Thursday, September 15, 2011
Do students find an adequate value addition from MBA programs?
My personal view is that students do not find an adequate value addition from a lot of MBA programs in India and neither the academic programs, nor the internships during these programs, contribute to their knowledge and skills, to the extent desired.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
BPGC club Elections
I received a number of emails, as usual, from candidates for the forthcoming elections at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club. At first I thought I should keep my response to them, private. But having met a number of golfers from my golfing `hay days' in the late 70's till the mid-80's, earlier this evening at a reunion dinner, and discussing the state of management affairs at the BPGC, I thought I should share this with them too, which is why I've put this up. The thoughts extend to other clubs that I am a member of as well.
My dear friends
I have received some of your emails this year as I & other members of the BPGC do before committee elections and I trust that you will not find it objectionable that I respond with my views. I find that what most of you find necessary to do at/ for the club seems to be on similar lines.
1. enhance Mumbai's golfing capabilities
2. improve the club's infrastructure
3. improve the club's services
4. cause better Governance and policy changes
However I find that the competitive election process seems to be conducive to non/ inadequate performance of committees resulting from ego centric politics and a quest for needless control. The club should have systems and processes overshadowing personalities, for greater effectiveness.
So I most humbly suggest that the issues of leadership be resolved amicably and collectively and those wishing ever so `earnestly' to serve the club and its membership, should work together as a team, making their contributions.
To me, as a golfer of standing in the past (see http://astrategies.com/team_ceo.jsp) and actively involved in issues of Governance and accountability (see http://bit.ly/o4Xx6x) at present, I believe I'm not very impressed with what I see and hear.
Irrespective, I wish all of you the very best, as friends and fellow golfers.
PS: Please don't worry about replying. Please improve the club's food instead as I eat more than I play golf these days.
Warm regards
_______________________________
Rajiv Bhatia
My dear friends
I have received some of your emails this year as I & other members of the BPGC do before committee elections and I trust that you will not find it objectionable that I respond with my views. I find that what most of you find necessary to do at/ for the club seems to be on similar lines.
1. enhance Mumbai's golfing capabilities
2. improve the club's infrastructure
3. improve the club's services
4. cause better Governance and policy changes
However I find that the competitive election process seems to be conducive to non/ inadequate performance of committees resulting from ego centric politics and a quest for needless control. The club should have systems and processes overshadowing personalities, for greater effectiveness.
So I most humbly suggest that the issues of leadership be resolved amicably and collectively and those wishing ever so `earnestly' to serve the club and its membership, should work together as a team, making their contributions.
To me, as a golfer of standing in the past (see http://astrategies.com/team_ceo.jsp) and actively involved in issues of Governance and accountability (see http://bit.ly/o4Xx6x) at present, I believe I'm not very impressed with what I see and hear.
Irrespective, I wish all of you the very best, as friends and fellow golfers.
PS: Please don't worry about replying. Please improve the club's food instead as I eat more than I play golf these days.
Warm regards
_______________________________
Rajiv Bhatia
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
What I believe ... we must work together for the good of each of us...
Politicians have to realize that.....
1. They are elected in relative terms - relative to their opponents who have not been elected because they are even less desirable.
2. The opposition could not defeat the present ruling coalition as they were found even less desirable than those they have been calling corrupt.
3. The Civil Society representatives have an adequate citizen support. If this is to be challenged by politicians, then a referendum is the way forward. See http://bit.ly/ruIvyW
4. The People of India are fed up of the inefficiencies in India's processes & systems, which have their roots in Indian politics.
5. The role of the lokpal is to be recommendatory and not directive. Hence it should be seen as complimentary to assist the democratic system and help rid of the systems lack of discipline and inefficiency, and eventually give the people of the country more satisfaction from and confidence in, the system.
6. An end to the present imbroglio in a manner that satisfies protesters, albeit negotiated, will be seen in a positive light by the rest of the world - that the people do run the country (and effectively at that), the elected leaders are true representatives and act as such and that collectively, the way for a relatively corruption free existence has been paved.
Team Anna has to realize that.....
1. The people's support is for a relatively corruption free existence and not a `perfect draft' of the lokpal bill.
2. The Parliament will be the decider of which aspects of the bill will go through.
3. Successfully upholding the Indian democracy must be paramount, while bringing checks and balances into the system.
4. A draconian lokpal can be a severe threat to our democratic existence.
The people of India have to realize that.....
1. `Tali do haath se bajti hai'. India's problems haven't come about through an `Act of God'. In-discipline of the people has been an equal contributor as Governance failures. See http://bit.ly/q6CA2H
2. India can't afford to loose Anna saheb. We need more of his kind in our day to day lives at every level to achieve all that he has in the past and will continue to do.
3. India is a vibrant democracy, which is why we can do as we do. To maintain it on a trend of sustainable growth and progress we do need to adopt self discipline, failing which we may loose this great treasure.
4. Now that they have started this, they must not cave in till all that is expressed above is achieved.
5. If we are to become the Nation of Our Dreams, we must act and do good things every day and work together for the good of each of us, in a spirit of understanding and perseverance.
PS: All my views may not necessarily be right nor complete. But at least I do have views. This is my democratic right. JAI HIND!
Goverment's Lokpal Bill at Click here
Team Anna's Lokpal Bill at Click here
1. They are elected in relative terms - relative to their opponents who have not been elected because they are even less desirable.
2. The opposition could not defeat the present ruling coalition as they were found even less desirable than those they have been calling corrupt.
3. The Civil Society representatives have an adequate citizen support. If this is to be challenged by politicians, then a referendum is the way forward. See http://bit.ly/ruIvyW
4. The People of India are fed up of the inefficiencies in India's processes & systems, which have their roots in Indian politics.
5. The role of the lokpal is to be recommendatory and not directive. Hence it should be seen as complimentary to assist the democratic system and help rid of the systems lack of discipline and inefficiency, and eventually give the people of the country more satisfaction from and confidence in, the system.
6. An end to the present imbroglio in a manner that satisfies protesters, albeit negotiated, will be seen in a positive light by the rest of the world - that the people do run the country (and effectively at that), the elected leaders are true representatives and act as such and that collectively, the way for a relatively corruption free existence has been paved.
Team Anna has to realize that.....
1. The people's support is for a relatively corruption free existence and not a `perfect draft' of the lokpal bill.
2. The Parliament will be the decider of which aspects of the bill will go through.
3. Successfully upholding the Indian democracy must be paramount, while bringing checks and balances into the system.
4. A draconian lokpal can be a severe threat to our democratic existence.
The people of India have to realize that.....
1. `Tali do haath se bajti hai'. India's problems haven't come about through an `Act of God'. In-discipline of the people has been an equal contributor as Governance failures. See http://bit.ly/q6CA2H
2. India can't afford to loose Anna saheb. We need more of his kind in our day to day lives at every level to achieve all that he has in the past and will continue to do.
3. India is a vibrant democracy, which is why we can do as we do. To maintain it on a trend of sustainable growth and progress we do need to adopt self discipline, failing which we may loose this great treasure.
4. Now that they have started this, they must not cave in till all that is expressed above is achieved.
5. If we are to become the Nation of Our Dreams, we must act and do good things every day and work together for the good of each of us, in a spirit of understanding and perseverance.
PS: All my views may not necessarily be right nor complete. But at least I do have views. This is my democratic right. JAI HIND!
Goverment's Lokpal Bill at Click here
Team Anna's Lokpal Bill at Click here
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Monday, May 09, 2011
Did New Delhi and the rest of India care at all about events under way in the forgotten Himalayan state?
Khandu cremated with state honours
DNA 11-May-11 Mumbai Page 15
Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh): Thousands of people bid a tearful adieu to former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu whose mortal remains were consigned to flames on Tuesday, 10 days after his death in a chopper crash.
Over 7,000 people gathered at the cremation ground at Shebdung near his native village in Tawang district on Tuesday morning to pay their last respect to their 'Laughing Buddha', as he was fondly called.
The last rites were performed as per Monpa traditions along with state honours. The body was taken to the cremation ground from his residence after chief minister Jarbom Gamlin, his cabinet colleagues, speaker Wanglin Lowangdong, AICC leaders Dhaniram Shandil and Sanjoy Bapna, legislators and other senior officials paid tributes to the departed soul.
"It is the saddest day of our state as we gather here today to pay our respectful adieu to our beloved leader," CM Gamlin said. "(He) was an ocean of compassion, pure, virtuous, a visionary and a pioneer of modern Arunachal Pradesh. It is very hard to believe he no more amongst us," Gamlin said with tears in his eyes.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
On the Brahmaputra at Guwahati.
Maitreyi, With Subha Rani Pegu and daughter Siddhima Mili on the Alfresco Grande
Devavrat & the BOSS Devayani
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Tim Sassoon's historic visit to Mumbai.
Devayani, Pushpa, Timmothy, Rajiv and Devavrat in front of Sir David Sassoon's statue at the Sir David Sassoon Library at Kala Ghoda.
For more on the Manoobhai Doongursee Group click here
Tim Sassoon is the President of Sassoon Film Design in California click here
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
What's your problem?
Our house maid was travelling on the local train last week. She shuffled in her seat to comfort her cramping legs and back. The lady sitting next to her asked her in Marathi “kai problem ahe?” (meaning : what's your problem, why are you shuffling around and causing me discomfort?) My maid just smiled at the lady next to her and both of them later went their ways at their destinations. The maid reached our house and narrated this incident to me. Trivial as the incident was, to me and our house maid, it provoked some thinking, to our state of existence, reactions and daily conduct. We are a suffocated lot.
Facilities, infrastructure, processes, systems, implementation of laws, attitude problems, arrogance instead of a healthy progressive pride, depth and breadth of thinking, vision, project management and so on, leave much to be desired. Much of our past and present doesn't provide quality direction to the next generation. If they are to be the ones who will get us out of `this' then we shouldn't we do something about setting up the right platform for them? But for that we need Anna Hazare to have a healthy, active and long life. The best leaders need to hang in there. The triumph must be of good over evil. Of the positives over the negatives.
Most of the time the average citizen is an extremist. Either complacent towards ones environ or then overly emotional with short lived out bursts. Is it not possible for us to be balanced and sustain regular efforts towards progress? We do tend to over intellectualize and thereafter implement poorly. We quit on the way. We elect leaders as if they were circus performers and watch the show thereafter. Its time to move down from audience and spectator stands and into the ring. This is not an eleven player - billion experts game. To my mind, it is a billion player eleven experts series.
Very early in my working career my then boss, the late Shri. Tonse Ramesh Upendra Pai of Manipal, Dakshin Kannada, explained to me that make and execute as many legal documents as you like, nothing will compel any one to do anything, save and except intentions arising from a vision of the merits of good business conduct for sustained growth.
I have learnt that to make progress we need to improve our existence and to do so we need to participate and professionalize our own conduct. Lets select our eleven experts well and the billion players must work with them in some semblance of order and discipline. Good will triumph over evil and positives over negatives. Corruption is not possible without givers and takers. Problem yeh hai ki tali do haathon se bajti hai (the problem is that it takes two hands to clap). Your hand is at the end of your own arm (ie. in your control). The rest is left to you.
Jai Hind!
PS: Anna saheb has asked for the formulation of a joint work group to develop a better document and not an acceptance of the peoples draft as is. Neither is the Govts present draft nor the peoples present draft, the solution.
Facilities, infrastructure, processes, systems, implementation of laws, attitude problems, arrogance instead of a healthy progressive pride, depth and breadth of thinking, vision, project management and so on, leave much to be desired. Much of our past and present doesn't provide quality direction to the next generation. If they are to be the ones who will get us out of `this' then we shouldn't we do something about setting up the right platform for them? But for that we need Anna Hazare to have a healthy, active and long life. The best leaders need to hang in there. The triumph must be of good over evil. Of the positives over the negatives.
Most of the time the average citizen is an extremist. Either complacent towards ones environ or then overly emotional with short lived out bursts. Is it not possible for us to be balanced and sustain regular efforts towards progress? We do tend to over intellectualize and thereafter implement poorly. We quit on the way. We elect leaders as if they were circus performers and watch the show thereafter. Its time to move down from audience and spectator stands and into the ring. This is not an eleven player - billion experts game. To my mind, it is a billion player eleven experts series.
Very early in my working career my then boss, the late Shri. Tonse Ramesh Upendra Pai of Manipal, Dakshin Kannada, explained to me that make and execute as many legal documents as you like, nothing will compel any one to do anything, save and except intentions arising from a vision of the merits of good business conduct for sustained growth.
I have learnt that to make progress we need to improve our existence and to do so we need to participate and professionalize our own conduct. Lets select our eleven experts well and the billion players must work with them in some semblance of order and discipline. Good will triumph over evil and positives over negatives. Corruption is not possible without givers and takers. Problem yeh hai ki tali do haathon se bajti hai (the problem is that it takes two hands to clap). Your hand is at the end of your own arm (ie. in your control). The rest is left to you.
Jai Hind!
PS: Anna saheb has asked for the formulation of a joint work group to develop a better document and not an acceptance of the peoples draft as is. Neither is the Govts present draft nor the peoples present draft, the solution.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
West grows East.
The North East Region of India including the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim & Tripura are relatively untapped in their business potential. Development of this region is underway and the Central and State Governments under the stewardship of the Department of the North East Region (Doner) now headed by Minister Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar, and Shri B.K. Handique and Shri Mani Shankar Iyer, both earlier, are encouraging private efforts.(* see end note)
Through the Indian Chamber of Commerce Kolkatta and the Confederation of Indian Industry, we have been meeting North East representatives from the Govt., Public and Private Sectors since Jan 2004.
At Vibrant Gujarat in January 2011, at the North East business Session we discussed the idea of a study to understand and determine the potential of expanding Gujarat and Maharshtra based enterprises into NE India. What I suggested was a study to be conducted which may be done between IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Shillong. To this I have added the consideration of involving IIT Guwahati and IIT Mumbai to determine the potential for expansion of Indian enterprise into and through the NE States adopting Eco-Friendly approaches for the creation of Economic Prosperity in the region. This market positioning for the NE States came out of the CII Partnership Summit 2011 in Mumbai in the session co-paneled by Mr. Arun Nanda of Mahindras, Mr. Shyam Saran, Senior Fellow of the Centre for Policy Research and Ms. Sunita Narain of the Center for Science & Environment. Exim Bank Mumbai Chief Manager Mr.Vanlalruata Fanai originally of Mizoram has also indicated an interest in participating in such a study. I hope for the co-operation of Mr. Lemli Loyi of NEDFI as well. I met with the participants from the North East States at the 6th NE Business Summit of ICC held in Jan 2011 in Mumbai. This included Nagaland Delegates with the Hon'ble Chief Minister Mr. Neiphiu Rio.
With a view to connect with more North East citizens and enterprises and survey the NE Opportunities specifically, we are identifying current students and freshers from the region, from the streams of Commerce, Economics, Management and Engineering. Similarly from Maharashtra and Gujarat institutes as well. Some of the sectors we wish to study may include, inter-alia, -
- IT/ITeS/BPO/ICT/Media
- Tourism
- services for business
- services for pleasure
- SEZs
- Agro - bamboo, agriculture, horticulture, sericulture
- Animal husbandry - pigs & cattle
- Poultry
- Fish farming
- Apiaries
- manufacturing
- handicrafts
- minerals
- Infrastructure
- hydo-power
- road development
- Logistics
- water & river basin management
- sports facilities & recreation - including golf
- resorts & SPAs
- 3/4 star hotels
- hospitals
- education
- business incubators
- Solid Waste Management
- Water Management
We therefore encourage Government, enterprises, property owners, research interns, financiers, NGOs from the North East to connect with us and write to us at info@astrategies.com with their interest in participating in our study program, above described, `West grows East’. We are open to their suggestions.
We also encourage those involved in sectors/ activities in 1 to 4 above in Gujarat & Maharashtra and would like to make an `eco-friendly' expansion to the North East region and from there on to South East Asia, to similarly connect with us info@astrategies.com with their interest in participating in our study program, above described, `West grows East’. We are open to their suggestions.
Our internships and study projects are explained at Abhyas.org
Our internships and study projects are explained at Abhyas.org
*End Note
Encouragements/ Facilitators
1. DONER - Development of the North East Region - ministry set up the the Central Govt. to facilitate the development of the North East States. The vision statement can be found on their site (click here)
2. North Eastern Region is given given an allocation of Rs 1,762 crore in the Union Budget 2011 as against Rs 1759 crore in 2010.
3. Nedfi - North East Development Finance Institution - a financial institution focusing on funding development in the North East States. Provides a variety of products and services across sectors. To support infrastructure projects in the region it has been given an assistance of Rs 60 crore in the 2011 budget.
4. NORTH EASTERN COUNCIL - total releases for the 10th Plan were Rs. 2511.50 for Manpower Development, Social and Community Development, Tourism, Information Centres for States, Transport, General and Scientific Services.
5. The East-West corridor project, which will connect Silchar in Assam to Porbandar in Gujarat, is scheduled to be completed by 2009 – and this will go a long way in improving connectivity and transforming the region into a vibrant economic zone. Also, India is exploring a transport corridor through Myanmar, a potential gateway to East Asian countries, to form a free-trade region. The proposed ‘Trilateral Highway' connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand is being discussed. This project, I believe, has the potential of strengthening economic exchanges and international co-operation significantly. With necessary infrastructure development within the region, and the building of connecting links between North-East and the rest of India, and North-East and South-East Asia, the economic potential of the region can be suitably exploited. Time-bound implementation of projects, conducive centre-state relations and political stability, monitoring of fund–flows and necessary marketing and branding of the region can truly transform this goldmine of a region into a vibrant hub of business, tourism and trade.
6. The literacy rate in North East India is close to 90% with most young people fluent in English which would help foreign investors to get their plans going.
7. High quality development in transport facilities in North-East India:
- Assam has 6 operational airports with Guwahati airport designated as an international airport.
- In the last 10 years, double line connectivity of railway from Howrah to Guwahati has been provided by commissioning New Jalpaiguri-Siliguri to New Bongaigaon gauge conversion.
Some results
- Foreign investors have started investing in North-East mainly from leading firms from Cyprus, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates etc.
- Thailand SMEs are showing huge interest in North East. And they have invested in to exports and imports of automobiles and other various commodities.
- Many top Indian IT industries such as Tata Consultancy Services are planning to enter North-East India (Assam) to train and develop potential human resources. Zensar too is growing into the region.
- The percentage of credit mobilization and disbursement has increased from 32.96% to 79.33% and expecting to raise more in the rural areas of North East India.
a. Sharing over 2,000 km of boundary with Nepal, China, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh, many states in the region have been battling insurgents for decades. More than 30 rebel groups operate in the region with their demands ranging from secession to greater autonomy and the right to self-determination.
b. Whereas at the Central Govt. level they consider the North East States as one and united, there is no significant cohesive working between the states at the ground level.
c. Talented workforce from the region is not retained by the region itself due to a paucity of job/entrepreneurial opportunities. They venture out seeking greener pastures.
An interesting advertisement by a progressive IT company lead by a far thinking and visionary leader, Dr. Ganesh Natrajan.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Time for Maharashtra to get vibrant?
The Vibrant Gujarat 2011 held in January attracted fantastic participation. Will Maharashtra host a similar event to lift the spirits of investors in the state? Will the 35 districts of Maharashtra get competitive and create enterprise driven business opportunities and jobs? What do the 288 MLAs of the state have to say?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
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