Do it yourself

Thought for the day “Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.” -           Sigmund Freud (Austrian, 1856-1939) Word for the day S chmaltz (n) Exaggerated sentimentalism, as in music or soap operas. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Many senior Congress leaders are rumored to be on their way to long holidays for rejuvenating themselves. If true, Modi ji can say that he has achieved Congress Mukt Bharat for few weeks at least. “Lord, make me chaste, but not just yet” Some media reports in past couple of weeks have suggested that BJP leadership may not be comfortable with Raghuram Rajan continuing as RBI governor. Though there no explicit confirmation or denial from BJP side, the tenor of media reports and subsequent comments by the incumbent FM, comments of the governor hims...

Thought for the day “The jury consist of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer.” -           Robert Frost (American, 1874-1963) Word for the day Matrifocal (adj) Focused or centered on the mother. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Sensex climbed 17% on 18-19 th May 2009 when MMS was re-elected as PM. Sensex has climbed 18% since 12 th September 2013 when Modi was announced BJP’s PM candidate. So what’s the big deal? The party to continue as some parties face extinction India successfully concluded the largest and longest running general elections in world, much to the comfort of all, except perhaps UPA allies and some traditional socialists like JDU and SP. The Exit poll done by various agencies have confirmed our February assessment that NDA will likely get a “working majority” and Congress party may be decimated in terms of n...

Thought for the day “Experience has shown, and a true philosophy will always show, that a vast, perhaps the larger portion of the truth arises from the seemingly irrelevant.” -           Edgar Allan Poe (American, 1809-1849) Word for the day Caprine (adj) Of or pertaining to goats. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Why institutions like Army, and EC should be beyond criticism? Why a traffic constable who weathers extreme heat, cold, and pollution in performance of his duties, often without any facilities, is lesser patriot than an army officer? Still no hurry The long drawn electoral battle will finally come to a close this week and we will hopefully get a new government by the end of this month. For many it may be a matter of comfort and closure. But to me it would mark beginning of a long, somewhat painful, process of bringing the ailing Indian economy on the path...

Thought for the day “People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?” -           Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese, 1926 - ) Word for the day Wanderlust (n) A strong, innate desire to rove or travel about. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Is Gujarat less secular than Maharashtra? Or MP less secular than Bihar? If yes, is that a breakdown of constitutional machinery that calls for President’s rule? If not, what is this commotion about? No hurry and no worry! While I do not expect 18 May 2009 like dramatic move in the market, the next week is likely to be eventful. The good part is that most investors appear fully prepared for higher volatility, disappointment and exuberance. Abysmally low volumes in past many days indicate that most traders have pruned their tra...

Thought for the day “I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.” —Stephen Hawking (English, 1942 - ) Word for the day Flit (v) To move lightly and swiftly; fly, dart, or skim along. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Imagine how PM Modi will respond to the attempts of disrupting parliament proceedings! MMS always sat quietly with a sad looking face and gestures of helplessness. Look before you cross the road In past three years, an overwhelming large number of financial market participants, entrepreneurs, business analysts and commentators have expressed their dissatisfaction with the incumbent UPA regime. The government has been criticized, rather severely, especially for - its inaction in terms of economic policy and reforms; fiscal imprudence in pursuing profligate social policies and programs; incoheren...

Thought for the day “There are some ideas so wrong that only a very intelligent person could believe in them.” —George Orwell (British, 1903-1950) Word for the day Coterie (n) A group of people who associate closely. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day What if NDA gets 255 and all non-NDA parties get together and plead with Sonia Gandhi to become PM? Inflation will hurt more, 20yrs later In past few years both the major drivers of economic growth, viz., investment and consumption, have suffered in India. High consumer inflation has materially eroded the purchasing power and savings of household consumers. Consequently, demand growth for both discretionary items as well as staples has declined to lowest levels in a decade. Persistently negative real rates for savers (interest on term deposit less consumer inflation) have made life of retired miserable. It may be argued that this is an immaterial segmen...

Thought for the day “In every author let us distinguish the man from his works.” —Voltaire (French, 1694-1778) Word for the day Wayfarer (n) A traveler, especially on foot. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day For God sake, please do not believe “India is doomed without Modi”. There will be life beyond 16th May, no matter what After completion of poling on more than three fourth of the total Lok Sabha seats, the situation is as cloudy as it was couple of months back. BJP and its PM candidate appear to have failed in winning over sizable minority votes, especially in the eastern parts of the country. Consequently, it appears that it might need support of more parties (inside or outside) to form a working government. A majority government purely on the basis of pre-poll alliance looks slightly difficult today; though not ruled out. The Modi Euphoria in market is taking a breather, and correctly so. In my...