New Post (29 ) : The Walmart’ization of Art
The US just ran a print run of USD600Bn.
And where is that money ending up ?
Keep an eye on the prices of gold, silver, diamonds, precious stones and hold your breath---ART.
Sotheby’s and Christies have never had it so good.
With all of the usual asset classes having a long shadow of doubt and gloom cast on them investors with loads of free money courtesy the Fed are turning to art as never before.
So much for a planned recovery.
How long this Walmart’ization of art is here to stay remains to be seen though.
Charlie Brown
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Emerging market MNCs Vs Developed market MNCs..
New Post (28): Emerging market MNCs Vs Developed market MNCs..
The success record of MNCs from “developed” countries in emerging market has been good. ……!!!…………..But their practices have often been questionable. MNCs from developed countries need to understand emerging markets better. Acting with sensitivity …as they would at home.
In a reverse sweep…
The MNCs from “emerging” markets are now expanding and acquiring companies in developed countries at a rapid pace. Emerging market MNCs are posing tough competition to developed country MNCs in other emerging markets as well as Third World countries. The emerging market MNCs power and impact has increased significantly and many of them have become brands across the world. Emerging markets multinationals need to learn rapidly in their conquest for global markets. The window of opportunity may be open for only a short time. This is the time for them to make the most of the (relatively so speaking) ---openness in markets.
More IMORTANTLY: “Hopefully no emerging market MNC will (never ever) walk away like a Union Carbide from a monstrous Bhopal gas like tragedy, shirking its moral + ethical responsibility”. ……….Hiding behind legalese and Government.
Else we’d have done no better than re-invent the monster.
Charlie Brown
The success record of MNCs from “developed” countries in emerging market has been good. ……!!!…………..But their practices have often been questionable. MNCs from developed countries need to understand emerging markets better. Acting with sensitivity …as they would at home.
In a reverse sweep…
The MNCs from “emerging” markets are now expanding and acquiring companies in developed countries at a rapid pace. Emerging market MNCs are posing tough competition to developed country MNCs in other emerging markets as well as Third World countries. The emerging market MNCs power and impact has increased significantly and many of them have become brands across the world. Emerging markets multinationals need to learn rapidly in their conquest for global markets. The window of opportunity may be open for only a short time. This is the time for them to make the most of the (relatively so speaking) ---openness in markets.
More IMORTANTLY: “Hopefully no emerging market MNC will (never ever) walk away like a Union Carbide from a monstrous Bhopal gas like tragedy, shirking its moral + ethical responsibility”. ……….Hiding behind legalese and Government.
Else we’d have done no better than re-invent the monster.
Charlie Brown
Monday, November 8, 2010
Permanent UNSC membership for India---not anytime soon.
New Post (27) : Permanent UNSC membership for India---not anytime soon.
Reality check…
India has sought permanent Security Council membership for years.
Obama fulfilled what was perhaps India's cherished wish for Obama's trip to the country.
Scoring brownie points for the USA and throwing up PR opportunities for the Government of India !
Quote : "The just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate," Obama said. "That is why I can say today — in the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed U.N. Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."
WAIT. Not so fast. Maybe the Chinese have a view on this as well. A view that would count.
Nevertheless...
The announcement predictably so brought the loudest applause almost on cue during Obama's speech.
But it does not mean that India will join the five permanent Security Council members ………anytime soon.
Obama's announcement is more of a diplomatic appeasement than anything else.
Reality bites !
Meanwhile an India disarmed by an Obamaesque charm offensive and mesmerized by proverbial dangling carrots will go on to sign up on big ticket deals that will benefit (not surprisingly) select American big businesses. Resulting in a transfer of wealth from a "poor" India to a "needy" USA.
Charlie Brown
Reality check…
India has sought permanent Security Council membership for years.
Obama fulfilled what was perhaps India's cherished wish for Obama's trip to the country.
Scoring brownie points for the USA and throwing up PR opportunities for the Government of India !
Quote : "The just and sustainable international order that America seeks includes a United Nations that is efficient, effective, credible and legitimate," Obama said. "That is why I can say today — in the years ahead, I look forward to a reformed U.N. Security Council that includes India as a permanent member."
WAIT. Not so fast. Maybe the Chinese have a view on this as well. A view that would count.
Nevertheless...
The announcement predictably so brought the loudest applause almost on cue during Obama's speech.
But it does not mean that India will join the five permanent Security Council members ………anytime soon.
Obama's announcement is more of a diplomatic appeasement than anything else.
Reality bites !
Meanwhile an India disarmed by an Obamaesque charm offensive and mesmerized by proverbial dangling carrots will go on to sign up on big ticket deals that will benefit (not surprisingly) select American big businesses. Resulting in a transfer of wealth from a "poor" India to a "needy" USA.
Charlie Brown
Burma’s elections-a sham & a shame !
New Post (26) : Burma’s elections - a sham & a shame !
Electoral democracy is a pre-requisite for democracy but it is not “sufficient” as a pre-condition.
Burma's first elections in two decades is both a sham and a shame designed to keep a repressive military government in power.
After nearly 50 years in power, Burma's military claims the first elections in 20 years are part of a plan to return to civilian democracy. True lies ?
Fact is…
The military controls everything in Burma
The NLD won Burma's last elections but the military ignored the results and forced many members to flee to Thailand.
The out of control military …….has done everything possible to neuter the (NLD) National League for Democracy, the main opposition………for refusing to expel leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The darling of the free world.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for most of the past 20 years, and thousands of government critics have been imprisoned. That is the bitter reality.
She is the Nelson Mandella of Burma. The M.K.Gandhi of Burma. The Martin Luther King of Burma---all rolled into one.
The free world stands with her and with what she stands for !
Charlie Brown
Electoral democracy is a pre-requisite for democracy but it is not “sufficient” as a pre-condition.
Burma's first elections in two decades is both a sham and a shame designed to keep a repressive military government in power.
After nearly 50 years in power, Burma's military claims the first elections in 20 years are part of a plan to return to civilian democracy. True lies ?
Fact is…
The military controls everything in Burma
The NLD won Burma's last elections but the military ignored the results and forced many members to flee to Thailand.
The out of control military …….has done everything possible to neuter the (NLD) National League for Democracy, the main opposition………for refusing to expel leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The darling of the free world.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for most of the past 20 years, and thousands of government critics have been imprisoned. That is the bitter reality.
She is the Nelson Mandella of Burma. The M.K.Gandhi of Burma. The Martin Luther King of Burma---all rolled into one.
The free world stands with her and with what she stands for !
Charlie Brown
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Indian IT cries foul
New post (25) : Indian IT cries foul
One only hopes that the US President’s visit to India is not sabotaged by an over zealous Indian IT industry………..pushing to the background more substantive geo-political issues of “real” concern.
The USA is accused by Indian IT players of hiking visa fees making it less viable to post personnel in the USA.
Yet each quarter Indian IT majors post record “revenue growth” and “profits”.
The US President is merely protecting jobs in the USA.
He is after all the President of the USA and must quite rightly so act in the best interests of his people. Especially so in turbulent financial times.
A hike in visa fees is an “internal” matter of the USA where no outside entity has any say. Whatsoever.
The Indians can at most play the diplomatic game of tit for tat and counter with hiking visa fees for US citizens. To it’s own detriment.
Indian IT needs to do some soul searching.
Most Indian IT personnel posted “abroad” on a long-term basis on fancy titles are hand picked from among---friends, relatives, and based on community + language affiliations ---with the top-management of these companies.
Essentially, as a back door means to “camouflaged” legal entry and extended stay in the USA. With the hope that the company sponsored holiday can be converted eventually into a more permanent “residence” status………….. All in all ……….an emigration scam.
The interests of Indian IT would be better served by focusing genuinely on upgrading from being low level code writers …to… assuming primary client facing roles in proposing and creating sophisticated solutions architecture.
Beyond a point Indian IT will cease to rise in stature………(only) because of the people who are said to be “leading” it.
Meanwhile, it’s easier for the Indian IT industry folks to “misinform” their own government / ministry on the real issue…....play the victim………and indulge in chest beating and cry foul.
As an added bonus---That gets more “free” media attention (too). In India at least.
PS: US accounts for 61 per cent of India's $37 billion (nearly Rs. 1.74 lakh crore) IT exports.
Think about it:
The one Indian industry that has truly achieved scale both on a national and global level is the Indian Pharma industry where even (SME’s) Small & Medium Establishments, have established a truly global presence offering---“low cost affordable health care for all worldwide”. Without so much as a whisper and a murmur. Sadly, even the Indian media is totally “blind” to this fact. Talk about being unsung heroes………
Charlie Brown
One only hopes that the US President’s visit to India is not sabotaged by an over zealous Indian IT industry………..pushing to the background more substantive geo-political issues of “real” concern.
The USA is accused by Indian IT players of hiking visa fees making it less viable to post personnel in the USA.
Yet each quarter Indian IT majors post record “revenue growth” and “profits”.
The US President is merely protecting jobs in the USA.
He is after all the President of the USA and must quite rightly so act in the best interests of his people. Especially so in turbulent financial times.
A hike in visa fees is an “internal” matter of the USA where no outside entity has any say. Whatsoever.
The Indians can at most play the diplomatic game of tit for tat and counter with hiking visa fees for US citizens. To it’s own detriment.
Indian IT needs to do some soul searching.
Most Indian IT personnel posted “abroad” on a long-term basis on fancy titles are hand picked from among---friends, relatives, and based on community + language affiliations ---with the top-management of these companies.
Essentially, as a back door means to “camouflaged” legal entry and extended stay in the USA. With the hope that the company sponsored holiday can be converted eventually into a more permanent “residence” status………….. All in all ……….an emigration scam.
The interests of Indian IT would be better served by focusing genuinely on upgrading from being low level code writers …to… assuming primary client facing roles in proposing and creating sophisticated solutions architecture.
Beyond a point Indian IT will cease to rise in stature………(only) because of the people who are said to be “leading” it.
Meanwhile, it’s easier for the Indian IT industry folks to “misinform” their own government / ministry on the real issue…....play the victim………and indulge in chest beating and cry foul.
As an added bonus---That gets more “free” media attention (too). In India at least.
PS: US accounts for 61 per cent of India's $37 billion (nearly Rs. 1.74 lakh crore) IT exports.
Think about it:
The one Indian industry that has truly achieved scale both on a national and global level is the Indian Pharma industry where even (SME’s) Small & Medium Establishments, have established a truly global presence offering---“low cost affordable health care for all worldwide”. Without so much as a whisper and a murmur. Sadly, even the Indian media is totally “blind” to this fact. Talk about being unsung heroes………
Charlie Brown
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Kashmiryat at cross roads
New Post (24) : Kashmiryat at cross roads.
Book: "Kashmiryat at cross roads;" by Mr.P.Parimoo.
First Comment : (about the book)
“Immensely” readable.
This is the “first” ever book to offer an unique multi-dimensional perspective on “kashmiriyat”.
“Authentic” in as much as it’s written by a Kashmiri from the valley, as a scholarly chronicle of the rich history of Kashmir.
It transports the reader into a Kashmir of the times gone by.
Makes you want to believe that Kashmiriyat must survive and will indeed eventually survive, as it always has.
A must read for all Kashmiri’s and for all those who have more than a passing interest in Kashmir, it’s people and it’s rich traditions.
Also, a great read for the younger generation of Kashmiri’s to get to know about life in a bygone era in their native Kashmir.
Kudos to Mr.P.Parimoo, the author for weaving a masterly skill full narrative.
The book is also special for another reason. It’s a loving tribute by the author as a son to the memory of his late father. The book is inspired based on the observations in a diary of his late father.
Synopsis : (a sneak preview of the book)
Liberally laced with anecdotes and personal encounters of the author,
Kashmiryat at cross roads…..,is an attempt to showcase the distinct way of life of a distinguished society, struggling to assert its individuality in a changed World.
The firsthand account of the author transports the reader to Kashmir of olden times providing glimpses into the life of an ordinary Kashmiri ,the culture, history , socio-economic conditions ,the political scenario and a spirituality of unique Kashmiri flavour.
Sculptured by social mores, highly charged with spiritual fervor cutting across the barriers of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, it is the story of a cultural legacy struggling to keep its head above the swirling waters of anonymity surrounding it.
The book attempts to encapsulate an eons old history to focus on circumstances that led to a political vacuum which lasted till 1930.The seeds of the degenerative process which led to this vacuum having been sown way back in circa 830 A.D. surprisingly by two women, both famous for their feminine viles and charms.
The rise of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, Kashmir’s leader with a mass following and the several futile attempts to belittle this giant, are written about as candidly as are the blunders on the part of Mr.Mohammed Ali Jinnah and India’s leaders and bureaucrats dealing with the sensitive Kashmiris and their sensibilities.
Description of a hazardous 14 day journey on foot and pony in 1930’s involving the frightful crossing of Zojilla pass and facing the snow storm of Drass plateau, brings forth the nostalgic memories and romance of adventurous travel through the Himalyan range.
The ages old life style of innocent Ladakhis, surrounded by an atmosphere saturated with mysticism and superstitions to which the author himself succumbed is graphically described by the author.
Not forgetting the people who delivered Kashmir from its most brutal colonial past under Afghans, the Author pays a glowing homage to the Martyrs who laid down their lives and sacrificed their families to achieve the goal of throwing down the yoke of a cruel colonialism.
Charlie Brown
Book: "Kashmiryat at cross roads;" by Mr.P.Parimoo.
First Comment : (about the book)
“Immensely” readable.
This is the “first” ever book to offer an unique multi-dimensional perspective on “kashmiriyat”.
“Authentic” in as much as it’s written by a Kashmiri from the valley, as a scholarly chronicle of the rich history of Kashmir.
It transports the reader into a Kashmir of the times gone by.
Makes you want to believe that Kashmiriyat must survive and will indeed eventually survive, as it always has.
A must read for all Kashmiri’s and for all those who have more than a passing interest in Kashmir, it’s people and it’s rich traditions.
Also, a great read for the younger generation of Kashmiri’s to get to know about life in a bygone era in their native Kashmir.
Kudos to Mr.P.Parimoo, the author for weaving a masterly skill full narrative.
The book is also special for another reason. It’s a loving tribute by the author as a son to the memory of his late father. The book is inspired based on the observations in a diary of his late father.
Synopsis : (a sneak preview of the book)
Liberally laced with anecdotes and personal encounters of the author,
Kashmiryat at cross roads…..,is an attempt to showcase the distinct way of life of a distinguished society, struggling to assert its individuality in a changed World.
The firsthand account of the author transports the reader to Kashmir of olden times providing glimpses into the life of an ordinary Kashmiri ,the culture, history , socio-economic conditions ,the political scenario and a spirituality of unique Kashmiri flavour.
Sculptured by social mores, highly charged with spiritual fervor cutting across the barriers of Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, it is the story of a cultural legacy struggling to keep its head above the swirling waters of anonymity surrounding it.
The book attempts to encapsulate an eons old history to focus on circumstances that led to a political vacuum which lasted till 1930.The seeds of the degenerative process which led to this vacuum having been sown way back in circa 830 A.D. surprisingly by two women, both famous for their feminine viles and charms.
The rise of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, Kashmir’s leader with a mass following and the several futile attempts to belittle this giant, are written about as candidly as are the blunders on the part of Mr.Mohammed Ali Jinnah and India’s leaders and bureaucrats dealing with the sensitive Kashmiris and their sensibilities.
Description of a hazardous 14 day journey on foot and pony in 1930’s involving the frightful crossing of Zojilla pass and facing the snow storm of Drass plateau, brings forth the nostalgic memories and romance of adventurous travel through the Himalyan range.
The ages old life style of innocent Ladakhis, surrounded by an atmosphere saturated with mysticism and superstitions to which the author himself succumbed is graphically described by the author.
Not forgetting the people who delivered Kashmir from its most brutal colonial past under Afghans, the Author pays a glowing homage to the Martyrs who laid down their lives and sacrificed their families to achieve the goal of throwing down the yoke of a cruel colonialism.
Charlie Brown
Friday, October 22, 2010
All's fair in currency wars.
New post (23) : All's fair in currency wars.
Yea ! They say 'all's fair in LOVE …and in currency wars,'
While the US and China battle it out. Is it possible that the United States could seize other countries gold reserves held at the New York Fed ? In lieu of which they can always issue official paper. So it would be all so very legal.
Believe it or not. Speculation on this is in the air. Fueling (at least in part) a run on gold evidenced by an unprecedented northbound gold price trajectory.
Strange as it may seem. Sooner or later. A return to the gold standard can not be ruled out altogether.
For sanity+stability to return to the global system of hi-Finance...this may not be bad at all.
Charlie Brown
Yea ! They say 'all's fair in LOVE …and in currency wars,'
While the US and China battle it out. Is it possible that the United States could seize other countries gold reserves held at the New York Fed ? In lieu of which they can always issue official paper. So it would be all so very legal.
Believe it or not. Speculation on this is in the air. Fueling (at least in part) a run on gold evidenced by an unprecedented northbound gold price trajectory.
Strange as it may seem. Sooner or later. A return to the gold standard can not be ruled out altogether.
For sanity+stability to return to the global system of hi-Finance...this may not be bad at all.
Charlie Brown
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