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May 31, 2005



Divestment is back on the agenda
Hadn't the UPA government given up divestment of at least profit-making PSUs in view of protests from the Left? So, what could have changed that the prime minister felt bold enough to make such an announcement?

New tech to raise productivity at a low cost
A new zero-tillage technology helps raise productivity at reduced cost without damaging soil fertility.

Why B-school grads need the tech edge
Are B-school students capable of leveraging technology to drive growth? A basic training is a must.

Mani checks on government abuse
The Sengupta committee has come up with some very imaginative solutions, based on the principle that disclosure is the best antidote to ministerial interference at PSUs.

4 reasons why retail is booming
Favourable demographics, rising consumer income, better sourcing options and changing lifestyle have enlivened the retail sector.




May 30, 2005



Coffee, politics, and markets
How the attack of the coffee shop revolutionaries can be blunted




May 27, 2005



The great airport revolution
A great airport revolution is sweeping through Asia, sending a strong message of welcome to people everywhere, and it's not a surprise that, in the latest Skytrax survey, five Asian airports figured in the world's Top 10.

Why Indian brands prefer 'English' names
In the Indian context, an 'English' name helps to build aspiration cues to a larger market




May 25, 2005



How Japan shaped Asia's future
As Japan eventually recovers and comes out of its 15-year slumber, its tailwind will help Asia just when no one is expecting it to.

New IITs: A long journey ahead
Some colleges may take 5 years to be upgraded into IITs. That timeframe is too long as it is possible that India by then might have a new government, which will set up a new committee to select a new set of colleges again.




May 24, 2005



Fixing the employment Bill
Till it gets away from digging and filling holes, the programme will be of little help

Why MBAs are like the scriptures
Almost everything that you do in the corporate world is not taught at B-schools.




May 23, 2005



All you want to know about financial options
Options can be fairly risky investments, and investors msut invest in them only if they have a fairly good understanding of the stock market, the economy and the instrument itself.

IT-BHU: A seat at the IIT table?
The Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University needs a boost for India to reap the full potential of this national treasure, says Sanjay Dani.




May 21, 2005



Can oil unite the elephant and the dragon?
Since both China and India have clashed over foreign oil assets in the past, it looks unlikely




May 19, 2005



Is Dabhol to blame for Maharashtra's woes?
Despite the MoUs signed by the state government, the power situation is unlikely to get better




May 18, 2005



The A, B, C of blogs
What are blogs and why are they becoming hot now? Why should you consider reading blogs – or even doing your own?




May 17, 2005



Deadlines for dying PSUs
Clearly, the government needs to take quick decisions on all the recommendations made by BRPSE on divestment, revival or restructuring of the PSUs and, more importantly, make them public.




May 16, 2005



All you want to know about financial futures
. The popularity of futures contracts in India is contrary to the trend in other parts of the world, where option contracts are more popular than the futures contracts.

Restoring the CAG's glory
'Clearly CAG V N Kaul needs to spend time figuring out how he is to separate the accountant's-perspective sort




May 14, 2005



India' growing ESCo community
Today's energy efficiency consultants actually return your money if the guaranteed savings do not materialise

Who do we blame for the UPA flop show?
Indian democracy deserves better, much better, than a confused Prime Minister Partnership that has failed, says Surjit S Bhalla.




May 13, 2005



The Mumbai-Delhi divide
The Centre's borrowing programme breeds conflict between monetary and fiscal policies.




May 12, 2005



How to handle management
In the last 13 years, I have had the privilege of working with literally hundreds of chief executives and interacting with thousands of senior managers spanning the entire gamut of consumer product businesses in India

Making the customer king
Is the proposed banking code board a helpful step? Or will it be a parking place for retired babus and bankers?

BSIC challenges WTO hegemony
Brazil, South Africa, India and China are the new challenge to the WTO's decision-making process

Cyber crime: A 10-step safety guide
You can cover yourself against more than 80% of all causes of information security breaches following the 10 simple steps. Read on.

Civil services? More reforms needed
Some progress might have been made on the reforms in civil services, but by no stretch of imagination can these be described as either significant or path-breaking.

Should one invest in Asia?
Strong economic performance in Asia will translate into strong financial returns as well.




May 11, 2005



Guruspeak: How to go global!
INSEAD professor Narayan Pant speaks on the art of transition, among other things.

Why smart leaders tell stories!
Storytelling is a powerful communication tool that marketing professionals use to promote their companies.




May 10, 2005



What is Governor Reddy signalling?
Reserve Bank Governor Y V Reddy deserves sympathy for the situation he faced when preparing last month's Annual Monetary Policy Statement.

What B-schools need to teach
It would be a great idea if B-schools started courses on practical entrepreneurship -- the day-to-day issues that crop up when you establish your own business.




May 09, 2005



FBT flouts Income Tax Act
The fact, however, is that FBT is in direct contravention of section 37 of the Income Tax Act which states that all bonafide business expenditure made in the process of earnings income will be fully allowed as a deduction.

Slowdown? What slowdown? India Inc's sizzling
Despite predictions, there are no signs of a slowdown.

What the real power crisis is
Even if the government does manage to get the controversial Dabhol power project going, this is unlikely to solve the country's huge power crisis since the current shortage levels are around 12 per cent.

UPA's year one report card
The government gets pass marks but that's about all, says Subir Gokarn.




May 07, 2005



A recipe for a cleaner society
India must evolve its model for reforms and implement them at its own pace.

RBI and the 'dirty trinity'
For the foreseeable future the central bank's policy objective will have to remain the attainment of a "dirty trinity".

Why FMs get sacked in India
Since 1947 only one finance minister has been sacked for incompetence -- in 1949.




May 06, 2005



I am ready to face any probe: Shourie
Even though the CAG's observations deal with technicalities and procedures, and it does not allege impropriety, I reiterate my offer to face any inquiry that the PM or FM may deem fit, writes Arun Shourie.




May 05, 2005



Banks and the mirage of technology
Over the next decade, as IT becomes a common factor, they will learn to differentiate between good and indifferent service. Only corporations that understand this early will be the winners.

All about commodity derivatives
The commodity derivatives market is a direct way to invest in commodities rather than investing in the companies that trade in those commodities.




May 03, 2005



Providing global public goods
LDCs need stronger participation in multilateral fora for equitable dispensation of global public goods.

Lessons from the Indica
Knowing what the customer wants, rather than just what the critics want, can make all the difference

More turf battles surface
Should the Competition Commission decide on cases pertaining to anti-competitive practices in sectors which are already being governed by independent regulators?

Secrets of a successful business
If you are giving great service to your customers you can actually charge 9 to 10 per cent more for the same service than your competitors.

What B-school courses lack
An MBA is one of the few professional programmes that doesn't require a prior bachelor's qualification in the same stream.

How herbs turn land into gold!
Converting land into a goldmine -- this is what herbs and medicinal plants' growers seem to be doing under the patronage of the recently-formed Central Herbal Agro Marketing Federation of India.




May 02, 2005



Who regulates your mobile bill?
Trai's decision to cut tariffs may have been correct, but as a regulator, it has to show all details of calculations

Land lines still signify privilege
Only 6 per cent of Indians have access to telephones. What revolution are we talking about?

Why FDI from Japan to India declined
The failure to build a broader economic relationship has resulted in a decline in bilateral trade and closing the doors on Japanese FDI.




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