Business to the Buddha

Tag: world economy

  • Need of the hour!







    Recently, I woke up early in the morning, it was not because I had to go somewhere, but because in the night I forgot to switch on my mosquito repellent. Apparently, I didn’t have to kill the mosquito. All of them put together had sucked enough blood to wake me up and as individuals had sucked enough to full their bellies that none could fly. And they all fell under my weight to die!

    I was wondering about the same in different context and thought about politicians of India and some corporate houses (include Kingfisher). In current context the Anna movement, Occupy Wall Street movement and economy world around has made every commoner – like me – to think seriously about what is happening around. Now it seems that not all politicians and executives can get away with the deeds. They have to be accountable and answerable because the pinch of the rash and extravagant decision are backfiring. If I compare the scenario to my waking up and inadvertently killing few mosquito, the weight of economy has killed some companies (Lehman Brothers) and some are in the lurch. Either politicians and executives have to understand that there has to be enough and more responsible actions and decision or people would gather on streets to protest.

    I am not against development and taking risks yet we have to balance risk and be responsible for the powers offered to us by the shareholders, banks and others. Is it fair to party when you know you are under debt of 1000s of cr (tens of billions) rupees? Is it fine to sponsor and own events when you are under lots of liabilities? I was wondering when I read the news – LIC may be forced by the Govt to rescue Kingfisher. Thankfully it does not seem to happen, otherwise LIC policy holders – such as me – would feel robbed of their hard earned income.

    The collective power has toppled a Govt in Middle East – I term it as French Revolution of Middle East – and other countries of Middle East are feeling the heat. Credibility of a company was on stake when Murdoch was summoned. We see a strong voice against corruption in India and against the reckless decision of bankers as Occupy Wall Street movement. Is not it fair to assume that all educated people (politicians and executives) would understand that commoners are asking for only fairness and accountability, and perhaps it would solve many issues we face in current times, That’s it!

  • …there is a new beginning!







    I was reading – Living with the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama and came across an interesting analogy which I am sharing here.

    “…A candle light is extinguished by the breeze very easily, but if that light is protected and allowed to catch the forest, it will grow into a forest fire. Then the breeze helps that fire instead of extinguishing it. Similarly, when an aspirant, with the help of discipline, protects the flame of desire burning within, it grows more and more. Then all the adversities instead of becoming obstructions, in fact, start becoming means. The obstacles which are supposed to obstruct the path of self realization are not really obstacles. Our weaknesses and the values we impose on the objects of the world create these obstacles for us. Attachment is one of the strongest obstacles created by us…”

    End result changes when context changes. A breeze may extinguish or support fire. I read few lines long time ago –

    …पेड़ थे मजबुत वो जड़ से उखड कर गिर गये (stronger trees have been uprooted)
    और पौधो ने किया है आंधियो का सामना … (however, saplings/plants have faced storms)

    Here definition of strength becomes a weakness. Strength of a tree is being tall and ability to withstand forceful blow. However, this strength becomes a weakness in case of a storms. Here we need to think – the context defines many things, at times changes the approach to the decision making also. I remember my Professor of MBA – Prof Lopez – we used to have animated discussions on various things because context used to differ. He always suggested that there are no ready made solutions – one size does not necessarily fit all…

    With reference to the economic problem I may say that there are many issues. Initially, it was love for the ‘Free Market Economy’ (with respect to the above para – ‘attachment’) by the policy makers of USA, and later the other extreme (protectionism) is one of the issues. We may say that – ‘…any time world economy may crumble’. However, when I change the context I think the time has come to move on to a more inclusive world – Vasudhev Kutumbakam (in one way “not protectionist”). I am of the opinion that we need to think of each one of us as a unit. The solution is there, provided we move from ‘I’, ‘Me’ and ‘You’ to ‘Us’. The changed context will show us new possibilities – I think there is a new beginning. … Destruction sometimes has value!