Madison Square; Aaloo-Pyaz ka Bhav, and Indian Politics
By: Amit Bhushan Date: 29th Sept. 2014
In a country as diverse as India, leadership needs to have 'depth'. Perhaps much more than say the leaders in some of the 'smaller' countries such as say the US or UK or others. Mesmerizing a gathering of 'potential investors', some who may loosen purse strings may not prove to be enough to lure voters since their exist a large cross section which is also worried about inflation and aaloo-pyaz ka bhav. The investments and subsequent benefits such as growth in employment or rising income may not have touched them yet and in any case it takes time to touch anyone even if it does. Such voters may be lured by delivery of transformational changes or else by 'subsidy' as some leaders of GOP with 'years' of experience' may want us to believe.
In India, for things to percolate down and reach masses requires special push and effort even when the 'industry' and people involved are in agreement to do so. And it is here, that the leadership is required to be 'seen' as making 'extra' efforts, rather than in luring 'foreign' investors (even if those dollops of investments may be much required to facilitate the push). Improvement is 'ease of doing business' is still understood very little by masses that understand employment and inflation but have not graduated to 'business' so far, even though it is really very important to deliver 'services and promises'. So the stage is set for the 'ground' level leaders in state to actually march ahead for ground level push and limelight amongst 'locals' by encouraging change leaving 'leaders' to duck at political questions on 'aaloo-pyaz ka bhav' during hustling. It would be interesting to see, how leaders would like to position themselves as the approach electorate.
Perhaps what is good about event in Madison is a frank acknowledgement of the 'changes' taking place in India & the leaderships commitment about facilitating those changes rather than obstructing them, at least in terms of declaration of intent; while actual laws and policies are still awaited. The industries where 'change' is in the air, are Education, Agricultural Supply chain (e-commerce driven), Communications and Logistics; and are guided mainly by individual initiatives of the leaders in these segments with some commitments from government towards Communications and Logistics. It would be interesting to see how investors engage or facilitate existing and new ventures in these areas and the kind of investments/commitments generated through such gatherings.
It is public ideas which are spurring 'changes' in education sector and the same is attracting renewed attention of investors of all hues and colour to explore opportunities in the sector. People are having a rethink about their strategy and involvement i.e. how they should be involved in the sector to harness benefits. Rethink has also started to happen in Agri-Supply chain/Food business segment including Wholesale and retail and increasingly in production support segment such as seeds, pest control/pesticides/fertilizers sectors though currently it is largely being led by e-commerce. The Logistics segment is another area undergoing transformational change where focus is on harnessing rivers for transportation as well as near-shore shipping and e-commerce related supporting sectors. Improved market access for Indian goods and services is also other areas for exploration. 'Communications' especially 'Local Language Internet & Mobile Enabled Services' along with governmental push for laying down infra is another area which is likely to witness transformational changes. Demands are also there to 'revive' existing railways which are in need for huge investments, if it were to come anywhere near 'meeting' the 'latent' demand for services. Then there is 'Energy' and is the politically sensitive segment where policy action seems presently on the back seat as 'courts' have just delivered 'important' judicial pronouncements. Tackling the politics about distribution of energy including 'free distribution' as well as leakages is another area of challenge.
Changes that are being facilitated by government are in the arena of Sanitation/Public hygiene and some Environmental areas like River cleanliness with the commitment of 'government's funds' and declaration of intent is to revive and improve 'housing' with commitment towards 'housing for all'. Greater importance and policy support for 'manufacturing' is another buzz being promoted with vigour though its translation to 'Action' is awaited (though some states may have taken some legislative decisions), while options for hi-speed railway transportation is being explored. We have also seen declaration for scrapping of 'laws' of yore (though it needs scrutiny, without being politically hypersensitive; by the way it is also an acknowledgement by government that our elected legislators have not done much work all these years and this is about all political parties and so they have presided over the useless laws; frankness is appreciated though). Improvement in 'banking' and payments is another good initiative but its impact on improvement in supply of credit and capital for small businesses in rural areas is yet to be 'seen' including government 'measures' to facilitate the same so that entrepreneurship and employment can blossom in rural hinterland.
It is therefore the traditional business segments which are becoming 'more' ready to 'change' and in the process are ready to spur growth in employment as well as delivery of services. Many of these changes are actually in the realm of 'states' while on some collaboration between the center and states may be needed; and what we need to 'see' is emergence of 'champion states' as well as 'champion leadership' in those states. While the ruling party at center has announced its intent, we still await decision and announcements from state leaders and parties about their intents and likely course of action. It would also be interesting to see the kind of rewards 'wait and watch' strategy may have for the 'leaders' in states.
By: Amit Bhushan Date: 29th Sept. 2014
In a country as diverse as India, leadership needs to have 'depth'. Perhaps much more than say the leaders in some of the 'smaller' countries such as say the US or UK or others. Mesmerizing a gathering of 'potential investors', some who may loosen purse strings may not prove to be enough to lure voters since their exist a large cross section which is also worried about inflation and aaloo-pyaz ka bhav. The investments and subsequent benefits such as growth in employment or rising income may not have touched them yet and in any case it takes time to touch anyone even if it does. Such voters may be lured by delivery of transformational changes or else by 'subsidy' as some leaders of GOP with 'years' of experience' may want us to believe.
In India, for things to percolate down and reach masses requires special push and effort even when the 'industry' and people involved are in agreement to do so. And it is here, that the leadership is required to be 'seen' as making 'extra' efforts, rather than in luring 'foreign' investors (even if those dollops of investments may be much required to facilitate the push). Improvement is 'ease of doing business' is still understood very little by masses that understand employment and inflation but have not graduated to 'business' so far, even though it is really very important to deliver 'services and promises'. So the stage is set for the 'ground' level leaders in state to actually march ahead for ground level push and limelight amongst 'locals' by encouraging change leaving 'leaders' to duck at political questions on 'aaloo-pyaz ka bhav' during hustling. It would be interesting to see, how leaders would like to position themselves as the approach electorate.
Perhaps what is good about event in Madison is a frank acknowledgement of the 'changes' taking place in India & the leaderships commitment about facilitating those changes rather than obstructing them, at least in terms of declaration of intent; while actual laws and policies are still awaited. The industries where 'change' is in the air, are Education, Agricultural Supply chain (e-commerce driven), Communications and Logistics; and are guided mainly by individual initiatives of the leaders in these segments with some commitments from government towards Communications and Logistics. It would be interesting to see how investors engage or facilitate existing and new ventures in these areas and the kind of investments/commitments generated through such gatherings.
It is public ideas which are spurring 'changes' in education sector and the same is attracting renewed attention of investors of all hues and colour to explore opportunities in the sector. People are having a rethink about their strategy and involvement i.e. how they should be involved in the sector to harness benefits. Rethink has also started to happen in Agri-Supply chain/Food business segment including Wholesale and retail and increasingly in production support segment such as seeds, pest control/pesticides/fertilizers sectors though currently it is largely being led by e-commerce. The Logistics segment is another area undergoing transformational change where focus is on harnessing rivers for transportation as well as near-shore shipping and e-commerce related supporting sectors. Improved market access for Indian goods and services is also other areas for exploration. 'Communications' especially 'Local Language Internet & Mobile Enabled Services' along with governmental push for laying down infra is another area which is likely to witness transformational changes. Demands are also there to 'revive' existing railways which are in need for huge investments, if it were to come anywhere near 'meeting' the 'latent' demand for services. Then there is 'Energy' and is the politically sensitive segment where policy action seems presently on the back seat as 'courts' have just delivered 'important' judicial pronouncements. Tackling the politics about distribution of energy including 'free distribution' as well as leakages is another area of challenge.
Changes that are being facilitated by government are in the arena of Sanitation/Public hygiene and some Environmental areas like River cleanliness with the commitment of 'government's funds' and declaration of intent is to revive and improve 'housing' with commitment towards 'housing for all'. Greater importance and policy support for 'manufacturing' is another buzz being promoted with vigour though its translation to 'Action' is awaited (though some states may have taken some legislative decisions), while options for hi-speed railway transportation is being explored. We have also seen declaration for scrapping of 'laws' of yore (though it needs scrutiny, without being politically hypersensitive; by the way it is also an acknowledgement by government that our elected legislators have not done much work all these years and this is about all political parties and so they have presided over the useless laws; frankness is appreciated though). Improvement in 'banking' and payments is another good initiative but its impact on improvement in supply of credit and capital for small businesses in rural areas is yet to be 'seen' including government 'measures' to facilitate the same so that entrepreneurship and employment can blossom in rural hinterland.
It is therefore the traditional business segments which are becoming 'more' ready to 'change' and in the process are ready to spur growth in employment as well as delivery of services. Many of these changes are actually in the realm of 'states' while on some collaboration between the center and states may be needed; and what we need to 'see' is emergence of 'champion states' as well as 'champion leadership' in those states. While the ruling party at center has announced its intent, we still await decision and announcements from state leaders and parties about their intents and likely course of action. It would also be interesting to see the kind of rewards 'wait and watch' strategy may have for the 'leaders' in states.