MBA... Infatuation?

With all the intentions to make judgmental statements and express my viewpoint as an individual MBA student I am writing this piece of article. MBA has entered into the league of most sought after degrees in the recent years. To understand if it is really worth, first of all let me define what MBA is. It’s a launching pad for the so called begging for a welfare job branded as “executive of a big company”. I’m not bothered about the acceptance of my definition by the B-schools or MBA aspirants, but I’m sure the existing MBAs and students pursuing it will agree with me. What do brilliant MBA students look for? A foreign placement, getting settled in abroad, getting a green card. Surely they are capable of getting all these. What they get is a fat pay cheque, what the foreign companies pay is remuneration for cheap skilled labor available in India. We are taught a wholesome lot of managerial skills to move up these corporate to a great height.
But like most other educational qualifications in India, what an MBA program is doing is producing clerks. Exceptions are always there and companies do offer good profiles also. However these offers remain constrained to premier B-schools. Total number of students passing out of all these premier B-schools is an insignificant fraction of the pool of MBAs produced every year.
By this time you must have realized that I’m talking about some problem. As an MBA I am supposed to provide solutions. So now let me present a solution to this problem. Solution lies in asking the right question. The questions, which are generally asked while opting for MBA are, should I get one? Will it be good for my career? Will it be worth the money? Is it worth the time away from the workplace to do it full time? Are part-time MBA programs too hard to do while working full time? Is it worth going back for an executive MBA once I'm already in management? The most surprising thing is that among all the questions, few are about what an MBA is and what it isn't. Most of the discussion centers on the credential and the cost rather than the content. Few ask about what you learn or what it prepares you to do effectively. Doing the cost benefit analysis of the degree, where cost will also include the sacrifice cost, there is a surprising lack of consumer interest in the actual product. The answer to this question will raise many eyebrows. The answer lies in consumer awareness. So for the sake of information dissemination, MBA is not teaching us Management or leadership, it’s just teaching us different functions of business in isolation. It’s impossible to see the complete picture and feel being a part of the big picture once an MBA get into the corporate world. This is true with all the clerical jobs, which an MBA job is not supposed to be. Even the recruiters are only interested in the Brand name of one’s institute.
Another solution lies in the change of pedagogy of the MBA course. We are taught how to work for money but not how to make money work for us. Entrepreneurship should be the biggest thrust of an MBA program. This can also help in coping up with the existing problem of faculty shortage. Entrepreneurs are everywhere - small and big. They should be called to share their experience. When Dabbawallas can deliver a lecture on Six Sigma and it’s unintentional implementation, I am sure in a country of more than a billion, the B-schools can find more such people.
India needs people who can make money work for them, those who can answer all the questions erupting while starting a new venture, and those who know where to find the resources to show the world their real potential.
If I’ve got the Midas touch I’ll make gold for myself and my country’s prosperity and not for an MNC or any company who forces me to forget the real meaning of my existence. We are meant for much bigger things then merely chasing sales target. Education is imperative but not if it educates me to win a rat race.
Written By: Vineet Patawari, IIM Indore

Is increasing population really a curse?

Some days ago, I happened to read an article on internet which mentioned about the population situation of the country. Based on an analysis by a leading survey firm, it has been declared that in another 30 years, our country would surpass China in terms of number of people residing in each country. Presently, we are at 1.08 billion while China has reached 1.23 billion. However, over the past decade, the Chinese govt. has been following a stringent law which says about one-child norm for each couple. Talk about a law being stringent in India and the very word loses its relevance. As for the record, our govt. has also introduced two-child norm law but everyone, right from the bureaucrats to the common man, knows that this kind of practice is hardly adhered to anywhere in the country. Conscientiously speaking, a country as populous as ours is obviously going to face a lot many problems, the prominent ones being shortage of basic amenities, depriving of one’s rights and dwindling of stability on the whole.

Taking a brief tour of our present economic condition, we are booming at the moment with bullying rate. The GDP has already crossed 8% and the sensex has kissed an all-time high of 14,500 points. The forex reserves have crossed the $200 billion mark. The corporate sector is enjoying the fruits like never before with everybody being in the expansion mode. The company owners are not stopping over patting their backs and at the same time, the investors are gushing over their good fortune. And, the good news is that this rate is not mere a momentary speculation and is only going to get better with time. But, while basking in this moment of glory, one just needs to take a reality check. Owing to increase in population and growing shortage of resources, the growth can face a steep decline and eventually burst down into fragments. This precisely has been the perspective from a common man as well as from majority of self-proclaimed experts’ point of view. People have been raving and ranting about this whole issue; politicians trying to politicize it as much as they can; NGOs belching and burping over it; panelists discussing the pseudo-pros and cons suitable to them and common man bawling over it in such a way that his life is going to cease the moment the population crosses the threshold.
With a country as vast as India (area-wise, ours is the seventh largest nation in the world), there are still huge acres of land left uninhibited. So, as far as dwelling problem of the ‘extra-population’ is concerned, it is inconsequential for atleast two centuries. That leaves survival of the common man as the lone aspect that needs to be addressed while considering this upcoming ‘curse’.

But, one just needs to hold on for sometime and think whether this problem is actually a curse or ‘a blessing in disguise’. Well, it may sound gibberish but this situation can be quantified in a different proposition, a proposition which, if thought sensibly, can prove fruitful and can actually come forward as the backbone for stupendous economic growth. Well, as a matter of fact, this factor is prevalent even in today’s times and needless to say, it is the basic ingredient for maintaining the present growth as well as ensuring the future ascent. What is being talked about is nothing but ‘Manpower’. Well, as far as skilled manpower in India is concerned, it is a well acknowledged fact that Indians are rated as one of the most skillful and brainy humans of the world. So, it is but natural that the younger folk presently waiting in the wings would take the center-stage and act as a catalyst to incrementing the already booming economy of the country. Now, the question arises where does this leave comparison with China? And, the reply is simply based on above made analysis. In another 30 years, India is going to surpass China in terms of manpower and, consequently, surge ahead in terms of development too. It seems unimaginable to think at this moment but every sensible and foresighted mind would agree to this fact that the situation currently being termed as a ‘danger’ is going to emerge as the most invaluable resource in the future.

Looking from a brighter perspective, all the blocks seem to fit in perfectly. But, a more minute observation shows that only the apex of the pyramid has been consolidated thus far and there is a lot of work left at the base lest the train of progress should slip off the rails. The basic foundations need to be stabilized in order to achieve what we have aspired for our nation. To put it practically, it is mandatory to serve and fulfill the basic needs of all the sections of the society. Then only, we can expect an enthusiastic and dying-to-excel youth brigade who shall take charge tomorrow to steer the whole country towards prosperity. The govt. needs to be more flexible in granting aids and providing facilities rather than maintaining obstinate nature and exploiting the whole population issue to suit themselves. The responsible authorities should consider this as their utmost priority to look at the brighter perspective with optimism and shun their vested interests. Such a responsible approach is the need of the hour if we really want to realize the dream of a “Developed India” and be Numero-Uno in every field we embark.

Written By: Alok Mam, BITS, Pilani

What's the solution to dowry?

Dowry, as a practice has pervaded our system and it strikes at the roots of equality that we extol or boast about. This is an instance of a high degree of hypocrisy and double speech on the part of Indian society. The virtues of a girl are reduced to nothing and her abilities do not matter. If the father can pay hefty dowry, she would be regarded to have all the virtues of the world and if that cannot be garnered, the virtues are unwanted characteristics or may be vices. Dowry now is so much a part of the system that one not taking dowry is seen as a fool and one not giving as a miser who does not want the welfare of his daughter. Something that everyone realizes and acknowledges is bad but something that everyone indulges in. We have been trying to think on this problem from various angles. Educating the masses or society won’t help as social pressure is too much on people. Moreover, how can one stop a father from giving gifts to his daughter? The line that divides dowry and those gifts is thin and one that certainly can evade the law enforcing agencies. Then what is the way out? I believe law has its own limitations, there are issues which are beyond its reach and dowry certainly is one of these.
Can love marriages be a solution to this problem? I think they might be. It would first be pertinent to look at how arranged marriages operate or happen in our country. Invariably, the girl’s father goes to meet the prospective groom or the boy. Before that the photographs are exchanged. The boy would see the photograph of the girl. Height of the girl – 5’3”, color – fair, age - 23 years. And then the boy looks at her educational background. Now what is most striking about this description? Are you going to buy a goat or a cow? How does the height and color matter in a long term relationship? How can you spend your life with some one you do not know? The argument is that this is how it has been happening for so many years and moreover, the arranged marriages in India have been quite successful, i.e., long lasting. But the long lasting Indian marriages are not the true testimony of happiness as much as they are of tolerance, ignorance, patience and stamina of the Indian women. It is just a compromise of life. Besides the attributes of the girl, there are other considerations that are more important and are invariably the decisive factors. What is the father doing? What are the siblings doing? It seems that one is in a big showroom to buy a DVD player. What a travesty of the individual and what a great irony!
There cannot be anything more inimical to the interests of the women. In this entire where do they stand? Invariably they stand as a silent spectator, much like the cow. I am not saying that parents do not take all steps to ensure a good life for their children. But then who are they to decide what is good for a 23 year old girl. If she cannot decide what is good for her, she would probably never understand and learn to make a choice. How can leave the most important decision of one’s life to others? Isn’t this a folly?
Let us have a look from the boy’s perspective. India promotes compliance and produces spineless males. What can be a better manifestation of the above line than the fact that they are willing to spend their lives with someone they do not know. Is it not like playing a gamble? For us a boy who refuses to listen to his parents is disobedient, callous and disrespectful. After all, our parents bring us up, take care of us and so they do have certain expectations. But then is it not a restriction or in fact a strangulation of his freedom, his life and his choices? Civil and political freedom has been guaranteed by the Constitution but where is personal freedom? Is it not insecurity of the parents that they think of themselves to be in a better position to decide for their son not letting loose the grip they have on him? And what does the Indian male do? He obeys his parents because he does not want to displease them. But is this not a spineless act? Does this not show his helplessness, his predisposition to please everyone revealing that he does not have the power to confront, to stick to his decision against all odds? In fact, in India marriage is not something where an individual has to exercise his right to chose. The choice of the partner is left to the families and the rest is left for them to ponder about. So, the most germane decision is not yours. I simply do not understand this.
We talk of Hindu Muslim unity. We know inter caste and inter religious understanding is must for our country. But then are we really promoting it? It has both individual and societal level implications to it. Firstly, at societal level, these castes and religious groups would remain water tight compartments with little mobility. Just imagine a Hindu getting married to a Muslim. In a second, it can lead to riots and clashes and society, especially the middle class, looks at it as a crime, as something blasphemous. In my opinion, it would be turning a new leaf for communal harmony if more inter caste and inter religious marriages are encouraged. We have so much to gain and nothing to lose. What we need is an initiative. Young men who have a spine, who can stick to their decisions against all odds! But these changes would take time; to change the mindset of society is like shifting a graveyard, even the dead stand up and bleed status quo. But the youth of this country would not budge and we all are expecting a bright future not only for the women but for this country.
Written By: Achal Tyagi, LLB (Hons.), Delhi

Say no to unemployment

Corruption is not unexpected when money is involved and the transaction is between officials who have the power and control over the money, and the poor unemployed laborers who would be willing to take only a share of whatever is due to him or her. It has been variously estimated that only about 25 percent of any relief money actually reaches the intended beneficiary. Politicians and bureaucrats steal the majority of funds. A question then crops in our mind: even if NREGS is not beset with corruption and fraud, is it the best mechanism? Since it is an income redistribute scheme, it must be ensured that production is sufficient so as to ensure more equitable distribution. Focus must be shifted to income generation rather than mere employment generation.
Sustaining the development is a tedious task and for that first and foremost primary education and health care needs to be taken care of and instead of just sitting and blaming the government for all its failures let us, the citizens come forward to perform our duties. If each one of us can take the initiative to educate even one person in our lifetime, friends, we can make a huge difference to the current depressing scenario.
The NREGS is outstanding in one respect. It guarantees money for work, not for free like every project till now did. Indians are used to getting things for free or subsidized and this perception needs to change.
To ensure that our hard earned money does not go down the drain into the politicians’ pockets and it is utilized in the proper direction, we need to be vigilant and ensure that certain measures are taken. A separate monitoring body must be set up along with members from local NGOs so that there is a constant check on the activities. Clear asset creation targets must be identified to avoid confusion regarding goals to be achieved. Establishment of a proper monitoring mechanism would be vital in controlling the conduction of planned activities. Proper planning is essential to ensure avoidance of wastage. Awareness to this program should be increased and advertising can be an effective medium in this regard.
At this stage, an example can throw some insight: A power company put up an 18 MW plant based on biomass produced from juliflora, a plant which literally grows in the wild. The villagers were enthused that someone was willing to pay them a decent amount for collecting shrubs and twigs that were in abundance in that area. The power company could produce much-needed, eco-friendly, Co2-neutral power at a very low cost and supply it to the grid. As a logical extension of the idea, if the power could be consumed locally (avoiding the T&D losses) and some food-processing or other rurally-relevant industry could flourish, you would have a winning formula of rural employment, power generation, rural industry and a genuine improvement in the lifestyle of the people, motivating them to stay put and avoid the migration to urban areas.
These are the models which we must showcase and build on. NREGS, if it can come up with complete package of change management, then can be a great leap for human resources development and knowledge revolution in India. Economic growth has benefited hundreds like us but the misery of unfortunate citizens is shameful.
Hence we must ensure proper implementation of these programs in our own small little ways. We should stop thinking that our small step will not have any significant value. It is high time that we wake up to the call of the moment because if we let this state of darkness continues; we endanger our own well being.
Written By: Preeti Baid, Kolkata

Is quota the solution?

There aren’t many people in India who would disagree with the fact, and I call it a “fact” for specific reasons, that the OBC population is more than the proposed 27% reservation for them in the institutes of higher learning such as the IITs and the IIMs. But still the Supreme Court has not decided to step on the gas. The government is not ready to listen and so is even the opposition. Why not? Who does not want the votes of those of whom a large chunk goes to vote? But still the question remains in front of all, is quota the only solution? Or should I put it in another way, as, is quota the solution to this age old problem of social and economic inequality?
I do agree with the intent of the policy makers, if at all they have one. But the way they are planning, if at all they have made any plans for it, to implement it, is completely out of my senses. Today we do not need a system where the institutes of higher learning should be made a mockery in the hands of the political parties and be run on the whims and fancies of one man with whom no one could disagree for obvious reasons. In fact, the Planning Commission would itself agree with me and would even support me with its findings. A little less than one third of the primary school teachers have not themselves completed higher education, more than one third of the children who have passed 4th standard can not read a small paragraph meant to be read by a child of 2nd standard and more than half of these children cannot divide a three digit number by a one digit number. This is where the problem lies. How can one even think of fruits from a tree which has been uprooted long back and is just standing some how because of some weak supports which can fall any day?
The truth is that the foundation of the Indian education system is weak. The government needs to revamp the whole system. It is time for an education overhaul and the first step should be in the direction of quality primary education for all. If this is done effectively, there would be no need for a quota system for these candidates in the institutes of higher learning. The government must encourage non-profit organizations to come forward and take part in such initiatives which aim to build a better future for the backward classes by building their tomorrow and empowering them to build a good future for themselves instead indulging in vote-bank politics. Meritocracy is the need in certain areas and mediocrity can be accepted in the others. But there is a need to identify the two and act accordingly. Only then can we truly achieve the goal with which this whole concept of reservations was framed!
So what exactly is the solution? Well, clearly there isn’t a good primary education system for the poor and the backward classes. So, first of all the government needs to initiate schemes for developing the same and allocate more resources towards this direction. Secondly, it must understand that there are jobs like those of major medical professionals which need to be performed by meritorious candidates passing out of elite institutes such as AIIMS and there are some jobs such as those of production and electrical engineers at the sites of various private and PSU units which can be done by an average professional who has the basic knowledge and skills and thus can be done by people passing out through the reserved seats from other institutes. This is the simple principle of “mediocrity and meritocracy”. Once implemented, it will guarantee equality and would also ensure that institutes of higher learning do not lose their identity in the eyes of the people. Moreover, it is the right approach to bring about the cause for which reservations were first introduced. Thus, it is time for the government to change its course of action. Else, the power of electorate can do wonders, any day.
Written By: The People's Pen

Are we really independent?

I was thinking about myself as to who am I? When I self internalized I found that like every individual I am a person who loves independence. But when I actually looked outside I found that this independence is no where. One question that came to my mind was that even after 50 years of independence are we really Independent? When I was born that time I was under the guidance of my parents and was totally dependent on them. They influenced me as to what I am today. When I grew up and went to school I was bounded by the rules and regulations. The same was applicable even for the college. At every point of time I remember the quote “Man is born free but lives in chains”. That time people used to say all this would be helpful in becoming a good citizen and once I become an adult I will be free and can live my life independently. On my 18th birthday I was very excited that now I will be independent and will make a new world of my own. I will be independent and can take my decisions independently. Was this really possible? Soon my dreams were dashed to the ground. All around me was blood and more blood. Every sight caused me immense pain and everytime I questioned myself are we independent? Although we fought for independence but still we are dependent much more than what we were before getting independence. I found the society was very conservative. In reality it was not at all independent. Whatever I did I was imposed to follow certain ethics and norms in life. The thought of doing something was always followed by the thought as to how the society would perceive me or my thinking. I just cannot do whatever I want because that can harm others mentally and physically thus making it rather difficult for me to take independent decisions. Every action or decision was bounded by the perception of the society. We can never be completely independent as long as we live in a society. In order to be really independent one should have the right to live their lives in the way they want. The society was surrounded by corruption and corrupt politicians. Bribery was the order of the day. People were killing each other for no reason. The crime rates had increased and people were no longer feeling safe. Soon I realized that everything was not as good as I thought it to be, forget about being united and independent , even relationships were not valued. People were ready to sell their families for the sake of money or even go to the extent of killing them for their own needs. Though people used to say that the Country is free from slavery but still it existed in different forms. Out of which the problem of child labor was very severe. Children were abused and were forced to beg. The society was also facing the problem of unemployment. People were dying out of hunger as they could not afford 2 meals a day. Due to lack in education, women were most affected and they went through was suffering and pain. They were never considered at par with men. They were always looked down upon and were never accepted in the society as working women. Bribery was still in existence due to which many lives were also lost. Everyone was much aware of the fact that the practice of dowry was bad and not right but still it was being accepted and followed at all levels. We call ourselves independent and educated, then why can’t we break this conservatism. We are still dependent on the political system which keeps the people illiterate so that the votes can be controlled easily. We have to depend on one another for our needs. Each one of us was living a misleading path of life where our likes and dislikes did not make any sense and had no existence in the real independent world. It’s high time we realize that each individual is a unique piece of art and give each person their birthright the right to live the way they want. Was this the independence that I was looking for? Was this the independence for which the freedom fighters gave their lives? Even after 50 years of independent are we really independent?
Written By: Nitin Sureka, TAPMI, Manipal

Women education - learning today for a better tomorrow!

Women play so many different roles during her life. A woman’s life is thought to be a celebration of contributions she makes in every aspect of life: at home, on the job, in their communities, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, learners, workers, citizens and leaders. Whether it is while playing with their children in the park, or washing clothes in a river, or taking a break at the office water cooler, everywhere they come together and talk about their aspirations and concerns and time and again, the talk turns to children and families. However different they may be, there is far more that unites them than divides them across the globe. They share a common future. It is integral to find common ground so that they may help bring new dignity and respect to women all over the world - and in doing so, bring new strength and stability to families as well. It would be an understatement to say that this common ground includes the men in their lives too. A woman's struggle is not so much her own or just for the female community, it is a humanistic struggle. It is for the betterment and development of mankind on the whole on earth.
It still is a debatable issue whether the lives of women and girls matter to economic and political progress around the globe. What we need to focus around the world is that if women are healthy, educated and free from violence their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish. That is why every woman, every man, every child, every family, and every nation on our planet has a stake in the struggle for gender equality. Women are the primary caretakers for most of the world's children and elderly. Yet much of the work we do is not valued. Those of us who know how to read and write should be able to voice their opinion and lead the way for the ones who cannot.
Women education has definitely helped women to be more informative and more understanding. It has shown its effects both in the backward classes as well as modern ladies. Women education has brought about a vast change in the whole society and in the whole world. They are more independent now, they look at life in a totally different way, and they have learned to analyze things in the right manner and take their own decisions and execute them. Whatever they say and feel have weight in them and are considered by anyone and everyone. Women education has brought out the importance and the knowledge they hold in them .The outlook has changed not only in the higher society but also in the lower and underprivileged society. Issues such as dowry, sati, and discrimination though not completely extinct have taken a back seat in society. Women have learnt to protect themselves and live a life with their heads up. Their opinions are voiced better now and heard.
Whether a male or a female, black or white, education changes everyone’s life and their status, the more you know the more you gain. The more you learn the more you value yourself the more you are valued by other people. Education boosts up the self esteem in every person, and that’s what it is doing to every educated women. Certainly it has brought about a great change for the better of women folks. It has freed them from the bondage of men .The outlook and career prospects that education has given them is the kind of economic independence that is necessary for them to breathe a fresh air into their lives. Men can no longer use them for their selfish needs and mistreat them. Educated women no longer have to depend on others to help them in things, they don’t have to extend their arm and beg for money to fulfill their needs or the needs of the family.
Young women entering today’s workforce have much more opportunities than previous generations. Not only are more women working but as a matter of fact they occupy more senior high paying jobs than even before due to the improvement in their education. They have moved from typing tools and school rooms all the way to the competitive corporate world where the fittest of all survives. Today’s educated women are ready to accept all kind of challenges in their path. Whether in the corporate world or society or the political world they seem to be very strong in every field. Even poor people and backward people of the society are looking forward to the idea of education in order to give them a moral boost so that they can earn themselves a living the right way .
But as it is said where there is gain there is pain. Despite the education and career for women, they continue to bear the brunt of domestic chores. Still in some parts of the world women are being mistreated. In some places they are not being allowed education. Still women are considered second citizen. Women education and women can bring about a vast change in the society, country and the world for good if given the right opportunity. We as human beings should protect the sole interests of every woman. Education is a must for every woman!
Written By: Pooja Churiwalla, Head Teacher, Kangaroo Kids, Kolkata

Elimination of female fetus

“In India, we have inherited the cultural legacy of having strong son-preference among all communities, religious groups and citizens of varied socio-economic backgrounds. Patriotically, patri-lineage and patriarchal attitudes manifest in women and girls having subordinate position in the family, discrimination in property rights and low paid or unpaid jobs. Women's work is limited to household duties. At the time of marriage, dowry is given by the bride's family to the groom's for shouldering 'the burden of the bride'. In many communities as custom female babies are killed immediately after birth either by the mother or by elderly women of the family to relieve themselves from the life of humiliation, rejection and suffering."
Social discrimination against women results in systematic neglect of women's health, from womb to tomb. Female infanticide and female feticide are widely practices in many States. The overall sex-ratio, at present, is favorable women in Kerala. But in Kerala also, in the 0-6 age group, the sex ratio was 963 as per 2001 census. Out of total 36.5 lakh 0-6 age group POPULATION 18'6 lakhs were male babies and 17.9 lakhs female babies. Thus, 79760 female babies and infants were missing in 2001 in Kerala. This masculisation of sex ratio is as result of female fetuses after the use of ultrasound techniques of sex determination.
The reason of female infanticide can be linked with the evil of dowry, hyper gamy, prevailing in our society. A more degrading and disparaging feature of the society has seen existing for the last two decades is the immense love for male child and elimination of female fetus. With invention of new technologies to monitor the 'Fetal' health, it was expected to be used for taking care of health of the unborn child, but became terminator of female fetus. Are female fetus being deliberately eliminated or aborted, is the question? To a great extent, yes! is the answer.
Are the technologies (ultrasonography, amniocentesis, chorian villi biopsy, foetoscopy, material serum analysis etc.) assisting in elimination? Again the answer is yes; yes, to a great extent.
Biologically, girls are stronger and with all thrust on the well being of the girl child, 1981 trends should have at least continued, but in the past 20 years the ratio has dropped considerably.
While there can be no moral or ethical justification for feticide still, it continues to be practiced. In fact sex determination which was mainly restricted to metros only now, is prevalent in villages as well. If sex determination tests are allowed to proliferate, and the elimination female fetuses allowed, the society should be ready to pay for this sin, after around two decades.
The greatest supporters of a child (whether male or female) are the natural parents. If a girl has a father who loves her and grants all her fundamentals right that girl is inviolable. Fathers often provide material comforts but deny daughters to choose their life partners.
For a daughter there can be no greater misery than to know that her father does not support her. If she was an unwanted child, the despair is compounded. To go through life and realize that she was thrust on her unwilling parents, it is a fate much worse than death. What can be more disgracing than the feeling of nothing more than a contraceptive failure?
Some months back, Delhi University Students and teachers came out of their classrooms to support the amendment to the Pre-Natal Diagnostic (PNDT) Bill which was tabled in Parliament, recommending more stringent measures against doctors who selectively abort female fetuses. The decline in ratio in urban areas is more than twice that in the rural areas. It is true that women should have the right to abort their unwanted fetus, but if the technology is being used only to eliminate the female fetus, then it should be questionable.
The root cause for elimination of female fetus is to be traced unless the evil of forced marriages, dowry, and illiteracy among the females are done away with the lives of women will not improve. Banning prenatal sex determination might add a feather in the caps of rights activists; it will not materially improve the lives of women. A social awakening for true respect to the girls is required; a lot of honest hard work with full political 'will' in this field can only solve the problem.
Written By: Nikita Jain, Std. XII, Uttam School for Girls, Ghaziabad

Reservations - Is it the answer to India's woes?

On 5th April 2006, the HRD minister Mr. ArjunS Singh, announced in the media, that the government proposes to implement 27% reservation for OBCs in educational institutions under Central Government including IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and other Central Universities like University of Delhi. Earlier there was 15% reservation for the SCs and 7.5% for the STs. As soon as it was aanounced it caused a nation wide stir.
India is emerging as a serious player in the knowledge economy. The main cause of concern is that if the reservation system is implemented then it will affect the quality of education. The meritorious students will also be deprived of seats they deserve. Competency is not related to any caste or community, it is also not related with whether a person is rich or poor. In the present scenario when we see that there is a shortage of faculties in most of the institutes either due to the pay package or the lack of good faculties, so if the students are increased then the faculties also have to be increased which is a difficult job. In this scenario how can the government take such a step? The higher education system in India is now being recognized in the whole world which is clearly evident from the increasing number of foreign placements in the IIM’s and other b-schools. Taking such a drastic step may seriously affect the quality of education.
There is neither enough number of seats in the educational institutes nor the job sector then how can the government take such a drastic step against the meritorious students? How can it become so selfish? Is the government taking such a step for the development of the backward class or this is a step to increase it’s vote bank?
If the government wants to educate the backward classes then the work has to be done at the grass root level because if the base is not strong then they will not be able to cope up with the studies of higher level. Today also we see that among the students who dropout of IIMs, IITs most of them are those who got admitted in the reserved seats. It’s just because they are not able handle the pressure. How can we expect a person who didn’t have proper primary education to do well at this level?
Well if there is reservation in education then why we need the same in the job sector? If the candidates who are admitted to the educational institutes are competent enough then they should get a job on the basis of their performance and not under any reservation. A company’s objective is to earn profit and this is made possible by the employees. If the employees don’t work or are not competent enough then the objective of the company is affected. In a representation to the Government, the President of Assocham, Mahendra K. Sanghi, said, “Job reservation in industrial units of private sector should not be done by the Government. This will have a far reaching impact on the industry as it may completely destroy meritocracy in the industrial units of private sector and bring inefficiency”. Moreover why should the Government direct any private company about which person to recruit and which not to? This will seriously affect the growth of the Indian economy which is in the development stage. This is not a right decision at the right time. Moreover imagine the situations of the candidates who have slogged day in and day out to get a good job, and finally not getting the desired job just because the seats have been reserved.
This quota has been implemented from this year. Various institutes have increased the intake of the students. But the intake has been increased without any improvement in the infrastructure or the faculties. Infrastructure is also one of the constraints for implementation of the quota. The IIMs have increased the seats but are still facing the problem of quality faculties. Will this quota be successful under the constraint of infrastructure or lack of faculties, only time will say.
The process of empowering the backward class should start from primary level and not the higher levels. We must attack this problem at its grass root level. In bigger cities, with adequate education facilities, untouchability has been abandoned long back. It is very clear that education is the only way of uprooting this obnoxious practice. This is because, although reservation ensures that depressed class is represented in the parliament, it doesn’t remove the psychological blocks in the minds of the society as a whole. Therefore, good primary education facilities in remote villages, is the answer to this problem. The government should also focus on the infrastructure to make it strong to support the increased intake of students. Other focus area of the government should be to increase the number of quality faculties by increasing the pay package.
Written By: Nitin Sureka, TAPMI, Manipal

Exploitation of child labor in India

Yet again India Inc. is in news. Each and every corner of all news channels and newspapers is filled with India’s major corporate houses going global and making India feel proud. Every now and then we read astonishing growth rate of our economy. We are the leading democracies of tomorrow. We are on the verge of becoming the world power. Amidst all these ‘Big’ talks, there are certain so called ‘Small’ issues, which do not get the required attention. One of those is ‘Child labor’ or in better words, ‘Exploitation’ of child labor.
Child labor in India is an old and very serious problem. Children under the age of 14 work in various labor intensive activities like glass-blowing, fire-works, and carpet-making factories. While the Government reports about 2 crores children laborers, other non-governmental organizations estimate the number to be closer to 5 crores. Most prevalent in the northern part of India, the exploitation of child labor has become an accepted practice, and is viewed by the local population as necessary to overcome the extreme poverty in the region.
In general small and mid-sized factories pay children extremely low wages, for which adults refuse to work, while forcing the youngsters to slave under quite difficult and unhygienic labor conditions both mentally and physically. Many of these children are migrant workers, the majority coming from northern India, who are sent away by their families to earn an income. Thus, children are forced to endure the un-human conditions of the plants and factories, as their families depend on their wages.
The situation of the children at the factories is desperate. Most work for minimum 12 hours a day and the upper bound is not defined. They get small breaks for meals. Ill-nourished, the children are very often fed only minimal staples. The vast majority of migrant child workers, who cannot return home at night, sleep alongside footpath which further invites sickness and poor health.
Taking aggressive action to eliminate this problem is difficult in a nation where more than 60 percent of the population lives in rural areas, most often stricken by poverty. Children are viewed as a form of economic security in this gloomy setting, necessary to help supplement their families' income. Parents often sacrifice their children's education, as offspring are often expected to uphold their roles as wage-earning members.
The Indian Government has taken some steps to alleviate this monumental problem. In 1989, India invoked a law that made the employment of children under age 14 illegal, except in family-owned factories. However, this law is rarely followed, and does not apply to the employment of family members. Thus, factories often circumvent the law through claims of hiring distant family. Also, in rural areas, there are few enforcement mechanisms, and punishment for factories violating the mandate is minimal, if not nonexistent.
Thus, an extensive reform process is necessary to eliminate the proliferation of child labor in India which strives to end the desperate poverty in the nation. Changing the structure of the workforce and hiring the high number of currently unemployed adults in greatly improved work conditions is only the first step in this lengthy process. New labor standards and wages must be adopted and medical examinations and minimum nutrition requirements must be established in India. Establishing schools and eliminating the rampant illiteracy that plagues the country would work to preserve structural changes. However, these changes cannot be accomplished immediately and therefore we must work collectively towards implementation of these steps so that we can see a uniform development of our nation.
Written By: Dhavish Jain, IIM Indore

Marriage without dowry

Dowry is one of the worst diseases in India. In spite of various measures to contain it, it has been rising unabated. It has already taken a heavy toll of life and property. It has embittered relations between many a family. Every day we read about one or two deaths or sacrifices at the altar of this demon. It means the parents of a girl of marriageable age should offer in cash or kind some thing. Sometimes it is hard cash, running into many thousands or sometimes costly things of home like TV, a fridge that is demanded.
The dowry system in India is a long standing evil. Even today we read in the newspapers heart-breaking stories of young girls committing suicide or being murdered because their parents have not been able to give big dowries. New marriage is where the hearts of the two young loving individuals are formally united. Its holiness should never be destroyed by greedy of money or any other form of material wealth. The position of a woman in society should always be held in high esteem. Her position and welfare as a bride in an Indian family should be a matter of great concern and importance. We should not think of considering to be brought in marriage market.
This shocking problem cannot, however, be solved by laws only. Without public co-operation laws cannot help much. One of the main reasons of the dowry system is the dependence of women on men for their livelihood and upkeep. It is therefore, absolutely necessary to make women economically independent by spreading education widely among them. It is seen that there is no demand for dowry for educated girls especially for those in service. The second way to vanish this evil is to encourage inter-caste marriages. This will solve the demand and supply position in communities where there is lesser number of marriageable boys than girls.
Finally, it is for the youth in general and students in particular, to start a vigorous campaign against this social evil. The youth should take a vow not to give or take dowries in their marriages. Parents of marriageable boys and girls should also be induced, rather pressed, not to take or give dowries during the marriages of their sons and daughters.
Written By: Nikita Jain, Std. XI, Uttam School, Ghaziabad

Indian Education System

The future of India will be furnished in its classrooms. While India has made great progress in improving its education system over the last couple of decades, still a lot remains to be done. The basic issues which need to be addressed at this stage are helping teachers being effective in what they do, improving the quality and relevance of classroom studies, and making quantifiable and measurable progress towards improving efficiency. This is to be done with an understanding of the special cultural, social, political and economic factors prevalent in the country.
Currently everywhere we hear the word ‘Reservation’, be it at primary class level or at higher education level. But still we are uncertain about the improvement in the social and economic standards for all classes of society. Also this step is raising quite a few eye-brows of the people who think that this is not an appropriate way of raising standards. What we lack is a effective and satisfactory action plan which yields us the desired outcome.
What I feel is that we must primarily focus on ‘School-level’ education, simply because that is where the foundations for learning are laid and it is where the most daunting challenges lie. When we talk about providing equal education opportunities to everyone in the country regardless of religion and caste then providing reservation in higher education is never going to serve the purpose. What is required is to make the base of the system itself strong enough the extent that does not require any reservation / quota system for its support at the top.
These are a few problems we are facing currently and which need to be addressed urgently.
Lack of access to the poorest and the marginalized: While the country has made significant progress in enhancing access, a significant number of children still remain out of school – many of these coming from disadvantaged backgrounds/districts. We account for one fourth of the world’s 104 million out of school children, most of them concentrated in six states. Still a significant portion of it doesn’t have access to elementary education.
Prevailing gender disparities: Though a few states have now reached gender parity at the primary level, others still lag behind. India still has one of the lowest female literacy rates in Asia. Less than 50 percent of the women aged 7 and over are literate.
Weak Outcomes: Poor quality of education is an underlying theme which runs across the system and is reflected in poor outcomes. Owing to high dropout and repetition rates, primary completion rates in the country are among the lowest in the world. Out of every 100 students that enter the primary education cycle, less than 10 graduate out of secondary education. Furthermore, student performance in standardized examinations remains poor. Less than 40% of students pass the grade 10 and grade 12 standardized examinations.
Ineffective Governance: Governance is a key constraint on improving the quality of education and this problem cuts across all levels of education. Accountability and incentive mechanisms and, checks and balances for teachers and administrators are weak.
Information about student and school performance, or how resources are allocated is rarely available to the public – denying stakeholders an important tool with which to monitor schools.
Inadequate Financing: Public education expenditures are currently about 2.3 percent of GDP - these expenditures are the definitely on the lower side compared with rest of the world. Furthermore, a significant share of the expenditures is directed at teachers’ salaries, leaving little resources to be spent on teaching and learning materials. In some of the countries, fiscal constraints may inhibit increased public investment in the sector.
Teacher quality and teaching environment: For most of the student in country the learning environment is pretty abysmal. School consists of a one room building, one teacher covering multiple subjects, and more than 40 students per teacher. With this situation where can we expect the quality? In fact most of the rural schools even don’t have these basic requirements. Many rural schools are seriously understaffed, specially in UP and Bihar. Without efforts to recruit large numbers of new teachers and an investment of resources to upgrade school facilities, we will be hard-pressed to scale up elementary education for young children.
There are quite a few developmental programs are started for the benefit of rural / tribal children. One of them is ‘Janshala’. The Janshala Programme is a collaborative effort of the Government of India (GOI) and five UN Agencies – UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO and UNFPA – to provide program support to the ongoing efforts towards achieving Elementary Education. Janshala aims to make primary education more accessible and effective, especially for girls and children in deprived communities, marginalized groups, Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes/minorities, working children and children with specific needs.
A unique feature of Janshala is that it is a block-based program with emphasis on community participation and decentralization. The blocks have been selected on the basis of different indicators such as low female literacy, incidence of child labor, and concentration of Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) populations. The goal of this joint education program is to target girls and the marginalized population of children in selected areas and to improve their attendance and performance in primary education.
Before summing up I would again emphasize on the same point. We need a structured action plan very soon to overcome these basic problems occurring at school level. Unless we sort them out other measures are not going to be productive.
Written By: Dhavish Jain, IIM Indore

Can India be a developed nation by 2020?

As we all know our respected and beloved president “Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam” is has a dream that “India will be among the developed nation of world till 2020”. Is it possible to achieve this goal by 2020 considering the current condition of country, which is already fighting a war against a host of problems internally as well as externally?
Here, in this article, I have tried to analyze some major pros & cons related to this topic.
As in the past some one had said that “India is the country of villages” or “Bharat gaonv me basta hai”.
This is true in today’s aspect also because in India most of the people (about 60% of nation’s population) are living in villages. In those villages people are unable to fulfill their basic needs of life such as “Roti kapda aur makan”. In those villages youth is unemployed, they follow unhygienic activities, which leads to serious health hazards, youth is turning towards crime because of unemployment, literacy is less, and most of the families are below poverty line. In such circumstances it is very difficult for India to become a developed nation till 2020.
Another major problem in the development of country is terrorism. Every border of our country is facing this ugly problem. In the north, Jammu & Kashmir has the biggest terrorism problem in the form of “Indo-Pak issue”. If we talk about south, Andhra-Pradesh is facing the problem with “People’s War Group”. In the east, Assam has its own problem against the “Ulfa-militants” and in the west, Mumbai, the Industrial capital of India is at the center of terrorist attacks. These terrorist groups usually destroy the in-built infracture and manpower of the country. Until and unless any country finds permanent solutions to these problems, it is very difficult for that country to become a developed nation.
The next problem in development of India is corruption. Although India is not the most corrupt nation in the world but the roots of corruption in India are so deep that it is the biggest obstacle to overcome for the development of nation. Particularly in the fields of “Politics” and “Government Sector”, corruption is widespread. In fact, today very few government schemes, which are for public welfare, complete successfully. The common man has to visit at least two to three times for getting a single signature in a government office.
Another problem in the development of nation is poverty. The unequal distribution of money in the country, unemployment and lack of entrepreneurship skills particularly in the youth are the major cause of poverty. In India many families are below poverty line with daily income of less then 1$(i.e. less then 45 rupees) and still we talk about globalization. How can a man, who doesn’t have sufficient money for his next day’s meals, contribute in the development of nation.
One more problem in the way of the development of nation is our politics. Most of the politicians are highly corrupt and their main aim is to earn money from the government funds for their personal uses. The political parties are having good contacts with criminals; they are illegally raising funds for there election campaigns and very huge amount of money is spent every time on such campaigns. The one and only aim of these political parties is to remain in power at any cost. Since last few decades, India has had only two major & nation wide political parties so the people are compelled to choose between those two parties only. There is no alternative available for the people and every time they get it wrong, in the form of an unsatisfactory government.
The major issue, which can contribute highly in the development of nation, is our educational system. The percentage of literacy in our country is less, compared to other developed nations. There are a large number of students who start their education at the primary level but are unable to complete SSLC/PUC due to many financial, social and physical reasons. In India, “tuitions” are having a large impact right from the primary level itself. This is very serious and shameful thing for our educational system.
Apart from the above-mentioned major problems, there are also some other problems like lack of power/energy resources, lack of in-fractures, castisam, communal rights and many more…………………
But, India also has some strengths to its name.
The most dominating technology in today’s scenario is “Information Technology” and because of its highly intellectual minds, India is dominating throughout the world in this particular technology. The revenue/profits of the India-based software companies are in thousands of corers and they are able to squeeze a lot of foreign money from international market. So they are contributing greatly in the development of nation.
Another major strength for India is its man power as India is the second most populated country of the world. If we consider Uttar-Pradesh as a separate country, then it will become the world's sixth most populated country very next to China, India, United States, Indonesia and Brazil. So India’s huge population can occupy any big industry which requires a large number of people.
So to conclude, we can say that there are many hurdles for India to become a developed nation till 2020, but India also has its own strengths. As no body can foresee the future, so let’s wait & watch and contribute greatly in the development of our nation.
One more thing I want to say to all the professional students is that they are having a major responsibility to make India a developed country (like Engineers are called the builders of the nation). So please try hard to convert our president’s dream to reality.
SALAAM INDIA!!
Written By: Raghav Garg, AIET, Gulbarga

Birth right to claim

The Judiciary is the cornerstone of any democracy and India is no different. Our judicial system is one of the largest in the world and also the most burdened. Every Indian fears the “court ke chakkar” which often feature in cinema as the fallouts of pursuing a legal recourse when he is wronged upon.
In the past there have been numerous instances of cases continuing till the parties of the case have expired and their next generation is visiting the courts of law to seek justice. We have all heard or seen people who have carried thick files to courts for years only to come back in the evening with another date. Innocents have been placed behind bars upon suspicion and years have elapsed before their chares were dropped.
However the Indian Judiciary and the powers that be have recently taken the challenge head on. The challenge to clear the courts of years of backlog, to make offenders more accountable and responsible for their misdeeds and to ensure that every Indian believes and trusts the Judiciary more than any other in the world.
Recently when the Indian media was concentrating on the budget, the bear run in the capital markets and the rising inflation, a group of 3 esteemed judges passed a judgment that may well go down in the history as landmark.
The reasons are manifold. To begin with it deals with a case of an insurance company that refused to recognize the unborn child of a pregnant lady as a consumer and one who is liable to claim insurance. It used the provisions of an American law to pass the judgment that was actually an appeal after the lower courts had refused to consider the unborn child as a customer and as a claimant to an insurance cover.
The bench was of the opinion that the Unborn Victims of Violence Act 2004 applicable in the United States of America could be applied to the Indian context as it will be an instrument that catalyses the process of socio- economic change in India.
Under the provisions of the law, the human embryo turns into a foetus between the 13th to 27th week and attains a recognizable human form. Thus that child though unborn enjoyed the rights and privileges of a customer and the Insurance company was liable to pay damages in line with the insurance cover of the family.
The judges must be commended for the job and decision taken. The fact that Indian law allows this provision expands the scope of information and power the judges have to astronomical proportions. It is very heartening to see that India and its judicial superpowers are open minded and can accept the fact that a foreign law used in a social context may be the most applicable and help the progress of Indian society and its thought.
I would also like that this case be used as an example of how modern thought is progressing in order to ensure that the basic rights of people are not violated by companies that may be profit motivated and economically driven. The judgment can also be a start of many more to come not only in the field of consumer protection but other social issues like dowry and infanticide.
What this may ultimately lead to is the possibility of a global law and judicial thought that will radically equate countries across continents and bring together people like never before. I urge you to consider the thought of a world where the social laws and norms are based on the same framework and thought. What each country will then do is to fine-tune and build upon that foundation to suit its needs and its culture. That is when we will truly become a global village.
Written By: The Maverick Observer (maverickobserver@gmail.com)

The REAL price of petrol

Many of us may have heard of IIM graduates drawing salaries in the higher 7 digits. This is mainly true for the majority. It is often felt that IIM graduates would do a lot more for the country if they were to join in the ailing PSUs and government owned companies rather than favoring the private sector or foreign companies.
This is the story of one such person, a person who believed in his values, a person who believed in his ideals, and a person who believed in his motherland. This is the story of one Shanmugam Manjunath.
Manjunath was a student of the famed IIM Lucknow - an institute that brings pride to the nation. He was unconventional in his thought right when he joined the Indian Oil Corporation as a Sales Manager. Manjunath was someone who was in charge of solving an issue that plagued almost all of the country’s oil PSUs. It was the problem of adulteration and mixing of fuel with other material.
In the two and a half years that Manjunath worked for Indian Oil Corporation he came across many petrol pump owners. Many of whom had been allotted petrol pumps by scrupulous loopholes in government schemes.
There were clear cases of adulteration and Manjunath was only doing his job. His job of protecting the consumers’ rights, his job of ensuring the quality of his product was not compromised by the distribution channel, his job of doing what was ethical and morally correct. He received threats many a times, he received bribes many a times, his family warned him often but he was none to listen. He was none to give up. He was there to do his job. He often registered complaints against these scrupulous petrol pump owners and even sealed a few of their establishments.
However on the ill fated day of November 2005, his body was found in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh. A body that was ridden with bullet wounds, proof of a merciless murder that was performed to carry on with the dirty trade of the adulteration of black gold.
The entire nation was up in outrage. This was very similar to the Satyendra Dubey case who blew the whistle on the road mafia while working for the National Highway Authority. Only to lose his life to the very same mafia he was trying to expose.
This week is a landmark week for the modern generation of India, one that has grown up to see corruption, black marketeering and exploitation all around them. The Sessions court in Lakhimpur – Kheri in Uttar Pradesh has convicted and punished all 8 accused in the case for the murder of Manjunath.
The prime accused has been sentenced a death sentence as it was proven that the murder was a planned one. All other accused have been sentenced to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment for conspiracy and destruction of evidence. However the defense lawyers are already on their way to the High Court in a bid to appeal and the ruling and save their clients. The death sentence is subject to confirmation by the High Court.
The question that I would like to ask is, what is the real price of the fuel we run our cars on. Already one life has been lost and another is being taken away. For all we know the families of the 8 accused will be left with little face in society. I do not say that the punishment is too severe or unnecessary. My point just remains on asking whether the fuel we use is worth the number of lives we have lost to it or will lose in the future.
Cannot the system be improved to ensure that such circumstances do not arise at all. Wy cant we have a Manjunath in every IIM graduate, why cant we have a Manjunath in every Indian citizen. My take is that we do. You, I and everyone around us has a Manjunath somewhere with in, a Manujnath whom we have often silenced and rarely trusted.
Let us all wake up and embrace that Manjunath within us and around us. ONLY then will his voice have reached its true destination and only then will he smile on us from the heavens up above.
GOD BLESS HIS SOUL!
Written By: The Maverick Observer (maverickobserver@gmail.com)

Cricket World Cup 2007 - revealed?

The current ICC world cup has already got a lot of on-field and off the field events that some of the issues have not yet surfaced. This article also talks about an 'unsung villain' of the current edition of the grand event in cricket.
Maybe the paragraph above is not sufficient to make someone guess about what this article talks about. Well, It is neither about the so called "Team India", nor about Pakistan cricket. It is about the scheduling of the event done by ICC. If you have a close look at the schedule of the world cup, the following things can be observed.
ICC wanted the event to be a 'Grand Event'. This is evident from the fact that the number of the teams is huge for a cricket tournament. The World Cup currently has 16 teams. But there are some teams which can hardly complete the play of 100 overs. ICC should have looked only at those teams who can give fight till 85-90 overs atleast-- In the end it doesnt matter if a certain team fails to win any match. Maybe, ICC gave chances to a lot of club class teams because they wanted it to be the 'real world cup'. (The tournament cannot be called a world cup if only 10 teams take part in it.) But what this thing has resulted into is that the number of matches in the WC is highest; simply because of the number of nations taking part in it.
Now that the number of teams were much more than it should be, they planned less matches in the first round, and more matches in the second round. This was simply because the quality of half of the teams is not upto the mark. ICC, arguably, would have thought that eight minnows would be eliminated after the first round, and only the top 8 teams will play in super 8.
But the number of games a team gets in each round is:
1st round : 3
2nd round : 6 (Super 8's)
3rd round : 1 (Semi-Final)
4th round : 1 (Final)
This planning is ridiculous. Ideally, the number of matches per team per round should decrease as the tournament progresses. Look at what effect it has: If a team loses two matches in the first round, most likely it is out of the tournament. But for the second round even if it loses five matches, it can play the sixth match!!
Now look at the total number of matches per round:
1st round : 24
2nd round : 24
3rd round : 2
4th round : 1
Look at the drastic reduction from second to third round, and also observe that the number of matches in first and second round are the same. There should have been a gradual reduction in the number of matches per round so that the tournament closes in.
And what has the above planning resulted in-- Two upsets so far, and two better teams are out in the first round (namely IND & PAK). This is not to favor the two teams. But look at the worst part. Even though Ireland and Bangladesh continue loosing all their matches, they will play all the matches. So, in the end they get to play 9 matches each. Result: Poor quality of the tournament. And that’s what is happening.
Written By: Nilesh Vaishnav, Sasken Technologies, Bangalore

I - Is it me?

Remember the last time you lied for nothing but to impose what you aren’t. How much pressure, how much insecurity and finally when the truth divulged, what a shame! This is not something that happens occasionally, it is a usual phenomenon, as innocent as our body mechanism.
Somewhere I feel, we aren’t yet living a free life. Our freedom is but a sham. We are either arrogant of our riches (monetary, language, education) or cry of our poverty. Your residence decides your status, your money does it, your wealth, your riches, your luck, everything forms your identity, and not what you aspire, your ideals. Life has become objective to an absolute degree. We want to produce a good piece not for the sake of art, but to be claimed as a "great artist".
Those with good knowledge of the English language find it easier to fetch a job, a trait conclusive of your parents’ choice and ability to send you to an English medium school. And as such, "Hindi is our national language."
We claim to be a part of the largest democracy, yet we have realities of Nithari and Vibhadra, where human life does not stand at par to even a few pence. We see there is a lack of consonance between what we do and what we think should be done. It starts from an individual and extends to our nation, its policies, philosophies and records.
So, let us learn to be free, be what we are, and claim what is ours. Let us understand what Liberty, Equality and Freedom mean to us and not go by the definitions.
Let me test, let me fail, let me succeed, and let me be free, the way I define my FREEDOM.
Written By: Priya Tyagi, Miranda House, Delhi

Telecom in India

Impact of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sector on the economy of a developing country is of prime importance in directing the growth of the economy in the right direction and to the adequate measure. India is one such country which is on the growth path in the ICT sector.
Telecom growth in India has been divided into phases on the basis of policies that are being adopted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of the Government of India (GOI). The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reports show that the growth rate has exponentially increased during the phases from a negligible quantity to a significant number. India constitutes one of the fastest emerging telecommunications market in the world attracting several foreign investors. With a large number of additional subscribers every month, India could have a potentially high growth rate in the rural undeveloped areas. Hence there is a scope for demand and growth in such areas that are yet to be tapped effectively.
STATE OF INDIAN TELECOM IN THE PAST- 1948-1990
During these 50 years after India’s independence, the TRAI reports have observed that the growth of tele-density has been a mere 1.92%.
Monopoly by BSNL has been one of the important reasons which attribute to low growth rate. The telecom sector was a monopoly until reforms were introduced and liberalization of the economy was effected in the early 90s. BSNL was the incumbent monopoly operator in the telecom sector. Monopolies do not have sufficient incentive to perform. The incumbent firms are generally complacent because there is no threat of new entry. Since the market rates are set by the monopoly, and since the consumer demands are highly inelastic, due to the absence of alternatives, the rates are usually unaffordable by the common public. All these reasons attribute to poor performance and very poor delivery to the consumers.
The ending years of colonial imperial rule had left India in a staggering financial crisis and a pathetic economic condition with a negative growth rate. India groped to rebuild from scratch and certain factors that stunted growth to a great extent were:
- Flawed socialist policies (“Nehruvian Penalty”)
- Ineffective implementation of the 5 year plans made
- Chronic corruption in the government
- Poor quality of human resources.
These factors thwarted economic growth to a very meager rate of just 3.5%, which was 4% less than the projected and planned growth rate of 7.5%.
Another thing to note is the lack of emphasis that was given to telecommunications sector during this time, as the government was aiming at educating its people, removing poverty, improving sanitation and urbanizing villages. Telecommunications was not considered a priority then.
IMPEDIMENTS IN DEVELOPING A STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE
Infrastructure is the structural backbone of the entire country. For a developing country, infrastructure includes power, road, water, etc. Development of infrastructure also aids in the growth of several related sectors like agriculture and transport. Most of the revenue from agriculture and related industries comes from rural India.
Therefore a significant portion of the contribution to the nation’s GDP is from rural Indian industries. Strengthening the infrastructure in these areas would help in contributing to the growth in GDP, which in turn would aid the developing rural areas.
The Communist parties in India have played a principal role in thwarting the government’s proposals on liberalization and privatization of sick industries. Unstable political regimes are a potential hindrance to the progress of the country in general, and it also applies to the communications sector. Corruption and red-tapism at several strata in the government structure is also a cause for hampering progress of the nation. This can only be solved with time and education.
Trained manpower is a great requirement for any developing country. India has a huge manpower base, which requires to be trained. Making new education policies and increasing enrolment in high school is a very effective way to tap this potential. It is well known that the rate of economic growth in a nation is directly proportional to the number of years of technical education imparted to its personnel. Thus India should strongly concentrate on educating its manpower especially in the rural areas in order to make most use of its largest resource – manpower.
CONCLUSION

On a concluding note, one can say that India is on the right track to becoming a telecom super power. In fact the BRIC reports suggest that India could emerge a super power in the world economy, provided the suggested policies are followed and the assumptions of the author are held in consideration. According to the BRIC Report projections, India will rise from contributing 3.5% to the world economy in terms of GDP to nearly 30% in another 50 years by adopting some fundamental changes to the existing economic structure.
Written By: Srividya Ramachandran, University of Colorado, USA

India - is it?

“Well Pat, I think there is some problem in your logic. I think I know this software pretty well. I have been working on it for quite sometime now”, says Subir. “Subir, I have been working on this software since time when you were not even born”, was the reply over the phone.
Subir was surprised to hear her say that. He had imagined Patricia, or Pat as she is famously known in India, to be a lady somewhere around 25 to 30 years of age. But to his surprise, Patricia is the name of a lady working in American Express, USA for years, and her age being 65 years! But it was not his fault. Any young person in this part of the world can not imagine a lady of that age to be working at high positions in companies like American Express. In India, people are not known to work for long after they reach an age of say 60 to 65 years. In fact, India has a very different work environment compared to the Western world.
In India, the employed population is in constant search for growth opportunities. The youth of today would like to see growth patterns available to them in their new jobs, the kind of challenges the job presents and the kind of success ladder one can climb in the company and that too in the minimum possible time. In fact, this is one of the most important reasons for the increasing attrition rates in almost all the industries. The industry attrition rates reflect the ever increasing ambitions of the Indian employees. But the fact of the matter is that in the West patience holds the key for people’s success. One needs to be patient to be successful in life. In fact, here one is likely to leave the job if one keeps on working on the same post for more than a couple of years and is not promoted. But the West has seen the sun rising in a different color. In fact, when the Global Heads of these companies visit India, they stress a lot on patience. Job satisfaction is not always derived from growth and increasing pay. It is the work culture and work-life balance which affect one’s future curve. That probably is the reason why Patricia is still with American Express and is satisfied with her job.
One often gets illusion by the high pay packages of companies abroad and we are forced to see them in good light because of the fact that one is able to buy a house, a car and other accessories from his first salary itself if one goes to work there. But we forget the fact that it is a standard there and one cannot compare those countries with India. If one look at what one gains by working there, then one should compare oneself with the other individuals working there and not with his counterparts in India. In fact, we often see the high package offered to B-school graduates in foreign countries making news but this is not a phenomenon there because of the standards. The media is equally responsible for transforming the youth in that fashion. The media should compare those high packages with people working in that company in that part of the world instead of comparing with the Indian counterparts. That would present a better and truer picture in front of all. In fact, that would make the Indian employee more committed towards his job and help him realize the importance of job satisfaction in alignment with other factors like growth and pay scales.

With special inputs from the discussion with Subir, American Express
Written By: Anubhav Jain, IIM Indore

Investing for the future

The next wave of growth in India will come from the rural markets. Presently India is facing a crisis in the infrastructure sector. Once the growth story embraces this sector, the biggest gainer will be the Indian villages. Government policies and employment generation programs will also improve the standard of living of rural masses by enhancing their per capita income. How can an ordinary, presently low-income earner, Indian become rich? The answer to that question is as simple as it is routine: Start by saving and investing something regularly, even modest amounts, in anticipation of big returns in the future. If an Indian villager will look for big returns it cannot come from the traditional sources like bonds or insurance. Any investment instrument which can be offered needs to be linked with the equity market but the returns have to be assured. There must be no risk to the capital invested. Looking at all these aspects a special type of mutual fund has to be designed for the rural Indian market. The per capita income is below Rs.50 per day for a huge chunk of the population. So keeping their standard of living, risk profile, awareness towards such instruments, etc. the concept has to be very unique. It’s very difficult on their part to accept any instrument which can require even an iota of their wealth. The device needs to be backed up by some assurance from a trustworthy sponsor like the government or reputed business houses like Birla or Tata. For a player who has low recognition in the rural market it is difficult for the rural masses to accept it.
In the initial stage, the mutual fund can be introduced for as low as Rs. 200 to join; this variant of mutual fund can be targeted to daily wage laborers and landless farmers as they have the ability to pay that small sum up front when they get their wages or remuneration. They have surplus cash whenever they get their pay and will be willing to invest it if the terms and conditions are simple. To keep the depositor involved and interested in the process of making money from the savings, the mutual fund needs to bring in the option of adding to their investment in increments as small as Rs. 20 and as frequently as daily or weekly.
The next point of concern lies in redistribution of the returns as they understand simple things like the value of their money doubling in 5 years. This is possible considering a modest return of 14-15 % compounded annually over a horizon of 5 years. The money can be tripled in less than 9 years at the same interest rate. They can understand this concept better than the complicated NAV for MF. Generating this kind of returns will not be a daunting task for the expert fund managers who are at presently generating much higher return than that.
For this MF, information technology will play the most vital part. Instead of making it too complicated by involving paper work, chip embedded cards can be issued to all the investors. The rural population is familiar with such cards like Kisan credit card, etc. These cards will store all the information regarding the investor and all the addition to the fund can be easily made without any paper work. The investor should be allowed to check the value of his/her investment. Different schemes can be made based on the requirement of the investor. The minimum time period for exit should be 3 to 5 years for any scheme. The people who start investing for the marriage of the son/ daughter or retirement planning, etc can remain invested for a longer period of time.
There should not be any entry load for the fund but exit load of around 3-5% should be imposed. We can make this instrument a unique one where the investor can see his money grow and be encouraged to invest more money. The surplus money is generally wasted because it is difficult for them to find rational avenues for spending this money or to invest them in a cogent manner. The investment opportunity should be made as trouble-free and effortless as possible.
People in rural areas should be educated about such instruments with the help of Gram Panchayats and other influential people in rural areas.
There are many complexities involved in the model. Keeping in mind the basic framework suggested above we can work upon the idea of such a MF by presenting the idea among the people who have crystal clear knowledge about the conditions prevailing in the rural market and those who are competent enough to chalk out the intricacies of the MF. I am sure this mutual fund has the potential to see the light of day and also show the rural Indians some light at the end of the long tunnel.
Written By: Vineet Patawari, IIM Indore

Microfinance - A panacea for development... really?

The announcement of 2005 as year of micro-credit by UN and subsequently awarding noble peace prize, 2006, to Professor Muhammad Yusuf, founder of Gramin bank has made Microfinance a revolution. Editorials of leading newspapers and magazines are flooded with it; several books and research papers have been published elucidating how microfinance will empower poor. Microcredit refers to the non-collateralized small loans to lowest-income people who are otherwise ineligible for traditional bank loans. The model seems quite simple and sustainable, provide credit to the poor and it will ensure their development. And in this process of development creditor can expect an annual return of 20-25%. But if we think over it some fundamental questions will arise. Is the credit a solution for poverty, a symbol of empowerment? Can it ensure the development of local economies and subsequently those associated with it. Is it not that this whole concept works on the optimistic assumption of entrepreneurial abilities in uneducated, socially and economically weaker masses? Recent critical studies on Microfinance have come up with some issues.
Firstly, Shift of borrowers from primary producer to market consumer. Most of the beneficiaries from south Asia are small farmers and studies show that soft loans have lead to increase in cyclical consumption with no or limited investment in agricultural inputs.
The intense marketing by FMCG companies in association with MFIs and SHGs easily make the money disappear in the channel itself. And what is left are debt traps!! You won’t be surprised to see Johnson and Johnson (J&J) as a major sponsor of Micro-credit summits. In India at many places project Shakti of HLL is carried out by SHGs who also distribute credits. With rural India as the next big target of consumerism wave by FMCGs, MFIs have provided an easy channel.
Even if the model is correct, does it reach to poorest of the poor? Bonded labors constitute a major part of this category. A recent study by International Labor Organization summarizes four reasons of bondage viz. Social exclusion, Asymmetry of information about legal rights, Debt, Monopoly in labor market. Large number of MFIs has an inefficient credit delivery mechanism. SHGs constitute better off (socially or economically) people from villages and they seldom provide loans to poorest of poor where the repayment risk is considered high. In fact some NGOs in Africa have further traded freedom of these labors by giving soft loans. And it may surprise that many of these loan giving firms do not provide facility of savings account.
Thirdly, high interest rates also play a major role. Normally loans are given at a rate of 10-12% to SHGs who further distribute making the effective rates to go as high as 25-30%. Several theories propounding the absence of ceiling in interest rates have come up with open support from big lending corporations.
Finally, big corporations lending money to MFIs are pushing their products (low quality fertilizers, seeds etc.) as was the case with Monsanto Corporation, global life sciences company, in Bangladesh.
"....high capital requirements, regulatory limits on raising debt from foreign sources and foreign equity limitations constrains MFIs", this is from the recent report of World Bank where it condemns the Indian regulatory framework for the slow growth of MFIs in India and propose to replicate the models of Bangladesh and Indonesia. Well a 20% return isn’t bad after all....
Written By: Sourabh Tripathi, IIM Indore

Back to Made in India

Tttrrrrrrnnnnggg …. Yes, it's the wake up call….but not to wake you up early in the morning to do the daily chores but to wake you up to safeguard the traditional industries of India, to protect the artisans and their arts, their handicrafts. The time has come again to save the Indian economy from the foreign goods which are flooding the Indian markets. During the freedom struggle, foreign goods had been boycotted and Swadeshi goods adopted to give a boost to the indigenous industries. Today the scenario is somewhat similar.
After liberalization and globalization, MNCs got easy access to the Indian markets. Initially it proved to be advantageous as it enabled domestic companies to acquire modern technology and helped them reduce costs and improve quality and customer convenience. However with the entry of many MNCs, Indian firms started facing (1) takeover threats, (2) subordinate position in joint ventures and (3) unequal battle in general. Today many companies are being forced to close down because they cannot stand the competition from the technically advanced MNCs. For example, Weston, a major player in the early days with over 18% market share lost out heavily to competition from imported products. Its market share became almost negligible by 1995-96 and its turnover slid from Rs. 99 crore in 1991-92 to Rs. 50 crore in 1995-96. Now the company has become almost unknown in CTV market.
All this is deteriorating the country's technological base. People are captivated by the machine-made goods which is having a detrimental effect on the handicraft industry, causing unemployment.
The Kerala Government has set up an example for the entire India by discarding the use of Microsoft software in 12500 high schools and switched to Linux. The government can reserve certain goods for the cottage industry for their upliftment. Easy availability of loans to the industries struggling due to heavy competition from a foreign company is another solution. Handicrafts need to be promoted and publicized. People need to realize the exclusivity of hand-made goods in this mechanized world so that the artisans get their due respect and also the price they deserve for their goods. This shall help minimize poverty. Therefore it is required that today people wake up to this clarion call of the dying industries of rural India and adopt Swadeshi goods so that the Indian economy blooms, progresses and prospers.
Written By: Neha Baid, Std. XII, Birla High School, Kolkata