Independence Day Special India
INDEPENDENCE DAY SPECIAL INDIA
PRICE RS. 100. AUGUST 31, 2012
Incredible IndiaINDIA!? FORGET THE OBSESSION WITH BECOMING A SUPERPOWER. FIRST, LET’S BECOME A GREAT NATION.
www.forbesindia.com Letter From The Editor
Redefining Our Purpose
“Cat: Where are you going? to read those special packages again, Alice: Which way should I go? please log on to http://forbesindia.com) Cat: That depends on where you are going. This year, the centrepiece of our Alice: I don’t know. special package is a provocative essay Cat: Then it doesn’t matter by someone who is a familiar fi gure on which way you go.” these pages: Sundeep Waslekar, thinker, global strategic aff airs expert and author. ull over these words from Waslekar forces us to re-evaluate the THERE ARE MANY Lewis Carroll’s Alice in fundamentals of a great nation. And he WAYS TO DEFINE A M Wonderland, as we prepare draws upon some powerful examples GREAT NATION. IT to celebrate our 65th Anniversary of from the experiences of other nations BEGINS BY HAVING Independence. And then, try to honestly that began rising around the same THE HUMILITY answer the next question: Do we really time as we did. Obviously, there are AND CAPACITY TO know where we’re headed as a nation? many ways to defi ne a great nation. LEARN FROM THE I don’t know what you’re thinking, In my book, it begins by having the INDEXPERIENCESIA OF but even for a die-hard believer of humility and capacity to learn from the OTHERS the India story like me, it’s a tough experiences of others. Keep that in mind ------question to answer. All around us, the when you read his essay on page 44. prevailing gloom seems to suggest that In a separate package, we’ve also paid we may have lost sight of the path, tribute to a set of outstanding Indians but hopefully, not the destination. who’ve tried their best to keep two of our At Forbes India, for the past two vital institutions—the bureaucracy and years, Independence Day has been an the judiciary—vibrant and responsive. occasion to refl ect on the challenges Sarosh Homi Kapadia is one such facing us as a nation. In 2010, we focussed individual, whose story of integrity and on some of India’s biggest geopolitical commitment will inspire generations, challenges in our special package, India long after he steps down as Chief Justice and the World. Last year, we turned of the Supreme Court on September 29. our gaze inwards to examine the key Make sure you read our story fault-lines that had opened up, as an on him, and the nine others, plus embattled state came under fi re for a photo feature on the things that its failure to govern. (In case you want make us proud to be Indians.
Best,
Indrajit Gupta Editor, Forbes India [email protected] @indrajitgupta
August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 5 INDIA
INDEPENDENCED AY Volume 4 | Issue 18 | August 31, 2012 SPECIAL Contents GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME 44 68 Breaking New Ground The government wrestled with the problem of digitising land records for over a decade. Rajeev Chawla is fi nally getting the job done.
70 Government Inc. Aruna Sundararajan’s SH Kapadia Purna Chandra Kishan MK Bhan HK Mittal approach to state-run INDIA 58 62 64 66 projects made her an e-literacy pioneer
72 The Algebra of Infi nite Development Nothing is getting in the way of Alex Menon’s drive for development
74 All in it Together Ram Mohan Mishra 68 Rajeev Chawla 70 Aruna Sudararajan 72 Alex Menon 74 Ram Mohan Mishra doesn’t think of his constituents as benefi ciaries—each is a 58 Pilgrim of Justice 64 A Visionary Who Also potential entrepreneur Chief Justice SH Delivers Kapadia will be MK Bhan is driving 76 The Early Adopter
remembered for innovation in the Under Amod Kumar, Getty Images landmark judgments, Department of Uttar Pradesh has been an but also for working Biotechnology by taking e-governance incubator Credible India to restore the judicial governance outside the It’s time to set aside ambitions of great power and focus system’s credibility government 78 On a Mission to End on building a great nation, says Sundeep Waslekar Illegal Mining 76 Amod Kumar 78 UV Singh 62 Stopping Traffi ck 66 Stepping Up For UV Singh fi nally got FEATURES Purna Chandra Kishan Startups the evidence needed to rescued thousands India needs growth- bring down the illegal FORBES INDIA LEADERSHIP of child labourers by fuelling entrepreneurs; HK trade in Karnataka. Now, AWARDS 2012 86 The Fab 50 cracking down on Mittal has a plan to help he’s targeting the entire 80 The India Growth Story is Still Good Out of a long list of outstanding traffi ckers them launch country Despite the recent pessimism, the Forbes companies, the Forbes India Leadership India Leadership Awards jury is still Awards nominees represent the best of bullish on India Inc the best
12 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 13 INDIA
Volume 4 | Issue 18 | August 31, 2012 Contents 92
UPFRONT
BRIEFING 28 Delivering More Costs than Cash Cash on delivery is a hit with customers, but for companies, it doesn’t pay
CURRENT EVENTS 32 Assam Violence a Progeny of Peace Deals State-mediated settlements meant to make peace have created new divisions
RESOLUTION 34 Passing the Buck INDIA There is a way to fi x India’s TV audience measurement system—if all industry players are willing to tackle the problem
OLYMPICS 38 You Can’t Buy an Olympic Medal But the Mittal Champions Trust is hoping its support can give top athletes a leg up
40 A Collective Story of ‘So Near, Yet So Far’ Despite a record medal haul, India’s Olympic performance couldn’t meet Corbis
Bazuki Muhammad / Reuters lofty expectations 65 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT INDIA Something to celebrate for each 40 year of independence
REGULARS
20 Letters to the Editor Cover Photograph: Corbis
22 Exit Interview WE VALUE YOUR FEEDBACK. 24 Close Range Write to us at: 26 World Watch [email protected] Letters may be edited for brevity. India’s Saina Nehwal kisses her bronze medal 116 Thoughts Read us online at www.forbesindia.com
14 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 www.forbesindia.com
Magazine Upfront Features Life Daily Sabbatical Multimedia Blogs News
INDIA http://forbesindia.com/blog MUST-READ BLOGS
Markets today seem to be Group’s $1.3 billion lawsuit-grenade http://forbesindia.com/blog designed for short-term that has landed right in the centre investors of their incestuous world. From Scott Patterson, an investigative advertisers to TV channels to media OUR BLOGGERS journalist with the Wall Street buyers, everybody is taking part in Journal, has tracked the impact of the newspaper column equivalent technology on Wall Street through of the candlelight solidarity march. his latest book Dark Pools. He tells NS RAMNATH us a story about programmers, Where Should I Give? ASHISH geeks and crooks, who have used If you are feeling torn between MISHRA technology to the hilt to make a two equal choices, give to a place quick buck on Wall Street. you go often too. If it’s close to Writes on interesting the place where you stay, then An autophile with a handle on things that happen in the realm of NDTV vs TAM – not only will you visit it often, but the Indian auto industry business, society and technology. The Kingdom is Naked it will give you a chance to take The entire TV and advertising your family and involve your kids in worlds, their aunts, cousins and philanthropy as well. dogs, are up in arms over the NDTV INDReview: SamsungIA Galaxy Tab 2 SEEMA SINGH PRINCE THOMAS GT-P3100 The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 imparts a very pleasing heft and feels solid in the hand. The package contents Writes on sci-tech and all things Tracks the world of business for are relatively Spartan–besides that lie at the intersection Forbes India from the rear seat the tablet itself, there is a tiny quickstart booklet, a USB cable, power adapter, and snap-in plug for use with Indian power outlets. http://forbesindia.com/aperture
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Hate it that How to Build a Bisleri is a Great Nation Generic Brand Bisleri’s Chairman Ramesh (By Sundeep Waslekar) Chauhan wants the name to INTRODUCING APERTURE become a brand The new avatar of Forbes India slideshows
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18 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 Letters To The Editor Readers Say
KUDOS, RATAN TATA A QUESTION OF ETHICS to meet their nemesis Refer to Ratan Tata’s Second Congratulations on the sooner or later and Act (August 17, 2012, issue). fabulous August 3rd deserve no sympathy. As an investor in company issue of Forbes India. The YG Chouksey stocks, the Tata group article on OnMobile was Pune of companies has always brilliantly researched and been the backbone of my very incisive and written NOT JUST BUSINESS portfolio. Surprised to note with a fl ow that made it Refer to A Tough Poser that Mr Ratan Tata is 74 an unstoppable read. The for Moser (August 3, 2012, years of age. Saw him at an Moser Baer piece was issue). Why are companies AGM a few years ago, he also a very interesting like IBM, GE, Apple, resembled a suave tycoon article that succeeded in Nike, etc some of the best decades younger than bringing out the thought in business for so long? MR TATA SHOULD BE his actual age. Besides a behind the company’s Because they are founded A MODEL FOR FUTURE role model as a business strategic initiatives while by a motive of achieving GENERATIONS FOR honcho, seems Mr Tata astutely narrating its something else than just LIVING LIFE TO THE should also be a model setbacks. A well balancedIND money.IA Senior Puri started FULLEST AND AGING for future generations for write-up that looked at a business because he GRACEFULLY living life to the fullest the issues objectively. wanted to make money. He ------and aging gracefully. Harsh Goenka rightly made media storage Rudolph A Furtado Chairman, RPG Enterprises devices as there was a huge On the Web market. But what next? Refer to Pinnacle versus Had his motive been to I was overwhelmed by the Precipice (August 3, 2012). revolutionise the industry, excellent social work being The learned analysis led he could have surely done by the Tata trusts. me to suggest that the fall avoided the bankruptcy of Every citizen should also of superachievers may be his business. Puri Junior, pitch in with their bit, like attributed to two separate too, is motivated by doing saving water. The World reasons—disregard for business to make money. Bank has estimated that ethics and high regard for He might prove lucky. by 2014 water shortage self-judgment. Victims But this is not the way will cause widespread of the former, like the to build organisations. disturbances in India. One founders of Satyam or Pramil of the biggest criminals in OnMobile, are bound On the Web water wastage is the fl ush toilet. So, why not limit CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS the capacity of the cistern and make it mandatory AUGUST 17, 2012, ISSUE for manufacturers? That On Page 39 – In Sanjoy Bhattacharyya’s column ‘Where way, the country will save Angles Fear to Tread’, the market cap for VST Industries gallons of water per day should be Rs 2,550 crore and not Rs 2,555 crore, as written. without having to change The error is regretted. a basic habit. Cisterns in twitter.com/Forbes_India Israel, for instance, have AUGUST 3, 2012, ISSUE facebook.com/ForbesIndia a capacity of 2.5 litres. On Page 49 – KP Singh, the DLF chairman had invited Jack linkedin.com/groups?gid=1959962 IK Adlakha Welch of GE to visit India, not Jeff rey Immelt, as written. plus.google.com/115075196102530859200 Ghaziabad The error is regretted.
20 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 Upfront/Exit Interview Power outages could’ve been avoided with tariff decontrol Jayant Deo, MD JAYANT DEO are not using available and CEO of Indian Age: 68 resources. Each state, due Education: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, PG in Industrial to monsoon failure, is trying Energy Exchange, Engineering & Financial Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute to grab whatever 3,000 Of Management Studies, Mumbai MW or 5,000 MW of short- tells DINESH Career: Whistleblower of Enron’s Dabhol power project, Founder NARAYANAN that Member, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission term power is available. an open market for Interests: Reading about unfolding energy dynamics, music, nature In such a situation, such walk, quiet moments at water fronts mishaps can occur. power can reduce the chances of large Q Can you tell us about had failed along with Enron Q What is the solution? blackouts the Indian Energy [Dabhol power project The Electricity Act has Exchange’s growth? and where the sole buyer was provided for market where it stands today? MSEB]. What we needed development and that The exchange started in was a multi-buyer, multi- prices should not be June 2008 with less than seller model thatIND we could regulated.IA The Act provides a dozen participants. have in an exchange. that once you give a choice Today, we have about Eventually, the Central of suppliers, their tariff 600 participants and are Electricity Regulatory won’t be determined. But trading about 2,000 MW Commission came out with we still determine the tariff s of power daily. So far, we a paper and norms were and that is why the market have conducted 35,000 issued under which the is not developing. Such hourly auctions. There Indian Energy Exchange mishaps could have been have been no delays, was established. They avoided had our regulators complaints or errors. allowed us to go live in June and states deregulated 2008. They were worried tariff s for one MW and Q How has trading that, in a shortage scenario, above. That is one solution. improved? the prices would shoot up. But power outage When we started in Initially, the prices did go may happen again for 2005, everybody up to Rs 12-13 per unit. But whatever reasons. There said there is a when people understood has to be basic minimum power shortage this is a long-term game power available for vital and questioned and many joined, the prices installations and cities. This who will buy fell to about Rs 3 per unit. can be done by islanding and sell [on the that area, such as in exchange]. We Q What is your take on the Mumbai. We should also went around recent power outages? have small power plants; of the country We have to look at these 10, 20 or 50 MW combined and collected from a diff erent angle. Are heat and power units, stakeholders we utilizing the power which produce about 20 and told them available in the country? percent of its requirement. that the exchange At least 20,000 MW is This should work as a is necessary not being used as it is not peaking plant [which runs to remove the getting the price. In such only when demand is high] shortages. The a situation, the shortages every day and also double as
single-buyer model will increase because you the emergency supplier. Amit Verma Upfront/Close Range
DR VINCE CABLE Age: 69 Designation: British Secretary of State for Innovation, Business and Skills Career: Former Chief Economist for Shell, Head of Economics Programme at Chatham House Education: Natural Sciences and Economics at Cambridge University, and a PhD from Glasgow Interests: Keeping fi t; cycling, walking, Ballroom and Latin dancing. Visits a dance studio once a week for advanced classes and takes dance exams The Steps to Solving the Eurozone Crisis Are Well Understood
Dr. Vince Cable, Q So what is the solution to the resolution of bank failures and the British Secretary of Eurozone’s economic problem? guaranteesIND and deposits.IA There is a broad Everything I say has to be prefaced by acceptance that there has to be closer fi scal State for Business, pointing out that Britain isn’t a member of integration in order to facilitate transfer tells RANI SINGH that the Eurozone, so therefore, we don’t want payments from the richer to the weaker Eurozone leaders to dictate to the Eurozone membership parts of the European Union, but with a have a plan to what they do. But we nonetheless set of disciplines so that the countries that recognise that this crisis aff ects us. are supporting the weaker countries have tackle the economic It aff ects us in two ways: One is some control over expenditure, which is problem—they just trade—half of British trade is with the key German requirement. That, in turn, need the political will the European Union, mostly with the implies a much higher degree of political to put it into action Eurozone. The other reason is that integration within the Eurozone. I think our banks have a signifi cant level of that although Britain is not part of that, and exposure, not particularly to Greece, but we’re not opting to be part of it, we can see if you take Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, the logic of that succession of decisions. that adds up to a signifi cant level of exposure and naturally we want to avoid Q How do you see this being another shock to our banking system. implemented? Won’t it take time? So it’s very important that the Eurozone It will take time. There has to be a build- crisis is resolved in a sensible way. up of political consensus. There are legal requirements that have to be met. The Q So what needs to take place now, Germans have a constitutional court, for and can it actually happen? example. I think very often the critics I think there is a broad understanding underestimate what’s already been now of what needs to happen—the only achieved. The Eurozone countries have problem is getting the political agreement already created a fi rewall to protect the amongst a signifi cant number of sovereign spread of fi nancial contagion. There have governments as to how you implement been signifi cant advances in the last year in these things within a rapid time frame. fi ghting this emergency. The big key steps I think fi rst of all there’s an acceptance are well understood by the governments that there has to be a banking union concerned and it’s a question of making with a common approach to supervision, sure they’re now implemented.
24 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 Upfront/World Watch
Europe
Heads of states and governments of at least 125 countries and the 75% EU are represented on Twitter, but Germany and Italy are the only very few leaders tweet regularly two G8 countries in Europe where INDIA neither the head of state nor the and tend to use it more as a government is on Twitter. @BarackObama has established pre-election engagement tool mutual Twitter relations with only the PMs of Norway and Russia, Jens Stoltenberg and Dmitry Med- vedev, respectively. Vatican City’s South America social media project @Pope2You- Vatican, set up to accompany the beatifi cation of Pope John Paul II, 75% has had over 27,000 followers.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Oceania North America is the second-most followed politician on Twitter with over three million followers. Enrique Peña * Nieto, Mexico’s President-elect, was the second world leader after 29% 83% Obama to log on to Twitter. Only 4 of the 14 countries in Ocea- US President Barack Obama, Asia nia are on Twitter. With 10 mutual who was the fi rst world leader to connections with world politicians, get on Twitter in March 2007, is also Africa Australian Prime Minister the most popular politician on the @JuliaGillard is the second-most micro-blogging site with more than connected leader after EU 17 million followers. But he ranks 56% president Herman van Rompuy fi fth on the overall list, right after (11 connections). Britney Spears. 60% China and Indonesia are among the Asian countries that do not have The PM of Uganda, Amama Mbabazi, their heads of state or government is the most conversational world on Twitter. Indian PM Manmohan leader on Twitter with 96% of his Singh, who is the latest G20 leader tweets being @replies to questions to join the site in January 2012, from his followers. Rwandan has a little over one million President Paul Kagame is also an followers. Malaysian PM Najib avid user, frequently chatting with Razak had invited his 500,000th his followers on the site. follower for breakfast.
Source *Percentage of world leaders Compiled by “Twiplomacy” is a study of the use of Twitter by world leaders conducted by global public relations and communications fi rm Burson-Marsteller NILOFER D’SOUZA
Sameer Pawar Sameer represented on Twitter
26 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 27 Upfront/Briefing
INDIA
The economics Delivering More of cash on delivery don’t add up Costs than Cash By ROHIN DHARMAKUMAR
ne of the most widely used to be called Fabmart.com, only basically knocks the last one out of believed facts about the to withdraw the option by 2003. the park,” says Vaitheeswaran. OIndian e-commerce story Courier companies who is that Flipkart.com’s 2010 decision delivered his orders kept COD PREPAID TO POSTPAID to start off ering “Cash on Delivery” money for two-four weeks, The Indian mobile growth story (COD)—a payment option that putting substantial pressure on the was to a large extent powered by allows buyers to pay for goods at fl edgling startup’s cash fl ows. the rise of the prepaid SIM card, the time of receipt—catalysed the Worse, many of Vaitheeswaran’s which gave customers greater entire sector and set the stage for customers told him they found control over their monthly bills fantastic growth rates thereafter. COD more cumbersome than while putting their money in the “There is a massive amount prepaid orders (via credit or hands of mobile operators upfront. of hype that COD, as defi ned by debit card) because someone had Taking a cue from mobile Flipkart, has redefi ned e-commerce to be physically present at the operators, Indian Direct to Home in India. It is absolute nonsense,” time of delivery with cash. (DTH) operators convinced their says K Vaitheeswaran, founder “It is my fundamental belief customers to pay for their monthly and CEO of Indiaplaza. that people shop online for three TV in advance instead of at the Vaitheeswaran introduced COD reasons: Selection, pricing and end of a month, as they’d done
Amit Verma at Indiaplaza back in 2001, when it convenience, nothing else. COD with local cable operators.
28 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 Upfront/Briefing
But through COD, e-commerce to attract 25 million registered Flipkart may be able to aff ord it, companies are doing exactly the users without off ering COD. but can others? Besides, India opposite, thus squandering a has over 40,000 PIN codes; how massive cash fl ow advantage. THE DISECONOMICS OF COD many can be covered through a Mukesh Bansal, the founder Much like a slow-acting toxin self-owned delivery network? and CEO of Myntra.com, lived in introduced in a person’s bloodstream, COD insidiously works its eff ect the US for nearly a decade before COD makes its presence felt gradually behind-the-scenes in other ways. moving back to India to start his within startups by infecting various Because customers who place COD business. “I shopped with Amazon. functions and creating unforeseen orders haven’t incurred any cost, com for years, using my credit complications. The most obvious they usually turn out to be much card. But for the last few years I’ve “symptoms” are the direct costs. more fi ckle at the time of delivery. been ordering through COD only. For every order delivered via COD, At Myntra, returns of COD I think it’s India’s equivalent of third party courier companies charge orders average around 4 percent [Amazon’s] one-click-pay,” he says. either a fi xed fee, ranging from compared to 1 percent for card- Of course, Myntra off ers its Rs 45-75, or 2.5-3 percent of the based prepaid orders. For most customers COD, like practically every order value, whichever is higher. others, it’s much worse. e-commerce company in India. COD Most entrepreneurs counter that Each return implies a further now accounts for 50-60 percent a payment gateway for credit card outgo of Rs 45-75 to the courier of orders for most companies. transactions would charge a similar company, meaning a total spend of “People have gotten so used to amount. They were right till last Rs 90-150 on a phantom order. COD from other e-commerce sites month, when the RBI cut merchant INDWorse, theseIA returns can play that it has become an expectation,” fees for debit card transactions to havoc with the inventory costs says Gaurav Kushwaha, the a maximum of just 1 percent. Also, as products must be examined founder and CEO of online and restocked. It stands to reason jewellery seller Bluestone.com. FLIPKART HAS ABOUT 1,300 that few e-commerce startups can Indian e-commerce fi rms credit EMPLOYEES DOING DOOR-TO- aff ord this over the long run. COD for enabling millions of Indians DOOR CUSTOMER DELIVERIES It’s not just the economics. A CEO to transact online using cash because ------of an e-commerce fi rm points towards there simply isn’t enough plastic larger numbers of suspicious high- around. There are 100 million after deducting their fees, courier value orders, like one his fi rm recently internet users in India, but only companies tend to sit on COD money. received for nearly three dozen of the around 18 million credit cards. To avoid this, most e-commerce latest Samsung Galaxy smartphones, But according to the Internet companies have started doing costing over Rs 30,000 each, from a and Mobile Association of India their own deliveries. Flipkart alone small town in northern India. The (IAMAI), of those 100 million has about 1,300 employees doing order was never shipped after the internet users, only around 10 door-to-door customer deliveries. buyer refused to pay by cheque or million are active online shoppers. Some of them also carry wireless accept delivery in the fi rm’s offi ces. And the RBI tells us there are 240 card readers to allow for “card-on- The CEO says he suspects money million debit card users in India. delivery”, but at an annual rental laundering could be a possible reason. We are thus confronted with two of Rs 6,000-12,000 per reader, that Because of the potential for stark facts: First, there are over 200 isn’t an option for every startup. mischief with large cash transactions, million card users in India who are A 2011 study by consulting the RBI too has stated its ambition still not shopping online, and second, fi rm ATKearney in the Chinese to move more customers and e-commerce companies who off er e-commerce market found that the businesses towards prepaid cards, COD might be turning debit or credit economics of running a self-owned including mobile “wallets”. card users into exclusive COD users. delivery network make sense only at a “We have taken millions of Of course, one could argue that volume of about 2,000 parcels per day people who would have been happy most of these users aren’t comfortable per city. In India, where operations paying through cards and moved using their cards online, but IRCTC, costs generally outstrip China’s, them to COD. It is a step back the Indian government-owned the fi gure might be even higher. for the long term development of rail ticket portal, has managed Now a large company like e-commerce,” says Vaitheeswaran.
30 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 Upfront/Current Events
et another cycle of violence FLAMING ROW Village women at a relief camp minoritisation and land fuelled in Assam’s Goshaigaon town after their houses has erupted in the multi- were burnt down in ethnic riots inter-ethnic violence in 1994, 1996, Y ethnic, multi-religious 1998, 2008 and 2012 targeting and multi-lingual Northeast, a saw it reinforcing the status quo the more vulnerable non-Bodo “frontier” region that historically, and 24 percent called it eyewash. communities–Santhals and socially and spatially has had only The majority of respondents across “illegal” Muslims–hundreds of a tenuous connection with India. fi ve confl ict-aff ected areas believed thousands of whom are still in Bordering Bangladesh, Myanmar and the accord’s major contribution “permanent” refugee camps. China, the naturally well-endowed was controlling violence. The peace deals creating region is riven by land, language, The process of negotiations itself autonomous ethnic territories religion and identity confl icts. fragments, rather than unites, because have not only failed to empower For the past several weeks, ethnic the state chooses when and with marginalised communities, but and communal violence has engulfed whom to talk. The 2003 Bodo Accord have also torn up the multi-ethnic the Bodo tribal homeland, claiming signed with the Bodo Liberation character of these regions, leading more than 60 lives and putting to Tigers (BLT) split the ethnic minority to new confl icts. Xenophobic fl ight 400,000 people in the Bodo and the section which was excluded reactions have given rise to new Territorial Autonomous Districts from the negotiations grouped movements for separate homelands (BTAD) area in lower Assam. under the National Democratic such as the Bodo movement The recent confl ict is a reminder of INDFront of Bodoland (NDFB).IA (Assam), Hmar assertion (Mizoram), the legacy of South Asia’s integrated NDFB is now in a separate dialogue Koch Rajbhonshis and Muslims geographies and economies and the with the government. It undermined movement of people that produces the authority of BLT leaders in THE PEACE DEALS CREATING enduring anxieties over illegal controlling the BTA Council, which AUTONOMOUS ETHNIC migrants outnumbering the natives. diverted funds to fi ght turf wars TERRITORIES HAVE NOT This cycle of violence pits with NDFB and gave it an incentive ONLY FAILED TO EMPOWER indigenous Bodo tribes against people to crank up violence levels to force MARGINALISED COMMUNITIES, of Bengali origin and Bangladeshi the state to negotiate with it. BUT HAVE ALSO TORN UP THE migrants. The communal frame of Autonomy was intended to expand MULTI-ETHNIC CHARACTER OF Muslim victimisation distorts bitter grassroots democracy, but the THESE REGIONS, LEADING contests over land and Bodo anxieties reveals that there is little intent studies showed democracy shrinking. TO NEW CONFLICTS over losing their autonomous or capacity to address the The Bodo, Tripura, Darjeeling/ ------homeland, wrested from the Assamese Assam violence grievances which drive confl icts. Gorkha and CHT Accords envisaged through armed insurrection. The Assam Accord (1985), for creating self-governing councils. The violence also lays bare the instance, focusses on the core Instead, they have either perpetuated (Bodoland), Tharus (Madhes-Nepal) deep fl aws in the government’s a progeny of issue of detection of “foreigners” interim non-elected bodies or, and Pashtuns (Balochistan). Equal strategy of resolving violent ethno- but never produced any eff ective as in Bodoland, allowed the non- rights of citizenship have failed to nationalist assertions through mechanism to check the infl ux rehabilitated ex-armed cadres of the break down systemic inequalities, peace deals that deliver territorial of Bangladeshi migrants. BLT to capture electoral processes. producing a politics of quotas and “homelands” to ethnic elites through peace deals As a senior government negotiator The structure of power competing ‘ethnic’ homelands. power sharing arrangements in disclosed, the only issue that mattered institutionalised in these ethnic Peace in ethnic homelands is autonomous or federal units. State-negotiated accords have only managed to empower was getting the “democratic” homelands disadvantages non- routinely disrupted by endemic The cycles of endemic Assam movement’s leaders to come dominant minorities. In Bodoland, cycles of violence that disrupt violence prove that these top- ethnic elites, creating new fi ssures and shrinking democracy to power. A quarter of a century though the Bodos have become governance and undermine
down peace processes do not By RITA MANCHANDA later, peace talks are still on, now a minority (35 percent of the initiatives such as the potentially address the issues that drive the with the armed group United population) in several segments transformative “Look East policy”. confl ict, nor do they improve the 1997), Bodo Accords (1993, 2003), not empower struggling communities. Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). of the ethnically delimited But it is premised on our states quality of life of the people. Madhes Accords (2007-2011) and Often, peace deals are power Most people surveyed by SAFHR BTA, the power structure is fi nding eff ective and sustainable A grassroots, rights-focussed study Balochistan (non-accord) by sharing arrangements for the elites, do not believe that these deals weighted fi ve to one in favour of strategies in resolving confl icts. of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) the South Asian Forum for Human rarely culminating in plural politics contribute to peace. Barely 22 the Bodo tribes, disadvantaging Rita Manchanda is senior Accord (1997), the Mizo Accord Rights (SAFHR) shows that such or more just and inclusive societies. percent thought the accord could non-Bodo “minorities”. research director at SAFHR
(1986), Naga Peace Accords (1947- state-tailored peace processes do Analysis of negotiations build sustainable peace, 24 percent Anxieties over loss of autonomy, and a former journalist Utpal Baruah / Reuters
32 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 33 Upfront/Resolution
operating expenditure of Rs their channel’s visibility hasn’t have a magnifi ed impact on TRP 16 14 330 crore a year, according to a helped either. Given that they already ratings. It is an open secret that senior industry executive. That shoulder 70-80 percent of TAM’s the TAM system can be easily money will have to come from its research bill and agency “rebates” gamed by bribing lower-level 13 current research subscribers. ranging from 7.5-15 percent, most employees at TAM and households 10 Most advertisers, save a few large are in no mood to see their TAM where the meters are placed. 12 FMCG companies, don’t pay for bill go up manifold. With no one, Besides, the Joint Industry Body 2 9 TAM research in spite of collectively including itself, willing to foot the (JIB) that since 1997 oversaw TAM’s spending Rs 13,000 crore annually cost of a nearly four-fold increase research and frequently questioned 8 7 on TV ads. They access the data by in TAM panel size, NDTV lays its data died an unnatural death 11 either getting their media agencies the blame on TAM’s international around 2004. So, for the last eight 3 to buy it, or perversely arguing owners—Nielsen and Kantar. years, there has been virtually no 5 that broadcasters ought to pay for “A research agency is not here industry supervision of TAM. The it because it helps them sell ads. for charity. It has to be fi nally Broadcast Audience Research That’s like a pension fund funded through subscriber’s Council (BARC), the successor to 4 asking private corporations to contributions,” says Tripathi. the JIB, has been a non-starter since sponsor research reports about 2007 when it was fi rst proposed. themselves that will then form the RUNNING AROUND IN CIRCLES “If people from the industry basis for its own investments.INDTo repeat a cliché, IndiaIA is don’t have time to supervise 1 6 Worse, very few have the in-house arguably the most complex, TAM, they have no right to call it technical expertise to understand diverse and geographically large lousy. It’s like a conductor after and analyse TAM’s statistical consumer market in the world. having fl ed the orchestra, blaming data, much less strategise on it. For instance, the average viewer individual musicians for playing Much of the current mess is also spends around 130 minutes per day their own tunes,” says Tripathi. tied to the way in which clients choose watching TV. Of this, nearly 80 Meanwhile, TAM fi eld staff are their media agencies and how their percent is spent on a leading set of often intimidated and threatened Passing the Buck compensation system has evolved. In 30 channels. This means that the by local cable operators (a problem a majority of cases, the media agency rest of the channels—anywhere from that will become more acute when it The current spat between NDTV and TAM puts the spotlight on why the television audience that “bids” the lowest percentage of 150 to 350, depending on the DTH goes to semi-urban and rural India) measurement system is dangerously fl awed. There’s a way to sort it out though, provided the advertiser’s annual ad spend as or cable operator—are fi ghting for a or corrupt channels. Even its CEO, the entire industry takes ownership of the problem commission—ranging from zero to 2.5 slice of roughly 26 minutes each day. LV Krishnan, regarded as one of the percent—ends up “winning”. At such When both the TAM sample most ethical people in the industry, By ROHIN DHARMAKUMAR low margins, they start to eliminate sizes and viewership minutes has received personal threats from all non-essential costs, like research. are so insignifi cant, even minor powerful people. Much of both the ne of the most revealing why would TAM say no to this?” asks a committee chaired by Amit Mitra, Though they’re forced to subscribe manipulations in viewing can corruption and intimidation can be statements in NDTV’s Praveen Tripathi, former chairman the then director-general of FICCI to TAM data by their clients, it’s not traced back to the cable operator- Oweighty lawsuit—194 pages; of the erstwhile Joint Industry and now the fi nance minister of really analysed or used in depth. The local channel-politician nexus. targeted at over 30 companies and Body (JIB) Technical Committee West Bengal, to review the existing media agency’s business model relies THE CASE TAM had even approached individuals; and between $1 billion that oversaw TAM and currently television rating point (TRP) on making money through unoffi cial On July 25, 2012, NDTV fi led a mas- the Union government for some and $2 billion in damages—against CEO of Magic9 Media & Consumer measurement system. In its report “rebates”, essentially kickbacks from sive lawsuit in the New York Supreme kind of offi cial protection for its TV measurement fi rm TAM and Knowledge, a consumer and media presented in November 2010, the broadcasters as quid pro quo for Court against TAM, India’s default TV equipment and staff , to no avail. its investors is this: “The primary knowledge consulting fi rm. Tripathi Amit Mitra committee laid down a channelling their client’s ad budgets. audience measurement fi rm jointly “Instead of blaming them, the way owned by Nielsen and Kantar Media. was also the CEO of INTAM, in That leaves broadcasters. Even for the industry to respond is to knock remedy (of the corrupt activities) roadmap for improving the system. Seeking $1.3 billion in damages, the was to increase sample size from many ways TAM’s predecessor. A critical recommendation though the top 30 channels garner lawsuit accused TAM of fudging on LV’s [Krishnan] door, saying here 8,000 boxes to 30,000 boxes, His question exposes the was increasing the number of nearly 80 percent of all viewership, research data and engaging in corrupt are the resources. Take 10 percent of immediately stopping publication doublespeak that has characterised Peoplemeters by around 22,000. there are another 600-plus, clawing practices to skew ratings towards our manager’s time for next 16 weeks of data until the sample size was most of the criticism directed Funding this increase in TAM’s for their share of the Rs 13,000 crore those broadcasters who paid its and let’s come up with ideas on how offi cials bribes. TAM’s data was also increased to appropriate levels.” at TAM in recent weeks. Peoplemeter homes would entail and largely stagnant ad market. Their to solve it together,” says Tripathi. fl awed, said NDTV, because it moni- “Increasing the sample size to In 2010, the ministry of information a one-time capital expenditure balance sheets are already stretched tored just 8,150 homes to extrapolate 30,000 would automatically increase and broadcasting, under Union of about Rs 330 crore spread and the huge annual “carriage fee” the TV viewing habits of 130 million CLEANING UP THE MESS
Sameer Pawar Sameer their revenue in proportion, so tell me, minister Ambika Soni, had constituted over fi ve years, plus an additional paid to cable operators to ensure households in India. So how do you now solve this mess?
34 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 35 Upfront/Resolution
One could always argue that How to Fix the broadcasters would be wary of being forced to give an additional TV AUDIENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM discount of 1 percent, especially if advertisers refuse to pay the levy. Problem Solution That’s where the industry would need to come together. And part of TAM worked with the Amit Mitra it would be to make ad contracts 8,150 committee to propose increasing that more transparent. Either ban homes too small to 30,000 meters. Subscribers will need a sample for India to foot the cost for the increase secret “rebates” altogether or force broadcasters to disclose the exact Ratings for niche and English channels Audience amount they off er as “rebates”. very tough measurement for 650+ channels is The internet can be a good role tough. Consider model here. For instance, Google and separating the ‘long tail’ to a diff erent Facebook do not off er advertising research eff ort rebates anywhere around the world. The TAM system is constantly being Work with TAM on detecting frauds Google even off ers TV ads in the gamed by corrupt stakeholders through statistical or technological US market run through a real-time validations, and penalising the violators and transparent auction system. Such transparency will shift TAM’s technology Harness a “return path” from millions is expensive and of new DTH and digital cable set top INDthe focus of mediaIA agencies away outdated boxes directly from volume discounts towards real research and results. TAM is a black box Invest time as an industry body to Thanks to advances in technology, understand and improve TAM’s processes it is now possible to improve the quality of TV research, while reducing costs. There are over 37 ● For starters, get BARC off the algorithms, while in parallel putting million DTH subscribers in the ground. Model it on the British up punitive measures for those who country currently, each powered by Broadcaster’s Audience Research game the system, like disregarding a relatively modern set top box that Board or BARB. The provider of their data for a few months or is aware of the channel being played. TV research in the UK, BARB in “naming and shaming” them. By utilising “return paths” in some turn has appointed three diff erent Also, funding the Rs 660-odd crore boxes and adding them to others using agencies to create the same—Kantar required to expand TAM’s panel inexpensive plug-in hardware, one Media (one of TAM India’s parents) size from 8,150 to 30,000 would could generate viewership data that for recruiting panel homes and appear somewhat less challenging, if is orders of magnitude better than installing meters; Ipsos MORI for BARC were to look at South Africa. today’s. TAM is already understood conducting the survey; and RSMB Formed in 1974, the South African to be in close conversations for producing the sample design Advertising Research Foundation with most DTH platforms. and conducting quality checks. (SAARF) collects a 0.5 percent But maybe the most important ● Separating ownership of panel “levy” on all advertising that takes solution would be for advertisers—the meters from research, while taking place, which is then used to fund folks who are currently spending responsibility for the fi nal data, is a a comprehensive set of research Rs 13,000 crore on TV ads and good way for BARC to address many activities through the year. most conspicuous by their relative questions around the reliability of Mandating a trivial 1 percent levy silence around TAM’s criticism— TAM’s processes. This is assuming (considering that most contracts have to sit up and take control. of course that it can progress beyond hidden “rebates” of 7.5-15 percent Disclosure: Forbes India is its fi ve-year standoff between anyway) should generate Rs 130 crore published by Network18, which broadcasters and advertisers. annually, no mean sum considering also owns CNN-IBN, CNBC-TV18, ● Strengthen TAM’s existing TAM’s current fee income is estimated IBN7, CNBC-Awaaz and other news fraud-detection mechanisms and to be between Rs 40-50 crore. and entertainment channels.
36 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 Upfront/Olympics
hairman and CEO of RALLYING ON Lakshmi SON SHINE chance to sit down with some of Mittal on the fi nal day of Aditya Mittal, who ArcelorMittal, Lakshmi the Olympic torch relay is a trustee of the these decision-makers, he could Mittal, set up the Mittal in London on July 26, Mittal Champions teach them so much about how C 2012. He has decided to Trust, at the torch Champions Trust (MCT) with extend the funding of his relay in London they could make more active, son-in-law Amit Bhatia, founder trust till Rio 2016 prudent and effi cient decisions. and senior partner of private equity fund Swordfi sh Investments. CFO of Q How can India’s sports ArcelorMittal and Lakshmi Mittal’s infrastructure improve? son, Aditya, is a trustee of the MCT LM There is a lot of infrastructure. along with Mahesh Bhupathi, former We need systems to better utilise it. world number one tennis doubles player. Manisha Malhotra, who was Q What do Indian athletes part of the tennis team in the 2000 need to do to get their Sydney Olympics and also won mixed performances to peak level? doubles silver in the 2002 Asian LM Training, training, all types Games, is the CEO of the trust. of training. They need to have a great physique, a great mind, Q What is the aim of the MCT? and they should understand LM To absolutely support individual INDIAtechnique. They have to have a sports. We have even decided to look at world-class players and support for the next Olympics. see how they get gold medals.
Q How was the MCT born? Q Do Indian athletes need to AM My father was instrumental in spend more time abroad? establishing it. Eight years ago, we LM Not necessarily, no. If we can both were at the Games in Greece. provide good training in India, as we The Indian team [put up a poor show the trust until London 2012; we are commitment, they’re not going to have done in the MCT, then other with Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore now going to fund it until Rio 2016. have success at the highest stage. business houses can also do the same. winning the lone silver], so it was a big disappointment. We felt we needed to Q Can you buy a result in sport? Q There is no other person/body in Q Aren’t you still a lone voice? change that. That was when the trust LM No. You can’t buy an Olympic India giving as much to Indian sport LM No, I think other business was established. We saw a few medals medal, but if you keep putting as you are. Aren’t you doing what the houses seem to be getting interested in Beijing and it’s just continued. yourself in a position to win, your Indian government should be doing? now. They’re talking about it. So You Can’t Buy an percentages will be better. LM Yes. But to fi ght the system is if we succeed here, I’m sure more Q How much personal too tough, so it is more eff ective to business houses will come on board. interest do you take? Q What do you actually do with supplement and plug the holes. AB In terms of who guides the trust your chosen sportspersons? Q What diff erence has MCT made? and gives it its vision, that comes Olympic Medal AM We create a programme for Q Still, couldn’t the government LM Sport is a unique discipline where from my father-in-law, me and them depending on what the key be doing more? a lot of factors put together have to Aditya. We try to give it its overall Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, who has set up the Mittal requirements are. Usually, it’s a AB Everybody could be doing culminate to be able to get results. You direction and shape. Manisha Champions Trust to nurture medal hopefuls, tells RANI SINGH mixture of coaching as well as more. The government could do have to put yourself in the position Malhotra runs the trust in India. that athletes have to position themselves for victory very specialised opportunities to more because as a nation we’re not for victory and then hope for results. train abroad or train with some succeeding at the Games. The fi rst The MCT has given its athletes the Q How much money have specialists within the country. couple of years were very diffi cult. best training, and everything else you put into the MCT? is very diffi cult. If, all of a sudden, an very quickly that things were very They off ered resistance. Slowly, as they might need. It has prepared AB When we fi rst launched the trust, athlete needs reconstructive surgery, expensive, especially as the number Q What have you observed about they understood that we’re a not- them in the best possible way to put my father-in-law decided that we’ll it’s not something you can budget for. of athletes went up to 40. So the the passion that’s needed? for-profi t, we’re only trying to help them in a position to win medals. invest $10 million in the corpus of the We send our athletes to all the best number of $10 million was thrown AB It’s very hard to do a whole people, we’re ready to work alongside, trust. We subsequently realised that centres around the world. The boxers out of the window a long time ago. lot else if you’re going to train we’re willing to support them in to be able to run a sports initiative come to Bradford, the wrestlers go to The other thing that changed was eight to 10 hours a day. If an their endeavours, they’ve changed. To read the full interview, visit forbesindia.com
like this, having a set budget in mind Russia, Korea and Cuba. We realised that we had decided we would fund athlete doesn’t want that kind of If Mahesh Bhupathi had the Shaw / Getty Images for Arcelor Mittal Photographs: Tom
38 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 39 semi-fi women’s Flyweightboxing Britain (inblue)duringthe Nicola AdamsofGreat defendsagainst(in red) India’s Kom MCMary 40 Upfront/ FORBES INDIA|August 31,2012 nals Day inredshirt,bandanaandwhite shorts. while RogerFederermarkedtheSwiss National in patrioticred,whiteandbluestars and stripes, in nationalcolours.SerenaWilliams was dressed clothing codewassetasideasplayers turnedout rings inwhite.The‘whitesonly’Wimbledon screens withtheLondon2012logoandOlympic The greenbackdropsmadewayforthepurple clothing oraWimbledonwithnoPimms. Nor willyouseetennisplayersincolourful see anotherOlympicmatchatWimbledon. and sowastherain.Butyouwillnever The strawberriesandcreamwerethere ADIFFERENTWIMBLEDON ‘So Near, Yet So Far’ A Collective Story of performances were way belowexpectations were performances women’s badminton, for Save andshooting, boxing NOTES DIARY By VKRISHNASWAMY The grassedAorangiTerrace,known as The ‘HomeofTennis”woreadiff erentlook. Olympics in London Belarus wonthemixeddoubles,they took When VictoriaAzarenkaandMaxMirnyi of REIGNENDSINMIXEDDOUBLES ‘TITANIC’ SURVIVOR’S 88-YEAR-OLD either, becausetheyarenotthesponsors! Olympic ringsdisplay.TherewasnoPimms Wimbledon logowasreplacedbyacolourful Henman Hill,too,waschangedasthefl Serena Williams oral punched wayaboveherweight. to gainweight,MaryKomliterally metabolism thatmakesitdiffi category. Shorter,andpossessing she hadtofight inthe51kg 46 andthen48.AttheOlympics her careerin2001,shemovedto From 45kg,whereshebegan enough tofight inahighercategory. Kom hadachievedallherglory. still wayabovetheonewhereMary categories—the lowestofwhichwas Committee limitedittothreeweight federation andInternationalOlympic Olympic Games.Andwhenitdid,the virtually livedtoseethesportcome been candidenoughtoadmitthatshe boxing intotheOlympicagenda. face hersportusedtogetwomen’s and lastshotatglory.Shewasthe a mannerofspeaking,washerfi may wellbeMCMaryKom.This,in makes itlookthinnerinquality. years ago, buttheabsenceofagold is greater thanthethree won four with onesilver andthree bronze T state championshipfollowedbytheclay court and sevenweekslaterwonthePennsylvania accept amputation,hewalkedthrough pain Charles waskilledintheTitanicdisaster. enrolling atHarvardUniversitythatautumn. tournaments duringthesummerbefore were goingtoAmericaontheTitanicplay and hisfather,CharlesDuaneWilliams preferred towalkinpainandtherestishistory. his legsmighthavetobeamputated.Buthe the Atlanticbeforehisrescue.Hewastoldthat more thansixhoursinthefreezingwatersof 1912, exactlya100yearsago.Williamsspent survivor fromtheTitanic,whichwentdownin in 1924.Itendedtheir88-year-oldreign. won thegoldwheneventwaslastplayed Hazel HotchkissWightmanoftheUS,who champions RichardNorrisWilliamsand over fromthereigningOlympicmixeddoubles Not onlydidRichardWilliamsrefuse to Williams, broughtupinSwitzerland, Williams, whodiedinJune1968,wasa Yet, MaryKomwasresilient The 29-year-oldmotheroftwohas The IndianstoryoftheGames A tallyoffourmedals medal haulfrom India. rue, itisthebest-ever cult rst fi party onthedayyoufoughtyour your twinsons’fifth birthday the Olympicsandarrangingfor have beenforgivenformissing on forsolong,whenyoucouldwell not winningagoldorsilver. billion Indiansbyapologisingfor Mary Komstoletheheartsof1.2 Adams. Stillsmilingindefeat, champion, Britain’sNicola and watcheventsorsimplyparty. has alargescreenTV;guestscanrelax House fortheOlympics.TheGarden Secret GardenanditisnowtheOmega few remainingprivategardens,called the around thetimeofFrenchRevolution. which contrastslifeinLondonandParis Manette andLucieinATaleofTwoCities, as amodelfortheLondonlodgingsofDr being markedthisyear.Thishousewasused to CharlesDickens,whosebicentenaryis 160 years.Thishousealsohasaconnection been providingsupportforthehomeless Georgian townhouseonSohoSquare,has The HouseofStBarnabas,an18thcentury DICKEN’S BICENTENARY OMEGATIMESITWITH Behr, alsofromUS,inthequarterfi Open beatinganotherTitanicsurvivorKarl in theUSbyend1912.In1914,hewon championships. HewentontobecomeNo2 and lostinthequarter-finals ofthe crying assheletgoofan11-4lead Saina wasupsetandonthevergeof it isSainaversustheChinese. Chinese andDanishstars.Now Indonesians andasprinklingof it washimagainstthedominant Padukone ploughedalonefurrow, Danish makeembeddedinit. bricks ofIndonesian,Chineseand making hiswaypastawallthathad reminiscent ofPrakashPadukone broken throughinamanner dominates, SainaNehwalhas In asportwhereChineseintrigue TO GLORYSHUTTLING rst boutattheOlympics. The houseinSohohasoneofthevery Hey Mary,thankyouforstaying She lostouttotheeventual Four yearsago,asan18-year-old, Back inthe1980s,when D N I nals. competition isover,the27-year-oldhas sether special trainingleavesince2010.But oncethe offi through HeatherStanning,aSandhurst-trained the LOCOG.Theyalsocontributeda gold medal have beenrequisitionedatvariousplaces by British soldiers,whodiddutyinAfghanistan, AFGHANISTAN LOOKS FORWARD TO POSTING IN BRITISHSOLDIERROWSTO GOLD, 18-20 beforelosingthefi back asshemovedfrom14-20to showing allsignsoffighting herway fi an asterisk,forSainaisamongthe But themedalshouldcomewithout the first gameonaccountofinjury. opponent WangXinconcededafter wants totakeontheChinese. it insomanywordsisthathealso What hemakesclearwithoutsaying we needtonurseitforRio[2016].” badminton. Wehavethedepthand medal canchangethefaceofIndian and willdobetter,butanOlympic medal wasimportant.Sainacan the AllEnglandtitle,says,“This one oftheonlytwoIndianstowin Pullela Gopichand,hercoach,and medal candoforhersportinIndia. years, andknowswhatanOlympic 22-year-old, sheismaturebeyondher women’s singlesatBeijing.Nowasa value oftheHouseafterGames. done byOmegawillstayandenhancethe for charity.Muchofthestylishre-modelling skills centre.Therevenuegeneratedisused re-launched asa‘for-hire’eventvenueandlife for thehomeless.In2006,itwasclosedand on themoonin1969byBuzzAldrin. was namedafterthefirst watchworn themed SpeedmasterRoom,forexample, complement awatchcollection.Thespace- mixed doubles,butJwalaandAshwini not havedonejusticetothemselvesin go higher.JwalaGuttaandVDijumay quarter-fi historic entryintomen’ssingles overshadowed ParupalliKashyap’s ttest inhersportandshewas cer intheRoyalArtillery,whohadbeen on Saina gotthebronzewhenher If shehasanydoubtsonthat, This venuewasoriginallyanaccommodation Each roomhasbeendesignedto Saina’s performancemayhave nals, buthehasitinhimto IA rst game. Oakley, theeyewearcompany,hassince 1996 HOUSEFOR ATHLETES AWAY FROM PRYING EYES, ASAFE province. Shewillbedeployedlaternext year. enrolled ontheunit’snexttourof war-torn fi comrades inAfghanistanasshewonBritain’s Afghanistan. StanningwascheeredbyherArmy sights onapostingtoHelmand,provincein as a‘surprise’medallist. felt hurtthathehasbeendescribed Vijay Kumar,whounderstandably from GaganNarang,andasilver but thereweretwomedals—abronze Beijing. Therewasnogoldthistime, with agoldfromAbhinavBindrain Athens, thewinningstreakcontinued with RajyavardhanRathore’ssilverin the thirdsuccessiveGames.Beginning Shooting broughtIndiaamedalfor SHOOTING KEEPSTHESTREAKGOING three goldandasilverin2010 in worldChampionshipChina, a bronzeinDohaAsiadandSilver Commonwealth Games;agoldand Games Recordin2006Melbourne won twogoldmedalswithnew National championsince2004;I Kumar, whosaid,“Iamthe the top-3allthroughfi once again.Kumarstayedamong all finalists beginwithacleanslate the rulesofhiseventstipulatedthat same venueinWorldChampionships. for, lastyeartheywonabronzeatthe it inthemtochallengeforamedal making theknock-outsandtheyhad Ponappa camewithinawhiskerof rst rowinggoldatEtonDorney.Shehasbeen Fourth inthetwo-dayqualifi The medaldidnotsurprise August 31,2012|FORBES INDIA and HeatherStanning Britain’s HelenGlover nal. cation, 41 From Top Left: Getty Images; Mike Blake / Reuters; Eric Feferberg / Reuters Upfront/Olympics
Commonwealth Games and two which was creditable, but a medal been running its ‘Athlete Safehouse’ where bronze in Guangzhou Asian Games. was always out of their reach. limited non-athletic guests are invited, simply So, if my medal has still surprised Of the three who won medals four because it is a place where athletes can spend people and media I can’t help it.” years ago, gold medallist Abhinav time with family and friends, who otherwise cannot visit them in the Olympic Village. For Narang, who has Bindra and bronze medallist Vijender Athletes from all over the globe drop in to tasted success in every major failed to land another medal. Sushil catch a meal, meet friends and surf the net. competition, a bronze might have Kumar, who was still to get into the Thee SafeHouse, where athletes can also seemed small compensation. ring at the time of writing, does have get their customised eyewear assembled, took more than two-and-a-half years and Ronjan Sodhi’s participation and a chance in 66 kg freestyle wrestling. millions of dollars to prepare. Staff ed by over failure in double trap elicited unfair Athletes, barring the discus duo 40 people, it is located right next to Tower and veiled barbs. But considering Vikas Gowda in men and Krishna Bridge at the posh London Design Museum. these were his fi rst Games and he Poonia among women, who made IOC LOOKS AT COACHES, TOO, IN shot very well for 72 of the 75 shots the fi nal, were disappointing. The BADMINTON CONTROVERSY before faltering in the last three, he tennis contingent did little to justify Badminton had its moment—well, much more than a moment—of shame as players indulged does not deserve to be dismissed. the brouhaha they created at the in ‘match-fi xing’ in front of millions of viewers The collective story of ‘so-near- time of selection. The much-hyped in women’s doubles badminton. The players and-yet-so-far’ belonged to shooter archery contingent of six never Joydeep Karmakar, who fi nished progressed beyond the second round fourth in 50m prone, and to boxers and the hockey team was unable Devendro Singh and Vijender Singh, to win a single league game. who lost in quarter-fi nals, one bout The rest like table tennis, judo, INDIA away from a bronze medal. Discus rowing, swimming and weightlifting
duo Vikas Gowda and Krishna did what they were expected to— Tournament referee Torsten Berg speaks to Poonia may have made the fi nal, which was making up numbers. players from China and South Korea during their women’s doubles badminton match
were disqualifi ed and sent home, but an upset International Olympic Committee is taking the INDIA matter further ahead, and has asked for an inquiry into the coaches and team offi cials. “We have asked to look into it to see if CAN BECOME A there are any issues to answer similarly for the coaches,” said IOC spokesman Mark WORLD FORCE IN Adams. “It’s important to make sure it’s not just the athletes that are punished.” Eight women badminton players, including BADMINTON four from Korea and two each from China and Indonesia were disqualifi ed for trying to adminton seems to produce a string of lose their group matches in a bid to secure modest superstars. Prakash Padukone, B favourable draw in the knock-out stage. the late Syed Modi, Pullela Gopichand Li Yongbo, head coach of the Chinese and now Saina Nehwal. And there are badminton team, apologised in public. a few more in the assembly line. “As the head coach, I owe the fans Padukone started it back in 1994 with and the Chinese an apology,” Li said. his Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy. “Chinese players failed to demonstrate Gopichand started his academy around India’s Saina Nehwal their fi ghting spirit. It’s me to blame.” 2004. Now between the two academies, kisses her bronze medal results are beginning to show. NOT BITTER-SWEET, BUT Soon after Nehwal’s medal-winning adds Gopichand, when pushed for names. “BITTER-TWEET” ! performance , Gopichand said, “An Olympic For the record, India has 10 players in On the day of the Double Trap, 2004 Athens medal will raise awareness and bring in the world’s top-100 among men, the same as silver medallist Rajyavardhan Rathore more sponsors overall for the sport.” Malaysia, while China has only fi ve (but all are tweeted: “The two other WR holders are in There is no denying the fact that in the top-20). Denmark has nine in the top-100 the fi nals: Fokeev of RUS and Peter of UK.. India is slowly but steadily growing and Indonesia seven. So, that should make India Ind Shooting federation decided to keep the into a major force in badminton. a badminton superpower. The only diff erence is 3rd WR holder out.” The reference was to “There are a lot of youngsters coming that none of the Indians are in top-20, but it is himself, as he shares the world record! For up. It is tough to single out players, but only a matter of time before this talent explodes the record, Peter Wilson won the gold, and there are players like PV Sindhu (No 26 onto the world stage. Among women, India, India’s Ronjan Sodhi, who shot a blank in among women), Sourabh Varma, Sameer led by Saina Nehwal, has four in the world’s his third last shot, failed to make the fi nal.
Bazuki Muhammad / Reuters Varma, Guru Saidutt and many others,” top-100 and another two at No. 101 and 104.
August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 43 Amit Gupta / Reuters 44 CREDIB LE INDIA CREDIBLE
drill aheadofPrime MinisterManmohan Singh'svisittoJammuinNovember2004 cleared tomakewayforthecavalcade ofoffi cialvehicles,inconveniencing citizensgreatly. In this picture,studentsareseenwalkingduringamocksecurity A GREAT aleadertravels—traffi DIVIDEPolitical inIndia.Thisisevidenteverytime importance leadersenjoydisproportionate androadsare cisdiverted COVER STORY COVER FORBES INDIA|August 31,2012 ] D N I S SUNDEEPWASLEKARBy one agreat all else, andabove compassionate ishumble, that a nation tobuild isfocus for asks hope All in anycountry. growth for input important most Hope isthe India”. This, fortwo reasons: What Iwant istobepartof“Credible to beapartof“Incredible India”. to beinsteadisagreat nation.Irefuse nonsensical. WhatIwould like India leaders. Ibelieveinequality. take astabatgreatnessastheir who haveasmuchachanceto Great nationsarebuiltbycitizens compassion. Ibelievein demands cruelty.Nurturing nations nurture.Destruction
Great powersarebuiltbyrulers. Great powersdestroy,great undesirable andtotally impractical, completely great power isutterly with wanting tobea great Indianobsession But say, Imust.The tone meforsayingthis. IA that wastheendofMachiavelli’s hero. he wasarrestedbyPopeJulius IIand the Church.Afterhisfather’sdeath, guise ofprotectingtheinterests his father’sinfluence andunderthe accumulated poweronthebackof Borgia wasafailurebecausehehad to getintothespecifics, exceptthat used tobuildastate.Idon’tintend and hisfatherPopeAlexanderVI very brutalmethodsCesareBorgia was basedonhisobservationsofthe Machiavelli’s fundamentalthesis diplomat, humanistandwriter. the 15thCenturyItalianhistorian, the worksofNiccolòMachiavelli, power-based statecanbetracedto are rootedinhistoryaswell. as theyareintenselypersonal, The obsessionwithbeinga Both ofmybeliefs,asmuch August 31,2012|FORBES INDIA 45 COVER STORY]
CITIZENSHIP EQUIVALENCE Jyrki Katainen (l), arable land is irrigated. Solutions Finnish fi nance minister and chairman of the National Coalition Party, and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik like drip irrigation are available Reinfeldt meet Finnish voters in downtown Helsinki, to redress the problem. But only a Finland in April 2011. Scandinavian countries serve as a great example of the fact that societies where there meagre 5 percent of available land has are no power disparities tend to be prosperous seen this solution. Why don’t Indian farmers demand drip irrigation? they support with them. There are roughly 450 million The idea terrifi es me. As I look people in India that make up our work around, there seems an almost force. Of these, 90 percent haven’t uniform consensus on building completed school education. Why? a nation that wants to be feared Because, of the 630,000 villages and respected. India is now part in India, over 500,000 don’t have of the G20. What the government wanted was a place on the G10 table, ABOUT THE AUTHOR comprising what used to be the G8 Sundeep Waslekar is the president with China and India now included. of Strategic Foresight Group, a think tank based in India that advises We thump our chests with pride each governments and institutions around INDtime a new weapon is IAadded to our the world on managing future military arsenal. We high-fi ve when challenges. He was instrumental in creating an Indian business acquires assets in the concept of The Cost of Confl ict another part of the world. But how in the Middle East, based on a complex set of parameters, which has does an “Incredible India” matter if it since then become the main tool for isn’t a “Credible India” we’re building? negotiations in the region. He also crafted the concept of Blue Peace, Of the almost 600 districts in India, which looks at how water can be used 200 are infested with Naxalites. How as an instrument of peace. Switzerland has adopted this concept as part many people, of their own free will, of its state policy, and the Swedish without being coerced, will support and British governments will soon Naxalism? Nobody. Because Naxalism, follow suit. He has worked with or on 50 like every insurgent movement countries and has presented these supported by terror, is suicidal. new policy concepts at committees of the Indian Parliament, the European Terrorists I’ve met with know if you Parliament, the Houses of Commons kill, you will eventually get killed. To and Lords in the UK, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations that extent, anybody who participates and the World Economic Forum, in terrorism is participating in suicide. among others. Waslekar, who graduated from Which brings me to the next the Oxford University with a BA in question: Why would anybody Philosophy, Politics and Economics participate in suicide? Surely, it in 1983, has been involved in parallel diplomatic exercises to fi nd common ought to be desperation. Consider, ground in times of crisis. Since the for instance, the following. mid-1990s, he has facilitated dialogues between the Indian and Pakistani Twenty years ago, the average governments and Kashmiri leaders as But for whatever reasons, when credibility is overlooked. And when been liquidated. As for the American politicians. They get free water, productivity of a cow or a buff alo in well as between leaders of Western and Islamic countries after 9/11. Machiavelli wrote his treatise credibility is given the pass, as Borgia empire, it is now teetering on the land at subsidised prices and the both India and China was in the region Waslekar has also authored several The Prince, on power and how it discovered, you have to cede ground. brink of collapse. What is common to labour they employ work in inhuman of 1,000-2,000 litres of milk each year. books, essays and research reports. His most recent book, the Marathi ought to be exercised, he chose to Unfortunately, contemporary all of them is a veneer of arrogance. conditions. What is common to all of An Indian buff alo continues to deliver bestseller Eka Dishecha Shodh on new ignore Borgia’s failures. Instead, he history is fi lled with instances of Much the same thing can be said them is that they work with corrupt the same yields, while an animal bred directions for India’s future, is into its focussed on Borgia’s life where he rulers, nations and businesses that of corporate behaviour. Take some regimes, dictatorships, or both. in China delivers fi ve times as much. eighth edition, in about one-and-a-half years, and has also been translated had accumulated power. The fallacy subscribe to the Machiavellian school. of the Indian companies operating In the long run, the model is Why? What is it about the Indian into Urdu and Hindi. He was conferred in looking only at this part is that you Without exception, over time, all in Africa. There are many that have unsustainable because corrupt dairy farmer that holds him back? D.Litt (Honoris Causa) of Symbiosis International University by the ignore the fact that when power is failed. Be it the Roman, the French or made a mark exporting agricultural regimes and dictatorships collapse India is a rain-dependent nation. President of India in December 2011.
Getty Images acquired through all available means, the British empires, all of them have produce in collusion with local and take the business models But on average, only 38 percent of
46 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 47 COVER STORY]
Even though they started on the schools that can provide education On assuming power, Erdogan It is to be seen whether they can development journey around the same above Class VII. Without a doubt, moved into a two-storey house in take it further because 10 years is labour productivity is linked to downtown Ankara and ruled that all too short a time to judge a country. time as India, countries like Turkey, education. Why does the Indian ministers and members of Parliament Then there is Singapore. It is a Israel, Malaysia, Singapore and South labourer not demand education? ought to live in their own homes. In benevolent dictatorship led by the Lee The most important input for a speech delivered at the Turkish Kuan Yew family. But, despite being THE PATH TO Korea have gathered signifi cant growth in any country is hope. Parliament he argued, “If you want a dictatorship, it has a system in place momentum in recent years. Unfortunately, most Indians haven’t to be representatives of people, that allows people to impose checks seen hope. And all hope asks for is you must live and work with your and balances on the ruler. Elections in There’s a common pattern in the manner focus and ingenuity to build a nation people.” He then proceeded to take Singapore are a farce and a candidate PROSPERITY that is humble, compassionate away other privileges they enjoyed. can be jailed if anybody representing in which these countries have embarked and above all else, a great one. He followed it up by calling in Lee Kuan Yew is defeated. It can be on their path to development Yet, across the world, a clutch people from the construction business argued, therefore, that Singapore of nations started on the same and asking them to reduce invoices suff ers from a democratic defi cit. journey as we did, of moving from he reckoned were infl ated or face But let’s ignore this defi cit for a developing nation to a developed being blacklisted for all government a moment. In Singapore, if any nation. And in the last 20-30 years, projects. He also made it clear that parliamentary or party offi cial countries like South Korea,IND Turkey, any compromise on quality,IA durability gives telephonic instructions to Malaysia, Israel and Singapore or deadlines in building roads, dams a bureaucrat, and the bureaucrat have begun to nudge ahead of us. or other projects with public money complains; or if any minister or 1 ROOT OUT CORRUPTION They’ve pursued a set of priorities, parliamentarian does anything to succeeded in pulling a larger mass of harass a citizen and the citizen That's usually the main element of the IN A COUNTRY OF reform process. Most of these nations people out of poverty, emphasised complains; the minister or the succeeded in reducing corruption levels technological innovation and made 1.2 BLN PEOPLE, IF parliamentarian can be jailed. If a pretty substantially by empowering bureaucrats to act without fear or favour. equally good progress in social ONLY A 100 MLN ARE bureaucrat does not respond to an spheres like education and healthcare ALLOWED TO USE inquiry in three weeks, he can be EXAMPLES 4 ATTACK THE PERIPHERY (see graphic 'Path to Prosperity'). THEIR POTENTIAL TO punished. What it means is there are In Singapore, bureaucrats were insulated So, what did they do diff erently checks and balances that constrain the from political interference by a legislative Focus next on the most backward regions THE FULLEST, UN- fi at. South Korea used e-governance to in the country, rather than wait for the 6 from us? After research and ruler’s power at an operational level. principles of trickle-down theory to take REST IS INEVITABLE remove the state’s discretionary powers conversations with people from Examples of the impact from a variety of areas. root. DRIVE PRIVATISATION OF STATE ENTERPRISES across the world, I have come to ------accountability holds exist in India as EXAMPLES To raise monies, the government pushed believe that there are fi ve common well. The contrasts are most obvious through a major privatisation programme. 2 Turkey focussed fi rst on Anatolia, one of themes that these nations have used to would attract severe penalties. if you place Sikkim on the one hand MAKE PUBLIC SERVANTS the most backward and poorest parts of ACCESSIBLE the country. EXAMPLES infuse their people with hope and put He then moved to provide and Jammu & Kashmir on the other. This was done by eliminating special Turkey relied on 3G telecom auctions themselves on the path to greatness. special grants to the poorest and Both lie in the lap of the Himalayas. privileges for elected representatives. 5 to raise funds for infrastructure incentives to small businesses in Sikkim has the Chinese to contend development. Private fi rms were BUILD EXPERTISE IN THEME #1: WHERE THE RULED with and J&K the Pakistanis. Sikkim EXAMPLES encouraged to bid for them in an open, an attempt to provide a fi llip to the CUTTING-EDGE SCIENCE AND transparent manner. AND RULERS ARE ON PAR rural economy. He issued orders that has Christians and Buddhists and J&K In Israel, there is no special housing TECHNOLOGY available even for Cabinet ministers. Back in 2002, while I was working his government focus on education has Muslims, all national minorities, Despite other disadvantages, Israel, Singapore and South Korea have 7 on peace issues in the Middle East in the most backward provinces of as the majority population and both 3 invested behind cutting-edge science PUSH FOR FREE ENTERPRISE with the Turkish government, Recep Turkey. Five years was all it took to have had controversial histories of and technology. BUILDING PUBLIC WORKS AND AN OPEN ECONOMY Tayyip Erdogan of the AK Party eff ect a transformation. The party accession to India. Both remain poor. To kick-start the cycle of investment EXAMPLES Across the board, private enterprises had just come into power. In those came back to power in 2007 and But Jammu & Kashmir has been were allowed to fi ll the gap created by demand, the government typically starts days, Turkey was a nation with again last year. It was the kind of plagued by insurgency and violence building public infrastructure. Even though Singapore could draw water the withdrawal of state enterprises. from neighbouring Malaysia till 2062, Simultaneously, the infl ow of foreign power concentrated in the hands change that took Southeast Asian while Sikkim is one of the most Singapore developed its own waste water EXAMPLES direct investment was encouraged. of the military elite and a charmed countries almost two decades. peaceful states in the country. This, treatment technology to achieve water That resulted in a more competitive Malaysia built roads, bridges, ports and independence nearly 50 years ahead of private sector which in turn enhanced circle of industrialists from Istanbul. There are doubts whether in spite of the fact that Kashmir gets schedule. It is now selling that technology highways in a conscious attempt to boost productivity growth and accelerated It wasn’t surprising, therefore, to Turkey will be able to sustain this more Central funding than Sikkim! its economy. to West Asian countries and Africa. growth. fi nd large numbers of discontented momentum. But a beginning has Probe deeper and you realise this is a and unemployed people there. been made with strong foundations. function of the relationship between
48 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 49 50
COVER STORY COVER FORBES INDIA|August 31,2012 ministry andwastheonlyoffi ambassador withtheSwissforeign India. Myfriendservesasasenior Switzerland whatSoniaGandhi isto President ofSwitzerland.Sheisto Rey, foreignministerandformer standing allthewaytoBern. seats eitherandshetravelled the episodedidn’toff erher their complied. Passengerswitnessing she oughttovacateit.Thelady the physicallychallengedandthat lady thatherseatwasreservedfor in, hepointedoutpolitelytothe my friendstoodnexttoher. occupied aseatnearthedoorwhile was crowded,theolderwoman Swiss capital.Becausethetrain onto atrainheadedforBern,the her thereandthetwoofthemgot of mine,JeanDanielRuch,met long internationalflight. Afriend arrived atZurichairportaftera when awomaninherearly60s serve asgreatexamples. progress. Scandinaviancountries is giventoleaders,societiesdon’t Where disproportionateimportance FEELS THEYBELONG THEME #2:WHEREEVERYBODY outcome ofwhichisalwayshope. and non-violencecomeintoplay—the balance exists,humandevelopment and leadtoviolence.Butwhere economic andsocialdisparityfollow with onefamilycallingtheshots. inequality hasexistedsincethe1950s, leadership andthepeople.InJ&K, balanced relationshipbetweenthe contract andtheemphasisisona there hasworkedoutaninformal towards development.Thesociety the rulersandcommonpeople. assigned toreceiveCalmy-Rey at She wasMichelineCalmy- When theticketcontrollercame There wasthisoneinstance Wherever powerdisparitiesexist, Sikkim’s economyisbalanced ] cer incidents likethese!Citizenship Only oneMPprotested. to upgradetheparliamentarians. paying businessclasspassengers however, offi cialsdowngraded fare- At Thiruvananthapuramairport, They allhadeconomyclassairtickets. parliamentarians totheMaldives. I accompaniedagroupofIndian experiences inIndia.Yearsago, the UnitedNationsGeneralAssembly. year, Deisswasappointedpresidentof us ashewouldothercustomers.Last waiter tookourordersandtreated When wefinally foundaplace,the cared itwasDeisslookingforatable. every placewaspackedandnobody around lookingforacafétochat.But at Genevarailwaystation.Wewent former SwissPresidentJosephDeiss Calmy-Rey retiredfrompolitics. the heightofherpoliticalcareer, right away.”Earlierthisyear,at was rudeandorderedmetovacate not askmetogetuppolitely.He told me:“Theticketcontrollerdid She flipped throughitandquietly an Englishtranslationofthebook. governments, whereIpresentedher with theSwissandSwedish the thinktankIheadinpartnership the launchofareportpreparedby elected asPresident.Imetherat in mybook,EkaDishechaShodh. stunning andincludedtheanecdote was recountedtome,Ithoughtit the airport.Whenthisincident “IF YOU WANT TO BE REPRESENTATIVES I’ve oftenwonderedwhatexplains I oftencontrastthiswithmy Then therewasthistimeImet Last year,Calmy-Reywasre- AND WORKWITH OF PEOPLE,YOU YOUR PEOPLE” MUST LIVE ------is inevitable.InIndia,agricultural their potentialtothefullest,unrest only a100millionareallowedtouse in acountryof1.2billionpeople,if task hereisaneasyone.Theoretically, path ofbecomingagreatnation. Switzerland hasn’tyetgottentothe natural resourcesthanSwedenor why India,inspiteofhavingmore equivalence, Iguess!Thatisperhaps By nomeansamIsuggestingthe want, thatis,justiceanddevelopment Givepeoplewhattheyreally plank: The party's inthe2002Turkishvictory general elections. celebratetheirparty's Party (AKP)supporters FOR THEPEOPLEJusticeandDevelopment sell to.Andsolutionsthatexistinthe serious restrictionsonwhomtheycan Committee (APMC),whichputs like theAgriculturalProduceMarket farmers experiencetradebarriers, this discrepancyexistsisbecause undesirable. Oneofthereasonswhy percent. Thatisbothunfortunateand contribution totheGDPis20 the labourpopulation.Buttheir producers comprise60percentof D N I go, thismovehashadanimpact, While thereisstillsomewayto from operatingintheopenmarket. then, dairyfarmerswereprevented was diluted10yearsago.Until and MilkProductOrder,which prevent thecompetingco-operatives. families whodoeverythingtheycanto monopolies inthehandsofpolitical form ofco-operativesoftenoperateas Exceptions exist—liketheMilk IA building acountrywheretheruling in turn,willpusheverybodyinto in improvingproductivity.That, steady income,theywillinvest rural industrieshaveaccesstoa free. Becausewhenfarmersand liberalised andproducersset agricultural economyhastobe packaged milkandproducts. the outcomeofwhichisgrowth If growthisthemandate, August 31,2012|FORBES INDIA
51 Staton R. Winter / Getty Images COVER STORY]
class and citizens are equals. In 2003-2004, I visited the Centre man behind CIGI was neither a To start the process, though, one for Innovation in Global Governance diplomat nor a researcher. He was question needs to be answered. Do (CIGI), a think tank operating out of Jim Balsillie, founder of Research you expend energies into getting a brewery in Waterloo, a small town in Motion, better known as the into the Top 10 in terms of GDP? Or in Canada. The Prime Minister of makers of Blackberry—another do you focus on getting the Human Canada at the time, Paul Martin, had matter altogether that Blackberry Development Index (HDI), where mandated that they conceptualise ran into trouble with its shareholders India has consistently ranked below what he called the L-20, where and Balsillie had to give up his 120, to higher levels? What a low L was an acronym for “Leaders”. responsibilities at RIM. But, with the HDI means is that for all the GDP growth and the consequent prosperity, development is superfi cial at best.
THEME #3: WHERE INNOVATION IS WOVEN INTO THE SOCIAL FABRIC Why aren’t Indians innovating enough? Is it because the Indian idea of innovation is cost cutting or process innovation—also known by another fancy term, frugal engineering—as INDIA opposed to original research? I had the opportunity to interact with Stef Wertheimer, chairman of the ISCAR group, near Haifa in Israel. ISCAR specialises in industrial cutting tools and blades. Wertheimer contributes to about 10 percent of Israel’s GDP through his various business ventures and is to Israel what Ratan Tata is to India. I asked him what the secret of his success is. He off ered to show me around the fourth fl oor of the building he operates in, where at least 1,700- 1,800 of the best research engineers in the country focus on original research. The secret, he said, is ruthless focus. Each year, he retains only the best among them and retrenches those he reckons are at the bottom of the pyramid. But because the retrenched people are so good, they are much sought after by others or launch Unfortunately, Martin lost the benefi t of hindsight, his contribution startups, and innovation spreads. elections and the idea was shelved. to international governance has been Why don’t episodes like this It was set into motion again after outstanding. Thanks to his eff orts, occur in India? At the risk of the fi nancial crisis of 2008, when G-20 is now operational. Balsillie is sounding repetitive, Indians who President George Bush revisited also the main supporter of Perimeter matter and can catalyse change the theme. The only diff erence was Institute of Theoretical Physics, are too focussed on their balance that it is now called the G-20. based in Waterloo. As for CIGI, it
Reuters sheets as opposed to innovation. But, to get back to the point, the works on policy prescriptions for
52 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 reforming institutions such as the His surprise isn’t misplaced. In THE OBJECTIVE OF International Atomic Energy Agency, the next two to three decades, the Financial Stability Forum, and the fourth industrial revolution will THE SCANDINAVIAN international monetary system. be underway. The fi rst industrial MODEL WAS TO In India, I can only think of revolution took place in late 18th BUILD NATIONS the Tatas who founded the Tata Century, the second in the late 19th NOBODY THINKS OF Institute of Fundamental Research Century, and computerisation is the ATTACKING (TIFR) and Tata Institute of third. The fourth includes genomics, ------Social Sciences (TISS). I guess nanotechnology and robotics (GNR). These apart, expect breakthroughs education, a few crore of rupees and in space technology, renewable the 700,000 villages with no access to energy and water technologies. All schools suddenly become accessible. of these will transform the world. India has a satellite in orbit as well, India has to decide whether it which is meant to be used exclusively wants to be a great power by servicing for education. Any institution can multinationals and providing use it to impart remote education to software engineers who work at the children in Naxalite-aff ected areas in low end of the cost curve, or be a central and northern India; or to the lead player in the new revolution. schools located in diffi cult-to-access INDregions such as theIA North East. THEME #4: WHERE EDUCATION IS CENTRAL THEME #5: WHERE RELATIONSHIPS Educational institutions are MATTER ABOVE ALL ELSE important because the talent I believe relationships ought to be needed to prime people for the preserved immaculately—be they fourth revolution can come only immediate ones, in the neighbourhood out of educational institutions. or those of strategic signifi cance—else, When the fi rst and second the outcomes can be disastrous. It industrial revolutions took place, India has been demonstrated that minus was a colony and couldn’t participate. good relationships with neighbours, During the third revolution, India it is possible to be a great power, made headway and managed to but impossible to evolve into a garner revenues and exposure. GNR, great nation. Turn once again to the along with space, energy and water Turkish and Scandinavian models. TOWARDS PEACE Villagers in Manipur's technologies, is a low-capital-intensive In Turkey, soon after Erdogan Kumbi village protest against the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) revolution. To set up laboratories, took over, even as he managed the in August 2004. AFSPA gives troops the capital requirements are low. What country, he devoted attention to right to arrest and shoot suspected rebels. Power and its physical manifestation— is needed is human capital. To do relationships with countries in the force—can only counter terrorism, not stop it. Deconstructing terror demands creation that, India needs to innovate. South and East. He fi gured it could of new kinds of social contracts A single school that can be a trading opportunity for the accommodate 700 children using brick Turks. So he extended an arm of and mortar will take an awfully long friendship to Syria and created a free that is why when Balsillie visited time and cost on average Rs 2 crore. trade zone. Not just that, he focussed India, he was surprised that Add to these numbers the fact that on removing internal trade barriers despite having precedents of there exists a defi cit of one million and increasing mobility. He was the kind set by the Tatas, Indian teachers. What can be done is obvious. also Israel’s most trusted partner. businesses aren’t thinking about The government allows anybody During the course of my stint how to promote original research to set up a community radio station in Middle Eastern diplomacy, the in physics, maths, governance that covers a radius of 25 kilometres. Syrian foreign minister once rolled and international relations. If this technology were deployed into out a peace plan with Israel. The
August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 53 54
Amir Cohen / Reuters STORY COVER FORBES INDIA|August 31,2012 that terroristsdon’tthinkofattacking how tocontainterrorism.Whyisit of interestbecauseIoftenwonder Israel andSyriahavetakenabackseat. Turkey’s relationshipswithboth out thatinthelastcoupleofyears, Turkey. Thatsaid,Imustalsopoint was thatitoughttobefacilitatedby only conditionheplacedonthetable As forScandinavia,themodelis land hasseenthissolution available, butameagre5percentofavailable nation. Solutions likedripirrigation are technologies. Indiaremainsaraindependent bymarketingitswastewaterreuse industry hasdevelopedabillion-dollar The country sprays recycledwastewateronafi INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS Anirrigation system ] eld inIsrael. it cancounterattacks;buttobuild there isonlysolongandoften build asecurityinfrastructurebecause nation. Theirobjectivewasnotto model representsthatofagreat This isbecausetheScandinavian individuals—not secessionistoutfi are incidentstriggeredbymaniacal Whenever violenceerupts,they countries likeNorwayorSweden? ts. terrorism. Therefore,itoughttobe then youonlythinkofcountering its physicalmanifestation—force— you insistonlivingonlybypowerand social contractsinthecountry.Butif demands youcreatenewkindsof which isanintellectualexercise.It as opposedtodeconstructingterror nations nobodythinksofattacking. Countering terrorisaphysicalact human developmentquotient? GDP growthorintermsofthe measure itssuccessintermsof questions. Oughtanationto First, askthemostbasicofall THE WAY FORWARD and itcannothappenovernight. hasn’t thoughtalongthoselinesyet deconstructed. Problemis,India D N I the peopleandgotelectedinto offi presented theirfindings andagendato arrive atapoliticalconclusion.They understand grassrootsproblemsand tools frommainstreambusinessto is AKP—andnowinpower. the acronymforwhichinTurkish Development Partywasformed— this insight,theJusticeand and development.Armedwith boiled downtotwowords—justice they want.Everythingpeoplesaid research agencytoaskpeoplewhat be like.Todothat,theyhiredamarket reference forwhatanationoughtto together andbuiltnewtermsof was thatagroupofpoliticiansgot once again.Whathappenedthere enforced violentdisruption. managed positivedisruption,or you couldchoosebetween disruption isinevitable.But is theincentiveinattempting? When youelicitnoresponse,what are ofnointeresttoterrorists. explains whyScandinaviancountries will bekepttotheminimum.That hand, hasastatedpolicythatpolicing to terrorists.Norway,ontheother mind, explainsoursusceptibility to violentdisruptions.That,my success intermsofGDPareprone compromised oncivilliberties. was imposed.Intheprocess, it GROWTH ANDTHE Eff To understandthis,turntoTurkey In makingthistransition, I believenationsthatmeasure In Singapore,though,change FOR ALLTHEGDP ectively, theyusedmodern IS SUPERFICIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSEQUENT PROSPERITY, AT BEST ------IA ce. the backofideas—notforce. better. Greatnationsarebuilt on using powerbutbyideas.” in thenationofSingapore,not by I hadtocreateavestedinterest can’t putthemtogetheragain.“So all thekings,theirmenandhorses or entrepreneurial,failandgoout, resources, whetherhuman,natural, political statement.Ifyournational it underscoresanimportant prime minister.Because,hesaid, every singledayafterhebecame his lifewasanurseryrhyme. that oneofthedrivingforcesin once toldmesomethinginteresting— someone Ithinkofinthatmould.He fi and courage.LeeKuanYew,the remembered. Hehadanethicalcode, his death,MahatmaGandhiisstill That iswhyeven60yearsafter and whatyouhaveisstatesmanship. courage. Putthesevaluestogether from isacrisisofvision,ethicsand me toarguethatwhatIndiasuff happening inIndia.Mybeliefscompel as well,includingeconomicones. be usedtoresolveotherproblems realised politicalengineeringcan major racesinthecountry.They to haverepresentativesofthethree that mandatedanyelectedcabinet made aconstitutionalamendment violence tohappenagain.Sothey and agreedtheywouldn’tallow across communitiescametogether following racialriots,leaderscutting what happenedinTurkey.In1968, percent ofwhattheysetouttodo. However, they’veachieved70-80 rst primeministerofSingapore,is He couldn’thaveputitany He saidhereaditafewtimes couldn’t putHumptytogetheragain. and alltheking’smen, and alltheking’shorses, Humpty Dumptyhadagreatfall, Humpty Dumptysatonawall, I don’tseeanysignsofthat Change inMalaysiawassimilarto August 31,2012|FORBES INDIA ers
55 INDEPENDENCEDAYSPECIAL
Guardians OF THE FLAME wo of the greatest institutions that have shaped Independent India are Tits bureaucracy and judiciary. The bureaucracy is the backbone of the country’s structure of governance, a termIND in abundantIA use these days mostly for its absence. Yet there are individuals within the system who envision small but powerful ideas that bring us one more inch closer to the idea of India when it was born. Forbes India showcases nine of them in this special edition. They were not chosen through a process, by rank or by any method. Neither are they the only ones. They were picked simply because each one of them has done something to make the life of ordinary people a little better. Then there is chief justice SH Kapadia. One of the most extraordinary judges, Kapadia has brought an ascetic purity to the Supreme Court. He is what we Indians call a Karmayogi. INDEPENDENCEDAYSPECIAL Pilgrim of JUSTICE The judicial function a judge performs is the spiritual function of a man, says SH Kapadia, Chief Justice of India
By DINESH NARAYANAN
judge, by virtue of his Vodafone judgement reinforced a class IV employee and the only chosen profession, to the world the independence asset I possess is integrity...’’ chooses to become an of the country’s judiciary. A ascetic, distant from In a few days a Constitution EARLY DAYS INDIA the society he lives in, yet immersed Bench headed by Kapadia will The destiny of Sarosh Homi Kapadia in it so deep that he is confronted decide on the Presidential Reference was uncertain when he was born with the rawness of its existential made to it after the SC quashed on September 29, 1947 in a nation struggle every day. Chief Justice 122 telecom licences and asked the that came into existence barely of India SH Kapadia is a person government to conduct auctions to six weeks before him. Not many who understands it too well. allocate natural resources. He is also people in the world who watched “A judge must inevitably choose to expected to frame guidelines for the birth of India gave it a chance be a little aloof and isolated from the the media on reporting on matters as a democracy. The odds were community at large. He should not be that are being heard in court. stacked against Kapadia at birth in contact with lawyers, individuals Chief Justice Kapadia will because unlike the illustrious Parsis or political parties, their leaders be remembered for some of the of Bombay, his father had grown up or ministers unless it be on purely landmark judgements he delivered. in a Surat orphanage and had worked social occasions,’’ Kapadia said while And the way he lived as a judge will as a lowly defense clerk. His mother delivering the MC Setalvad Memorial never be forgotten. It can only be Katy was a homemaker. The family lecture on Judicial ethics in April 2011. called exemplary. In a now famous could barely make ends meet but that Since taking over as the Chief and widely quoted letter that he did not weaken their robust values. Justice on May 12, 2010, Kapadia wrote to former Justice VR Krishna “My father taught me not to has worked tirelessly to restore the Iyer, Kapadia said: “I come from a accept obligations from anyone, and progress from being an advocate invited to tea at the Bar just before by the sessions in that courtroom. diminishing dignity and credibility poor family. I started my career as my mother taught me the ethical to becoming a judge and have the taking over as the Chief Justice of Kapadia began his career as a of the Supreme Court as the fi nal morality of life,’’ Kapadia recalled at a honour of living in those very same the Uttaranchal High Court in 2003. grade four employee with Behramjee forum for justice seekers. With a SAROSH HOMI Bombay Parsi Panchayet felicitation salubrious surroundings, Parsi Early in his career as a low-grade Jeejeebhoy where his main job was single stroke of the pen, he stopped KAPADIA when he became CJI. Young Sarosh, Khabar, an online community web employee, he used to end up at the to deliver case briefs to lawyers. reckless mining in Bellary. He 64 however, had decided that he would site, reported Mistree as saying. Fountain area near the court for Behramjee Jeejeebhoy was the owner disqualifi ed the crucial appointment make his own destiny. He wanted to Many years later, when Kapadia work. He didn’t have anywhere to go of seven villages in Bombay and had a ❯ PROFILE of Central Vigilance Commissioner Chief Justice of India. In his long become a judge and nothing else. became a judge at the Bombay High to spend his lunch break. For three lot of land revenue as well as a number (CVC) reminding the prime minister legal career, he has served a lawyer At the felicitation, Panchayet Court, he always sat in court room years lunch often used to be a small of land-related disputes to settle. at Bombay Bar, a Bombay High and his government that processes Court Judge, a Special Court Judge, trustee Khojeste Mistree talked about number three on the ground fl oor, cone of roasted chana (gram) and Those cases were handled by Gagrat must stand the test of integrity. Uttaranchal Chief Justice, Judge his student days. Kapadia would walk which perplexed many because as courtroom number three was the and Company where a young lawyer, In the Vodaphone case, Kapadia Supreme Court down Narayan Dhabolkar Road in judges rose in seniority they also place to relax because it let in good Ratnakar D Sulakhe, used to work. pointed out that laws are not open ❯ HIS ACHIEVEMENT Mumbai, past the Rocky Hill fl ats, moved up the courthouse building. breeze. A lawyer in Mumbai who was “Sarosh used to come very regularly He is one of the fi nest judges to unduly liberal interpretations. and administrators. He has where a number of judges lived, Kapadia revealed the reason why he present says that Kapadia recalled to our offi ces. That is how I rst fi met redefi ning judgeship A corporate lawyer said that the and dream that one day he would was fond of the room when he was how his interest in law was fuelled him. He had a keen interest in law Getty Images
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and I encouraged him to take it up,’’ Later he became a frequent visitor profi t would be only Rs 15 crore. Salve elaborated on the evolution of dedicated his life to the profession, the impression that judicial system remembers Sulakhe, who is now legal to Belur Math on the banks of the “A judge sitting in tax matters environmental jurisprudence in India. rarely taking holidays even. has collapsed or is fast collapsing. consultant with the Godrej group. Hoogly in Kolkata. A monk at the knows the accounting standards. During the fi rst summer holidays I strongly believe and maintain Kapadia studied law and enrolled Math says he learnt meditation It helps us to decide matters in the UNSHAKEABLE INTEGRITY after he became chief justice, that with all the drawbacks and at the bar. By that time he had a techniques. He has read everything context of socio-economic justice There are two qualities of Justice Kapadia is said to have come to limitations with shortage of resources keen grasp of issues related to land about Ramakrishna and also what enshrined in the Constitution… Kapadia that no one disputes— offi ce everyday to streamline the SC and capacity, we still have a time- and revenue and began taking up Swami Vivekananda wrote. This is where I emphasise the integrity and compassion. registry. According to several lawyers, tested system,’’ he said. He also said such cases. As a junior lawyer, he Kapadia’s worldview is highly knowledge of the basic concepts.’’ “His humble beginnings are the registry had deteriorated into a that the backlog of cases is not as quickly gained a reputation for infl uenced by Indian thinkers but A Mumbai lawyer who knows him refl ected in his outlook and corrupt offi ce where ‘bench hunting’ huge as is made out to be. “Seventy- his preparation and ability to cite is also tempered by the observed from the time Kapadia was a lawyer judgements,’’ says senior lawyer was common. Bench hunting is four percent of the cases are less authority while arguing. Kapadia realities of the modern world. It has and later judge, says that he has Soli Sorabjee. “A litigant may gaming the allocation process to make than fi ve years old,’’ he said and then joined Feroze Damania, a feisty also shaped his thinking as a judge evolved into a complete jurist. Yet, the labour lawyer reputed to be partial who believes in continuous learning. Chief Justice has not stopped learning. to poor and marginalised people. “What we need today in India as In July 2011, the Supreme Court “HIGH COURTS AND THE SUPREME COURT ARE COURTS In 1982, Kapadia argued a case for far as the judges are concerned is a gave a verdict in a case involving OF PRINCIPLES. THE JUDGES SHOULD NOT SPEAK people living in Ghatkopar, a suburb scholastic living,” Kapadia said in limestone mining in Meghalaya’s East ANYTHING BEYOND THE PRINCIPLES OF A PARTICULAR in Mumbai. The area was formerly salt December 2008. Delivering the JK Khasi Hills by Franco-Spanish cement pans and fell under the control of the Mathur memorial lecture in Lucknow, company Lafarge Umiam Mining. CASE. LET US NOT GIVE LECTURES TO THE SOCIETY“ Salt Commissioner. The commissioner Kapadia went on to defi ne the context Almost a year-and-a-half before that, INDIA had ordered summary eviction of of modern day justice and the legal the company had been asked to stop about 3,000 tenements. Kapadia profession. In that speech he said mining by a Bench headed by Justice feel disappointed if he loses the sure that a certain matter appears added that the focus is on quickly fought the case which resulted in a how important it was for judges to KG Balakrishnan. When the hearing case but no litigant goes back before a certain judge who the lawyer disposing of the rest of the cases. landmark judgement laying down understand the various concepts in resumed, Justice Balakrishnan had [from Kapadia’s court] feeling he thinks will rule in a particular way. Kapadia has certainly restored the principle that governments diff erent fi elds, including economics retired and Kapadia was presiding was not fairly or fully heard.’’ Kapadia has put an end to it and is the confi dence and pride in the cannot invoke summary eviction and accountancy. Kapadia himself is on the three-judge bench. In his pursuit of fl awless integrity, now said to review the day’s board Supreme Court of India. laws to throw out people when there a qualifi ed accountant and has vast As Harish Salve began to argue for Kapadia has hermetically sealed of case listings and pull up the SC “He will certainly be remembered is a genuine dispute on the title. knowledge of economics. That came Lafarge, Kapadia realised that he did himself. He even said in a speech that staff if he fi nds something amiss. for the landmark Vodafone decision,’’ “It was not about money. He in handy in a case where Orissa’s not know enough background. So he judges and lawyers should work like The CJ has also stopped out- says Percy Billimoria, senior partner at was genuinely interested in the tribals were pitted against a miner. asked the senior lawyer to brief the a horse and live like a hermit. When of-turn mentioning of cases to be corporate law fi rm AZB and Partners. welfare of marginalised people,’’ a There were no jobs, hospitals court on the history of environmental Forbes India sought to interview him taken up urgently, which has caused “Whenever anyone complains about colleague who worked with him at or schools in the area the company jurisprudence. A stumped Salve said for this profi le, the CJ’s offi ce said some consternation among lawyers. the retrospective amendment of Damania’s offi ces told Forbes India. wanted to mine. Kapadia analysed that would be like reading a textbook. the strict code of conduct binding Earlier, lawyers could request the the tax law on this issue, I always Supreme Court judges does not allow judge while the court was in session retort by reminding them that the him to agree. Kapadia’s personal to take up an unlisted matter because fact that the decision held that the “WE, THE JUDGES, DO NOT MIND A STUDIED FAIR code of conduct is more severe. it was urgent. Now they have to government’s stand on a matter CRITICISM. HOWEVER, AS AN ADVICE TO THE BAR Retired Justice VR Krishna Iyer told fi le an urgency petition a day in with such far reaching revenue PLEASE DO NOT DISMANTLE AN INSTITUTION WITHOUT Forbes India that he had gathered advance. The system exists because implications was contrary to the law from his colleagues that he was too there is a mountain of pending cases at the time shows that at least our SHOWING HOW TO BUILD A BETTER ONE. PLEASE dignifi ed to even meet other judges, in the judicial system. And since judiciary is fair and independent.’’ REMEMBER: WHEN AN INSTITUTION NO LONGER rarely meets anybody at random the SC is the fi nal authority, it gets By the time Kapadia hangs up his MATTERS, WE NO LONGER MATTER’’ and when he speaks he is taciturn. overburdened. “It will not be long cloak and collar on September 29, Kapadia does not accept even before we have a 100 judges in the he would have left an indelible mark offi cial invitations if they fall on a SC,’’ says a lawyer. The SC currently on India’s judicial history. Former working day. He once rejected an has 30 judges, excluding the CJI. Justice VR Krishna Iyer told Forbes He did not wish to be named. the accounts of the company to To which Kapadia replied that he invitation to represent India at a The Indian justice system had India: “While I have seen during the The colleague says, at the time fi nd out whether it could set aside was a Bombay man who understood conference of the Commonwealth drawn a lot of fl ak over the past few last 97 years of my life among good Kapadia became interested in a portion of profi ts for tribals’ very little about environmental Law Association in Hyderabad years after the integrity of several past judges with great credentials, there Buddhist and Hindu philosophies, welfare. He dissected the accounts matters and would Salve not help because it fell on a working day. and sitting judges was questioned. was hardly anyone to compare with especially in the teachings of Ramana segment-wise to discover a profi t of the court? Every Friday for the next On the fi rst day in offi ce as CJI, But Kapadia defended the system in Kapadia the like of which no eye Maharishi, Swami Vivekananda about Rs 500 crore when without seven weeks the cavernous courtroom he cleared 39 matters in half an his Law Day speech last November. had seen, no heart conceived and no and Ramakrishna Paramahansa. the standard of accounting the turned into a classroom where hour. Kapadia has practically “I am an optimist. I do not share human tongue can adequately tell.’’
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families in advance Rs 30 per child The administration ensured that after the children were rehabilitated, Purna Chandra for a day’s work. However, they every vehicle passing through the district collector urged the Kishan cracked themselves would pocket around Rs the district was searched, and parents to participate in jobs under Stopping the whip on labour 120 per child from the cotton farmers. hundreds of children were rescued the National Rural Employment contractors and saved We knew the families who were during these surprise checks. Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). As contacted by the traffi ckers and were In 2009, around 30,000 children the parents found steady work and thousands of children able to take preventive action,” said worked as labourers. But by the enrolment fi gures for NREGS climbed, in Rajasthan from Kishan, an IIT-Kharagpur graduate. end of 2010, there were only a the dropout rates in schools declined. TRAFFICK dying in the killing He also organised raids on few hundred still working. A senior district administration fi elds of Gujarat the child traffi ckers and arrested In order to ensure that the families offi cial says the work started by By KP NARAYANA KUMAR some of the biggest contractors. did not suff er on account of money Kishan has ensured that the people
n 2009, the district administration PURNA CHANDRA in Dungarpur in southern KISHAN Rajasthan had to face a hostile 37 I situation. Hundreds of tribal people had taken to the streets ❯ PROFILE After serving as district collector demanding an inquiry into the of Dholpur and Dungarpur, Kishan deaths of children who were sent INDIA is now heading the National Rural Livelihood Mission in Rajasthan to work in cotton fi elds in the ❯ adjoining districts of Gujarat. HIS ACHIEVEMENT His campaign against child Eight children had died in the traffi cking in Dungarpur is one previous fi ve years and the latest of the rare instances where the administration has managed case had sparked a protest. to wipe out the menace from While some children died of a district exposure to pesticides, in other cases they were suspected to have died of Dungarpur have become organised due to malnourishment and ill- in their fi ght against traffi ckers. treatment. Snake-bite cases were also “Even today, the enrolment rates frequently reported at these farms. at the schools here are higher than The labour contractors who what they used to be fi ve years ago. had taken the children for work The tribals are keeping a watch on had also gone underground. the activities of the traffi ckers too.” The tribal people of Dungarpur Kishan, 37, who is from Orissa started the agitation, demanding and now works with the National the labour contractors' arrest and Rural Livelihood Mission, also compensation for the families of authored an English learner’s book for the children who had died. children in Vagadi, a tribal language. Purna Chandra Kishan, then The book is yet to be accepted as the district collector, decided that a standard textbook in Dungarpur he needed to crack the whip to as it would require clearance from stop the child traffi ckers. In order the state government. However, to get support from the Bhils, the several teachers have bought copies predominant tribe, Kishan roped and have organised special English in the tribal chiefs to participate workshops for the tribal children. in special task force teams that “It is amazing to see how were established to monitor much can be done in a district if child traffi cking in the district. you make the local population “Once we involved the tribal part of your campaign. That is chiefs, we got more information. what I have learnt the most in
Amit Verma The contractors would pay the tribal Dungarpur,” said Kishan.
62 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 63 INDEPENDENCEDAYSPECIAL A Visionary WHO ALSO DELIVERS It is necessary to build a solid governance system, but it should be outside the government, says MK Bhan
By SEEMA SINGH INDIA
e is a visionary, contract careers to professionals but can he and a salary, Bhan emphasises, that deliver?” was is unheard-of in the government. “Hthe subject of “We have created manuals of rules a letter sent to the Prime Minister’s that never existed in India.” Offi ce after Maharaj K Bhan took One example is the Biotechnology over as secretary of the Department Industry Research Assistance of Biotechnology (DBT) in 2005. The Council, a Section 25 (non-profi t) context was some radical changes company. that he was proposing after extensive In the fi rst year, strong validation consultations with students, faculty, came from WHO and Bill & Melinda industry, investors, agriculturists and Gates Foundation, which want the regulators—virtually all stakeholders. Council to be their management “That [letter] did not hurt me, nor partner in India. Sensitive to social did I take it as challenge, but I did get innovation, it’s evaluating at least obsessed with combining my vision 10 proposals in this category. with execution brilliance,” says Bhan. The way to bring transformative He went on yet another change, Bhan says, is to be guided by “consultation yatra”, this time looking principles, create new instruments, for the principles of implementation. convince people, get support from
His insight: Don’t mix policy with fi nancial advisors and use them again India for Forbes Madhu Kapparath service; build a solid governance and again, to create standards. system but outside the government. “We’ve tried to do things beyond MK BHAN bio-energy, product development an entrepreneur and ex-chief the Parliament which he hopes gets In the months that followed, standard committees; I have realised 64 and much more. Since he doesn’t like executive of the Faridabad bio- passed soon because the country DBT set up dozens of institutes, new the power of soft think tanks,” he says. fi ve-year Plans, which, he believes, cluster. “He has been brave enough needs a regulator for other biotech unobtrusive models of governance A paediatrician and an acclaimed ❯ PROFILE miss core strategy, he developed to fund industry projects, which is products even if it shuns GM crops. that are enshrined in the General public health professional, Bhan Secretary, Dept of Biotechnology one preceding the 11th Plan. important because biotechnology is “I have created instruments Finance Rules and a service structure came to DBT with a vision to change ❯ HIS ACHIEVEMENT It’s amazing how he imagined all about translation. That’s a big shift that will serve biotech in the that is outside the government the department, which focused on Transformed DBT into a multi- he has brought in the government.” country for 1,000 years. If all other disciplinary, collaborating agency everything and has achieved almost and allows for outsourcing. biology, to one that encompasses that can nurture smart-thinking all of what he promised in the Biotech One of his last goals is the Biotech ministries use these, the nation The new hiring rules give engineering, technology, agriculture, people into new-age innovators Policy, says Shrikumar Suryanarayan, Regulatory Authority Bill lying with will save 15 years,” says Bhan.
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HK Mittal, who HK MITTAL is keen to convert 52 paper-publishing ❯ PROFILE students and Adviser, member secretary, National Science and Technology professors into Entrepreneurship Development entrepreneurs, Board wants to cut down ❯ HIS ACHIEVEMENT Providing fi nancial and on time taken to institutional assistance to technologists for commercialising set up a business their tech/research in India
By SEEMA SINGH board will look at 30 proposals. When Rajesh Rai, chief executive tart a company in one day, of India Innovation Fund where close it in seven days. To DST is a Limited Partner, calls him expect such speed in India “sincere”, “to-the-point”, and one Sis more than utopian for INDIA“who doesn’t waste his time or entrepreneurs, but for HK Mittal my time”, he is probably this vision is a guiding force, even underestimating the challenge that though he knows it takes three Mittal faces in converting paper- to six months to start a business publishing or degree-toting and nearly seven years to close it. students and professors “Can we learn from Singapore; or into entrepreneurs. even China where it takes 15 days In a country where rigidity runs to start a business?” he asks. high in academic institutions, Mittal Mittal has been with the muses on revamping the evaluation Department of Science and system to reward entrepreneurship. Technology (DST) for close to the Can one startup be equated with two decades, as adviser and member three published papers? Can the secretary of its National Science teaching load of professors be and Technology Entrepreneurship reduced if they are becoming or Development Board. For most mentoring entrepreneurs? of his stint, he has bootstrapped Talk of no, or paltry risk the department in setting up capital and he sounds apologetic. incubation centres in academic Talk of professionalism among institutions. About 400 startups researchers and he looks frustrated: in 80-odd incubators have “[Entrepreneurial] teams are either been funded under various particularly in states like Sikkim promising that the Board is getting formed for life or break soon enough.” programmes. and Orissa. He landed up with more proactive. He is trying to Still, he is hopeful about the new But that’s not enough. Unless Stepping the DST position in 1990. For the shorten the approval cycle, from draft entrepreneurship policy and the 1,000 or more incubators are fully last two years he has also led 12 months to three months, and Planning Commission’s proposals for functional across the country, India its Technology Development increase the number of applications higher risk capital and policy reforms. won’t see high-octane success Board which funds approved, from about 15-16 to Like evanescent particles that stories that it craves for, he says. commercialisation of research. 100-200 within two years. wink in and out of their state, Soon after an MBA from IIM- UP FOR While it serves as a lifeline After a marathon screening Mittal lives out of a suitcase in his Ahmedabad in 1984, Mittal joined for aspiring entrepreneurs, the in January, during which 28 various roles as investor, catalyst, the Entrepreneurship Development programme is also criticised for proposals were approved in one facilitator, shock-absorber, and above Institute of India and promoted its long cycles of approval. go, another round is slated for all, a dreamer of big bang success
Amit Verma grassroots entrepreneurship, STARTUPS Mittal takes it on his chin, August 31 in Hyderabad where the stories of Indian entrepreneurs.
66 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 67 INDEPENDENCEDAYSPECIAL Breaking NEW GROUND Rajeev Chawla’s work with the revenue department set the benchmark for digitisation of land records in India
INDIA Mallikarjun Katakol for Forbes India for Forbes Mallikarjun Katakol
68 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 By NILOFER D'SOUZA state’s fi rst digitised land records, a changes have to be implemented at programme now called Bhoomi. the grassroots level, spent nearly ack in 1998, when The mandate to digitise a year visiting villages, talking to digital revolution was land records was not new. The accountants, deputy commissioners still a nascent concept Central government had in 1985 etc. He got around the problem of Bin India, one man in ordered state governments to rigid mindsets by devising the method Karnataka harnessed the power of computerise the records. But of “compassionate appointments”, technology to weed out corruption for 13 years, the instructions building an army of workers by hiring in land holdings in the state. Rajeev merely remained on paper. kin of government employees who Chawla, then the revenue secretary, In 1998, when Chawla stepped had died while in service and trained employed a young workforce to in, he not only brought to the table the 19-25-year-olds in handling collect data and help compile the his administrative capability as an the software. Chawla also ensured IAS offi cer, but also the technical that no transfers took place in the knowhow he had acquired through initial years so that the programme his training as an engineer at IIT- ran like a well-oiled machine. Kanpur. And in 18 months, he By 2003, Bhoomi digitised records accomplished what the government of 177 talukas of the state. But the had been trying for 13 years. He set IAS offi cer wanted to take the up the fi rst pilot project in Madhur project to the next level and create village with the support of SM Urban Property Ownership Records Krishna, the then chief minister. IND(UPOR) for whichIA he even turned “I had worked on this project down a position in the Centre’s before Chawla came on board,” e-governance initiative. In late says Samartharam NR, Bhoomi 2009, UPOR was tried out in four head, National Informatics towns, including Mysore, and the Centre. “But it was not seeing results were encouraging. Harsh good results as the ownership Gupta, the managing director of from the revenue department was Karnataka Urban Infrastructure missing. Before Chawla joined, it Development and Finance [digitisation of land records] was Corporation, says, “When I was seen as a secondary activity.” posted in Mysore as deputy However, the going wasn’t easy commissioner, UPOR work was when Chawla started off . The already under way. Through 50-year-old, who realised that it, we identifi ed 200 acres in prime areas that were under various encroachments.” RAJEEV CHAWLA Early this year, Chawla started 50 to dig into urban property records in Bangalore, a large share of ❯ PROFILE which is estimated to be illegal. An IAS offi cer, Chawla was the In May, he was transferred as principal secretary to the revenue department (Bhoomi and urban the Metropolitan Commissioner, property registration) in Karnataka Bangalore Metropolitan Region before being transferred as the Metropolitan Commissioner, Development Authority. Bangalore Metropolitan Region Samartharam, who has worked Development Authority with Chawla since 1998, still hopes ❯ HIS ACHIEVEMENT that he will return to Bhoomi and In 1998, Chawla was the fi rst one to roll out an initiative, now called continue with his project on UPOR. Bhoomi, to digitise land records “I sincerely hope he comes back, in the state. He also launched a project to create Urban Property so that we can continue with the Ownership Records in various towns good work we started,” he says.
August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 69 INDEPENDENCEDAYSPECIAL Government INC. Aruna Sundararajan used business principles to build one of the country’s best state-run projects
By NS RAMNATH
n 2003, Tulip, then a fl edgling state-run projects in the country. He attributes that success at least company, applied for a computer It off ers lessons for any project in part to Sundararajan’s vision. networking project in Kerala. It whose success hinges on how well “The interesting part is that the Ihad no experience implementing government, business and citizens demand came from the people, the big projects, having just entered this work together, like India’s current panchayat. They wanted to make segment after starting outIND as a re- eff ort to create the world’sIA largest their district 100 percent e-literate. seller of software. Tulip's technology biometric identity programme. We responded to that need,” says was untested in the dust and grime of Akshaya started as an e-literacy Sundararajan. But that was no easy the real world. Yet it was bidding for a (computer skills) project in Kerala’s task back in 2002. There were no state government project—a project it Malappuram district, quickly spread similar projects that she could look seemed to have no chance of winning. across the state and evolved into a to and learn from. Infrastructure was Any bureaucratic machine is service delivery centre for all citizens. lacking and the solution had to be primed to be risk averse, avoiding At least one person in each of Kerala’s both scalable and enduring, drawing any decision without reams of 3.25 million families became computer sustenance from citizens seeing documentary evidence to justify literate through Akshaya centres. value in the services provided in it. Established players had a When the government launched a the centres and from entrepreneurs chance. New players didn’t. scheme to provide life insurance who saw a business opportunity. So Colonel Hardeep Singh Bedi, coverage to the poor, the network During the early stages of the Tulip’s chief, was pleasantly surprised of Akshaya centres helped ramp up project, Bedi remembers Sundararajan when the Kerala government took registrations quickly. More recently, visiting each and every centre, asking an unconventional route. It asked 75 percent of all UID (Unique questions and getting feedback the bidders to set up pilot projects, Identifi cation number) registrations from users. The attention to detail and chose the ones that performed in Kerala happened in Akshaya helped. Citizens saw the value best. Tulip passed the test. That one centres. What’s impressive is the in the service Akshaya provided, unlikely decision, by an IAS offi cer way Akshaya scaled up and endured, and the huge public support for who chose to think diff erent, gave says Nasscom’s K Purushothaman. Akshaya is one of the reasons it the company a big push. Its revenues succeeded, says Purushothaman. last year were Rs 2,700 crore. Government, as well as citizen The project that gave Tulip its kick- ARUNA demands, can drive innovative start was Akshaya, and the IAS offi cer SUNDARARAJAN projects. Impressed by Akshaya’s in charge was Aruna Sundararajan. 53 success, Rajasthan’s government “She was an IAS offi cer, but she wanted Sundararajan to lead an ❯ PROFILE worked like a business person. She Principal Secretary, Social Welfare ambitious fi nancial inclusion project, always had that trait in her,” says HS & Chairman Kudumbashree though a change in government meant Mission, Government of Kerala Bedi. That trait—the ability to balance it was never completed. “Political risks ❯ HER ACHIEVEMENT public good with private enterprise— Pioneering work in mass e-literacy are inherent in some of these projects. helped make Akshaya one of the in Kerala through Akshaya That’s what you learn,” she says. But programme
Vivek Nair for Forbes India Vivek Nair for Forbes best thought-out and best-executed given a chance, they can succeed.
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Despite being to his experience as an assistant to camaraderie among the villagers by new Public Distribution System kidnapped by the DM of Bijapur–another Naxal- conducting sports activities, especially shops, issued 13,000 Antyodaya cards The Algebra of Naxals, Alex Paul aff ected district. “I knew the psyche cricket matches, every day and gave enabling citizens to get foodgrains of the place had to be dealt with participants new uniforms. At a at Rs 1 per kg and built a godown to Menon has remained as nobody was excited,” he says. painting exhibition, he invited people ensure grains were supplied on time. INFINITE steadfast in his eff orts Menon began by organising a to express their ideas on peace, an Menon stepped on the toes to develop Sukma, three-day cultural festival in Sukma elusive concept in the community. of the Red brigade by penalising Chhattisgarh’s newest that hosted some of the most popular He also focused on solving some contractors and government offi cials DEVELOPMENT talents in the country–the Prince of the area's most pressing survival for poor services. In three months, district and one of its dance group, for instance, winner problems. “Food security was my he choked funds to insurgents while By UDIT MISRA most backward of India’s Got Talent. He built priority,” said Menon, who started winning the tribals over to his side.
common saying in India’s ALEX PAUL MENON administrative circles– 32 “PM, CM and DM”– shows the primacy the A ❯ PROFILE three positions–the prime minister, CEO, Raipur Development the chief minister and the district Authority magistrate–enjoy at their respective INDIA ❯ ACHIEVEMENTS As the DM of Chhattisgarh’s power rungs. As a young DM, Alex Naxal-hit Sukma district, launched Paul Menon was aware of the potential several initiatives to alleviate hunger and poverty in the region. his role gave him to bring about Was kidnapped by the Naxals, changes. But even he did not budget but resumed work right after his for his dramatic kidnapping by Naxals release after 12 days as he set about developing Sukma, Chhattisgarh’s newly-created district. Every day, about 40 people lined up Sukma was carved out in January of at his offi ce with their grievances. this year to streamline administration And most went home happy. in the perilous Naxal corridor. The On April 21, as Menon reached impoverished district lacked basic Majhipada to announce several amenities like food, water, roads and development programmes for the schools. Growth initiatives in the area village, the Naxals stormed his would often face the wrath of Naxal meeting, killed two of his bodyguards strongmen, who acted independently and kidnapped him. He was of the leadership and demanded their released after 12 days in captivity share of the pie. Typically, through in which he fought against bouts a local notice, they would seek a cut of severe illness. But the 32-year- from a contractor's total budget for old made a strong statement by building a road. A road that might resuming offi ce the very next day. have cost Rs 90 crore would gobble Menon has just been transferred up Rs 250 crore, yet be of inferior to the state capital with a new quality. The locals, increasingly assignment. In his spare time, he mistrustful of the government, reads up on the writings of former would look the other way. bureaucrats like DD Sharma and P Within a month of its creation, Shankaran on resolving the Naxal Sukma had a well-equipped DM’s problem. “Getting kidnapped runs offi ce, even a video-conference in my family, it doesn’t bother facility. But Menon knew that me,” he jokes, referring to his winning the confi dence of people uncle T Radha, an Andhra cadre was central to bringing about change. offi cer who was also abducted by
Vikas Shivankar for Forbes India for Forbes Vikas Shivankar He hit the ground running, thanks the Naxals while in offi ce.
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By UDIT MISRA facilitation centres in each block. About 60,000 entrepreneurs have ave you ever wondered already enrolled, meaning the MBDA, why governments can’t which formally launched this April, work as effi ciently as achieved its initial enrollment goal Hprivate sector companies? in just a few months. “This is a big Why the various departments of team eff ort. And it is successful the government seem to function because we have taken all the in silos? For example, if the water stakeholders on board,” says Mishra. and irrigation department has The idea is to push people to chosen a plot for building check dream of their chosen enterprise, dams to augment water supply, why while making it the government’s can’t the forest department simply responsibility to bring various choose that very plot for meeting departments together and make its aff orestation target?Perhaps those dreams come true. The MBDA it’s because most governments do also looks at forward linkages, not have dedicated and thoughtful scouting out new markets for an bureaucrats like Ram Mohan entrepreneur’s products. It has tied INDMishra as their planningIA chiefs. up with institutional partners like Almost two years ago, faced with IDFC Foundation and CII’s India Meghalaya’s continued backwardness, at 75, which help guide innovation. the Mukul Sangma-led Congress “We are promoting entrepreneurs government decided it needed and it is diffi cult to predict who to rethink its strategy to improve will succeed or fail. But this is also the state’s economic condition. an open-ended programme so we Though Meghalaya is one of the can always do whatever else is most resource-rich states in the required later,” reassures Mishra. country, half of its population was He prefers to work behind below the poverty line. Before the the scenes, believing bureaucrats state was formed in 1972, average should be felt, not seen. Yet, income in the region was 10 percent his accomplishments speak for more than the national average. themselves. In addition to his role Now it is 10 percent below. in creating the MBDA, it was under Leading the rethink was Mishra, Mishra’s guidance that Meghalaya who along with his team came up with became the only north-eastern a novel solution: set up a Meghalaya state to engage its international Basin Development Authority neighbours, promoting Shillong’s high (MBDA) as a non-profi t company standard of education to students under Section 25 of the Companies from Bangladesh and simplifying RAM MOHAN MISHRA Act. The chief secretary is the head the rules for border trade. 51 of the board with all the important For inspiration, he still turns secretaries as board members. The to a piece of advice he got during ❯ PROFILE planning secretary is the CEO his training in the IAS Academy Principal Secretary, Planning, Govt of Meghalaya and CEO of and all the district magistrates. from famous civil servant Nari Meghalaya Basin Development MBDA operates as a company, Rustomji: “As a bureaucrat, when Authority and looks at the population as you come across a page or a fi le, ❯ HIS ACHIEVEMENT entrepreneurs that it can help you must remember that it is not Mishra re-imagined Meghalaya's population as entrepreneurs instead make more eff ective instead of just a page. Rather, there are a All IN IT TOGETHER of benefi ciaries and re-engineered benefi ciaries to be given dole. Over lot of people trying to talk to you the whole administrative machinery to facilitate convergence among the last year, Mishra led the initiative through that paper. And you must
For Ram Mohan Mishra, every citizen is an entrepreneur government departments to create enterprise incubation and stay focused to listen to them.” Amit Verma
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held back Lokvani’s expansion. AMOD KUMAR Every year between 2005 and 41 2010, Kumar was invited to share his experience with the young ❯ PROFILE probationers at the IAS academy in Project Director, Manthan, and Consultant to UP Chief Minister Mussorie, who employed his wisdom for e-governance in their respective states. “I cannot ❯ ACHIEVEMENT have a patent on the Lokvani system Kumar heralded an era of as it is very commonsensical, but I do successful e-governance initiatives in his district which were later draw a lot of satisfaction that whatever scaled up to the national level I did in Lokvani has today spread to the whole country,” Kumar said. DM's offi ce still had only manual His next big move was in 2010, typewriters,” says Kumar. But the when he used IVRS (Interactive Voice idea was to reach each member of the Response System) technology to audit district’s massive population in a fast, the mid-day meal scheme. Each day, eff ective manner. The team returned an automated phone call was made to with some learnings but wasn’t very every principal in the state to record INDimpressed. Neither JanmitraIA nor the number of students eating mid- Gyandoot was sustainable, as both day meals. The daily audit reduced were based on government subsidies. instances of principals overstating the Kumar took a revolutionary number of benefi ciaries, while also decision. Instead of subsidising encouraging principals to expand or e-governance programmes, he would adopt the programme for fear of being involve private players and charge criticised for inaction. After audits them. He’d intuitively created a began, the percentage of schools PPP approach before he’d ever been without mid-day meal schemes or formally introduced to the concept. not in compliance dropped from Kumar convinced 13 vendors to 35 to fi ve, but expenditures on the open internet kiosks, called Lokvani, programme decreased despite the where the public can come and place expanded reach. Kumar’s eff orts their grievances and queries before the got recognition when this idea was government through a web platform. replicated at the national level. The government charged vendors With the return of the Samajwadi a one-time licence fee, and vendors Party in UP, Kumar has been brought
Ravi Kapoor for Forbes India for Forbes Ravi Kapoor charge a nominal Rs 15 per transaction in as a consultant on e-governance to each complainant. At the end of the in addition to his current role as t was friendly banter with That got Kumar, the fi rst-time day, Kumar and his team would meet project directo, Manthan, which runs his batchmate in the Indian DM of Sitapur district, to take up his to resolve the complaints and post the experiments to improve maternal and Administrative Service that own e-governance experiment. He solutions on the same web platform neo-natal health in the state and is The Early Iegged Amod Kumar, BTech from quickly put together a three-man for the public to see the next day. funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates IIT-Kanpur, to come up with India’s team: a block development offi cer on The scheme was a hit with the Foundation. Many say e-governance fi rst successful e-governance initiative the development side, a sub-divisional public and by 2005, the Samajwadi won’t help solve deeply-rooted social based on a public-private partnership magistrate on the regulatory side Party government announced problems like corruption, which need (PPP) in 2004. Kumar’s friend, the and a district information offi cer on Lokvani’s expansion to all districts. nation-building and honest leadership. ADOPTER DM in Jhalawar district in Rajasthan, the technical side, and sent them Today, there are around 200 kiosks But Kumar has a more measured take. was putting together an e-governance to study two new e-governance in Sitapur alone and thousands “Both solutions are not suffi cient on Amod Kumar’s e-governance initiatives showed initiative called Janmitra. On a initiatives – Janmitra in Jhalawar, and across the state, even though the their own. For a country of India’s size public & private sectors worked better together stray phone call he chided Kumar, Gyandoot, in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. change of government in 2007 and and population, even an honest leader saying, “UP mein to kuch nahin hota 2004 was still early days for the advent of Common Service will not be able to solve problems By UDIT MISRA (Nothing happens in Uttar Pradesh).” e-governance in India. “The Centres by the Central government without using e-governance.”
76 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 77 INDEPENDENCEDAYSPECIAL On a MISSION TO END ILLEGAL MINING UV Singh gave authorities the ammunition they needed to end the illegal trade in Karnataka By PRINCE MATHEWS THOMAS INDIA V Singh was disappointed. In 2010, Singh traveled to Belekeri It had been almost two port in Karwar, from where over Rs years since his boss, 2,000 crore-worth of ore was exported UKarnataka Lokayukta every year. It was a secret mission, Santosh Hegde, asked him to prepare known only to Hegde. “I told the local a second report on illegal mining. forest offi cial that I had come to look While the fi rst report, submitted in at a few quarries in the region and also 2008, proved trespasses by miners, study animals,” recounts Singh, who it hadn’t broken the nexus between obtained a doctorate in zoology and mining and the transportation mafi a, still holds the record for the highest key to unraveling the illegal trade. marks on that subject in the civil Again in 2010, “while we had a lot of services exam. Over the next month, information, everything was hearsay. People were afraid to come forward,” says Singh, an Indian Forest Service UV SINGH offi cer of 1985, Karnataka cadre. That 54 is when Hegde and Singh realised that the investigation should spread ❯ PROFILE An Indian Forest Service Offi cer, to the ports from where the illegally India for Forbes Mallikarjun Katakol he is chief conservator of mined ore was being exported. forests, Karnataka. Was the chief Led by the now-infamous Reddy investigator in the Lokayukta team mainly at night and often in disguise, was the turning point of the whole government offi cials,” says Hegde. judge. Singh shrugs when asked if he on illegal mining in three districts brothers of Bellary, illegal mining in Karnataka. Now a member of he studied the port’s logistics— investigation,” says 54-year-old Singh, The report ultimately led to the ever got scared. “I don’t know, but in Karnataka had become rampant Justice MB Shah-led commission movement of trucks, documentation who refuses to use a mobile handset resignation of Karnataka’ s chief since childhood, I have been like this,” after rising demand from China inquiring into illegal mining in and the private security system as it would compromise his location. minister BS Yeddyurappa, and one says Singh, son of a marginal farmer in states having iron ore mines. pushed up iron ore prices. The state deployed by miners. A month later, Singh and the rest of the team went of the primary individuals accused Rajasthan and the youngest of seven ❯ HIS ACHIEVEMENT administration had asked the newly Singh led the country's most Singh reported his fi ndings to Hegde, through about 5 lakh documents and in the mining scam, former minister children. He's now working with appointed Lokayukta Hegde, a former comprehensive investigation who arranged for a search warrant 40 lakh bank accounts to trace both Janardhan Reddy, is still in jail. “I give Justice MB Shah, whose commission Supreme Court judge, to prepare into illegal mining in Karnataka, and a team of 16 police offi cials. Singh the credit for the report. He is investigating illegal mining in unearthing the nexus between the ore and money. “The fi rst report in a report. Hegde roped in Singh, a politicians, industrialists and the In the wee hours of February 2008 named nine government offi cials, kept on it, despite high profi le names states that have iron ore reserves. senior forest offi cer who had already transportation mafi a. His report 20, 2010, the team raided the port one IAS offi cer and a chief minister. in the scam and despite attempts on Already, two reports on Goa’s mining led to the fall of the chief minister made headlines with his investigation and jailing of minister and main just when guards were changing The second had names of two chief his life. He showed a lot of integrity, industry created a furor earlier this on illegal quarries in the state. accused Janardhan Reddy. shifts, taking them by surprise. “It ministers, nine ministers and 797 courage and honesty,” adds the former year. A lot more is expected.
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Venkat: Let me begin with the chairman of the jury, Kamath. It has been a tough year for corporate India. How has it been for you as a business leader? Kamath: I look at events around me as mixed blessings. One positive is that we are still growing at a rate which most of the world would give at least one limb for. Venkat: There has been a general slowdown on growth, but there has been a non-corresponding increase in pessimism—and that’s my question for Akhil Gupta, chairman of Blackstone— are we being unreasonably pessimistic about the slowdown of the India growth story? INDIAGupta: It feels worse than it is. I would say that India is in the best position, if you look at the large economies. In Europe, the best scenario you can think of is fl at growth for the next fi ve years. The US may be able to do 2 percent for the next 5-10 years, China is going to slow down and if China slows down, Japan is going to have a tough time—Southeast Asia, Australia and Brazil are going to have a tough time. The only country that has a structural strong story intact THE INDIA is India. So, I would say what we are facing right now is cyclical headwinds while our structural story is intact. GROWTH STORY Our feeling is—why are we not doing better than what we are doing? Five percent is a great growth rate for any developed country, but for IS STILL GOOD a country at our stage of economic THE PANEL (From left) McKinsey India’s Adil Zainulbhai, AZB & Partners’ Zia Mody, development, that’s not great. I won’t That’s the message coming out of a televised discussion by the ICICI Bank’s KV Kamath, CNBC-TV18’s high-powered jury members of the Forbes India Leadership Awards Suresh Venkat, JJ Irani, former director, see pessimism. I think we are a little Tata Sons, and Blackstone’s Akhil Gupta disappointed that we are not getting as
Photographs: Vikas Khot much help from policy formulations and we are not taking reforms faster. he exhilarating economic The sheen has dimmed somewhat in government. It is almost like becoming a self-fulfi lling prophecy for for Jury Chairman KV Kamath and We are not taking the next step. growth of the noughties in the past two years as GDP (gross unbound pessimism has replaced the India Inc. members JJ Irani, Adil Zainulbhai, Venkat: If the India growth story is (decade of 2000-9) domestic product) growth slowed, irrational exuberance of fi ve years ago. We invited the high-powered Akhil Gupta and Zia Mody was: intact, then why does everyone—the Tinfused great confi dence and international realities started Forbes India has chronicled much jury members of the Forbes India “Is our pessimism killing the India industry and government seem to be in Indian business. India Inc biting. More recently, gloom and doom of these ups and downs in the past Leadership Awards for a televised growth story?” so pessimistic? grew stronger and went into new conversations abound and there is three years. We decided to focus on discussion moderated by Suresh Here is the edited transcript of the Mody: I think it is probably feeling let geographies looking for opportunities. concern around the policy paralysis whether the negative sentiment is Venkat of CNBC-TV18. The question conversation. down of what could have been.
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Venkat: We are at 5 percent and we much better, more than 9 percent and at why people are being pessimistic. could have been 10 percent? so we are doing something between Though GDP growth has slowed from Mody: Maybe not 10 percent but 5 and 6 percent. We have an added 8 percent to 5.3 percent, industrial maybe much more than 5. I think that advantage that we have a population production has fallen much more India Inc has a natural exuberance of 1.2 billion and, therefore, there is and gone from 9.7 percent to 0.7. and when they feel it being dampened a tremendous capacity for internal This is what industrialists and people they probably get upset. So, it is the domestic consumption and we are not involved in manufacturing, in industry same animal spirits that everybody that dependent on external factors. are worried about. It is much more wants back, and I think there is a We could be doing a lot more within signifi cant than the drop in the GDP. sense of disappointment of things that ourselves. There is, of course, a desire The BRIC was a wonderful could have been better. Are we really that the government should move construct that was created. But it is I THINK THE ANIMAL succeeding despite ourselves? That, I on to the next phase of reforms and not preordained that BRIC should stay SPIRITS OF BUSINESSMEN think, is a mantra you hear quite often. that is not happening. Maybe, in the as it is. There were many other DO NOT TAKE TOO LONG So, often it spreads to borders beyond next few weeks, we will see a positive countries that were considered and our subcontinent and then it sounds change in that area. Let’s expect not put in there when that term got TO AWAKE, THEY ARE even more negative. If we are saying that, but I think it is not so much a coined. There is nothing magical that HYPERSENSITIVE. it then why shouldn’t the rest of the matter of pessimism. It is a matter of says this fast-growth emerging market — KV Kamath world? But I think there is a sense frustration that the nation says we should be four or three or fi ve. And, ------of ‘did we really have to do this to want to go ahead and the conditions therefore, the term BRIC may not be INDIA ourselves?’ are not allowing us to go ahead. Of as relevant going forward. Venkat: And we did this to ourselves, course, when I say conditions, the In terms of other countries that no two ways about it. gateway for that has to be opened by are very interesting, and we should all Mody: I think there is certainly a the policymakers. hope that more emerging countries debate which would justify some Venkat: So, the political system has emerge and grow faster, it is good for suggestion that we did. to set right those conditions and the whole world. So, the fact that if Venkat: Zia Mody spoke about animal dismantle the barriers to growth? Indonesia, Vietnam, Turkey, South spirits and our Prime Minister not so Irani: Political and bureaucratic. Africa, etc start doing well, that is in place a very large stimulus. Brazil quality. And India Inc did it. They did dramatic slowdown in infrastructure long ago said we need to reawaken Venkat: Let me go to Adil terrifi c for everyone. That is not at the has slowed; Russia is dependent on it again in 2008. Indeed, people can investment. the animal spirits. One of the things Zainulbhai—chairman of McKinsey expense of anyone else. oil prices. So, actually all of the BRIC, stand up and all the problems can be Venkat: On the government side, on that businesses are talking about is the India. There are some fears that the The second thing, I would say, is, for diff erent reasons, are slowing. sorted out. However, we need to keep the private side, on the PPP (public- failure of governance, the trust defi cit. ‘I’ in BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and the whole world is feeling a little bit It is not just India, all of them are in mind two or three things for this to private partnership) side? How much do you think that plays a China] could be soon replaced by of a slowdown in diff erent ways. The and, perhaps, each one for diff erent happen. You have to drive the climate Kamath: On the private side if I look factor in our growth slowdown? Indonesia or Vietnam. Are those fears Chinese economy has slowed and the internal reasons is seeing additional for investment and the climate for at what banks were doing I would say Irani: I think the nation is showing overstated? government there is very nervous slowdown. So, replacing one or the demand to arise. If people can’t aff ord that infrastructure off take has come its frustration that we could be doing Zainulbhai: Let me start by looking about the outlook. It is, in fact, putting other is too simplistic. We should to buy, you are going to stall demand down to maybe 25 percent of what it hope that there are 8-10 developing in the fi rst hurdle and that’s what is was just two or three years ago. countries that are going to do very happening today—aff ordability has Now, we need to look at what are well over the next few years. I would dropped dramatically and we need the things that are needed to spur that rather say let us talk about countries to address this. I think there interest investment happening again, starting that will join the 7 percent plus club rates become a key. A common man is with power, roads. The immediate rather than having an acronym that burdened with EMI (equated monthly bottleneck appears to be power, I limits it to three-four. instalments), so that engine of growth think infrastructure inputs we can Venkat: Kamath, you seem to be is not fi ring as it did three years back. manage, but we need to get the power the last man who is bullish on the Venkat: So, the India consumption situation addressed. Within that, the economy. story is not intact? immediate impediment is coal. We Kamath: I am bullish. Because if you Kamath: Clearly, it is not intact. It need to get this unclogged because look 10-12 years back—to me those is going on, but if there is no growth that will help us push 20,000 MW of were the darkest days for Indian there why would you invest, so your capacity, lying virtually unfi red. So, business—when you had to reinvent investment cycle is also in a slow gear. that’s the fi rst step that we need to yourself from 40 years. You had to The leg which could spur growth take to get infrastructure going. I think Akhil Gupta: “India’s structural story is intact” JJ Irani: “It is not so much a matter of pessimism; it is a matter of frustration” build scale, cost eff ectiveness, and is infrastructure. There has been a the animal spirits of businessmen do
82 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 83 Forbes India Leadership Awards 2012
YOU HAVE GROWN AT 9 PERCENT FOR THREE-FOUR YEARS, BUT NOT FOR 20 YEARS. SO, JUST TAKE IT A LITTLE EASY — Adil Zainulbhai ------INDIA
not take too long to awake, they are really our moment. quarterly results? Nobody and now hypersensitive. Venkat: Have we missed that moment we have this breed of analysts and Venkat: Akhil Gupta, there was no entirely? fi nancial planners and so on, and signifi cant diff erence in governance Gupta: Nations don’t have only one or 50-60 TV channels and people are in UPA-I than there is now. The two years. thinking about what is to be done this same paralysis that existed now Venkat: Given the current state month, three months later, forgetting existed then. Yet the Indian economy of our democracy and the state of what should be done for the fi ve-year boomed—was it due to great our political establishment, when programme. I am very proud to say leadership in corporate India or were elections come in 2014 do you see a that there is one group in our country we simply lifted by a rising global tide? signifi cant shift in political ideology or which refuses to give any forecasts, Gupta: There are two factors. In political governance in the country? quarterly results or six-monthly the fi rst UPA, we had the benefi t Gupta: Worldwide, you see results or annual results. I think of reforms that were done in the democratically elected leaders are what we need to do is to think of the previous regime. What we are seeing failing to do the right things. This is country as a whole. What are we likely today, is that the eff ect of what was because right things mean short-term to be in fi ve years? not being done in the last fi ve years. pain and long-term gain. So, most of Of course, certain situations have Also, the global situation today is our leaders are worried about the exacerbated this problem. The one much worse than it was during the next election rather than doing most important is the question of land. UPA-I and India is vulnerable to the right thing. Land has become a key subject now. this. If the world doesn’t fi nance our Venkat: Every time a corporate leader Infrastructure is the other. I think the defi cits we have liquidity constraints. takes a long-term decision, which is politicians at the top must cut across So, I think partly what is happening going to impact his company in the issues and take decisions which will is that because of inaction we have short term, that leader is pilloried. Are be benefi cial three, fi ve or 10 years made ourselves more vulnerable to corporate leaders guilty of this fl aw? down the line. the global instability. If we had strong Irani: That is given to us because of Zainulbhai: As Montek [Singh leadership and I think that’s where our historical background. Twenty Ahluwalia, deputy chairman, Planning some of the frustrations are—this was years ago, who was asking for Commission] has said, ‘No country
84 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 has the god-given right to grow at 9 of ‘me too’. If somebody went abroad look at 9 percent we are exuberant, percent’. You have to work hard for and did an acquisition I want to be yet when we look at 6 percent we are it. But when we were in that phase— there too and that was good. depressed. To that depression you add corporate chieftains, the government, Venkat: How much of that is driven what you get from the media. Then bureaucrats, everyone took it for by vanity and how much by business you get depression from the people granted. You have grown at 9 percent logic? who analyse you and so on and so for three-four years, but not for 20 Mody: We will see. But in terms forth. So, it just builds on itself. years. So, just take it a little easy. But of gloom, I think it’s more the fear. We need to ignite something which I think we do have that tendency Should I invest in this country? Should casts a ray of hope. I think it’s going and perhaps today the same thing is I look elsewhere to put my capital? to happen. Just as 9 percent was not being applied in reverse. We have got Will somebody in the system get permanent, 5-6 percent, or whatever the year of 7 percent growth, we are arrested rightly or wrongly? So, I think is that number, is not forever either. I looking at a year of 5-6 percent growth these are the factors that hold people think things will correct. When and all of a sudden we are, perhaps, back. It’s just life. that ray of hope is lit, you will see getting too far behind ourselves. The Venkat: There is a saying that the things bouncing back. underlying economy hasn’t moved time to buy weapons for war is during Venkat: How do you think this trust that much, but our mood does swing peace. Did corporate India buy enough defi cit can be fi xed? and maybe that’s a great strength weapons during the years of 9 percent Gupta: It’s all leadership. A few in many times and that’s a great growth that they can use now? good leadership actions can change weakness—we should just accept that Kamath: Indeed they did. What are everything. The sentiment can turn it is what it is. the weapons that they bought? If INDbecause the fundamentalsIA are there. We just need that catalyst and to me it can only be leadership. Venkat: Are you optimistic about the political class in India, the next wave of leadership that’s going to come in 2014? Mody: I would be cautious. Venkat: Why would you be cautious and what would turn the caution into optimism? Mody: I just think, seeing the present landscape, we are concerned about a fractured mandate. These lead to political compromises which are the name of the game in order to get the government going. So, it would be Zia Mody: “India Inc has a natural exuberance; when they feel it being dampened, they get upset” wonderful to have a very strong leader who could cut through…. Venkat: You work with a lot of you look at the last 10 years, many Venkat: Anybody you think is a corporate leaders as well. What goes entrepreneurs have cleaned their act potential leader? up in the mind of a corporate leader and got the balance-sheet right, got Mody: Now, I am going to play safe. when they get into this irrational debt down, changed cost equations. Venkat: It’s not going to be one Mr exuberance mode or this all-pervasive They have built scale, become globally Gandhi junior for certain it seems. gloom? Should the leader be calm and competitive, many could go out to Mody: I think there are many options stable through time, though trials, acquire companies and turn them and each one comes with a pro and a through tribulations? around. By and large, every Indian con, frankly. I think that the struggle Mody: Many are. I don’t think we can company that has gone abroad is that I and many of us will have is that characterise them broadly like that. because of hard work. These were we just don’t have one or two names But when we were growing and India the weapons they bought, using the that we can say, “Of course!” and that was brilliantly shining, there was a lot dividend from the growth. When we is really the tragedy.
August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 85 Forbes India Leadership Awards 2012
SAMIT GHOSH, Ujjivan For being on the forefront of lending that is focussed on the urban poor—a segment often ignored by other lenders. Ujjivan has disbursed over Rs 2,000 crore. The com- pany is praised for high levels of corporate governance and transparency.
CHANDRA SEKHAR GHOSH, Bandhan THE FAB 50 For founding India’s biggest microfi nance he Forbes India Leadership Awards celebrate outstanding organisation, but one that is able to AJAY BIJLI, PVR Cinemas NITIN PARANJPE, HUL individuals and organisations who have carved out target the poorest segment by integrating For being India’s multiplex man, who built Resurrected HUL’s position as a premium distinctive niches in Indian business. The nominees you livelihood programmes with lending. Very multinational, after almost a decade in the one of the most profi table multiplex chains involved in the livelihood, education and see here are the result of a rigorous selection process. in India. Focussed on creating a premium wilderness by bringing the focus back on T health aspects of its borrowers. execution and profi table growth. Mounted It began six months ago, when our editorial team began building a experience for customers on par with the list of super-performers in 10 categories that span the entire breadth best in the world. He’s now on the verge a signifi cant expansion of its famed of corporate operations. The names on the long list names were then of a huge expansion spree, with a target distribution system, after a gap of almost two-and-a-half decades. measured against a set of qualitative and quantitative benchmarks of 500 screens by 2015. detailed on our website (www.forbesindia.com/leadershipawards), TIGER TYAGARAJAN, Genpact with the help of our knowledge partners, the audit and advisory fi rm VIKAS OBEROI, Oberoi RealtyINDIA For transforming Genpact from a pure-play KPMG. We looked back over their performance in the last three For being one of the few people who bucked the realty trend to run a high-qual- BPO into an IT/BPO company and putting to fi ve years, to ensure they were consistent and sustainable. ity, high-margin, cash-rich business when it in direct competition with outsourcing The 45 individuals and fi ve companies that follow are, in our the rest of the sector is in doldrums. Has giants like Infosys and Wipro. With a strong professional opinion, the best of the best. The winners will be a debt-free company which is rare in focus on customers and proven expertise announced at a glittering function on September 28. today’s economic scenario. in execution, Tiger is now taking Genpact WILLIAM BISSELL, Fabindia to the next level of growth. For creating a globally recognised, profi t- VINOD RAMNANI, Opto Circuits able retail brand that has over 22,000 local VIPIN SONDHI, JCB India STARTUP OF THE YEAR NAVEEN TEWARI, InMobi PHANINDRA SAMA, redBus For methodically moving up the value artisans as its shareholders, most of whom For infusing aggression into JCB India’s For leading the transition of a tiny SMS- For building a powerful booking platform chain from non-invasive medical products would have lost their livelihoods if it were based search company to global size and that revolutionised bus travel for passen- to high-tech branded devices. Much of operations. The Indian arm now constitutes not for Bissell and Fabindia. He has always 30 percent of the parent’s revenues. Sets scale. He spotted the mobile advertising gers and travel agents. He has since been the work is research-driven with high risks preferred slow but steady growth and his opportunity way before rivals and InMobi able to extract multiple revenues from and returns. the market trend with new machines and bottom line is almost three times that of innovations. JCB India has successfully is today the world’s largest mobile ad every bus journey. the industry average and invokes the envy platform after Google’s AdMob. stood its ground against biggies like Cater- of every rival. pillar and Komatsu, both of whom JAGDISH KHATTAR, Carnation Auto ENTREPRENEUR WITH are bigger than JCB globally. For turning entrepreneur at 65, to create NEXTGEN SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEUR a unique chain of independent, multi-brand RANJAN SHARMA, IKSL BEST CEO- NEERAJ SINGHAL, Bhushan Steel For creating a profi table business model car service outlets. It’s the fi rst venture of Multinational Company its kind in India and is already present in For making the transition to the big league that uses telecom technology to connect BEST CEO- Public Sector GAURAV JAIN, ColdEx 16 cities. Now he’s betting big on the used of Indian steel companies, with strategic farmers. IKSL has over 10 million subscrib- ANTONIO HELIO WASZYK, Nestle India ANIL KUMAR, Bharat Electronics For establishing one of the largest cold- car business. calls on primary steel and high project ers as of 2011. Airtel and Iff co have been For leading Nestle India to a consistent For successfully capitalising on the rising chain logistics companies in India out of execution skills. He set up the greenfi eld connected via IKSL and the winners in the growth of upwards of 20 percent through defence budgets. The company has an a tier II town: Gwalior. Very understated, project in Orissa which helped him enter the partnership are the farmers. He has been tough times. Waszyk has expanded into new order backlog of over Rs 25,700 crore, he has built a reliable network across 55 primary steel market and that reduced his able to infl uence crop protection, irrigation product categories and has successfully mainly from the defence sector, which cities in India. dependence on outsiders for raw material. patterns and farm productivity. extended already popular brands like Maggi. translates into more than four times its FY ’12 revenues. MANISH KHERA/ RISHI GUPTA, FINO TARANG JAIN, Varroc Group SUDESH MENON, Waterlife SHINZO NAKANISHI, Maruti Suzuki For setting up the largest business corre- For making the leap into the four-wheeler For developing innovative technologies For maintaining Maruti’s market leader- CS VERMA, SAIL spondence network in India and bringing auto component business by acquiring and a business plan to be able to supply ship, despite increasing challenges from For spearheading the initiative that brought fi nancial inclusion to millions of people global companies that have since served as safe drinking water to under-served new entrants. Introduced a slew of new together his counterparts in other public across 26 states. Use mobile tech in a a springboard to growth. Is now venturing communities. It’s no small feat considering cars designed for Indian consumers. Built and private sector companies to acquire smart way and are poised to become the into manufacturing lights and wants to that Waterlife works in geographies with on the incumbency advantage in distribu- mines overseas. Successfully led the country’s largest banking correspondents. grow the company to $4 billion by 2020. high water contamination. tion and after sales service. Ajay Bijli, William Bissell: Amit Verma; Nitin Paranjpe: Mallikarjun Katakol for Forbes India for Forbes Mallikarjun Katakol Nitin Paranjpe: Ajay Bijli, William Bissell: Amit Verma;
Gaurav Jain: Amit Verma; Jagdish Khattar: Dileep Prakash for Forbes India for Forbes Dileep Prakash Jagdish Khattar: Gaurav Jain: Amit Verma; consortium of public and private steel
86 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 87 Forbes India Leadership Awards 2012
companies to win the bid to develop iron Eicher Motors. Earlier this year, she joined pla made a conscious decision to not profi t capital funding and education fi nancing. to court to settle family matters. ore mines in Afghanistan. Tata Steel’s board of directors. from anti-AIDS drugs. In 2001, Cipla took A strong advocate of corporate governance, on MNCs by announcing that it would sell transparency and reform, he is often the DILIP SHANGHVI, Sun Pharma KR KAMATH, PNB MEENA GANESH, Pearson Education its triple cocktail of antiretroviral drugs in spearhead of corporate activism on govern- For making Sun into a global generic drugs For clear thinking and pushing result- For having the ability to spot trends, and developing countries for $350 per patient ment’s functioning and policy making. company and India’s most valuable pharma oriented programmes. A modern approach make bets on them. First with the BPO per year, a fraction of what the MNCs were company. With Israeli company Taro’s has helped him change the culture inside business, then with online education—and charging at that time (about $12,000). acquisition, Shanghvi has taken Sun to a PNB; it is the only bank which has recorded now the second wave of e-commerce level where it can be benchmarked against a return on equity of 20 percent consis- fi rms. PES now provides technology-based HUL the largest generics companies in the world tently over the last 10 years and funded FRANCISCO D’SOUZA, Cognizant solutions and digital content. It covers over For having made a global commitment to such as Teva, Sandoz and Watson. its growth by ploughing back capital. For leading Cognizant through a slowdown 2,500 schools across India. sustainable business since 2010. The plan in the IT sector and overtaking the likes of is expected to result in three signifi cant KM BIRLA, Aditya Birla Group MD MALLYA, Bank of Baroda Wipro and Infosys. He’s led the company SHOBHANA BHARTIA, HT Media outcomes by 2020: Help more than a For foraying into businesses like telecom, For taking charge of the bank just as the to new geographies (around 75 percent For transforming a family-owned private billion people improve their health and well- retail, and fi nancial services and chang- global fi nancial meltdown was beginning of revenues come from the US compared company into a professionally managed, being, halve the environmental footprint of ing the profi le of the conglomerate, which and managing to keep the bank’s perfor- to 90 percent a few years back) and new publicly listed media empire. She expanded its products and source 100 percent of its E SREEDHARAN, Delhi Metro Rail Corp earlier was dominantly in old economy mance stable in that period. Thanks to segments (like consulting and remote the media business, launched radio chan- agricultural raw materials sustainably. For building some of the largest infrastruc- sectors. He exited from many businesses him, the bank has managed to maintain infrastructure management). nels and business newspaper Mint. ture projects since India’s independence, like petroleum refi ning, sponge iron and the quality of its balance sheet. MARICO despite working for a government organ- refi ned palm oil. KAMAL SHARMA, Lupin ROOPA KUDVA, CRISIL For letting farmers take advantage of high isation. He faced a lot of interference from For building the global business for the For maintaining a meritocratic culture at market rates and not cancellingIND contracts politicians in the early years,IA but Sreed- ANAND MAHINDRA, Mahindra & Mahindra company, despite being late in entering CRISIL. She introduced ratings for small when they renege on them, thus earning haran put his foot down and demanded For making the company a strong player the US market. Lupin is the only Indian and medium enterprises and has been their loyalty and long-term supply. Marico that he be given a free hand. in the automo- company in the top 10 branded generics transparent about assumptions behind is also working with the Coconut Develop- tive, information market in the US. analyses and communication to the market. ment Board and the Kerala government to RAHUL BAJAJ, Bajaj Auto technology and bring mechanisation to the dangerous and For taking Bajaj Auto from a small-time hospitality sectors. KBS ANAND, Asian Paints long-drawn process that stretches from manufacturer of scooters to become the He is regarded by For consistently delivering profi table plucking coconuts to drying and extracting largest two-wheeler company in India in the many people in growth by innovating and building a strong oil for Parachute. 1970-80s and early 1990s. At 74, he wears the industry as a customer franchise. For building up the many hats now: Businessman, politician visionary who is dealer network and improving margins for TCS and social commentator. Pushed through a taking the Mahin- RK SINGH, BPCL retailers. Asian Paints has a wide dealer- For being one of the few Indian companies sensible division of assets and responsibili- dra brand from a ties for his two sons, Rajiv and Sanjiv. For successfully steering BPCL away from ship network of 26,000 dealers. Anand has which focuses on multiple sustainable small Indian player grown the company on the back of alliances the PSU oil company pack, to the extent SWATI PIRAMAL, Piramal Enterprises issues in a strategic manner rather than ad to a global business powerhouse. with global paint majors and acquisitions. hoc decisions. Works on multiple fronts like YK HAMIED , Cipla that it now commands a huge premium For transforming Piramal Healthcare into employment, adult education, children, and For believing in balancing business with UDAY KOTAK, Kotak Mahindra Bank over HPCL and IOC. Has broken BPCL’s a conglomerate, with healthcare being the N CHANDRASEKARAN, TCS the environment. social and humanitarian causes. In May For creating a fi nancial conglomerate that dependence on the loss-making retail fl agship division. It’s going after IP-driven, For being able to balance aggression, 2012, his company slashed prices of drugs is highly respected and profi table in less business by setting up a new refi nery high-margin businesses. The pipeline is which is needed to achieve stretched for brain, kidney and lung cancer to make than three decades. He has a tremendous and developing the gas discovery made carefully planned so that it gets exposure goals, with conservatism needed to make them available at one-fourth the prevailing ability to spot, nurture and empower talent. in off shore Mozambique in 2008. to high growth areas like metabolic disor- sure such a large company, $10 billion LIFETIME price. He says he’ll do to cancer drugs what He keeps the bank suffi ciently low-profi le, ders (diabetes) and oncology. now, doesn’t go off the rails. He has been ACHIEVEMENT AWARD he did to HIV drugs almost a decade ago. a desirable trait in a sector that has been able to build a very solid team of next AM NAIK, L&T accused of being too testosterone-driven. BEST CEO- generation of managers. For rebuilding L&T into a more tightly knit Private Sector CONSCIOUS CAPITALIST engineering powerhouse. Led two major ENTREPRENEUR portfolio re-organisations, which resulted ADITYA PURI, HDFC Bank FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR Presented by WOMAN LEADER BPCL in shedding several uncompetitive busi- For building one of the strongest private nesses and joint ventures. Focussed on ANALJIT SINGH, Max India Group FOR THE YEAR For consuming resources responsibly banks in India from scratch. Has consis- building a leadership pipeline. Lobbied For building Max India into a near $2 billion through materials management, eco- tently delivered 30 percent growth in earn- MALLIKA SRINIVASAN, TAFE relentlessly for the cause of Indian diversifi ed business house. It has interests ings, without taking undue risk, for almost For growing the company from a turnover friendly biodegradable packaging for lube manufacturing with the government. in insurance, healthcare, clinical research Hospitality Partner Knowledge Partner 20 quarters. Every year, not only have they of a paltry Rs 86 crore in 1985 (the year oils, handling spills, water stewardship and packaging. He set in place a new added 2 million customers, but also found she joined as general manager-planning and monitoring effl uent streams. DEEPAK PAREKH, HDFC corporate governance model at Max India, a way to cross-sell other products to that and coordination) to Rs 5,800 crore in which is now board-driven. He set up trusts CIPLA For building HDFC into India’s biggest mort- customer base, thereby boosting revenues 2010. She has played a critical role in gage fi nancier. He expanded the group’s to manage his personal wealth to ensure and profi ts. the acquisition of the tractors business of For making AIDS treatment aff ordable. Ci-
that the next generation doesn’t have to go Anand Mahindra: Vikas Khot E Sreedharan: Amit Verma; R K Singh: Sameer Joshi / Fotocorp; Francisco D’Souza: Rich Schultz / AP Photo for Forbes India; Swati Piramal: Manoj Patil for Forbes India Forbes for India; Swati Piramal: Manoj Patil Rich/ AP Photo for Forbes Schultz D’Souza: Francisco Joshi / Fotocorp; R K Singh: Sameer presence into banking, insurance, venture For more details log on to: www.forbesindia.com/leadershipawards
88 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 89 65 THINGS WE LOVE A B O U T INDIA
INDIA
To all the thing’s that make us proud to be Indian: a salute from the heart Curated and edited by SUMANA MUKHERJEE, DINESH KRISHNAN and BENU JOSHI ROUTH Raveendran / AFP Getty Images Life/Recliner
1 THE METROS 3 A FREE PRESS Kolkata’s Metro showed it could be Our press is still free. It is increasingly more done and was, for a long time, the commercial and advertising-dependent—and pinnacle of advanced mass rapid therefore eyeballs-oriented and breaking-news- transport in the country. Then Delhi’s fi xated—but, on the whole, it still questions what Metro did what seemed impossible: needs to be questioned and speaks truth to power. It turned that commuter-hostile city The social revolution on the Internet doesn’t into a veritable paradise, covering just keep mainstream media on its toes; it has vast distances in miraculously short become a raucously free media on its own. times. Even more amazing was the lack ~PG of disruption to the city’s life while it was (and continues to be) built. ~Peter Griffi n
2 MOBILE TELEPHONY 4 PLURALISM At some point last year, we earned the distinction of having more mobile phone connections than toothbrushes. While some INDWithIA nine religions, 30 languages with at least a million may fi nd that dubious, we say it is probably one of the biggest achievements of a modern, market-driven India and our gift speakers each, and multiple cultural hotspots, India is to the world (which has now co-opted our model). Putting a phone (or many) in the hands of three out of every four Indians the cultural Noah’s Ark Plus. We have more than two of was made possible by the coming together of rare sanguinity from regulators, radical innovation by private companies everything, including executive power. Such variety must and mass-scale adoption by consumers: An event so rare that it ought to be the equivalent of our Halley’s comet. have sowed some seeds of tolerance amongst us and it ~Rohin Dharmakumar must have equipped us to reconcile diff erences and ndfi common threads. That really is the idea of India. ~Shishir Prasad
5 ZOHRA SEHGAL 6 LOW-COST HEALTHCARE She toured the world with Uday Much has been written about India as a medical tourism destination: fl y in, Shankar’s troupe, travelled get top class treatment at an expensive hospital at a fraction of the overseas India with Prithviraj Kapoor’s cost, and fl y back. Hidden behind the cost arbitrage, a real revolution has Prithvi Theatre and made fi lms been spearheaded by hospitals such as Arvind Eye Hospital and Narayana (incidentally, she is older than Hrudayalaya. In these hospitals, the doctors industrialised complex processes the Indian fi lm industry). Her to bring down the costs to a fraction, and benefi ted a large number of the poor. wit, her verve, her joy for life are A whole range of other organisations from behemoth GE to Embrace, a small undimmed, still larger than life. social enterprise, have followed that tradition to make healthcare aff ordable.
~Dinesh Krishnan ~NS Ramnath Sharma / Reuters; Parivartan Press: Carlos Barria / Reuters; Free Metro Rail: Getty images; Mobile Telephony: India Getty Images; Low-cost Healthcare: Moses for Forbes Sehgal: / Reuters; Zohra Sanyal Pluralism: Parth
92 FORBES INDIA | August 31, 2012 August 31, 2012 | FORBES INDIA 93 Life/Recliner
7 TAJ MAHAL Eternal love. Enough said. ~Abhishek Raghunath
9 AULI When the Kashmir troubles started, we needed another place to hold our winter sports meets (did you know we have had a National Winter Games since 1996?). INDIAThey’ve been held on the slopes above Joshimath (on 8 ABHINAV BINDRA Never mind what happened the pilgrim trail to Badrinath), at a facility run by the in London; he had already Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam. It has decent slopes, ski proven that one could lifts, and it still off ers what are probably the world’s transcend Indian sport’s cheapest skiing lessons. The accommodations and food vicious politicking and aren’t spectacular, but if you want the high life, further corruption when he won upslope—and upscale—is the Cliff Top Club resort. the country’s fi rst individual ~PG Olympic gold medal in the 10 metre air rifl e event at Beijing 2008. He inspired self-belief in hundreds of athletes. It’s no surprise that India sent its largest ever Olympic contingent to London 2012. They owe a lot to Bindra. ~AR
10 BUDDHISM How many religious philosophies 11 MONSOONS can you sum up in a tweet? Try Western clichés about rain Buddhism. “Life is suff ering. being a downer just don’t work Desire is its cause. Extinguishing for us; we love our wet season. desire ends suff ering. Right action, Its annual miracle rejuvenates speech and livelihood is the way a parched land, turning to live life.” So compact was this brown into countless shades way of life that we shipped it all of iridescent green, sending across Asia, perhaps our biggest spirits soaring, provoking cultural export to the asean. purple prose… We’ll stop now.
~SP ~PG Mahal: Eliot Elisofon/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images; Auli: IndiaPicture; / IndiaPicture; Taj Buddhism: Angelo Cavalli / Reuters Abhinav Bindra: Desmond Boylan / Reuters; Monsoons: Dipka Kumar
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15 STREET FOOD From pav-bhaji in Mumbai to 12 BIODIVERSITY phuchka in Kolkata and from chaat in Much of the fl avour in our foods and the healing Delhi to chai in Hyerabad, street food power in our herbs come from India’s wealth gets us all salivating. Inexpensive, of species. One of the 12 mega biodiversity varied, quick and accessible, street countries of the world, India has now embarked food fi lls the four o’clock hole in on measuring the economic value of its fl ora the tummy like no cold coff ee-shop and fauna, fi nally realising that they were sandwich can. For the best choice, not out there to be our target species. head to any city’s CBD bylanes on ~Seema Singh a working day and be prepared to have your taste buds set on fi re. And we mean that in a nice way. 13 WESTERN GHATS ~Samar Srivastava The Himalayas get all the good press. But the Western Ghats aren’t exactly inconsequential. Aside from providing a number of cool (as in weather, not wannabeness) getaways for city-dwellers, and snagging the monsoon clouds so that the West coast gets irrigated, they INDIA are one of the world’s top 10 biodiversity hotspots and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are home to thousands of plant species, and hundreds of animal species, including many threatened ones. Even now, new species are being found, and more will surely be discovered. ~PG
17 FRUGAL ENGINEERING It’s not features-stripping, nor is it low-cost engineering. A minimalist approach to problem solving, frugal engineering is a grounds-up movement that companies based out of India—local and multinational—have shown the world that’s stumbling upon one resource crisis to another. The products could be a multi-media projector in a lunchbox, a pick-up truck or a portable ultrasound machine; the underlying idea is the one whose time has come. ~SS
18 LATA MANGESHKAR 14 INDIAN WRITING IN ENGLISH For more than 60 years, Macaulay wouldn’t believe what he she has captivated an started. There is now a vast body of entire nation with her writers who are Indian in blood and 16 GANDHI voice. She sang mostly in colour and in taste, opinions, morals In Anna Hazare’s movement and in the Arab Spring Hindi, a language that most and intellect, who have gone beyond uprising in the Middle East, we saw the power of people in the South felt explaining India to the West, to fi nding Mahatma Gandhi’s methods. This is how ordinary people no affi nity for, and for lm fi fulfi lment (and audiences) within the armed with nothing more than willpower can question stars with whom many did country even though they write in English. powers that be and change the course of history. not identify. Yet when her ~PG ~SP songs were on radio, people listened, often touched by the gentle peace that seems to reside in her being.
~NSR Street food: Balakrishnan; Ghats: Aruna Bhat / Alamy; Indian writing in English: Sivaraman / AFP Getty Images; Western Biodiversity: Diptendu Dutta Kirloskar / Reuters Mangeshkar: Savita Mahatma Gandhi: IndiaPicture; Lata Engineering: Amit Verma; IndiaPicture; Frugal
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19 THE INDIAN BANYAN Lord Buddha attained nirvana under the Bodhi, a not-too-distant cousin of the banyan. In its shade in Shantiniketan, Rabindranath Tagore was moved to poetry. From enlightenment to inspiration to mundane village panchayats and tiny temples, the Indian banyan (Ficus 23 benghalensis) has towered over them BAZAARS all, an enduring symbol of the hardiness Walk through their long winding lanes when you’re searching for 25 ISRO & THE SPACE and hospitality of the subcontinent. something you want that the malls won’t have, or when you just PROGRAMME want the joy of a happy discovery. Everything can be had in an ~Benu Joshi Routh A hungry and half-clad nation Indian bazaar, preferably with a bout of spirited bargaining thrown dared to dream when Russians in. Laad Bazaar in Hyderabad, Bhindi Bazaar in Mumbai and Burma and the Americans made a race Bazaar in Chennai are particularlyIND known for everything from spices IA 20 STREET ART for space. From launching a 40 kg to crockery and jewellery to electronics and furniture to cars. It’s ubiquitous, but comes in many forms: Religious, political, sporting, satellite into space, India went to commercial, historical, “nature scenes”, profi les, caricatures, graffi ti. ~SS off er its space capabilities to other At its best it can brighten up an entire neighbourhood; remember nations to launch their satellites the Rajesh Khanna mural on a Bandra wall? It can be witty, as 24 COASTLINE as well. While the recent years with election graffi ti in Kolkata, or downright embarrassing if it’s Stretching over 7500 kilometres from Gujarat to West Bengal, the have seen a bit of rough ride, ISRO your wall advertising the local “men’s health” quack. Oh, and they coastline, in the way it dips and rises, refl ects the way Indians think about remains one of the organisations keep the public from “committing nuisance”. Whatever it takes. India. And then there’s the oceans’ bounty in the form of a huge variety that has continuously pushed the ~Sumana Mukherjee of seafood, with ingredients, fl avouring and preparation methods varying envelope of India’s ambitions. every few hundred kilometres. Beaches, of course, are the silver lining. ~SP 21 JRD TATA ~NSR Jeh, as he was fondly known, even to those who didn’t know him, demonstrated that it was possible to be rich, successful, a business leader of unquestioned skill and, yet, be a decent human being. Not least among his many qualities was knowing when to step down. His example and values live on in the Tata group, which remains that rarity, a respected business empire. ~PG
22 FABINDIA Started by John Bissell as a hobby, and propelled into a cult by his son, William, Fabindia is the custodian of Gandhi’s khadi-clad Indian. Not only does it provide a one-stop shop for anything ethnic, it has also created a unique business model. With a double bottom line to look after, the brand looks to benefi t the craftsmen, the customer and the company.
~Nilofer D’Souza Amit Verma; Getty Images; Fabindia: Shaw / Reuters; Tim Graham / Alamy; Street Art: JRD Tata: Indian Banyan: Jayanta / Reuters; ISRO space programme: Babu /Reuters Kopczynski Bazaars: IndiaPicture; Coastline: Pawel
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28 BANDRA-WORLI SEA LINK & VIDYASAGAR SETU One arcs out over the sea, one spans a river; they’d be beautiful anywhere in the world; in India, rising from the dregs of urban decay to touch the sky, they are inspiration, aspiration, possibility and reality. From afar or up close, they excite awe like no other modern architecture in India. Sometimes, we just need to gasp. ~SM
30 SUPERSTARS 31 DHABAS Despite—or maybe because of—their unconventional looks and There are dhabas and dhabas. Families 26 CRAFTS 29 SEX choice of roles, Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth redefi ne gravitate to the ones with the loos, foodies The crafts map of India cuts a wide swath, from No, we didn’t invent it, but with the Khajuraho temples success in the world of cinema. On several occasions, Bachchan to the ones with trucks parked three- the bamboo craft of Assam to the blue pottery of and the Kama Sutra, India was one of the fi rst societies to appeared to be down and out but, like some of his silver- deep. They may have a Punjabi allegiance Jaipur and the walnut woodwork of Kashmir to celebrate sex. Centuries later, they continue to serve as screen roles, he always managed to stage a comeback. As for (in which case you’ll never go wrong footwear from Kolhapur. Indian craftspeople, ancient weapons against modern prudishness and bigotry. Rajinikanth, he never went outIND (and that’s not a Rajini joke!). IAwith tandoori rotis, black urad dal with some six million of them, keep the knowledge ~NSR ~NSR lashings of butter, and tandoori chicken alive: of locally-available material, a mastery over or aloo-gobi) or a more local fl avour, but tools and an understanding of technique. However, however gentrifi ed or downmarket they only sustained investment from government may be, the food will be fresh and hot and and industry will ensure their survival. the perfect reason to break the journey. ~BJR ~SS
27 THE ROYAL BENGAL TIGER Whether one has sighted tigers in the mist of Nagarhole Park, the ancient ruins of 32 BOLLYWOOD Ranthambhore or just gawked at them in The world’s most prolifi c fi lm industry churns out the city zoo, this beautiful beast holds an entertainment that shapes conversation, culture, even character enduring fascination for the world. India across the country. And over the last few years, it’s been gaining is home to the largest number of these large audiences—and respectability—outside the country too. endangered cats. Stepped-up fi eld eff orts and ~PG public conservation discourses promise that the animal will survive the 21st century.
Crafts: Sabena Jane Blackbird / Alamy; Bandra-Worli Sea Link: Chris Caldicott / IndiaPicture; Sea Vikas Khot; Sex: Jane Blackbird / Alamy; Bandra-Worli Crafts: Sabena Rupak Tiger: Alamy; Superstars: De Chowdhuri / Reuters; Bengal Dhabas: Aruna Bhat / Alamy; Bollywood: Tim Chong ReutersRoyal ~SS
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33 THE GOLDEN QUADRILATERAL America’s highways, Germany’s autobahns, they seemed impossible ideals in India, where potholes and ruts are practically default. The Golden Quad promises to change that, even if only on its wavy line connecting the metros. The stretches that have been completed are wondrous to drive on, and we live in the hope of a new tradition: The Great Indian Road Trip. ~PG INDIA
34 BR AMBEDKAR The degree of reverence attached to the man by the Dalit community can sometimes be over the top, but who can deny that he gave the downtrodden a shining example of what sheer hard work could do to improve one’s fortunes. And, of course, he was the architect of our constitution, the bedrock of our democracy. 37 RAGA YAMAN / ~PG KALYANI RAAGAM There are many ragas that are common to the North and South 36 CLASSICAL DANCE but none like Kalyani or, as Dance is perhaps the most ephemeral North India knows it, Yaman. form of beauty. With eight recognised If you want to be serious, then classical styles, Indian dance combines this melody has gravitas, if the pureness of nritta with the drama you want to be playful, then it of abhinaya. From temple precincts to has a lightness of touch. Some proscenium stage, it’s an art form that of India’s best melodies have has kept pace with time without ever been composed in this tune. needing to dilute its original identity. The famous Ganesh aarti ‘Sukh ~SM Harta, Dukh Harta’ is set in it, as is ‘Krishna ni Begane 38 PRAYAGS 35 BIRYANI Baro’. The famous Thyagaraja The Prayags (literally, ‘confl uences,’ meetings of rivers) have, for A phalanx of carbohydrates armed with the sarissa of protein. Flavourful kriti ‘Vasudevayani’ shows off centuries, been the setting for human congregations of unbelievable and fragrant, the biryani shows how conquest can turn into culture and trade Kalyani as does the beautiful scale in India. And the Prayags in the Himalayas (Vishnu Prayag, into taste. The biryani traces its origin to the Persian word birian, “fried Meerabai composition ‘Aeri Nand Prayag, Karn Prayag, Rudra Prayag and Dev Prayag), take it to before cooking”. The dish is supposed to have come through two routes: aali Piya Bin’. Classical music a diff erent level. For a moment, set aside the spiritual meanings; just Overland with the marauding Turks and Mughals and via trade from across at its best, rigorous and yet concentrate on the beauty: Two rivers rushing to join each other, the the high seas to Kerala. Today, almost all regions in India have their own part of every man’s life. merging of distinctly diff erent-coloured waters swirling, bubbling, spin on this dish: That’s how India adopts and adapts its favourite things. ~SP merging, and all of a sudden they are one, with a new name.
~SP ~DK Golden Quadrilateral: IndiaPicture; BR Ambedkar: Getty Images; Classical dance: Biryani: / IndiaPicture Shalini Saran Alamy; Raga Yaman/Kalyani: IndiaPicture; Prayags:
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39 MUMBAI’S LOCAL TRAINS 43 HUL Overcrowded to ridiculous Sunlight, Lifebuoy, Lux, Ponds, Fair extremes, yes; almost antiquated & Lovely: All foreign brands, all part technology, yes; easily disrupted by of the Indian psyche. From 1888, nature or human intervention, yes. when the Lever Brothers landed in But they are, to use the cliché, the British Calcutta, to today’s Hindustan lifeline of the city. They represent Unilever, no other company has and facilitate the work ethic of understood the Indian consumer the city—get to offi ce, come what better, trained its managers more may—and are pretty much a daily thoroughly or spent more time miracle for the sheer numbers developing a supply chain that they ferry back and forth. extends into really small towns. And ~PG it is arguably the only company with signifi cant foreign shareholding that hasn’t had a foreigner heading the India operations since 1961. ~SP
40 AUTEURS INDIA Satyajit Ray and Adoor Gopalakrishnan: The two geniuses might be separated by two decades by birth and 1980 km by distance, but they touched a chord in their audiences like no one before or after. From the fi rst fi lms—Swayamwaram (Gopalakrishnan) and Pather Panchali (Ray)—till their last, they revealed an intuitive understanding of the human mind that still remains unsurpassed. ~NSR
42 ANDAMANS Far, far away from the mainland, the modern day Andamans seems to have acquired a culture of 41 HDFC their own. Original settlers, and later immigrants To own a home in India meant you had to grow old, from Punjab, Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil literally: People mostly built or bought their homes Nadu have merged into a harmonious whole. only in their late forties after they had set aside money It is only when you take a fl ight to any of the all through their working lives. This was because islands, away from Port Blair, that you realise there was no long-term fi nance available. In 1977, one how kind nature has been. If your plane is man, HT Parekh—father of Deepak Parekh—set up fl ying really high, you also see that all of the HDFC to facilitate precisely this. Home ownership islands are just specks in that deep blue. And may not be available for everyone yet, but it’s far if the people do not take care of their natural easier to own a home now than it was 20 years ago. protection—coral reefs, mangroves—the And most of that happened because of HDFC. ocean could, quite easily, swamp them all. ~SP ~DK Mumbai’s local trains: Vivek Prakash / Reuters; Auteurs: Alamy; HDFC: Getty Images; local trains: Vivek Prakash Mumbai’s HUL:Andamans: Dinesh Krishnan; Vikas Khot
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44 CARTOONISTS It’s said that when India’s most celebrated cartoonist, RK Laxman, got a lucrative off er from abroad, he refused. Where else would he fi nd leaders who lent themselves so easily to caricature? The abundance of raw material drew several others into the fi eld: Sankar, Abu Abraham, Mario, Sudhir Tailang, Keshav, Surendra, Satish Acharya, the list goes on and on. To see their works collectively is to see India. ~NSR
45 KULHAD CHAI There’s something about these red mud-baked tumblers. Die-hard fans swear that chai—the thick brew rapidly being appropriated by the Western world—served in them develops a taste INDIA and aroma that the fi nest china (ulp) cannot capture. Eco-friendly, hygienic and easily available, they were the railways’ tumbler of choice till the early 1990s. Earlier this decade, Lalu Prasad attempted to revive their use with mixed results, but we aren’t giving up the fi ght just yet. ~SS
46 THE INDIAN RAILWAYS Few things evoke nostalgia the way the railways do. Through 65,000 kilometres, its tracks wind along the sides of mountains and cut through the plains with equal ease and carry 30 million passengers every day. Add to that a reservation system that makes railway systems of the developed world look primitive. Recent introductions include the hip German Linke Hoff man Bush (LHB) coaches and superfast Durontos. Now, if only we could fi x safety. ~SS Cartoonists: IndiaPicture; Kulhad chai: IndiaPicture; Indian Railways: Geoff rey Taunton / Alamy rey chai: IndiaPicture; Indian Railways:Cartoonists: Geoff IndiaPicture; Kulhad
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47 PUJAS IN KOLKATA The grime gives way to glitter, the chaos is consumed by joy. For fi ve days every autumn, India’s most benighted city digs deep to produce a festival that is inclusive, orderly and ridiculously safe. Every day, an estimated million people hit the streets, not counting 5,000 policemen. 50 Power demands soar up by an average of 4,200 MULTIPLE LANGUAGES MW and the revelry continues all night. An The sheer vastness of India is best refl ected in the number and diversity experience of a lifetime, for atheist or believer. of its languages. We speak in many tongues—22 offi cial languages, not ~SM counting English—and we don’t always understand each other even when we speak the same language; ask the Bengali in Bangalore or the 51 THE IITS Mumbaikar in Delhi. Languages have caused bloody riots but have India still doesn’t have those iconic universities that sparked great literature; they can divide but they can unite, and can attract bright students from all over the world. But if even make us laugh at ourselves (invaluable in these grim days). And you take the IITs as a set, they do the country proud, the latest, Call Centre English, has kickstarted an entire economy. with their alumni in demand all over the world. IND~SM IA ~PG
52 GOA Beaches, beaches and beaches. Cheap 48 OFF-THE-MAP GETAWAYS daaru. Great food. Susegaad. Music. It doesn’t happen too often—in fact it’s quite Churches. Wildlife. What’s not to love! rare—but when it does it’s jaw-droppingly, The one state where half the population breathtakingly beautiful. It’s that turn off a is permanent and the other is ‘tourist’. highway, a couple of kilometres down a dirt track, Almost. Women and foreigners love it to a place of calm, serenity—and solitude. It could because this is the one place in India be in the forests of the northeast, the salt pans of where you can wear a bikini in peace. the west, the ghats down south or the mountains Men love it for much the same reasons. up north. Away from the madding crowd, from ~AR the dust and din of urban India, there’s just you and nature. India is large enough to keep the idea of ‘remote’ alive. And the mobile signal at bay. ~SM
53 ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE Jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring, our architectural 49 MANGOES heritage—Buddhist, Indian, Islamic, colonial, and They’re native to India (as the name Mangifera Indo-Saracenic—showcases a matrix of religions and indica indicates), our national fruit and we grow cultures. They embody the vision of master architects in about a third of the world’s output. But we only their grand scale with as much aplomb as the skill of the account for about 1 percent of the international craftsmen in their miniature ornamentation. Seventeen trade; ergo, we like to keep as many as possible of these monuments now wear World Heritage Site for ourselves. Who wouldn’t? A mango is the best tags, but scores more may benefi t from a nationwide of summer, condensed into one juicy handful. campaign against vandalism and encroachment. ~PG ~BJR Pujas in Kolkata: Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images; Off -the-map getaways: Aditi Das Patnaik / Getty Images; Mangoes: Patnaik Aditi Das -the-map getaways: Daniel Berehulak / Getty Images; Off Pujas in Kolkata: Getty Images Getty Images; Goa: Architectural Heritage: Multiple languages: Alamy; The IITs:
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54 KASHMIR Kashmir is just regaining some semblance of peace and starting to see an infl ux of tourists again. Aside from the natural beauty, it’s ‘kashmiriyat’ that most attracts us. It means friendliness, but much more. 56 WARMTH OF STRANGERS For example, it’s not uncommon for ‘Atithi Devo Bhava,’ the guest Kashmiris to invite people they just is god. It’s not just a hospitality meet back to their homes for a meal. industry thing; it’s the mantra of And what meals! They are a real almost every Indian. At least, we spread, with multiple courses and would like to believe that. It’s what generous helpings. Meat, vegetables sets India apart. In India, you can and rice are common and the apples speak to strangers and get help, of the region are in demand across the assistance, even make a phone 57 VARIETY, THE SPICE OF LIFE world. Cashmere wool and Pashmina call from their personal phones to Few things irk us more than the umbrella shawls are staple items in tourists’ get you out of a sticky situation. label “Indian food”. Fact is, cuisine can bags when they return from Kashmir. ~ND change with every 100 km, thanks to ~AR India’s ethnic, religious, agricultural and weather diversities. Kerala, the current foreign favourite, has several varieties INDIAof Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish cuisines within its narrow confi nes; in Kolkata, Bangals and Ghotis fi ght for food 55 RAJASTHAN CANAL bragging rights; Tamil Nadu’s non-veg is The Rajasthan Canal (formally as complex and deep-rooted as its more Indira Gandhi Nahar Project) famous vegetarian off erings; and in the passes through Barmer, bylanes of Old Delhi, the beef seekh and Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, aloo paratha are both original inhabitants. Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and They do have one thing in common, Sriganganagar districts. It though: The great Indian melting pot. has helped transform a desert ~SM into productive agricultural land. Aside from irrigation, it also supplies drinking water, not just to remote villages but also to some major cities like Jaisalmer, Barmer and Bikaner. The canal has truly changed the lives of people living around it. ~Amit Verma
58 ETHNIC ARCHITECTURE Traditional Kerala temples, with their sloping tiled roofs, demonstrate perfectly how to best handle torrential rain for four months. Homes in the upper reaches of cold, dry Ladakh, made of low-maintenance mud-plastered walls, the most abundant material available, the typical two-storied building houses cattle in the ground fl oor and its residents on the upper fl oor. The main living room: the kitchen, the warmest place in winter. Firewood stored on the roof also acts as insulation. Sense, sensibility and beauty. Unlike the epidemic of glass- walled hideousness now spreading through our metros.
~DK K. of strangers: Seth Hughes / Alamy; Rajasthan Canal: Getty Images; IndiaPicture; Warmth Kashmir: Architecture: IndiaPicture Simon Reddy / Alamy; Ethnic Variety:
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59 HIMALAYAS The one reason why India is the way it is. The world’s highest mountain range keeps the cold Arctic winds out and the monsoon winds in. Their snow-capped peaks and glaciers provide water to billions of people in the Indian subcontinent. They are home to some of the world’s rarest fl ora and fauna. Oh, and the Yeti also lives here. As does Lord Shiva, he of the matted locks and the blue throat, who dances the dance of death and can destroy universes when he opens his third eye. Not surprisingly, hundreds of thousands of Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh pilgrims brave the mountains to visit holy sites. If you are averse to religion, there are tall peaks to climb, natural beauty to soak in and slopes to ski. ~AR
64 IT COMPANIES The fi rst fl ag-bearers of New India, home-grown IT services companies—Infosys, TCS, Wipro and HCL Technologies—were the fi rst 60 CRICKET to show what’s possible in a fl at world by describing their employees as their real assets, upholding principles of corporate governance and Whatever is written about cricket in India would competing with the best in the world. Some of them faltered. But, by only represent a fraction of peoples’ feelings about 62 TRADITIONAL SPORT and large, they remain the best examples of India’s real soft power. the game. It’s probably the only sport that gives Despite the commercial and cultural juggernaut that the country reason to be proud on a regular basis. is cricket, and the occasional INDbursts of excellence IA ~NSR And it’s also possibly the most hated sport in in other internationally played sports, various India, because of its attention-hungry ways. We traditional sports still thrive: Kabbadi, khokho, know it’s a paradox but, hey, welcome to India! mallakhamb gymnastics, kalaripayattu, the martial ~AR competitive displays in Punjab, traditional wrestling, the Kerala boat races, the cattle races in various parts of the country, even carrom. And, since it is practically a sport in other parts of the world, yoga. ~PG
61 HANDLOOMS AND SARIS Ranging from fi ne muslin to rich brocade, textiles are one of India’s richest traditions. That Indian fabrics had a global infl uence can be judged from 63 ELECTORAL PROCESS the number of loanwords in English: Calico, chintz, Forget the Indian Premier League. India’s biggest organisational khaki, cashmere. The variety of Indian textiles is eff ort happens every fi ve years when the country plays its favourite 65 YOGA best exemplifi ed in the sari. The subtle Chanderi sport, politics, on a grand scale. It costs the country more than Rs Aummm. The most primordial of sounds from Madhya Pradesh; the elaborate cotton Jamdani 500 crore to sift out 520-odd people from a fi eld of more than 11,000 reverberates through our bodies, the air and the and silk Baluchari from Bengal; the Banarasi contenders. And this is just the general elections that we are talking world on a frequency only the attuned can hear. Kinkhwab (brocade); Kanchivaram from Tamil about! Multiply that complexity many times over for the 28 state Cut out all the clamour and the controversies, Nadu; Patola from Gujarat; the rich Paithani from elections. Indian democracy would not have been possible without and yoga still off ers the best spiritual stretch in Maharashtra. Versatile. Graceful. Sensual. Indian. an electoral process that has, for most part, remained fair and fi rm. the world. It’s Indian and it still costs nothing.
~Sveta Basraon ~SP ~SM Sport: Alamy; Traditional Dinesh Krishnan; Getty Images; Cricket: Nick Baylis / Alamy; Handlooms and Saris: Himalayas: IndiaPicture / Reuters; Electoral process: Arko Datta Yoga: IT companies: Vivek Prakash
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And so we have to part of my lifetime. labour and to work, and RUSKIN BOND to work hard, to give reality to our dreams. If India adopted the Those dreams are for doctrine of love as India, but they are also an active part of her for the world, for all religion and introduced the nations and peoples it in her politics. Swaraj are too closely knit would descend upon together today for any India from heaven. one of them to imagine But I am painfully that it can live apart. IND awareIA that that event JAWAHARLAL NEHRU is far off as yet. MK GANDHI Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it This fl ag is of Indian ‘LOKMANYA’ KESAR BAL Independence. Behold, GANGADHAR TILAK it is born. It is already among themselves, sanctioned by the blood even if it means chaos If there is one place of martyred Indian and confusion. on the face of earth youths. I call upon STAFFORD CRIPPS where all the dreams of you gentlemen, to rise living men have found and salute this fl ag of a home from the very The most certain test by Indian Independence. earliest days when man which we judge whether In the name of this began the dream of a country is really free is fl ag, I appeal to lovers existence, it is India! the amount of security of freedom all over the FRENCH SCHOLAR enjoyed by minorities. world to cooperate with ROMAINE ROLLAND JOHN DALBERG-ACTON, 1ST this fl ag in freeing one- BARON ACTON fi fth of the human race. India happens to be a MADAM CAMA rich country inhabited The India I love, does by very poor people. not make the headlines, India is a curious place MANMOHAN SINGH but I fi nd it wherever that still preserves the I go—in fi eld or forest, past, religions, and town or village, Gandhi has asked its history. No matter mountain or desert— that the British how modern India and in the hearts and Government should becomes, it is still very minds of people who walk out of India and much an old country. have given me love and leave the Indian people ANITA DESAI aff ection for the better Jim Barber / Corbis to settle diff erences
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