Articles 1 to 10 of 110
Can India Harness Its Knowledge Capital Despite Its Scale and Complexity?
At a recent conference in New Delhi, speakers reiterated that the ability of a nation to use its knowledge capital would be a key factor in determining its success. Given India's demography -- more than half its population is below the age of 25 -- harnessing its knowledge capital assumes even greater significance not just for the country but also for the world. However, India's problem is its size and complexity, experts say.
Montek Singh Ahluwalia: The Debate on Reforms Will Continue
Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of India's Planning Commission, is a key backroom player in pushing through economic reforms in the country. A participant at a recent meeting of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI), Ahluwalia said in a teleconference that the dominant impression in India is that things are changing, and the changes are for the better.
With New FDI Reforms Comes India's Next Challenge: Execution
For the past few months, foreign investors and Indian industry alike have been complaining of the decision-making standstill within the nation's government. The policy paralysis came to an end last week, when the government unveiled a host of reforms designed to reinvigorate the Indian economy and promised that more are on the horizon. But with some members of the ruling political party pitting themselves against the changes and the opposition showing signs of greater coalescence, there could be more strife ahead.
FDI in Indian Retail: The Big Benefits Will Come Tomorrow, Not Today
The Indian government recently announced a slew of reforms, including a long-awaited decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail up to a level of 51%. In this op-ed, Johns Hopkins University professor and Wharton senior fellow Ravi Aron writes that the move will not only lead to a greater variety of available products and more consumer choice, but also penetrate deep into the hinterland of Indian economic activity and do much to improve the country's "shunned sectors" -- infrastructure and logistics.
Another Day, Another Scam: How the CAG Report Impacts India's Overall Outlook
Yet another major scam has surfaced in India. According to a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), allocation of coal blocks without auctioning them has led to a loss of US$33 billion to the national exchequer. This is more than the highly-publicized scam involving the licensing of telecom spectrum for 2G wireless in 2008. But, while political skirmishing continues in Delhi, the CAG appears to be on less sound ground this time, according to some.
The Challenge for Indian IT Firms: Showcasing Offshoring as a Value-creating Proposition
Indian IT firms are increasingly coming under pressure in the U.S. from critics who say they take away jobs from Americans. With some policy makers advocating restrictions and protectionist measures, the companies are now also facing legal hurdles on issues like visa usage and taxation. Experts suggest that the roadblocks are occurring because the laws are open to varying interpretations. Are Indian firms getting the short end of the stick? And can measures by industry body Nasscom help to address negative perceptions in the U.S.?
Beset by a New Set of Scams, the Indian Government Struggles to Function
The already beleaguered Indian government has been beset by a new set of scams. With necessary reforms put on the back burner and policy making suspended, critics contend that India's leaders are missing in action. While the new scams are unlikely to lead to midterm elections, the events have left the government unable to function effectively in breathing life into the slowing economy, experts say.
Aseema Matures, but Remains Firm in Its Mission of 'Values-driven Education'
Fifteen years ago, Dilbur Parakh co-founded Aseema, an NGO that focuses on providing quality education to children living in Mumbai's slums, as an informal program with just US$100 in start-up costs and a borrowed classroom. The organization has since grown to working with 1,400 children ranging in age from two to 17. It has also successfully launched a products division, selling goods made by the children. Although Aseema is evolving from a one-woman show to a more business-like entity with a focused strategy, distinct divisions and specialized staff, Parakh says the organization remains committed to growth that preserves the quality of its programs.
Educating India’s 'Demographic Dividend': The Role of the Private Sector
The growth prospects of the Indian economy depend to a large extent on how the country tackles certain issues of intellectual capital today. The concern largely centers on the much-debated demographic dividend, or the rising proportion of working-age people in India. The recent One Globe 2012 conference in New Delhi emphasized the role that industry needs to play in teaching and training the next generation of India’s workforce.
Lawyer Morris DeFeo: Why Partnerships Are Key for Outsiders Navigating the Indian Legal System
India has its own legal system, regulations and heritage. It is difficult for an American lawyer to chart his way through that maze. The way to do that is to tie up with an Indian legal firm, says Morris DeFeo, a partner with the Crowell & Moring corporate group. DeFeo is head of the law firm’s India and MENA (Middle East-North Africa) practice. But both sides of any partnership must accept that they have much to learn from each other, notes DeFeo in this interview with India Knowledge@Wharton.
