, each devoted to one of the nine major celestial bodies in Hindu astronomy (planets and stars like Saturn, Sun, etc), deserve special mention. Pilgrims, driven by many astrologers, visit these temples. This cluster of temples can be visited in a single day.

At Top Slip, as the name suggests, logs felled on the hills during the British period were rolled down. Situated on the Annamalai moutains inside the Indira Gandhi National Park, it is a pollution-free abode with dense bamboo and teak forests around. This small place is home to a large number of elephants and is a paradise for bird watchers. Numerous rare species of animals can be spotted here, including the lion-tailed macaque. The Indian brown mongoose can also be seen here. An elephant safari at Top Slip is an unforgettable experience. Simple accommodation is available inside the park; one can alternatively stay in nearby Pollachi.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

A few billions less...

Indian business owners have been among the worst hit this year

The cat is out of the bag, while many Indian tycoons would have wished it stayed inside! While they have hitherto been shouting from the roof tops that the global meltdown has not impacted their enormous wealth; the testimony to that – the Forbes World Billionaires list, elucidates just the converse. Out of the total 53 Indian moguls who made it to the list last year, only 24 could hold on. Mukesh Ambani, who slipped two positions down, surpassed the steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal (currently at number 8, was at number 4 last year) and sat perched at the fifth slot as richest Indian with net worth of $19.5 billion.

Anil Ambani, the biggest gainer in 2008, was the worst hit this time, after losing $31.9 billion in net worth. At the 34th position, his current fortune stands at a relatively modest $10.1 billion. Says Hitesh Agrawal, Head of Research, Angel Broking, “His (Anil Ambani’s) fortunes are directly correlated to the stock market... recovering all the lost sheen in 2009 for ADAG Group seems unlikely.” While Lakshmi Mittal saw his personal fortune dwindling from $25.7 billion in 2008 to mere $19.3 billion in 2009; DLF’s K. P. Singh, too, witnessed his wealth being gnawed down by $25 billion. Notable among the tycoons who lost the billionaire title were Vijay Mallya (UB Group), Ramesh Chandra (Unitech), Sameer Gehlaut (Indiabulls), Tulsi Tanti (Suzlon) and Jignesh Shah (MCX). Tough economic conditions in their respective sectors have led to this predicament. The only gainers were the Singh Brothers – Malvinder Mohan and Shivinder Mohan of Ranbaxy – whose net worth increased over the past year (currently at $2.6 billion). The sale of 34% stake in Ranbaxy, enabled them to add $550 million to their net worth.

The correction in the personal fortunes of these ‘once-a-billionaires’ has also lead to China displacing India as the Asian country with highest number of billionaires (28 tycoons) in 2009. However, the combined value of Indian billionaires stands at $107 billion, double their Chinese counterparts, which is a humbling $44 billion. Small mercy though. For, with experts opining that the current fiscal will be equally challenging for Indian business tycoons, considering the setback that equities witnessed in 2008 and the continued risk aversion amongst investors; it would be an uphill task for this year’s survivors to hold on to their positions for another year. And an even more challenging task for dropouts is to devise a comeback strategy to regain a position in the Forbes World Billionaires 2010. They will have to really come up with something dramatic to enthuse the stock markets.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Outlook Magazine money editor quits
Don't trust the Indian Media!
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

“Consumers trust maruti”

Shinzo Nakanishi, MD, Maruti Suzuki

B&E: In your view, which all factors played a major role in empowering Maruti Suzuki to save the grace of its bottomline in the last fiscal when almost all the other automakers were on their knees?

SN: In times of a slowdown, people do not want to take any risk. They prefer purchasing brands on which they have full trust; and in the automotive market Maruti Suzuki comes on the top on those grounds. Moreover, we saw the slowdown coming in the urban areas of the country and we moved rather aggressively into the rural and the semi-urban market, which helped a lot to cope up with the slowdown.

B&E: Your expectations from the ‘new’ government?

SN: The previous government helped a lot to deal with the dull phase in the automotive market, be it the excise cut or petrol price going down; the government surely helped many players to sustain in the second half of 2008. If the government can again provide more help, everyone will be more than happy.

B&E: Honda & Mahindra have tried their hands in hybrids, is Maruti Suzuki planning a hybrid for India?

SN: If Maruti Suzuki will bring a hybrid in India it will be through Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan. The current hybrid that Suzuki has is a big car, but they are working on developing a small hybrid for the Indian market. Apart from that, we’re working on a National Hybrid Project with the government to develop hybrids for the country in association with M&M and Tata Motors.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Single again…

Things seem beyond repair for Ameesha Patel and Kanav Puri, who recently broke up apparently due to Ameesha’s decision to give her career another shot! Kanav seems to be eager to tie the knot whereas our girl wants to give her failing career another try. Now that she has patched up with her parents and brother, and is reasonably emotionally secure, marriage seems to come last on her priority list. Kanav, on the contrary, had officially proposed marriage to her almost a year ago… Expected to return with two films this year, we hope it turns out to be a smart move for her career!
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Friday, February 05, 2010

“Washington echo chambers,”

Consider the findings of the Council of Economic Advisers (headed by Christina Romer, Austan Goolsbee and Cecilia Rouse) which states in its First Quarterly Report that as of August 2009 end, only $151.4 billion of the original $787 billion has been outlaid or has gone to the American taxpayers and businesses in the form of tax reductions. Just to add to these, the US Bureau of Labour Statistics now states that ever since Obama passed the $787 billion stimulus bill in February 2009, instead of job creation, over 2.6 million Americans have lost jobs.

Capitol Hill has had a history of political appointments where fundraisers have been made members of namesake advisory boards without having much of a role. But with Obama, whose campaign mantra was based on the philosophy of change, one expected better; ergo, such political appointments came as an unpleasant surprise. Since the previous issues, B&E has been covering how there is a clear conflict of interest that some members of TEAB have had in gaining from TEAB’s bailout plans (for examples, Buffet through his investments in Goldman Sachs before it got government funds, Robert Rupin through Citigroup of which he is the Chairman).

Perhaps to his discredit, it is not only Barack’s political appointments on economic advisory boards which is being criticised, but also the manner in which the current allotment of funds is being made – the states that supported him have received generous allotments of stimulus money e.g. Colorado and Virginia (two traditionally red states that lit up blue for Obama in 2008) have jointly received $8.9 billion – for information, Barack Obama, in his victory speech, had said, “We have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and always will be, the United States of America.”

Perhaps the President has realised his folly, due to which a parallel running body, Presidential Economic Recovery Advisory Board (PERAB) headed by Paul Volcker has been strangely created – or perhaps not so strangely. But it is merely a step, as four of the members of TEAB are members of PERAB too, excluding Paul Volcker. This has prevented the wisdom of the likes of Volcker from trickling down to action.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Monday, February 01, 2010

Making hay while the sun shines!

Global slowdown coupled with terror attacks & swine flue had marred travel agencies in the year bygone. But with green shoots of recovery showing up, the smile is back on a travel agent’s face, says neha saraiya

Sanjay Datta, a Delhi-based travel agent (who has been running his travel agency under the name of Airborne Travels since 1983), can be seen in his office, located at Defence Colony, even before 9 in the morning these days. This, in fact, is in sharp contrast to the schedule that he had been following regularly for over a year and half now (reaching his office not before 12 noon).

Well, the reason for his punctuality is not that he has suddenly realised the importance of being early in office. In fact, it is a more obvious one than that, business is back on the upswing in the Indian hospitality industry after a long lull. That is evident when you see how he is now selling over 50 tickets on a single day these days against the miniscule number of 15-20 tickets that he could hardly manage a year back.

No doubt, the past two years have been exigent for the travel and tourism industry in India. Global economic slowdown, fall in premium traffic, mounting fuel surcharges, et al, have affected the travel agents’ businesses in India in a big way. In fact, as per the latest data from the Ministry of Tourism, tourist arrivals in India have gone down by an alarming 16.6% and 12.9% (year-on-year basis) in January and March 2009 respectively. “Last year our revenues had fallen drastically, as much as by 60-70% equalising with the passenger drop of 30%,” agrees Datta.

Not only domestic travel agencies, but even international travel agents are in the same boat. As Magdi Mohamed, Operation Manager, Eastmar Tours & Holidays (a Dubai-based travel agency) puts his case forward, “In the beginning, travel agencies like us used to close around 80,000 files in a year for Egypt. But last year, that number fell by 20-40%.”

However, with the market pulse belatedly getting back to normal in the last six months, travel agents across the country have finally started breathing a sigh of relief. In fact, as per a recent report by Travelport GDS, Indian travel agents were successful in converting more than 78% of enquiries into actual sales and generated more revenue from recreational travel (58%) than business travel (42%), out of which 74% came from repeat travel.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sir, you feed us, we won’t forget that

Bhutan has achieved progress that India (or any other nation) could well follow, from infrastructural development to energy sufficiency. Interestingly, it has done so with help from India as India is its largest partner to provide aid. In an interaction, Tenzin Rondel Wangchuk, the Counsellor at Bhutanese Embassy in India reveals issues, irritants, and much more:

“5 things Bhutan appreciates about India...”

RELATIONSHIP: Because of the historical and cultural ties amongst a multitude of other reasons, India and Bhutan share an extremely close and cordial relationship. This relationship exists not because of geographic and political compulsions but because there is a pervading goodwill and friendship which is remarkably genuine and honest.

SUPPORT FOR UN MEMBERSHIP: For Bhutan to advance as a modern independent state in the comity of nations, the single most important step in our modern history was joining the United Nations on September 21, 1971. India sponsored our membership to the United Nations and this is something all Bhutanese will always appreciate.

ECONOMIC COOPERATION: India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and therefore shares a very close economic relation. Bhutan and India have a Free Trade Agreement in place which facilitates free and uninterrupted trade. An important initiative taken by them is concerning cooperation in the field of hydropower electricity. This agreement envisages development of 10,000 MW of electricity of 2020, much of which will be sold to India to the meet demand for energy to drive its booming economy.

NON-INTERFERENCE INTERNAL ISSUES: As our closest neighbour and friend, India has never interfered in our internal matters. In fact, Bhutan has gone through great political changes and economic advancement in the last five decades or so. Through all these changes, India has been one country and a true friend which has always supported Bhutan.


DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS: Bhutan is a developing country and heavily reliant on donor assistance. India is by far the biggest donor to Bhutan. The first two five year plans were completely financed by India.

“And the 5 things we dislike...”

BORDER SECURITY: We share our borders with four Indian states. The problem of militancy in some of these states does affect Bhutan in some ways and is also a security concern for both countries. The unmanned porous forested border has been used in the past by the militants from these states to get away into Bhutan and they had even established camps until they were flushed out in the military operation.

THE REGION: Our region is home to one fourth of this world’s inhabitants. Economic growth cannot happen in isolation. Fortunately, SAARC provides a common platform to pursue such regional objectives. India can do more. Perhaps there is a need for confidence building measures to be accelerated amongst the member states.

POOR INFRASTRUCTURE: India’s one of the biggest draw backs is infrastructure. Connectivity between states and cities needs to be improved.

CLEAN ENERGY: Climate change is for real and is here now. It is affecting all of us directly and indirectly. If not addressed immediately, it may obliterate the entire human race from this planet in the near future. It’s a challenge for India to sustain growth while addressing climate change issues.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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Friday, January 15, 2010

Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi has no electoral interests in his birthplace

“Knowing the issue fully well, Kalaingar did not consult his officials. He simply called the press and announced that he was going to the Cauvery delta's tail-end area the next day for inspection. By the time he reached the next morning, water had magically begun to flow to our area,” reminisces Thennan.

Another classic example of his style of functioning: the chariot of a famous temple in Thiruvarur had broken down. After he became CM, people requested him to sanction a new axle for the chariot wheel. Being an atheist, Karunanidhi had only recently written in his party organ Murasoli: "While the tilling people suffer, what is the need to run a chariot for the lord?” He asked the people to wait for two months. He then announced that the landless poor would be given the land they lived on. Once that process was completed, he made arrangements to run the chariot through the streets of Thiruvarur.

Shankar, DMK secretary of Tiruvarur town, says: “Karunanidhi treats Thiruvarur the way a mother treats a child. Whatever growth takes place here is entirely due to him.”

In Thirukuvalai, DMK's Paavaadaisamy, who takes care of the Karunanidhi family's affairs, says: “Thalaivar (leader) has done so much for us. But whatever we ask, he is still ready to deliver. When he comes here, the whole village celebrates.”

Karunanadhi's sons, M.K.Azhagiri, Union minister for fertilisers, M.K.Stalin, deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, and daughters Selvi and Kanimozhi, MP, also visit this district at every opportunity.

“When Thalapathy (Stalin) comes here, he gets down on the south street where his father's house is located and walks the rest of the distance. When Azhagiri came here last, two village girls approached him for help to study medicine. Within days, their dreams became a reality," says Pavaadaisamy.

This tiny village boasts a government hospital, an industrial training institute and a 110 KW electricity substation. A huge port and a thermal power station are also on the anvil. It pays to be Karunanidhi’s birthplace!

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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Monday, January 11, 2010

What the luck!!!

We have a neighbour, China...

The juggernaut of China’s economic and political clout in the region should be too good for India, sarcastically speaking, but it didn’t quite work for the Tao kings with respect to a proposed ADB loan of $2.9 billion to India, which China vehemently objected to because the package included $60 million meant for watershed management in Arunachal Pradesh. China claims the state as their own territory and describes it as ‘disputed’. India finally won the loan that covers a period of 2009 to 2012. It is a diplomatic victory for India (after a 6 months’ haul). Sadly, that is where our weighty talk ends.

Far away in South Eastern Ladakh, China has objected to a road construction within India’s territory at Demchok, and this has gathered political clout. Apparently, the road was being built under the Centre’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, when one day, some Chinese soldiers crossing the border came and shouted at the workers to stop their work, bringing the entire project into a halt. The government’s effort to create employment in this remote and diffident region – as also to heed a local demand to build connectivity – has been arrested, at least for the time being. However, China has built a similar road on their side of the border to which India has never objected! RAW (research and analysis wing) has submitted a report stating China has built and/or repaired as many as 27 airstrips near India’s border in Tibet. But when it comes to India, China has raised objections on India upgrading its airfields in Eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

What is flummoxing to see is that despite giving Rs.24,000 crores for the development of the region, the Indian government continues to remain mystically quiet through all these Chinese balderdash moves (even though the CM of AP, Doorjee Khandu, has vowed not to bend his back on Chinese provocations). It is critical that India continues to speak out on the issue on global forums. History itself is a matter of acrimonious debate; from Babri to Arunachal.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Another storm in the T cup

Naresh Nunna seeks to explain the pros and the cons of a separate Telangana state in a politico-historical and socio-cultural context

Five decades of forced juxtaposition repeatedly proved Fazl Ali’s presumptions on the uneasy alliance between two unequal economic partners. This apprehension was also shared by B.R. Ambedkar, though in a general way. “Why do Tamils hate Andhras and Andhras hate Tamils? Why do Andhras in Hyderabad hate Maharashtrians and Maharashtrians hate Andhras? Why do Gujaratis hate Maharashtrians and Maharashtrians hate Gujaratis? ……….. The hatred is due to the fact that they are put in juxtaposition and forced to take part in a common cycle of participation, such as Government…….So long as this enforced juxtaposition remains, there will be no peace between the two…,” Ambedkar had written in Thoughts On Linguistic States. “Telangana has been backward for centuries. The most crucial infrastructure element — irrigation system — was never developed here though both the Krishna and the Godavari flows through it. In contrast, coastal Andhra aggressively lobbied for and got a network of canals that took river waters deep into some districts,” BJP MLA Kishan Reddy told TSI.

Coastal Andhra settlers are often accused of exploiting Telangana’s resources. But, the seed of every demand did not merely lie in the perception of economic neglect. The cultural and lingual hegemony of neo-colonial Andhraites has widened the gulf, the diametrically conflicting economic interests adding fuel to the fire. Hence, it is more an emotional problem rather than an economic glitch. In spite of being neighbours, the two cultures were poles apart. This persistent disparity is not at all unknown to the agitators of ‘united Andhra’ but they have practical reasons.

“Assets worth millions of crores in Telangana region, particularly in Hyderabad, are owned by coastal settlers. Once the state is divided, the fate of these assets would be volatile,” a member of Telangana Settlers’ Forum expresses his apprehension.

So, as Chandrababu Naidu made a flip-flop on the electoral assurances in favour of a separate Telangana, the non-confirmative Chiranjeevi, confined to head the deserted legislative ramks of Prajarajyam, and MiM is opposing a separate Telangana state tooth and nail. It seems the Congress has a Herculean task cut out.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Sunderbans calling

Mangrove forest may become one of the seven wonders

The world’s largest estuarine mangrove forest area, the Sunderbans, may soon find itself in the list of seven wonders of nature. Chances of it getting into the top list are high as Bangladeshis are ready to vote in favour of the Sunderbans.

The Bangladesh government has already been informed by New Delhi about the vote. And the good news is that both countries have agreed to vote in favour of the Sundarbans. Chief minister of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee told reporters: “This is indeed good news for both the countries. It will be great that the people of both the countries will vote to put Sunderbans in the top tier.” Other contenders from India include the Ganges and the Kaziranga National Park. Mount Everest, K2, Chitwan National Park, Baikal Lake and the Dead Sea are the nominations from Asia. The nomination process is on with 261 entries received for the top 77 slots. The results will be announced in 2011. The New7Wonders Foundation said the campaign would surely renew people’s interest in nature.

Two years back, fans had voted for the iconic Taj Mahal for a position in the new seven wonders of the world. This time too people are hopeful that Sunderbans will clinch it. No body wants it more than Kolkata-based environmentalist Subhas Datta. “The ecology of the region has to be preserved and that will definitely bring in tourists from all over the world,” he said. He is right. But what about the damaged embankments in the Sunderbans that were destroyed by cyclone Aila? And why did the government take five months to acquire lands? There are many unanswered questions.

However, the state government is all set to acquire 5,963 acre for reconstruction of 834 km of embankment in the Sunderbans with Rs 100 crore of Central assistance. “The decision has been taken for restoration of the area,” said state FM Asim Dasgupta. But many doubt the government’s decision as it was announced after dates of by-polls to the 10 Assembly seats were out. The ruling Left Front was routed in the recent polls in districts where Aila wreaked havoc. Senior journalist Sankar Roy told TSI that acquisition of land in this case may be less cumbersome. But he added, “Is the announcement legal because it came just after by-poll dates were announced?” The readers will know the best answer.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative
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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

“Government exists but only as a tool of oppression’’

RSP leader and PWD minister of West Bengal Kshiti Goswami says it would be better if the people could do away with the state government, Chandrasekhar Bhattacharya finds out more.

The Left Front government is considered as pro-worker. Can you claim success on the labour front?

The government could do nothing on this front. Rather, workers’ struggle has gone from weak to weaker. Bogged down by economism, Trade Unions failed to boost political movements. The labour department has failed to protect labourers. Today, the owners dictate the terms and submit memorandums, not the Trade Unions. That’s why the state tops the list of Provident Fund defaulters. But the government takes no action.

The issue of land acquisition has been rocking the state for more than 3 years. How correct is the government’s stand?

The government’s stand is basically fallacious. There was no Land Map which could have clearly demonstrated the character of land including how many crops it yields, what kind of crop, etc. Neither the government has any Land Bank. We, along with other partners like CPI and Forward Bloc, have been pressing the government to evolve these two. But our voices have not been honoured. Snatching land is not a matter of joke. Communists, who have gone through the experience penned in ‘Quiet Flows the Don’, should have learnt it from the former USSR’s instance. After Singur and Nandigram, we thought this should at least be halted. But Rajarhat showed again that land grabbing was initiated to benefit CPM-backed touts and thugs. A CPM legislator is also involved in it. This party has lost control over its cadres.

What is your comment on the government’s approach towards the tribal people?

They have been blatantly neglected by the state, specially their economic and social needs. But historically, they had deep allegiance to the Left Front. But we neither understood their social dynamics nor gave importance to their social uplift. We did not care to integrate them into the mainstream. Narrow partisan approach is responsible for this. The habit of looking through party glasses has widened the gap to an unfathomable distance.

Tribals also inhabit the North Bengal tea garden area. Do they get proper treatment?

The state’s approach towards the tea industry is wrong. As the Centre earns foreign currency through tea export, the state’s approach has been: Let the Centre take care of problems in tea gardens. The Centre also thought on the same line, hoping that the state would step forward. This has helped garden owners to grossly violate the Plantation Labour Act, one of the best pro-labour act of India. This has pushed the plantation workers to the brink of disaster. On the other hand, involvement of touts and middlemen has jeopardised tea workers’ interests. The situation is such that the present generation of garden workers feels betrayed and some of them may be forced to take up arms against the state. The Trade Unions also can not abdicate their responsibilities.
Can the West Bengal government claim any success in the field of education in the last 33 years?

The state, in fact, has had no firm stand on education since the nation followed the path of globalisation. It has taken a 180 degree turn on the language issue, from mother tongue to English, without considering the ground realities of remote villages. Regarding privatisation of education, the state is in a dilemma and addressing this half-heartedly. These have led to unplanned privatisation of education — from mushrooming ‘Benglish’ medium schools to critical manifestation of PTTI, B.Ed and other issues. Vishwa Bharati is another issue where sheer party politics is creating all the trouble.

Can we say the state has failed to deliver on health services, to check the outbreak of tropical diseases, to arrest infant mortality and to address malnutrition?

Not really. Still people have faith on government-run hospitals, which really have excellent doctors and nurses but lack modern equipment. One may not find ICCU or modern blood test facilities at district level hospitals. But it’s a fact that the government could do a lot more than it has done.

Does Chief Minister’s call for “Do It Now’ matches reality?

There was nothing wrong in the chief minister’s dream. But like Socialism, it has also failed. Bureaucracy has failed it. This can’t materialise without administrative reforms.

Let’s come to the Maoists. What is your understanding of the scenario?

It is being said that the Maoists have taken up arms and so, armed action is required. Before I reply, please tell me the name of one country where Marxists or Communists have increased their strength without the use of arms. Nowhere! Even in India, did the undivided CPI increase its strength without arms? What happened in Telengana or Tebhaga? Can you explain B T Randive or Pramod Dasgupta’s ‘half-partisan line’? Was that a peaceful path of revolution?

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative



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