It was interesting to watch yesterday the debate on ND TV, about “India
Shining” campaign launched by the Government. Understandably, there was a
deep resentment from Congressmen like Mani Shankar Iyer and full support from
BJP men.
What was specially interesting to IT professionals like me was the fact that
India’s achievements in IT (whatsoever little) – both outside India
(by way of software exports ($ 14 Billion), Indian IT professionals and
entrepreneurs playing a leadership role globally); and second inside
India – Indian IT companies setting up global standards (campuses,
employee benefits, global listings), Indian telecom industry doing so well
(adding million+ mobile customers every month, month after month, mobile phone
tariff lowest among the world) had a major role in “India Shining”. The direct
role is by way of boom in spending – youngsters buying cars like never before
(which in turn led to growth in road construction that fuels the growth in
core sector of cement & steel), investing in housing (that too led to growth
in core sector), travel, hospitality and local transportation (that led to
commercial vehicles growth); more important, there is confidence in the minds
of youngsters (IT industry is dominated by youngsters) that “IT can be done
here”; in turn, it led to stock market growth, the stock market growth is more
sustainable thanks to the phenomenal success in dematerialization of stock
pioneered by NSDL and online stock exchanges pioneered by NSE, youngsters use
online booking of air and train tickets, the business confidence improvement
brings in record FDI, record number of companies outsourcing to India,
starting their Indian operations; and, finally, outsourcing to India even
becoming a campaign issue in US Presidential Election!
Obviously, the youngsters in yesterday’s debate were all praise for “India
Shining” campaign, not because they support BJP, but because it sends a
positive message. My own take is simple – India needs a strong dose of
positive thinking – everyone should do it. Congress should simply start a
counter offensive again “India Shining, thanks to Congress” – they
started IIT’s, IIM’s, BEL, ECIL, ITI, HMT, SAIL, VSNL, CMC – the source of
technology and people for the highly successful IT industry across the globe;
they should avoid on all counts “India NOT shining” campaign; the youngsters
are tired of listening to “crying”; Congress should strike a positive chord,
which they have every reason to, after all they did so much for India; unless
they do it the youngsters will dump them.
Of course time alone will tell who is right!
