Understanding India - 2

Quick follow-up to my previous post about understanding India in various aspects. I came through this piece of general information about general facts, India's economic profile and advantages.

General Facts

	Land Area : 3.29 million square kilometers
	Capital : New Delhi
	Government : Democratic, Parliamentary
	Political System : The 1950 Constitution provides for a parliamentary system of
	Government with a bicameral parliament and three branches: the executive, legislative,
	and judiciary. Federal structure with elected Governments in States and in Union Territories
	Exports: ready-made garments, leather goods, gems and jewellery and agricultural products.
	However, cashew nuts, transport equipment, software, electronic goods and
	manufactured metals constitute the most rapidly growing export segments
	Population : 1,027 million (2001)
	Population Growth Rate : 2.14 percent
	Population Density : 324 persons/sq. km
	Life Expectancy : 62 years, male; 64 years, female
	Literacy Rate : 65.38 percent
	Languages Spoken : India is a multilingual society with 18 principal languages
	Hindi is the language of a large percentage of people (38 percent), while English
	is the preferred business language
	Major Religion : Majority are Hindus, though a significant number are Muslims, Christians
	Sikhs, Buddhists, etc
	International airports : New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram,
	Kochi, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
	Major Ports of Entry : Calcutta, Chennai, Kandla, Kochi, Mormugao, Mumbai
	New Mangalore, Paradip, Tuticorin and Vishakapatnam.
	Climate : Mainly tropical with temperatures ranging from 10° 40°C in most parts
	of the country
	Time Zone : GMT +5 1/2 hours
	Currency Unit : Indian Rupee

Economic Profile

	GDP at current prices : Rs 19,895 billion (2000-01)
	Average Real GDP Growth : 5.2 percent (2000-01)
	Inflation Rate measured by WPI : 6.6 percent (1999-2000)
	Exchange Rate : Rs 45.51 /US$ (April-January, 2001)
	Exports : US$ 44.1 billion (2000-2001)
	Principal Exports : Traditional exports include cotton yarn and textiles,
	ready-made garments, leather goods, gems and jewellery and agricultural products.
	However, cashew nuts, transport equipment, software, electronic goods and
	manufactured metals constitute the most rapidly growing export segments
	Principal Markets for export : USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Japan and Belgium in
	the OECD, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the OPEC, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and
	Mexico in the Latin American region and China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and
	Sri Lanka in the Asian region
	Imports : US$ 49.8 billion (2000-2001)
	Principal imports : Capital goods, petroleum, oil and lubricants, precious and
	semi-precious stones, chemicals, edible oils and fertilizers
	Principal Markets for import : USA, UK, Japan, Germany in the OECD, Iran, Kuwait
	and Saudi Arabia in the OPEC, and Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa
	from the Latin American and African regions, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia
	and Thailand in the Asian region

Competitive Advantages

	Low-cost, high quality
	2nd largest English speaking manpower Resource in the world
	Investment friendly & Supportive Government policies
	Adaptability to new technologies
	Geographical Advantage
	IPR laws in place
	World class infrastructure in line with the developed
	countries for Power, Transport and Data Communication
	World's 3rd largest brain bank - Availability of around
	2.5 million technical professionals

	Stable democratic environment in over 50 years of independence
	Large market size with a middle class population of 250-350 million with
	increasing purchasing power reflected by remarkable increase in purchase of
	consumer durables in recent years
	Access to regional international markets through membership of regional integration
	frameworks such as SAARC
	Foreign investment is welcome in almost all sectors barring those of strategic concern like
	defense and atomic energy. Large and diversified infrastructure spread across the country
	Thrust on technology, innovation and knowledge base
	Large manufacturing capability, spanning almost all area of manufacturing activities
	Well developed R&D infrastructure and technical and marketing services
	Large resources of untapped natural wealth
	Promising future in the burgeoning information technology industry
	Developed banking system, commercial banking network of over 63,000 branches,
	supported by a number of national and state level financial institutions
	Developing as one of the largest cost-competitive technical workforce nations
	Conducive foreign investment environment that provides freedom of entry, investment,
	location, choice of technology, import and export
	Acceleration of the privatization process and restructuring of public enterprises
	Current account convertibility, capital account convertibility for foreign investors and
	progressive implementation for Indian residents
	Established and independent judiciary with a hierarchy of courts
	Special investment and tax incentives given for exports in certain sectors such as
	power, electronics, telecom, software, oil & Gas and research and development activities
	Legal protection for Intellectual Property Rights
	Import regime in conformity with WTO commitments - removal of remaining quantitative
	restrictions on imports of goods into India barring certain items on grounds
	of national security, defense and health

Source: STPI Bangalore
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Understanding India

For past few days I am somehow obsessed with India. I have never been there, though I have met many Indians all around the world, made friendships with some of them and seen a bit of Indian culture, food and lifestyle in South East Asia.

Just now I finished watching the film "Gandhi" about Mohandas Gandhi, spiritual leader of Indian nation, "Bapu"("Father") as they called him. Or "Mahatma", the Great Soul. Indeed, he was very influential the way he approached to fight the discrimination and dominance of British Empire through nonviolent protests, through pushing the truth with firm attitude and through winning the hearts of his nation by his courage, simplicity and wisdom. The film also pictures the eruption of violence between Hindus and Muslims after they fought together against British rule. Highly recommended for everyone who is curious about India and Gandhi. It is an old movie (1982) and won 8 Oscars then. Ben Kingsley plays as Gandhi.

Besides its mythical and cultural side, nowadays it interests me as an emerging economic giant and as a leading country for IT off-shoring. Currently I am reading a book called "Doing Business in 21st Century India" by Gunjan Bagla. This book mainly helps to understand both past and current situations and business environments in India. It also mentions about foreign companies that have successfully launched their business in India and about the biggest local companies. And it's more about different businesses rather than IT. Moreover, it helps to understand more about Indians and their way of working, how cross cultural communication is done, about finance and related matters that would give first hand brief introduction for anyone who wants to know more about doing business in India or working with Indians. Though it is not a guide to succeed in India, but rather just high level overview. For more about IT offshoring to this country, you should read Thomas Friedman's "The World is Flat" book. That provides deeper look into this matter and gives lots of insights.

Said that, it's not that I am planning to open a business in India or move there for career options. But one big reality that we should accept, I believe, is the fact that it is very important to understand India's position in global economy and IT industry in the coming years. Thus it is important to learn how to work and cooperate with Indians as well.

Finally, I dream about visiting this country. And not just a short visit, but living there and feeling it.

Photo of Indian family in traditional clothes. I took it during Deepavali, Indian holy festival, in Singapore.

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12 days of christmas!

...
Four Hari Krishnas
Three butter chickens
Two nosy in-laws
And a totally insufficient dowry!
...

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3CSthoSDnI
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