IndianMaze

India has been a provider of brain power to the west for quite a long time. So much so that a lot of major positions in US/UK and many MNCs are held by Indians. In fact not only Indians but Asians and Africans have been adding to the brain power in the west leading to "browning" of "white west". Now a days, I can't help but notice two key developments. One, many professionals who went overseas (westwards) for studies/jobs and stayed back have started looking at India as a serious option. But additionally, many more westerners are looking at India as a destination for employment. "White" CEOs in India were common in the past amongst MNCs who wanted to have control from the people who were "close" to HQ country. Things have moved and now one can see many "white" CEOs for Indian companies. Not only that, there are a large number of professionals in C suite and lower positions who want to have India on their CVs. Malls in major cities a...

India has always been a country where the spread of wealth is skewed. Last decade or so made middle class become richer at a rapid pace. Interestingly, it is this very "rich" middle class that is treating the downturn differently. In my travels across the country this week combined with visits to some shopping malles on the last weekend have given me this insight. The shopping trip to a mall and supermarket saw very thin crowd and the long queues were missing on the checkout counters. This was the case at Spencers, Big Bazaar and Reliance. Even Bikanerwala that is always buzzing with activity was quiet. PVR and DT cinemas have started a Rs 50 cinema ticket that was unthinkable for a multiplex till recently. Airlines claim that low fares in January did not entice anough travellers. Contrasting this with a monday morning flight of Kingfisher to Mumbai and that was absolutely full. Airport terminal was rather busy in Delhi. I must hasten to add that Kingfisher has removed "...