Sharp employment increase in India!

The year 2009 saw loss of jobs all over US and Europe. India was not hit by the recession as hard as US but it also went through a phase of stagnation in term of employment opportunities. The new openings were very very rare throughout India in the first 3 quarters of 2009. But as the clouds of recession seem to be clearing ( or at least everyone feels that way..) Indian companies have again started hiring in bulk!

The retail industry, metals and manufacturing industry along with IT has seen a wave of new job openings in the past 2 months. The stabilizing of retail industry in US is aiding the textile industry in India to win some orders and thus is also making some significant hiring. In the previous quarter the textile sector witnessed maximum loss of jobs of about 1.52 lakh followed by IT which was around 0.38 lakh. 

It is expected that India will have about 5 lakh+ job openings in the first quarter of 2010 itself. And year 2010 will be opening new jobs and added perks to the people who are already in jobs. More jobs in the economy drives everything as more jobs means more work and more work means more profitability!

Great Reading - THE INDIAN ELECTIONS!

This is what The NewYork Times is speaking about Indian elections.... it's very well said...please read.

It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing theirsmall part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. Itis no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includesde-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.

Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism -- but consideringthese challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that themost diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religionsand cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.

The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born,which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues andJewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple;where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; wherethe Zorostrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of theirancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have tocome live; where the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy onEarth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest, only200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikhis Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is a hero in the nation; where abooming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and isexpected to have the majority of its population in the middle classalready, equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimismand vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.

Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10th ofhumanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to all the World.

- V Mitchell, New York, NY

World Bank OKs $400 mln for small firms in India!

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The World Bank on Thursday approved $400 million in funding to help small and medium-sized enterprises in India cope with the global credit crisis.

The loan will be made to the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which will make available financing to small and medium-sized companies that are finding it hard to get access to credit. It will also go toward refinancing banks and other institutions that lend to small and medium-sized enterprises, known as SMEs.

"This project is part of a larger program of support in response to the government of India request for funding in light of the financial crisis," said Roberto Zagha, World Bank country director for India.

"It is targeted particularly at SMEs, to help address the credit slowdown that has resulted from the financial crisis," he added.

Zagha said credit growth to SMEs has fallen over the last year, which has affected overall growth and development.

RBI: Deposits in Indian banks are safe, not to worry!

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has assured that the deposits of the Indian common man in indian banks are safe and not to worry at all. Due to the financial crisis in US and incertainity of the global financial markets everyone in the world is fearing about their hard earned money kept in their respective country's bank. As far as India is concerned RBI governer assured that Indian banks are not hit due to the sub prime crisis in US, which is the root cause of the financial turmoil seen in the world economy. All central banks of almost all countries are taking care of the their banks- Japan & S.Korea have promised unlimited cover to their banks. Even Indian central bank RBI is injecting about Rs:60,000 crore liquidity by reducing the CRR ratio.

Yes, we are witnessing worst time in the stock market industry, but this is just the result of fear and uncertainity in the global economy. So, the conclusion is not to worry about your deposits in Indian banks and just chill! If you are an indian stock investor you may find this article (What to do in such turbulent times? ) to decide upon your strategies to face the stock market uncertainities.

Nestle to spend about Rs: 600 crore in India

Nestle is one brand of chocolates which people of my age and even elder than me have grown up munching. On basis of last year's strong growth in revenue from India, Nestle will be investing about Rs: 600 crore in year 2009, which is almost double than that of last year.

We will be doubling our investments in India next year. There is no envelope to the number as long as it is strategically and economically sound investment,

said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, chairman of Nestlé SA.

The inflation has also struck companies and the pressure of increased raw materials problem worries even Nestle. But the company officials said the solution for this will be planned soon and only consumers won't pay for that entirely. Currently, Nestle India accounts for 1.5% of total turnover of the company - pretty low according to me considering the number of young people and especially choco-crazy girls in India. Nestle India has already registered 25% growth in the first half of this year.

As a part of its special marketing initiative to serve the needs of the price-sensitive consumers in India, Nestle has dedicated its Uttarakhand plant for designing, formulating and packaging products under Rs 10 price point. Identifying the huge growth potential in developing markets, Paul Bulcke, CEO of Nestlé SA, said that the developing markets currently accounting for one-third of its business would grow significantly. The company also sees the recent Chinese milk scare as an opportunity to provide safer options for consumers rather than a threat to its sales.

The company will continue to grow from being an agri-based to a nutrition, health and wellness company with a focus on regional products.

TATA's face Singur farmers: But what's the exact problem in Singur?

TATA MOTORS is facing tough opposition from the Singur farmers (Singur is a village in West Bengal) where it wants to set up the manufacturing plant for the production of the world's cheapest car - TATA's 1 lakh car- TATA NANO. Singur farmers are not ready to give there land even after compensation of about Rs:8 lakh per acre of land and even more for farms which produce 3 crops/year, or which have plots nearer the main road and fields that have tubewells sunk in them. The issue has now taken a form of agitation and TATA is facing wrath of it. According to the The Times Of India TM people from Trinamol Congress have threatened TATA officials and people who work in a small plant set up there to physically prevent from entering plant, and according to the fresh news 5 hours back TATA has decided to move out its 800 employees out of singur plant.

The farmers complain about 2 things - first is about the low compensation and the second is about the lack of faith in getting the promised money from government - and from my point of view these are truely issues worth talking about! This is what one of the farmer Prasenjit Das in Khaserbheri village says "What use is cash to me? Putting money in the bank and earning interest is not enough, especially looking at the rising inflation. With land, my asset remains intact and what I earn from selling my produce is a bonus." Das has another argument to press his case: "Even if the government promises to give me a job, it fails to secure my children's future." - perfect! I agree with him! Why not...nice to see that villagers and farmers- heart of India are understanding the economic factors and inflation concepts.

The question is about the land spanning 997 acres of land, and farmers aren't sure whether government will give them the promised money or not. According to Hindu Business Line article on Nov 16th 2007 -> "The acquisition of the entire 895 acres of private land is virtually complete. Each of the landowners has given his consent to acquisition at prices which are much higher than the prevailing rates. We have already disbursed payments for 550 acres and the rest will be completed within this month," the State Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Nirupam Sen, told media persons.. So, today is 31st Aug, 2008 - it's been 9 months after this statement from Mr.Nirupam Sen and still the payments aren't in the hands of farmers..? If yes then they shouldn't be agitating and if no then the governemnt has to answer why farmers haven't been paid uptill now?

If TATA decides to withdraw now, they will suffer losses of about Rs:150 crore - and they need to withdraw as per the prevailing conditions in the Singur. While the West Bengal government gets ready to acquire close to 50,000 acres all over the state for a slew of SEZs, ports, roads and so on, it should be a good idea to look at this other side of the story.

This wraps up the complete story till now behind the fight for land, the business people on one side, farmers on others and government in between - who's to blame?? This is not only in Singur, this problem is in many parts of the country since the developments of SEZ's have starting gaining pace.. what's the solution...? Expres yourself in comments...

With Help From Sources: RediffNews, HinduBusinessLine, EconomicTimes.

What is consulting?

Consulting is nothing but guiding anyone to achieve his/her targets. Today consulting has become a form of business, where consulting companies guide other companies( clients ) to achieve the target. Now the target can be anything. But there are many companies/people who call themself as consultants but aren't actually. Today you will find many people and consulting companies which are not exactly guiding, they may be helping but not guiding. Innovation in the way work is done lies at the core of consulting, but is very rarely seen in many consulting companies. To be a good consultant you should know in depth about the client's business, you should know the pitfalls in every way you have to acheive what client wants and then follow one which is optimal for the client. Now all this calls for knowledge, experience, being updated on latest things in that business and ofcourse a lot of creativity. The one who has all these things and puts all this into use is a good consultant. Also the adaptability to various plans and situations is important. All this implies that all the consultants should have better understanding of the business domain, lot of experience and should have farther vision than the client - and thats why I feel something fishy when I see a person of age 23 at some consulting company consults the client's project whose project manager is himself 40 years old! Strange itsnt it..? Well, Bruce Eckel also has to say something about this.. visit his post here..What is Consulting?

Comments are welcome!!