Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Barefoot Blueprint

Highlights: From 1972 to 2007, the Barefoot approach has reached three million men, women and children living below poverty line through 20 community based organisations all over India.

Drinking water: 3140 hand pumps installed: 1042 hand pump mistries trained repairing hand pumps in 764 villages in seven states. Reaching nearly one million people.

Alternative energy: Solar lighting to 9347 houses, 274 night schools, distributed 4736 solar lanterns. 289 Barefoot Solar Engineers trained. One 30 KVA micro-hydel plant established in Ladakh providing lighting to 150 families. One Reverse Osmosis (de-salination) plant powered by 3 KWp solar power plant.

Barefoot architecture: Barefoot Architects have constructed 200 houses for the homeless in 76 villages benefiting 3000 families in Rajasthan. Fabricated 178 geodesic domes of scrap metal with ferrocement roofs in 56 villages for 4000 rural artisans in six states.

Education: 714 Night Schools in 673 villages for 235,000 dropouts (170,000 girls) attending school for the first time in eight states

health: Barefoot College is working through a network of 605 traditional midwives: 231 Bare foot doctors, 14 barefoot lab technicians.

For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


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

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Who’ll steal the show?

Starlets Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor are seen as competitors by the audience. Where Ranbir and Sonam’s reel life chemistry in “Saawariya” failed them, Ranbir and Deepika’s real life chemistry became the talk of the town. While Deepika became an A-list actress with her very first film, Sonam is still struggling to establish her ground. And now, the two are once again up for another face-off in “I Hate Love Stories” and “Break Ke Baad”, where Sonam and Deepika (respectively) are paired opposite Imran Khan. Now, let’s wait and watch whose chemistry with Khan is more explosive this time around!

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


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

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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Kochi International Marina, the first of its kind in India

More revenues from Kochi Marina will definitely lead to a business boost to Kerala in general and Kochi in particular. Since Kochi is one of the major destination for sea-based adventure tourism, the new marina facilities will attract thousands of tourists. Kochi also has a world class natural port, the Port of Kochi, and an international airport, it has the potential to attract tourists to destinations in Kerala like Thekkady and Munnar. It will also benefit all sorts of existing business operations in Kochi. The inflow of tourists will contribute toward the expansion of transportation, hospitality industry, the spa treatments, the ayurvedic business and heritage spots. The newly opened golf course and country club at the Cochin International Airport will also help boost tourism in the state.

The marina is situated close to the international maritime route at the south west coast of the Indian Peninsula. It has favourable conditions and minimum tidal variations throughout the year. The potential of the Kochi International Marina also lies in the fact that even without any proper infrastructure, numerous yachts visit Kochi every year. And majority of them are from European nations like the United Kingdom, Finland and Norway apart from New Zealand and Australia.

The people of Kerala are very happy as they foresee their dreams materialise with the arrival of hundreds of pleasure boats in their home town. They are optimistic of the major leap the local business is going to get. Still they are a bit worried about the shortage of infrastructural facilities in the state. They are of the belief that Kochi is far behind other major Indian cities when it comes to road facilities, power supply, drinking water and law and order situation. The roads are dilapidated throughout the year.

People of Kochi also want strikes and hartals to end. When an international or domestic tourist is held up in Ernakulam or Kochi due to a strike, it leaves a bad impression and sends out a wrong message on the part of the state authority. The power sector is also in dire need of further development. Even though tourists are not subjected to attacks in Kochi or Kerala as a whole, this area needs further improvement in general. So, there should be a concerted effort from all concerned to improve the system in and around Kochi. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation should have its strong presence in Kochi to tackle every hitch that may appear and hinder the smooth running of the new venture.

Since majority of the navigators are going to be foreigners, smooth co-ordination between the police and tourism officials is of paramount importance. With the number of foreign footfalls slated to rise, the police and Intelligence authorities need to be extremely cautious.

As the Kochi Marina is expected to be a stopover for ships coming from Sydney, Dubai, Singapore and European ports, it would significantly enhance the prospect of cruise tourism in Kerala. But to effect this, the state needs to tap the opportunities and have better infrastructure as it would go a long way in attracting tourists to the state.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


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

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Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Unsuccessful attempt to kill al Qaeda

On Jan 13, 2006, American UAVs fired multiple missiles into the village in an unsuccessful attempt to kill al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahiri. In October 2006, the first drone strike killed 82 people, mostly children, which in turn triggered the very first attacks against Pakistani forces. They started integrating houses and bazaars into defence. And if that was not enough Lashkars and political agents were attacked and killed. “Lashkars are tribal militia who restore order in these regions. They are neither raised not supported by the government. It is an age-old system that cannot be controlled. We only intervened when things got out of control of the Lashkars,” adds Nauman. Among other incidents, political leaders and NATO supplies were targeted and locals were abducted for ransom. In the areas controlled by militants, girls’ education was banned and basic rights were gravely endangered.

The limit came when Taliban started collecting revenue and issuing permission for commercial activities. A letter seeking permission to open a factory was displayed. Beside it was a letter on Taliban’s letterhead that had promptly granted the permission to move ahead. The army intervened. However, the tribal asked for nanawatai fearing civilian casualties. The army complied when the 700 elders of Mamund Tribe signed the 28-point document of surrender.

However, the lull was utilised by Taliban to strengthen their stronghold. But the Pakistan army also benefited from the ceasefire. Taliban was stripped of its ideology, its propaganda whip and the most important constituent of its plot, that is, the claim for execution of Sharia laws. After months of myopic irresolution the government mustered the guts and decided to call their bluff. Notwithstanding harsh censure from within the country and abroad, Islamabad accepted the demand. After achieving what Taliban claimed it was fighting for, they lost their lead cause to go on committing slaughter in the name of acting out an “Islamic Renaissance”. But they did not stop. The local populace turned against them. The army launched Operation Sher Dil in August 2008.

It was started to stop the imminent fall of Khar, headquarters of Bajaur agency, to the Taliban. The focus then shifted to Dara, Mullah Syed and Banda areas. Rashakai, Tang Khatta, Mamoond, Bai Cheena, Bicheena, Delay, Nisarabad, Niag Banda, Charmang and Khazana, were also targeted due to the largest concentration of Tahreek-e-Taliban (TTP) there. The land here is perforated with several wet and dry river beds making road progress toilsome. On August 6, 8,000 troops from the 14th Division, backed by 20 Cobra attack helicopters from the 31st and 32nd Squadrons and fighter jets pounded Taliban holdouts. It was a great display of force and might.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


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

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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Silk routes back in vogue!

The new trade routes can alter the power equation in Asia

The entire trade route of Asia seems to be undergoing a major overhaul. Almost every Asian nation, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and many other similar economies are banking upon their maritime and sea-routes (containers and ship fleets) to boost their trade and dominate the trade routes. Add to this, the rise in the naval strength of countries like China, India, Japan and Korea to fortify their presence on the vast spread of water.

However, beside these conventional trade routes, new and strategic trade routes are also being chalked out by countries to bend the rules of international trade and eventually the power equation in the region. Numerous gas and oil pipelines are already crisscrossing Central Asia. A 7,000 km long Turkmenistan–China natural gas pipeline is already meeting energy demands in China and is also allowing Turkmenistan to diversify its energy-export clients beside Russia and Iran. Similarly, other projects like Kazakhstan–China direct oil pipeline, Iran-Pakistan project — to name a few — are under construction. Even the cross-country road connectivity is being designed. India is actively refurbishing roads in Afghanistan while China is connecting Myanmar with road networks. Myanmar has also proposed to expand a planned road project with Bangladesh to link China in a tri-nation network which is believed to boost multilateral trade and will also allow them to check the on-going smuggling and illegal crossings. In the same lines, countries are also designing and re-designing rail routes. China already has rail routes in Tibet and is planning to expand it to Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. China is also planning to build a high-speed railway network across Asia and Europe through Central Asia, thus connecting 17 countries (linking China with Singapore, Germany, Europe and Russia). This is predicted to not only strengthen its trade and economy but will also allow China to fortify its regional and global integration goals, especially in Central Asia. China is also building a new airport near Mt Everest, which will make easier for the passengers to travel to the Himalayan Kingdom and also to make Chinese presence around Tibet quite apparent.
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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


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

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Friday, June 04, 2010

“Ekla Chalo re” (Go alone if necessary)

Mamata has taken a risk and roped in important veteran Congress leader Subrata Mukherje and youngster Mahua Moitra of the Rahul brigade. The present scenario, though not rosy, favours her more than the left. But, the ‘down but not out’ CPM will not allow that to happen easily and has showed extraordinary unity within the Front. They are reaching out to people with folded hands, begging pardon for the past mistakes and failures. On the 150 year birth anniversary of tagore, if Mamata’s call is “Ekla Chalo re” (Go alone if necessary), then Left Front’s slogan is “du bela morar aage morbo na bhai morbo na” (fight till the last breath).

Yet, it is advantage Mamata. Although the alliance is nowhere, piecemeal seat- sharing arrangements can emerge. The pattern of seat sharing is not uniform at all levels. In past municipal elections Trinamool and the Congress have even had understanding with the BJP. But, that is not possible at the Assembly level. So, the Left leaders want to utilise this situation to consolidate strength and gain extra energy for the ensuing Assembly polls. LF chairman Biman Bose has stressed on garnering 50 per cent-plus votes at each booth. Although that is 11 per cent less than that of the last civic body polls in 2005, it is seven per cent higher than that of the last Lok Sabha election. It is tough but that is the goal, Bose admits.

Mamata’s TMC is a one-person show, just like in the case of Mayawati or Jayalalithaa. Since the leader’s decision is the party’s decision, taking a stand is easier. But there is a flip side too. Unquestionable allegiance to the leader functions as a deterrent. The call for change can be a cause of anxiety for Mamata. Her change entails only changing the faces, not in behavioural approach or in governance. Substantive news reports are flowing in regularly from two district Panchayats– South 24 Parganas and Midnapore – ruled by TMC alone. They are repeating the same mistakes which saw the Left booted out. If the TMC supremo ignores these factors, her call for change may boomerang.

In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Sonia gave in to Mamata Banerjee’s demands. But 2011 is the year of Mamata’s reckoning. The political path is always slippery. There is no vacuum and Mulayam Singh Yadav is ready to fill the void, so is Lalu Prasad Yadav. Mayawati is always game for a bargain. Mamata’s actual assessment will come in 2011 as she is expected to take the reins of state power. That path will be decided in these civic polls.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

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

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Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Employing prisoners in call centre is a good precedence

The fact remains that the country with over 115 crore population and with estimated unemployment rate of over 9 per cent while its counterparts like Brazil and china have unemployment rate of just 7.4 per cent and 4.2 per cent respectively. Which also means that over 10 crore Indians are unemployed. Horrifyingly, over 60 per cent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture. What is more horrifying is that almost 92 per cent of the workforce is in unorganised sector. And only over 10 per cent have regular employment. With over 389 universities, 16,000 colleges and 1,500 research institutions, India produces more than 2.3 million graduates and about 750,000 post-graduates every year. Sadly, 25 per cent are employable which means that country is having inadequate skill development training programmes.

Solution? It actually lies within the problems itself. India needs to revamp the skill development and training programmes. It needs initiatives to bring more and more workers into the organised sector starting from professionals working in MNCs to rickshaw pullers in the city streets.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


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

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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Red protests turn ugly

The movement has altered long-held views of Thai politics

A famous joke about Thailand that has been repeated ad infinitum in the diplomatic circles world over, is that this country is the world’s long lasting fledgling democracy. Funny as it might be, one could not have agreed more. The Army, the Palace, the judiciary—every institution in this country is a power centre except its people. This has shaped much of Thailand’s political discourse over the years. This week, it reached its pinnacle.

The brutal conflict between troops and anti-government protesters has accelerated in the Thai capital after the administration cast off a call by the so-called Red-Shirts for UN-mediated talks. The regime, on its part, said that since Thailand is a sovereign nation, it won’t accept outside mediation. On the other hand, in a significant departure from their earlier stance, the Red-Shirts, have agreed to accept the proposal by the Senate Speaker who wants to mediate the talks.

Earlier this week, the administration provided buses to allow women, children and the elderly among the Reds to abandon the large encampment they have been using for many weeks. The new round of negotiation will reconsider the proposal made by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who had offered to call snap polls in November—a full one year prior to the expiry of his term. However, what followed was the typical battle of nerves where both the regime as well as the Reds refused to cede further grounds.

After weeks of fooling around, both the sides now mean business. The regime insisted that it will carry on with its crackdown aimed at choking off the Reds, who have captured, and held, about 3 sq. km of protest zone blockaded by fuel-soaked tyres, bamboo spikes and reinforced by Molotov Cocktail carrying youths in Bangkok’s posh commercial and tourism hub. A special order that empowers the Army with sweeping power to “restore order” was expanded to 22 of Thailand’s 75 administrative divisions, up from 17 last week.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009


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

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