"Sin cannot be
conceived in a natural state, but only in a civil state, where it is decreed by
common consent what is good or bad."
—Baruch Spinoza (Dutch,
1632-1677)
Word for the day
Indwell
To abide within, as a
guiding force, motivating principle, etc.
Malice towards none
It would be in order to
remember that both Bhagat Singh (RSP) and Subhash Chandra Bose (Forward Bloc)
were leftists.
Nationalism is not an
exclusive domain of rightists.
First random thought this morning
As a father of two children entering their teens, I can appreciate
the problems of Indian town planners much better.
You buy them new shoes, and they outgrow these before the boxes
are opened. It's like you build a new road or flyover and traffic outgrows it
before the construction is complete.
What is the way out? Buy one size large! Buy cheaper stuff! Tell
children to wear only slippers till their growth stabilizes! Trust me nothing
works.
We have tried all three options on roads - we know nothing works.
The land of opportunities- II
The latest UP chapter of the travelogue of my colleagues confirm a
lot of my observations made during my previous trip to the State.
The following observations in particular are relevant for
investment strategies.
(a) Though there is
increasing evidence of the economic inequalities abridging. The economic
policies of the successive state governments in past couple of decades (usually
termed populist, regressive, unproductive, unmindful and socialist in the
market jargon) have definitely resulted socio-economic inclusion of a large
number of people.
While market economists may struggle to assimilate this, many
businesses have already done this. Otherwise how do you explain, (i) Gillette
India running a door-to-door promotion campaign for its high end Mach3 razor
blades in old city area of Moradabad, traditionally inhabited by poor artisans
and laborers; (ii) full house in English speaking coaching center in Badayun,
charging Rs350/hour; (iii) over 100 scooties parked outside a girls' degree
collage in Gonda; (iv) Zumba classes in down town Varanasi, party & banquet
halls in down town Firozabad, (iv) numerous obesity clinics, gyms and slimming
centers in almost all towns; (v) numerous private paid car parking plots in old
city Bareilly & Agra; (vi) millions of coaching centers spread across urban
and rural areas; and (vii) McDonald & Dominos fiercely competing with
traditional Samosa shops in holy town of Mathura.
(b) The state has
successfully revived its rich tradition of education. The aspirations are
running really high. In a decade the state may overtake all other states in
terms of producing professionals in all fields.
This is explained by
seriously rising number of skilled youth going abroad for jobs. In top 10 urban
agglomerates, it is difficult to find a lane or by-lane which does not boast of
at least one boy/girl working abroad as professional. The number of
semi-skilled laborers travelling to gulf is also on the rise.
UP may seriously outdo
southern states or Punjab in terms of inward remittances in next decade or so.
(c) There are so many
monetary incentives to send children to school in UP that it is almost
impossible for parents not to send their wards to school.
(d) UP has plenty of water,
arable land and farmers to supply the growing demand for vegetables and fruits.
There are visible signs of farmers choosing cash crops over conventional crops.
This state may well be the center of the food processing revolution in the
country.
(e) The rooftop solar is
spreading like fire in the state. In 5-7 years, power shortages may be history
in the state.
(f) National highways
passing through the state are as good as in any other state. The State highways
are improving by the hour.
Also read the following
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