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
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
1 comment:
Ms Baid,
We are all the citizens of this world. Infact when we narrow our scope, we tend to think likewise but we if expand it, we see things otherwise. Your example about weston is perfect but I will ask you two questions: First, would you give the consumers their right to choose the best? Second, what’s the contribution of these MNCs that have given so called tough competition to the indian companies and in some cases almost wiped them?
I try to give honest answers to these questions and I feel positive about globalisation….
Anyway, I liked your article & the way you expressed it. Keep it up & let the intellectual come out and match as per your first name
Cheers
Vineet (vineet.tyagi@st.com)
(Comment as posted on http://indianjagruti.wordpress.com)
Post a Comment