Saturday, January 31, 2004
Forget the drawl, desi is fine
Forget the drawl, desi is fine
No rolling Rs. No drawls. Simply put, no accent, angrezi or American. Speak English as spoken in India, but with no mother tongue influence.
It's a demand from overseas clients that should please the two lakh call centre staff employed in Bangalore. The Americans, the British and the Aussies would like to hear understandable English. No borrowed accents, please.
No rolling Rs. No drawls. Simply put, no accent, angrezi or American. Speak English as spoken in India, but with no mother tongue influence.
It's a demand from overseas clients that should please the two lakh call centre staff employed in Bangalore. The Americans, the British and the Aussies would like to hear understandable English. No borrowed accents, please.
India Shines For Job Seeking Foreigners, too
Financial Times
India is becoming a major hub for not only outsourcing, but also for foreigners in search of employment—and even at Indian salaries
India is becoming a major hub for not only outsourcing, but also for foreigners in search of employment—and even at Indian salaries
Friday, January 30, 2004
As India's Economy Rises, So Do Expectations
NYTimes
"Take a one-mile stretch on Bannerghatta Road in southern Bangalore and the construction points to 45,000 new software and services jobs right there," he added. It is a stretch that includes offices of multinationals like Oracle, I.B.M., Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, PeopleSoft, Honeywell and HSBC Bank.
India's foreign exchange reserves have grown to more than $100 billion. Its stock markets increased 73 percent in valuation, to $278 billion, with foreign concerns investing close to $7 billion.
Mr. Chandra of DSP Merrill Lynch said that the economic restructuring of the last decade had finally taken root and helped Indian industry become globally competitive.
"In the last six months, confidence levels of companies have gone to historic highs," he said. Continued growth, healthy balance sheets and steady cash inflows helped Indian software concerns make bold cross-border acquisitions of software, auto components, drugs, telecommunications and other businesses.
"Take a one-mile stretch on Bannerghatta Road in southern Bangalore and the construction points to 45,000 new software and services jobs right there," he added. It is a stretch that includes offices of multinationals like Oracle, I.B.M., Accenture, Hewlett-Packard, PeopleSoft, Honeywell and HSBC Bank.
India's foreign exchange reserves have grown to more than $100 billion. Its stock markets increased 73 percent in valuation, to $278 billion, with foreign concerns investing close to $7 billion.
Mr. Chandra of DSP Merrill Lynch said that the economic restructuring of the last decade had finally taken root and helped Indian industry become globally competitive.
"In the last six months, confidence levels of companies have gone to historic highs," he said. Continued growth, healthy balance sheets and steady cash inflows helped Indian software concerns make bold cross-border acquisitions of software, auto components, drugs, telecommunications and other businesses.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
The New Face of the Silicon Age
Wired
How India became the capital of the computing revolution.
This is a story about the global economy. It's about two countries and one profession - and how weirdly upside down the future has begun to look from opposite sides of the globe. It's about code and the people who write it. But it's also about free markets, new politics, and ancient wisdom - which means it's ultimately about faith.
Our story begins beside the murky waters of the Arabian Sea. I've come to Mumbai to see what software programmers in India make of the anti-outsourcing hubbub in the US. Mumbai may not have as many coders per square foot as glossier tech havens like Bangalore and Hyderabad, but there's a lot more real life here. Mumbai is India's largest city - with an official population of 18 million and an actual population incalculably higher. It's a sweltering, magnificent, teeming megalopolis in which every human triumph and affliction shouts at the top of its lungs 24 hours a day.
Jairam's firm, Hexaware, is located in the exurbs of Mumbai in a district fittingly called Navi Mumbai, or New Mumbai. To get there, you fight traffic thicker and more chaotic than rush hour in hell as you pass a staggering stretch of shantytowns. But once inside the Millennium Business Park, which houses Hexaware and several other high tech companies, you've tumbled through a wormhole and landed in northern Virginia or Silicon Valley. The streets are immaculate. The buildings fairly gleam. The lawns are fit for putting. And in the center is an outdoor café bustling with twentysomethings so picture-perfect I look around to see if a film crew is shooting a commercial.
Kiss your Cubicle GoodBye. Tech jobs are fleeing to India faster than ever. You got a problem with that?
How India became the capital of the computing revolution.
This is a story about the global economy. It's about two countries and one profession - and how weirdly upside down the future has begun to look from opposite sides of the globe. It's about code and the people who write it. But it's also about free markets, new politics, and ancient wisdom - which means it's ultimately about faith.
Our story begins beside the murky waters of the Arabian Sea. I've come to Mumbai to see what software programmers in India make of the anti-outsourcing hubbub in the US. Mumbai may not have as many coders per square foot as glossier tech havens like Bangalore and Hyderabad, but there's a lot more real life here. Mumbai is India's largest city - with an official population of 18 million and an actual population incalculably higher. It's a sweltering, magnificent, teeming megalopolis in which every human triumph and affliction shouts at the top of its lungs 24 hours a day.
Jairam's firm, Hexaware, is located in the exurbs of Mumbai in a district fittingly called Navi Mumbai, or New Mumbai. To get there, you fight traffic thicker and more chaotic than rush hour in hell as you pass a staggering stretch of shantytowns. But once inside the Millennium Business Park, which houses Hexaware and several other high tech companies, you've tumbled through a wormhole and landed in northern Virginia or Silicon Valley. The streets are immaculate. The buildings fairly gleam. The lawns are fit for putting. And in the center is an outdoor café bustling with twentysomethings so picture-perfect I look around to see if a film crew is shooting a commercial.
Kiss your Cubicle GoodBye. Tech jobs are fleeing to India faster than ever. You got a problem with that?
The Man from India
Salt Lake City Weekly
The Man from India by Louis Borgenicht
I first read about outsourcing in a New York Times article discussing a new trend in some radiology departments of American hospitals to send radiographs digitally via the Internet to radiologists in India for interpretation. The rationales were two: cost and availability of radiologists in the wee hours of the morning. When it’s 4 a.m. in Salt Lake City, for example, it’s 4 p.m. in Bangalore.
As one who compulsively reads clothing tags and box labels to discover where goods are made, this was hardly a surprise. It was merely the next stage of globalization. Many of the products purchased by Americans are produced in Second or Third World countries like China with which, ironically, we have had a less than copasetic relationship. Lest you doubt this reality, check out your holiday gifts.
Not surprisingly, I found myself in conversation recently with a gentleman from a hand-held computer company about setting up my new PDA (personal digital assistant). He had a strong Indian accent. During a lull in our hourlong conversation, we had the following exchange:
“Where are you located?” I asked with a degree of suspicion.
“Guess,” he said.
“You are from India.”
“I am in India,” he asserted proudly.
That established, we chatted socially. I mentioned that my youngest son had taken a motorcycle trip along the path of the Buddha about 10 years ago. The Indian man thought it “noble.”
The chat added an element of humanity to what is often an adversarial communication. Frustration with technology, as in learning to operate a PDA, can lead to anger.
A few days ago, I ventured into an upscale clothing store to check out the post-holiday sale. At the counter, the saleswoman asked if I wanted to get a 10 percent discount by obtaining a store credit card. After five minutes of entering my driver-license information into her computer, it was clear things were not going well.
She handed me the phone saying, “You need to speak to this gentleman.”
He asked my name. I had to spell it twice. There seemed to be a language problem.
Then he asked, “Is there anything about your credit history in the past year I should know about?”
I was taken aback. A stranger 3,000 miles away, with an Indian accent, was asking me about my credit history. What gall.
“No, nothing,” I insisted and handed the phone back to the salesgirl.
She listened to the man on the phone, hung it up and said, “You will be receiving an explanation from the store in a month or two.”
Finally, last night, I called a major airline to make a reservation.
“There is only one flight back from Philadelphia, sir,” a heavily accented male Indian voice said.
“I think there is one at the end of the day,” I said looking at my computer screen.
“One moment please, sir.”
After three minutes he came back on and said, “Yes, I can offer you a flight at 4:25 p.m.”
“Great,” I said. “One last question: Are you in India?”
“Yes sir.”
Given the expansiveness of the American economy, the burgeoning of information technology resources across the ocean is predictable.
But, despite this, over the past month I feel I have established a growing personal relationship with a man in India, a multi-tasker who can help with all my technical problems, assist with credit issues and make plane reservations for me. He is in Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of southern India. Next time I reach him, I will ask his name. He obviously knows mine.
The Man from India by Louis Borgenicht
I first read about outsourcing in a New York Times article discussing a new trend in some radiology departments of American hospitals to send radiographs digitally via the Internet to radiologists in India for interpretation. The rationales were two: cost and availability of radiologists in the wee hours of the morning. When it’s 4 a.m. in Salt Lake City, for example, it’s 4 p.m. in Bangalore.
As one who compulsively reads clothing tags and box labels to discover where goods are made, this was hardly a surprise. It was merely the next stage of globalization. Many of the products purchased by Americans are produced in Second or Third World countries like China with which, ironically, we have had a less than copasetic relationship. Lest you doubt this reality, check out your holiday gifts.
Not surprisingly, I found myself in conversation recently with a gentleman from a hand-held computer company about setting up my new PDA (personal digital assistant). He had a strong Indian accent. During a lull in our hourlong conversation, we had the following exchange:
“Where are you located?” I asked with a degree of suspicion.
“Guess,” he said.
“You are from India.”
“I am in India,” he asserted proudly.
That established, we chatted socially. I mentioned that my youngest son had taken a motorcycle trip along the path of the Buddha about 10 years ago. The Indian man thought it “noble.”
The chat added an element of humanity to what is often an adversarial communication. Frustration with technology, as in learning to operate a PDA, can lead to anger.
A few days ago, I ventured into an upscale clothing store to check out the post-holiday sale. At the counter, the saleswoman asked if I wanted to get a 10 percent discount by obtaining a store credit card. After five minutes of entering my driver-license information into her computer, it was clear things were not going well.
She handed me the phone saying, “You need to speak to this gentleman.”
He asked my name. I had to spell it twice. There seemed to be a language problem.
Then he asked, “Is there anything about your credit history in the past year I should know about?”
I was taken aback. A stranger 3,000 miles away, with an Indian accent, was asking me about my credit history. What gall.
“No, nothing,” I insisted and handed the phone back to the salesgirl.
She listened to the man on the phone, hung it up and said, “You will be receiving an explanation from the store in a month or two.”
Finally, last night, I called a major airline to make a reservation.
“There is only one flight back from Philadelphia, sir,” a heavily accented male Indian voice said.
“I think there is one at the end of the day,” I said looking at my computer screen.
“One moment please, sir.”
After three minutes he came back on and said, “Yes, I can offer you a flight at 4:25 p.m.”
“Great,” I said. “One last question: Are you in India?”
“Yes sir.”
Given the expansiveness of the American economy, the burgeoning of information technology resources across the ocean is predictable.
But, despite this, over the past month I feel I have established a growing personal relationship with a man in India, a multi-tasker who can help with all my technical problems, assist with credit issues and make plane reservations for me. He is in Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of southern India. Next time I reach him, I will ask his name. He obviously knows mine.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Snow melts hearts in Hyderabad
Snow melts hearts in Hyderabad
The southern Indian city of Hyderabad, where summer temperatures can soar to 45C, is now enjoying a feast of snow.
There has never been a snowfall here, but residents can now slide and skate on ice and throw snowballs at each other in India's first snow park.
On its first day, more than 10,000 visitors flocked to Snow World - which can only take up to 300 people at one time.
The southern Indian city of Hyderabad, where summer temperatures can soar to 45C, is now enjoying a feast of snow.
There has never been a snowfall here, but residents can now slide and skate on ice and throw snowballs at each other in India's first snow park.
On its first day, more than 10,000 visitors flocked to Snow World - which can only take up to 300 people at one time.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
The Rush To Cash In On India
BW Online
Sizzling growth and an undervalued market have buyers lining up for IPOs
The five leading investment banks operating in India -- Bombay-based Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Securities, Morgan Stanley (MWD ), Merrill Lynch, (MER ) and HSBC (HBC ) -- received an urgent summons to New Delhi from India's Disinvestment Ministry on Jan. 2.
Sizzling growth and an undervalued market have buyers lining up for IPOs
The five leading investment banks operating in India -- Bombay-based Kotak Mahindra Bank and ICICI Securities, Morgan Stanley (MWD ), Merrill Lynch, (MER ) and HSBC (HBC ) -- received an urgent summons to New Delhi from India's Disinvestment Ministry on Jan. 2.
India Is Not On My Radar, Says Soros
Financial Express
Amidst the great buzz that has been generated at this year’s World Economic Forum summit here on India and its potential, internationally acclaimed private investment guru George Soros, however, has had a word of caution.
He said apart from the software sector, there has not been much to look forward to in many of the other sectors of the economy, he said. However, he was quick to add that he was also not quite actively looking at China.
Amidst the great buzz that has been generated at this year’s World Economic Forum summit here on India and its potential, internationally acclaimed private investment guru George Soros, however, has had a word of caution.
He said apart from the software sector, there has not been much to look forward to in many of the other sectors of the economy, he said. However, he was quick to add that he was also not quite actively looking at China.
Davos Tuned To India And How
Financial Express
As the curtains came down on the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit at Davos, that India was clearly the flavour of the event, possibly for the first time, was evident in a number of ways.
As the curtains came down on the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) summit at Davos, that India was clearly the flavour of the event, possibly for the first time, was evident in a number of ways.
China and India set to outperform
BBC NEWS
China and India will be among the three biggest economies in the world by the middle of this century, researchers have predicted.
Helped by "robust" long-term growth, China and India will hit the top three by 2050, according to New Delhi-based think-tank RIS.
RIS said China is currently the fastest-growing region in the world, followed by South Asia.
But it added that reforms were needed to keep growth on track.
Trade
China and India will be among the three biggest economies in the world by the middle of this century, researchers have predicted.
Helped by "robust" long-term growth, China and India will hit the top three by 2050, according to New Delhi-based think-tank RIS.
RIS said China is currently the fastest-growing region in the world, followed by South Asia.
But it added that reforms were needed to keep growth on track.
Trade
Monday, January 26, 2004
First the jobs, now execs are heading for India
IHT
If you can't beat them, join them. Faced with the prospect of having their jobs outsourced to low-cost economies like India's, skilled workers from the United States and Britain are looking to do the next best thing: They're beginning to search for employment in destinations such as India.
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If you can't beat them, join them. Faced with the prospect of having their jobs outsourced to low-cost economies like India's, skilled workers from the United States and Britain are looking to do the next best thing: They're beginning to search for employment in destinations such as India.
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The Hunter Gatherer Tribe
OutLookIndia.com
This is the bold new world of job-hoppers, career-switchers and risk-takers. They are part of an urban India that is celebrating the upswing in the economy, riding the wave of reforms and making the most of opportunities.
The job market for them grew last year at a robust 30 per cent and, according to the placement industry, the rise could be as sharp as 50 per cent in 2004.
This is the bold new world of job-hoppers, career-switchers and risk-takers. They are part of an urban India that is celebrating the upswing in the economy, riding the wave of reforms and making the most of opportunities.
The job market for them grew last year at a robust 30 per cent and, according to the placement industry, the rise could be as sharp as 50 per cent in 2004.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
And now snow in Hyderabad. . .
The Times of India
Snow in Hyderabad ? Seems an impossible proposition. But not quite. The first snow theme park in India , ‘Snow World’, replete with tonnes of snow, fun rides and games will be inaugurated in the city on Monday.
The only two other such snow parks are in Singapore and Malaysia .
As many as 200 tonnes of snow will be generated and laid on the layered flooring that has been specially prepared to avoid seepage or melting. Each day, the top layer of snow will be cleaned and an additional two to three tonnes of snow, generated in the same compound, will be used to top the snow spread.
Snow in Hyderabad ? Seems an impossible proposition. But not quite. The first snow theme park in India , ‘Snow World’, replete with tonnes of snow, fun rides and games will be inaugurated in the city on Monday.
The only two other such snow parks are in Singapore and Malaysia .
As many as 200 tonnes of snow will be generated and laid on the layered flooring that has been specially prepared to avoid seepage or melting. Each day, the top layer of snow will be cleaned and an additional two to three tonnes of snow, generated in the same compound, will be used to top the snow spread.
India rises as strategic US ally
csmonitor.com
In speeches over the last week, President Bush, Colin Powell, and other US officials have lauded India's new position in the world and growing economic importance on the global stage. Separately, US officials have talked of India's common interests in protecting sea lanes from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca, an area that India already patrols with its blue-water navy.
Call it the outsourcing of global security, with India once again getting the job.
In speeches over the last week, President Bush, Colin Powell, and other US officials have lauded India's new position in the world and growing economic importance on the global stage. Separately, US officials have talked of India's common interests in protecting sea lanes from the Persian Gulf to the Straits of Malacca, an area that India already patrols with its blue-water navy.
Call it the outsourcing of global security, with India once again getting the job.
Hyderabad best tourist city in India
Rediff.com
The Ajanta Caves are the best maintained monument and Hyderabad the best tourist city in India.
The Ajanta Caves are the best maintained monument and Hyderabad the best tourist city in India.
Saturday, January 24, 2004
US BPO Ban: We Aren’t Bothered, Say CEOs
Indian Express
The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) pegged the the share of US federal government contracts in exports of IT software and services (which are expected to cross over $12 billion by this March) from India as less than 2 per cent. “We are dismayed to learn about the Bill in the US Senate that restricts offshoring of work contracted out by the US government. This Bill is yet to become a law and we hope that wiser counsel will prevail. We understand that the Bill is limited to the period up to September 2004 and only covers contracts by two government departments. The business impact of such a move on the domestic IT industry will be very small,” Nasscom president Kiran Karnik said.
The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) pegged the the share of US federal government contracts in exports of IT software and services (which are expected to cross over $12 billion by this March) from India as less than 2 per cent. “We are dismayed to learn about the Bill in the US Senate that restricts offshoring of work contracted out by the US government. This Bill is yet to become a law and we hope that wiser counsel will prevail. We understand that the Bill is limited to the period up to September 2004 and only covers contracts by two government departments. The business impact of such a move on the domestic IT industry will be very small,” Nasscom president Kiran Karnik said.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Peter Drucker on India
Jivha
FORTUNE: Does the U.S. still set the tone for the world economy?
DRUCKER: The dominance of the U.S. is already over. What is emerging is a world economy of blocs represented by NAFTA, the European Union, ASEAN. There’s no one center in this world economy. India is becoming a powerhouse very fast.The medical school in New Delhi is now perhaps the best in the world. And the technical graduates of the Institute of Technology in Bangalore are as good as any in the world. Also, India has 150 million people for whom English is their main language. So India is indeed becoming a knowledge center.
In contrast, the greatest weakness of China is its incredibly small proportion of educated people. China has only 1.5 million college students, out of a total population of over 1.3 billion. If they had the American proportion, they’d have 12 million or more in college. Those who are educated are well trained, but there are so few of them. And then there is the enormous undeveloped hinterland with excess rural population. Yes, that means there is enormous manufacturing potential. In China, however, the likelihood of the absorption of rural workers into the cities without upheaval seems very dubious. You don’t have that problem in India because they have already done an amazing job of absorbing excess rural population into the cities—its rural population has gone from 90% to 54% without any upheaval.
Everybody says China has 8% growth and India only 3%, but that is a total misconception. We don’t really know. I think India’s progress is far more impressive than China’s.
If you are a subscriber, you can read the entire interview at Fortune.com
FORTUNE: Does the U.S. still set the tone for the world economy?
DRUCKER: The dominance of the U.S. is already over. What is emerging is a world economy of blocs represented by NAFTA, the European Union, ASEAN. There’s no one center in this world economy. India is becoming a powerhouse very fast.The medical school in New Delhi is now perhaps the best in the world. And the technical graduates of the Institute of Technology in Bangalore are as good as any in the world. Also, India has 150 million people for whom English is their main language. So India is indeed becoming a knowledge center.
In contrast, the greatest weakness of China is its incredibly small proportion of educated people. China has only 1.5 million college students, out of a total population of over 1.3 billion. If they had the American proportion, they’d have 12 million or more in college. Those who are educated are well trained, but there are so few of them. And then there is the enormous undeveloped hinterland with excess rural population. Yes, that means there is enormous manufacturing potential. In China, however, the likelihood of the absorption of rural workers into the cities without upheaval seems very dubious. You don’t have that problem in India because they have already done an amazing job of absorbing excess rural population into the cities—its rural population has gone from 90% to 54% without any upheaval.
Everybody says China has 8% growth and India only 3%, but that is a total misconception. We don’t really know. I think India’s progress is far more impressive than China’s.
If you are a subscriber, you can read the entire interview at Fortune.com
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Breaking News from Around the Globe
Reuters
BANGALORE (Reuters) - India's software industry has the potential to grow annual exports of outsourced information technology services five-fold to $44 billion, researchers who conducted an independent study said on Tuesday.
To do this, software companies must increasingly add business consulting and specific industry expertise and also switch to pricing models linked to problems solved for customers instead of based on simply hourly billing for work done, they said.
BANGALORE (Reuters) - India's software industry has the potential to grow annual exports of outsourced information technology services five-fold to $44 billion, researchers who conducted an independent study said on Tuesday.
To do this, software companies must increasingly add business consulting and specific industry expertise and also switch to pricing models linked to problems solved for customers instead of based on simply hourly billing for work done, they said.
My impressions of working in the US and in India
Sumit Gupta's Home Page
I have finally come around to penning down my experiences of working in India and the US. First of all, this article is not meant to offend anyone or malign any country. Both countries have a unique and different culture. The primary aim of this article is to point out to people(Indians), that despite what all the hype would have you believe, you are probably better off working in India. Also, my background is from working in the Information Technology industry and hence, people in other lines of work should take it with a pinch of salt. With that out of the way, let me put the remaining article into perspective by giving some background information about myself: I did my undergraduate from Delhi, worked in Bangalore for over 2 years and have been enrolled in a Phd program at the University of California, Irvine since 1997. I have done several summer internships and short stints in companies in the US.
Right, lets get down to it: so how does working in India and the US compare ?
I have finally come around to penning down my experiences of working in India and the US. First of all, this article is not meant to offend anyone or malign any country. Both countries have a unique and different culture. The primary aim of this article is to point out to people(Indians), that despite what all the hype would have you believe, you are probably better off working in India. Also, my background is from working in the Information Technology industry and hence, people in other lines of work should take it with a pinch of salt. With that out of the way, let me put the remaining article into perspective by giving some background information about myself: I did my undergraduate from Delhi, worked in Bangalore for over 2 years and have been enrolled in a Phd program at the University of California, Irvine since 1997. I have done several summer internships and short stints in companies in the US.
Right, lets get down to it: so how does working in India and the US compare ?
A profitable passage to India
Financial Times
Vivek Paul, president of Wipro, has a novel view of recent decisions by some US customers to bring home operations they had put offshore in India. The boss of India's leading quoted software services company says the withdrawal by investment bank Lehman Brothers - a Wipro client - and others demonstrates the "accountability" of Indian providers.
"If withdrawals can create [the belief] in customers' minds that we are more accountable to them, then that is a boon. It is a measure of our success that people expect Indian IT to do well and that what makes news now is when we lose. That is an amazing psychological transformation," he says.
Others may follow Lehman and Dell, the computer maker, with publicly announced gestures to take work home. This is, of course, an election year in the US, and the export of technology jobs will be a big issue. Forrester, a research body, says 3.3m US business-processing jobs will go offshore by 2015, joining the 400,000 already departed.
Vivek Paul, president of Wipro, has a novel view of recent decisions by some US customers to bring home operations they had put offshore in India. The boss of India's leading quoted software services company says the withdrawal by investment bank Lehman Brothers - a Wipro client - and others demonstrates the "accountability" of Indian providers.
"If withdrawals can create [the belief] in customers' minds that we are more accountable to them, then that is a boon. It is a measure of our success that people expect Indian IT to do well and that what makes news now is when we lose. That is an amazing psychological transformation," he says.
Others may follow Lehman and Dell, the computer maker, with publicly announced gestures to take work home. This is, of course, an election year in the US, and the export of technology jobs will be a big issue. Forrester, a research body, says 3.3m US business-processing jobs will go offshore by 2015, joining the 400,000 already departed.
Engineering Google Results to Make a Point
NYTimes
TIME was - say, two months ago - when typing the phrase "miserable failure" into the Google search box produced an unexpected result: the White House's official biography of President George W. Bush.
But now the president has a fight on his hands for the top ranking - from former President Jimmy Carter, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and the author-filmmaker Michael Moore.
TIME was - say, two months ago - when typing the phrase "miserable failure" into the Google search box produced an unexpected result: the White House's official biography of President George W. Bush.
But now the president has a fight on his hands for the top ranking - from former President Jimmy Carter, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and the author-filmmaker Michael Moore.
Boost for India as debt rating upgraded
FT.com / World
The Indian economy on Thursday passed a critical threshold when Moody's Investors Service, the credit rating agency, upgraded the country's sovereign foreign-currency debt to investment grade.
The upgrade puts India's rating on a par with countries such as Russia, which Moody's lifted from speculative to investment grade in a controversial move last year.
The agency has been quicker than its rivals to award such ratings to several emerging market countries. Fitch Ratings on Wednesday raised India to BB-plus from BB, still one notch below investment grade but one level higher than the rating at Standard and Poor's.
Moody's said on Thursday its decision on India had been prompted by the sharp reduction in India's "external vulnerability". The move opens the door for a new class of international investors, including pension and certain types of mutual funds, to invest in Indian debt and equities.
The Indian economy on Thursday passed a critical threshold when Moody's Investors Service, the credit rating agency, upgraded the country's sovereign foreign-currency debt to investment grade.
The upgrade puts India's rating on a par with countries such as Russia, which Moody's lifted from speculative to investment grade in a controversial move last year.
The agency has been quicker than its rivals to award such ratings to several emerging market countries. Fitch Ratings on Wednesday raised India to BB-plus from BB, still one notch below investment grade but one level higher than the rating at Standard and Poor's.
Moody's said on Thursday its decision on India had been prompted by the sharp reduction in India's "external vulnerability". The move opens the door for a new class of international investors, including pension and certain types of mutual funds, to invest in Indian debt and equities.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Buoyant India aims to become global power
Kansascity.com
"For the first time in 45 years we've gone from saying, `We're a Third World developing country,' to saying, `We're going to be a developed nation and a great power,'" Mohan said. "It's a fundamental shift in terms of perceiving who we are and what we can do."
"For the first time in 45 years we've gone from saying, `We're a Third World developing country,' to saying, `We're going to be a developed nation and a great power,'" Mohan said. "It's a fundamental shift in terms of perceiving who we are and what we can do."
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Scrambling To Stem India's Onslaught
BW Online
Until recently, Indian service outfits barely registered in the West. Now, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, and others are emerging as real competition for the industry's behemoths. Their ability to offer prices that undercut Western adversaries by as much as 70% is just the start. They're also amassing the skills to handle complex consulting projects and rapidly opening sales offices in the West to get face time with potential clients. Their efforts are paying off: Three years ago, just 125 of the top 500 U.S. companies placed work with Indian companies, according to Nasscom, India's software-services trade association. Last year, that number hit 285, including Boeing (BA ), Cisco Systems (CSCO ), and Lehman Brothers (LEH ).
Until recently, Indian service outfits barely registered in the West. Now, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, and others are emerging as real competition for the industry's behemoths. Their ability to offer prices that undercut Western adversaries by as much as 70% is just the start. They're also amassing the skills to handle complex consulting projects and rapidly opening sales offices in the West to get face time with potential clients. Their efforts are paying off: Three years ago, just 125 of the top 500 U.S. companies placed work with Indian companies, according to Nasscom, India's software-services trade association. Last year, that number hit 285, including Boeing (BA ), Cisco Systems (CSCO ), and Lehman Brothers (LEH ).
10 Great Reasons to Invest in India
Rediff.com
INDIA SHINING: Today's India is a land of huge opportunities for global investors. The reforms process that the nation embraced a decade ago is now paying off.
India's economy is sizzling and is one of the fastest growing in the world. It has also seen a surge in foreign investment lately.
Umesh Kumar, Joint Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, made a presentation at a Confederation of Indian Industry conference on October 29.
He listed the key reasons why India is a great place to invest, how the nation has liberalised norms for foreign investors, and what is on offer for foreign investors.
Read on…
INDIA SHINING: Today's India is a land of huge opportunities for global investors. The reforms process that the nation embraced a decade ago is now paying off.
India's economy is sizzling and is one of the fastest growing in the world. It has also seen a surge in foreign investment lately.
Umesh Kumar, Joint Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, made a presentation at a Confederation of Indian Industry conference on October 29.
He listed the key reasons why India is a great place to invest, how the nation has liberalised norms for foreign investors, and what is on offer for foreign investors.
Read on…
'India to lead the next big IT wave'
Rediff
"The next big thing can emerge from Italy or places like Brazil, Israel and India. India has an opportunity and it can happen in cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad or Chennai," Yourdon, who has published over 550 papers and 26 books on the IT industry, told reporters in Bangalore.
"The next big thing can emerge from Italy or places like Brazil, Israel and India. India has an opportunity and it can happen in cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad or Chennai," Yourdon, who has published over 550 papers and 26 books on the IT industry, told reporters in Bangalore.
India Seeks to Counter Possible Backlash on Migration of High-Tech Jobs
VOANews.com
India is asking Asian countries to resist a potential backlash in developed nations as Western companies move technology jobs to India and other low-cost destinations.
Listen to Anjana Pasricha's report (RealAudio)
India is asking Asian countries to resist a potential backlash in developed nations as Western companies move technology jobs to India and other low-cost destinations.
Listen to Anjana Pasricha's report (RealAudio)
Top US IT Cos Join The Fight Against Outsourcing Backlash
Financial Express
Eight top US IT players including IBM Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Intel Corporation, Dell Inc, EMC Corporation, Motorola, NCR Corporation and Unisys Corporation have joined hands under the umbrella of ‘The Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP)’. CSPP is being projected as an IT industry’s leading advocacy organisation comprising exclusively of chief executive officers (CEOs).
Eight top US IT players including IBM Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, Intel Corporation, Dell Inc, EMC Corporation, Motorola, NCR Corporation and Unisys Corporation have joined hands under the umbrella of ‘The Computer Systems Policy Project (CSPP)’. CSPP is being projected as an IT industry’s leading advocacy organisation comprising exclusively of chief executive officers (CEOs).
Monday, January 19, 2004
Can Infosys be a disruptive innovator?
Business Standard
What challenges do Indian companies face as they try to go global? Can India Inc produce tomorrow’s Coke, Sony or Whirlpool? In the first of a 12-part series, Manjari Raman tackles the issues that confront one of India’s most successful software companies, Infosys, and gets Clayton M Christensen, Harvard Business School professor and the reigning guru of innovation, and Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy to bend their minds to the problem
What challenges do Indian companies face as they try to go global? Can India Inc produce tomorrow’s Coke, Sony or Whirlpool? In the first of a 12-part series, Manjari Raman tackles the issues that confront one of India’s most successful software companies, Infosys, and gets Clayton M Christensen, Harvard Business School professor and the reigning guru of innovation, and Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy to bend their minds to the problem
Friday, January 16, 2004
Indian tech firms look to US recovery
BBC NEWS
Indian software industry association Nasscom has said it is hopeful the recovery in the US economy will help to cool the present backlash against outsourcing work to India.
Recent months have seen several attempts in the US to introduce laws to restrict the awarding of software contracts to companies in India.
Although none of these attempts have succeeded, the moves have caused concern in the Indian software industry.
"We are not worried but concerned. So far we have not seen our business being impacted," said Nasscom chief Kiran Karnik.
"But we feel that with an improvement in the US economy and a pick-up in jobs there, this will no longer be an upfront issue during its Presidential election.
"At present the popular mood in the US seems to be the concern over loss of jobs," he added.
Indian software industry association Nasscom has said it is hopeful the recovery in the US economy will help to cool the present backlash against outsourcing work to India.
Recent months have seen several attempts in the US to introduce laws to restrict the awarding of software contracts to companies in India.
Although none of these attempts have succeeded, the moves have caused concern in the Indian software industry.
"We are not worried but concerned. So far we have not seen our business being impacted," said Nasscom chief Kiran Karnik.
"But we feel that with an improvement in the US economy and a pick-up in jobs there, this will no longer be an upfront issue during its Presidential election.
"At present the popular mood in the US seems to be the concern over loss of jobs," he added.
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Manageability - How to Choose an Open Source Library
Manageability - How to Choose an Open Source Library
Here are some rules of thumb on how to quickly evaluate and pick an open source library:
1.) Usage
2.) Extensibility
3.) Velocity
4.) Scafolding
5.) API Usability Testing
6.) How To's
7.) Developed NOT in a Vacuum.
8.) Attention to Detail
9.) Sponsorship
10.) Don't forget the Code.
Here are some rules of thumb on how to quickly evaluate and pick an open source library:
1.) Usage
2.) Extensibility
3.) Velocity
4.) Scafolding
5.) API Usability Testing
6.) How To's
7.) Developed NOT in a Vacuum.
8.) Attention to Detail
9.) Sponsorship
10.) Don't forget the Code.
Can India Parlay Its Prosperity Into Power?
BusinessWeek
The peace and trade moves are part of a much wider effort by Vajpayee to reassert India's role both in South Asia and on the global stage. For the decades of the Cold War, India adopted the Soviet-style economic system and believed itself to be the leader of the nonaligned nations. Then, in the 1990s, finding itself nearly bankrupt, it began to liberalize its economy and tilt more politically toward the U.S. Since September 11, 2001, India has been playing a nuanced diplomatic game. Vajpayee has squarely allied India with the U.S. to fight terrorism and is building defense ties with Washington and Tel Aviv. At the same time, he is using his country's emerging economic clout -- India's economy is one of the world's fastest-growing -- to develop trade ties with new partners, as well as ease political tensions with neighbors.
The peace and trade moves are part of a much wider effort by Vajpayee to reassert India's role both in South Asia and on the global stage. For the decades of the Cold War, India adopted the Soviet-style economic system and believed itself to be the leader of the nonaligned nations. Then, in the 1990s, finding itself nearly bankrupt, it began to liberalize its economy and tilt more politically toward the U.S. Since September 11, 2001, India has been playing a nuanced diplomatic game. Vajpayee has squarely allied India with the U.S. to fight terrorism and is building defense ties with Washington and Tel Aviv. At the same time, he is using his country's emerging economic clout -- India's economy is one of the world's fastest-growing -- to develop trade ties with new partners, as well as ease political tensions with neighbors.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
India's new look governing party
BBC NEWS
As India prepares to hold general elections early this year, the main party in the governing coalition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been quietly reinventing itself.
The BJP once flaunted a strongly Hindu nationalist ideology, much to the anxiety of the 130 million Muslims in this secular nation.
But the BJP has moved on a long way, shedding its old image and ideology.
It was once known for its rigid stance against the opening up of the economy, its hardline brand of Hinduism and for its aggressive postures towards Pakistan.
For a long time that made the BJP a political untouchable in India.
But while its opponents have been busy labelling it as a party of traders and saffron-clad Hindu holy men, the BJP has quietly embraced economic reforms and development.
It has also built up a sophisticated party machinery, often using cutting edge technology.
That helps explain why it has run a 20-party coalition, with relative success, for the last four years.
While the opposition, led by the Congress Party, is struggling to form its own alliances, the BJP has emerged renewed to bid for another five years in power.
As India prepares to hold general elections early this year, the main party in the governing coalition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been quietly reinventing itself.
The BJP once flaunted a strongly Hindu nationalist ideology, much to the anxiety of the 130 million Muslims in this secular nation.
But the BJP has moved on a long way, shedding its old image and ideology.
It was once known for its rigid stance against the opening up of the economy, its hardline brand of Hinduism and for its aggressive postures towards Pakistan.
For a long time that made the BJP a political untouchable in India.
But while its opponents have been busy labelling it as a party of traders and saffron-clad Hindu holy men, the BJP has quietly embraced economic reforms and development.
It has also built up a sophisticated party machinery, often using cutting edge technology.
That helps explain why it has run a 20-party coalition, with relative success, for the last four years.
While the opposition, led by the Congress Party, is struggling to form its own alliances, the BJP has emerged renewed to bid for another five years in power.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Plastic money is here, there & everywhere
The Hindu Business Line
THE age of plastic money seems to be here to stay. A recent American Express `Share of Wallet' study among cardholders across the six cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad reveals that card usage is highest for dining and shopping, while it is also popular for travel-related expenses such as air tickets, hotels and car rentals.
THE age of plastic money seems to be here to stay. A recent American Express `Share of Wallet' study among cardholders across the six cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad reveals that card usage is highest for dining and shopping, while it is also popular for travel-related expenses such as air tickets, hotels and car rentals.
The Good Times Roll
OutLookIndia.com
Seize the day. Better still, seize the moment. If there was ever a defining moment for new India, post-reform India, it happened in 2003. This was the year which saw a record quarterly growth of 8.4 per cent. The only time we ever came close to it (as per the new national accounts) was in the second quarter of 2000—8.2 per cent achieved via Pay Commission largesse.
It was also the defining moment for finance minister Jaswant Singh. From middle-class pocket protection to 9 per cent growth ambitions, Jaswant has travelled far in 18 months. Right now, with seemingly little effort, he presides as kingpin of the bjp’s tres successful poll campaign.
Seize the day. Better still, seize the moment. If there was ever a defining moment for new India, post-reform India, it happened in 2003. This was the year which saw a record quarterly growth of 8.4 per cent. The only time we ever came close to it (as per the new national accounts) was in the second quarter of 2000—8.2 per cent achieved via Pay Commission largesse.
It was also the defining moment for finance minister Jaswant Singh. From middle-class pocket protection to 9 per cent growth ambitions, Jaswant has travelled far in 18 months. Right now, with seemingly little effort, he presides as kingpin of the bjp’s tres successful poll campaign.
Out Of India
CBS News | Out Of India | January 9, 2004�13:33:01
To many American employers, India is Nirvana. It has a stable democracy, an enormous English-speaking population, and a solid education system that each year churns out more than a million college graduates - all happy to work for a fraction of the salary of their American counterparts.
And India epitomizes the new global economy -- a country that often looks on the edge of collapse, a background of grinding poverty, visually a mess.
And yet, whether you know it or not, when you call Delta Airlines, American Express, Sprint, Citibank, IBM or Hewlett Packard's technical support number, chances are you'll be talking to an Indian.
To many American employers, India is Nirvana. It has a stable democracy, an enormous English-speaking population, and a solid education system that each year churns out more than a million college graduates - all happy to work for a fraction of the salary of their American counterparts.
And India epitomizes the new global economy -- a country that often looks on the edge of collapse, a background of grinding poverty, visually a mess.
And yet, whether you know it or not, when you call Delta Airlines, American Express, Sprint, Citibank, IBM or Hewlett Packard's technical support number, chances are you'll be talking to an Indian.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Signs point to good year for India
The Straits Times
It seems like an eventful year ahead for India - federal elections, originally scheduled in September, are likely to be held earlier in April or May by all accounts.
The economy is booming, with annual growth expected to surpass all previous assessments.
And peace appears to be dawning on the subcontinent, now that India and Pakistan have decided to talk things out.
The tenure of the federal coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will end in September, but there have been very strong indications that the party will call for parliamentary elections earlier.
It seems like an eventful year ahead for India - federal elections, originally scheduled in September, are likely to be held earlier in April or May by all accounts.
The economy is booming, with annual growth expected to surpass all previous assessments.
And peace appears to be dawning on the subcontinent, now that India and Pakistan have decided to talk things out.
The tenure of the federal coalition led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will end in September, but there have been very strong indications that the party will call for parliamentary elections earlier.
India with an American twist
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sachin Goel earned a business degree from Mercer University in Macon and was making a comfortable five-figure salary at a financial analysis firm, but he gave it all up two years ago for a better lifestyle -- in India.
"I liked Georgia, but I am very happy to be back in India," Goel said. "There is nothing we do not have anymore."
In a recent cover story, one magazine proclaimed 2003 India's "Golden Year." The national economy grew by an unexpectedly robust 8.4 percent through the year's third quarter, making it one of the fastest-growing in the world. That trend is expected to continue over the next year, according to Indian economists.
The booming economy has created curious islands of wealth -- such as Gurgaon -- and turned Indian culture and values upside down in the decade since the government opened up a socialist-style economy.
"There's a new confidence level. Our aspirations as a society have changed," said Jairam Ramesh, senior economic adviser to the opposition Congress Party.
Sachin Goel earned a business degree from Mercer University in Macon and was making a comfortable five-figure salary at a financial analysis firm, but he gave it all up two years ago for a better lifestyle -- in India.
"I liked Georgia, but I am very happy to be back in India," Goel said. "There is nothing we do not have anymore."
In a recent cover story, one magazine proclaimed 2003 India's "Golden Year." The national economy grew by an unexpectedly robust 8.4 percent through the year's third quarter, making it one of the fastest-growing in the world. That trend is expected to continue over the next year, according to Indian economists.
The booming economy has created curious islands of wealth -- such as Gurgaon -- and turned Indian culture and values upside down in the decade since the government opened up a socialist-style economy.
"There's a new confidence level. Our aspirations as a society have changed," said Jairam Ramesh, senior economic adviser to the opposition Congress Party.
Friday, January 09, 2004
Qualcomm Plans Development Centre In India Within A Year
Financial Express
Qualcomm Inc plans to open an engineering centre for software development purpose in India within a year. This was informed by Qualcomm global development president Jeff Jacobs on the sidelines of an event organised by Ritnand Balved Education Foundation. Declining to divulge the investment plans, Mr Jacobs said the engineering centre would hire “over 100 officials”.
Qualcomm Inc plans to open an engineering centre for software development purpose in India within a year. This was informed by Qualcomm global development president Jeff Jacobs on the sidelines of an event organised by Ritnand Balved Education Foundation. Declining to divulge the investment plans, Mr Jacobs said the engineering centre would hire “over 100 officials”.
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Tech CEOs seek government help to keep U.S. jobs
Yahoo!
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top executives from technology companies, facing criticism for moving jobs to low-cost centers such as India and China, said on Wednesday that the United States needs to boost education and offer more tax breaks to compete in the global job market.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Top executives from technology companies, facing criticism for moving jobs to low-cost centers such as India and China, said on Wednesday that the United States needs to boost education and offer more tax breaks to compete in the global job market.
India tipped to go to polls early
RADIO AUSTRALIA
India has cut taxes on an array of goods from fridges to mobile phones as the government was tipped to go to an early general election to take advantage of an economic boom and peace moves with Pakistan.
The tax cuts of up to 50 percent are the strongest and clearest signal yet that India will go to the polls before June.
After the tax cuts were announced, a meeting of the Hindu nationalist-led coalition gave Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee the power to call an election any time.
Mr Vajpayee and his Bharatiya Janata Party now have the option to call an election in April or May instead of going the full term to October.
India has cut taxes on an array of goods from fridges to mobile phones as the government was tipped to go to an early general election to take advantage of an economic boom and peace moves with Pakistan.
The tax cuts of up to 50 percent are the strongest and clearest signal yet that India will go to the polls before June.
After the tax cuts were announced, a meeting of the Hindu nationalist-led coalition gave Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee the power to call an election any time.
Mr Vajpayee and his Bharatiya Janata Party now have the option to call an election in April or May instead of going the full term to October.
Outsourcing to spice up US poll
The Times of India
HYDERABAD: After creating ripples in the US job market as outsourcing destinations, Hyderabad and Bangalore are turning out to play a crucial role in the forthcoming US presidential polls.
HYDERABAD: After creating ripples in the US job market as outsourcing destinations, Hyderabad and Bangalore are turning out to play a crucial role in the forthcoming US presidential polls.
Rewards for the homeward bound
The Times of India
With salaries and opportunities on the upswing, Indian professionals are coming back home in droves. And the government has now decided to make their passage to India smoother.
The government on Thursday decided to relax the norms for returning Indians by removing duty on six goods - VCD/VCR, washing machines, personal computers, laptops, up to 300-litre refrigerators and cooking range - being brought back home by returning Indians.
Besides, duty on other items under the transfer of residence scheme has been halved from 30 per cent to 15 per cent. This is seen as an effort to ease the often messy exercise of relocation.
With salaries and opportunities on the upswing, Indian professionals are coming back home in droves. And the government has now decided to make their passage to India smoother.
The government on Thursday decided to relax the norms for returning Indians by removing duty on six goods - VCD/VCR, washing machines, personal computers, laptops, up to 300-litre refrigerators and cooking range - being brought back home by returning Indians.
Besides, duty on other items under the transfer of residence scheme has been halved from 30 per cent to 15 per cent. This is seen as an effort to ease the often messy exercise of relocation.
Wednesday, January 07, 2004
Vivek Paul: Ranked one of the best managers of 2003
BusinessWeek
Five years ago, when Vivek Paul told his boss Jeff Immelt that he was leaving his post as global head of GE Medical Systems (GE ) to join an obscure, $150 million Indian software services and hardware company, Immelt tried to dissuade him. But Paul joined Wipro (WIT ) anyway. Now Wipro is India's largest listed IT services company, with revenues near $1 billion.
Five years ago, when Vivek Paul told his boss Jeff Immelt that he was leaving his post as global head of GE Medical Systems (GE ) to join an obscure, $150 million Indian software services and hardware company, Immelt tried to dissuade him. But Paul joined Wipro (WIT ) anyway. Now Wipro is India's largest listed IT services company, with revenues near $1 billion.
India: 7 steps to global economic power
Rediff
India has never before faced such a tremendous window of opportunity to become a significant player in the global economy as now, Claude Smadja, president of Smadja Associates and former managing director of World Economic Forum, said in Hyderabad on Wednesday
Why India is booming
* Spelling out these positive factors, he said the first was the emergence of a new mood of confidence in India Inc.
This confidence was based on strong macro indicators, such as foreign exchange reserves of over $100 billion and a realisation that the progress made in the last 12 years of reform was merely a curtain raiser for the higher growth to follow.
* The second factor was the clear sign of a global economic recovery, which meant that global companies were on the lookout for making investments in emerging countries.
The global recovery was also exerting pressure on companies to cut costs. Both these provided tremendous opportunity for India to emerge as a high quality sourcing base.
* Smadja said the third factor was the breakthrough in the negotiations with Pakistan.
Lowered tensions with Pakistan would increase India's investment climate and also ensure that security tensions do not force the government to shift focus from important economic reforms.
* The fourth factor was the settling down in the surge of foreign direct investment flows into China.
This would shift the focus of global companies to India and enhance the flow of FDI into India.
India has never before faced such a tremendous window of opportunity to become a significant player in the global economy as now, Claude Smadja, president of Smadja Associates and former managing director of World Economic Forum, said in Hyderabad on Wednesday
Why India is booming
* Spelling out these positive factors, he said the first was the emergence of a new mood of confidence in India Inc.
This confidence was based on strong macro indicators, such as foreign exchange reserves of over $100 billion and a realisation that the progress made in the last 12 years of reform was merely a curtain raiser for the higher growth to follow.
* The second factor was the clear sign of a global economic recovery, which meant that global companies were on the lookout for making investments in emerging countries.
The global recovery was also exerting pressure on companies to cut costs. Both these provided tremendous opportunity for India to emerge as a high quality sourcing base.
* Smadja said the third factor was the breakthrough in the negotiations with Pakistan.
Lowered tensions with Pakistan would increase India's investment climate and also ensure that security tensions do not force the government to shift focus from important economic reforms.
* The fourth factor was the settling down in the surge of foreign direct investment flows into China.
This would shift the focus of global companies to India and enhance the flow of FDI into India.
Why Pakistan's black market traders have reason to worry
BBC NEWS
On a cool winter afternoon a couple of buyers examine bottles of hair oil, face cream and betel leaves.
Everything on sale here has been smuggled in from across the border, from Pakistan's long-time rival India.
"Spices, betel nuts and leaves and cosmetics made in India are very popular here," says one shopkeeper, Hassan.
On a cool winter afternoon a couple of buyers examine bottles of hair oil, face cream and betel leaves.
Everything on sale here has been smuggled in from across the border, from Pakistan's long-time rival India.
"Spices, betel nuts and leaves and cosmetics made in India are very popular here," says one shopkeeper, Hassan.
US targets job losses to India
The Age
Indian companies should invest in the United States to help compensate for American jobs lost as tens of thousands of positions - in everything from telemarketing to software programming - move to India, a US congressman said.
American and other Western companies trying to save money have hired some 170,000 Indian workers over the past few years to take jobs such as payroll accountant and telemarketer. The figure is expected to soar to 1.1 million by 2008, industry groups say.
Indian companies should invest in the United States to help compensate for American jobs lost as tens of thousands of positions - in everything from telemarketing to software programming - move to India, a US congressman said.
American and other Western companies trying to save money have hired some 170,000 Indian workers over the past few years to take jobs such as payroll accountant and telemarketer. The figure is expected to soar to 1.1 million by 2008, industry groups say.
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
Commentary: An urban mission for India
Building a world-class city
India is shining. Or so its government proclaims in full-page newspaper advertisements nowadays. One advertisement shows a farmer who has stopped his motorcycle by the side of a gleaming highway to have a conversation on his new cellular phone. ‘‘Go ahead, gain from these excellent times, build your dreams, spread the enthusiasm,’’ says the tagline of the government campaign. Another ad shows a young mother enjoying a game of cricket with her son. ‘‘Expenses are settling. Mothers are smiling,’’ it reads. There is more than a grain of truth in the publicity blitz. The Indian economy hasn’t been this scintillating in a long time. Economic growth in the second fiscal quarter was 8.4 percent, within shouting distance of China’s 9.1 percent expansion. The central bank predicts inflation will slow to a maximum 4.5 percent by March, from the current 5.6 percent. The benchmark Sensitive stock index soared Monday to a record high. In villages, farmers have been lucky to get the best monsoon rains in five years. Thousands of new jobs are being created every month by companies, such as International Business Machines and J.P. Morgan Chase, which are moving software programming, research, back-office and customer-contact tasks to India from the United States and Britain. Cellular phone sales in India are climbing faster than anywhere else in Asia. . . .
India is shining. Or so its government proclaims in full-page newspaper advertisements nowadays. One advertisement shows a farmer who has stopped his motorcycle by the side of a gleaming highway to have a conversation on his new cellular phone. ‘‘Go ahead, gain from these excellent times, build your dreams, spread the enthusiasm,’’ says the tagline of the government campaign. Another ad shows a young mother enjoying a game of cricket with her son. ‘‘Expenses are settling. Mothers are smiling,’’ it reads. There is more than a grain of truth in the publicity blitz. The Indian economy hasn’t been this scintillating in a long time. Economic growth in the second fiscal quarter was 8.4 percent, within shouting distance of China’s 9.1 percent expansion. The central bank predicts inflation will slow to a maximum 4.5 percent by March, from the current 5.6 percent. The benchmark Sensitive stock index soared Monday to a record high. In villages, farmers have been lucky to get the best monsoon rains in five years. Thousands of new jobs are being created every month by companies, such as International Business Machines and J.P. Morgan Chase, which are moving software programming, research, back-office and customer-contact tasks to India from the United States and Britain. Cellular phone sales in India are climbing faster than anywhere else in Asia. . . .
Monday, January 05, 2004
India: Big Pharma's New Promised Land?
India: Big Pharma's New Promised Land?
For years, software companies have known that they can slash costs by hiring eager, smart, and inexpensive programmers and engineers in India. Following in software's footsteps, corporations providing telephone support and back-office services soon saw the virtues of India's well-trained workforce as well. Now, Big Pharma is discovering the same benefits, as multinationals such as Pfizer (PFE ), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK ), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY ), and Novartis (NVS ) tap India's research and manufacturing prowess to cut costs and speed development of new pharmaceuticals.
For years, software companies have known that they can slash costs by hiring eager, smart, and inexpensive programmers and engineers in India. Following in software's footsteps, corporations providing telephone support and back-office services soon saw the virtues of India's well-trained workforce as well. Now, Big Pharma is discovering the same benefits, as multinationals such as Pfizer (PFE ), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK ), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY ), and Novartis (NVS ) tap India's research and manufacturing prowess to cut costs and speed development of new pharmaceuticals.
Fish eat away at malaria in India
Fish are being used to control malaria in India with remarkable success, according to researchers from the Indian Council for Medical Research.
Ensuring IT remains Indian Territory - Part III
IT's written, now just dot the Is, cross the Ts
The phenomenal success in IT is the result primarily of the enterprise and innovativeness of our entrepreneurs and young professionals, and of private firms that have spread computer literacy to millions. Government initiatives and incentives have also played a major role. By count there are almost three dozen fiscal incentives the Government has given to the software industry — the very ones the industry itself has urged would help it the most.
The phenomenal success in IT is the result primarily of the enterprise and innovativeness of our entrepreneurs and young professionals, and of private firms that have spread computer literacy to millions. Government initiatives and incentives have also played a major role. By count there are almost three dozen fiscal incentives the Government has given to the software industry — the very ones the industry itself has urged would help it the most.
Sunday, January 04, 2004
Ensuring IT remains Indian Territory - Part II
Indian infotech needs to partner east Europe, target China
The one way to counter the backlash that is welling up is to provide services of such quality, at such cost that the firms in US, Europe etc, that use them become lobbyists for us. They should be telling their contacts in those governments and legislatures that they will be rendered uncompetitive if they are prevented from accessing India.
The one way to counter the backlash that is welling up is to provide services of such quality, at such cost that the firms in US, Europe etc, that use them become lobbyists for us. They should be telling their contacts in those governments and legislatures that they will be rendered uncompetitive if they are prevented from accessing India.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Ensuring IT remains Indian Territory - Part I
We Have A Headstart. Let’s Not Put Up Our Feet
Just 600,000 persons working in our information technology sector today create $16 billion worth of wealth every year. IT exports are liable to touch $13 billion this year — that is, in spite of recessionary conditions in their principal markets, our IT professionals and firms will earn about Rs 60,000 crore for the country in foreign exchange. Those earnings will account for over one-fifth of our total exports.
Just 600,000 persons working in our information technology sector today create $16 billion worth of wealth every year. IT exports are liable to touch $13 billion this year — that is, in spite of recessionary conditions in their principal markets, our IT professionals and firms will earn about Rs 60,000 crore for the country in foreign exchange. Those earnings will account for over one-fifth of our total exports.
India tackles adult illiteracy
BBC NEWS
Researchers in India have been giving details of a novel scheme aimed at increasing adult literacy.
It works by teaching people whole words rather than individual letters, and the scientists who developed it say it costs about $2 for each adult.
So far some 40,000 adults have learned to read this way, researchers say.
About 35% of Indians are illiterate, which has a significant impact on the national economy, as well as on the lives of individual people.
The new method has been developed by researchers at the company Tata Consultancy Services.
The results have been presented at the Indian Science Congress in Chandigar.
Researchers in India have been giving details of a novel scheme aimed at increasing adult literacy.
It works by teaching people whole words rather than individual letters, and the scientists who developed it say it costs about $2 for each adult.
So far some 40,000 adults have learned to read this way, researchers say.
About 35% of Indians are illiterate, which has a significant impact on the national economy, as well as on the lives of individual people.
The new method has been developed by researchers at the company Tata Consultancy Services.
The results have been presented at the Indian Science Congress in Chandigar.
Friday, January 02, 2004
India's auto industry takes off
The Business Times
As US carmakers close factories at home and lose sales to Japanese competitors, India, like China, has become a low-cost manufacturing solution - with a lot more exports.
In 2002, drivers from Belgium to South Africa bought more than 270,000 Indian-made cars, motorcycles and trucks. China shipped just 44,000.
As US carmakers close factories at home and lose sales to Japanese competitors, India, like China, has become a low-cost manufacturing solution - with a lot more exports.
In 2002, drivers from Belgium to South Africa bought more than 270,000 Indian-made cars, motorcycles and trucks. China shipped just 44,000.
