Dear Savio,
The latest in conection with these plans is that the essential FUNDS are planned to be procured from High Net worth Individuals, Corporates and Foundations around the world; and subsequently from International Development agencies around the World. I am enclosing the Detailed script of the plans below this script; as I presently am REALLY short of the TIME...
Plans for enhancing the Food Security of India, as in May 2009
THE STRATEGIC SCENARIO
• In the 1900s, the total population of Human Beings on planet Earth was approx 1.5 Billion.
• Presently, the total population of Human Beings on planet Earth is approx 6.6 Billion; and increasing at the rate of 80 Million per yr.
• Longevity of the population in all countries on the planet is rising; and the number of Human beings being born much exceeds the number of Humans departing for their onward journey.
• The area available for agriculture (to feed this growing population) has remained constant, and is decreasing in India, day by day, and agriculture has become unviable.
• There is an ongoing famine on Planet Earth (called the ‘Global Food Crisis’) and prices of food grains are rising exponentially in all countries of the world.
• The developed countries, aware of this fact; are resorting to address the Food Security for their coming generations through well researched points in the WTO Talks.
• India, a Developing country is in an alarming situation as regards its present food security and this situation is aggravated by its large (and increasing) population.
• Besides, immediate issues (like Political issues, Terrorist attacks, Global Warming etc) overshadow the urgent requirement of addressing the issue of Food Security of India for its coming generations for Policymakers.
• Even though the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing, Govt of India, is aware of this fact, very little progress on this front appears to be possible through the Govt machinery.
• The land in North Bihar is the most fertile land in the world due to the silt deposited by the rivers (melting Himalayan glaciers) flowing through Nepal over the years.
• Enterprises related to the agriculture sector are guaranteed profits in the immediate and longer run in India and across the world.
• These plans for enhancing the Food Security of India through a Private enterprise in the fertile plains of North Bihar in India, are coming through me, Major Arun Kumar Jha, a 37 yr old serving Officer of the Indian Army originally from a village in Madhubani district of North Bihar; though born and brought up in Lonavla in Pune district of Maharashtra state in India; by the grace of HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
• For realising these plans, however, the active involvement of a retired Brigadier of the Indian Army from the Corps of Signals (preferably already devoted to Gurudev) would be essential.
• Further requirements in connection with this project will evolve over Time, and through Divine grace.
VALUE PROPOSITION
With its rising population, India is at the 138th position in the list of 142 researched countries on planet Earth in terms of the availability of food stocks for its population. Reportedly, India has barely three months of reserve food stocks available in its godowns of the FCI (Food Corporation of India).
These plans are coming through a serving Officer of the Indian Army originally from a village in Madhubani district of North Bihar though born and brought up in Lonavla in Pune district of Maharashtra state in India. The plans aim to leverage the fertile plains of North Bihar to enhance the Food security of India while at the same time realizing the development of this most economically backward state of India.
Food Parks of the BPFP Enterprises are planned to be raised in identified, flood free areas of North Bihar. These Food Parks would provide the infrastructure for Packaging and Storage of processed food products by the locals of North Bihar. The Marketing of the processed food products stored in these Food Parks in North Bihar is planned to be coordinated over Internet from a city in another state in India.
THE CONCEPT
Effectiveness of coordinating the marketing of processed food products (prepared by the residents of North Bihar) over Internet by efficient – Military; well researched – means of Management from a city in another state in India.
THE IDEA
The idea is to provide a medium to all Indian, NRI and Foreign High Net Worth Individuals, Corporations and Foundations across the world to facilitate these plans by their contributions for realising the aim of these plans. Contributions from all sources would be transparently utilised. Also, the required feedback regarding the utilisation of the contributions would be elaborately researched, and required inputs would be given to all the donor parties on periodic (possibly yearly) basis. The idea behind this enterprise would NOT BE to capitalise on the poverty in Bihar; or on the sorry state of India’s Food Security situation. This project would be a registered program of the SSRDP (Sri Sri Rural Development Program) of the ‘Art of Living’ (AOL) – of HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – HQ in Bangalore, India. Various Organisations of the AOL like the IAHV (International Association for Human Values) are well known for carrying out actual service programs around the world, and the management of the enterprise would be done with absolute transparency for the donors (contributors) towards this planned project.
BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE PLANS
• The FUNDS have not been assumed to be a constraint for the plans (enterprise) which would be a Private effort financed through donations towards these plans from various Indian, NRI, and foreign agencies – that is; from individuals, Corporates and Foundations from all over the world besides also from International Development agencies towards these plans.
• The proposed enterprise would accept donations/contributions in all forms, and from all possible sources around the world for its operations.
• The proper method of accounting-for and utilizing the donations/ contributions (funds) received; would be researched and implemented in the enterprise/project presently in the concept stage.
• The enterprise is planned to be eventually operated in 14 (or more) districts in the fertile plains of North Bihar.
• The AIM of the enterprise would be to enhance the Food Security of India in its own small way, and all systems required for maintaining this aim would be instituted after due research.
• Since the conditions on the ground in North Bihar would be very fluid; systems of the Indian Army, suitably modified, would be applied in the enterprise.
• The ‘Core Team’ of the enterprise would comprise of persons meeting the criteria (and preferably already devoted to HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar). It would gain the relevant experience for the future operations of the enterprise by operating the first Food Processing Unit (FPU) of the enterprise in Madhubani district in North Bihar.
• The earliest this enterprise could begin would be by 13 May 2010. 13 May is the Date of Birth of Gurudev (HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar).
• All aspects presently felt proper for the enterprise are flexible and could change at the required time, in order to achieve the AIM of the enterprise effectively.
BROAD SUMMARY OF THE PLANS
• Eventually, farmers in the villages of 14 (or more) districts in the fertile plains of North Bihar would be given guidance and assistance by the enterprise for raising their own (Legally proper) Food Processing Units (FPUs) in North Bihar.
• A number of ‘Food Parks’ of the enterprise would be raised in identified (flood free) areas of North Bihar to coordinate the Packaging, Storage and Marketing – over Internet – of the products of the FPUs of the locals in the area; for decided profit percentages.
• The ‘Food Parks’ would be organised on the lines of a Brigade Node of the Indian Army, and systems as employed in a Brigade Node of the Indian Army sited for all round defence would be applied in them.
• The HQ of the enterprise would be located in a city in another state in India – (like Delhi, Chandigarh, Bangalore etc…); and would manage the operations and funding aspects of the ‘Food Parks’ in North Bihar on the cohesive systems of the Indian Army.
• The Marketing of the products of the FPUs (in North Bihar) would be coordinated over Internet from the HQ of the enterprise located in another state in India (like Delhi, Chandigarh, Bangalore etc…).
STAGES
The aim of the enterprise has been planned to be achieved in three distinct stages:-
• Stage I: (Ideally from 13 May 2010 to 12 May 2013) A Private; profit-making) Food Processing Unit (FPU) would be operated by the ‘Core Team’ of the enterprise in Madhubani district in North Bihar over three yrs in order to validate the concept of the enterprise and to gain the experience required for effectively framing the systems for these plans.
• Stage II: (Ideally from 13 May 2013 to 12 May 2016) After gaining experience over three yrs, the first ‘Food Park’ of the enterprise would be raised in Madhubani district in North Bihar.
• Stage III: (After 13 May 2016) ‘Food Parks’ on similar lines could be raised in identified (flood free) areas in other districts in the plains of North Bihar.
THE DETAILED PLANS
• For ease of understanding; all the ‘Food Parks’ could be called BPFPs (Babu Pali Food Parks) because I, the proposer of this Project/enterprise, am originally from village Babu Pali in Madhubani district of North Bihar.
• The villagers associated with the BPFP Enterprises could prepare items like ‘Sattu’, ‘Daliya’, Cornflakes, Chips and Sauces of all types, Pickles, Soft Drinks including Fruit Juices, and other products (like of ‘Makhana’, ‘Singhada’ etc) and other local specialties from their own Food Processing Units (FPUs).
• Vehicles of a BPFP would collect the produce prepared by the FPUs in the villages in North Bihar within a radius of around 50 Km (or 100 Km or more…) around it, and get them for Packaging in the BPFP along with the representatives of the FPU concerned – with the proper security.
• A BPFP would have all infrastructures for Packaging and Storage of the (locally prepared) products of the FPUs in North Bihar; to include the Cold storages and the required (proper) Godowns and all Transport, Security and Accommodation arrangements (for the staff of the BPFP and also the representatives of the FPUs). The details of the departments in a BPFP – presently in the concept stage – have been researched, and are given below.
• Decided Profit percentages would be charged by the enterprise from the Food Processing Units (FPUs) in North Bihar for the Packaging, Storage and Marketing of their products (over Internet), and the proper Legal systems would be evolved.
• A BPFP would be raised on a plot of land with dimensions of minimum 500 M X 500 M procured through the proper process from the Govt of Bihar. A number of BPFPs on similar lines would later be raised in identified, flood free, areas in 14 (or more) districts in North Bihar. They would all be raised in suitable (flood free) areas revealed after Satellite Photo Analysis and study of the parameters of the area on the ground.
• The HQ of the enterprise (located in a city in another state in India) would handle all the issues related to the procurement and proper utilization and accounting of additional funds for the enterprise on the basis of which, further BPFPs would be raised in other districts in North Bihar.
• Proper systems of accounting of finances at all levels of the enterprise (the BPFPs and the HQ) would be duly researched and applied in the enterprise.
• Over a period of time, and after gaining further experience, the villagers could be suitably induced to go in for production and sale of the required products on researched Legal terms.
• The enterprise would be registered with the SSRDP (Sri Sri Rural Development Program – the wing of the AOL involved in development activities in India). Since it would not be possible for it (SSRDP) to get – and remain – involved in the operations on the ground in Bihar; the enterprise would necessarily need to be a Private effort with the backing and active involvement of the SSRDP of the AOL (at the higher level) and of Gurudev as the supreme Chief of the organisation.
• Interested (motivated and deserving) villagers in North Bihar could be given financial assistance on researched Legal terms after the necessary background checks (due diligence…) by the planned enterprise.
• The locals in the 14 (or more) districts in North Bihar interested in raising their own FPUs would be guided and also physically assisted by the staff of the enterprise (on researched Legal terms) regarding the process of getting the required Govt sanctions (Licensing, Registration etc) for their own FPUs, the ideal product for their specific parameters, and also regarding how exactly to execute the operations of their FPUs.
• Terms and conditions for providing Packaging, Storage and Marketing facilities to enterprises already established in the area would be researched and applied in the enterprise presently in the concept stage.
• All activity would be computerised, and detailed Legal systems evolved in the period in which the required experience would be gained by the Core Team of the enterprise (over the three yrs of profit-making operations of an FPU in Madhubani district).
• The first BPFP would be raised in an identified (flood free) area in Madhubani district in North Bihar on funds of minimum $ 50 Million (Rs 2500 Million) or more after operating a profit-making FPU in Madhubani district over three yrs. The details of assessed expenses have also been duly researched, and are given below.
• The marketing of the products of this (first) FPU of the enterprise would be coordinated over Internet from a city in some other state in India; which could later become the HQ of the enterprise.
• The ideal product, the process and the detailed method of operating the first FPU in Madhubani district (city) in North Bihar to establish the concept of the enterprise will be evolved after doing courses in the CFTRI (Central Food Technology Research Institute) in Mysore in Karnataka state in India; and related research on the ground in Madhubani district in North Bihar. Undergoing Courses in some IIP (Indian Institute of Packaging) in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad or Chennai is also likely to prove beneficial in learning the proper method of operating a successful (profit-making) FPU in the initial stage of the enterprise.
THE ‘CORE TEAM’ OF THE ENTERPRISE
• The FUNDS are the main Focus presently; as even the likely President/ Chairman of the planned enterprise is cautiously skeptical of the Funds becoming available.
• The possible members of the ‘Core Team’ of the enterprise are still evolving; and would become clear by 01 Dec 2009. Once the source of funds is confirmed; there would be no problem on this account.
• Suitably qualified leaders at the ground level in Madhubani district (city) will be identified by me to become a part of the ‘Core Team’ of the enterprise (when I go on leave to my house in Madhubani city in North Bihar in May-June 2009).
A BPFP
• A BPFP would have the following Departments, as per the plans at this stage:-
Dept Tasking/ Responsibility
Guidance Dept • Guiding the interested villagers in North Bihar for raising their own FPUs.
Packaging Dept • (Attractively) packaging the products of the FPUs.
Storage Dept • Storing the processed products of the FPUs (including the Cold Storage(s) for agricultural products).
Marketing Dept • Supplying the products of the FPUs to destinations given by the HQ (over Internet; from the city in another state in India).
Accounts Dept • Handling accounts related issues with the dealing FPUs, and maintaining details of all transactions with the FPUs.
• Handling the accounts related matters of the Staff in the BPFP with the HQ (located in a city in another state in India).
Internal Administration Dept • Internal administration related matters of the BPFP; including repairs to buildings, maintaining 24/7 (or optimum hours of) electricity and telephone (& Internet) connectivity in the BPFP.
• Addressing the Administrative difficulties of the Staff in the BPFP in consultation with the Accounts Dept in the BPFP, and in the HQ.
Legal Dept • Handling Legal problems (cases) related to the BPFP – on specific orders from the Commander of the BPFP.
Systems Dept • Maintaining smooth operations among the various Depts; and research into the improvements possible in the BPFP; issuing possible changes in the matters of Policy and functioning of the BPFP.
• Suggesting Policy related changes to the Commander’s Secretariat in the BPFP, and to the Sectt of the President/ Chairman of the enterprise in the HQ.
Security Dept • Providing security personnel as required for vehicles and other requirements as given by the Commander of the BPFP.
• Also, maintaining and updating the details of the external security threats from around the immediate vicinity of the BPFP.
Medical Inspection Room • Providing free medical facilities to the staff of the BPFP and to member FPUs on researched terms.
Mechanical Transport Section. • Providing vehicles to the Depts; handling transport related accident cases; maintaining Fuel and Oil reserves; and having vehicle repair arrangements in the BPFP.
R&D Dept • Reporting irregularities by the Commander and/or any Dept of the BPFP to the R&D Dept and the President’s Sectt (of the HQ) directly; maintaining all records of important matters revealed in the First stage of the Enterprise (the first FPU of the project).
• Carrying out periodic Checks in all the Depts of the enterprise; and reporting suggestions for improvement to them, the Commander of the BPFP, and to the HQ.
Local Liaison Dept • The staff in this Dept would keep the R&D Dept of the BPFP informed of the complaints/suggestions for improvement regarding the operations of the enterprise; from the local population around the BPFP, and also from the staff in the BPFP.
• Alternatively, it could even be amalgamated into the R&D Dept.
Commander’s Secretariat • The Commander of the BPFP would be in contact with the HQ on Daily basis. Terms and conditions regarding ensuring his effective performance would be researched and instituted.
ASSESSED EXPENSES IN A BPFP
• Once the enterprise starts from the donations of minimum $ 1 Million and after the requirements for it to materialise have been met; the funds for the first BPFP can even be procured from Venture Capital.
• The list of assessed expenses in a BPFP is given in the following page.
No. Heads Expenses Remarks
1. Cold Storages Construction, Maintenance, Operations The required funds have been assumed to be available.
2. Packaging Park Construction, Maintenance, Operations The required funds have been assumed to be available.
3.
Vehicle Park Procurement of Vehicles, Construction, Maintenance, Operations The required funds have been assumed to be available.
4.
Security • Internal and external security of the BPFP.
• Security of the vehicles while in transit.
The required funds have been assumed to be available.
5.
R&D
• R&D regarding the BPFP functioning. The required funds have been assumed to be available.
6.
Office • Procurement and maintenance of Office eqpt including Computers and stationery; maintaining electricity and tele communication within the BPFP; coordinating the operations of the Packaging Park and the Vehicle Park.
The required funds have been assumed to be available.
7.
Accounts Dept • Maintaining details of all transactions with FPUs.
• Loans to FPUs (on researched Legal terms)
• In direct contact with the Marketing Dept in the HQ in the city in another state in India.
The required funds have been assumed to be available.
8. Guidance Dept. • Guiding the FPUs on govt rules regarding Registration and Licensing of FPUs, incentives, best possible products for their specific parameters, Management and Systems advice for their specific parameters.
The required funds have been assumed to be available.
Staffing of a BPFP.
• The staff would all be UNMARRIED HEALTHY INDIAN MALES between 30 to 50 yrs, conversant in at least the Hindi language; and would be changed after every three to five yrs by the HQ.
• All the staff of a BPFP would be selected from various states in India from Courses of the AOL, and would be changed after three to five yrs, as per the requirements – assessed by the HQ of the enterprise.
• They would get their payments credited into their nearest (or desired) bank account by the HQ of the enterprise. Their means of selection (through SSRDP) and other details would evolve over time.
• The staff of a BPFP would all stay within the premises of the BPFP. All arrangements for their Accommodation, Messing, Medical, Recreation, Security and Administrative needs would be catered for; within the premises, by their respective Dept.
• Persons from the immediate vicinity of a BPFP would also be employed in a BPFP, as revealed from research.
• The Leave and other entitlements of all the staff in the BPFP Enterprises would be duly researched. In case of doubt, the systems prevalent in the Indian Army would be followed.
• All issues relating to the terms of engagement and financial aspects of the employees in a BPFP in North Bihar and in the HQ would be handled by the HQ of the enterprise presently in the concept stage.
• The staff in a BPFP would all be periodically sent for Courses of the ‘Art of Living’ to the HQ of the AOL in Bangalore by the HQ of the enterprise, in order to maintain their discipline and focus in the proper direction.
THE FINANCIAL PLANNING
• The Private enterprise operated in Madhubani district in North Bihar to justify the concept of the enterprise – starting from 13 May 2010 – is planned to be operated on funding of minimum US $ 1 Million (INR 50 Million or Rs 5 Crore),.
• Availability of the required funds in all stages of the enterprise has been assumed.
