Whose growth is it

India is definitely moving up to great times, but in this race is Bharat left some where in the oblivion. Even if realty sector is booming, salaries are shooting up and net worths are skyrocketing, are the fruits distributed well? Can we expect that all this prosperity will also lead to responsible governance? Visit any of the upcoming towns where realty is flirting with dizzying heights literally and metaphorically. Are the labourers paid anything quite in proportion to the rest of the salaried community? Why is it that even though great wealths are created by the private enterprize, it is still left for the Delhi Metro or the Oil PSUs to be the best and most concerned employer for the laborers and technicians ? Why is it that the construction magnates who create great value and employ thousands of semi skilled and unskilled laborers, still feel absolutely no need to provide the basic amenities like clean toilets and shelters for the workers ? Ask any of the early movers in Gurgaon or Noida about their nightmare of early mornings, where the entire surroundings become open public lavatories and the promise of clean air and environment is duly exposed. The private sector in this country needs to start conducting itself with due sense of responsibility. Humanity and human race in all forms must be respected by all. Delhi is upbeat about 2010. The roads, most visible of the city infrastructure are getting half of their due attention about two decades in arrears, duly supplemented with the thought process that gives the pride of place to the buffoons we call as leaders and policy makers. Some nitwit babus in their over enthusiasm feel no shame in exposing the royal shame that their common sense is. The new bus stands are a testimony to this legacy. Yes these stands look good. They shin bright at night. They also carry the signage which tells you the name of the bus stop. And of course there is bright signage which tells you what channel to watch, what scrips to invest in, what shoes to wear, which airlines to fly .....but ... is there something missing. Yes... it does not tell u anything about which buses ply on this route. Or what is the meaning of the numer 629, 534, 730 etc. There is all the information that one may not really need, but for a stranger on this bus stand there is no information regarding bus routes. Standing at a bus stop I do not know if I am at the right place. I still find the moogfali wala bhaiya ji of far greater use than the neon lit bright bus stops which attract more insects than passengers !!! Best of luck for 2010. Dignitaries, participants and visitors should undertake the adventure to check out the city of Djinns only at their own risk...

IT procurement in Government

We have seen that most of the IT related procurement exercises in developing countries have been only moderately successful. This has been evident in the defence procurements as well. The level of sophistication of the equipment is directly proportional to the level of difficulty encountered in the procurement process. What is the reason for this ? Is it that the bureaucracy in developing countries is wary of engaging professional assistance ? Or is it the mere fact that technology overwhelms most of us, and decision makers are not necessarily theoretical economists, always capable of making rational choices? India has been a major case in point. Almost all deals for procurement of sophisticated defense machinery have had their rough patches. Telcos under government have been facing rough weather in this regard as well. So what is that makes IT procurement so very different from any other procurement