Leadership for the 21st Century: Charlie Rose moderates

New Harvard Business School dean an Indian

Dean's Council, Know ISB - Indian School of Business

http://www.isb.edu/knowisb/Deans_Council.Shtml
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/Chicago-business-school-names-Indian-American-as-dean/articleshow/6232016.cms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkSS6WSODvc
http://www.dnaindia.com/academy/report_iim-a-job-tougher-harvard-business-school-dean_1416417


It is a great feeling to hear about more and more Indian Academicians are taking charge as Deans of leading B-Schools in USA, the latest being Dr Sunil Kumar named the Dean of Chicago Business School in July 2010.

In India, the concept or title of Dean and Director are used typically IIMs, and schools like TAPMI, there could be more than one Dean - say for Academics, Administration, Planning & Development, etc., - all reporting to the Director who is the head of the Institution. But, look at the above links regarding the set up in Indian School of Business, Hyderabad which is at the top 12 level in the World's B-Schools. The Dean heads the Institute and there are a chain of Deputy Deans, Associate Deans, Asst Deans and Directors for several responsibility areas. Similar was the set up in Alliance Business School where I worked for three years as a Professor cum Registrar. It was then headed by Hon. Dean supported by Senior Associate Dean, Associate Deans and Assistant Deans. Director was operating from a remote area. No doubt, all these titles and designations, if not spelt out in a well defined Organisational chart, lead to confusion among faculty, staff and students too.

Men of Steel : Indian Business Leaders

I developed a new habit of late; to buy non-fiction books from Airport shops while travelling to places and read them keenly during waiting period and afterwards.  One of them is 'Men of Steel : India's Business Leaders in candid conversation - with Vir Sanghvi', which I picked up in Hyderabad Airport on 8th August.

Sanghvi interviewed all these men on TV and compiled in to a book during 2005.  Those covered include 01. Ratan Tata-Chairman-Tata Group, 02. Nandan Nilekani-MD & CEO-Infosys-Bangalore, 03. Kumar Mangalam Birla-Chairman-Aditya Birla Group, 04. Sunil Bharti Mittal-Chairman & MD-Bharti Group, 05.Rajeev Chandrasekhar-Former Chairman & CEO-BPL Mobile-Bangalore, 06. Azim Premji-Chairman & MD-Wipro Ltd-Bangalore, 07. Subhash Chandra-Chairman-Zee Telefilms and Essel Group, 08. Uday Kotak-Vice Chairman & MD-Kotak Group of Companies, 09. Bikki Oberoi-Vice Chairman & MD-East India Hotels-Mumbai, 10. Nusli Wadia - Chairman-Wadia Group of Companies-Mumbai, and 11.  Vijay Mallya-Chairman-UB Group-Bangalore - all of whom had tasted success in business in modern India before and after the Economic Reforms and opening up of Indian economy with LPG.

Each one of the above businessman have his own special traits.  All of them underwent tough times in life and business. Vir Sanghvi's interviews are candid and straight.  He probes into their deep thoughts and writes for our benefit in this book.  The back cover page says 'Nobody who wants to understand the contours of the Indian success story can afford not to read this book.  It is a highly readable insight into the new India.'

PIB Press Release

PIB Press Release

It is heartening to know about Government recognisig successful MSMEs and awarding them too. Also interesting is the categories like women, SC/ST, North-Eastern units, etc. If only such awards were given away on the Independence Day - the 15th August, the entire nation would have witnessed the event over Television. Better late than never!

The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka to run pilot project for core banking solutions

The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka to run pilot project for core banking solutions

Unbelievable. Fantastic. Amazing. All these words are insufficient to appreciate latest development in postal services. CBS took long years to stabilise in the banking system. Software, hardware problems, manpower shortages, lack of continuous power, and network problems were hindering CBS to be introduced in a big way in the banks in India. It took long years, of course and yet they can not declare to have this facility full-fledged.

At this juncture, if Post Office could think of offering CBS facility on a pilot basis this year (that too in 50% offices in Karnataka) and gradually expanding to all-India in 2012, is a wonderful news. Let us wait and see the transformation.

The Hindu Business Line : Relax terms for promoter funds in debt recast, say banks

The Hindu Business Line : Relax terms for promoter funds in debt recast, say banks

Non-Performing Assets have always been a pain point for Banks in India. When the overall governance of banks was in a pretty unorganised with focus on branch expansion and liberal credit disbursement in the name of loan melas and other poverty alleviation schemes, banks had no control whatsoever on the defaulters. Those days, it was an accounting mechanism to declare bad and chronic accounts and provisions were made by each bank as per their own policies.

Economic Reforms and Banking Sector Reforms during the early nineties transformed the working of all types of banks. Definition of NPAs were spelt out for the first time in 1993 along with Prudential Norms and IRAC guidelines. In the beginning it was four quarters or 360 days dues that were considered to be declared as NPAs. Year after year focus was on streamlining this aspect thus bringing down to 90 days dues being treated as NPA in 2004, which is the international standards. Also, the provisioning norms were also spelt out by the RBI even for Standard Assets. Besides, DRTs were created and later followed by write off / compromise settlements were encouraged as One Time Settlements. BIFR was set up to speed up relief to the banks in handling bad loans.

Next stage was that of enacting SARFAESI law in 2002 alongwith creation of Asset Reconstrution Companies and Securitisation Companies to handle the NPAs differently. CDR was a via media to help those deserving and needy defaulters with additional funds. The recent development is a good gesture by the banking system in India to help such genuine defaulters with support in a phased manner which is laudable.

Friends of Mumbai

My trip to Mumbai for a brief three days - 27th to 29th August, 2010 was very fruitful. I could not see any of my old friends in Mumbai in my last visit in April for Admissions to TAPMI's PGP 2010. 

On the first day, 27th I met Shri D Anjaneyulu of RBI (retd ED) at his home after a long gap of at least seven years.  Vatsala, my niece accompanied me and we spent over two hours with their family discussing so many things in Mumbai, the bank, the academic field, the relationship, the family members and all.

Next day was hectic in IMC, Churchgate in a Workshop on Ramakrishna Bajaj Quality Awards 2011.  Dr Geeta Bharadwaj was the resource person and it was interestig to sit alongwith about 25 members of the academic community.  The cross section was from primary, secondary, higher secondary, technical, management schools, Distance Education, School for Deaf (also referred as Challenged) and some service providers.  Mostly they were from Mumbai and a few from Pune, Thane, Kalyan, Bangalore, Kolkata and me from Manipal. 

End of the day I roamed around in Churchgate and Nariman Point to recall my years of life in Mumbai (1984-1993).  Thank God, it was not raining heavily on all those days.  By evening, I reached Borivali (took a local train from Churchgate) to see my old and ailing friend Mr Kajal Kumar Chatterjee (ex-SBI colleague).  I met Mr Uday Godse (also retired from SBI) there and also spoke over phone with Mr Ketan Vakil.  During our chit-chat, we recalled several names from junior level to Chairmen of SBI.  It was not enough to reminisce in such a short time; but I returned home for Dinner.  Next day (29th Aug - Sunday), I returned to Mangalore/Manipal.  Sai was moving from Mumbai to Delhi and was with me in Mumbai too.

Saina Nehwal conferred Khel Ratna

Saina Nehwal conferred Khel Ratna
'Bank Ratna' Awards for Best Performers?
Also, "Teacher of The Year" for Professors??

Congratulations to Saina Nehwal. At a time when Sania has shifted from Hyderabad/India to our neighbouring country after marriage, we were badly looking for an alternative. Saina has emerged in Badminton to bring glory to Hyderabad / India. She deserves the much coveted award of Khel Ratna. It is customary for the Government to confer Padma Awards on Politicians / Scientists / Artistes / Industrialists / Sportsmen and so on every year which number is increasing gradually. Similarly, defence personnel are also recognised with several decorations - right from a Jawan to the Chiefs of the three wings - sometimes even posthumously.

And then, these sportsmen and women too are recognised with awards like Khel Ratna or Arjuna Awards (besides of course, Padma Awards too, some times). All these winners have prove their mettle in their respective fields, earn money as also name and fame. Every award or prize takes them higher and higher and motivates to do better.

My observation is that the PSUs are also conferred the Navaratna Awards. There was a Committee headed by Dr Khandelwal to recognise the PSBs in India with such Ratna Awards. So far there is no movement in the Government's decision. SBI was considered very highly and was recommended to be given Maha Ratna Award. In fact, on similar lines, the Committee should have also recommended to recognise individual Officials (not CMDs of course) who excel consistently for at least five years, be awarded Bank Ratna in their respective Banks.

In the Academic field also, say in the B-Schools of high order in the country, we should be thinking of instituting "Teacher of the Year" Award to be conferred on September 05 every year. Such practices and incentives would definitely lead to healthy competition and motivate them to perform better in their respective fields.

The Hindu Business Line : Apex bank's income nearly halves

The Hindu Business Line : Apex bank's income nearly halves

I was always wondering why when all Commercial Banks follow the Financial / Accounting Year from April to March complying with the Income Tax Act and/or Indian Companies Act, the big brother, banker to the banker, banker to the government and regulator of banking in India, the RBI follows different period, ie., July to June. It is not understandable that even when all the States and Central Government also follow April to March as Financial Year.

I was told by a very senior Official of RBI that it has been the tradition to reckon the agricultural season July to June (as followed by the Cooperatives) as the basis for this practice. I also believe that this was decided over seventy years back (prior to independence). But, Banks in India were following Jan to December (may be British system) as their Financial Year till seventies and are now complying with Indian system. The RBI deals with all the Banks in the country and Government reg their Cash Balances, Current Accounts, Cheque Clearances, Investments in SLR, Capital Adequacy, Foreign Exchange dealings, Govt payments / accounts, Mint activities, SDRs, Issue and investment of Bonds, Interest Rate mechanism and so on, why not RBI too align with the same accounting period?

I am also surprised that when financial health of most of the Banks in the country is improving in the year 2009/2010 over the previous year 2008 (recession), how come almost all the performance indicators of RBI are on the downside? I am also not too sure whether the accounts and achievements of RBI are discussed in Parliament or by CAG. It is essential and calls for introspection that the leader should be a model in its own performance.

PSU banks lent Rs 35K cr to agri sector

PSU banks lent Rs 35K cr to agri sector

The first quarter comprises the months of April-May-June and the banks' performance in agricultural lending is not noteworthy. When the annual target is at Rs. 3,75,000 crores, the three months prior to the Kharif period / monsoon is merely less than ten per cent at Rs. 35,000 crores only between all three types of banks - commercial, cooperative and regional rural banks. May be in the next quarter ie., July-August-September, would absorb higher amounts both for working capital as also term loans in agricultural sector. We should wait and watch.

The Hindu Business Line : Banking on credit bureaus

The Hindu Business Line : Banking on credit bureaus

Indian Banking System was badly wanting the services of a credit information agency for long years, in the absence of which credit decisions could not be taken scientifically. Earlier, the relationship between a banker and its customer were that of a trust; neither depositors nor borrowers information could be shared by a bank with any other agency, excepting Govt Departments like Courts, Tax authorities, or RBI.

That was taken advantage of by the errant or wilful defaulters all these years. Today, the scenario has changed completely with the advent of technology and amendments to the legal provisions. Credit Information Bureau of India Limited, is a recent organisation started in 2005 with the support of agencies like Dun and Bradstreet. CIBIL deals with both the Individuals as also Corporates and their information.

This development has definitely given much relief to Banks in India. They are now able to take accurate credit decisions because of the availability of credit information as also the system of credit scoring mechanism. It is only expected that all the banks, non-banks and other financial institutions in the country become members of CIBIL and share complete information on all types of borrowers so that credit and repayment culture would be more and more scientific and healthy.

Brading of TAPMI, etc...

Branding of TAPMI, etc..

It is over a year that I was handling a portfolio of Branding, etc of TAPMI, Manipal.  I was not sure as to how go about as regards, budgets, committee decisions, competition, etc.  I was just watching all these days in Faculty Meetings and Committee Discussions whenever they discuss about TAPMI as a brand.

Four months back, during summer of 2010 all the committee heads and members were announced by our Director and I continued to be the Chairman of Branding, Promotion, B-School Ranking Surveys, Website and Exteneral Communications Committee.  I have a few senior colleagues as members in the Committee.  Only last week, I called for a meeting for a comprehensive meeting but nothing concrete has come out.  We neet to deliberate about branding of TAPMI in a professioal manner.

B-School or Management Institute?

I have been working as a Professor and Academic Administrator since May 1999.  First, it was TAPMI, Manipal  between 1999 and 2006 as an Associate Professor & Chairman-Admissions, and rejoining in June 2009 as a Professor after having a break for less than three years in Alliance Business School, Bangalore as a Professor and Registrar.  I often hear students and friends referring these employers as a  B-School (may be American way) or a Management Institute (Indian way) but some others call it as an MBA College too.

A friend and colleague of mine tried to distinguish these two connotations in one of his research papers on Management Education.  I am somehow not convinced that there is any difference in these two terminologies. But, I certainly feel uncomfortable when some one refers it as an MBA College (may be under the University system in India, is is acceptable if not inevitable).  Generally, there is also enough of confusion between MBA and PGDM.  While MBA is an universal phenomenon and is well known for over forty plus years, PGDM is again the Indian version under autonomous set up.  First, it was IIMs that gave this PGDM a good standing, and later many private and autonomous institutes too proliferated it into even sectoral names like PGDM in Finance, Marketing, HR, etc., or Insurance Management, Bank Management, Risk Management, Pharmaceutical Management, Textile Management, Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, Healthcare Management, Event Management, Petroleum Management, Plantation Management, Rural Management, Advertising Management and so on.  I also heard yesterday about a PG Diploma in Educational Management being offered by some Institutes.   Again, there is an Institute in Pune offering a program for those who are choosing a career in politics.  There are institutes like IIFT, New Delhi offering a prestigeous program in Foreign Trade Management; MICA is offering Communications and Advertisement and so on.

All said and done, LPG policy of the Government seems to have opened up several opportunities to all these educational entrepreneurs to go on proliferating management institutes whether under direct supervision of AICTE or UGC.  Accreditation has become a commodity in high demand and all sorts of ill-practices have come in the system.  Cheap publicity is being resorted to by some Institutes which have no or low standing. Cut-throat competition has set in the Indian Management Education field by which even the IIMs have resorted to increase in their intake to such large numbers of 120 students per class.  A friend of mine compares such class-rooms as a Swamiji's popular Yoga Show without bothering whether the audience could follow anything or not.  And now the recent fad is collaboration or exchanges with Foreign Universities.  Added to is the policy of Government to invite more and more Foreign Universities to open their shops in education.  God knows in which direction this post-graduate professional education is heading to.

BankBazaar : Personal loan lender Andhra Bank launches its financial inclusion plan in full swing

BankBazaar : Personal loan lender Andhra Bank launches its financial inclusion plan in full swing

For some reason or the other, may be due its name, Andhra Bank was always considered as a regional bank although it was nationalised in the year 1980 (2nd nationalisation by GOI). Initially, it was headquartered in Masulipatnam in Krishna Dist of Andhra Pradesh. During late sixties, the management shifted this bank to the State Capital of Hyderabad against stiff objections from its staff and customers. It was the duo of Shri Kalluri Gopala Rao (Chairman) and Shri M V Subba Rao (General Manager) - there was no concept of CMD or EDs in sixties and seventies in the banking system - that the bank was taken to greater heights year after year.

Even after becoming a public bank, some how it was treated as a regional bank (same is the case with others like Vijaya, Syndicate, et al in the public sector or Vysya or Karnataka in private sector). It was one of the earliest to have introduced Credit Cards in association with VISA in India. The bank has grown big at national level but has never thought of becoming a global player. It is interesting to read this news item that Andhra Bank is referred as a Personal Loan lender now.

Financial Inclusion is the primary responsibility of GOI, RBI and PSBs in India. And then, private and foreign banks would follow.

SBI Way or TAPMI Way?

Having read the two books IBM Way and McKinsey Way, I just got a flash thought.  Why not me too write a book - either SBI Way or TAPMI Way? 

Well, I spent over 21 years between 1971 and 1993 and learnt many things.  I made my career from a junior employee to a Senior Management Official and worked in remote rural branches, Agricultural Development Branches like Anantapur, Jangaon and Wardhannapet, District Head Quarter Branches like Masulipatnam and Sangareddy (Medak Dt), Main Branches like Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Vizag - all in Andhra Pradesh, of course and then in Regional Office-Region II, Hyderabad before landing in Central Office-Mumbai (over 8 years).  It was a wonderful grinding and learning experience, indeed. 

SBI is a great and dynamic organisation with over 10,000 branches with exposure in about 40 foreign countries, having about 3 lacs employees, a very well structured organisational set up, delegation / communication and standards.  May be because of its legacy from Imperial Bank of India (1955).  With its long past glory and history as also its wide operations, I consider myself a pigmy to even think of writing on SBI.  In the past, wizards like Amiya Bagchi wrote a few volumes on the history of the bank.

TAPMI is the second longest association I have (ten years) in my four decades career.  While SBI was a hands on experience, TAPMI being a clone of IIMs and a leading B-School from western India, catering to students from all over India.  It has its own best practices and standards.  Its students and Faculty are so dynamic and alumni are always progressing in their professional career.  Let me decide on.......

New Direct Tax Code: Pay less in taxes from April 2011

New Direct Tax Code: Pay less in taxes from April 2011

What a relief to the salaried class! Thanks to the economic reforms followed by others like taxation, land, industrial relations, power sector, banking sector reforms in India since 1991. This is yet another milestone in Taxation reforms that one has incentive to earn and save besides of course spending instead of ending up with shelling out tax payment. Generally, the pain starts from October month onwards for tax planning. And in the three months of Jan-March, it is hell. Follow the next three-four months of collecting various deduction certificates and filing the return with some more payments!

Direct Tax Code should give the tax payers some comfort to know where he or she stands. At least, looking at the inflation and rising prices, every year all middle class people, be it salaried class or businessmen or professionals, eagerly wait for the Finance Minister to offer some sops in his budget speech; but every time gets disappointed. The facilities offered are never commensurate with the efforts and earnings. Another funny experience is that on a Fixed Deposit kept with a bank for say five years, the interest accumulates (but not paid immediately) in the bank's books; they deduct 10% TDS but while finalising the return the Tax Payer ends up paying over 30% on a future income that is going to be received. It is pinching but has no remedy.

That is way, it is said that Death and Taxes are inevitable; you can escape; you can evade; you may not avoid; you may at best manage.

Vision and Mission | Ashoka.org

Vision and Mission Ashoka.org

Generally, we all think that Entrepreneurship is taking its roots only after economic reforms in India. The aspect of Social Entrepreneurship is equally a new topic for many. If only we go back to history, Dhirubhai started dreaming at a very young age of sixteen-seventeen when he was working in a petrol pump as an attendant in a foreign land - Yemen at least some fifty years back. So also, if we read about M S Oberoi who was also a junior employee in a Hotel in Simla and later became its owner, built a chain of Oberoi Hotels in India and abroad.

Many a times we get mixed up between Entrepreneurs and Social Entrepreneurs. Interestingly, Social Entrepreneurship also seems to be over thirty years old concept. Look at the site - www.ashoka.org - the organisation called ASHOKA was formed in 1980 in USA. And, it was extended to India, as early as 1981 to identify its Fellows. Unbelievable.

The Hindu Business Line : New India seeks to use banking correspondents

The Hindu Business Line : New India seeks to use banking correspondents

Wow, this is another step after Bancassurance. While Microfinance is shaping well in India, New India is moving towards Micro-Insurance.

Mother Teresa's birth centenary

Mother Teresa's birth centenary

Here is a report on Mother Teresa's centenary in photos remembered by press. Any amount of writing on her life and sacrifice / service to the poor and downtrodden in a foreign land (India) which took her to win a Nobel Prize would be not enough. Such individuals or icons are rare and to be remembered for generations.

Whistle Blowers...

Whistle Blowers in Organisations

Last week, while handling a session in the Business Management Kompass 101 to Executives of Oracle, in New Delhi (NOIDA) on Accounting/Finance/Corporate Governance, I referred to Whistle Blowing in Organisations.  Thereafter, I was thinking of working more and more on this aspect but forgot.

Today, I laid my hands on wikipedia to find out something about Whistle Blowers.  In our childhood or school days, we used to call it "Who will bell the Cat?".  No doubt, it is a risky job within an organisation or society for that matter.  One should be prepared to received bouques and also brick bats for any such action.  Not always whistle blowing is appreciated or received in good sense.  Many a times, it will boom-rang on you.  But, it is our duty to work on this and do justice when you feel that some thing is not alright.

The Hindu Business Line : Micro-finance bodies may need to raise Rs 20,000 cr

The Hindu Business Line : Micro-finance bodies may need to raise Rs 20,000 cr

It is for the first time, I came to know that there are about 3,000 Microfinance Institutions in this country. Are they organised or operating like a legitimate Private Money Lender? They have got to be supervised and monitored, because it is reported that generally these MFIs charge interest rate between 20 to 30 per cent. The law proposed to regulate MFIs by NABARD is awaiting nod from the Parliament. In the meantime, there is a danger of mushrooming of MFIs and making money from the gullible, innocent, illiterate rural women and poor.

SC slams India Inc on loan default

SC slams India Inc on loan default

Indian banking system went through many trial and tribulations during eighties. After two nationalisations of banks in 1969 and 1980, they were subjected to all types of experimentation - be it in branch expansion, rural posting of Officials, directed lending, debt waivers and so on. The result of bad repayment culture because all the borrowers began thinking on easy terms and chose to become wilful defaulters. Come nineties, the first attack as part of the economic reforms was the much harrassed banks. Productivity, Profitability, Efficiency, Computerisation, Customer Orientation, Transparency of Balance Sheets, etc have taken upstage suddenly.

Thanks to the policy of LPG, the regulators defined NPAs and announced the provisioning norms. It was tightened gradually from dues of 4 quarters being NPAs in 1993 to 90 days in 2004 in a phased manner. Creation of special tribunals called DRT was partially successful during the nineties. Then came the stringent law of SARFAESI Act, 2002 after series of consultations in India and abroad. Unfortunately, Mardia Chemicals Ltd of Gujarat challenged some provisions and it took two more years to refine the Act in 2004. At last, the lender has the right to repossess the assets from a defaulter. Definitely, the bankers hands were strengthened to bring down the NPAs level from 15% of the loans in the nineties to a low level of 3% in recent times. This also conforms the requirement of recommendations of a Committee on Capital Account Convertibility headed twice by SS Tarapore, former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India.

In the instant case, the defaulters appearing to be playing the same old dirty tricks of seeking protection under the prolonged legal system. Hence, the Supreme Court decision is very apt in putting to rest such dilatory tactics. Such judgements would certainly bring in a healthy credit and repayment culture in the country and help bankers to move ahead in lending to the needy borrowers liberally.

The Hindu Business Line : Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Hindu Business Line : Wednesday, August 25, 2010

RBI, these days, seem to be monitoring the banks in India closely. Also, it is maintaining close relations with banks in other countries....

RBI's Annual Report 2010

RBI's Annual Report : 01 July 2009 to 30 June 2010

It is interesting to note that RBI's Financial Year ends on 30th June while all the Commercial Banks in the country close their accounts on the 31st March.  This year's report has been released by RBI yesterday and here is the link as above.  We may go through the details for an integrated picture of banking in India today.

I came to know that besides a Governor, four Deputy Governors (two are female members), RBI has seven Executive Directors in its administration.  It is also interesting to know that RBI has set up three Colleges viz., Centre for Advanced Learning  (formerly Bankers Training College) in Mumbai, College of Agricultural Banking-Pune, Reserve Bank Staff College-Chennai.

No doubt it is a very important document of 199 pages, with useful data and information for all the bankers, researchers, academicians, management students, policy makers, regulators and finance sector players too. The next document to follow from RBI is Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2010 likely to be released in November 2010 with all analysis.

Mother Teresa's Centenary Today

Tomorrow, the 26th August is the 101st birth day of Mother Teresa. She completes one hundred years today.  The Week of Malayala Manorama Group, brought out a Special Issue in her honour.

Brief details of her life and achievements on pages 36-37 reveal a high profile saint who was born on August 26, 1910 in Scopje (now the Capital of Macedonia) and had her maiden name as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. Just after 18, on Sept 25, 1928 she left home to join the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish order with missions in India. She arrived in Calcutta on Jan 06, 1929 to begin her novitiate in Darjeeling in May. She went on working as a School Teacher in St Mary's and became Principal too in 1944.  She became an Indian Citizen in 1948 and continued to work for society.  Mother Teresa had heart attacks thrice and died on Sept 05, 1997.

She received several awards in India and abroad. Mother Teresa was awarded Padmashri in 1962 and also Raman Magsaysay Award for International Understanding in the same year.  She was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and Bharat Ratna in 1980 besides several other appreciations. It is one of those rare personalities we have to remember and understand if not emulate to work for others.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amazing is the power of technology and net. Google, Bingo, Soople or any other search engines are so much useful and informative to today's younger generation to access information and enrich their studies. Those were the days when we were young and students, we were struggling to buy books, visit libraries, subscribe managizens or news papers and so on. With emergence of internet and mobile technology besides note books / laptops, today we can access any information any time any where. I envy the twenty-first century generation really.

Wikipedia has all the meanings and definitions besides past data on so many events. One interesting feature of this site is that we can even make changes, additions or corrections, if we are confident of the information pertaining to any of the items already loaded. Today, when I click for the site, it throws up all the past events of historical importance on the date, August 22, 2010. Very interesting, indeed.

Jagjit Singh Live Concert - 7

I posted the first clipping a few days back and got immersed in travel and work.  Today, some how I stole some time to listen through the rest of six in the series and took time to upload all of them.  Like to listen to this series again and again.  It is a God's gift that such a talented singer is amidst us. Please enjoy.....CP

Life Story Jagjit Singh - 6 - Live In Concert

Life Story Jagjit Singh - 5 - Live In Concert

Life Story Jagjit Singh - 4 - Live In Concert

Life Story Jagjit Singh 3 - Live In Concert

Jagjit Singh life story - 2 - Live In Concert

The Hindu Business Line : Banks tread cautiously on floating rate deposits

The Hindu Business Line : Banks tread cautiously on floating rate deposits

Risk is inherent and in-built in any business including banking business. Banks in India were for long years regulated and regimented. Commercial Banks were almost treated as Development Banks after the two nationalisations in 1969 and 1980. But, what was the outcome? For all that development-oriented, rural and directed lending they resorted to in the seventies and eighties, in particular the PSBs ended up with huge losses and Non Performing Assets in the nineties when rules of the game changed.

Most of them were declared either non-profitable or non-productive, if not overtly but silently with the introduction of prudential norms. CRR, SLR, CAR and other parameters were seriously revised thanks to Narasimham Committee Report. Balance Sheets were never so transparent as they are in the post reforms era. Interest Rates were deregulated with minimum prescriptions and Asset Liability Management (also Risk Management) was introduced in a gradual manner when branch licencing was done with and computerisation set in a big way towards the end of the century.

Nearly two decades after the financial sector reforms, a typical level playing field has emerged again in the modern set up. PSBs, old and new Private Banks as also Foreign Banks are in stiff competition with their tools and techniques sharpened, manpower revamped and fully trained, technology support fully set in to handle their individual banks extend best customer service and offer best of products and services at attractive rates of interest. No doubt, India exhibited its robustness withstanding three or four major financial scams during the reforms period domestically or globally. They could absorb shocks of recessions and downturns but were not closed down as in USA.

This is a new challenge banks are taking by offering floating rate fixed deposit schemes. That is the real meaning of deregulation. While floating rate housing loans are in vogue for over a decade, why not fixed deposits too? If three banks have come forward to experiment this mechanism, RBI should close to ensure that no unhealthy practices are resorted to. And, SBI being the leader of the pack can certainly jump into such innovations beause of its size of balance sheet and assets. If others like Bank of India and IDBI Bank would like to follow the leader, let them. Let the respective managements prove their management skills and handle the funds profitably under the new scheme.

Kabhi Kabhi climex2

Kabhi Kabhi is one of those early triangular love stories film of 1975 when all three Amitabh, Shashi and Rakhi were in their heights.  Rishi and Neetu Singh were juniors before these three.  It is very difficult to sustain love or friendship after years due to changes in everybody's life.  It is equally difficult to understand the minds of Shayars.  And here, these two were Businessmen.  Amitabh-Rakhi were college mates in the story but circumstances change that she gets married to Shashi Kapoor.   But meeting old friends after a very long gap and getting into reminiscences............... Each of the songs, scenes and dialogues are worth millions.

The Hindu Business Line : Fraud averted, bank official held

The Hindu Business Line : Fraud averted, bank official held

What a sad news? UCO bank was in a very bad shape about a decade back alongwith two other nationalised banks - Indian and United Banks. It was Govenment's gesture and RBI's tolerance that they three got second life instead of getting closed down. The employees would have been on roads without jobs or incomes let alone reputation. How the hell the branch manager could venture to collude with these fraudulent men of Pothina Technologies for such a huge fraud?

After all, Vizag and Vijayawada are four hours away and any one can easily trace the transactions and their authenticity. That too, a cheque on another public sector bank - IDBI. It is time such criminals and culprits are booked and hanged publicly so that no bank official in future dares or dreams of getting into such malicious activities.

The Champion of CHAMPIONS - SBI

Colleague - a Quarterly House Magazine of State Bank Group - vol. XXXXV no.4 of March 2010, on its cover page carries these words.  This issue covers the best performing Best Managers - one from each Circle (it has 14 Circles all over India) for the year 2008-09 and 14 Best performing Asst General Managers for the same year.  These managers are all taken to Chairman's Club too.

SBI itself could call as Champion of Champions too. For what?  Of course, its annual results 2009-10 and continued performance in the first quarter 2010-11 released recently.  It is also referred as the "Banker to Every Indian".  No doubt at all. I am eagerly waiting for the day GOI accepts the recommendations of Khandelwal Committee to declare SBI as Maharathna Bank of India!

That is the working of a World Class Public Sector Institution on commercial lines.  SBI has best practices in business development, human resources development and product innovation.  It is reported that SBI offers as many as 224 products to its variety of customers in rural, urban and metro branches.  I surely the miss SBI even after 17 years of leaving the service in April 1993. 

The Hindu Business Line : Growth in advances boosts APCOB net profit

The Hindu Business Line : Growth in advances boosts APCOB net profit

Commendable job indeed, APCOB. At a time when Commercial Banks (Public, Private and Foreign) are competing on a healthy platform to be the best operators and service providers to all types of customers in the country, APCOB is setting an example as a model cooperative bank despite witnessing confusing state of political affairs in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The management team deserves all appreciation.

Surprisingly, AP was one of the states besides Karnataka and Maharashtra, where private cooperative banks have failed in last decade. The products being offered by the banking system has undergone a drastic change in the post reforms era. Technology has been playing a very dominant role in determing the working style and culture of all types of banks in India.

‘Giving back to the society’- TAPMI making a difference on the 63rd Independence Day « The TAPMI Blog

‘Giving back to the society’- TAPMI making a difference on the 63rd Independence Day « The TAPMI Blog

TAPMIans are par excellence in demonstrating their talents and commitment outside the class rooms too. This year's Blood Donation Camp on Aug 15 witnessed 62 voluntary donors of blood for a good cause. It was well perceived that TAPMIans (especially the students of PGP) understand CSR obligations and render such yeomen services like blood donation, opening of a Library in a nearby school and so on. We shall continue this wonderful tradition through Student Committees like SEG, Welfare Committee, etc. My sincere and honest compliments to all TAPMIans.

Banking

Banking

My favourite site or institution is not only SBI. India Brand Equity Foundation is one site I would like to see as frequently as possible. It is always updated and throws up lots of information on India Inc in various industry lines and sectors with most authentic data.

From the above link, the page speaks about Indian Banking Industry, RBI as regulator as well as development oriented institution for banks in India, as also SBI as a brand. Figures speak for itself. Click and read...I am eagerly waiting for the day when SBI is declared by the GOI as a Maharatna Bank to make the whole world know about the special features.

The Hindu Business Line : SBI to launch floating rate term deposit product

The Hindu Business Line : SBI to launch floating rate term deposit product

Only today morning, I wrote in my blog a triple-news on SBI. And by evening, I got two more news items on SBI again. One is about the bank introducing a new product - floating rate term deposit going by the market conditions. The details could be had from the link above. I also remember to have read somewhere in the net that SBI has 224 products for its customers. This should be the 225th item now. What a great special and innovative bank?

State Bank plans to issue bonus shares

State Bank plans to issue bonus shares

The leader is in news again. SBI was formed in 1955 under a special act for converting Imperial Bank of India. Majority portion of its Share Capital is with the Government of India. Every time a corporate decision be it for capitalisation or merger with its own subsidiaries like SB of Indore, SB of Saurashtra, etc., the matters are referred to Parliament for discussions and amendments and so on.

However, SBI is in news this week for three reasons. First the amendment to the Act to enable issue of Bonus Shares. It is also planning for issue of Rights Shares by this year end, it is reported. Next, this week SBI increased its deposit and lending rates too. Please refer to all leading news papers / finance pages for details.http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/08/17/stories/2010081753610100.htm Finally, the bank also released its Q1 results with over 25% increase in its performance!

B-School Rankings for 2010

One more B-Schools Ranking results for 2010 were announced partially (only top-ten) on 14th (Saturday) August 2010 at the first annual Indian Management Conclave 2010 for B-School Teachers, Book Publishers, Research Organisations, et al.  Today (the 16th Aug), the complete list of 80 B-Schools.  the organisers http://www.mbauniverse.com/ are a special agency catering to B-Schools Students and Teachers.

Of the country's over 2,000 B-Schools, it is interesting to note that only top 100 responded with data.  Of this only 80 were found to be suitable.  On 14th Aug top 10 were declared in the Conclave.  Obviously, IIM-A was the topper of the list. It was followed by IIM-Calcutta, IIM-Indore, IIFT, XLRI, NITIE, IIM-Kozhikode, SP Jain IMR-Mumbai, MDI-Gurgaon, and XIM-Bhubaneswar and the list goes down up to the rank of 80th B-School.  TAPMI-Manipal is at 21st position.  I am neither happy nor unhappy at this result.  Certainly there are some surprises above and below TAPMI.  Please click here for the full list: http://www.mbauniverse.com/business-schools/mba-rankings-comparative-business-school-rankings.php


If only the agency representatives visit the campuses of at least ten per cent (8 Schools other than IIMs, MDI, XLRI or IIFT), I would have appreciated because, seeing is believing.  The sample size of over 1,000 students is not very encouraging.  The first year students finished their annual exams and were mostly in the industry training for internship.  The number should have been at least 10,000 when each year nearly 3,00,000 students appear for CAT/MAT/XAT/IIFT and other entrance exams for MBA education.  It was done on-line during the summer vacation months of April-May when more number of students could have responded.  Besides, aspirants and applicants who have faced GD/PIs of different B-Schools also would have participated.  Similarly, the respondents in Recruiters is also not properly declared.

As it is there are enough surveys and rankings in Indian scene.  Business India, Business Today, Business World, Outlook and other magazines carry out this exercise annually for over a decade.  This year, some new entrants are CRISIL, Dun&Bradstreet, MBA Universe.com, The Week magazine and Career-360.  AIMA, Business World and Dalal Street bring out B-Schools Directories every year.  The ultimate aim of all these exercises is to guide the aspirants and recruiters as also to develop a healthy competition in the B-Schools arena and certainly not confusing the users with mixed information or making money out of the advertisements released by B-Schools or selling more number of magazine copies.  The regulatory is silent on all these matters.  They are busy with accreditations and approvals as also moving in to the e-Governance.

The Hindu Business Line : Time for some quick action by banks, RBI

lThe Hindu Business Line : Time for some quick action by banks, RBI

It is very interesting and informative to read the article by Sri Sitarama Murthy (former MD of SBM, Bangalore) who is a seasoned banker and a prolific writer on banking matters. Ever since interest rates were deregulated for the banks in India to decide the major chunk of the deposits and loans to be brought under the scheme, there have been several developments too like introducing of Prime Lending Rate, Benchmark Prime Lending Rate and recently (July 01, 2010) of Base Rate system.

While there have been certain corrections through CRR, SLR, Repo and Reverse Repo Rates as also checking of inflation rates and stabilising the Foreign Exchange Reserves on the part of RBI, individual commercial banks (public or private or foreign) have the responsibility to make certain changes appropriately. SBI has done it. Others would also follow shortly.

Indian Management Conclave 2010

It was an interesting experience to attend the first 2-Day Indian Management Conclave 2010 organised on the August 13 and 14 in New Delhi's India International Centre by the 3-year MBA portal - mbauniverse.com.  A sincere attempt has been made by the founder Mr Amit Agrawal and his team of young boys and girls to bring together Academicians, Corporate Leaders, Book Publishers, Researchers and of course inaugurated by charismatic professional and popular minister, Mr Salman Khurshid, in-charge of Corporate Affairs in the Government of India. Besides listening to the speeches of all these Panelists, it was an occasion to interact with fellow Management Teachers, mostly from North India except myself from Manipal in Karnataka and a lady Professor from Chennai.

Two Directors of IIMs - Indore and Kozhikode - Dr Ravichandran and Dr Debashish Chatterjee, were present in the vibrant sessions sharing their thoughts.  The show was directly or indirectly led by an eminent Academician, Padmashree Awardee and former Director of IIM-A - Dr Bakul Dholakia who has vast experience in Management Education in India. Various issues of concern like approvals by regulators, future of MBAs in India, use of technology and strategy by MBAs in their corporate careers, International Accreditation of Indian B-Schools, entry of Foreign Universities in Indian Higher Education, etc., were dealt with in-depth.  Dr Ms Eileen Peacock, Vice President of AACSB, Singapore Office was actively present.

The first day was a very long day between say 9.30 am to 10.30 pm with inaugural, panel discussions, Video Conferencing interactions with Dr Srikant Datar, of Harvard Business School, USA and author of the newly released book titled "Rethinking of MBA".  He shared his experiences with US B-Schools in particular during the past decade which is the essence of the book.  Also, the Chief of GMAC, Dr David was also on VC to explain the importance of GMAT in selecting MBA aspirants, the reason for opening an Office in India recently.  The late evening sessions were held in India Habitat Centre, New Delhi followed by Dinner.

The second day was also packed with panel discussions and presentations by Industry Experts from Yes Bank, Cognizant, Maruthi, etc as also from Chicago Business School and Emerald Research.  The event was to end with the announcement of First Ranking of B-Schools in India surveyed by mbauniverse.com.  Having explained the need for another survey, it was a platform to detail the methodology adopted under the able guidance of Dr Bakul Dholakia.  Only the scores and rankings of top 10 B-Schools were declared while the remaining 70 would be uploaded in their site by Monday morning.  It goes without saying that IIM-A leads the pack followed by IIM-C, IIM-K, MDI, IIFT, XLRI, XIMB, et al if not in the same order.  We need to wait and watch the full list of ranking by this agency on 16th August, 2010. 

RBI's Discussion Paper on New Private Sector Banks in India

GOI announced in the Finance Minister's Budget Speech in February 2010 on its policy of allowing some more new private sector banks in India.  After working for nearly five months, RBI came out with its Discussion Paper on this policy.  It is a welcome move certainly. 

RBI being a cautious and professional regulator (unlike an iron curtain prior to reforms), is undertaking the exercise this time in a scientific manner. The 80+ page Discussion Paper deals with all facts and figures of banks in India and abroad. Having had a variety of experiences in last four decades with public, private and foreign banks in India, Two Nationalisations, Mergers of weak banks, Poverty Alleviation Programs, Debt write-offs, Computerisation, Deregulation of Interest rates, Loan Melas, Risk and Asset Liability Management and so on, RBI has now proposed that the capital of new banks would be Rs. 1,000 crores, that instead of individuals - corporates would be entertained, and so on.

Ultimately, we expect a healthy level playing field in the Indian Banking system with equal opportunities to all concerned. At the same time, issues like Financial Inclusion, regulating of MFIs and NBFCs, etc are to be kept in mind too. Indian banking system is now witnessing a highly competitive, productive and challenging scenario.  Basel II norms are in force now.  Capital Adequacy is being ensured by all the banks in India. It is a great feeling that whereas over 240 banks in USA closed down in the last eighteen months, no such threat or panic situation surfaced in the Indian scenario. Credit, of course, goes to the excellent Governance by RBI.

MFIN to make accreditation with credit bureaus compulsory for MFI’s - India Microfinance Business News

MFIN to make accreditation with credit bureaus compulsory for MFI’s - India Microfinance Business News

This is a welcome move. It is right time that Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) are being closely monitored. Having adopted the set up of Non Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs), it is imperative that they should comply with all guidelines applicable to the regulators (RBI and SEBI) as also the Self Regulatory Organisations (SROs) depending upon the activities they take up. Over a decade back, there was large scale mushrooming of NBFCs when the banking industry itself was undergoing large scale reforms.

Unfortunately, NBFCs made merry in the rates of interest charge and to a large extent were responsible for disturbing the financial and credit discipline in India. It was Vasudev Committee in 1998-99, which recommended strict guidelines after the CRB Scam surfaced several types of irregularities in the sector particularly in lease financing, hire purchase, bill discounting as also unhealthy competition in deposits segment. While NBFCs were seasoned and streamlined by both the regulators in a phased manner, it is the turn of MFIs now.

Indian Financial System has experienced new developments with legal, accounting and technological changes; Asset Liability and Risk Management methods, Know Your Customer guidelines, and so on. MFIs also be careful in not mushrooming and spoil the show because in most of the cases, they undertake a noble cause of helping the illiterate, innocent and gullible rural poor - mostly women. The Grameen experience in Bangladesh and elsewhere, SEWA in India and Village Banking in Africa are to be taken as role models in this developmental pursuit. Eventually, the Millennium Development Goals of the UN spreaheaded by the then Secretary General - Mr Kofi Annan have to be realised for the common good of the humanity and improving the quality of life.

ICICI, HDFC violating law on consumers

ICICI, HDFC violating law on consumers
Most unbelievable that these two new generation private banks of the reforms era should draw the attention of the press or regulator for having violated law on consumers. The very purpose of reforms would be defeated if banks like ICICI and HDFC, which are expected to be professionally managed cross the Lakshman Rekha.

The Hindu Business Line : RBI fiat to banks on e-payment products

The Hindu Business Line : RBI fiat to banks on e-payment products

It goes without saying that all Commercial Banks should follow the modern methods of serving the customers. All the investments made in procuring hardware, software and training to its Officials should be effectively utilised. It is a technology revolution we are witnessing these days in all walks of life including the banking system. When a regulator (earlier, we used to refer as big brother or iron curtain) like RBI has become pro-customer, undertaking customer education and so on with all its pro-active measures, it is necessary that Commercial Banks fall in line.

Electronic settlements of funds have to be adopted fully so that customers are not inconvenienced at all. We have a long way to go in ensuring that modern facilities reach the grass root level. On one side, we are still talking about Financial Inclusion, Underbanking, etc., several public and private players are coming forward to afford these services to all sections of the society. RBI's fiat is very apt to banks.

The Hindu Business Line : Phishing attack

The Hindu Business Line : Phishing attack

Yet another sad and bad development in the technology savvy twenty first century. While a vast majority of the consumers or customers are getting benefitted with the changes that are taking place with regard to technological applications and innovations in the banking system in India (and abroad), such perverts sneek in to the scene the spoil the show. Phishing, Pharming, Hacking, Trojan, etc are the negative side of the intelligence perpetrated by pervert and criminal characters. Customers should be extra careful and not blame the banking system for their greediness to become rich overnight.

Every day, I keep receiving such emails stating that I won some lottery - with names like Coco Cola, IBM, etc. Why should my email id win huge sums for no reason? I don't know. Similarly, I also keep receiving mails stating that so and so referred my name, that the sender has large sums left by his or her father or husband or some one. If only I could help them encash the money, I would get a share of 20 to 30 per cent. I ignore all these messages with a smile.

Customer Education is taking place in an intese way both by regulators like RBI, SBI, IRDA, SEBI, ICICI and others. Almost all the banks and RBI website keep on scrolling such cautions and warnings to public not to fall prey. Even then, some take risk and chance and end up with huge losses..........................

Finmin, RBI caution banks on MFI lending

Finmin, RBI caution banks on MFI lending

Indian Financial System is complex. There are private and public players all over. We have seen Chit Fund Companies, Blade / Fly by Night Finance Compaies, Private Money Lenders and others looting the gullible public over decades despite best efforts by the well organised, well-structured and robust banking system in place. The emergence of MFIs on the scene was silent and is expanding....

In the early fifties itself, several committees went in to study the rural lending system and hence the departure from cooperative system to commercial banking system. To begin with Imperial Bank of India was nationalised and asked to go rural in the new name - State Bank of India in 1955. Followed is bringing to its fold the seven (or eight? because Bikaner and Jaipur were again merged then) State Bank subsidiaries in 1957. Next step was two nationalisations in 1969 and 1980 to further bringing into public fold of the twenty commercial banks from private hands.

Thanks to Lead Bank Scheme of 1969 (also Service Area Approach in late eighties), Rural-Branches Licencing Policy and compulsory posting of staff to these areas during eighties, Twenty Point Economic Programs (for poverty alleviation), Integrated Rural Development Program (IRDP), Small Farmers Development Agency (SFDA), opening of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in 1975, Local Area Banks Scheme of 1995, and in the recent years the focus on Financial Inclusion, there have been conscious and strenuous efforts by the RBI and State/Central Government machinery to tackle most of the ills in the rural economy. Urban poor were also being attended to through various agencies and policies or schemes. NABARD (formed in 1980) and SIDBI have been exclusively overseeing the financing to agricultural and small scale industrial requirements in a very professional manner.

With all these, Non-Governmental Organisations and Voluntary Outfits have emerged in the last decade or so to focus on lending to the poor. Micro Finance Institutions have surfaced in a very interesting manner. Service may be the motto but in a country like ours, it is necessary to monitor if not regulate such organisations. Despite financial sector reforms since early nineties, there are several gaps in the financial system as also in the legal environment. MFIs Bill has been waiting for its turn in the Parliament for over three years. Like the NBFCs who made merry when the banking system was getting overhauled, MFIs seem to make hay while the confusion prevails.

The caution given by RBI and GOI is essential to be followed by the banking system. SEBI too must keep itself alert with the experience of SKS going public. It could be a pilot study................

TAPMI Alumni meet at Hyderabad

I am at home on business, of course.  Being a Hyderabadi, I got an excellent opportunity to participate in the mega event e-India 2010 for three days on Aug 4-6, 2010.  Prof Mohan Kumar and myself are availing of this opportunity to host a Dinner Meet for Hyderabad Alumni of TAPMI (http://www.tapmi.edu.in/) today at Hotel Aditya Park, Ameerpet.  Mr Maddi V Sudarsan is helping us to mobilise as many TAPMIans ( I understand that there are at least one hundred alumni here). 

I would be sharing with them about new Campus, new Director, new Programs (additional PGP seats, e-GPX 2010, European Studies program, Fast Tracks, EEPs, Blue Ocean Strategy Institute, U21Global negotiations, TAPMI School of Business plans, etc) as also to propose for opening of a Chapter for the Alumni Association here.  Let me see the response and proceed with our proposals and plans.....

SBI Stall at e-India 2010

One more surprise from SBI, Hyderabad cirle at the e-India 2010 three day mega event in Hyderabad on August 4-6, 2010.  Not only the  bank was the sole banker and a special exhibitor among hundreds of Govt (Karnataka, Kerala, AP, Maharashtra, Delhi NCR, et al), Educators, Vendors of Hardware & Software, E-Learning Educators, and other Service Providors, but also was focussing on its new product to resolve complaints and grievances of customers through technology - SBI UNHAPPY.  More in my next blog...

e-World e-India e-Hyderabad 2010

It was a memorable trip to Hyderabad (my home town, of course) this week to participate in the 6th e-India 2010 Conference cum Exhibition on behalf of TAPMI, Manipal.  Prof Mohan Kumar and Mr Venkateswar Rao were in my team.  The venue was hi-tec city based Hyderabad International Convention Centre and Novotel Hotel.  I call it e-World instead of e-India because I could witness Representatives, Delegates, Ministers and Officials from UK, Canada, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Malaysia were around besides thousands from all over India.

I was on a con-call with K2 members of Hyd-Bangalore-Manipal and expressed my immense satisfaction about TAPMI's presence in the mega-event.  If the western world witnessed Industrial Revolution in previous century, and India had gone through Green-Blue-White Revolutions before, the twenty-first century is experiencing e-Revolution, I said.  Our partners NISG were present in the Stall No. 16-F of TAPMI's e-GPX, thanks to Mr Harish Iyer, Mr Piyush (GM) and Ms Sridevi Ayyagari besides several other visitors from private, public, govt officials and students as also aspirants.  Another interesting feature was that two senior TAPMI alumni made a flash visit. These are Sanjay Bansal of 1996-98 and Sujana Chalasani of 1985-87 (USA).  We are organising a Dinner Alumni Meet for Hyderabad TAPMIans today at Hotel Aditya Park, Ameerpet; thanks to support from Maddi V Sudarsan of 1987-89 and expect a good turnout for sharing news, views and developments.

More in my next blog.  I feel we were in the right place at the right time for a right cause.

e-India 2010 : India's Largest ICT Event in Hyderabad - Aug 4-6, 2010

I am enjoying the trip to Hyderabad (my home town, after all) on this mission -e-India 2010 Conference and Exhibition.  Having launched India's first Post Graduate Program in e-Governance last year in collaboration with NISG, Hyderabad and Dept of IT, GOI, New Delhi successfully, we are embarking into the 2nd batch this October.  Enough of campaigning has been done from June 2010 onwards through print and electronic media as also visits to State Govts (I went to Goa, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar) for generating awareness. 

I am amazed to participate in the great event - a culmination of PPP in real way.  GOI, State Govts like AP, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, etc have stalls here.  Other senior Officials from other Governments are actively moving round the venue in Hotel Novotol (Hyderabad International Convention Centre in Hitec City).  What a great feeling.  NISG Officials Mr Piyush and Ms Sridevi were here to share the job.

Prof Mohan from Manipal joined me and Mr Venkat bringing with him some more posters, brochures, etc.  I will attach a few photographs in a day or two.  We are eagerly waiting for the Awards announcements tomorrow as a candidate for Skill Development Initiative category.  Speakers are pouring thoughts, Stalls are full of colourful posters, leaflets, literature.  Many Educational stalls are present in the Exhibition too. Today is only a first day, with formalities like inauguration by hon'ble Chief Minister of AP - Dr Roshaiah and other dignitaries from India and abroad (Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, etc) were present around.

Interestingly, K2 representative Ms Liza and a helping hand from Alumnus of Hyderabad - Mr Maddi Sudarsanam's staff member - Ms Manjusha of Manjira Constructions also joined us in the Staff throiughout the day.  Also I am looking forward for the Sat'day event - Alumni meet at Aditya Hotel, Ameerpet over a dinner.  Eagerly looking forward for the next two more days exciting experience.  All is well that ends well.

Management Teachers Group

Dear Prof Bholanath,

 

I am interested in joining the group.  I am active in www.brijj.com and www.peerpower.com for professional activities.  I uploaded my articles etc in www.scribd.com and your group may visit too.  I am also in FB, Orkut, Twitter, Linked In, etc for social networking..... Please let me know the formalities to join your group.

 

Thanks,

Prof Chowdari Prasad

TAPMI, Manipal-576104

Karnataka, India

Off: 91-820-2701045

Mob:09242124642

Jagjit Singh Life Story - 1 - Live In Concert