Do it yourself

Thought for the day ”Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them. " -           T. S. Elliot (American 1888-1965) Word for the day Plaudit (n) Enthusiastic approval; an expression of praise. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Congress J&K leaders seeks Hindu CM for the state. Congress CM declare PM untouchable by refusing to share dais with him. Is this the Antony formula for resurrection of Congress Party?   Problem of plenty - II As per NSSO report [1] on the status of employment in India, "he population in the age group 15-59 years, which is considered to be economically active, comprised about 60 per cent of males and 61 per cent of females in rural areas and about 66 per cent each of males and females in urban areas." However, only about 40 per cent of popu...

Thought for the day ”Business today consists in persuading crowds." -           T. S. Elliot (American 1888-1965) Word for the day E xecrable (adj) Deserving to be execrated; detestable; abominable; extremely bad; of very poor quality; very inferior. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day UP, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Assam, Odisha and Himachal Pradesh suffering from serious floods. All 6 are non-BJP rules states. Wonder why no one has sensed a conspiracy in this! Problem of plenty - I The India story is largely about ‘demographics’ and ‘sociopolitical transformation’. Economic growth is a by-product and hence more predictable. The young demography is one of the major strengths of Indian economy. This is such a consensus view that it almost sounds cliché to mention it in an argument. Nevertheless, young demography is a huge "potential" advantage f...

Thought for the day ”We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." -           T. S. Elliot (American 1888-1965) Word for the day Fink (v) To inform to the police; squeal.; (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day You cannot take away my right to preach morality, even if I am stuck in 300BC. You are free to disagree, ignore, ridicule,   or contradict me. But for God sake do not gag me or paint me a criminal. Let the patient be cured first Once a patient was admitted to an upscale private hospital with a serious heart condition. The cardiology team at the hospital was headed by an experienced old surgeon, who was lately rendered incapable of performing complicated surgeries due to his blurred vision and trembling hands. The team he headed was not har...

A quick post PM's independence speech telephonic survey of some market participants finds a large majority confused. All of them are deeply impressed by the high emotional quotient, commitment and nationalistic fervor of the speech. However, many of them sounded disappointed by lack of specific project and scheme announcements that can boost the market Monday morning. We, for the record, are deeply impressed by the tone, tenor and contents of the PM's speech. The speech encourages us to increase our bets on Indian economy. We heard many Big Bang announcements in the speech, which many market participants perhaps would notice in the months to come. Specifically, we would like to highlights the following: (a) For the first time since Lal Bahadur Shastri, a PM has underplayed the role of the government and highlighted the role and responsibilities of citizens in building a progressive society. PM rightly pointed out that all 1.25bn Indians need to contribute in n...

Thought for the day ”Life does not agree with philosophy: There is no happiness that is not idleness, and only what is useless is pleasurable.” -           Anton Chekhov (Russian, 1860-1904) Word for the day Brusque (n) Abrupt in manner; blunt; (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day All those who believed in Modi's magic wand are already busy doing a reality check.   8 things I wish to hear from PM tomorrow Many media reports are suggesting that the participants in the financial markets are already disappointed with the performance of Modi government. Most of them are keenly looking forward to PM's ceremonial independence speech to find a straw to which they can cling on for some more time. I feel they will be even more disappointed by the noon of Friday. I appreciate that this ceremonial speech is not an occasion to please the financial markets. This s...

Thought for the day ”People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.” -           Anton Chekhov (Russian, 1860-1904) Word for the day Cat's-paw (n) Person used to serve the purposes of another; tool. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Does Congress realizes that if it losses Haryana, J&K, Kerala, Assam, and Maharashtra in next couple of years, by 2017 it may be a small minority in Rajya Sabha too? Wonder, what's plan! Declare 15th August 2014 as Swaraj Day I have been highlighting since ever that one of the best things India has got in past 150years is Mahatma Gandhi . And the most unfortunate thing to occur since independence from British rule in 1947 is brazen desertion of Mahatma Gandhi by Indian politicians. To my mind hanging his pictures in government offices or currency notes and naming roads after him is even more contemptuous...

Thought for the day ”Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit.” -           Anton Chekhov (Russian, 1860-1904) Word for the day Equanimity (n) Mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain. (Source: Dictionary.com) Teaser for the day Who do we honor by coffering Bharat Ratna, Padma Awards, and gallantry awards - (a) The country - for having great/brave people; or (b) The person - for being great/brave; or (c) The award itself for embracing a great/brave person; or (d) All of the above?   Expect little economics at Red Fort If my memory is not failing me, in past two decades the Prime Minister's independence day speech has never been awaited in Mumbai with so much anticipation. The underprivileged from the relat...