That was a late morning of one fine Saturday on a hot summer season. We were at our home. We decided to catch that newly released movie in theatre instead of waiting for DVD to get released. Through internet we booked two tickets in the multiplex in a mall that is almost 30 miles away.
In our compact car we started our journey which is half-way through a highway and the remaining half thru the city. On our journey through the highway we paid toll while cursing the government for making us to pay toll in addition to the taxes. While speeding on the highway suddenly & spontaneously I reduced the pressure I applied on the gas pedal as I saw a cop's car with swirling blue & red lights was making a Toyota Corolla pull over for (seemingly) over speeding. On the way to the mall I returned the shining black blazer that I had rented out for a function at my office.
After the long journey and bumper to bumper traffic inside the city we reached the mall. That was a medium sized mall which comprised of a multiplex, many shops and a real good food court. We parked the car in the huge basement parking lot of that mall and rushed to SUBWAY for a foot-long to have our late brunch. After the brunch we bought some clothes at Marks & Spencer. Then we bought some cookies 'to go' in a cookie shop in that mall.
At last went to watch the movie & enjoyed the movie.
Now the return journey.
Outside the mall, the city lights were fighting with the darkness of the night. As we were too tired for cooking our dinner, on our return journey, we ordered pizzas & chicken wings from Pizza Hut over phone for home delivery. I thought a cold beer would be better than a cold Pepsi to have along with pizzas. So we picked some beer in a liquor shop on the way.
It was a perfect synch between us reaching the home and the pizza's arrival. We had that sumptuous Pizza & chicken wings while watching the sitcom Joey in some channel. Then I watched some stupid movie in HBO and dozed off at 1:00 am.
Thanks to globalization. My dear non resident Indians all this did not take place in some city in US. It took place in our own Chennai.
During nineties it was brain drain now it is reverse brain drain. India is becoming a land of opportunities. Especially to those who went to US or UK during nineties, corporate India (& MNCs) is offering great positions. These corporates value the NRI's experience and want to utilize them to the fullest.
To me, it looks like those who are coming back from US or UK may not miss 'em any more.
In our compact car we started our journey which is half-way through a highway and the remaining half thru the city. On our journey through the highway we paid toll while cursing the government for making us to pay toll in addition to the taxes. While speeding on the highway suddenly & spontaneously I reduced the pressure I applied on the gas pedal as I saw a cop's car with swirling blue & red lights was making a Toyota Corolla pull over for (seemingly) over speeding. On the way to the mall I returned the shining black blazer that I had rented out for a function at my office.
After the long journey and bumper to bumper traffic inside the city we reached the mall. That was a medium sized mall which comprised of a multiplex, many shops and a real good food court. We parked the car in the huge basement parking lot of that mall and rushed to SUBWAY for a foot-long to have our late brunch. After the brunch we bought some clothes at Marks & Spencer. Then we bought some cookies 'to go' in a cookie shop in that mall.
At last went to watch the movie & enjoyed the movie.
Now the return journey.
Outside the mall, the city lights were fighting with the darkness of the night. As we were too tired for cooking our dinner, on our return journey, we ordered pizzas & chicken wings from Pizza Hut over phone for home delivery. I thought a cold beer would be better than a cold Pepsi to have along with pizzas. So we picked some beer in a liquor shop on the way.
It was a perfect synch between us reaching the home and the pizza's arrival. We had that sumptuous Pizza & chicken wings while watching the sitcom Joey in some channel. Then I watched some stupid movie in HBO and dozed off at 1:00 am.
Thanks to globalization. My dear non resident Indians all this did not take place in some city in US. It took place in our own Chennai.
During nineties it was brain drain now it is reverse brain drain. India is becoming a land of opportunities. Especially to those who went to US or UK during nineties, corporate India (& MNCs) is offering great positions. These corporates value the NRI's experience and want to utilize them to the fullest.
To me, it looks like those who are coming back from US or UK may not miss 'em any more.
Wanna be part of it?
56 comments:
Good to read this and I appreciate Pizza Hut guys....But I expect lot of significant changes that India is ought to initiate....But your experience is quite convincing...
"I appreciate Pizza Hut guys"
hmmm...I will pass your appreciation next time when I meet 'em.
Ya..being a manager..you should serve the purpose of praising everyone who do their best...
I thought you were narrating your US experiences. Man No doubt India is Shining.
Seeni - I wish you had talked about the driving experience in the city also which I am sure would have been pretty miserable.
Yes Arasa the point that I am trying to make is that 'India is Shining'. You can have an overseas experience in inland itself.
Venkat - I dont feel that way about the driving experience in the city. It may be because that I am not driving thru the city traffic every day.
Someone who is driving in the city daily may want to comment on that.
Marks & Spencer, SUBWAY, Pizza Hut already in place!
With Walmart and Tesco on their way, India is truly global ... Good narration Seeni!!
Seeni, what about the beers? Did u buy them in TASMAC?
Thanks for your compliments Venkat.
Beer vanginadhaayya mukkiyam, globalization pathi pesuyya...adhaan main matter-u.
Hello...did u buy beer???? I would like to reconfirm sir...Readers, seeni buying a beer is exaggeration..
Ramesh - still you are going off the track. First you talked about Pizza Hut guys now about beer.
Gist of the post is not my buying beer or pizza hut's on time delivery. It's globalization and the life style that India has to offer for ex-patriates returning home.
Note: On a soft note about beer...pls talk to Devi.
No, Thanks.
(I hesitated a long time before posting this comment as it might be a deviation from the discussed issue...
But, anyway it will not make a big difference after 13 comments.. so doing it...)
There are more and more facilities developing in Chennai and other Indian Metros. There is no doubt that these are the effects of globalization. But the first thought that striked in my mind is that "Are THESE effects show that India is SHINING???"
Again, Sorry if this is a drastic daviation from the topic...:-)
Saranga,
This is global market era! and India is definitely started picking up well in the market.
India has good selling point and its saleablility is increasing.
India Inc is doing good.
On lighter note, I still remember the day when I was searching for bacardi in tambaram....Man I couldnt able to find one decent bacardi...:)- Well dont ask me what I was doing at tambaram in late night....
I'm not satisfied with the Yardstick that we have taken here to project that India is Shinning. If an educated guy from rural area happens to read this blog, he would definitely oppose this. People of his community would rarely look for all these. All they need is the basic facilities to lead a simple life. And even politicians refer India Shinning in a different slant. I would strongly suggest, appreciate, to replace the Label India Shinning with an appropriate word. Thanks :) :)
Sarang & Ramesh,
Had it not been for liberalization/globalization I would be searching for a government job still or I would have settled with an ordinary job for a very lean salary. This is applicable to millions of people in India who have landed on good jobs because of this globalization. Their lives & their families lives have changed (in a good way) because of this. I know how this has changed my life and my family's life.
I totally agree that still villages are struggling, infrastructure is not that great, poverty is there. But had it not been for globalization all these would have been even worser than now.
If not whole at least a part of India is shining. It is developing. I want to celebrate the way my country is growing. That's why the label 'India Shining'. Unlike politicians I have no hidden intention in promoting this.
What I have given in my blog is about the make over that India is going through. Bottomline that I wanted to convey was that NRIs who have spent a lot of time at abroad wont find it very difficult to live in India if they come back for good.
Arasa -
Thanks for your points.
I dont understand why you have quoted about your bacardi experience here. Do you want to elaborate?
Exactly As the comment by over-the-top (sorry! I do not know the name), the yardstick used will not be the appropriate.
In the comment by Arasan anna, the focus is only on Software companies. But the globalization is lot more than that. Globalization involves consumer goods. Globalization involves agricultural seeds. Globalization involves Petty Shops. Globalization involves milk. Globalization involves tea. Do you think all these fields are healthy due to Globalization?
Do you remember the name Gold Spot? Do you remember Torino, Kalimark, Bovonto? Do you know that many of the medicines sold in India are banned in US? Do you know that Biologically Treated seeds are banned in US. But they are sold in Asia and Africa, by American companies? Do you know that World Bank stops the countries (to which loan is offered) from giving cess for farmers. But US is not bound to this rule. Do you remember the Patent for turmeric (products)?
As you mentioned the Bacardi, do you know that there is similar product in India. Kall. This is banned in many states. In Tamilnadu, TASMAC is permitted. Kall is banned.
These are also the effects of Globalization. IT field is just a part of it. What do you think about these effects???
Hey Hey Hold on Hold on....guys..
"India is Shining" this holds prefectly good in terms of Global market and Seeni's comparision is mainly for NRI's returning to India.
Overnight, India can't change or shine, India is in changing track and it is good sign. Good that changes are happening otherwise I would have waited in employment office queue now....
I think Ramesh and Sarang you are on same page! Good.
Sarang, Globalization is not only restricted to software companies in India.
End of day every one are into business even Torino, Kalimark, Bovonto, turmeric,milk etc....Nothing comes for free.
So Since Market is going global, all local market and local players will be soon erased....or smashed...
Soon in near future (10-20 years)there will be consolidation in the available products in India, all local players will be destroyed and play will bacame CAPITAL MARKET PLAYERS.
There was Video by Amitabh narrating 2 India, 1 India looking at sky and another India looking down....I think India is in dilemma cycle :)- Hope there will be 1 India soon.
Sarang/Ramesh,
Pitfalls of globalization, write a separate blog on this, I would be happy to pour more comment on that blog :)- Again nice thought...
Seeni,
Sorry if my comment is off track.
Secondly, Bacardi Matter free vidu, I mentioned as lighter note...that was suppose to add some sense of humor...but...not any more...
Arasa
What do you mean by "market is going global"
and what do you mean by "all local players will be destroyed and play will bacame CAPITAL MARKET PLAYERS."
poda
I will be in employment office??? or I will be settled with a lean salary.Arasa/Seeni, what about non engineering graduates.Any growth for only particular group of people will end up in violence and unsteady growth. Multiplex mall, Walmart, Pizza Hut..mmmm where is the growth in my country. Did I loose it? Food and shelter for every body is growth. Switching from rice to pizza, is it growth? or are we influenced to believe it as growth. What is stopping us from thinking globally in globilization. What makes my friends earning less than 15000/month preventing in buying a home. What makes my farmer friend stopping agriculture? Globalization is good, but it should not be make only a particular group to grow. We need to plan, so that all groups cope up with increasing market trend or else huts near skyscrappers will be a inseparable view. Since people like pizza we cannot keep manufacturing wheat and cheese.
On a side note, my trust over most of the corporate companies are reducing. They are just like street shoppers in palani cheating devotees. Except that they put it in a nice way.
Why are we just looking at only the areas that have not improved to oppose that India is shining.
Just assume that there is no globalization and imagine the state we would be in currently. In that case, I think in addition to all the problems that we have now we would be having huge pile of other problems too including a great unemployment. Any disagreement?
Globalization has not only benefited the graduates alone but also the ordinary people too. Just look at the employment opportunities (directly or indirectly) that our software companies alone have created for non-engineering graduates & for the people who have not even crossed schools. Look at the security people in those companies, look at the construction workers, look at the facilities people, look at the people working in office cafeterias, look at the people who clean the office premises, look at the caterers, look at the transport companies that work for the big corporates, look at the drivers of those transport companies, look at the retail industry that has benefited out of the increased buying power of people like us, look at the employees of retail shops, look at the suppliers of the retail industry. Though one group of people earn more you could observe the growth in many sectors as a collateral. Any disagreement?
Barani, almost all industries co-exist. A tremendous growth in one sector definitely has a positive effect on the other sectors too. Globalization has directly benefited the knowledge workers and indirectly benefited non-skilled labours too.
About the Goldspot, Bovonto, Kali mark thing that Sarang has quoted.
Gold spot was Parle's product which Parle sold to Coca Cola when Coke entered to India. Coke wanted to have a market share for it's Fanta and Parle sold it's brand (or gave up it's market share) for very good price. Parle was not ready to compete with Coke because Coke was well established brand in overseas and has power to spend huge amount on Marketing. Parle was afraid that it would lose the battle.
Here Parle had two choices
1. To compete against the global giant
2. Sell it's product to the global giant
Parle chose the second one.
This is a clear case of survival of the strongest. That's the evolution. If any new player wants to come out with a cola drink it must compete with the giants like Pepsi & Coke. The only way to survive is to give high quality product with proper
marketing strategy & attract the market.
About Bovonto. I think this is competing with giants still. I happen to see Bovonto's bottle very recently. It's completely
changed. They have done a make over to the dull bottle shape and have come up with a good looking one. It is coming in pep bottles too. Comment from a person who has tasted Bovonto.
"Recently I went to a famous temple in South India. There BOVONTO, the locally made drink was available. All of us had three
bottles worth 300 ml. It was so nice, wonderful and fantastic to taste and quench out thirst. The cost? Half the price of
Pepsi and Coke!!
Can any one suggest me if is Bovonto available in Chennai? Else I try to take distruborship for Chennai, before summer"
I got this from the here -look at the comments section. http://www.ambimama.com/2006/11/04/pepsi-coke-ads-by-aamir-khan-and-radhika/.
If they do the right kind of marketing, who knows tomorrow they might become a direct competitor to Pepsi & Coke. I think this globalization has taught a lesson to Bovonto to stay competitive. That's why it is still at least not extinct from the market.
So, I would still like to conclude that India is shining. Though India still has unimproved areas, I believe that also
would improve over the period. The strongest will survive. The weakest will become extinct. Just like evolution.
Putting an below average student among very bright pupil will help the average student to become competitive. That's how our Indian corporates are learning from their global competitors since the globalization era started.
I think the situation is like looking at a half empty cup. It depends on how do you want to say. Do you want to say it as 'Half empty or half full'?
I am telling that it is half full.
Siva
- I think arasan is saying that the strongest will survive.
Is that right arasa?
Barani
"Food and shelter for every body is growth. Switching from rice to pizza, is it growth? "
I am not telling that this as a growth. This is an effect.
No one would open a pizza shop if there is no one to buy. All these are opened here because of improved buying power of the people here. (Again I am not telling that 100% of population goes to pizza hut.)
India is developing & it is a good market for many sectors. As I said, as an ripple effect and collateral improvement there are many people who are enjoying the benefits.
Software and related industries, how many people will be benefitted in Tamil nadu. 2 lakh or probably 3 lakh. What about rest of us. I am supportive of the growth in such industry, I am earning my bread there. But my thought is India is Shining is a big word to say. What is the stand in agriculture, roads, infrastructure, chennai is bursting out with people in, still there is no plan for proper water supply. We (government) do not have any proper plan for this. We have Cool air, clean enviroment in office what happens when we step out of the office. We are covered with dust and polluted air. for example, How is the roads to multiplex malls. There are lot of things that need to be considered. I do not want to sound pessimitic. Current growth is good, but for India Shining " still more miles to go".
Barani - I can understand your concerns.
I am taking the optimistic stand to look at how the India is growing. For a country of our size (& considering the capability of our politicians) a breakthrough improvement will not happen. It would be a slow growth.
To attain a completely developed(or grown) status, yeah still we are miles away.
Barani - you quoted about Agri twice in this blog comments. I couldn't talk anything about that as I didn't really know anything about it.
I did a little bit of research to find out how India is doing in the Agri front. Please check this link: http://ibef.org/economy/agriculture.aspx
I understood what Arasan meant. Only the choice of words made me write it.
To sarangan, if Gold spot and torino went out of market, Tata motors and maruti still survives. SBI and ICICI survive. Companies have to reinvent themselves to adjust to competition. Sometimes it is to global players. I know Kalimark was too small to compete with Pepsi. But that is just sad, both for the company and the consumers who love it. Sometimes it is to local players. Take Reliance Fresh vs local stores. My gut feeling local stores will survive.
To seeni, I understand your logic behind supporting opening certain industries (in the coke, pepsi example). But you should note that Sarangan has a very valid point. AFAIK, No country (even the U.S) is truly open. Opening all of its industries won't be in its interest. To add to the point about cessation to farmers in US, have you checked about the anti dumping of prawns in US ? The idea is protect certain industries and open others. Is it good for the consumer ? Not always. I am not going to elaborate the reasons here. (BTW, I assume you use globalization as a substitute for opening few industries)
Barani may sound pessimistic. But it is ideas like that threw away NDA. But sarangan/ramesh are certainly not. Whether it is half full or half empty doesn't matter. That is just philosophical. There are facts. Only half the cup has water.
Also, just wanted to add, all those things you mentioned (except the roads) are not what a returning NRI will look for in India. They are nice-to-haves. But not must-haves. The must-haves are still missing. That is why I said No, Thanks.
Siva,
I meant survival of fittest in round about way :)-
Good discussion after a long time :)- keep going...
Half Glass is better than full empty glass. yes we do need to think on how make it Full glass.
It will take time.
Inorganic growth is happening and market is not matured enough so far.
Market will become matured and organic growth will prevail down the line. That time half filled glass will become 3/4 filled glass.
Always there will be some portion of glass which is empty :)-
Pizza hut and liquor shop is not the one which NRI are looking at India :)-
Adra Adra..Adikira Adiyil Tharai Thappatikal Kilindhu Thonga Veyndaama....:)
Siva,
Good that you explained why you said "no thanks".
I perfectly understand that what I have given alone will not attract NRIs.
By the way, I just want to understand from an NRI's perspective, What would make you to come back to India to work here & settle down? (if it is too personal you may given in generic NRI's perspective terms)
Note: Actually I wanted to write a separate blog on Reliance Fresh vs Local players. It's too hot a topic here still. Will jot it down soemtime. :)
Arasa,
Rightly said. There will always be a room for improvement. Even the so called developed coutries would have its own pitfalls.
The progress that we make towards achieving the 'developed' state is very important. I think India is in the right path.
At least that's what economists think when they coined the word BRIC and announced their prediction that India will be third greatest economic power by year 2050 in terms of GDP. (Source: Goldman Sacs BRIC Report).
Ramesh - inga enna sandaya podrainga?
The topic of discussion is not the core competence of any one of us. It is good that a good amount of information sharing is happening.
Many of the points raised by the participants made me think a lot and do some research. (I read the entire Goldman Sacs - BRIC report on Saturday - cant believe it myself).
I think this is applicable to many of us.
Interestingly, this discussion on whether India is shining or not is happening in many forums in internet.
Everywhere there are supporters and opposers. :)
To Arasan, What do you mean by
"Inorganic growth is happening and market is not matured enough so far.
Market will become matured and organic growth will prevail down the line. "
You are probably talking in your 'round about' way may be :-) ana sathiyam puriyala. Ethukuda ellathukkum marketa illukura ? Are you talking about growth of companies ?
Seeni, Actually I wanted to make a post about what are the things I will look for when I return. Will do it sometime.
Siva - I will look forward to your post.
By the way, is it 'when I return' or 'if I return'?
Jus kidding. :)
You got it wrong....Thought of adding fun to hot discussion...I encourage the debate...also, itseems to be like we have not gained any idea of BRIC report...if possible consolidate & post it here....
Ramesh - I understood that you were just adding fun. I used your comment as a medium to convey that we are not fighting here to set the tone to anyone who is reading.
Use this link to get the BRIC Report www2.goldmansachs.com/insight/research/reports/99.pdf.
It is so far "when I return" .. let us see how it goes :-)
Cool.
Siva,
For me Every thing is market and there is a market for everything :)-
since we started dicussing about India Shining, globalization..blah...blah...then it all about market buddy....dont ask me what's the market here :)-
Ennoda Latest Punch Dialogue
----------------------------
Naan Normal-a Iruntha Thanni potta madhiri pesuvaen, Thanni potta Normal Pesuvaen...if something is not clear then oru beg pottu padinga...ellam crystal clear-a puriyum...
Naan pesurathu yaarukum puriyalaiya....illa Siva unnaku mattum thaan puriyalaiya... ennaku oru unmai therinjaaganum..
Audience level-i en level-ku kondu varanum pola irukkay ??!!...:)-
Seeni 5 more to go...
Arasa - your punch dialogue. I think it is the same for the past 12 years.
By the way what is that 5 more to go?
3 more to go....
What happened Arasa?
hahahaha....1 more to go....
I will give you the chance for the winning shot :)-
Great going....
Indian players cricket la 50 podurangalo illayo, namma comments la kandippa 50 potruvom ...
Seeni,
Here it goes... your half century!!!
Feel very happy for crossing 50...
(Spl thanks to Arasan & Venkat for pushing it to 50...)
"since we started dicussing about India Shining, globalization..blah...blah...then it all about market buddy...."
If it is that simple then I am Greenspan and you are Bernanke.
Siva - you dont have to be too sarcastic about that.
that was a joke buddy :-)
oh ok.
Simple are complex, the world is moving in that direction! More over most of us are involved in this globalization directly or indirectly :)-
we no need to be Bernanke or Greenspan to talk about global market or globalization buddy.
Google has helped me to know who is Bernanke and Greenspan :)-
Your joke is appreciated.
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