Do it yourself

Thought for the day “Experience does not err. Only your judgments err by expecting from her what is not in her power.” Leonardo da Vinci (Italian, 1452-1519) Word for the day Meliorism (n) The doctrine that the world tends to become better or may be made better by human effort. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day The more Congress leaders chafe, the more ground they stand to lose. Small is beautiful The first budget presentation by the new government is just six weeks away. Innumerable suggestions are pouring every day for consideration. Trade and industry associations, investors, households, economists, analysts etc. all have presented their wish list to the government seeking favors. I have seen only a few that would directly benefit the lower middle classes and poor – the people have who have actually elected this government. “Reforms” is the key buzz word in financial markets. Everyone is expecting the ...

Thought for the day “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants. ” -           Isaac Newton (English, 1642-1727) Word for the day B oondoggle (v) To do work of little or no practical value merely to keep or look busy. To deceive or attempt to deceive (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day The country has seen the skills and expertise of Harvard, Oxford and Trinity educated people for six decades. Let’s try 12 th pass for a couple of years! FDI from Japan: huge money at low cost Justice Radha Binod Pal’s dissenting note at the International War Tribunal remains fresh in the memories of the Japanese people. At the time when there were absolutely no political interactions between the two countries, a plaque honoring Pal at the Yasukuni Shrine kept the image of India alive among the people of Japan and a feeling of f...

Thought for the day “The way positive reinforcement is carried out is more important than the amount. ” -           B. F. Skinner (American, 1904-1990) Word for the day Booboisie (n) A class of people regarded as stupid or foolish. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Some never try to overcome their prejudices and dogmas. They are analyzing team Modi from caste, class, religion, and region angle. Thalaivar Shinzo Abe With Narendra Modi taking over the reins of Indian government, talks of deeper and wider economic relations with Japan have gained strong currency. Japanese PM Shinzo Abe following Narendra Modi on Twitter (for record he follows only three people) is now part of folklore. The other common point of interest between two leaders is apparently Thalaivar Rajnikanth (Outside India, Thalaivar is most popular in Japan). Indeed, Shinzo Abe added his personal touch to...

Thought for the day “When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is.” -           Oscar Wilde (Irish, 1854-1900) Word for the day Indelible (adj) That cannot be eliminated, forgotten, changed, or the like (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day How Arun Jaitley would be a better finance minister than Pranab Mukherjee. If quotient differential is Modi, then how does it matter who is FM? All the king’s men and all his horses In past 10days many readers have written and called to discuss the constitution of Narendra Modi’s cabinet. My view that this discussion is completely irrelevant, and has mostly been unacceptable or, in many cases, unregistered. I would like to reiterate with added emphasis that this episode in India’s history is quintessentially about one person named Narendra Modi – his vision ...

In a historic event Narendra Modi assumed the office of PM of India along with 44 colleagues. The likely team of Modi had been a subject of intense speculation over past 10 days. Putting all speculations to rest, Narendra Modi presented a team which is true to his style and thinking – less government more governance. The team is young, experienced, representative and highly political. We had argued in April in favor of politicians vs. technocrats ( see here ). We are delighted to report that there is no technocrat (except Gen. V. K. Singh) in the Team Modi.  And very bravely Modi has resisted the internal pressure to accommodate old guards like Advani and MM Joshi. KEY HIGHLIGHTS Maximum number of women ministers in cabinet (six). A strong message. One minster for Finance and Defence – This in our view is a very well thought out strategy. In recent past serious doubts have been raised about preparedness of our defence. Lack of adequate budgetary s...

Thought for the day “Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge. ” -           Plato (Greek, 427-347BC) Word for the day Abecedarian (n) A beginner in any field of learning. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day In new India it’s ok for men to be emotional and show it also. I find this is the best thing that is happening to us. Politics to change from “power centric” to “people centric” Yesterday many of my readers enquired whether I being excessively and unnecessarily emotional about the political changes taking place in the country. Some of them raised concern “if it would be appropriate to change investment strategy on the basis of an emotional political speech”. I have replied to most of the concerns. However, I find it pertinent to share my thoughts with all of you. First of all, there is no change in the investment strat...

Thought for the day “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them” -           Napoleon Bonaparte (French, 1769-1821) Word for the day Nettle (v) To irritate, annoy, or provoke. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day With the confidence instilled in me by the most honest political speech in at least past four decades, I declare the arrival of good times! Unleash the bulls. Bears may rest in 10-Janpath till their name is called. King of good times! My 9yr old daughter wakes up late in the morning and refuses to do her summer vacation homework. All persuasions in past four days have got one standard reply – Achhe din aa gaye hain (good times have come)!!! Incidentally her summer vacations started from 16 th May, the day election results were ...