On the night of November 26

I heard about both these incidents on the same day and the contrast hit me hard between the eyes. Our young CEO was lucky, but there were many others who stumbled upon their deaths because while they too did not know what to do next, unlike the CEO, the dice just didn’t roll their way. And yet, I have a feeling that if there were a handful of other professionals like these South African heroes – people who had some notion of what could be done to save their own lives and those of others around them, perhaps many more would’ve walked out alive from the Taj.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again - we are a people under siege and we’re practically on our own. It took a nine hour long ‘quick reaction’ for our commandos to be brought to location (and that they had to be brought there in ‘BEST’ buses, tells you about India’s ‘most terrorised’ city’s levels of preparedness). You might rant and rave, and light enough candles to pave the Marine Drive with wax, but you can bet your last recession-hit rupee on it that nothing, absolutely nothing is going to change if anybody with a voice (and that’s not you or me) in this great dysfunctional democracy can help it. There could be more terrorists tomorrow, and there could be more bombs; there could be cyclones, tsunamis and earthquakes, but help would only reach once it’s too late for most.

But we can’t remain helpless, at the mercy of the guy with the gun, whichever side he might be on. Just like the South Africans, instead of letting ‘terror’ paralyse us, surely, we too can prepare ourselves for such an eventuality. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do if I was stuck in a burning building with ruthless gunmen on the prowl? Is there anything we could do to hold the fort and save lives (including my own) until help finally arrived? Turns out, yes, we can…

I asked two of India’s most well known security consultants and martial artists – SWAT and Krav Maga Chief Instructor (India) and veteran Karateka Vicky Kapoor and Shaolin and Police Kung Fu and Kali Master Kanishka Sharma – the same question: what can a lay civilian can do in a 26/11 scenario? Apparently, conscription helps. A country that has had to fight insurgency almost since the day it was born would obviously do well if every citizen was also a soldier. “…it builds a sense of nationhood… makes you more aware as citizens”, says Kapoor. Well, but that’s not an option for now… what else?...Continue

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The Sunday Indian

What a voyage!

When I was standing in the queue to enter a grand cruise ship from Singapore bound for Langkawi Islands and Phuket Islands my emotions were the same as that of Rose’s (Kate Winslet) in the 1997 super-hit film “Titanic”. It seemed unbelievable and I knew that this four-day trip is just going to be a fun-filled escapade!

The ship, for a little woman like me, seemed like a huge white monster almost touching the sky, with thousands of windows, unending corridors and numerous life-boats (the first thing I looked out for, especially after watching “Titanic” innumerable times!). On arriving, the ship’s mascots – a ‘lion’ and a ‘duck’ – and bikini-clad women, greeted us and also posed with us. I entered the main atrium which was no less than a five-star hotel’s reception with three golden horses prancing, and an orchestra playing in the background. I was spell-bound by the grandeur and opulence of the ship and set out for a tour around. But first, I went to see my room which had a perfect sea view, and sitting outside in the balcony I could feel the oceanic winds caress my face. Then I made my way to the top of the deck only to find the whole world on board! The deck had a swimming pool, jacuzzis, saunas, jet pools, gymnasium, mini golf course, basket-ball court, spa and fitness centre, kid’s pool, video arcade, shopping area, library, and what not! “I wouldn’t have a minute free!” I thought to myself after seeing those amazingly fun-filled ‘entertainment packages’.

On the following day, as I looked out for what to eat, I noticed that apart from the European cuisine, there was Indian cuisine as well which was very thoughtful and a commendable gesture on the crew’s part to cater to their guests’ liking. The ship housed various restaurants, be it the ubiquitous Taj Mahal, an Indian, Chinese, Italian or Japanese. So whatever ethnicity and culture the guest may have belonged to, they had a huge variety to choose from.....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

The viciousness of the Mumbai attacks expose a new security flank: an unguarded 7500 km of desolate coastline. Ranjit Bhushan reports.

The question is being asked against the background of the RAW intercept.

The Navy chief has other problems at hand. US Intelligence officials told the CNN that their government had warned India of a maritime attack on Mumbai. The message was conveyed twice, including once in the last week of October, 2008. Security was maintained for a week and then the guard was dropped since nothing happened during that period. “Indian officials are prone to look at short term gains and not the long term picture,” the American official told the CNN. The Navy chief has angrily refuted the charges saying ``there was no such RAW intercept which was handed over to us” and rather than a security lapse, it was a systems’ failure.


Certain things have emerged clearly for which the Navy needs to answer. It is the first line of defence in international waters and the Coast Guards come as a second line, so to obliquely hint that Coast Guard was unable to pick up the trail of the killers is to put the cart before the horse. In addition, sources say that there is a lot left to be desired as far as coordination between the Navy and Coast Guard is concerned.

Now that broom closets are being opened, the callous neglect of the country's coastal defences is coming into sharp focus. India has 7,516 kilometers of coasts and most of it remains unmanned.

Gujarat and Maharashtra police officials examining the trail taken by the killers have interviewed fishermen on the coastlines of two states and the story that is emerging is of a coastline without any police restrictions, frequent and unregistered entries of fishermen back and fro Pakistan, forgery of smart I-cards issued by the Gujarat government identifying the fishermen, which according to one account, was flashed by the killers on the kidnapped boat, Kuber when accosted by an unnamed Coast Guard patrol.....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

AMAZE: The world shows up! Retro reprise

In conversation with Marcia Barrett

What kind of music was Boney M influenced by?
I can’t speak for everyone but I was influenced by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Barbara Streisand and many others. I was influenced by a whole range of music before I started to sing.

How did the Boney M band come together?
I was a soloist earlier, I was an established vocalist in Germany, handling my own shows. I heard this producer was seeking people for his band, especially black people. I was a bit reluctant at first but then I decided that I should give it a break and I am glad I made that move.

How much of Boney M is in Marcia Barrett and how much of Marcia Barrett is in Boney M?
I would say quite a bit. My voice is there in most of Boney M music. I am a vital part of the sound of Boney M, and that’s what people buy even before the video is launched. I brought my know-how, how to sing – my gift from god – how to execute everything well with Boney M.

When you are on stage, do you still get the same response from the crowd as the yesteryears?
Yes, being the only Boney M member I get a great response from people. I feel that I’m the last one so I get the same enthusiasm from the audience. It is incredible, it feels great to see that people are happy to see at least one from the original group.

There must have been creative differences within the band; how did you cope with those?
No, it didn’t happen to us. We always had tons of writers. “Breakaway” was written for me specially. We never had a situation in which members would say that I would like to sing this or that. It was up to the record company. Soon you’ll hear my “Survival” album. It’s all from my personal experiences, when I was healing.

What changes do you see in the current music scenario?
I think they are more like “gilli gilli gilli” … (laughs) There are quite a few good artists. They are good in dancing and they have good bodies. On the whole, I am a little disappointed though. They tend to follow trends. They think if they are not like others, they are not in.

What keeps you busy besides touring?
There is a new CD coming up. I wish it was out soon so that my fans could know what we’re up to. It’s an exciting album and it’ll make people want to keep hearing Boney M......Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Intelligence speak: Needed, raw political will

Vikram Sood
Former RAW chief

The fidayeen attack on Mumbai is not only one of the biggest terror attacks in Indian history; it is the first of its kind. The terrorists have been misleading the media by claiming to be members of Hyderabad Mujahideen. The fact is that the audacious attack is part of a deep conspiracy against India that I am sure will gradually unravel. We are still to get the total picture.

This terror onslaught is much like the 1993 Mumbai serials blasts to avenge the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. These latest attacks were extremely well orchestrated and carried out with the help of foreign elements. My own feeling is that even the underworld could be involved. And of course nothing of this scale could have happened without liberal assistance from locals. The underworld must have provided them with the logistical support needed to carry these out. Now, after Afghanistan and Pakistan, it is the turn of India to become the terrorists’ target.

Among the questions that must be answered soon is how the terrorists were at all able to land in Mumbai with their huge arms caches. Also, how did they reach these hotels? Were they or were they not frisked by the security men posted there? An intensive probe is needed to ascertain just how the terrorists managed to sneak in. This is why I say that they were helped and protected by local elements. An attack of this complexity could simply not have been planned in a day. The terrorists must have come to Mumbai and been around for long enough to do a meticulous recce of the areas they targeted. What particularly baffles is why the police so miserably failed to get wind of their movements. There is thus a persistent question mark on the efficiency of the Mumbai police.....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Ring of confusion

Everyone knows that if you want to estimate the age of a tree, you count the number of rings that make up its trunk. But would you do the same thing if you wanted to estimate the age of the rings?! Rings of planet Saturn, that is. Scientists are trying to calculate the age of these mysterious rings, and have estimated it to be 100 million years old. They reason that since the rings are shiny and reflective, the particles they contain are young and therefore the rings themselves are very young. Others however feel that with the age of our solar system being much older (4.55 Billion years), Saturn’s rings can’t be such a recent development. Who’s right? Sit back – it’s going to take a while....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Astro-psephology: who will win?

Starting with 1998 elections, psephologists, and what can arguably be termed ‘swingologists’, who changed their predictions hourly as reports of vote counting came in, looking at a swing here or a curve there, have all failed. So have the exit polls. Not just that, each exit poll (depending on which news media house was doing it, may be) contradicted the other, all going wild and none scoring a point, let alone the bull’s eye. The classic example of exit poll malfunction was in 2004, when most polls gave Bharatiya Janata Party a sweep. Congress romped home in a coalition instead. Recent times has seen politicos increasingly looking up to the galaxies and their readers for predicting their futures. So TSI decided to give it a go. Here are some astrological predictions from famous fate readers, each contradicting the other, many contradicting themselves too! And let’s wait till the results to check out which wins: psephology or astrology.......Continue

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The Sunday Indian

The BJP’s five-year term in Madhya Pradesh has fired the imagination of a lot of people who are keen to contest on the party ticket

What is the main election plank in Madhya Pradesh?
It has to be Congress’ inertia; its complete failure at all the fronts. In fact, being an opposition party, Congress does not have any issue that it can raise against the government. In fact, it is unable to raise questions on the performance of the government.
Congress has leveled serious allegations against the government including her inability to stop crime against women, arrest the increase in communal skirmishes and hunger deaths among others…
What can I say on that? I mean the work done by the government is there for all to see. There is no doubt that BJP’s tenure has been exceptional.
BJP’s prospects in the state can take a hit with the entry of parties like Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Bhartiya Janashakti Party…
The state has witnessed a two-party struggle since 1962, I believe. And I am pretty sure it won’t change this time around too. In fact, this time too, only BJP and Congress are claiming to form the popular government. I mean there is no space for other parties here. Yes, they might gain a few seats here and there because of the delimitation. However, it is highly unlikely that they will be successful in increasing their share of vote.

But will it make a dent into BJP’s share of vote?
Some people get this bizarre idea that the party is dependent on an individual. BJP is a cadre based party. It is not a one family show. People who think like that are going to face a reality check in these elections. I am pretty sure that BJP will have a surprise return.

Do you have the cadres to take the message of the government?
Yes we do. We are ready. ...Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Bhattacharjee's pipe dream!

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's claim that his state is an island in the dark sea of law and order stands shattered. Union ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasad learnt this bitter lesson when they were returning after the foundation ceremony of Jindal Steel Works at Salboni, West Midnapur district, on October 26. Within 30 minutes of CM's departure from the site, a massive bomb blast took place, barely 20 metres away from the car carrying the ministers and JSW chairman Sajjan Kumar Jindal.

It is a measure of law and order failure that even after this, it was not the police which informed Bhattacharjee that his guests had been targetted. Rather, it was Paswan who called the CM up and told him. On November 3, Paswan sent a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking proper security, especially while travelling in West Bengal....Continue

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The Sunday Indian

Just a minute dmitry...

IIPM Publication

It was no accident that Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president, announced a fresh missile deployment within hours of Barack Obama's election as US president. It was an attempt to knock the new entrant off the nerve; however, it also underlined Russian position vis-à-vis US design to deploy missile shield in Eastern Europe – Russia’s playground since time immemorial. While it offered the Russian leader a chance to charm the domestic audience who have had enough of western bullying in years when Post-USSR Russia lied low after its cold war defeat; it is equally true that given the Democrats’ indisposition about the missile shield in comparison to the Republican hawks, Russia jumped gun too early this time around.

Over the years, in an endeavour to bolster NATO members in the east of reciprocal security guarantees, the US and other western NATO states have time and again infuriated dormant Russia. However, a blatantly one sided approach of the west on Georgian affair and proof of American provocation of its headstrong President Mikhail Saakashvili, has made Russia come out of its cocoon. Medvedev's military message was also intended to daunt the Poles and the Czechs, who are to host the bases for the Pentagon's silos for 10 ballistic missile interceptor rockets. The missile that has been finalised to be deployed in retaliation in Kaliningrad is Iskander-M......Continue

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Innovation or detonation?

When IIPM comes to education, never compromise

‘Take on anything’ is what the company believes in. Literally!

Bull’s eye is what every capitalistic entity aims for today, their arrow being their respective specialised competency! The $6 billion Mahindra Group is no different in this regard; its arrow – innovation. The group currently stands as the leading manufacturer of Utility Vehicles (UVs) in the country, ahead of many biggies. The company with its flagship auto manufacturing arm Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has forged its presence in five continents and has also established itself as a global player. Even in the face of competition, during 2007, M&M was rated amongst the top three auto majors in India as per a customer satisfaction survey. Today, M&M commands a stunning 44.8% market share in the UV category, which despite having slipped by 1.5% in the first half of 2007 as compared to first half of 2006 is to say the least comprehensive for a giant which has over 62 years of manufacturing experience to boast about. Today, the Mahindra Group has built a strong base in technology, engineering, marketing and distribution, elements which stand key to its evolution as a innovation and a customer-driven behemoth. Recently, M&M also launched the new ‘Mahindra Bolero Limited Edition’ where 4Ps B&M caught up with Vivek Nayer, Vice President – Marketing Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

4Ps B&M: What is the motive behind your latest launch of the Bolero ‘Limited Edition’ in the market?

Vivek Nayer (VN): Customer is on the constant lookout for something innovatively different. That’s why we have launched this model with customised differences in the aesthetics.

4Ps B&M: What is your target audience market for this new variant of Bolero?

VN: We are targeting at the urban-youth, mostly in the metros because they can easily connect with this car. Considering that there are only 1000 units available and that there is immense craze for SUVs among the youth, it should work well.

4Ps B&M: M&M is planning to come up with a new launch, the ‘Bolero Spykar’ during 2008. What difference would it make to the company? VN: Frankly, I am not aware about it till now. However, there is always something new happening. Last year, we took out a variant of the Bolero, which increased our sales by 35%. We would hope for anything along similar lines from future launches!

4Ps B&M: What about future plans?

VN: With M&M you can always expect more and more innovation in the market – it’s the name of the game.

Edit bureau: Pawan Chabra

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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