End of Millennium by Manuel Castells

End of Millennium by Manuel Castells

‘End of Millennium’ is the third book of Manuel Castells’ trilogy of ‘The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture’ that captures the global processes of social change. This volume (3^rd of the series) has been devoted to discussion of the precursors to global social changes vividly marked by the onset of twenty first century. Although it will be useful to read the first two volumes ‘The Rise of Network Society’ and ‘The Power of Identity’ to gain more insight about the author’s social theory of Information Age; I read this book as a stand-alone book and it offers requisite explanation to necessary concepts without loss of vigor. However the author has concluded the volume to construct an open-ended social theory of the Information Age and the conclusion borrows its discussion from all the three volumes.

The author opens the volume stating the end of second millennium was uneventful (except the fears of Y2K global computer collapse), yet it is time of change. The technological change of the last quarter of twentieth century has changed the way we think, we produce, we trade, we communicate, we live and we die. The technological changes coupled with historical changes have constituted a new historical landscape that affects our lives. The author has identified five such social, historical changes of twentieth century: the fall of Soviet Union, the rise of fourth world (segments of socially excluded societies as a result of global capitalism), the rise of criminal economy, the development and crises in emerging capital markets of Eastern Asia and unification of European countries.

The Soviet Union was a major experiment of socio-economical change aimed at equal distribution of wealth in poor Tsarist Russia. The author has quantitatively illustrated that this experiment aimed at rampant industrialization at the expense of deforming the economy forever and the economic growth followed the path of any developing economy where the production increased with the increased pool of labor and capital. However it reached stagnation where steady increase in labor disappeared and capital available was limited with the same production function with the same technology. The author has explained the shortages that followed as a result of centrally planned economy and the alternate ways the bureaucracy devised to address this issue. It created a gigantic shadow economy of illegal payments, in form of money or goods. By the 1980s when Soviet leaders realized the root of stagnation and statism, they felt the need of changing the functioning of the economy and the division of labor. The author then goes on to detail the crisis of Soviet Union with reference to abduction of identities of its nation states. With an aim of rectifying the internal failures within the system, Gorbachev’s perestroika had disarmament i.e. release of Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe, economic reform and gradual liberalization of media, opinion and gradual step-up towards democracy. But Soviet Union went from one perestroika to another and triggered nationalism, increased demand for liberalization and democracy led to disintegration of Soviet Union.

The author has tactfully identified the relation between technological backwardness of Soviet Union with the statism and thus ingrained lack of ability to respond quickly to demands of informationalism. Informationalism is a word coined by the author for a technological paradigm based on the augmentation of the human capacity of information processing and communication made possible by the revolutions in microelectronics, software, and genetic engineering.

In the second chapter the author has developed the concept of ‘The fourth world’ as a result of marginalization practiced by the Informational capitalism. He makes use of detailed statistics to compare economic condition of each country in terms of GDP/Capita, change in GDP/Capita over last 50 years to demonstrate we are inevitably led to a highly polarized world. The plight of Sub-Saharan African countries, the destitute shady neighborhoods of Eastern Los Angeles, Chicago and impoverished rural districts of Myanmar, Cambodia and other South Eastern Asian nations, in writer’s opinion, are all indicators of social exclusion of communities. The author attributes the social exclusion process to a variety of factors such as hostile government structures, lack of communication infrastructure, greed of monarchs, abject poverty leading to poor living conditions & epidemic of AIDS and ethnic conflicts to the Africa’s plight whereas factors such as functional illiteracy, deindustrialization and restructuring, crime and drug addiction to explain the wretched situation of inner-city ghettos and Latino Diaspora of the cities of Unites states. His observations about child labor, child exploitation also applies to developing country of like India and China. Therefore the observation of distinct patches of society all over the world (even within the developed countries) deprived of reaping the benefits of informational capital economy is sound and correct.

The impacts of global crime have been apparent on all of global economy, governments and cultures. The global communication networks and information technology eased the functioning of crime networks in last quarter of twentieth century; the laundered money could be easily legitimated and brought to economies and then used for investments in stocks and bonds and for the purpose of destabilizing the financial markets. The author has illustrated financial crises triggered by criminal maneuvers with an example of ‘Yakuza’ who forced firms to borrow heavily and led to defaults on loans worth billions of dollars in Japan in 1995. The author has evaluated the threat not only to sovereignty but also to economy where the magnitude criminal activity and monetary transactions amounts are sizeable enough to condition the macroeconomic processes of some countries e.g. development activities in the city of Medellin, Colombia by drug lord Pablo Escobar. The author identifies the motives of the criminals, by and large, in specific cultural groups such as Mafia from Sicily, drug traffickers from Latin America, Chinese Triads and attributes their activities to specific favorable geo-economic situations. He also identifies the assassinations/murders as an intranational phenomenon where a particular group (among Italian mafia gangs or Colombian cartels from Medellin or Cali) is trying to establish the control over a local geographical region. The main cultural impact of global crime is in the culture they induce where the criminals have been looked upon as the role models by the youth that see no way out of poverty. The youth is made to believe in getting high for the brief moments of existence, the breaking of the rules and the feeling of empowerment rather than a monotony of long miserable impoverished life.

The extraordinary capitalist growth of Asia Pacific countries signify the end of western domination however the volatility of new global capitalism is revealed during the financial crisis of the 1997-98. The author has elaborated on the crisis as an outcome of tension between global economy and the state.

The final chapter of the volume talks about the integration of European countries under European Union (EU) as a reaction to the process of globalization. The globalization process concerns currency markets and financial markets and therefore the integration to EU entailed the integration of capital markets, the establishment of single currency (EURO). Integration of capital markets and single currency establishment required homogenization of macro-economic conditions in different EU countries and thus requiring the budgets to give a priority to some budget items within the constraint of same fiscal procedure. Another dimension that the author mentions about globalization is information technology at the centre of production capacity of economics and the military might of the state. The intensification of European integration came along partly due to perceived technological deficit vis-à-vis the United States and Japan. With the integration of Europe (Aviation industry of France, Mobile telephony (Nokia, Ericsson), giant pharmaceutical firms from Switzerland, Germany and France, R&D labs of Europe in areas of Genetic engineering etc.), European companies are catching up with the American or Japanese counterparts both in Europe and in the global market. Europe happens to keep a competitive position despite higher labor costs, the financial conservatism of the firms and lower level of technological innovation and this can be attributed to confinement of European Trade within European union (with an exception of garments or textiles) and increased labor productivity due to technological and managerial retooling of European companies. Finally on the front of migration of labor, the Europe (especially Germany and Italy) has been assimilating migrants from Eastern Europe and past Soviet Union republics. However the author warns us of lack of a single identity for Europe as these different nationalities cannot be united on the basis of Christianity, democracy or even ethnicity. Moreover the author theorizes project identity for Europe where each European has an appeal of the social values and goals such as liberty, equality, social solidarity, stable employment, concern for human rights and the plight of the fourth world, the reaffirmation of democracy and so on.

The trilogy of the Information Age is the summit of author’s 12 years of research on sociology at University of California, Berkeley. Considering the magnitude of research and the justification of his new social theory on Information Age; the overwhelming statistics details are justified. A reader may get bogged down by statistics especially the continuous statistical data from page 73 to 90 (Global economic statistics explaining the polarization of world); though the statistics helps take home his point. Reading and comprehending the book sometimes requires a close attention and concentration as the language uses jargon of economics and the language is generally heavy; albeit reading this book is indeed a self enriching exercise as it offers insight into many contemporary changes to which many readers can relate to. I, as a student from the third world country, India, agree to his observations about the polarization of world and social exclusion of certain classes of society by the information capitalism. It is painful to see farmers committing suicide and children sold, toiled, beaten, exploited for pity penury when India stands at the dawn of transformation to a superpower nation.

The author has always narrated the history and explained his analysis but has never indulged in futurology. The author has covered the major social changes and challenges however does not mention about criminal activities by religious fanatics. I find the answer; indeed, the crimes by religious chauvinists are motivated by an attempt to dominate on the basis of religion and religious principles and are not driven by monetary motives as those of drug or weapon traffickers. However the modern religious chauvinists are making intensive use of information networks and technology to achieve their goals.

The author has reasoned out observations about criminal economy very well. The trigger (huge markets but hefty prices if traded through legal channels) for criminal and drug trafficking activities from Colombia or Bolivia, the sustenance of these activities in geographically secluded areas, the supply of personnel from the pool of impoverished rural people can be all correlated to Sandalwood and Ivory smuggling activities of Southern India. Also the criminals becoming role models among the poor, is a global observation applicable to Indian Naxallites.

Having worked for an IT company and understood the need of constant learning and education, I liked the following excerpt from the book; it rightly emphasizes the change of definition of labor in information age:

The critical quality in differentiating two kinds of labor viz. generic labor versus programmable labor is education; that is, embodied knowledge and information. The concept of education must be distinguished from the skills. Skills can be quickly made obsolete by technological and organizational change. Education (as distinct from warehousing of children and students) is the process by which people, that s labor, acquire the capability constantly to redefine the necessary skills for a given task and to access the sources of learning these skills. Whoever is educated, in proper organization environment, can reprogram himself/herself toward the endlessly changing tasks of the production process.

References:

Manuel Castells (2001) “The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture – Volume III End of Millennium”, Blackwell Publishers

Culture @ IIMB

Culture @ IIMB

Right in the middle of hustle and justle of city of Bangalore, there stands calm, peaceful campus of a prime Business school, Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore(IIMB). The peace, serenity of the campus as you enter the main gate of the IIMB Fortress, amuses you and gives the very feeling of entering a world class educational institute. The tranquility of the beautiful campus prevails over most of the 100 acres area except the most happening places of students hostel and the Mess. Of the few contrasts observed, the first brunt would be of loud music systems played around the Hostel Block; however it is this strong dose in the night that energises the community here and makes them fresh for the healthy participation in discussions in the serene classrooms the next day.

IIMB enjoys the stature of one of the top-most business schools in India. Similar to this land of contrasts, IIMB has a lot of contrasting features and diversities, however what keeps the diverse communities at IIMB together is the culture of IIMB. To begin with, the stone buildings within IIMB campus would remind you of princely, historical estates, however the dwellers of this place define modernity in every sense. The library could be looked upon as a bunker where you could bury yourselves into books and yet shelter yourselves from the loud music blow around. However this bunker as well promotes an open culture of the campus, where by opening just a few windows of library bunker, it offers the complete view of book capital the institute has. The Hostel blocks too favour open cultural exchange (sharing of ideas, music) due to its typical structural and architectural design. All the corridors, passages of each hostel block have been abundantly ventilated and each of the Hostel block floor has a 5-6 feet wide passage called 'Bar'. This 'Bar' offers an excellent venue for the hostel dwellers to relax, study, enjoy the party, share the ideas, music and perhaps all these things at the same time. It promotes the sharing and flows of fresh thoughts as smoothly as the wind flows in the ventilated corridors. Within these blocks are four Quadrangles, which are host to various sports events such as Volleyball, Basketball, Cricket and Throw ball. These are another sets of locations that captivates students and readily invites them to join the sports events.

Another contrast, at an educational institute such as IIM Bangalore, you wouldn't certainly expect a geek; but someone who is seeker of knowledge, in depth understanding of the subject. No doubt, the IIMB student community is highly knowledgeable, but not necessarily knowledge seeker. It fosters more of Mission Culture where activities are strongly (and strictly?) goal oriented. Right in the first week of joining IIMB, the new batch imbibes the ultimate goal of spectacular placement from their seniors. With complete understanding of this ultimate goal, the managers (second year students of Placement Committee), envision and communicate the targets (Succinct yet Mighty Resume, splendid extracurricular activities etc.) to the new members of this organisation. An excellent CGPA may be seemingly taking a back seat as the first target (summer placements) could be realised without much of help of first semester CGPA. Though the environment is not completely stable (a lot of assignments and self study, competitive nature of the course and tough competition), the managers translate their vision into measurable goals for the new joinees (required CGPA, other managerial skills building, contribution to extracurricular activities such as Business Festivals, events). The whole process for contribution to various tasks (Acad council, Festivals, Class Representative role, committee roles) has been transparent, open yet with a opportune feedback, help (tutorials) offered to new joinees at every instant. This whole is an indicator of a strong Mission culture at IIMB.

IIMB Culture could be distinctly identified by a few rites, ceremonies and symbols. Each of the performer (at presentation or at events or exemplary academic achievement) is greeted with an applaud or a standing ovation. At the same time the below the mark or non-conforming performance to IIMB standards usually gets greeted with unanimous resounding of 'Huush'. One of the symbolic elements of culture could be found in many of the powerpoint presentations. The presentations, if not all but many, have a video to take the idea home; many professors and students seem to ritually follow this protocol.

Almost every state of India is represented at IIMB, what keeps them together all the while are L² Parties around Hostel Block A and the Mess. The Mess at IIMB with its mission statement of 'Energising IIMB' happens to be most frequent meeting place for all the 'junta' of IIMB. The idea of energising seems to have translated so well, that ghee, butter, milk and dairy products, sprouted pulses and lentils are components of the square meal everyday. The mess runs a night canteen, that supports the culture of studying late night as it gives an occasion to students to come down during midnight for a quick coffee. The L² Party is another facet of IIMB culture; L² is a corridor near Hostel Block A, host to a DJ night every fortnight. The L² presents opportunity to shake your legs, chill out and obviate all the tensions of hectic, competitive academic life.

The variety education that IIMB offers (directly and indirectly) was vivid during the induction program for the first year students. The one and half week packed induction program included a team building workshop, theatre, classical music concert, alumni interaction, industry interaction as well as social responsibility initiative. Life at IIMB thrives in a culture where all of these things happen quite often while on campus. Whole of this has been correctly realised in various club activities by a neatly mission cultured organisation. Even the exchange students are seen assimilated with the mainstream by the various welcome events and parties particularly aimed at this goal.

Well, with the discourse above, one should not be drawn to conclusion that an IIMB student is a self centred to concentrate only on his careerist goals. IIMB Students actively contribute to academic wealth of the institute. Through various clubs specialising in various management disciplines, he participates in co-authoring papers, organising colloquia, taking tutorials for first year students and writing Cases for the future students. The Case Methodology is again a flagship pedagogy of IIMB. Each professor, student will have a presentation with strong case(s) supporting the theme. A lot of emphasis has been laid on good Case development by the various consulting groups, clubs within IIMB such as ICON, NetWorth, SCM Centre and such Cases are rewarded and recognised well.

The firsthand experience of all these, bids me to say 'Culture at IIMB is a strong case to study business school cultures', isn't it? Is anyone making a Case for 'Managing Organisations' out of it?

Let there be light

The journey of Tartan continues with a stronger version of Hope that made us toil day and night to find some light for our BE Project. The very quote I would have uttered " Let there be light" hoping to find out the answers and have a mental illumination.

Let there be Light

Science has emerged when the knowledge of the past has been recognized as inadequate to answer certain questions and questions that past could not think of. There is a theorem that describes how has science graduated. In the beginning, God said “Let there be light” and there was Socrates who provided inductive thoughts to answer ‘what’ questions, and then planets were given names. Later Galileo, Copernicus had to counter many adversaries to prove their heresy! God again said “Let there be light” and there was Newton who provided deductive thoughts to answer ‘how’ questions. Later God said “Let there be light” and there came Einstein who provided reductive thoughts to answer ‘why’ questions. We had to answer the same set of questions “What to do in this project?”, “How to do it?” and more fundamentally “Why do it?” before us. Then began the search for the light (not merely in the sense of light captured from extra –terrestrial object but also from perspective of enlightenment on any practical project endeavor). The project, that had initially been driven by the Hope that there shall be light, finally completed with perseverance and desire (stronger form of hope) of team members that there will definitely be light.

“Is there going to be just a timer circuit design that will control the exposure time of your web-camera?” Pandit madam tried to sum up Rahul’s interpretation on a project offered to us by TIFR. I was pondering, completely dumbfounded, what would Rahul answer for I barely knew what business we shall be put into if we accept this project. After all it was truly a question of much hyped BE Project, perhaps the only mandatory technical project activity that we, Bombay University Students do! Should you accept the rudimentary idea just for the TIFR’s name sake or the project is truly worth deep exploration and some concrete work? The project feasibility activity was to start at this dilemma!

The Project was to check the feasibility of a low cost CMOS Sensor based Web-camera for the purpose of taking Astronomical Images. The key reason for TIFR to offer this project to us was that the exposure time for capturing the frames with such cameras was believed to be electronically controllable and we were keen to experimentation in electronics. Web-cam is a device that typically captures 10-30 frames per second and with the help of a computer overlaps those to give a feel of live motion video. We were to lessen the captured frame rate to one frame per second or so, thus enabling us to have a longer exposure time for astronomical imaging. This web-camera when modified and mounted on a telescope should function as an imaging device, requiring a computer to complete the whole set-up. With minimum set up of a telescope, a computer and the modified web-camera, an amateur observatory could be set up at any school/academic institute. Rahul, with his zeal about astronomy had Astronomical perspectives about what could be the breakthrough if we succeed achieving this glittering goal of capturing planets with a Web-cam.

The first project meet with TIFR Project guide lasted for half an hour; I could barely comprehend the discussion between Rahul and our project guide. Right in the second meet we got the low-cost web camera and Rahul started his investigation on details of ICs used therein. It would have been late August by then and I was busy with DISHA 2004. In the mean while he had investigated enough to convince ourselves of a forthcoming activity worthwhile enough to be called a BE Project. Then struck the first shock! The IC details for the sensor and the driver were nowhere to be found. Neither did my project guide have it nor did the manufacturers respond to our solemn plead. We tried soliciting some IIT Professors’ aid but there was no light to be seen! We made analyses as to which camera to buy and for ‘To be Determined and To Do’ and deferred the project till Semester Eight.

Then began the camera hunt! Our rummaging at Electronics Markets at Andheri, Dadar and Lamington Road proved just Nomad’s wandering. The camera with the required details was not to be found at any market in Mumbai. The suggestion to buy it online came but it would kill the basic purpose of the project…a low cost easily available web camera to put to use! Time, being easily measurable entity of any project, had elapsed to an extent that we felt we will complete this project by eternity; we decided to go ahead with a web-camera whose product label matched with that of an intended one! But lady luck had something different in store for us. The ICs (sensor and driver chips) were altogether different and though we could decipher some of the driver chip details, the pin layout was not available. The concept of using a timer circuit to control the exposure time will have to be abandoned with the acquired device, as it would not be appropriate to fiddle with the driver IC arbitrarily.

We had just recovered from the shock from Scope Change; we geared up for the first acquisition. My project guide had put the telescope at World Trade Centre Tower, Colaba to see if the camera can capture a terrestrial object through a telescope. We graduated to an object of astronomical interest, Jupiter and he focused the telescope at the Jupiter that has just arisen at horizon. Our eyes glued fixedly at the screen…and aghast…there was absolutely nothing in the very first acquisition. Absolutely nothing but the random Gaussian noise! Our hope felled miserably in the darkness that was right in front of us. Will there be any light to our project? The next day I approached our Project Guide, Prachi Madam to report the first failure, but she alleviated our disturbed composure saying,” You would then prove how such a device can not prove useful in astronomical imaging, your aim is first to check feasibility!”. Pandit madam too added ‘To prove certain things do not work certain way can be a subject of exploration for PhD Theses’.

The web-camera has a converging lens placed right above the sensor and this lens focuses the rays from distant objects on to the lens. When we had placed the camera at the eyepiece of telescope, the image was not getting formed on the sensor, so we thought of removing this lens. We gathered the leftover confidence and geared up for the second acquisition. The earth’s rotation above itself makes the focused image of any object to move when you keep the telescope stationary. The malfunctioning tracking system of telescope had even made the matter worse to focus any object. But this adverse situation is ideally the one which you would expect with a low cost telescope and low cost camera. If you go in for low cost camera, then you certainly cannot afford a 3-motor based tracking system. My Project Guide, Mr. Anand Ghaisas, with his ingenious expertise at handling telescope focused at Moon and I clicked away a frame. Prachi madam asked us to go ahead with offline image processing algorithms as we had resolved to the said scope change.

The moon would always be the largest object that you can capture, so even if there is no tracking system you can easily go ahead with it. But that’s the most primary astronomical object. We graduated to Jupiter and Saturn. With no tracking system I truly realized we are engaged in so to say ‘Wild goose chase’. The image would just fleet away in a fraction of second, before my glued eyes could realize the object was in field. With the right fielding of Anand Ghaisas, Rahul, Prasanna at telescope and me with eyes glued at screen with eagerness as much as those in draught-struck farmers’ eyes glued at the skies; we had some more acquisitions.

We had been trying our hand at Matlab and coding the IP algorithms of Gonzales. Still we were passing sleepless nights (Not only because we were to go to TIFR at night but also the problems to number a few). The ad-hoc arrangement of somehow holding the camera for acquisition should not do, so we sketched the mounting arrangement and gave it to workshop at TIFR. It then stalled the acquisitions for about a month. It was March by then and we did not have significant acquisitions yet! Hazy, cloudy skies were one more hurdle and to be precise two of our trips to TIFR had been futile on this account. In the mean while we got the control system ready for acquisitions. Then we acquired the stacked images of Jupiter, Saturn and Orion. We could later carry out offline integration (long exposure effect by adding image frames) in Matlab using algorithm. It eliminates the need of a tracking system. We had to stop acquisitions as per the time frame of project. The next activity was Image Processing that ran for last two months, making me fond of Gonzales. There was some light finally to our project endeavours.

At the close of the project I still had some questions unanswered as a result of deep deliberation. To name a few were: In Astronomy they make use of optical filters. Can you simulate the effect of optical filter digitally? Can you completely justify the transformed images as information sources for physical details of objects e.g. Is the measured size of a crater in a transformed image true or pseudo?

I’m glad to know that there will be a fresh batch of students that will try to throw light on some of these undiscovered areas of this research project.

The project perhaps taught us there would be many questions yet to be answered with any mundane activity you carry out. We should ask these ‘WH’ questions ourselves and work to find out the answers. The same thoughts (inductive, deductive and reductive) have been given to us by our forebears of discipline of science to ask questions. I did appreciate the statement ‘Science has progressed on realization of knowledge of the past is inadequate to answer all the questions’.

Tartan Post 1

Tartan
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By Avadhoot Jathar
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Prologue


Ratrirgamishyati bhavishyati Suprabhatam
Bhaswanudeshyati hasishyati Pankajam cha
Ittham vichintayati Koshgate Dwirefe
Ha hant hant Nalinim Gaj ujjahar


These lines completely symbolised my mindset. The other day when I came across these lines,the flow of my thoughts was channelised. A black bee caught in a lotus bud, hopes for the night to get over and awaits sunrise that shall open up the petals. Then there shall be light! Unfortunately it turns out to be just a day-dream...an elephant squeezed the lotus itself! Hey doesn't it convey an obvious fact: Don't day-dream,put your thoughts in action...you never know what does lady luck have in store for you!


These compelled me to put my thoughts in a web-log hereafter referred to as Tartan. Hey, don't get me wrong, I do not wish to talk about Cornucopia of Scottish Culture. Then why call it Tartan? What for is this commotion? I must admit that I'm fortunate to get great friends who have been connoisseurs of literary works and every connoisseur acknowledges and kindles even a little spark his collegue might have. Such an 'ignited mind' then thinks of logging those thoughts.

Tartans, blanket design patterns from Scotland come in plenty of designs and colours. Each Scottish Clan has been identified with a unique Tartan. Each of these tartans is said to characterise a single family name. Similarly my best pals,the connoisseurs and the epicures,have been identified with unique set of interests to share with. It would rather be a colourful journey to explore and present a variety of those discourses in this weblog. As colourful and as varied as Tartans are! Each of those thought threads carefully woven to make a master-piece as a weaver makes a Tartan.

The first tartan shall be woven about 'Hope'. Hopefully you don't find it hopeless!

Hoping against the Hope?
The maxim,describing black-bee's hope against hope,seems to deter you from being too optimistic. It would say whatever is to happen will happen without you wanting it happen or not. Never do I find books titled 'Think positive','You can win' etc. interesting to peruse. Then what is making me write on hope today?

We all have had a thoughtful camaraderie from engineering background. All of us would aspire to be great technocrats or successful managers achieving challenging goals. We all want something better and keep hoping the same. The stronger version of hope is a desire. It is an every engineers' desire to do his dream-job. In fact, every year IEEE identifies top dream-jobs,that make innovative use of engineering skills. How nice it would be to design life sized Robots for movies like The Mummy, Pearl Harbour or Minority Report! Or to see your own work, something like unmanned submersibles for deep sea explorations of the NGC. Mind you, these jobs are not merely handsomely paying ones,but these are outcomes of those engineers' strong desire to be innovative and to do something out of box. Can we get such jobs,here in India?

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru had envisioned India,as an empowered and an industrialised nation. No doubt,he had toiled to bring his dream true. Our Honorary President Dr. Abdul Kalam as well sees India as a Superpower by 2020. But while this weblog is getting ready by the eve of India's 57th Republic Day,our President expressed concern over India's growth on grounds of literacy and employment. Thinking about only a smaller section of people, young engineers, how many of them are employed with non IT Companies or non-outsourced work?

The other day I heard one of my relatives starting a firm that shall work on outsourced accounting from UK. I was not surprised that the outsourcing company will have all its manufacturing business in UK, though equivalent engineering labour will be cheap! The most daunting question in our mind would be when shall Indians get into manufacturing things for themselves? When shall we get to see a computer manufactured from inside out by an Indian company? Can we get outsourced work in areas of Manufacturing like China, in areas of Electronics like Japan and Taiwan? What can we do about all these questions?

I do not completely agree with an idea of not manufacturing because it would totally be cheap if you obtain the manufactured items from those who are best at it. Why would then TATAs think of manufacturing a car 'Indica' whose design is completely Indian,native? The entire town of Jamshedpur has come about by the Steel Company that TATAs started. Dr. Varghese Kourian started a movement called 'Amul' and it revitalised town of Anand. IT on the other hand, has affected certain sections of society and do not really mean much to a commonman. With an advent of Electronics,China, though earlier showed refrain to globalisation,has dwelled up well on manufacturing. We all would have seen cheaper 'one use throw away clocks' from China on the roads these days! Local manufacturers would have simply drowned on their advent. We buy the very cheaper chinese products from Dollar Shop/ 49-99 shop.

What should we do looking at the entire scenario? No doubt we may choose to persue a lucrative, creative (and captive?) job in U.S. or other industrialised nation. Captive because it will not let you get back to India very easily. But if we hope to see such a dream-job scene here, it becomes our responsibility to toil for the cause. It becomes our duty to help create the dream-job scene...needless to say to put a step forth as an entreprenuer if requires. It would truly be a much more challenge!...Am I hoping against the hope?

Finally even Chinese IT professionals might outpace and outplace us,who would know? And then we shall truly be Black-bees caught in the dark future of outcast lotus!


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This is the first blog posted by Avadhoot Jathar on 26 Jan. 2006. Its an outcome of his discussions with his friend Akshay Pethe.