A peep into the past and ever changing world

A peep into the past and ever changing world

With the dawn of 21^st century-the era of machines, automatic technology and many more, it has completely overpowered the way the world looked once upon a time. Like the story of “Alice in Wonderland” there’s a complete makeover of the way technology has completely transformed our world. At the very moment an age old adage “Necessity being the mother of all inventions” scripted truly by its inventor strikes my memoirs.

               Undoubtedly this has become a facet of modern day life when reality bites show that human craze to dominate almost everything with shear will, wild imagination coupled with the awesome trio of necessity, hoards of desires and preferences paving way for a transformed life. Needless to point out that there are certain things which are eliminated/extinct as a methodology of “survival of fittest”.

              Some of the man-made inventions that were once very popular, but have now been phased out completely paving way for newer, faster, dynamic inventions. Some of the examples are as given below:

v  Letters and post office: The first thing to get completely wiped out with the present ever changing context is the yester year’s best mode of communication and medium of exchange of communication-Letters & post office. In July 2013, these one’s powerful medium of communication was completely phased out.  Attributes which lead to extinction of these common man’s best friend are:

1.       Slowness and emerging technologies: Today the era is marked by the world of E-net and E-mails which are very dominant, ultra fast, modern and can be accessed by anyone, anywhere even when on the go. There’s absolutely no time being wasted as well as to be waited to receive a communication as in case of letters and being on queues in post offices

2.     Adaptability, Accessibility, and Utility: Letters as well as post offices used to dominate world of communication for almost as long as human civilization existed. But slowly started losing its sheen with advent of 21^st century when technology started replacing even human beings. It has also created waves amongst people as it’s free, convenient, accessible from anywhere & anytime even while one is on the move and can even be used to share or even act as medium of exchange of commodities etc which cannot be possible through letters, but yes through post office it can be shared, but we have to wait a long time till we get the final verdict.

3.     Used to be effective during defense combat: Letters used to be an effective medium to communicate to defense personnel families during wake of emergency situation. However it used to take a long time for the news to reach to the other end, sometimes after death of a person. So wireless radio telephones, emails etc were used for conveying message instantly.

v  ATM’s: Though these machines are still being kept in loop due to being an effective medium to perform hoard of financial activities right from depositing cash in teller machine, withdrawing it as per time & convenience, getting updated about the available balance in an account which is like acting in a mini bank etc has far from getting diminished in near future as they would pave way for smart cards or self cashed card having a credit/debit limit that can be adjusted as per their utility at any point of time from anywhere without incurring extra charges. It also thus helps to reduce waiting time, transactional time, purchasing activity and last but not the least security involved in transactions.tc. So don’t be surprised if one would not find ATM’s in near future.

                Apart from these changes there are certain other developments taking place in ever changing and dynamic world. Here in this era when technology gets obsolete not within days or months, but in minutes, many more such things are going to be wiped out as they would pave way for newer, advanced, instant gadgets and things enhancing communication as well as connectivity between people.      

Women Empowerment in India

Women Empowerment in India

           Whoa! The most sought and happening topic is here. India-The land known for it's tradition, culture, fervour etc, even being flocked in by number of foreign tourists is sadly losing it's wonderful sheen and it's hold from such versatile topics. Can anyone think on what grounds this popularity is being diminished? or what's making the hot news everyday in our local dailies or news channels? Well with a sad, broken, yet humane heart, all that's making the headlines is the cruel, unimaginable, and a tryst or hoard of atrocities, crimes committed on our women. To add an insult to this grave issue, one's blood boils to protest or even kill the uncanny, unrealistic political leaders,top bureaucrats who are free to pass on their lewd comments like that of a top political brass son passing out a lewd comment portraying Indian women as "Dead and painted!"  and later commenting that he didn't do it in haste, or to hurt anyone sentiments. However needless to state that damage was already done. Isn't it? No doubt women across the country, group of women social activists, even many men steamed nation wide protests to mark the solidarity of people.

           I as a responsible citizen of my country feel like all others that "There's a limit to everything" and in our women's case it has been breached not occasionally but regularly. At one facet we worship our women as epitome of a "Powerful, resilient,  unconquered, unflinching goddess" whereas on the other commit all kinds of dastardly acts right from murdering female infants (female foeticide) in womb of her mother only because child is female, rapes,  to other inhumane acts. Have we forgotten the innumerable roles donned by our women in daily or real life? I think in some sense, yes we have indeed forgotten roles of women like that of:

•  No one can deny the role donned by women in form of a Mother-Taking exuberant pain to bring forth the new life.
• That of a home maker unduly donning various roles from complete upbringing of next gen, perfect life partner to her husband doing daily chores of her life, a perfect daughter to her parents etc.
• That of a teacher providing light and warmth of education to enlighten all.
• That of perhaps a defence personnel guarding our borders from militants, extremists, and other such issues.
• That of a scientist or being role model in form of wide array of things like that of eminent social activists, biz women cum entrepreneurs, space astronauts or prominent sports personalities and in many more fields viz proving a point that sky is limit for them and that call it any heights that they can't conquer.                                                                                                                                                                                     When such is the might of a women, then why is it that still Indian women are deprived of many things like:

       Right to express their feelings, right of education, right of sharing common platform with male counterparts, right of being called legal heirs of parents as still there's a wrong notion that only son's have the legal power to complete funeral rights or special events and thus they are subjected indoors taking care of children, husband and family.

       

                       Such is the crime rate or atrocity rate on women which as per leading national daily stood at 70:30 viz 70% of Indian women are subject to inhuman activities on daily basis as compared to 30% atrocities on male counterparts. Even a news published in national daily, a few days ago has revealed that even an International foreign student along with her troupe who were on an friendly education tour were traumatised and even an attempt was made to sexually harass them. Such was it's impact that these foreign ladies are battling it out in a depression/trauma centre in their country. What was their crime? Well their crime was shocking viz the love for our country/nation. Isn't there serious eyebrows been raced against such issues? Undoubtedly there's. However as usual callous deeds of some people, bureaucrats have bought national shame to us. Still there's no stringent laws to tackle such menace.        

        At one end there's no doubt that there are marked improvements and Indian women have been given employment opportunities, right to perform any events like even funeral rites of their near & dear ones, right to education, to form a one of its kind of women defence fleet for the trio of Army, Air force, Navy, exclusive women grievance cell and many more. However it's still is a bit scarce as lot more needs to be done like 

• Setting up of more exclusive women NGO groups at all levels exercising their powers-powers to protest against women issues, power to employment and many more.
• Appointment of women commando's and training cells imparting various self-techniques/skills to safeguard them and make them feel stronger at heart to tackle any distress situations.
• Form a women forum/committee that can tackle various women related issues at all levels viz National, rural, urban or even local levels.
• To power our judiciary system and make stringent laws against crime doers and people who commit atrocities against women including that of the filthy comments made by the political leaders.                                                                                                                                           These are just a jest of various things which can be devised to empower Indian women. But Alas! unless entire male community think of empowering women, safeguard and provide them equivocal rights to express, it would be a doomsday to all if these dastardly acts are not soon put to end.                                                                                                                                                                                     All are welcome to chip in with their ideas on the topic "Women Empowerment in India". Need participation from both guild viz Male and female panellists.                                 

Popularity of Android market, boon to someone, bane to others.

Popularity of Android market-boon to someone, bane to others. 

Android is undoubtedly the most buzzing word from across the world. It has not just thwarted the likes of once popular Symbian-Nokia platform, BOS-Blackberry's operating system, IOS-I-phone operating system and many such technologies.No wonder today many of the leading smart phone brands have ventured into Google powered Android powered technology. Reality bites state that Android has now captured 95% market share from it's closest competitors within no time. With the increasing popularity over the years, there's no doubt that all smartphones as well as small sized bar phones also will be operating under this technology and there would be a market dominance.
               Let's now have a facto-figure run for the boom of Android platform over the world. The know-how of what's Android and its booming shot to fame is as shared below:
A) If we do a know-how on how Android powered system came into existence is that till the early 2007, mobile application/tech gadgets ran on Java based platforms which largely started to decline as for the limitations like poor quality user interface, unavailability of free online purchase store to download variety of things on go like games, application, access TV channels on go etc.
B) So a team of researchers, software developers, application developers and scientists came into foray and with Android Inc started in 2007, developed Linux based operating system coined as "Android", which was later taken completely by Google. 
C) With the amalgamation of both these giants, first Android powered phone was launched in 2008 with launch of HTC dream which became an instant hit as one was able to download scores of games, applications and many other things apart from being able to even browse TV on go not available till that time on other operating system.
D) Since 2008, Android which has now been powered by Google has seen in numerous updates, new powered features and off course the code names given for Android platforms are based on sugary delights or desserts like the first one churned out from Android platform was named as Android 1.1 version, cupcake, donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, and latest entrant to power Android based devices is Jelly Bean. 
E) However as usual competition was so intense at initial stages that Android received a lukewarm reaction from closest competitors or likes of Nokia, Microsoft who even doubted this competition with comments like  Nokia was quoted as saying "we don't see this as a threat", and Microsoft mobile operations head stated as " don't understand the impact that they are going to have".
We all know what's happening today to the dominance of these once market leaders. Android's dominance in this operating system space is such that besides capturing a large chunk of mobile, smartphone market, it's now on the very heights powering even smallest "bar mobile phones" from leading brands like Samsung, LG, Sony etc.
            It has pushed mobile market giants "Nokia" to phase out the Symbian powered mobiles and completely refurbish, redesign a new operating system to power present mobiles to face intense competition and Microsoft's next gen windows mobiles are not doing well either as they are only powering higher end smartphones in price range as high as Rs.30 k's to 50 k's way behind one's imagination. However Android market is quite a large as they are available as low as Rs. 1,999 viz $30.97 (USD) to even Rs 50 k's viz $774.73.
Isn't this just amazing??

            Android's hottest cake "Jelly bean 4.1 to 4.7 versions" have taken away major chunk of mobile market from their closest competitors or likes of Windows powered smart phones like Nokia Lumia's, Samsung's Omnia etc to name a few. Such is the supremacy of Android market, that with an official press statement from Google Inc, headquarters from California, that a bigger, bright and next gen Android 5.0 prototype (Lime Pie) is up for release anywhere by late 2014 or early 2015, it has driven mobile marketers to go frenzy over the news. Speculations are that Nokia, Microsoft and other companies who took it lighter has known the serious impact it can cause. Therefore they are on a launchpad for making a new windows platform exclusive only for smartphones.

          There's no tip off that besides world is geared up with increased smartphone wars, fewer know that there's a kind of grand Operating system war which is going side by side. Until now Android has survived the scare and even tipped of other market giant operating war. But the question is "Can it budge the trend and be at numero-uno position and if so for how long?". However as an avid smartphone enthusiasts like me or perhaps others who used to be hooked once upon a time on the average yet stylish Nokia bar phones or smart phones running on Symbian system, with advent of Android market that mentality has completely gone for toss and changed the way mobile market looked.
           So from my end it's a big thumbs up for this little marvel "Android"! I hope that the small robot- mascot of Android will ever remain upbeat and never diminish it's value.

From
An avid technology lover and next gen Android smart phone user.     

Indian Economy in doldrums- Common man's plight, not an issue to our political leaders.

Indian Economy in doldrums- Common man's plight! However not an issue to our political leaders

               No idea of how a common man/public will survive the scary times!  “Scary” refers to the present turmoil Indian economy is witnessing through. Right from the menace of weakening stats shown by our currency rupee against USD and even other currencies to inflation, money laundering, increase in all commodities, this time being a history sheater as it has not spared even electronic goods or FMCG products, it’s relentlessly easy to point that only the common man suffers in such turmoil!.

       According to a recent shocker of a stat revealed in a local daily and debated alongside a popular news channel, states that Indian Rupee pitted against USD for a paltry figure of Rs.62.95 only!

       Isn’t that just staggering to hear this figure? Definitely it is. Whom should we blame? Callous political leaders or ourselves?  To be frank according to me it’s both parties to be blamed.

        Why? Well isn’t it we who exercise our votes to choose government and also our elected representatives to rule our country for as long as 5 years. But do we elect them wisely? Answer which comes from within heart would definitely be a perfect “NO”.

                  Amidst this ongoing turmoil or outrage against political leaders who are best known to have art to stem the opposition or garner enough sympathy thereby taking the very steam out of tide, what remains unchanged is the flattering, unbelievable and yet predictable comments and views of our politicians right from:

·   Average human being in India taking care of food needs for as less than or equal to Rs 12
·   GDP growth in India being whooping 10-12% compared to shocking stat of just hovering round paltry figure of 5 to 5.7% nearly half of what it was three years ago”.
·  Then comments like Rise in Per Capita Income per population touching magic figure of 8 % as pitted against current value of 5 %.

·   Adequate employability measures taken wherein reality bites predict the opposite viz three fold increase in unemployment.

·    Highest participation of FDI and foreign investors at 75-80% wherein stats as usual shows just 40-50% FDI or investors opening firm in India. 

 ·    Passing out a Food bill which can cover BPL (Below poverty line) people and eradicate poverty, malnutrition in a jiffy completely, doesn’t surprise one and all as we’re used to them.

         Although there are still number of topics that can generally be discussed relating the downpour of political comments, but it would just not solve the issues.

              Most embarrassing point is that India lies in 132^nd position compared to 185 countries in case of WPI (wholesale price index) – an indicator for measuring inflation as lower as our neighboring countries Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal or even China.

            Whatsoever happens in our country, these corrupt politicians are just dooming our prestige in front of others. Either there’s two tracks for us - simply follow the suit silently viz buck under the trend or government policies or fight to the core and at least redeem in some prestige viz protest against these rising issues, otherwise it would be very late. 

Nature's fury at its peak with mother earth burning. Who are to be blamed??

Human era coming to an end?? Mother Earth burning?? Don't just get startled to hear it next time as this is just not a meagre joke, but a fact that surrounds us. Thanks to the never ending lust, greed and to showcase to even GOD our supremacy, we are slowly digging our own grave by killing the natural flora, fauna, habitat etc to own worldly pleasures. Amidst this fight for being supreme, we always tend to forget the age old adage "As you sow, so shall you reap", which truly comes into picture for the issues mounting globally. It's just startling to believe that our Mother Earth is slowly just turning into a ball of fire!. Alarm bells ringing round everywhere with this news. However startling it is, but even doing a reality check would make us more astound as to slowly believe that if sooner something is not done by us to save our planet, we ourselves would get extinct. 

                 Well, I don't want to scare anyone who are going through the matter written till now. However we can't just ignore what's waiting in store for us if we (Humans) would continue dominate the proceedings and churn out every drop of what our mother nature can give back to us. As once it would itself retaliate against as it's seen from latest proceedings throughout the globe. In everlasting quench to rule the world, we have forgotten the fact that the tagline "Survival of fittest" applies also to us. The context of presenting this matter to the world is to present that slowly our mother Earth is losing its natural sheen paving way for extreme climatic disasters, calamities due to release of greenhouse gases emitted from smoke due to increased vehicular movements-again a human invention and hoard of illegal activities which we have been a part directly or indirectly. In fact all human inventions in one way or other, barring a few have been very destructive for the nature and now indirectly its a menace to us.

                According to a recent study done by a guild comprising of geologists, researchers, and bio-scientists on the climatic changes happening across the globe viz reasons for drought to extreme chilly\cold weather in some places to extreme rainfall or absolute dry conditions prevailing in other places, has largely been attributed to human intervention with natural flora, fauna, and it's mechanisms by scrapping up huge land, doing illegal mining of various resources, setting up huge buildings, devouring forests, trees, constructing more industries which pollute water bodies by dumping wastes and effluents into them and many more such activities. These have now begun to pave way for unheard phenomenons like giant Tsunamis or killer sea tides in India, Indonesia, US, silk holes in places like Florida, Guatamala Bay in US, melting of polar cap of Antarctica, uneven monsoon pattern to name a few as earth's surface is heating up like a hydrogen gas used in "Hot air balloons".  

              Come 2015, there would be a huge 'Earth convention' to be held at Geneva wherein a team of scientists, researchers, government officials from more than 200 countries would be present to discuss the causes and measures to curb the effects of the greenhouse gases and to come to a permissible emission level of the gases apart from discussing about retuning the "go green or commuting various eco friendly'  environmental policy adopted in different countries. This would be a mass initiative or summit after a  long period. 

            However even before the summit, measures should adequately taken by all of us to utilise more of bio-renewable energy sources, bio fuels, increase land space by reducing the cutting down of trees and off course plant more trees to prevent issues like soil degradation, erosion etc in order to save human race from extinction. Present efforts to safeguard human race is not enough as geologists predict that only 30% eco-friendly measures are being put to use.

             Hope that we just don't watch and wait till its very long to even turn back............or witness end of a great human saga.         

            

Increasing popularity of Malls, its impact and changing trends on lifestyle in India.

No wonder to call India in itself a huge continent engulfed with people from all over and round the globe. With the increasing popularity and demand from the western community with the traditional fervour, educational hub as well as on other grounds, India has been one of the best hubs for making a living in this country. Though being surrounded by the ghost of global issues like corruption, politics, recessed economy, depleting currency rates etc, it has still been number one tourist hot spot in recent years. Apart from all these stuffs, India has recorded the best infrastructure in the world on a recent global summit and being voted one amongst top 30 nations globally for the Infra. Isn't it the silver lining or the icing on the cake? Yes, it truly is.

             With the advent of changing technology as well as the trendy lifestyle, Indian dress code and lifestyle have also undergone a dramatic face off in the years down the lane. More and more western community are adopting our dress code, and we are drifting towards theirs. Definitely its not a bad paradigm shift happening. However needless to point out that we have in our own drifted completely from our dress code and adopted western dress code sense in completely. For ex: The usual cotton cloth, khadi dress code, ethnic wear have been replaced with a slim fit, tight fit denim or jeans materials with T-shirts. This is just a glimpse of how the lifestyle pattern has changed. Now its like fast getting fastest and in same manner trendy getting trendiest looks. Can anyone realise and think of the root cause of such drastic changes being bought in our lifestyle?? Well its right in front of our imagination. Yes, its nothing but the tallest buildings or the sky scrappers termed more as "Malls" in the recent times. No wonder and why not? They are boon to a wide variety of people right from consumers, traders, manufacturers, avid shopping community, traders, business owners, avid cinema lovers etc. According to a nationwide survey as quoted by a popular aesthetic magazine and newspaper daily, its being termed that India has the best, safest, widest and largest chain of malls throughout the country next only to that of the three most superpowers US, China, Japan. Can we believe it? No I can't. But its the fact. There are almost 500-600 malls in India and every year a new mall arises in even smallest and unknown place/hamlet in India. This is simply unbelievable and amazing stuff. At one side our government keeps increasing rates of common usable commodities used for sustaining life in the wake of diminishing currency value as against USD, whereas on the other hand it funds organizations, institutions like Raheja's, Plymouth, Phoenix City, Fab city, and many such land developers and builders for getting sites on subsidised rates where they build malls and expand their businesses. Amidst all major and good developments what's remain unchanged in a developing economy like ours is that of "Richer getting richer and poorer becoming poorer".

Let us now have a look into the good and bad aspects of Mall culture in a country like India and its impact.

Pros/positive aspects of Mall culture:

1. Increased purchasing power means change in the buying habits:Well it's not new that with the average income of public getting higher, people are now leading a much affordable, flexible and convenient mode of life. They can come to a mall and shop in bulk, enjoy quality time with family, near and dear ones etc.
2. Wider, greater, flexibility, affordable, competitive reach to world class amenities and products from a wide brand of quality products:As it suggests that today the world has changed zillion folds and we do have lot of goods to be purchased as per our preference. So Malls are the best and convenient hideouts with our family, friends as we can shop at our will and at best affordable deals.
3. A good way of relaxation and enjoyment with old friends and near and dear ones: Malls are the best place to chill-pill or go on a hangout with. Also most of the malls apart from acting as one stop shop for all basic and other products, are also home to latest entertainment.stuff like Multiplexes cinema theatres-an instant hit amongst avid cine lovers, pubs, discotheques, bowling arena and a host of other entertainment, entertainment, and more entertainment stuffs wherein one can drool into a host of  activities.
4. A good and avid source of business, profit making and also a source to get employed for catering the needs of huge worldwide brands:Needless to point out this statement which is self explanatory. No one can deny that first thing we enter a Mall is to do a general tout of shopping apart from spending time with our friends, or any one else or even sometimes all alone! So whom does we meet there first? A shop sales agent or cashier or a hoard of people working tirelessly everyday, even on Sunday. 
5. Huge oppurtunity for getting employed and growth: Our readers or everyone, lets spare a word of thought to these people making us get perfect smiles every time one walks in and out of a store in a Mall near by your area or in your city. So there's a huge number of people who avail employment as well as businessman and traders setting up their franchisee who themselves get connected with major global brands. Isn't it just amazing? But have anyone spared thought of Malls being the leading source of employability. Well it definitely is. One would be shell shocked if I reveal facts published in a daily that Malls across India employ 90 % of the talent pool from various fields. Still not believing. Well jokes apart, but its a reality.
6. Benefit to Government-Centre as well as state and overall to the country:Till this point we have seen how malls are epicentre to personal, trading or business front. Moving on to the feather in its cap, Malls provide a great epicentre for establishment of various businesses, inter state/region or even global money and other transactional transfers. Apart from it central, state governments also tax these malls to get revenues and which bolsters the country's economic condition.

Cons/negative aspects of Mall culture:

Well this aspect need no introduction as we have already seen the issues and impact of the negative aspects of Mall culture in earlier paras. However just a jist apart from the usual dialogue so far, here are certain ky negative aspects and their impacts.

1. Leads to bulk purchase behaviour thereby diminishing the value of saving aspect:India and its womanhood were always in pretext of saving a lot to tackle future issues. However thanks to a changing lifestyle and advent of Malls and other business cum entertainment establishments, this practice has now been diminished in totality. This in turn has lead to hoard of issues like bulk purchase of commodities for more than a month, unwanted buying behaviour, no saving aspect being present in Indian household etc.
2. Diminishing of personal values, in-house time or creative time, play around time with friends etc: Many would not agree with my aspects or my way of thought. But its a ground reality which no one can escape that with constant changing lifestyle has also paved way for increased tensions and household issues. Thanks when its era marked with electronic gadgets like TV aptly known as Idiot box, PSP, PS3"s etc, leading to a mechanical life sans creativity, playful young minds, malls have also slowly casting their shadow as young generation who used to love playing and other creative stuffs in their past time are just fading way to a mall nearby to shop their needs and waste time. Also add to it many people, housewives, kids, younger gen next don't like home food and love mall or eateries outside food which is really causing issues like obesity, diabetes, food cancer, bile cancer and a hoard of ailments.
3. Elimination of small petty shops, small size traders, small buying habits etc: Aren't we all aware that once upon a time, our needs, wants, desires, perception of market used to be small daily usual chores and purchases, which is no longer there. Thanks to the advent of Malls nearby, we never-ever see our old petty or shop where we used to buy from as they are virtually eliminated and with them their entire set of people or those who survived are in lead to getting extinct.So in all what's the impact?? Well nothing much in terms of revenue which in fact has increased for governments, but the personal bonding of associating with a small shop which had all the answer to our daily needs is no longer their and is slowly but steadily diminishing. With that bulk preference, needs, desire, lust have taken away the saving mentality from Indian households.
4. Diminished Landscapes, flora, fauna, animal habitats means deluge of events like massive landslides, earthquakes, floods, droughts and a hoard of national crisis: Ever imagined astrologers and other set of people making public announcements, blogs in the internet predicting end of this era?? Isn't it coming true with hoard of events? Yes, it is. The epicentre being destruction of the vast beautiful landscapes enriched with natural flora and fauna, animal habitats being endangered for what? Just human beings need and greed? But we have forgot that if we rule the food chain or life cycle we also would be punished for all our wrong doings and that's exactly happening. With increased greed, lust and power to conquer everything we once possessed our landscapes have taken form of big huge buildings, sky-scrappers and phenomena called Malls. But what has it been created for? Just en-mass of deluge of destruction right in form of landslides like that of beautiful and unimaginable valley full of flora and fauna of Uttarakhand in India, to earthquakes that lashed the beautiful desert of Rann of kutch in Gujarat, and not to forget flurry of floods in our business capital Mumbai, India's capital Delhi and various other states and even floods like Katrina etc which rocked United States of America in recent times.   

Though I can go on and on and on regard the negative aspects about the Malls and their impact. However just limiting to 4 main and key points. No wonder that our life has got entangled and centred round Malls and its no doubt they are necessary. But are they so much important that we invite nature's own fury and also our very way of getting extinct.
                                 So my query to even myself and general public is "Are Malls really the epitome or symbol of our country's economic progress?" or that it is an "Epitome/symbol of once changing attitude/lifestyle/purchasing power etc also thereby bringing the selfishness,greed, lust and never caring attitude towards destitute and poor. This never used to be our way of thinking till the advent of 21st century when men and every other thing were replaced by machines.

This is time to keep all our think-tank running and have a serious go on how much malls need to be build up and if Government are providing lands and other sites for build up, why not for constructive purposes like building a school, district college or educational institutions, banks etc, instead of already mushroomed phenomena called Malls.

So think before its too late.................. and that's why the tag line............ "Better__________ than_________" or else our humanity would completely get wiped out just like the natural flora, fauna, animals.
  

Government acceptance on FDI in Retail Industry.

Well as known over the recent years, FDI has been the most sought news widely researched, read, published in the media or public forums. Now recently with the Indian Government's decision to give its nod in favour of bringing FDI to the retail fortress has evoked a mixed bag of response from a wide variety of people across the country as well as across the globe. There has been a lot of section from the global community who have voted for the FDI in retail Industry and as usual there has also been a lot of objections, opposition,  severe criticism as well as widespread protest in fear of FDI as an entrant in retail Industry in India. However as usual government's nod to help foreign companies getting their foothold in India has not surprised anyone as its a usual fact of succumbing to the mounting pressures which is usually associated with our government. In fact as an avid reader and writer on various topics, even I do welcome this decision from our government as it'll not only help us to revive the economic crisis, build new job opportunities thereby eradicating cause of unemployment, manage the depreciating revenue reserves and many such global issues at a stretch. However the most surprise element about government decision is regarding the direct nod for 30 % FDI participation in retail industry, in fact being the epitome of the news facts from the dailies published across the globe that this is the highest percentage of FDI contribution sanctioned by any government till now in retail. This in the rake of moolah that there's very less cap/margin allotted for the FDI participation in other industries which also means in one way neglecting their valuable contributions to Indian Infra and growth. As per the recent trends, India's lifeline-Agriculture has just got 10-15 % stake of FDI and even the India's rise as a full fledged developing economic superpower with the Infra and IT boom has also received a paltry stake of just 20-25 % hike thus staging as most surprised element amongst the decision. So is this just the correct or a usual invasive decision? Notwithstanding with the governmental decision, time only would tell the way whether the decision would be a fruitful one or would it be act as big headache for them?.

This has now paved way for foreign retail players like Walmart Inc, Sweepstakes Inc as well as other foreign retail marketers to ply their business in India. Why is there a lot of opposition, widespread criticism coupled with protest in wake of this move if all is well as staged by our government?. Any guesses? Bingo! We all have got the thick of the issue. However just before starting a new pinnacle study on the strength, weakness this can cause, let us have a serious look on the route adopted by FDI in Indian Inc. Their are two modes/routes of receiving FDI by any firm in India. They are:

A) Automatic Route:
FDI is allowed under the automatic route without prior approval either of the Government or the Reserve Bank of India in all activities/sectors as specified in the consolidated FDI Policy, issued by the Government of India from time to time.

B) Government/Indigenous/Indirect Route:
Totally opposite the way automatic route works. FDI in activities not covered under the automatic route requires prior approval of the Government which are considered by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.

Let us now just have a go-how or a peep into the advantage/disadvantage caused by such huge cap/limit of 30% set by Indian Government in Retail Industry. Needless to point that retail industry is measured by the FMCG (Fast moving consumer goods) industry which is the main foray for sweeping major chunk of profit in any trade and which in turn strengthens economic condition as almost 100% population across globe use different consumable products for daily use. So let us now start our proceedings on how FDI limit of 30% set by Indian government can set positive vibe in the retail industry.

Advantages:

• Involvement of more foreign retailers, manufacturers, retail companies allows quality products made available at competitive price, with discounts, flexible and attractive options never-ever heard before.
• Relaxation of trade norms, bilateral talks on various trade summits between top companies etc brings not only dearth, flexibility etc in maintaining liquid, foreign exchange reserves, but it also helps to phase out issues pertaining to employability, curbs falling revenue and stabilise it. It also helps in establishing trade ties within two countries, maintain liquid reserves through strong foreign exchange market etc.
• Helps in transfer of new technologies, management skills, intellectual property rights, growth of infrastructure and information sector within retail industry for creating flexible, dynamic environment globally.
• Increases competition within the local market and this brings higher efficiencies, increase in overall productivity, brings quality stuff at convenient, flexible price range.
• Increased product range offers consumers to be the king and hence increases the decision making power to choose from wide variety of products or types at par with their convenience viz increases purchasing power and attitude association with particular brand.

Disadvantages:

• Fear of losing out the market competency,leadership to a newer or even just established brand due to increased,stiffer competition and thus being lastly eliminated completely from the business.
• Development of Monopolistic giants across the world and domination of one entity over the other cannot just be ruled out. This in turn leads to unhealthy retail tactics, out-pour of  just a particular kind of product of a particular nation, least to say quality products being not readily available, tough competition even whilst entering a particular market etc.
• Such foreign companies invest more in machinery and intellectual property than in wages of the local people, misconception of people being termed as substitutes to cheap labour as though about Asian and African nations including ours amongst west and European community.
• In the initial stages although the government has got powers, however in later stages they lose the control over the functioning of such companies as they usually work as wholly owned subsidiary of an overseas company thus mushrooming the start of monopolistic culture, hoarding of costly as well as edible and other precious commodities thus at times destabilising economy and in turn laying begin of era marred by global issues like recession, inflation, deflation and hoards of other related terms.
• Opening of floodgates, easy dumping ground for all kinds of products not so popular amongst local crowd, thus turning global market as a complete product battleground. Thus a huge plus for consumers, but it also influences the general buying ideology of the consumers making way for even sometimes unethical strategy,policies to win in the race of survival of fittest.

So just like any debatable/controversial topic, providing such huge margin of (30%) of FDI participation in retail sector has already begun an allegation, objection war from political mainframe to global trade association mainframe to even consumer mainframe and also leading to widespread protest as counts of traders,middlemen, brokers and other marketing channels gets completely wiped out and also in certain cases leading to shutting up of small shops for our basic needs. Though FDI participation is also a necessary, fundamental stuff for a developing economy like India and even other nations to not only sustain, but to show our strength globally. 

The only way government can survive in FDI race is to have stringent, yet win-win ideological business or other mainframes putting all parties to trade at a much better position.  Otherwise it would phase out entire nation stake/pride associated with any product. So the epicentre just not lies in debating of what is FDI, advantage,disadvantage, but to utilise it as a powerful medium backed with good managing tactics for attaining indomitable market supermacy and provide win-win situation in wake of cross-border trade between countries.

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Popularity of Internet in Retail Industry.

Have we ever imagined the way our past was? Well the answer would definitely be a "NO". Well our past was full of uncertainties where there were nothing much to get enjoyment, feel refreshed, rejuvenated and feel younger even at a much older age. However these have not only changed, but also has undergone a drastic improvement with sophisticated tools, synergy of new scientific gadgets, off course who can forget utility of Internet and other such related newer yet refreshed concepts phasing our day to day life. Lets get into the act of how the Internet revolution is phasing the retail industry. Well nonetheless to point that there has been not just significant improvement, but a miraculous, destined improvement in retail industry with the advent of newer means of Internet revolution and its concepts. Most of these are already known and best understood in practical and real life by all our readers. First and foremost lets run a general comparison between older retail procedures and the newer developments.

 Well in older days statistics show that 80% of the households visit nearest shop/outlet etc for their purchasing needs which was really tedious as one has to spent a lot time in queues apart from being prone to lot of errors at times which would make them a lot more tired, and dissatisfied for not getting value for money as there were no offers/deals on bulk purchases.Apart from these there was absolute no convenience, no bargaining power etc associated and also at times products delivered were of sub-standard quality. Come the world of Internet and lo! The shape of retailing as well as other things have done drastic changes. Few changes are as highlighted below:

• Fast, Faster, Fastest medium for doing any transactions: The world of Internet coupled with debit-credit card transactions have not only bought new & advanced chapter in retailing, but also has made it convenient for one and all to perform general as well as complex bulk purchases with just the click of a button or even on the go with Mobile & other revolutionised gadgets from anywhere across the world.
• Creative, Fun-filled, Flexible and affordable transactions at any point of given time: Gone are the days to travel long distances to fetch our general commodities. With backing of Internet, Internet based innovative apps, e-commerce solutions coming handy for consumers/customers as well as the merchandisers or retailers to promote business in a bigger and better manner. Thus one need not even go for shopping and can get best deals on all commodities from placing their orders on-line from their home itself or even whilst travelling. Also guess what's the best thing with on line shopping???? Off course we get the best bargain, attractive deals minus the stress of paying more whilst doing practical purchase, quick & last but not the least satisfaction of having purchased the commodity we need from wide variety of choices.
• Powerful backing of E-commerce and Internet Solutions coming handy whilst procuring our favourite commodity: Well imagine our lives 5-10 years before wherein for getting a list of our commodities, one need to travel a lot to nearest market area and be in long queues/lines with other consumers/purchasers and still not achieve what we think about as there would be a host of people in market viz from Retailers, middlemen who fix a particular price on product which would not fit our pockets. But today even for daily needs, one can shop on line as e-commerce with bank applications, internet savvy gadgets can get us the commodity in  no time. 
• Wide variety of choices, eliminates middlemen and brokers thereby being cost effective:Unlike older days when going to market was the only solace and we have to eye on a particular commodity because there were fewer brands etc to choose from. Unlike now when there is a huge list of brands for same commodity. However its not the only reason why internet retailing/on line retailing is popular. Apart from these usual stuffs, it also is very cost effective, paves way for better deals and best part is that there are no involvement of middlemen or third parties. Hence one can directly buy it from manufacturers which acts as a win-win situation for both parties.                                                                                                                                                                                       These are just few of the advantages of shopping/retailing on line. However this is just like a tip of iceberg of what the world of Internet has in store for all kinds of parties dealing with it and hence is like feather in a cap. Needless to point out to one and all how truly the world of internet and ever changing dynamic world has revolutionised the way retailing or any normal market looked like years ago.                                           

Preview on entry of Walmart in India and its impact

Wondering what's making news in the current context today? Any guesses? Well its none other than the most happening news Walmart-A FMCG leader board to enter Indian market and impact of it on various fields. Lets ponder upon the various key factors and impact it can have on our Indian market. Like any other entrant capturing the most happening markets in International trade viz Indian minds as well as Indian market would never be an easy going for anyone making the base here for the very first time. Walmart have also realized it off lately when from the year 2012, they are in constant touch with a huge Indian delegation representing Indian home, finance minister, representatives from various parties, farmer and fmcg representatives, media etc which is far from yet being called or finalised a deal. However what Walmart has definitely done is to keep the think tank of the Indian government rolling all these years and like any other decision taken by Indian Government, it seems like they are going to succumb again to the attractive deals and offers posted in front of them by the Walmart Inc group.

Let us now ponder the positive-negative impacts of Walmart Inc group entering into erstwhile Indian Market already dominated with lot other foreign companies. Also let us have a general check in that whether there would be any impact from the government succumbing under pressure from the points thrown by Walmart Inc.

Pros of Walmart's Inc. Entree in Indian Market:What can be expected of them?

• Elimination of middlemen and other groups: Well the biggest or the best perspective that can arise out of this collaboration is that it eliminates the middlemen or the acting agencies which connects any product from the wholesaler,manufacturer, farmers, or other companies to retailers, direct buyers, consumers etc, thereby paving way for a safe and secretive trade.
• 100% Cost effective,competitive, affordable, flexi deal world class products: Well Indian markets have just not seen a nominal growth, but a phenomenal growth with many many foreign players viz companies entering and exiting without any reason. The most common amongst reason quoted for the negative growth is because of the sub-standard goods and high price strategy for these cheap goods. Though our country India is dominated by highly cheap labour, however we are always known for our market skills. That's the reason why all leading foreign companies including Walmart establishing base in India have understood that best way to capture Indian market is to provide best competitive and cost effective, yet which is very affordable world class products instead of cheap yet costly products.
• Widespread and better choice of highly affordable products:To get a base entry they would slash their prices and would provide better facilities as well as wider reach of all kinds of products best suited for Indian Market which also will be direct from manufacturers to consumers thus making it cost effective too! However the catch is till what duration or time would they go with these deals.
• Lesser competition means more profit sharing and better one off deals: With Walmart Inc's entry in Indian market, it would minimise the competition from other related groups as it would directly eliminate all middlemen, brokers etc thereby providing one off deals and best offers to consumers and which fits everybody's pocket. But well the catch is how long will they sustain with these tactic.

These are few best advantage/pros one can expect of Walmart's entry into Indian Market. Well if its so easy going and so advantageous for Indian consumers, marketers and everyone else, why is the storm/tide against the natural entry??? Any wild guesses. Well it seems all our readers have truly donned the work of a detective. Yes, the answer lies in the cheap and the bad tactics played by these entrants like Walmart Inc. So its right and most apt time to open up our chapter regard the disadvantages/cons of Walmart Inc or any other foreign player. This is why there is a lot debate and  even protest going on and on which is making the government to think hard for the very first time in the history of allowing a foreign player like WAL to dominate our market.

Disadvantages/cons associated with Walmart Inc entering Indian market: Also the centre line of debate is because of the following facts:

1. Fear of Monopolistic Behaviour/Attitude:As observed by the Indian Trade organization and large forum of famous Economists, Farmer, Trading groups etc who are currently protesting against the foreign players like Walmart Inc entering Indian market is because they fear of a Monopoly behaviour as observed in most of the FDI or foreign players entering in Asian/Indian Markets. These behaviour is created over a period of time and wherein these companies completely acquire/capture Indian Market share and can fix their own rates on different commodities etc.
2. Unaccountability towards profit sharing:As per the observations charted by various forums and communicative groups, Walmart Inc and other foreign companies do comply cheap tactics of profit sharing wherein they agree to lower profit margin at earlier stages, but later on after dominating any market makes their own profit margins to be sustain and get on leader board of the market. Thus they alone acquire high profitability which leads in future or later stages issues like Inflation (price hike of essential commodities), hoarding and mass inheritance of the commodities, unavailability of commodities etc.
3. Worst fear of rich becoming richer & poor becoming poorer:The worst and the centre point of all debate or issue is that with the entry of Walmart and other foreign companies, the rich people would still bank on buying commodities at much higher rate in near future from the same players who promised much competitive and flexi deals in beginning. However the major impact of this would be dealt on by the middle,lower middle and poor class of people who would definitely get rolled under the crisis. 
4. Extremity faced by major groups and impact on buying behaviour: The farmers, small merchants, shop holders etc would also feel the extremity of the monopolistic attitude of the foreign groups and would get buckled under the pressure.  Especially the farmers would be worst hit as they might have to even sell their precious land, earnings etc in hoard of expansion of these companies. It will also have an impact on general buying habit of we Indians as we believe in buying from small merchandise shops and not in a bulk manner. However it will inhabit a bulk buying behaviour amongst us as this will close down the smaller marketeers.
5. Unavailability of commodities/Steep hike in prices on all commodities etc: The foreign companies like Walmart would acquire all rights from leading brands across the globe and would fix its own pricing strategy which would be a win-win situation for most groups at an early stage. However later on, they would acquire complete right and may stack more commodities, price them at higher cost than market price and later even hoard it and make them unavailable. For Ex: Its not unknown to most of us what happened with the Life Saving drugs and medicines formulated by foreign companies which though in very popular demand are seldom available or even have been phased out by the foreign pharma players and worst part is that they do not have their substitutes.
6. Issues like Land grabbing, de-forestation and reduction in landscape etc: These are also the major issues caused due to provisioning of land for business purpose to such foreign companies/investors/players. How can we all forgot the impact company like Coco-Cola-The Beverage leader had in Pathanthitta Village in Kerala in year 2010-11 when it first entered Indian roots?. Farmers and even lot of average middle class people lost their lands to the expansion of this beverage leader. It also happened when Sony acquired rights to establish its maiden venture in Shanghou China- A beautiful province filled with dairy farm owners, farmers etc. This has now caused a wide range of issues right from soil,mineral erosion, adulteration,depletion of water resources,de-forestation, reduction in good landscape etc.  

So my avid readers, bloggers and general en-mass of people across the globe especially those in India. Is this what we have thought about our country or in fact any other country? So I as a respectable citizen of my country urge everyone to express their voice against Government and the current FDI movement which brings such players like Walmart and other groups to countries only to ruin our effective and prosperous lives.
At same time I'm not urging that FDI or collaboration with foreign companies should be severed completely. But I'm just voicing my expression against the general strategies implied on us by these companies at a longer run. So if they as well as the Indian or for that matter any other countries Government have a stringent laws, measures for the FDI or foreign companies, we all should welcome it and there would be no protest/opposition as such.

Note: Avid readers, please push in your comments as well as your likes and feedback on the topic after having read the topic.

India goes Shopping: Growth of Internet Usage in India

India goes Shopping: Growth of Internet Usage in India: India is not only a country filled with cultural fervour, unity in diversity, secular, a beautiful country inhabited & surrounded with ...

Growth of Internet Usage in India

India is not only a country filled with cultural fervour, unity in diversity, secular, a beautiful country inhabited & surrounded with natural flora, fauna etc, but its also the education and traditional hub of the world. Now we Indians must be proud of ourselves that we have also broke a new record viz being the ultimate internet and techno frenzy nation or country in the world. According to the sources published in a national daily of London, its been confirmed recently that India as an African nation has the maximum number of Internet usage which is almost 30 % of total world internet usage. The facts as per the given statement and studies for highest number of Internet usage is as given below:

• Maximum utilization of techno gadgets like Smartphone Users, Laptops, or even other devices: India is a home for more than a trillionth of human population and no wonders that with advent of Smartphones, laptops and other devices, we the Indians use it not only for commercial as well as personal usage. Thus these techno gadgets are backed with powerful internet medium and thus India has maximum usage to these gadgets. In fact according to a recent article published with a popular daily states that in every nano-second, a person in India tweets in twitter or even for that matter Facebook or other social-networking sites. Thus we can understand the gravity of the internet usage of our country.
• The advent of 2G and 3G Spectrum in India:With the upcoming trend as seen with the recent development and entry of 2G and 3G spectrum provided by different ISP in our country, there has been a dramatic turnaround in the base of number of internet users in our country as it has now got convenient and easier to get connected with anyone on the GO.
• Increased awareness backed with changing technology: Needless to point out to our avid readers who themselves know that how the world has not only become fast, its became the fastest. So with the changes and to survive and be winners in respective fields we have to get adapted to new changes and also create an awareness of how these changes can benefit us in long run. For ex: Modern technology has completely revolutionised the way the world looked like sometime ago. Imagining a life without it is hard to believe and lived upon. Classroom teaching for students have now paved way for interactive e-learning, purchasing and procuring things have been easier than before as there is backing of e-commerce now.
• Techno acceptance and proactive involvement: Indian government and the general public has thoroughly known that if we have to compete with any other International countries and be in the race for survival, we have to back our technology and utilise the available internet backed resources and applications that can powerhouse our lives and improve them.

These are just some of the points which establish or proves the turnaround of the growth of Internet Usage, awareness created and the up teen utilization of the technology to our gain. 

Maximise business profits with latest technology and world of e-commerce

Advent of new technology with the backing of world of e-commerce has truly changed the face of modern day businesses or for the fact anything successful. Needless to point that today the world has become fast, faster and fastest paving way for latest techno gadgets which add colour, meaning to one's life. Today without these small little power-packed gadgets or laptops which power our day to day life. Not only it spice up our daily way of routine, but adds a different dimension to be successful business or leaders in any industry or even life. The point to be brought in limelight is that one should advance with the latest changes in technology. Let us now have a know-how of maximising returns,expanding business with the advanced techno tools as well as e-commerce and what's in store with it?. Got it. All eager to know. So just unfolding the merits & how technology & world of e-commerce can spark your business:

• Mobilise & being the first to set new trends: The only way any business can grow or become successful is by promoting innovative & new means of procuring customers, trading business through technological gadgets like Mobiles, Laptops, Smart tabs etc thus bridging gap between the customers and us.
• Powerful backing of E-commerce:E-commerce/payment gateway/on line trading as popularly known amongst all of us has now reached the threshold creating waves amongst successful business owners and general public. It helps to get instant contact between customers, trade merchants, business owners, entrepreneurs and bridge gap between the time taken to order any item on line after paying the dues.It also helps in getting world class products from best brands at best deals and also enhances connectivity between customers and direct manufacturers eliminating cost as well as other factors.So to establish a success story, a good network of e-commerce has to be made available on most of the technological gadgets/aspects used by en-mass of people globally.
• Finalizing the best media/criterion to lure target audience:The optimum gain in any business is to choose the right mix of media, adaptability, flexible, affordable channel strategy and approach as well as competitive price to get capture the correct audience for expand business and reach threshold of profit. As customers or audience are the ones who gave us the idea of starting the business.
• General Education on E-commerce & its trends : Maximise and production of more and more innovative world class web based and other technological powered gadgets that rule the world at the moment helps us to get instant connectivity, learn & understand our customers not only better, but making them satisfied all the times as 1 satisfied customer is best asset for all our productive ideas.
• Learn how to keep it SS and act SMART:The most important aspect of scripting success story whilst having an idea of starting a business is to drive it the way you want viz by keeping the ideas short, clear & simpler so as it caters everyone needs. So still wondering what's SMART?

          SMART stands for

          S- Simple yet best market strategies to build/start business.

          M- Maximise Resource with power packed technology and innovate ideas to withstand competition.

          A- Acquire newer tools & tech driven gadgets to reach out to our customers/target audience

          R- Research & develop aspects to set new goals as to be called market leaders.

          T - Trend setting with effective and optimum use of technology to expand levels to new markets.

So a fair outlook has now been revealed in to have a know-how of starting up a new business. Isn't it? Primary or key factors of expanding and carving positive image in the minds of customers is to maximise our efforts to put together the use of optimum technology & change the way it gets advanced. This is the only way how we get profits in our biz and get maximum satisfied, retained customer base.