March 29, 2004
by atanu
3 Comments
On the launch of the Simputer, a sort of Palm clone meant for the poor, PicoPeta chairman Prof. Vinay said: “Amida allows people to share information, stay connected and bond emotionally. It does these by breaking the fear of technology.” … Continue reading
March 27, 2004
by atanu
2 Comments
In late February, immediately upon my return from my brief trip to California, I went to attend what is called the Baramati Conference in Baramati. Baramati is a small town in Sharad Pawar’s constituency. The conference was on “Information Kiosks … Continue reading
March 24, 2004
by atanu
5 Comments
In the last three posts, I went on about the need to adopt innovations whereever we find them. There is nothing new under the sun. No problem we face is novel. Someone somewhere has encountered and solved every problem we … Continue reading
March 22, 2004
by atanu
3 Comments
The depth of the Indic civilization is awe inspiring when you consider that it has been around for many thousands of years. The Vedas were composed long before the start of the Common Era. The people of India can claim … Continue reading
March 18, 2004
by atanu
7 Comments
In my previous post I wrote As a development economist, I have often asked myself what are the invariants that underlie development. I know for sure that high technology (computers, internet, cell phones) are neither necessary nor sufficent for development. … Continue reading
March 16, 2004
by atanu
11 Comments
An ironic bit of popular wisdom goes Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff. In the context of economic development, I totally agree with the latter bit, but strongly disagree with the former bit. If we don’t sweat … Continue reading
March 16, 2004
by atanu
3 Comments
Prasad requested a bit more on the distinction between development and growth. Consider the life-cycle of a normal human being. The initial stages are marked by growth and development; the later stages by a cessation of growth but continued development … Continue reading
March 15, 2004
by atanu
0 comments
Like a bad penny, articles on BPO and its backlash keeps turning up again and again. The best I have seen so far was a New York Times article by Hal Varian of UC Berkeley called What Goes Abroad Usually … Continue reading
March 13, 2004
by atanu
7 Comments
Thomas Friedman is a one-man factory churning out outsourcing stories by the dozens. He asks and answers the question below in his latest column. How did India, in 15 years, go from being a synonym for massive poverty to the … Continue reading
March 13, 2004
by atanu
2 Comments
This one is to be filed under “INDIA IS A SUPERPOWER” category. The newsletter from US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) contained this: We need support and financial contribution from at least 50,000 Indian Americans by March 2004 to persuade the … Continue reading
March 12, 2004
by atanu
3 Comments
It is easy to defend the view that resource scarcity is a crucial causal factor in most conflicts. And since scarcity of resources increases with increasing populations, a greater balance between resources and population numbers could reduce strife. I see … Continue reading
March 10, 2004
by atanu
7 Comments
Rajesh Jain is continuing on his series of posts on As India Develops. His focus is on education and it set me thinking. India is a land of opportunities. By that I mean, that we have so much to accomplish, … Continue reading
March 9, 2004
by atanu
1 Comment
An attitude to life which seeks fulfillment in the single-minded pursuit of wealth –in short, materialism– does not fit into this world, because it contains within itself no limiting principle, while the environment in which it is placed is strictly … Continue reading
March 5, 2004
by atanu
214 Comments
An email exchange with Reuben got me thinking about biodiesel. I wrote saying: I am not sure what ‘biodiesel’ is. I am assuming that it is some sort of oil that is extracted from some plant that is grown for … Continue reading
March 5, 2004
by atanu
1 Comment
Rajesh Jain on his Emergic weblog has been writing a series of articles called As India Develops. In these set of articles, he traverses a wide range of topics and lays out a road map for India’s development. (Disclaimer: I … Continue reading
March 4, 2004
by atanu
2 Comments
Of course India is shining. Just ask the guy who is raking in the stuff from his BPO company. Or ask the those who are buying all the electronic gizmos from the mega stores in the mega cities. India, defined … Continue reading
March 2, 2004
by atanu
1 Comment
This is a rant. Displaying equanimity in the face of adversity is an admirable quality. I am afraid that there are times when one has to give vent to one’s true feelings and come out openly and call a steaming … Continue reading