Back to Travel

I had three days off on 26th, 27th and 28th after 3 days of constant hectic touring at not so good places in Gujarat. And the lazy lump, that I am, wasted three days watching the idiot box, moving around with friends and boozing. Hmmm...not a waste really....Anyways, I start tomorrow for a more hectic week. Have seven cities in the next five days in my agenda. Start from Baroda tomorrow morning. And have to "manage" attending a friend's wedding in Porbandar during weekend. ( Hey, R...I m not commiting..I will try to be there). Its over three and half years, since a bunch of extra "ordinary" gentleman passed out of engineering college with me. And a hell lot of them are tying the knot. Its great news for me, as now I can have "Ghar ka khana" in most of the cities nearby. Maybe I should also get "settled". Maybe not...maybe....maybe not...Hey, I m just 25, can still easily afford to procrastinate my wedlock ( why does it rhyme with deadlock ?) for some time..

Also, I wonder sometimes, whether I enjoy travelling or staying in the same place....well...as long as I can have some interesting experiences, some nice conversations, some bitter quarrels to keep my thinking hat charged, and get paid handsomely for each day of travel, who cares ?

I know this post is crap and as bullshit as it can get, but getting crappy is not new for me...and for the "bullshit"...hmm....Just Flush it...

Left and Right

It is said that our brain consists of two parts. The left and the right. Left brain oriented people are considered to be logically configured, whereas the right brainers are artistically inclined. A few days back I was discussing “Singur” with a colleague in Kolkata, who was all in praise for the ruling party and its policies. He also happens to be a “grass root” worker of the party ( I am yet to understand the analogy of “grass root”; a tree root would be more reliable, I guess). During the conversation, he made a rather innocuous remark. “We, leftists are Left brain oriented. We think logically and have a more judicious view”. I agreed spontaneously. After all, how can a Left-ist be “right” minded ?”

The concept of socialism (which inspires to further attain the idealist state of Communism) tends to achieve it via many facets of “disruptional” change to current scenario through its policies of perceived “equality”. However, for the sake of making a note, the principal argument which led to uncovering of Marx ideology is the concept of workers, labourers, peasants being always in a position diagonally opposed to that of the capitalist. The assumption that a capitalist always tends to exploit the working class, which did hold true to a greater extent then led to widespread acceptance of this disruptive Marx ideology. More than a century later, there is utterly no need to emphasize that things have changed substantially, however “lefts” are still left. Anyways, as some wise man once said, if everybody is “right”, then there would be nothing “left”.

Men & Women

• A man wants himself to be woman’s first love. A woman wants herself to be man’s last passion.
• A girl wants many things from a guy. A guy wants just one thing from many girls.
• To generalize on women is dangerous. To specialize on them is infinitely worse.
• Men are like dogs. They keep coming back. Women are like cats. Yell at a cat one time...they're gone

Extracts from multiple sources

Long Live Corruption

In a recent article in Biz Std. (13th Jan., ’07, Column - Al Fresco), I read about a survey on corruption. It estimates that a total of 21,068 crore is paid as bribe yearly in India. What ….? Just 21,068 crore. That’s just about 210 bugs per head. This figure I feel is grossly underestimated. For purpose of clarity, I personally classify the bribes as Personal bribes and Corporate Bribes, with the latter being a major contributor to the overall corruption. However, thanks to ingenuous financial acumen of Indians (self can be contacted personally for such ideas !!!), the bribes paid by Corporate India rarely make it to the news. As someone, who has been a part of the infrastructure sector for nearly 4 years now, I can say with utmost conviction, that the figures quoted in the survey are just the tip of an iceberg. As the chain extends from the janitor to the top-notch chairperson, it has become an “official” way of life, a custom to be religiously followed for getting things done, a “jugad” that is necessary to carry on and sustain self in the business. For the ideal (idle) minded, who dismissed the movie “ Corporate” as “just a film”, I can assure you, the “real”world is a lot more murkier than presented on the reel. However, most of us associate bribes and corruption with Government organizations. I do not deny the fact, however, this incurable disease has recently made its way even into private sector, although on a lesser scale. The “Police” services ? topped the charts in the survey as most corrupt, I think, probably because the common man has far less dealings with the Defence sector, dealing with whom, at times makes one think of Police as “very reasonable”. India’s rank as the third most corrupt country on the globe (was it HDI survey ?), I believe, has inspired many babus and netas to fight hard for the attaining the pole position.

Corruption, has become so ingrained in our customs that its high time, we legalize it. The Railways department through its “Tatkal reservations” and the passport offices through their “Urgent Passport” have already taken the lead in doing so. The additional money, which one required to pay to avail the benefit of getting things quickly, is now legalized, and money goes to Governments coffers for other (mis)use. The only seemingly benefit in such schemes is the elimination of “black money” in the process. The scheme introduced by PC and his finance ministry few years back for converting your black money to white, just by declaring it and paying 1/3rd of the amount, aimed at just the same. Did you say “ What about ethics…..hmmmm ..Damn it !!!” Lets legalize our bribe process across all sectors. How about, 1 Lac for a Class I govt. job, 2 lakh for selling adulterated foodstuff, 10 % for financial frauds, 25 % for theft, 3 lakhs for rape and 5 lakhs for murder. Then we shall truly become a modern and civilized society. Also, the burden on judiciary will reduce, sunny paji won’t shout “Tarikh pe Tarikh”, and we shall enter an utopian era. Long Live India…Long live corruption !

Poem

One more of my favorite poems


If I could save time in a bottle
the first thing that I'd like to do
is to save every day 'til eternity passes away
just to spend them with you
if I could make days last forever
if words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
again I would spend them with you
if I had a box just for wishes
and dreams that had never come true
the box would be empty except for the
memories of how they were answered by you
but there never seems
to be enough time to do the
things you want once you find them
I've looked around enough to know that
you're the one I want to go through time with
I hid you for a long time
the way a branch hides its
slowly ripening fruit among leaves,
and like a flower crystal of ice
on a winter window
you open in my mind.
In my heart I keep
the sparkle of your eyes
the tender warmth of your smile
the small tilt of your head
and your little body
and I dream,
dream of holding you close
caring for you, protecting you
and loving you always.
When I think of love ...
I think of roses and red hearts ...
quiet walks ...
and very soft, tranquil music ...
I envision an eagle taking flight on a crisp fall morn ...
the first snowflake in the winter ...
and the sound of the first robin in the spring ...
I envision a glorious sunrise ...
a spectacular rainbow ...
and stars brightly shining on a summer night ...
But most of all, I envision you ...
your eyes radiating warmth, joy and vibrance ...
and the tender feelings in my heart
from your friendly smile.

20 Golden Rules for Workplace

1. Rule 1. - The Boss is always right.
2. Rule 2. - If the Boss is wrong, see rule 1.
3. Those who work get more work. Others get pay, perks, and promotions.
4. Ph.D. stands for "Pull Him Down". The more intelligent a person, the more hardworking a person, the more committed a person; the more number of persons are engaged in pulling that person down.
5. If you are good, you will get all the work. If you are really good, you will get out of it.
6. When the Bosses talk about improving productivity, they are never talking about themselves.
7. It doesn't matter what you do, it only matters what you say you've done and what you are going to do.
8. A pat on the back is only a few centimeters from a kick in the butt.
9. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
10. The more crap you put up with, the more crap you are going to get.
11. If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it.
12. When you don't know what to do, walk fast and look worried.
13. Following the rules will not get the job done.
14. If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done.
15. Everything can be filed under "Miscellaneous".
16. No matter how much you do, you never do enough.
17. You can do any amount of work provided it isn't the work you are supposed to be doing.
18. In order to get a promotion, you need not necessarily know your job.
19. In order to get a promotion, you only need to pretend that you know your job.
20. The last person that quit or was fired will be held responsible for everything that goes wrong

Picasso

My mother said to me, "If you become a soldier, you'll be a general; if you become a monk, you'll end up as the Pope."
Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso. - Pablo Picasso.

Join Us

A recruitment Ad. for Indian army may go like this " Join us. Travel to new places. Meet Interesting People."

For the US marines corps. it goes like this " Join us. Travel to new places. Meet interesting people. AND KILL THEM ".

No other country has had more blood stains of innocent denizens on its hands than US, that too fighting miles away from its shore.

To my software friends

Few days back, somebody who had read my profile on Orkut, specifically " I am in good in networking" called me up ( I have deleted my contact no. since) to inquire about the scope of "Networking" in Gujarat....Poor guy....he was an software engineer, and he mistook a mere normal mortal like me to possess some great talent, accessible to only those elite band of Homo Sapiens who term themseleves as "software engineers".

Exceptions apart, I have come across hordes of S/W guys (unfortunately ...not girls !), who couldn't find anything else to describe about themselves, except that they are Software engineers... ( Is it a status symbol ? I am ill informed then). But I utterly fail to understand the significance of subjects one studies during his / her graduation to one's persona, that being a software engineer is used as the punch line for identification.

Well, the whole lot of ITES and its cousins contribute a meagre 3.5 % of India's GDP ( RIL alone contributes about 2.8 %....oops..I go the stats. way again). The best compliment that I can ascribe to them is that of metaphorical "frog in the well".....My dear software friends....Though the significance and importance of IT is beyond doubt, however a lot was achieved in this world even before the first computer was made.

Weather

Well, the weather in Gujarat was quite lukewarm for a better part of December. But now, its getting cold, ( by Gujarat's proportions) as mercury dips down to 10 C. Normally, the temperature normalizes by Uttaryan, but weather seems to have different plans this time...Sometimes, I feel I can easily relate to weather, as I have something in common with it. " Notwithstanding the amount of criticism, we have our own way".

GDP

India Inc. is poised to register a record of four consecutive years of 8+ percent of GDP growth. Newslines in pink newspapers and lot of magazines have highlighted this point now and then. However, there are too many misconceptions about Gross Domestic Product (GDP) . Here , I try to share some GDP gyan. hey...is this my blog or some educational site ?...hmmmm... watever....!!!here i start...

GDP is the ‘market value’ of all the goods, services, agricultural products generated by a region or country in a specified period. The value of goods+services+agri is derived by the final purchase prices by the end consumer. (not the wholesale prices). Goods+services+agri include farm and farm products, durables, non-durables, oil, electricity, labour prices, metals, services etc. and any item that has a market value.The GDP variation may be due to the variations in ‘market value’ of goods+services even when the quantity of products do not vary.

Nominal GDP: It is the money value of goods+services produced in a region/country based on the prices of a particular period. (inflated prices)

Real GDP: It is the money value of goods+services produced in a region/country based on the prices of a particular base period. (non inflated prices)

Note -

1. GDP accounting includes the net of imports and exports. The economic indicator which is ‘native’ to the country’s gross product which, does not include imports and exports is GNP.- Gross National Product.

2. Do not use GDPs of different countries for comparison. The prices of same goods+services are different in different countries. In which case, use the GDP calculated based on Purchase Parity Prices or based on Exchange Rates.

3. GDP sometimes is misleading and is not the ‘complete’ economic indicator as it does not include economic value addition from black-money, voluntary or charity work of economic value, goods+services exchanged in barter and not accounted in money terms. India’s GDP is quite underestimated relative to western economies, because of the amount of voluntary work is significantly higher. Your mom / wife cooking food for you does not attribute to rise in GDP in India, but similar food purchased at an restaurant contributes.
4. India’s GDP is 692 Billion $ on nominal basis and 3200+ billion $ on PPP basis.

Want a Chapter on Inflation.....its even more boring.....nope...i won;t write..

Job Hoping

Last month, on my flight to Delhi from Baroda came across an ex-senior colleague ( age 50 + ) from my previous organization. As we were in altogether different teams, working for different multi billion projects, didn't had much interaction with each other except for the casual "Hi..Hello" during my tenure of over three years at L&T. My subject colleague was not aware that I have left L&T, and his first reaction on seeing me was to think "What the hell, is this stupid UPS doing in this flight to Delhi ? He is not working on any such project, which brings him to Delhi. "Belated Diwali and New year Greetings exchanged, I told him about my change of job. The next to follow was a long tantrum from him on the "Penetration of Western culture in India, Youths acting irresponsibly and leaving jobs now and then, ill effects of job hoping and other heaps of bullshit" that too with profound conviction, as we made our way through the elevators, waited for over 20 min for luggage to arrive, right till the time self left the airport. I wanted to argue with that person, but as somebody says, never argue with a pig ( because, onlookers can't tell the difference). However, I post here my take ( Not arguements in favour of job hoping), but an explanation particularly to and for the wise intellectuals, twice my age or even older for the current "sordid" state of "affairs" in job arena. Here I begin......

"For an entire generation or two, which came up to their prime of youth in 70s and 80s, even getting the basic necessities of life was not an easy task for many throughout their childhood and youth. In India, which at that time wrestled with droughts, food sufficiency was distant dream, lack of Industrialization, yet to gain "critical mass" mass movement from rural to Urban India, the accompanying poverty etc., the best dream a person could dare to see was to pass graduation, and somehow land up in a Government job. The next best being a job with Tata, Birla or L&T. People who were selected at these organizations felt it their moral responsibility to work and slog for these organizations, and had an emotional touch ( similiar to a family member) attached to these companies. The very thought of leaving these organizations was considered a sin ( namak harami) by a vast majority. "This company gave me a job, when I didn't had any......now how could I leave it ". Past 2000, tables have turned. Post liberalization, its the employees who are choosers, as job market galores, with insufficeint talent pool, the importance ascribed to an qualified and talented individual can never be over emphasized. Still, today's youth slog, not for an attachment or sense of moral responsibility, but for their rage of performance, the desire to progress, and their result oriented approach. Yet, the moment they find, there is some other company, which encapsulates their aspirations better, they shed off their "comfort zone" and reach out to live and fulfill their career dreams "

I know, I have failed to put up an explanation good enough to break any ice regarding my difference of opinions with 50+ age colleagues, but hey, .Isn't this, what they call "Generation Gap ?"And to that senior ex-colleague of mine - It was L&T, the first company to come for campus at my college, and select only UPS out of 185 mech. students, well over one year in advance... At 50+, you need to "grow up".

Unreasonable Reasoning

Read an article in yesterday's TOI editorial in support of reservations for ST / SC, "supported" by pathetic unreasonable reasoning by Mr. Uke, Member, Ambedkar Trust (or Mission..?). Self do not prefer to get into lengths challenging that, as I do not feel the need to remphasize the loads full of stupidity in the lame "reasoning" of pro- reservation lobby, which favours reservation on basis of caste. Just want to state to Mr. Uke and the editorial team at TOI, that democracy was never meant for establishing equality of conditions. It just tries to guarantee equality of opportunities.

I would also take this opportunity to state one more fact, especially to our Leftists friends who constantly keep on complaining about the growing inequality in the country since decades. The Communist heaven of China has a Gini coefficient of 41. XX compared to India's 33.XX. (Gini coefficient is a measure of the income inequality for the subject nation / state. A higher coefficient means higher inequality). Do I need to write any more.

Foresight

I enjoy reading forwarded mails, but do not forward forwards. However, can't resist the temptation for sharing this one. This quotes reflect the foresight of so-called logically inclined intellectuals at a point of time.

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."- Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."- Thomas Watson (1874-1956), Chairman of IBM, in 1943

"The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C’, the idea must be feasible."- A Yale University management professor, in response to student Fred Smith’s paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service (Smith went on to found Federal Express)

"640K ought to be enough for anybody."- Bill Gates (1955-), in 1981

"We don’t like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out."- Decca Recording Company, rejecting the Beatles, in 1962

"Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?"- Harry Morris Warner (1881-1958), co-founder of Warner Brothers, in 1927

Current Account Deficit

Yesterday, I rather unsuccessfully tried to explain the significance and meaning of Current Account Deficit to a wannabe MBA. Took quite a lot time, to make things clear about Current Account Deficit and Capital Account.

So, here I present a simpler version, the very basics of Current Account Deficit for non-eco. background people like me.

C.A.D. simplified -

For importing things / goods, you need to pay in foreign currency ( say dollars). You get this dollars by the things which you have exported. In case there is a shortfall, you need to take a debt from out of the country in dollars.( that is you have to take a external debt). Also you can use some portion of your forex reserves. The condition in which there is such a shortfall is called Current Account Deficiet.

Some economists believe that a current account surplus is not good, as the surplus dollars will have to be invested in low yielding US bonds / treasury. A little CAD is good, as it would be possible to borrow money at low interest rate and use it in high yielding investments in a booming economy such as us. However, a high CAD would lead depreciation in currency, and overall outlook on the economy will become weak.

India’s CAD howers around currently 2-3 % of GDP since last three years.

Distinction Between Merger and Acquisition

Although they are often uttered in the same breath and used as though they were synonymous, the terms merger and acquisition mean slightly different things. When one company takes over another and clearly established itself as the new owner, the purchase is called an acquisition. From a legal point of view, the target company ceases to exist, the buyer "swallows" the business and the buyer's stock continues to be traded. In the pure sense of the term, a merger happens when two firms, often of about the same size, agree to go forward as a single new company rather than remain separately owned and operated. This kind of action is more precisely referred to as a "merger of equals." Both companies' stocks are surrendered and new company stock is issued in its place. For example, both Daimler-Benz and Chrysler ceased to exist when the two firms merged, and a new company, DaimlerChrysler, was created. Mittal Steel's bid for Arcelor though was an acquisition in intent, the detailed workout made it look an merger of equals. In practice, however, actual mergers of equals don't happen very often. Usually, one company will buy another and, as part of the deal's terms, simply allow the acquired firm to proclaim that the action is a merger of equals, even if it's technically an acquisition. Being bought out often carries negative connotations, therefore, by describing the deal as a merger, deal makers and top managers try to make the takeover more palatable. A purchase deal will also be called a merger when both CEOs agree that joining together is in the best interest of both of their companies. But when the deal is unfriendly - that is, when the target company does not want to be purchased - it is always regarded as an acquisition. Whether a purchase is considered a merger or an acquisition really depends on whether the purchase is friendly or hostile and how it is announced. In other words, the real difference lies in how the purchase is communicated to and received by the target company's board of directors, employees and shareholders.

With Extracts from George Carell's paper. And yaa, a post on Leveraged Buyout (LBO) and Management Buyout (MBO) soon...

Voyage

One of my latest poems, which I somehow completed and have managed to save it with self.

VOYAGE

Out here in the wilderness I roam,
Miles away from that cushy home,
No stream of cool water pass by
Lies above the bold blue sky.

Memories of convivial do regain,
Stirs up in thy heart a sweet pain,
About the one whom heaven bestow
With Me in the Moments of love,

When the little birds did chirp,
On shady trees with green leaves,
The sea had never such a shove,
The church bell rang on the fore.

The silent winds were fragrant then,
The soil was wet with the drops of rain,
The rainbow which glamoured in the west,
Me, an uncrowned emperor in conquest.

When you parted ways with me,
Those tears would have filled the sea,
Devoid of soul, my days began,
Without thee, I was a hollow man.

The chilly winds are now blowing by,
As I stand here on bizarre mountain high,
The sun is setting, it is twilight,
And the death knoll rungs nearby.

I see now, that mysterious hand,
Which parted globe in blue and sand,
My voyage will now soon began,
To perish in His eternal reign.

10 Business Trends

I give here a list of 10 happenings/ trends during 2006 in Indian Business arena, which are different from previous years ( for better or worse) and 10 happenings which were the same, trends which in my view had a significant impact on the economy.

Economic policies and path correction by RBI has not been listed, as its impact has yet not been felt. I also exclude the Outbound deals in Steel sector as the same took place outside the territorial waters of India.

So, here is UPS’ list of things, which appeared afresh on the businessfield in 2006
1. Abnormal rise in realty sector.
2. Retail Plans unveiled by all biggies.
3. Oil touching 78 $ a barrel, to again stabilize at 55 $.
4. Nuke deal gets through. Defence open for private sector
5. Cement prices shooting through the roof.
6. Sensex scaling record Sustainable Highs.
7. Non-volatility in steel prices for the entire year.
8. The SEZ euphoria starts and continues.
9. VAT implemented. No hiccups yet. What say PC ?
10. Orders for two Ultra Mega Power Projects issued thru competitive bidding

Things which haven’t changed from previous two years.

1. Sluggishness in Reforms, Insurance, mining & labour laws specifically.
2. IPO flurry continues.
3. Failure to meet electricity generation capacity targets.
4. Corruption and procedural delays in Business dealings with Government org.
5. Teledensity continues to grow.
6. Salaries continue to rise.
7. Refining capacity increases. New oil and gas finds.
8. Big Ticket M&As made and felled.
9. Double digit growth rate in Services.
10. Agriculture again laggard. (Food deficit occurs)

Views and counterviews anticipated.

New Year Begins

The first week of the new year was quite terrible for me. Lost my cell, missed a flight, couldn’t get flight booking for an “urgent” meeting to Mumbai, lost two big orders, had a not so pleasant conversation with boss, got my finger crushed in the elevator door, got into ugly spats with a colleague, could not keep my word for a meeting with an friend, my PC got crashed, watched India losing Test Match and series to SA, hurt another friend (not physically…this time atleast), could not keep to my new year resolutions and had to resort to a lot of lies ( thats a professional hazard).

But this week seems to be quite good so far. Finally bagged one order to start the year. Expect another big one anytime. Able to avoid touring and stay in Baroda for 2.5 consecutive days. I have got a new cell, but haven’t passed on its new number to most people, and hence am able to relatively relax (My cell is for my convenience, not for caller’s), patched up again with that friend. Met an old school friend (on whom I had a great crush during school days). And yaa….had a 10 hour sleep yesterday night, followed by “No work” in office today…now thats what you call a “Professional – Personal Life Balance”

Oops..! Forgot the real intent for this post. I was supposed to be writing this about what marks apart a year from another. And it was supposed to be on a serious note. Anyways, maybe some other time. But still, to aptly voice my feelings, I misquote here a small lyric penned by a friend.

“ Years do not begin, and never end,
Except for purposes of calibration;
Gives us a moment to reflect and
Share our joys to have celebration”

Have a fantastic and rocking year ahead….

Suicide Note

Extracts from a suicide note.
This piece of paper hungs at the back of my desk. Just keeps on giving me the courage to say "NO" when unreasonable professional targets are given. Reminds me, that I have options.....and yaa...they are not suicidal.

"If they don't like me, then I would leave,
I am not like them and I cannot pretend ;
I am my own parasite,
I don't need a host to live."

IF

One of my favourite poems by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!


Too much qualifications and characteristics to qualify as a Man...I think I should, rather abandon the idea.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Why do organizations do business ? The only two motives for any private organization do undertake business activity are - I: to make money today. II : To make more money tomorrow. All actions, decisions for a business unit are / have to be directed keeping these two motives in the central frame. This has been so far, the unsaid, yet widely acknowledged fact in the business world. From erstwhile “tradesman” to Carnegie and Mittal, generations have been doing the activity of business based on the “selfish” motive of wealth generation. Means for disbursement of this wealth has had contradictory policies in capitalist and socialist economies, however will pursue that topic sometime later.

But, currently, thanks to a bunch of corporate jokers and mediapersons, a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) dimension to business is attached. Almost all organizations in India and abroad do indulge in such CSR initiatives. Such acts of charity by organizations is being taken by one and all in a positive spirit, and hordes of CEOs and MDs, donning the Who’s who list have been talking about “their” CSR activities with pride. Too much an emphasis is nowadays being laid on the CSR aspect of an company, with many organizations including my earlier and current companies, specifically recruiting “experts” for the same. From Sankaralingam to Ratan Tata, Narayanmoorthy to Roongta, from A.M.Naik to Ambanis and even Mallya, all have openly stated their CSR intiatives as a part of “their” duty to pay back to the society.

Should Organizations resort to CSR ? My take : NO, Absolutely NOT.
Most of the intellectuals would dismiss my take as idiotic or foolish, but as I have been many a times accused of both, I do not mind of stating my conviction once again to earn that pedigree.

The duty of an organization towards the society, is to make available goods and services, in which it has expertise in the best form in terms of price and quality to the society. It is during the pursuance of this selfish motive of earning profit by providing goods and services, that an organization fulfills its duty towards the society. It is also through the taxes it pays the government, which is responsible for social and economic upliftment of the society. It need not indulge in direct upliftment of society through philanthropic projects. It would be an unjustice to the stakeholders (shareholders included) to have their resources divested in areas not yielding profits. Instead, that money should be invested for furthering business prospects.

There has been a growing parade of top-notch billionaires in US, who undertake CSR intiatives by “their” own share of money, and hence the impact of such activities does not reflect in their organization books. Warren Buffet, Rockfeller, Gates being the prominent examples of such philanthropic pursuits.

Of late, some marketing gurus, have linked CSR to brand image of a company. Being a novice on the subject yet, I feel too little to question them, but utterly fail to understand any logical equation between CSR and a company’s brand image. Examples are in plenty, but I prefer not to get into that. The point is, even if there is any indirect benefit to an organization through its CSR programmes in terms of brand image building, then its just a form of marketing expenditure by an organization, and no philanthropic trait should be attached to such programmes either by the organization or the media. Such activites should be redefined and be classified as “business as usual” by all concerned.

I wish : Let Business be business, and charity be charity. Multiple hats do not yield optimal value addition. Let there be an utmost clarity of roles between corporate and government, and the tact of fruitful implementation on part of both, to deliver the best to the society.

But alas !...if wishes were horses, men would ride.

About Self

Post deleted....as I have changed

Pahela Post

I do belong to that genre of people, who prefer to read rather than write, listen rather than speak, basketsfull of extempore prizes notwithstanding. Yet I have opted to change for a while and try out my writing skills. No, I do not write for myself. If such be the case, self would have preferred my diary. But I write here to pour my feelings ( read frustation) out, an account of the constant surges of thoughts which strangle my chaotic mind, to get your praises ( mandatory) and abuses ( voluntary). To have a small space of my own to express my views uncensored, uncut, unrestrained before the world. I am quite apt at giving feedback and counselling ( chargeable basis) to friends and foes alike and expressing my views, but having something ? on the net to be shared with known and unknown "strangers" would be novel and interesting in itself. Here I start....