I still subscribe to my previous view that nobody looses in this election… How? Take for ex.JD(S) which got 58 seats last time in an assembly of 224 and yet ruled for 3 years.If it were to get anywhere more than 30,it will once again rule in a similar manner.If it falls below 30, then Devegowda can claim that he was defeated by money n muscle power and utter his famous words “i will rise from the dust”.This will help him further convert JD(S) to a family enterprise by now asserting that now only he&his family alone can save the remnants of the party.The party has to go with him because only he can cry and win sympathy of the people .Again he wins total control of the party.The party waits eagerly for the next elections.Where does he loose?As they say Success is never ending,failure is never final!

It is clear that the ideal situation for JD(S) is a repeat of last time.JD(S) is good at fishing in troubled waters.They would use an hung assembly to the hilt by blackmailing the major parties and feather their own nest.What has gone wrong for them this time is their image of betrayal.But for this they could have put up a good show on the basis of their farm rhetoric.

The BJP has been able to sustain the momentum in its campaign and grab attention.Otherwise there was every risk of the people turnng to the Congress as the only option for stability.If Congress were to win,it would only because the people feel they have no choice.The voter would have loved to vote for JD(S).However,selfish family oriented politics of the Gowda family has forced many of its important leaders to quit the party and JD(S) has no leadership except for the Gowdas.The JD(S) has good rural connect but with so many leaders leaving the party it has lost the sheen.

So here goes my prediction:110 for the BJP, 75 for the Congress and 20 for the JD(S).

I remember as a school boy i used to feel sympathy for the candidates loosing the elections- felt it hurt quite similar to me failing in the test.But over the years i have grown wiser and realised that no one actually loses,everybody has some gains to carry of in the elections. how?

First the humble voter.His deal is the least attractive though.The humble voter gets free pick up and chai-pani.This is the bare minimum every voter is entitled too…sometimes i wonder when economists argue that govt. doesn’t have funds to help every poor…during elections,there seems so much funds out of nowhere available for everyone!

Now the winning candidate is the typical..jo jeetha wohi sikandhar. Apart from good remuneration,he gets a life-long tag of being a MLA and can encash it in a number of monetary and non-monetary ways even after his term has ended.In other words,even if he looses subsequent elections, he can still claim to being a leader of the masses and hog the limelight and exert pressure(nuisance in other terms) at various forums(or say throw his weight around).I am not making any mention of the numerous ways of corruption like arm-twisting the law to further his business interests(yes all of them invest their hard-earned funds in a variety of ventures),awarding contracts to his coterie,taking cuts for funds,taking cuts for granting favours in true feudal lord style(by throwing his weight around govt. officials)….this is stating the obvious,right?The winning MLA,the savvy ones could also use their brand-equity(!!!) to threaten their own party to give them important posts or else they would encash their brand equity by defecting elsewhere !

Now coming to the loosing candidate …is he really the loser? No way…contesting the elections is an victory in itself, out of a typical constituency of 1Lakh voters,hardly 10 people stand as candidates…for people so hungry for recognition,isn’t this a recognition in itself.However,this is not the point.

The loosing candidate can perpetually claim his influence(nuisance value quotient) based on the percentage and number of votes garnered.During the next elections, he can demand compensation for his previous performance.A losing candidate can defect and contest from other party or withdraw from the fray and announce support for other candidate(in exchange for suitable monetary consideration or trade-off govt owned federation posts).The reason for this deal is the naive political assumption that a candidate has unflinching support of so many voters based on past result and all those numbers would get actually transferred to any candidate he professes to support! surprisingly simplistic logic,but for politicians desperate to win there is no room for logic..desperate situations call for desperate measures and with these crorepati candidates you could expect all this and more..

Now tell me who lost!

1.If u can face the music,someday u may lead the band.

This is my favorate quote.Many a times i had to face criticism,humiliation,dejection n rejection.When the chips r down,expect trouble on most fronts.Always beleived if u can accept the harsh reality sportingly,keep ur balance,put things in perspective n move on then better times are sure to come!

2.The Possibilities are numerous once you decide to Act rather than React.

Many a times we act passively.Instead if we decide to act before things turn from good to bad and if we do preventive maintainance and Corrective maintenance instead of breakdown maintenance,the possibilities are…just try to find out vow!Could be applied to all facets of life.

3.If its got to be its upto me.

This quote is courtesy my friend Hridayram who told this to me when i was cribbing incessantly regarding the competition to make it to the B-school.There r issues everywhere but would you allow them to get in ur way?Stop cribbing and look unto yourself n make it happen.

4.You be the change you wish to see in the world.

Many a times we complain about all the ills affecting the system n the society and then we complain that someone somewhere is not doing his job properly.We absolve ourselves of all responsibilities by justifying that we r just a small fish in the ocean n our actions have no bearing on the world.By this way,we close all doors n preclude any possibilties that could arise any time.Everybody could make a difference if only they cared to!

5.If you have come to help me then you are wasting your time.But if you have come because your liberation is bound with mine ,then let us work together.

A profound thought wherein you identify yourself with others;also bears some semblance to the win-win theory suggested by Stephen Covey.

P.S:Though the quotes r a good influence ingraining them is a tough act indeed!

Although there could be exceptions about their effectiveness in certain situations,the probability of the effectiveness is attractive enough.

1.Anti-globalization protestors please take note.The indian domestic CTV manufacturers have opposed the Govt.’s reported move to impose anti-dumping duty on picture tube imports from Thailand and China.The picture tube makes up nearly 45% of the total input material cost.Domestic production is insufficient to meet the demand and manufacturers are heavily dependent on cheap imports.In any case all manufacturers go in for modular production and are in actuality just assemblers and marketers rather than manufacturers of TV sets.In an industry which has bucked the inflationery trend,any cost increases here would hurt severly the bottomline.

2. Consumer durables majors LG, Samsung, Whirlpool, Godrej, Voltas, Haier, Videocon-Electrolux,Onida,Kenstar and Carrier are getting ready for the summer slugfest in the AC,refrigerator market.The entry level prices have remained at previous levels inspite of rising input costs especially the metal prices.however,the prices of higher end energy saving products are selling at a increased pricepoint.With growing concern for environment n saving energy,the industry too has responded with suitable products and expects the consumer to pay for superior technology.The country’s ACs market is expected to touch two million units this year.The prices for Window ACs start at Rs15000 and split ACs from Rs20000.The Split AC segment sees a higher growth, more than double than that of the Window Ac segment.

3.Among the newer competitors the Chinese durable maker Haier is an interesting competitor.Once a moribund state-run corporation, it was revived in the 90′s by some inspired quality control practices.Today,it stands as the world’s third largest white goods manufacturer.In the AC segment, Haier India is eyeing a marketshare of close to 10% by the end of current year from 4% presently.

4.Another strong contender for the summer swet-stakes is Whirlpool,the world’s largest home Appliances Company based out of Michigan.The Company registered total sales of Rs 1,496 crore last year.Having been traditionally strong in Washing Machines and refrigerator segment,the company now targets a swipe a leadership for the AC and Microwave segment.Blowing hot and cold….no way!This Company known for its strong emotional advertising is as agressive as the Koreans.The company has targets of doubling its AC sales from 1lakh to 2lakh and Microwaves from 40K to 80000.

5.The old indian Warhorse,111-year old Godrej is in the process of a major image makeover.Godrej’s image revamp is driven by its highly diversified and global trajectory. The company has been moving from its core personal care and securities businesses to foods, real estate and, increasingly, into white goods (fridges, washing machines, ACs, etc).Since the company has expanded its overseas business to 40 countries, including North and South Americas, Asia, Europe, Australia and Africa,Godrej has decided to launch an identity which will work globally as well.The target is to make the brand image more contemporary and relevant.Also in a bid to attract newer customers, the company wants to create a more youthful image of the brand.Watch out for the Godrej corporate ad during the DLF-IPL.

This is a case of misrepresentation of facts and casual,sensational reporting to gain prime-time TRP.The cop Rajbir seems to have sure wronged.But that doesn’t mean you club all cops together and undermine their work.Given the cynical attitude of people this sort of reporting seems to be appealing.However,its disgusting to see these neatly dressed ,well-earning high brow journalists who have all the wherewithal at their disposal commenting irresponsibly and disdainfully on the work of people who risked their lives to ensure the safety of the people.

First to put the facts in prespective.Daya Nayak has come out clean after 3 suspensions.He is currently in active service and at the moment part of a high-profile team investigating Mumbai terrorist attack and even arrested(not encountered)terrorists at aurangabad in january 2008(Source:TV9 news channel).What really surprises me is that the media is quick to resort to yellow journalism when Daya Nayak is suspended.But when the same person was re-instated ,there was hardly a whimper of a mention.The media is quick to villify but is it un-glamorous to report that a cop has come back and come out clean?This sadly is a reflection of the state of society.The media reports to win the TRP war and assumes a dumb audience which can be easily mislead by sensationalism.sad,indeed!In any case there is such cynicism prevalent in our society that we do not expect anyone to do a honest job.Doesn’t that say something about our own value systems too?

I would suggest everyone read the following story.

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main27.asp?filename=hub240207Tell_my.asp.

http://dayanayak.blogspot.com/2006/01/is-daya-nayak-really-criminal.html

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=7c9c23bf-1e95-4654-8e73-388fcbfaa4f2&MatchID1=4664&TeamID1=5&TeamID2=2&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1173&MatchID2=4673&TeamID3=4&TeamID4=8&MatchType2=1&SeriesID2=1177&PrimaryID=4664&Headline=Mumbai’s+crack-shot+cops+back+in+biz

If convinced,urge you to join the orkut Daya Nayak fan Community.

1.The latest Survey of Economists Opinion conducted by the US wall Street Journal reveals more than 70% economists confirming that it is indeed recession time in the U.S.Incidentally,US accounts for 60% for the Indian IT software export market which is worth 40 billion $ annually.

2.Industry sources believe IT intensity(Spends on IT as a % of total revenue)budget would see a downward trend.Compamies are expected to cut IT budgets marginally and be conservative and go slow on new IT upgrades.IT spend as a % of total revenue is about 3.5% for manufacturing,5.6% for Global Retail Chains and 9% for the Banking Industry.With crisis in the US Banking industry,spendings in this sector is likely to get affected.Citigroup had to write down losses worth 20billion$.After having to sell of its assets,Citigroup ceases to be the NO.1 in the Banking industry and has made way for JP Morgan.Interestingly,Inspite of the huge losses,Citibank’s net worth is still more than the total net worth of all Indian Banks.

3.Though the US recession might affect Indian in the short -term,analysts feel that in the long run the need to achieve cost effeciences will drive more outsourcing to India.

1. The FMCG sector is facing input price pressures and the budget hasn’t done much to ease it.There has been excise duty cut,cenvat cut and reduction in prices of packing materials.

But there has been no reduction in duties for the imported palm oil which could have significantly reduced the input prices for the sector.

2.Increase in income tax exemption limits, greater spending on agriculture, health and education and the waiver of farm loans, may lead to overall income surplus and more purchasing power which coud help buoy the demand for the fmcg items.

3.The FMCG sector is facing pricing pressure.The input raw material costs have gone up and margins are under pressure.But cos are unable to increase prices for fear of losing volumes.However,no such fear for premium products where customers are relatively insensitive to price increase.

4.Rising input costs and the drive to produce energy-efficient products have pushed the makers of white goods to consider price hikes for refrigerators and ACs.Since January this year,steel prices have gone up by 15% and copper,aluminium and plastics by 15-18%.

In ACs the metal content itself is 85% of the input costs.The bureau of energy efficiency has made it mandatory for all refrigerators to display the energy efficiency labels on their product. This has led to increased spending in R&D but the costs are difficult to pass on to the customers in a market where supply is exceeding demand.Adding to the woes are an extended winter and also hardening of interest rates on consumer loans.However the recent reduction in income tax rates is an positive for the sector.

5.Marico Ltd has ended its distribution alliance with Indo Nissin Foods Ltd, a year ahead of expiry.

Marico had entered into an alliance with Indo Nissin in 1998 for marketing and distributing the latter’s products such as Top Ramen and Cup Noodles range in Indi.Both sides decided to part because of the tremendous increase in their business volumes >indo-Nissan will set up its own distribution channel.

6.Reliance retail has plans to invest Rs.24000 cr for setting up hypermarts and Rs.12700cr for setting up grocery stores.

7.Real estate majors like DFL,Parsavnath,unitech plan to invest 65000 cr. for mall development.

8.Home Appliances manufacturer LG electronics plans to sell 1.5 million refregerators this fiscal in order to achieve its target of 28% market share. The Indian arm of LG south Korea set up in 1997 grossed a turnover of 9500 crores in 2007.

9.Godrej Appliances is targeting a turnover of Rs 2000 crore for 2008-09 as against Rs 1400 crore in 2007 and 1100 crore in 2006. Godrej Appliances is a division of the Rs 4,000-crore Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company.Front loading washing machines, DVD players and high-end televisions are some of the new products up its sleeve.The growth for Godrej Appliances this year was fuelled by microwaves, refrigerators and washing machines.In DVDs,its market share increased from 3 to 5 %.

It Registered a 30 per cent growth in both direct cool and frost-free segments.The refrigerator segment alone accounted for 60 per cent of the total earnings.Godrej has 20% market share in Refrigerators,third after LG and Samsung which have 24 and 23% respectively.

Expect Godrej to do better next year, my friends know why .

From now on, i hope to keep a more keen track of this sector and continue posting on business & economic topics.

My first article was on campus life ..recent happenings have been consistent with the viewpoint expressed in the article.A few ppl did tell me that they too felt the same.Since then i have moved on to other things..Some of the articles that i wrote did stand the test of time.I was happy that Sachin tendulkar did score and justify my eulogisation in the Icons n walk the talk article.Then its almost been daily that i get to see the Song Deewangi of OSO n this time the emotions have changed from nostalgia to one of happiness n delightment.Times do change but some ppl do leave an indelible mark.As for the article on the Baba,I found a worthy add-on quote.It reads

Quote:

If you have come to help me,you are wasting your time.But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine,then let us work together.“-Lila Watson.

For every article that was written,there were equal no. of others that did not see the light of the day.I had planned one on the budget,on Opium/intoxication for the masses, etc etc but those couldn’t come out because of my current enemy No.1-Proscarination. My battle with this guy will decide the success of my blog;infact,the blog was written in the first place to fight this enemy.

Will be back soon,with more.

1.Tendulkar has shown who is the boss for the umpteenth time.People still compare him with Steve Waugh and Lara and say he is not a match winner like them.For them all I would say is just look at how the Indian team collapsed when Tendulkar fell.Is it the job of Tendulkar to score all the runs,isn’t it enough if he provides a flying start and a good platform.Lets remember that neither Steve nor Lara were as indispensable as Tendulkar.

2.When we praise this young side for beating Australia,lets remember that this side is without Mcgrath,Gillespie and Warne.Try scoring runs against this trio and then….I am commenting on this after looking at the wonderful technique that Uthappa and Rohit Sharma displayed!i am damn sure that these 2 could survive no more than a few balls against Mcgrath and Gillespie.According to me in Batting ,Gautham Gambhir,Dhoni n Pathan are the only reliable young guns and real finds.So Bring back Ganguly inplace of Sehwag&Uthappa and Dravid in place of Rohit Sharma.Keep Gambhir and this bowling attack.I fully agree with Gavaskars dictum of having Young Bowlers and experienced Batsmen.

3.Venkatesh Prasad needs a special mention for coaching the young fast bowlers.Praveen Kumar’s slower balls was reminiscent of Venky’s slower ones.Finally an Indian does a worthwhile coaching job.

He died a quiet death..I mean the 24/7 breaking news channels didn’t repeat the same news over n over again nor was there much attempt to fathom the depth of the amount of work that he has done for the leprosy-affected n other ppl whom society had disowned..we have been fed with more info about Praveen Kumar’s antecedents than the seemingly unbelievable contributions of this humble man .

Baba Amte was born to a rich family and he had a successful political career as a Mayor.But much like how Ashoka was transformed after the Battle of Kalinga ,Baba Amte was transformed by the plight of a leprosy-affected man whom saw one rainy night.Seeing the leprosy-afflicted man,Baba ran off.But what brought the transformation in him was the fear that the sight generated in him.

To Quote

I have never been frightened of anything. Because I fought British tommies to save the honor of an Indian lady, Gandhiji called me ‘abhay sadhak’, a fearless seeker of truth. When the sweepers of Warora challenged me to clean gutters, I did so. But that same person who fought goondas and British bandits quivered in fright when he saw the living corpse of TuIshiram, no fingers, no clothes, with maggots all over……

That is why I took up leprosy work. Not to help anyone, but to overcome that fear in my life. That it worked out good for others was a by-product. But the fact is I did it to overcome fear.”

His life story is indeed unbelievable n I repeat unbelievable.You Could read this story for more.

http://mss.niya.org/people/baba12_amte.php

In this context I remember watching a hrishikesh Mukherjee film Satyakam which had Dharmendra in the lead role.The protagonist of the film is a young talented Engineer.One day he observes a woman getting raped but he does nothing to help the victim.However the memories of the incident begin to haunt him and his conscience gets bruised.Thats when he resolves that the pursuit of truth is his only aim.He has to contend with the corrupt and the wicked elements of the society.His honest ways lands him in trouble and even in Jail!Yet the man is happy,he feels all the pain n suffering are a consequence of his pursuit for truth and his current state of misery is actually an atonement for his sins…that is he actually finds his peace in the sufferings as the sufferings are a natural consequence of his pursuit of truth…he feels sufferings give him more joy than the worldly pleasures…I couldn’t complete the film because the deep philosophy behind the story line seemed too much to fathom n I could no longer stand to see this self-punishment.

However, corrolary could be drawn between the film’s protogonist and Baba Amte’s life.Baba Amte through his own admission had decided to help the man more so to fight his own fear.Helping the hapless victim and nursing him back to health made him feel courageous and good.

He could do extraordinary work not because his ideals or values were strong;the reason was the more he helped the helpless victims ,better he himself felt.In nursing the wretched,forsaken ppl back to health,he saw in it a victory for himself.He felt personally attached to the outcome of his actions.No he wasn’t doing any charity,he was doing this because this work brought him happiness n this brought him peace of mind.The same happiness that we seem to find in money;the money that helps us in buying white goods or celebrating our success with the liquor flooding parties!What happiness means to different ppl,difference as contrasting as cheese and chalk indeed.

What a way to achieve peace of mind!Helping someone else out of misery brings you the happiness,astounding thought,indeed.And finding peace in suffering as way to atone for the sins,sorry I couldn’t get that!For that I need to watch Satyakam again,fully!Someday,sometime.