Book Review: The Armies of South Asia

Gung-ho in the Neighbourhood

The economic surge in Asia has been discussed for long. But, there also has always been another aspect attached to South Asian matters. The effect of insurgency and terrorism has not let the economic growth to pan out across the spectrum in the region. Sri Lanka could come out of the civil war after a protracted conflict, Pakistan is yet facing the violent results of its nurturing of religious terrorists, and Afghanistan is mired in a state of total collapse with the international community scrambling to extend support to run the country.

Simultaneously, the other countries are affected similarly. Nepal is struggling to keep the democratic government running with the Chief Justice agreeing to run the ‘election government’. Bangladesh has often been witness to political violence, which has been a major challenge to the socio-political stability of the country. Maldives is in the grip of the politics of vendetta.

The countries in the region are in different stages of the national evolution and so are their key governing institutions. The armies of the countries mentioned above have been playing an active role in these conditions. Although a glance of the Title might let a reader believe that this would be another attempt to pitch the arms and systems and show the graphic representation of India being the strongest. But, nothing can be as wrong as this.

It requires mentioning that once a reader begins, he/she will find the title suitable. This book is an attempt to give the readers a fair idea of the genesis of a strong tool, Army, in the seven countries it has covered. The chapters are country wise and each chapter begins with the security environment of the country. The chapters on each country has information about the security environment and the geopolitical and strategic significance. It moves ahead with the geographical terrain and the respective country’s threat perceptions.

With issues related to security coming to the fore in recent times, the Armies are often in the news. This might generate a lot of questions like will the army take over, will there be a rise in the radical elements within the forces? Here, in the book, one can find issues like structure, civil-military relationship, their recruitment, training, weapon sources and also the future prospects.

In encompassing so much, it demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the country. By reading the chapters one can surmise quite clearly that they have all the important information. The highlight is that country experts, people who have been monitoring developments in the specific countries, have been brought together for this highly informative volume.

Another good point is that this book has not served as another addition the attempts to overlook the negative perceptions about India and its role, which comes out at times. The introduction serves the purpose of placing everything in perspective and is mentioned under the heading ‘India Challenge’. It reads, “The negative perception of India in most of the neighbouring countries, despite India’s sustained confidence-building measures and several unilateral economic and political initiatives, seems near constant.” The above lines from the book on the one side arouse the reader’s interest and sets the stage for an objective assessment of the role of the Army of the respective countries and also to get an understanding of the perception which rests in the minds of the people across these nations.

Every chapter has its own interesting articulation. As in the chapter on Bangladesh, the writer mentions, “Not only does it (Bangladesh) carry the historical baggage of an inherited strategic culture of Pakistan that has been traditionally anti-India, but also the perception of repatriated soldiers and officers who later formed the bulk of the Bangladesh Army.” While, on the one side it is talking about the composition which formed the officers and men of the Bangladesh Army, it also makes a person understand that one needs to approach such issues with sensitivity.

Every chapter has information about the force organisation, which is interesting. The chapter on Pakistan mentions, “In 2006, the government (Pakistan) set up separate commands in its three services equipped with nuclear weapons and missiles capable of retaliating for any first nuclear strike.”

Read more....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year

BBA Management Education

The Indo-Uzbek tango

A primer on how Uzbekistan’s affirmative relationship with India and the future

The Uzbek-Indo relations trace back many years. They were always based on mutual respect, appreciation of regional and global role, as well as a common cause to enhance bilateral ties in all fields of interest. In Uzbekistan, we have a strong feeling of admiration and respect for India’s great contribution to the history of mankind through its ancient and marvellous civilization.

Recently, on January 26th, India celebrated the important holiday – The Day of the Republic. At that day of 1950, India adopted its first Constitution, which has laid a foundation on the principles of democracy and secular country. The Constitution was juridically a well-drafted document and it combined all the needs of Indian society. This important detail confirms that the Constitution stands as a guarantor of political stabilization in the country. During more than 60 years of independence, India has excelled in all spheres, such as economy, politics and social reforms. Nowadays, the Indian economy is on a high growth trajectory and is also the second fastest growing economy in the world.

At the moment, India makes its own satellites and launches them; it has progressed in spheres closely associated with exploration of space and has started up several atomic nuclear stations to provide its population with electricity and power. It should be noted that all aforementioned economic and social reforms, as well as achievements were reached only in a democratic way. India aspires to develop peacefully, since there weren’t any significant revolutionary changes and social clashes.

In this light, the significance of the mutually beneficial cooperation with South Asian countries, particularly with India, in the framework of fostering regional security has been repeatedly underscored by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov.

India’s leadership among South Asian countries, thanks to a number of objective geographical, demographic and economic parameters, is bolstered by its active regional policy. India’s position on ensuring political stability in South Asia has a significance for all dimensions of regional security

Now, India is one of the most worthy partners of Uzbekistan. Every year, Uzbekistan’s relations with India have been progressing – this is also because there has been historical friendship between the two nations. The high-level mutual visits are frequent and political trust and friendly cooperation is on the rise. India is closely associated with Uzbekistan historically and culturally. The world recognized India as one of the cradles of civilization, appreciates its ancient philosophy and rich culture. During several high level visits in these decades, the two sides discussed a number of issues such as extending bilateral partnership, talked about international and local conflicts, regional security and providing stability, struggle against terrorism and extremism.

At the moment, Uzbekistan and India have established a solid juridical base between the two countries. It consists of more than 70 interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements. There is an exchange of many cultural, economic and other delegations regularly between parliaments and governments of India and Uzbekistan.

On November 29, 2012 in Delhi, the sides held a round of political consultations between the delegations of ministries of foreign affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and India. The sides discussed the realization of bilateral agreements signed in the framework of the State visit of the President H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov to India in May 2011.

In May 2011, President H.E. Mr. Islam Karimov paid an official visit to India and the two sides signed a list of agreements which provides for and ensures the development of a long-term constructive partnership. It has served as a grand milestone in the history of the bilateral relations, and means that the Uzbek-Indo relations have entered a new stage of development. And it clearly shows that the two sides have a common wish to develop the friendly cooperation.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman

ExecutiveMBA

Lights.. Camera.. Dance!

choreographer-turned-director, Remo d’souza, had always dreamt of nothing but making every foot tap to the music. his latest f lick, any body can dance, says and portrays pretty much what he has always believed. in conversation with Pratishtha Malhotra, remo shares stories about bringing his passion alive…

From the time of its promos, ABCD was rumoured to be the Indian adaptation of Step Up. Did that preconceived notion about your film bother you?
People just see one visual and tend to say things like ‘Ya it’s a copy of Step Up.’ But those who’ve seen the film would know that not even one scene is anywhere close to Step Up. It is totally an original story, my story. Yes it’s a dance movie shot in 3D and Step Up was also a dance film shot in 3D, but that’s the only similarity. You can’t compare them. Yes, dance is there but the story is different; the characters are different. It’s a totally new movie. You can’t say that it’s a direct rip-off of Step Up.

After FALTU, how did you come up with the idea of making a dance film?
Yes, just because of that. This idea was there before I made FALTU. I always wanted to make a dance film, even before Step Up had come. Since I started dancing, I always thought that if I ever get a chance I will make a dance film.

Musicals and dance films are new concepts for the Indian audience. Was it a huge challenge scripting a film like this?
Correct. This film is not only about dance. That is the biggest difference between Step Up and my film. In Step Up (except Part One), they don’t have a strong storyline. I have a very good storyline, which is told through dance. I know it looks like just a dance film, but it has got an emotional story weaved into it. Dance will look good on its own, but if you have a little story to that dance, it’ll attract you. That’s how I hoped people would get engaged to it..

Indian films in 3D have yet not fared as well as Hollywood films. Were you wary of this fact too while making your film?
We have had few Hindi films that were shot in 3D. I won’t say that they were shot badly but, yes, the equipment was not up to the mark. What I did is that I made sure to get the best equipment and the right technicians to shoot. The technicians who worked on Pirates of the Caribbean and Step Up 3 were with me on this film.

With films like yours are you hopeful that the perception of dance, which is considered just another hobby in our country, would change?
(Smiles). In my films I have always wanted to give a little message, nothing preachy, but just a small message. I did that in FALTU as well. In this film also I have given the message through the title that ‘Any Body Can Dance’. You don’t have to be born a Michael Jackson to dance.  Coming to the profession of dancing, I think the perception has already changed and you can see that in reality shows. People happily come to me with their kids and say, ‘Sir mere bete ko aapke jaisa dancer banana hai (I want my son to be a dancer like you)’. That is such a big thing for me because I would never see somebody say that I want my child to be a dancer. Everyone always wanted their child to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. Now I feel very proud and it feels very good when people say dancer banana hai.

How was it working with Prabhudheva? Were you nervous or excited?
I was excited, not nervous. I knew that I have a very good story. I told him that I want you to do it and if you don’t do it, I don’t see anybody else doing it. So he heard the story… well, not even the story. He heard the idea actually. Before writing the story I just went to him with the idea that this is what the film is about and he instantly said ‘yes’. Then I wrote the story, went back to him and said this is your character and he said ‘ok’. I wanted to start shooting right then. He was shooting Rowdy Rathore at that time so he juggled between my film and Rowdy Rathore. I was very excited to direct a dance film with Prabhuheva in it.

Also, I had about 50 choreographers working on my set, on camera and behind the camera. I could only see all choreographers around me. It was fun. We shot the whole film in 67 days, which is a record time. Nobody has ever shot a 3D film in 67 days.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year

BBA Management Education

Fanatics and hypocrites

Afzal Guru's hanging showcases phony drama, crocodile tears and genuine grief. Aditya Raj Kaul paints an evocative picture

“We all are Afzal”, read a poster held tightly by a JNU Kashmiri Muslim student at a hurriedly-organised protest march by pro-separatist and ultra-leftist groups in New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, hours after Mohammad Afzal Guru, key conspirator of the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001, was secretly executed at Tihar Jail on February 9.

The air was full of anger, betrayal and fury. ``We won’t forget our martyr”, proclaimed a poster held high by a Kashmiri girl in a veil. By the time the protest was dispersed by the Delhi Police personnel, Guru’s last rites had been carried out inside Delhi's high-security Tihar central prison and the Kashmir valley was clamped down under a curfew not seen since the tense summer months of 2010.

Naturally, it was a busy day for all who have a stake in the omnipresent Kashmir story, especially in the Indian republic's capital – and there are many. While TV anchors tried to grab brownie points by determining the timing of when Guru had been informed about the hanging, a speed post was silently booked by the government at the New Delhi GPO in the name of Tabassum, wife of Afzal Guru, telling her what the world already knew. Shockingly but not surprisingly, in this age of online mobility, the speed post reached Baramulla in Kashmir precisely three days after Guru’s death.

There is little doubt that the action on Afzal Guru has been carefully crafted in the run up to the 2014 General Elections. To stave off immediate repercussions in the valley, the government ensured that the three key vocal separatist voices in Kashmir were sent on guided vacations.

JKLF chief Yasin Malik, a self-confessed terrorist claiming Gandhian lineage, was allowed to visit Pakistan to pay his in-laws a courtesy visit; eventually he sat on a hunger strike at the Islamabad Press Club against the hanging, in tandem with who else, but India's most-wanted terrorist Hafiz Sayeed, himself on a courtesy call to Malik.

Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, never happy with Kashmir's harsh winters, decided to stay put at his daughter’s Malviya Nagar home in New Delhi, as did chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, at his apartment in south Delhi's Kalkaji area. Both of them were under house arrest by the Delhi Police and all efforts to reach them by TSI have so far remained fruitless.

While India’s liberal elite mourned the death of a man who they called victim of a “flawed judicial process”, the right-wing swung into action as only they can - by a liberal distribution of sweets and an even more liberal thumping of chests. The BJP, woken up from its slumber and rounds of internecine warfare, stood with the government, but added a caveat saying the hanging was `12 years too late'.

The National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – both in direct line of fire -  decided to act outraged, accusing New Delhi of acting in haste without realising the negativity it would generate amongst the Kashmiris. The PDP national spokesperson was seen empathising with the family of Afzal Guru and warning New Delhi of further `alienation' of Kashmiris from the Indian mainstream.

As for the oratory skills of Kashmiri analysts and politicians of all shades, their opinions were most difficult to comprehend. Any TV debate, ended inevitably in a fish-market brawl, lacking logic and facts, high on decibel quotient and wholly suited to the demands of light and sound entertainment.

According to insiders, when much crocodile tears had been shed in the day time, a few among the moist-eyed separatists decided to hit a posh south Delhi restaurant known for its Kashmiri delicacies - listening to the famous Kashmiri singer Rashid Hafiz, who belted out one popular number after the other.

Exactly 29 years after Maqbool Bhat was hanged at the same place and about the same time of the year, it seems the central government has learnt no lessons. Bureaucrats at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seem to have simply copy-pasted the Maqbool Bhat hanging formula, denying the basic right for the family to even meet Afzal Guru.

While there may be wide-ranging similarities between Bhat and Guru, who amongst other commonalities, were recruits of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and were trained in arms across the border in Pakistan, the UPA government has left no stone unturned to make Guru a martyr for the separatist plank of azadi. The babus of MHA, generally known to engage separatists cleverly, have provided fodder to the virtually dead spectacle of the separatists. Separatists cheerleaders are now crying hoarse from their comfortable bungalows in New Delhi. Afzal Guru, they believe, will be the new Che Guevara - if not in spirit then on on t-shirts.

Among other things in question is the legal representation given to Afzal Guru by the state, even though the two-man Supreme Court bench of P. Venkatarama Reddi and P.P. Naolekar found “no substance in this contention”. The same apex court had earlier acquitted Delhi University professor S.A.R. Gilani of all charges in the same case citing technical grounds.
“Those who are intervening in the campaign to save Afzal but have no commitment to Indian nationalism are not doing any service to his cause”, wrote Supreme Court advocate and human rights activist Nandita Haksar in her book ‘Framing Geelani, Hanging Afzal’. Her conclusions: “We must never underestimate the appeal of nationalism”. Even though she poignantly remembered and wrote about the sufferings of a prisoner accused of ‘waging war against the state’, the reflections were convoluted with anger, raw emotions and a discourse which few could identify with.

A pusillanimous campaign now underway, instead of demanding reform in criminal laws, continues to question the Indian state’s position on Kashmir. Those postulating over the Kashmir issue may do some good by asking local Muslims to internalise on who they strive to be with – a crumbling nation crippled by internal strife or a country which stands for secularism and diversity.

A debate within the stakeholders on Kashmir is need of the hour. Not necessarily the Aman Ki Asha model, neither the misnomer of Kashmiriyat, nor even meetings like those organised annually by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai in the Capitol Hill, United States, where he invented reasons to abuse India till he was arrested by FBI on charges of being a Pakistani spy. Interestingly, his list of invitees included reputed names from the Indian media, think-tanks, analysts and of course the separatists.

In the wake of a threatening attack on the first-ever girls rock-band from Kashmir, Pragaash, and an acid attack on a Kashmiri girl which went almost unnoticed and unreported, the debate becomes vital. “I do realize and regret that due to us (Kashmiri Muslim terrorists), Muslims in the rest of India get a bad name”, said Afzal Guru in a confession aired on TV channels soon after he was apprehended in 2001.

The tragedy of intolerance developing in the Kashmiri society, fashioned no doubt by some excesses of the Indian state, is best understood by a Kashmiri axiom ‘anyem soi, wavem soi, lagem soi panesei’, or ‘as you sow, so shall you reap’.
Thanks to the government's mishandling of Guru's hanging, it may become an issue of debate and in his death, he may well emerge as the new poster boy of jehad. As Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah put it, the new generation of Kashmiris "who may not have identified with Maqbool Bhat will identify with Afzal Guru”.

Aiding and abetting this sense of alienation are celebrity fiction writers like Arundhati Roy, who remarked famously at an event to discuss Freedom in October 2010 at New Delhi, ``bhooka nanga Hindustan, jaan se pyaara Pakistan’ (hunger-stricken and naked India, Pakistan more beloved than life). To prepare such a dangerous cocktail for her Kashmiri brethren in the garb of liberal discourse only does disservice to the idea of human rights and justice. The hollowness of the leftist diatribe, if not put under introspection, may end up aping right-wing fanatical rhetoric and that is not good news.

The Indian government may now not just have to open its arms but ears as well by listening to the genuine voices of estrangement coming from various sections of Jammu and Kashmir. The farce of a round-table dialogue which will decide the date of next meeting, does not demonstrate serious engagement.

In the days ahead it would be a challenge for the Indian government to contain terror groups from expanding and operating through sleeper cells, as happened months and years after the hanging of Maqbool Bhat in 1984. The judge who delivered the verdict, Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo, was mercilessly killed by suspected JKLF terrorists soon after.

Bhat, who was one of the first from the JKLF to cross the Radcliffe Line for training, could well inspire others to do the same; attempt a violent uprising in the name of religion and ensure a recipe for disaster. After all, terrorism, which spread like gangrene, did not mrerely dent Kashmir, it expanded its base  to all corners of India, most notably the attack on Parliament in 2011.

Read more....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face

BBA Institute

Size doesn't matter

India needs a complete overhaul in its car taxation policies 

In the year 1998, India rolled out policies to encourage CNG based vehicles and also gradually phased out polluting public transport, at least from the metro cities. India has also been advocating policies to address the problem of pollution and vehicle density. However, in spite of arrays of policies and laws, nothing has worked out efficiently. Amidst all policies, the car taxation policies, that could have been a major deterrent, are still being ignored. India still continues with the old formula of levying taxes based on the size of the car while the Western world has rejected it completely and has taken the right measurement to control pollution by implementing vehicle taxes on the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission rates.

From the Union Budget 2012-13, we can easily comprehend how taxes are levied on cars based on its sizes. As per the budget, “excise tax on small cars (not exceeding 4 meter in length and with engines no larger than 1.2 lts) rose from 10 per cent to 12 per cent. For cars longer than 4 meter but engines smaller than 1.5 lts, the tax increased from 22 per cent to 24 per cent. And for all cars with engines greater than 1.5 lts, the budget reinstated the tax rate of 22 per cent plus Rs 15,000 with a flat 27 per cent tax rate.” Indirectly, this treatment was intended to discourage gas-guzzling vehicles and strengthens incentives to cut fuel use and CO2 emissions. But it directly neither imposed taxes on CO2 emission rates nor restricted people to purchase highly polluting vehicles. However, the recent advice by the Supreme Court to levy 25 per cent green tax on diesel cars may be a good initiative if proper action is taken.

The United Kingdom had replaced the car tax rate based on engine size by the car's CO2 emissions rate in 2001. Even Ireland has implemented a policy to levy motor tax charges on the basis of seven CO2 emission bands with lower emissions resulting in lower charges since 2008. In the same light, countries like France, Germany and Sweden have adopted the policy of levying vehicle taxes on the CO2 emissions rates of passenger vehicles. A very recent OECD report has highlighted that “By 2050, the number of premature deaths from exposure to air pollution is projected to more than double to reach 3.6 million a year globally, with most deaths occurring in China and India.” Moreover, car makers are also taking advantages of this taxation policy by coming up with small size, high end cars. So, it seems the days of experiments are over.

Read more......

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year

BBA Management Education

She leaves behind a legacy

A rock star diplomat, she crystallised her image of pragmatism

Hillary Rodham Clinton stepped down as the 69th United States Secretary of State on February 1, 2013. If someone suspects that the termination of Clinton’s term in the office was  designed with a motive of backing a wrong horse, it would be a gross mistake. It has been the trend line throughout the American presidential history (be it Collin Powel in the Bush era or Warren Minor Christopher during Bill Clinton’s first term) to replace them after completion of their first term. However, ignoring political debate behind her termination, it would be interesting to see how effective she was.

In recent times, after the legacy of Madeline Albright, it was probably Hillary Clinton whose accomplishments are crystallised into an image of pragmatism and the cool glamour of America’s “rock star diplomat.” Getting down to serious business, her checklist of achievements is long. Her globetrotting capabilities that portended almost million miles of traversing did not go in waste – she engaged not only the traditional American allies but also seemingly God-forbidden countries such as Laos in the firm footing of US values. The values she advocated were not merely based on leveraging American geo-political missions but also on traditional planks like upholding human rights and human dignity. Her extension of unswerving support to Aung San Suu Kyi with the intention to stand by her struggle for democracy in Myanmar and rescuing the blind Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng who took refuge in US embassy are cases in point of her strategy from a high moral stand point. The human rights abuses in Libya and Syria too were dealt with iron hands by the US where her role in convincing Obama for the actions cannot be undermined. Especially in Libya, it was Clinton’s role that turned out to be the watershed in the faceoff between the rebels and the Gaddafi regime. Her pivotal role in shaping strategies to deal with the battle ground map of Russia, China and Iran – where a judicious mix of calm and aggression presaged her high quality diplomatic aptitude. Che Guancheng was given sanctuary in US without disturbing the delicate balance of US-China relationship; while on the other hand, her tough posture on Iran was instrumental in slapping harsh sanctions on them. She also attained free trade agreements with allies like Panama, Columbia and South Korea – which shows the importance she attached to economy with respect to her foreign policy moves.

However, her failures should not be overlooked. She admitted her slip in the Benghazi episode, where speaking to CNN she said, “I take responsibility” for not protecting the American diplomat’s lives. This cracked her firewall and she conceded, “I want to avoid some kind of political gotcha.” Notwithstanding, another failure of her was her helplessness to convince Mamata Banerjee on retail reforms! More importantly, the Clinton-Obama relationship was more dubious even though mutually respectful.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face

BBA Institute

"We will introduce Verma panel recommendations in Parliament"

India’s Minister of State for Home RPN Singh, is a man in the middle of the action. The Home Ministry is the nodal government agency expected to devise and pilot steps to improve policing, which is under direct public gaze and court supervision. In an exclusive chat with Aditya Raj Kaul a month after the brutal Delhi gang rape, Singh talks at length on the steps undertaken to ensure security for women. Following an RTI application by TSI, he agreed to change the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) maintenance of rape case records.

It has been more than a month since the Delhi gang rape shook the country. Who takes the responsibility and blame?
I can understand that there has been a lot of controversy but if we actually look at the positives that have come out, the outburst by the people of the city has led to stringent measures. We have taken steps which will make this city a much safer place. We have come out with two time-bound committees. The three-member Justice Verma Committee report has just announced far reaching reforms in rape laws.

Implementation of laws has been a cause of concern. What will you do with the Verma Committee report?
We will try to introduce it as soon as possible in Parliament for enactment. We have also instituted an inquiry commission on the unfortunate incident that happened on December 16 which is being headed by Justice Usha Mehra. If there has been laxity from any individual or organisations, we will take stringent action against them. That will also happen in a timeline of three months. There have been very good suggestions by people who came out to protest and I am sure it will lead to something concrete.

Was Delhi Police right in using brute force against protesters and media?
I have repeated it often and will say it again: 99 per cent of the people protesting were peaceful, there was an emotional outrage over the dastardly act and there was anger amongst the people, which is why they came out and tried to make their voices heard. Unfortunately, one per cent of those present there were miscreants who were looking to make trouble. I apologise to genuine protesters who were injured in the bargain. It is extremely unfortunate and it should not have happened. But, had we let the protesters on to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the same people criticising us would have turned around and said “What kind of government is this, which allows protesters to barge into the Rashtrapati Bhavan”.It was a decision which we had to take on the spot. I would like to reassure people that their voices have been heard and the government is taking steps to meet their demands.

A common man travellingin a public bus in Delhi is insecure. What is your understanding?
Without doubt the police needs to pull up its socks. There has to be more patrolling and police presence. But the police have taken corrective measures. Obviously, a lot more needs to be done.

Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit had demanded that the Delhi Police Commissioner quit. It was later repeated by the Delhi High Court.
I can understand the angst of the chief minister of Delhi. She has without doubt done tremendous good work in the city and has become the face of Delhi. During any such incident, people look towards her for succor. I can understand her frustration. Even though a lot of people may not know it, the constitutional position is that the Delhi Police is not under the chief minister of Delhi. It is a central subject. Agitators expected her to take some action against the police. So ultimately, as a representative of the people of Delhi, she is answerable to a lot of things over which she has no control. I have traveled in a bus and security needs to be beefed up. There is always room for improvement.

Countryside protests have followed the Delhi rape. How does one change things?
I think India needs to revisit its past, go back to the kind of moral and ethical values that were prevalent in our ancestors. The root problem in this country has nothing to do with your education or lack of it. In families where children see respect for women when they are growing up, the child will grow up respecting women. In families where this is not the case, bad examples are being set. Good values have to be inculcated in our children.

TSI had filed an RTI with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asking for details of rape cases and the number of those convicted in the last ten years. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in their response said that such records are not maintained.
We have already started to come out with a database which will carry details of sexual offenders. It is a proposal we are working on, to make it electronic and open to the public so that they have information. We recently saw the case of a convict serving imprisonment for rape being released after a 10-year term on the basis of good behaviour. The moment he came out, he raped again.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year

BBA Management Education

Is Bollywood (finally) coming of age?

It was a small piece in an English-language publication that caught my eye. It spoke of how Bollywood seems to be, at long last, keeping its tryst with destiny with forays into exciting new terrains – geographically, thematically and psychologically – that provide riveting, interesting and totally refreshing cinematic experiences. As a film critic who has been writing on and about cinema in general – and B-town in particular – for over three and a half decades, this news flash got me thinking… yup, it was sweeping, bold but hey, perhaps true as well!

Coming to think of it, in the very recent past, breakout films and shake-em-up performances have indeed grabbed audiences by the short n’ curly, shocked (and delighted?) the mickey out of them, but most importantly (surprise-surprise!) registered thumping hits at the BO!Suddenly the traditional boy-meets-girl formulae accompanied by the attendant melodramatic hi-jinx have given way to some semblance of realism in subject, story-telling and performance.

The ‘Hai Mein Mar Jaoon’ brand of blushing femininity has been replaced by a much starker form of representation couched in bolder dialogues and body language. Alongside, make-up and clothes have also undergone a realistic makeover, as have locales. Old-fashioned Darjeeling, gritty, unglamorous ali-galis of Kolkata and badlands of Chambal and Wasseypur in Dhanbad share the frame with the wilds of U.P… all, in hard-close-up, determined to seduce audiences into succumbing to a new cinematic experience.

Take The Dirty Picture, Kahaani or Wasseypur and Shanghai as some recent examples, not forgetting the wonderfully original Vicky Donor or the Chaplinesque Barfi or the recent English Vinglish. Can you imagine any one of them getting through even the ‘narration’ stage to any Director/Production House a decade ago?Glamour-less, star-less and sans the usual masala must-have ingredients, these bold, stark, realistic themes would have been swiftly dispatched to the file marked ‘Out’.Today, as the piece pointed out, “a more mature audience shows a willingness to celebrate nuanced, off-beat tales, much like an educated and pretty, young divorcee banker falling in love with a flamboyant, rough, grungy, attractive… sperm donor! Or a sleazy extra/starlet clawing her way to the top and the morals be damned! Or a pregnant woman desperately combing the alleys of Kolkata searching for a husband! Or gangs, warfare and raw living in the killing fields of Wasseypur! Or even a deaf-mute turning out to be perceived as a safer and more caring lover than a normal, richie-rich husband! Frequently abandoning tried and tested formulae, these represent an edgy, welcome change in the way films are being conceived, made and consumed.”

Not everyone seems convinced, Veteran film scholar, historian and critic Rauf Ahmed believes that while this parallel cinema (led by Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee) is commendable and does indeed make a strong case in leveraging change, these guys and their products still form only a tiny part of the larger movie consuming universe. “The recent hoo-haa created by the press and by word-of-mouth (of the more evolved audience) has led people to believe that change has arrived! That is laughable! The bigger banners and the superstars stick to their masala and formulae and rake in the loot - be it yesterday’s Ek Tha Tiger and Rowdy Rathore or the to-be released Talaash, Dabangg 2 and Jab Tak…Occasionally a Wake up Sid or Chak De does mosey in from the Karan Johar or YRF camps but by and large, formula rules.” Veteran TV and movie actor Aloknath agrees. “Sure this new breed of films are realism driven (raw and hard-hitting) and are making waves with a section of the audiences, but that can hardly qualify as influencing or disturbing the status-quo! It’s like this. TV, today, is a monster and to combat it, viewing experiences has to be special, unique and something that cannot be replicated on TV. The big banners combat it with hi-glamour and star-power; the small-budget guys, with adventurous forays into little known Wasseypurs!” Alok believes that desperate times call for desperate measures and that’s how the scene is panning out. “Koi breakthrough or coming-of-age hua nahin, Boss… Survival!”

An author (The Last Train to Nowhere) and director (Love Songs) is up next. Kolkata based Joybroto Chatterjee is of the opinion that while the “Bollywood circus continues, certain side shows have come into play. The have-nots seem to have been kicked upstairs! Suddenly the disabled and hinterland tales have come to centre-stage and are treated with fresh, honest insight and sensitivity, something that was totally missing in the earlier movies. Simplistic, the hinterland earlier was either an idyllic space corrupted by the city-slicker or the back-of-beyond terrain of the underprivileged, ganwaar, ignorant of sophisticated metro driven taur-tarika. The disabled, too, were usually caricatured or perceived as objects of ridicule. Today, with the Wasseypurs, Ishqzaades and Shanghais, Guzarishs and Barfis, a new caring, compassionate look has replaced the earlier jaundiced one. Also drama, colour, passion and honesty powers these new narratives. That’s truly wonderful. However, overall the tiger growl still rules and these films are instantly wiped out when any of the Khan releases happens. Sideshows, that’s what they are!” Reputed critic Saibal Chatterjee agrees! “While appreciation is definitely due to all these film makers for providing diversity and a larger spread of interesting films, the mainframe remains intact. No big banner wants to take risks. The day mainstream star hunks and glamour babes are replaced by genuine, brilliant actors in even moderately budget starrers from the big production houses, that’s when real change will happen. Until then, these will provide exciting diversions; important, necessary but nowhere powerful enough as a movement to threaten B-town or influence the star-crazed junta.” Kolkata based film-maker Rituparno Ghosh up next, wonders whether any discussion is even warranted because it’s just not a fair and even playing field. Barfi, for example, is a fine effort, is the talk of the town with press and social networks going bananas! Are regional films (equally good) ever given a chance to attain such visibility? Besides, mainstream actors engaging seriously with parallel cinema simultaneously is stale news in Kolkata! Way back in the sixties, top leads like Soumitra, Sharmila, Aparna even superstar Uttam Kumar starred in both these genres with great success. I am sure this has happened in the south too. Sadly, Bollywood and its crazed audiences have confused the difference between internationalisation and globalisation. One is cutting across, powered by its universality while retaining its cultural identity.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face

BBA Institute

Battle station Delhi

The bonhomie between the people of India and Pakistan has been cut short with the killings at the LoC. Can the tension spark off a larger conflict? Ranjit Bhushan looks at the options

In retrospect, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik's recent trip to New Delhi now seems like a distant little joke. All his ridiculous utterances paled into insignificance after the decapitation of two Indian soldiers on the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistani Army regulars along with their terror cohorts, the globally banned Laishkar e Toiba (LeT), on January 8.

In one stroke, all the good work done by diplomats, Track Two specialists, peaceniks, cultural exchange wallahs, sporting icons and the mass of common people was undone. A process which had gathered momentum as never before with the most people-to-people contacts on a sustained basis since 1947, certainly got someone's goat. Not too difficult to guess who it was though, as India pointed its finger at the Pakistani Army – after all who resides in the LoC?

The killings sent shock waves of anger as gory details emerged, prompted by a belligerent opposition demanding heads in return and shrill TV anchors equally vocal on asking questions on behalf of the 'nation'.

The impact was immediate – and visible. Pakistani hockey players who were in India to play in the Indian Hockey League were packed off home, a liberal visa regime for Pakistani elders was stopped hours before it was to be launched at the Wagah border, a visiting women's cricket team from Pakistan looked all set to return and the many weekend parties and dos meant to showcase this newly-found Indo-Pak bonhomie in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other places came crashing down like a pack of cards.

While Opposition ranted and railed, the Indian Army let it be known that a counter-hit would take place at “a day and time of their choosing.” Army Chief General Bikram Singh exhorted his army commanders to hit the enemy hard and not be 'timid' while placing their shots.

For some, the latest rocketing of tensions and its unpredictable outcome in the days to come is a worthy end to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's affair with Sharm-el-Sheikh, where India made undue 'concessions' to Pakistan in the desert expanse. Says BJP's Arun Jaitley, “The major lapse at Sharm-el-Sheikh was to delink action on terrorism from the Composite Dialogue Process. This can be considered a huge set back for India and I hope that the current development will be an eye opener for the UPA government.”

The incident confirmed how tenuous the peace is between the two south Asian neighbours. For those in Rawalpindi –  the Pakistani Army's headquarters – who see peace between the two countries as anathema, it does not take much to undo years of hard work, back-channel diplomacy and intricate labour; a beheading like this is all that it takes to snuff out the peace pipe without breaking a sweat.

The Indian government has so far reacted soberly, even though Western diplomats based in Delhi attach much importance to the statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who said that post the Mendhar killings, “it could not be business as usual” between the two countries. That, ironically, was signal enough for the others to follow suit with even the BJP saying the “PM has sensed the public mood.”

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face

BBA Institute

'Fast', Furious, Fervent and Futile

When we were in school and college, there was just one Angry Young Man. During the later part of our blissful lives as students, there was this movie called Inquilab that had Amitabh Bachchan in the vortex of a rotten system where politicians and businessmen were brazenly corrupt and venal. There appeared to be no solution, no relief and no justice whatsoever for that hapless citizen we now have honored as the aam aadmi. The movie hall erupted in thunderous applause during the climax when one could sense fellow moviegoers audibly washing away their anger through paroxysms of faux voyeurism. You see, Amitabh picks up an assault rifle and guns down every single villain masquerading as a politico, a cop and a trader. I am not too sure, but I think the movie was released in late 1983 or early 1984. Terrorism, corruption, inflation and dynasty politics, to name just a few, were the leading topics of discussions in newspapers and magazines (there wasn't much by way of TV news and absolutely no Internet back then).

Isn't it ironical and a monumental fraud perpetrated on the aam aadmi that terrorism, corruption, inflation and corruption continue to rule the airwaves. It seems nothing has changed. But in some silly and significant ways, change has happened. Thirty years ago, there was one angry young man. Today, Indian roads, homes, rallies and media outlets are overflowing with angry citizens. Everybody seems to be deeply angry with something. But hardly any of us seem to agree on how to target the root causes behind this anger.

You have political leaders who seem to think that displaying anger is a sure-fire way of attracting reluctant voters. So during much of the election campaign for the Uttar Pradesh assembly in early 2012, Rahul Gandhi adopted the persona of an Angry Young Man. In rally after rally, the scion spewed anger at the manner in which non Congress parties ruling the state since 1989 had ruined the present and the future of the aam aadmi. In one rally, he got so angry that he apparently tore the manifesto of the Samajwadi Party. Such a waste of paper. The problem with this kind of anger was that the voter was neither impressed, nor convinced. The voter could not find anything concrete or worthwhile in what an earnest and sincere looking Rahul Gandhi was saying and what his political and media acolytes repeated ad nauseam. We all know the kind of results the UP electorate delivered.

Rahul GandhiAround the time Rahul Gandhi was storming through town after town in Uttar Pradesh, another very, very unusually angry citizen was knocking on the doors of the Supreme Court. After retirement, he now threatens to blockade the Parliament to demand justice for the neglected and browbeaten Indian farmer. Yes folks, I am talking about former Chief of Army Staff General V.K Singh who claimed his honour was hurt because the government of the day had decreed that General Singh was born before he was. Forget the confusion. It was a sorry sight to see an Army Chief slugging it out with his political masters in the Supreme Court and in the gleefully sensationalistic news TV channels. In the end, both General Singh and the extremely articulate but too smart for their own boots defenders of the government were testimony to the fact that anger in this age in India increasingly seems, "fast",  furious and ultimately futile.

Do see how I have used apostrophes for the word. Till about the end of December 2011, it did appear as if Anna Hazare would be the most furious man of 2012 and shake up the political system from its roots if political parties did not pass his own well meaning but quaint version of the Lok Pal Bill. Remember his angry fulminations of 2011? Remember the angry diatribes unleashed by his minions on the political class? And surely you remember the delicious counter bites unleashed by the likes of Manish Tiwari? Well, the Lok Pal looks as dead as a dodo right now. And one of his most ardent followers Arvind Kejriwal has launched a political party named, what else but Aam Aadmi Party! And now, it does appear as if Anna Hazare is more angry with Arvind Kejriwal than all other politicians in the country. So where did all this anger and counter anger lead to? Forget the Aam Aadmi, I don't think even Arvind Kejriwal and the political system he targets will be long term beneficiaries.

Read more.....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face

BBA Institute

How will the ‘Age of Big Data’ affect management?

Will access to Big Data further enable fact-based decision-making or analysis paralysis? Will analytics, as well as the supply of analytics-savvy managers, so badly lag ‘big data’ that it will only lead to confusion and misguided decisions? An exclusive HBS Working Knowledge article.

Ideas and trends converge from time to time in a way that suggests the possible shape of the future. Sometimes I think I can comprehend what they may mean. But other times I know I need help. This is one of those times.

Just two decades ago, we didn’t have Google and other information sources; storage constraints would not have permitted Google to provide everyday access to the ‘world’s information’. If we had had the information, we couldn’t have accessed it effectively anyway. Email systems were not widely available, let alone mobile devices with capacity to access the data. Now the capacity to store and access information through cloud computing is so great that we are entering a post-Google era in which new organisations like Factual (founded by a former Google employee) have set as their goal that of providing access to all of the world’s facts. Presumably this means data such as the location of every factory in the world, data that has not already been massaged and spun. Some facts have to be acquired and organised. Other facts are generated by so-called digital sensors operating worldwide in industrial equipment, autos, and the like. By linking the sensors, an ‘industrial Internet’ can be created. These trends appear to have ‘opportunity’ written all over them, particularly for those who are training now for jobs in data analytics. In addition to less wasteful marketing efforts (we should be able to know, for example, ‘which half’ of advertising is effective, thereby making an old marketing saw obsolete), they should produce more effective business strategies and inject added certainty into the appraisal of opportunities for new business startups. Furthermore, analytics (not the data) should be a source of continuing competitive advantage. In his new book, Charles Duhigg describes how the retailer Target uses data on consumption patterns to discern and address promotions to pregnant customers, perhaps even before they’ve announced their pregnancy to friends (and Target competitors). This is particularly important because pregnancy is one of those life events associated with significant shifts in consumption habits.

A problem is that the shortage of experts in data analytics (some call them ‘data whisperers’) is so acute that it may be years before a sufficient supply can be trained. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that up to 190,000 are needed now in US, along with 1.5 million managers capable of using their work. The shortage appears to be growing along with the potential for competitive advantage associated with data analytics.

This all raises many questions. Will the age of big data eliminate most or all uncertainty from business decisions for those most able to make effective use of ‘all the facts in the world?’ Will it fuel the next ‘gold rush’ for talent in a quest for competitive advantage? Will analytics, as well as the supply of analytics-savvy managers, so badly lag ‘big data’ that it will only lead to confusion and misguided decisions? Or is this just the latest management fad? How, if at all, should this affect education for management? What do you think?

Read more....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

 

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

 

2012 : DNA National B-School Survey 2012
Ranked 1st in International Exposure (ahead of all the IIMs)
Ranked 6th Overall
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year

BBA Management Education

In pursuit of happy capitalism

Policies should be directed at making the environment for entrepreneurship far more enabling in India than what it is today. However, entrepreneurs must also contribute to the larger social goal in their own interest

Eight out of the world’s top ten richest people on the Forbes’ The World’s Billionaires 2011 List are self-made, that is, people who have not simply inherited their fortunes, but have built them over time due to their entrepreneurial vision, exemplary leadership and years of hard work. And of course, a huge majority in this list hails from the US, a country that has successfully nurtured the spirit of entrepreneurship since ages; and is also the nation with the highest GDP in the world. These people are the perfect embodiments of leadership, who inspire millions to live their dreams and make them a reality, even in the most unfavourable of circumstances. But there is something more compelling that these entrepreneurs manage to achieve. Through employment generation and equitable wealth creation within masses, these entrepreneurs contribute immensely to nation building and to the subsequent upliftment of disadvantaged sections.

In other words, it cannot ever be overstated that promoting entrepreneurship is absolutely essential for progress – and more so if it’s the case of India that we’re discussing. The Economic Survey for 2011-12 laments that while India is the world’s 4th largest economy, it is also the poorest among G-20 nations in terms of per capita income, which was around $1,527 in 2011. It has been also estimated by the World Bank that India has more than 400 million people living below the poverty line; UN confirms that more than 700 million Indians live on less than $2 a day. These figures are shockingly mammoth.

Entrepreneurship could very well be the only real hope for India to create virtuous cycles of employment to ensure that a massive majority of these disadvantaged classes are uplifted in quick time. If China could manage this kind of a feat, then I fail to understand why can’t India? Between 1981 and 2004, China got more than 600 million people out of poverty – this is more than has ever been achieved by any nation in history. UNDP data estimates that the incidence of rural poverty in China went down from 30.7% in 1978 to 1.6% in 2007. These electrifying improvements correspond to the spectacular rise of Chinese manufacturing and the growth of hundreds of thousands of Chinese entrepreneurs throughout the nation – and all with the proactive support of the State, which ensured continued public-private coordination throughout this growth story.

Leave the macro story, even at the micro/corporate level, promoting entrepreneurship – even within an organisation – is critically essential, The most respected Peter F. Drucker strongly believed that no organisation can dream of being stupendously innovative unless its employees are die-hard entrepreneurs; warriors who live and die with the consistently burning desire to start something new! If I were to expansively summarise the import of his iconic book Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Drucker defined an entrepreneur as an innovator and vice versa. Indeed, that key character trait that separates these entrepreneurs and innovators from the rest is ‘passion’. In a path-breaking May 2007 official Microsoft research release (‘The Rich Have Money – And Passion’), the Harrison Group, a leading international research firm, showed how 70% of America’s big family fortunes are less than 13 years old (that is, they’re not ‘inherited’) and more importantly, that “the people who amassed those fortunes are primarily entrepreneurs – risk takers for whom wealth is a by product of pursuing their passion!”

Read more....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

 

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human Face

BBA Institute

Indira Gandhi’s proudest moment: Victory of 1971

Events that led to the surrender of the Pakistani forces in 1971, saw Indira Gandhi earning the name of ‘Iron Lady’. Her uncompromising attitude won India a war that even four decades later, is highlighted in history books as event that made India proud of its empathetic foreign policy and powerful armed forces

Forty one years ago on December 16, 1971, the Pakistan Army – under the-then the commander of the Eastern Command of Pakistan, Lt. Gen. A. A. K. Niazi – surrendered to the Indian Army at the Dhaka Racecourse (also known as Ramna Racecourse ground) in Bangladesh. The surrender of the Pakistan army – before the-then commander of the Eastern Command of India and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian and Bangladeshi forces, Lt. Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora – was a landmark event that will be remembered as one of India’s most glorious moments. Also, India’s victory over Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh (the erstwhile East Pakistan) have gone down in history as the-then Indian PM Indira Gandhi’s biggest achievements.

The victory of India over Pakistan in the war of 1971 has been one of the most successful wars ever fought in the history of democratic India. It became a shining example of how resolute leadership at the political and military levels can bring desired results. This war not only resulted in the surrender of 93,000 prisoners of war but also brought a new country into existence. What was so special about this episode? It happened to be the only instance that saw a new nation being born as a result of a war between other nations.

In many ways, it was the 1971 victory that made Indira Gandhi the icon that she is today. It was also a time of some hardcore nationalistic diplomacy during a time when the whole world had turned against India for its decision to go ahead with the war. The United States had exercised an enormous amount of pressure to avert India’s attack and even threatened India with dire consequences. But Indira Gandhi chose to ignore it.

Under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, India provided shelter, food and medicines to about 10 million people who in their attempt to escape attacks by the Pakistani army, fled East Pakistan to flock to the states of West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam. India extended full support to the Bangladeshi freedom fighters providing them arms and training facilities. India sent its troops to fight against the Pakistani forces under a Joint Command with Bangladesh – at the fag end of a nine month-long war that put Bangladesh on the world map. The success was achieved with the support of civilians and well-organised rebels under the ‘Mukti Bahini’. Indira Gandhi’s stand was also solidly backed by the erstwhile Soviet Union.

Read more....

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

 

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

 

IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman

ExecutiveMBA

IndiGo wants to win through discounting

Kingfisher is desperate for cash flow. Spicejet is aiming at market share. Jet desires to get back to its old profit-making habit. IndiGo wants to win through discounting. And Air India is simply paralysed. In such an unstable environment, will the formation of a cartel to control price satisfy the varied agendas of our aviators?

That demand hasn’t shrunk is good news for conspiring airlines – the purpose of cartelisation is being served. But airlines argue otherwise. Their claim – fair pricing strategy is being followed, no union has been formed to cheat fliers, and the overall increase in fares only happened because two airlines Kingfisher and AI have shed weight. [In the first 9 months of 2012, KFA’s flight count fell y-o-y by 65.19% and AI’s 39.31%.]

They have a point. A reduction in supply causes price to rise for market to be in equilibrium. And that is one reason why prices have skyrocketed since January this year. In the nine months leading to September 2012, the number of departures fell y-o-y by 28.45% (to 421,883), and the number of seat units supplied fell by 25.74% (to 58,880,373). How much of the price increase does this fall in supply justify? As per the paper titled, ‘An Airline-Based Multilevel Analysis of Airfare Elasticity’, by Castelli, Pesenti & Ukovich, the price elasticity of supply (frequency) is 0.862. Another study by Jorge and Calderon, titled, ‘A Demand Model for Scheduled Airline Services’, puts the figure at 0.79 to 1.26. Giving airlines the benefit of doubt, we take 1.26 as our figure. Calculations prove that as supply gets reduced by 25.74%, prices could rise by 32.43%. Market dynamics does therefore explain a significant portion of the price rise. Blaming airlines of colluding to fix price isn’t sufficient an argument.

Those who argue that cartelisation is in vogue in the Indian aviation industry might also want to consider the rise in count of players. As compared to a decade back, we have double the number of airlines today (eight), which makes cartel formation less likely. Adds Gordon Bevan, VP, UM Aviation, to B&E, “Cartels are most effective when there are fewer players. There are too many players at present in the Indian airline circles for them to conform to a cartel pricing regime.” There is too much to gain by the profitable market leaders by pricing competitively rather than throwing a cartel-style lifeline to those that really need price stability. Ask yourself – why should a SpiceJet or an Indigo provide KFA or AI an extended period of competitive relief?

There is the claim that FSCs are influencing the LCCs to set floor prices, which creates very little difference (less than $9 in some routes) between their entry fares. At present, LCCs account for 55.74% of the flights that operate on domestic networks across India (during Jan-Sept 2012), and 59% of passengers (September 2012). In short, LCCs dominate the Indian skies. How are FSCs arm-twisting the dominant no-frills lot into fixing their fares? Difficult to believe.

There is another argument that strongly goes against any possibility of a cartel in operation in India. Of the two airlines that made profits last year and are expected to make money again this financial year, both are LCCs. Had the FSCs been involved in fixing prices, they would have applied sounder mathematics to ensure their bottomlines do not bleed. Instead, it is the influenced group (LCCs) that is experiencing a positive cash flow. What manner of cartel is this that does not profit the supposedly ‘powerful, influential’ side?

Read more......

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2013.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri

and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

 

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles

 

IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri – A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman

ExecutiveMBA