Did I miss the bus?

 

The Indian Stock Market has taken off like a ROCKET.

I was, like thousands of other Indians waiting for the “right” time to invest.

First hurdle was the Elections – that  came  and went  by.  Catching a lot of people by surprise, it brought a lot of cheer- and the markets took off. I waited for the markets to come down again waiting for the inevitable “Correction” and for the jubilation to die down… and boy! was I wrong…

The Indian juggernaut is at it again- and looks like there is NO looking back! In a world where there is very little optimism, the Indian market is oozing with it.

Here is an article in The Economic Times that says it all “At 5.8%, growth hits the fast track”

• Markets welcomed the news that signalled a pause in the country’s economic slowdown with Sensex gaining more than 300 points on Friday.
• The rupee too strengthened to Rs 47.23 versus US dollar on the news.

India’s good show and expectations contrast with the world economy, which is expected to contract by 2.6% in 2009, according the United Nation’s mid-year update to its World Economic Situation and Prospects 2009 report released on Wednesday. This indicates a deeper global financial crisis than earlier feared as the original report issued in January saw a drop of 0.5% in a worst-case scenario.

Brings me back to my original question….. Should I wait for the correction Or Have I really missed the bus?

Let me mull it through!

The Indian Election gets set for the End Game…

The Elections are over, at last.  The largest, longest ever elections the world has seen- and at last the last few hours before the counting starts.  However, the main action is yet to start!  With a hung parliament expected, the horse trading will begin anew- and all the electoral debates et al will be forgotten to get to the magic figures to start the Government.

Looking forward to the results and that is part of the excitement, that is the Indian Elections.

Chat with all of you tomorrow :)

The future of India - Children of India

 

I was recently in an Event organized by SKOCH.  They had this bunch of school kids from Sangram in Arunachal Pradesh (north east India for those who are not sure :)) who came and gave a dance. To my surprise, they, then went to on make a small presentation to tell us about their village - and the hardships they face.  Despite the tremendous hardships, I was touched by their hopes for the future- and how they had high expectations of the future- and the country.   It also showed me just how little I know about the realities of rural India.  They opened my eyes to the challenges- and the sheer opportunity we have, as a country. 

Education is key- and there is significant opportunity for making an impact in that space.  Do think about what you an do in this space. Impacting even 1 child in some meaningful way, makes a huge difference to a bigger audience. 

And then I remembered  this video from Times of India. Truly touching.

 

It happens only in India :)

 

Whoever said only humans can have fun in the beaches of Goa? Nothing beats the early morning saunter on the beaches of Goa- even if it is the Cows & dogs :) They surely seem to having fun. 

Rules for Indian Roads

Partially taken from : Mohan Dadlani , Outlook Lounge

After driving around in Singapore for the last 10 years, taking to the roads in India was an exhilarating experience.  Singapore driving teaches you to follow rules, and over the years, I had forgotten just how much of an experience Indian driving is.  Sitting at the airport (as I am now), I came across this article which I just have to reproduce (with some minor variations- due apologies to the author Mohan). 

Excerpts from the article:

For the benefit of everyone daring to drive on the Indian roads, here are a few hints for survival. They are applicable to every place in India except Bihar, where life outside a vehicle is only marginally safer.  Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best and leave the rest to your insurance company.  The hints are as follows:

1. Do we drive on the left or right of the road?  The answer is both. You start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess. (it could be in inches).

2. Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed.  Adherence to road rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality.

3. Most drivers don't drive, but just aim their vehicles in the intended direction. Don’t you get discouraged or underestimate yourself. most other drivers are not in any better position either.

4. Dont stop at any crossing or Pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back. Some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill of the dead.

5. Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest but to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance or just a wake up call to a dozing cow in the middle of the road.

There are other points- but this really hit the mark for me.  I am sportingly taking the car out - and taking it for a drive every now and then.  I spend more time waiting in corners waiting for someone to stop and let me go- much to the chagrin of people behind me!  Of course, I have learnt to ignore the horns blaring around me- and am re-learning the joy of pressing that horn- which gives an immediate release to pent up frustrations.  The other learning is the ability to rapidly look at all the mirrors in the car- and also in the front of the car.  I realized that it is not necessary now- most drivers just don't care- as it is not their responsibility to worry about someone's else's insignificant life.  The others will take care of themselves - and they do.

Lastly- don't get attached to your cars! Especially if you cannot stand scratches & dents. They tend to appear magically even when parked on empty roads.

Having fun! Honk Honk. 

Back to India :)

After 12 fantastic years in Singapore, we have decided at last, to move base to India.    Whilst the decision was taken after some deliberation, it was made easy when one puts the core reason for going back in focus- which was for the children to settle down and get familiar with their motherland (and their relatives).  Also other personal reasons which made it relevant to consider going back.   Continuing to work at Microsoft, a great job in the Public Sector were the icing on the cake :)

Singapore has been fantastic to us..  We came here with 2 suitcases 12 years ago..after long stints in IBM and Microsoft and a comparatively short stint in Iomega, we go back with 2 kids, a container load of stuff (which we did not know we had,) and tons of memories -mostly good (except 1- which was the loss I made on the car :) - overall it has been a great run.  Singapore has changed our lives - and set us up for the next innings :)

Sad ? - yes.

In two minds? - no.

Absolutely excited to be going back to Bangalore - and getting in at a time when the whole country is BOOMING! 

What is also interesting is to see the sheer number of NRI's returning back - and all for a reason - to ride the wave in India...  

I am looking forward to it - but for the time being - it is chaos - as we finish our packing - and more importantly, figure out, the pending work - which seems to be popping out of every nook and corner :)

Selling my car has been my biggest grouse though :(. I guess I will come to terms sometime soon :)

In the meanwhile - India calls... Will land in Bangalore End June :)

Keep you posted on what develops as we go along...

Economic Times/ Other Times of India publications - as is

 

Click here for the link

I was just browsing the net and came across an online version of the Economic Times and the Times Of India - which is an exact replica of the newspaper.  I believe it has been online for some time, but I was obviously not aware.  This, if being actively used by the Indians overseas (and possibly India) opens up a great opportunity for the newspapers to share their news with the Indian overseas.  Great way of adding value to the brand. If and when I go back- I will have Times of India & Economic Times right on top of what I will sign up for.

 

More investments in India - Time to go back to India?

 

Click here for details

India continue to boom with more and more investments coming in from various sources.  I have been actively considering a move to India for professional reasons - but after the trip in December, the family element has made it even more compelling.   I believe, after 12 years in Singapore, it is indeed time to go back.  Getting a job may not that easy anymore ;-). Anyway, time to start planning a move in the next 12-18 months at the latest.

All said and done, 12 years in Singapore which has been my longest stint ever in one city (I have spent my whole life moving from city to city- when my dad was in the Indian Air Force), is not easy.  Too many roots here - so may just move to India and keep all else as status quo here in Singapore.   Let us see how it all plays out.

HCL MiLeap - HCL News Release

http://www.hclinfosystems.in/news97.html

Pricing for Low Cost Notebooks is touching new lows :) This is a great sign and HCL as usual has taken the lead in addressing this market opportunity. 

Price is obviously the selling point here.  When this price point hits new users- they are bound to be enticed. But that is just part of the story.  These users - if they are newbies in the computer world, are bound to be a "bit disappointed" (sic!) at the lack of features that these first generation notebooks come with.  

That could have a bigger impact in the longer run & the companies coming out with the Ultra Low Cost PC's risk hitting a bump by turning off a number of new users who may be buying a "PC" for the first time.   I wonder if anyone (Gartner/ others?) are thinking about doing a customer survey to track the user satisfaction. 

Project Shiksha - Terrific results!

I read this article earlier today and I thought this was one of more the most impactful work Microsoft has done in India ( I know there are a lot more such initiatives which have been done by MS). 200,000 teachers in India trained - who have in turn trained 10 Million- those are BIG numbers.  

I was recently reading a book called "The Elephant & the Dragon" by Robyn Meredith.  Well researched, it had a lot of information on what China & India are doing and how they have reached the tipping point & are poised to become the powers of tomorrow.  What also stuck me was the way China was moving faster and faster than India- because of its Communist Government and their implementation of policies.  India on the other hand struggles at different levels because of its politics & internal issues. 

Coming back to the original point - What struck me in this article - was the comment from the Free Software Foundation, who apparently compared this to a Cigarette manufacturer handing out free samples of cigarettes.  It got me thinking on what exactly does this Agency do and what have they done that makes the MS effort like that of a cigarette company.  Education - cigarettes- the connection misses me- but then, maybe I am just slow :)

I searched the net and came to their site. I looked for some idea on what they have given/ what they have - after all it is the "FREE software foundation".. and this is what I saw.   So the gist of the list of "free software" they have listed includes all of 23 software (this includes utilities & libraries).  To me this reeks of a anti-Microsoft tirade as opposed to objecting to something that genuinely requires help.

This is the ailment that affects India. Some people forget a good cause and the results that it drove.  I am sure Microsoft, notwithstanding, its positioning by the Linux players, has done more good than what many company together have achieved.   I don't say this because I work in Microsoft, but I genuinely believe this company has done a LOT to change the lot of the people in India - and the other parts of the world.

Give due credit where it is due.  Comments like are upsetting because it reflects the lack of depth in many organizations who hide behind the "freedom of speech" to just condemn any good.  All without really doing much for the people who need it the most.   

http://www.gnu.org.in/fsdirectory

 

Microsoft has trained 200,000 teachers in India on the use of computers, ahead of its original target to train 80,000 teachers in the country during the five-year period ending December this year, it said.

The company introduced the program, called project Shiksha, in 2003 with the objective of raising the computer literacy of Indian teachers and students in government-run schools. The 200,000 teachers trained so far have in turn trained about 10 million students, a spokeswoman for Microsoft India said on Monday.

The moves by Microsoft to offer free or subsidized software in India have however come in for criticism from the Free Software Foundation, which compared Microsoft's philanthropy to that of a cigarette manufacturer handing out free samples of cigarettes to students.

The communist-run state of Kerala in south India is actively promoting open-source software in schools, but most other states and the federal government are beneficiaries of Microsoft's programs.

Microsoft works with state governments to help teachers use its technology in school administrations and also to include it in their curriculum and teaching methods, she said. While the state governments provide the classrooms, Microsoft provides the hardware and software, and a team of trainers for the teachers.

Although the company has reached its training target, it's not stopping the program yet. It did not say how many more teachers and students it plans to cover under the program, though.

The company has introduced low-cost, starter editions of its Vista operating system, as well as local language versions of its Office suite to target both the academic and e-governance markets.

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