Grim Picture: Chronic Poverty regions and Statewise distribution

It pains me a lot to put up this graphic as per a Rediff.com report (See link Below), but it is necessary for all of us to realise that India can never be a happy country at peace with itself if we have such widespread poverty and unhappiness. We need to much much much more....and as educated and reasonably prosperous Indians, it should be our responsibility as much as it is the responsibility of the governments.

(Just an added FYI: Most of the states doing well seem to have initiated some form of Market reforms creating opportunities for everyone)

Link:http://www.rediff.com/business/slide-show/slide-show-1-why-people-remain-poor-in-india/20110620.htm

The most important issue for Business Leaders in India today...Look at the 'Not-So-Shining' India

The core issue in any Developing or Undeveloped nation is sustainable and inclusive development. The same is the case with India today. With a population of 1.2 Billion individuals, and an economy which is growing at an annual rate of 8% and more, we have set the stage for a very prosperous India in the coming decades. However, something that has been missing has been the equality of this growth across all sections of the society. There are suddenly 2 very different Indias today; a prosperous one with 400 middle class people and a very poor one with 400 million who do not have the access to most goods and services. The latter is the India that needs to be targeted by the business leaders of the country today.

It is not as if this is something radical that is being proposed. Progressive leaders have looked at this population and made profitable models to target them. We have awe inspiring organizations like ITC which has started its ‘E-Choupal’ initiative for farmer’s supply chain management, Unilever which has a ‘Shakti Amma’ concept of selling products in rural areas and hospitals like Aravind Eye & Narayana Hrudayalaya which provide healthcare to all sections of the society at a fraction of the cost. These ventures have to be seen not as CSR projects but as viable business projects which bring value to both the organization and the people of India.

Concepts like the bottom of the pyramid have a place in economics. The target for all entities, be it the government or the industries, should be all levels of this pyramid. Obviously, there might be some inconsistency in the targeting but no one should be forgotten completely. Theories which were popular earlier like the trickledown effect which talked about the money flowing from the top to the bottom of the pyramid will have to be discarded or heavily modified. Else, the economic inequalities will keep becoming larger with rich becoming richer and poor becoming poorer.

Business leaders need to remember that we are a huge market that had largely been untapped till 1991 when the reforms process was initiated by the government under the World Bank guidance. The challenge is in getting the right product and at the right price to a person which makes a person’s life better in even a small way. Since such poor households are mostly in rural areas, it also helps in creating employment opportunities there and helps communities better their livelihoods, creating a cycle of positive change where rising incomes and livelihoods demand better products and hence better profits.

This is a huge opportunity for progressive business leaders and organizations today which if tapped into can lead to huge value creation for all stakeholders.

Rivalry between India & Pakistan; A perspective on the Indian Subcontinent and a South East Asian Union

If I ever get the opportunity to speak to Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, my first question would be a very simple one and something people have been asking for close to 5 decades, though i am aware that the answer is going to be extremely difficult - How does he intend to solve the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan and further promote peace in the Indian subcontinent. Additionally, can India take the lead in creating a South East Asian Union on the lines of the European Union comprising of Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and India?

The cost of this military engagement has been very high for both India and Pakistan; socially and economically and has also started involving the neighboring countries in this conflict. Thousands of lives have been lost on both sides and there has been a huge expenditure incurred on maintaining standing armies; a cost which should be considered reprehensible particularly when we are struggling to provide basic sustenance to a large population in India. Further we have not been able to have a good economic bloc in the subcontinent where we can have proper trade and commerce with our neighbours.

Kashmir today has a very low economic capability since no organization wants to set up offices there fearing attacks from terrorists. Tourism, which before 1989 was one of the most important sources of livelihood has dwindled considerably, providing a lot of hardships to the local people. Obviously this has led to a large unemployed group, many of whom have started joining fundamentalist groups to create trouble across India, Pakistan & Afghanistan. Another major problem that has cropped up because of this conflict is the fanning by extremists of the religious intolerance which is leading to doubts being sown amongst various religions in existence in the subcontinent, particularly between Hinduism and Islam. There have been recent surveys where it has been shown that this suspicion is slowly making lives for Indian Muslims hasher and that their economic development indicators has dropped significantly compared to others. This is causing resentment amongst the people. This has also started affecting other countries in the region and makes it a dangerous cycle.

It also makes other countries have to choose between warring nations and this puts policy making on a knife edge; something that was clear during the last 5 years in Bangladesh where a pro Pakistan government had largely reduced trade with India. Today after the elections, it has again gone up after a government change. These changes are definitely not favourable for the common people in the subcontinent. We can only imagine the number of opportunities that would become available to entrepreneurs in all countries to reach out the nearly 2 billion people this South Asian bloc, most of whom are in need of goods and services to improve their quality of life. There are so many jobs that will be created if there is a continuity of trade leading to economic upliftment for all while at the same time removing the chance of having a nuclear war in the most militarized zone in the world.

Great Social & Environmental Advertisements

Got these pictures in my inbox as a forward. Really nice advertisements on social and environmental issues.

The advertisements on the environment served as a reminder on how fragile our world has become and the tipping point that we have reached. We have to act now...or it will be really too late. Similarly, the adverts on social issues, at least for me, reminded me of an obligation to act in a better way towards the repressed and the under privileged. This is particularly so considering that India is becoming richer and we today have the means to make the lives of others much better.

Aman ki Aasha - An initiative of The Times of India Group & The Jang Group of Pakistan (Part II)

This is the second of the videos that i have seen today and this is even better in its portrayal of the sense of longing between the peoples of these 2 nations to achieve peace. It also features the music of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, someone who has become one of my all time favourite singers in Bollywood.

Aman ki Asha is a great start by the biggest media house in each country and would definitely help in furthering the cause of bringing stability to this region. More details and news reports are available on the TOI website 'Aman Ki Asha' and the Geo TV website 'Aman Ki Asha'. There is also a Facebook page to keep tabs on all events.

Aman ki Aasha - An initiative of The Times of India Group & The Jang Group of Pakistan (Part I)

I chanced upon this brilliant video (Song sung by Shankar Mahadevan)about an Initiative called 'Aman ki Asha' which talks about brotherhood between Indians and Pakistanis. It shows us how much similarity exists between us and how we should never let that go away. True, there are massive problems between us but some start needs to be taken and nurtured. And this seems to be a good one at that...

Everyone who wishes to see peace and happiness in India and Pakistan - and in the larger context, the world - should support this initiative. It is a great start by the biggest media house in each country and would definitely help in furthering the cause of bringing stability to this region. More details and news reports are available on the TOI website 'Aman Ki Asha' and the Geo TV website 'Aman Ki Asha'. There is also a Facebook page to keep tabs on all events.

Is Baar Nahin - Prasoon Joshi

Lyricist Prasoon Joshi has written this poem after the Mumbai terror attacks. Says the ad guru and film lyricist, "I believe it should reach as many people as possible because it is our collective pain and voice".

Is baar nahin

Is baar jab woh choti si bachchi mere paas apni kharonch le kar aayegi
Main usey phoo phoo kar nahin behlaoonga
Panapney doonga uski tees ko
Is baar nahin

Is baar jab main chehron par dard likha dekhoonga
Nahin gaoonga geet peeda bhula dene wale
Dard ko risney doonga,utarney doonga andar gehrey
Is baar nahin

Is baar main na marham lagaoonga
Na hi uthaoonga rui ke phahey
Aur na hi kahoonga ki tum aankein band karlo,gardan udhar kar lo main dawa lagata hoon
Dekhney doonga sabko hum sabko khuley nangey ghaav
Is baar nahin

Is baar jab uljhaney dekhoonga,chatpatahat dekhoonga
Nahin daudoonga uljhee door lapetney
Uljhaney doonga jab tak ulajh sake
Is baar nahin

Is baar karm ka hawala de kar nahin uthaoonga auzaar
Nahin karoonga phir se ek nayee shuruaat
Nahin banoonga misaal ek karmyogi ki
Nahin aaney doonga zindagi ko aasani se patri par
Utarney doonga usey keechad main,tedhey medhey raston pe
Nahin sookhney doonga deewaron par laga khoon
Halka nahin padney doonga uska rang
Is baar nahin banney doonga usey itna laachaar
Ki paan ki peek aur khoon ka fark hi khatm ho jaye
Is baar nahin

Is baar ghawon ko dekhna hai
Gaur se
Thoda lambe wakt tak
Kuch faisley
Aur uskey baad hausley
Kahin toh shuruat karni hi hogi
Is baar yahi tay kiya hai

... Prasoon Joshi

“This house will pop the pill and party”

Debate on relations between India and Pakistan becoming stronger...

Definition: The bond between the nations of India and Pakistan will develop only when we have swallowed the possibly bitter pill of Love and Brotherhood for Pakistan and its somewhat crazy leadership. This swallowing of the bitter pill will create history for the Parliament and enable the nations to enjoy their lives once more without the fear of death and destruction in their lives.

Logical Link: Imbibing love for the people across the border is important for the happiness of the generations to come.

Case Statement: The Pill of Love and Brotherhood will be swallowed by the Indian Parliament with respect to Pakistan and entire generations to come will enjoy in this revelry.

Limiting Context: In this debate we are only looking at the value of ‘Having love for thy neighbour’ and not at how we develop that love and brotherhood. We are looking only at how this bond will be helpful in this context and not at how we get there.

Burden of the Proposition: As the leader of the house I feel that a direction in this regard needs to be taken. Only after there is bonhomie between the two nations that we will really prosper and shine together as brothers rather than two separate subdued yet simmering individuals. I just want to prove that once we are close there is nothing in this world that can stop this juggernaut from rolling in the right direction.

Team Split: The debate will entail the following
• What do we mean as the pill of Love?
• What are the ways this bond is going to help us become the preeminent powers in the world?
• What should we guard against?
• How our Generations to come are going to enjoy the Fruits of this brotherhood?

Constructive Arguments: The nations of the world will bow in front of us. We will be more powerful against any power that shakes us. The respect and admiration of the world will be upon us. We will have the power to stop the entire Middle East from ripping itself out. Together, we will make them realize the futility of it all. Indians are friends of Jews, Pakistan is friends with Arabs. We will make them see reason. The world will not talk about war for a very long time as once this conflict is over; the world will see that if the greatest opponents in this world can come close together, petty disputes are not even worth talking about. Our children will be happy in the sunshine again. They will be able to play together and grow up together which in due course will remove any bitter memories of the past. Just for one moment think about the collective power of Shohaib and Sachin, the power of Hinduism and Islam, the Collective power of the Indian Subcontinent. Ladies and Gentlemen Kashmir will be whole again. Our Kashmir will be heaven again. Bharat will be one again. Jai Hind.

I Have a Dream...

Remember the very famous Martin Luther King speech at the height of the American revolt against apartheid....

Now lets think about how or probably what i would dream about "Modern India".

I have a dream that we are completely rid of poverty, we never have to ever again beg for a morsel of food, we never have to dream about India sleeping hungry again.
I have a dream that the disgusting casteism that most Indians unconsciously breathe becomes a thing of the past cause there is no greater injustice than injustice done to a fellow good man.
I have a dream that all religions accept other religions/human beings in totality of spirit and preach about the futility of all fighting, hatred & selfishness that lies at the bottom of the heart today.
I have a dream that wherever i look around me, i find brothers in arms who will look at the sky and say that it was a good day when were born in this country.

I have a dream that corruption and pettiness of individuals in the society is treated with such disgust that is today reserved for serial killers and rapists.
I have a dream that dignity of labour exists in all sections of the society and everybody takes pride in the fact that he/she is helping another person if the need arises, whatever the work.
I have a dream that making India shine is not just a piece of election sloganeering but a way of life and all of us dedicated to its cause.
I have a dream that i never see a sick human again in my entire living life cause everyone has a right to be healthy and full of life even if they are in the throes of death.

I have a dream that our heads never bow in front of anyone unless in great respect or gratitude and that at all other times, for the fact that we were born the sons and daughters of a great motherland called India, our heads are held so high that even minor stumbles along the way can be laughed off for exactly what they are, just minor stumbles....

Here is to an India where we not just DREAM but along with it, where we all DO what we DREAM!