Is not India Shining?

May 15, 2008 Ashutosh Gupta, shortly after graduating from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, left for America holding a "one-way plane ticket" and little else. "At that time, in the early 1990s, America was still very much the land of opportunity," he says. "You studied at IIT, went on to a school like Stanford or MIT, and then hoped for a green card." He, like thousands of others from his generation and before, achieved this dream, and eventually settled down to a career as an investment banker with financial heavyweight Goldman Sachs. He seemingly had it all: Offices in Manhattan and London, a hefty salary, and the chance to earn United States or United Kingdom citizenship -- in short, a fairy-tale ending. Today Gupta, age 38, sits atop the crest of a new trend: IIT graduates either coming back to India for employment, or never leaving in the first place; a "reverse brain drain", he calls it. Gupta is currently head of the private equity group and chief transition officer for Investment Research at Evalueserve, a Gurgaon-based company. Early April, his company released a study that examined this phenomenon in depth --the seemingly magnetic power of India to retain today's batches of IIT graduates. The study's author Alok Aggarwal, himself an IIT graduate and recent India returnee, says India's best and brightest increasingly see the home country as the most advantageous place to live and work. A quick peek at the numbers shows that between 1964 and 2001, 35 percent of graduates from the seven IITs moved to America for work or studies. But, at around the time when India's economy achieved near double-digit annual GDP growth rates, the number of IIT graduates leaving for the States dropped sharply. From 2002 onwards, only 16 percent have opted for 'one way plane tickets', and as Gupta's case demonstrates, many who left India earlier also now feel the call to come home. The reasons for this are nuanced, and Gupta hesitates to pinpoint any one specific cause. Still, he agrees that post 9/11 visa difficulties, the slowdown of America's economy, and the emergence of India as a major world player have all coalesced to bring about the recent trend. "The H1-B visa process has become increasingly difficult," he says. "Today's graduates see the hard evidence that it may not be the best option. They'd rather work two years for a Google or a Microsoft in Bangalore, or even for Indian companies like Tata and Bharti, and then later go for an MBA degree at the Indian School of Business, in Hyderabad, or one of the IIMs." Gupta's own case is an exemplar of the advantages: in terms of luxury and amenities, his new home in Richmond Park, Gurgaon, on the outskirts of New Delhi, rivals the exclusive communities that house most high-income Americans. It has good schools, good infrastructure, well-paved roads, peaceful gardens, watchful security, and a consistent supply of water and electricity. "Plus, there are certain comforts you get in India that you just can't find in America: Food you're familiar with, music you love, etcetera," he asserts. "And of course, now I can spend time with my parents; that was a huge factor." He is not alone -- Gurgaon houses about 10,000 families, a number of whom are recent returnees. For Parajit Garg, an IIT Bombay topper (class of 2007) who earned his five years integrated Masters Degree in Computer Science and Engineering, the decision to stay in India wasn't difficult at all. Garg, with due concession to modesty, says he could have gotten an education or job placement pretty much anywhere in the world, but opted to work for a hedge fund in India, and locate himself in Gurgaon. "It made sense, just looking at the way the market has grown in the past five years. Of course, ten years ago, it was different. But things have changed. Even if you opt to stay in India, most companies offer international internships and assignments, for two or three months, so that you don't miss out on the experience of working internationally." In the case of Gaurav Kwatra, a 2003 IIT Delhi graduate who worked in Financial Services in the US for three years before moving back to India in May 2007 to work at the Public Health Foundation of India, it was "a personal decision." He enjoyed his time in America, and was thrilled to have had the experience. "I travelled a lot throughout America, and did a lot of things I otherwise wouldn't have: I sky-dived, I went trekking. But in the end, I wanted to be where I was most comfortable." What about Indian food and music, was it the same in America? "No," he laughs. "I really missed my daal chawal." Then there are people like Karthik Narayanaswamy, an IIT Bombay graduate who is working in management consulting in Delhi. "I was raised in Kuwait, so my experience is a little bit different," he explains. "For me, after studying at IITD, it just wasn't enough. I wanted to see more of India. It's funny, when I was in America, older Indians were telling me, 'I wish I could go back. You're lucky; now I'm too tied down here.'" He says he saw the writing on the wall, and "didn't want to miss the boat." Where it once was a great asset to boast international experience, "Now, everyone works in India for at least a few years," Narayanaswamy points out. "If you haven't done it; it can actually be a problem (for career development)." He believes further that this trend will only gain momentum. "Take my sister, for example," he says. "She passed up a job with an investment bank in England in order to stay in India. Also, this is happening in India, our homeland; if it was Brazil or Russia where the world was focused, perhaps it wouldn't be such an easy decision (to work those countries instead of the US)." Whatever the reasons, and despite the few hang-ups such as the frequently bemoaned traffic of India's major metros, the research is clear: in the minds of IIT graduates, the US no longer holds the same allure. Asked to predict which country would 'hold the most promise for success ' in 10 years' time, 72 percent of the 677 IIT graduates surveyed named India, with only 17 percent citing the US. Given the overwhelming evidence, both anecdotal and empirical, perhaps it's time to sound the death knell of the much-abhorred, ever ubiquitous, Indian brain drain, in favour of the highly fashionable 'reverse' brain drain.

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Sri Kamalaambaa Navaa varanam

Since many rasikas expressed their difficulty in downloading rapidshare, I have made these songs now available in MediaFire. Before downloading these songs read this link which is very intersting.

http://ssubbanna.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/03/sri-muthuswami-dikshitar-
and-sri-vidya-7-of-7.htm

1. http://www.mediafire.com/?yambibkmetlSri Mahaganapathi - Gowla
2. http://www.mediafire.com/?wmm0kwvqz3e Sri Balasubramanyam - Surutti
3. http://www.mediafire.com/?yfwhcpd4ro7vrx0 Kamalambike - Dhyaanam
4. http://www.mediafire.com/?8c6v6p7a71f3rcz Kamalaambaa - First Avaaranam
5. http://www.mediafire.com/?mxfw9v3tyviKamalaambaam bajare - Second Avaranam
6. http://www.mediafire.com/?v40ws6sqbu65604 Sri Kamalaambikaye - Third Avaranam
7. http://www.mediafire.com/?zm4mjmtrj1nKamalambikaye - Fourth Avaranam
8. http://www.mediafire.com/?tmvkvr0mmzq Kamalambyah Paraminihire - Fifth Avaaranam
9. http://www.mediafire.com/?vyhv9cjornuKamalambikayah - Sixth avaranam
10. http://www.mediafire.com/?lkoxvydv0i1Sri kamalambikayam - Seventh Avaranam
11. http://www.mediafire.com/?3ss0evvc8jmo48n Sri Kamalambika avava - Eighth Avaranam
12. http://www.mediafire.com/?fo5fgrypjyk5c9h Sri Kamalamba Jayathi - Nineth Avaranam
13. http://www.mediafire.com/?hsjwzlbl81bSri Kamalambike - Mangalam

Anil P said...

A most interesting collection of links you have here on your blog. I look forward to hearing the songs.

May 4, 2008 6:50 PM

Navagraha keerthanais

Now I have posted them under mediaFire so that to remove the difficulties in downloading from rapidshare. I hope this will help you to download easily and hear the respective songs on the respective days.

I do not know, how far this helps, but my wife sincerely hears these songs everyday, in this order. First the Navagraha sthothram and then the respective Graha's song on the respective day. She says she is adding Raahu and Kethu on the days attached with the Lord of the day according to her horoscope. For example, Raahu or Kethu is with Chandran in her horoscope she hears the respected song also on Monday. I do not know whether it gives any benefit, but I am finding her very happy and peaceful and does this systematically. If you believe, why don't you try, since this is in sanskrit and it can be heard by anybody irrespective of their mother tounge.

Please post your experience and comments



http://www.mediafire.com/?szxmo5m0xg0Navagraha sthothram

• 
  

http://www.mediafire.com/?fxuvdv9mvju - Surya (Sunday) 

http://www.mediafire.com/?vjziynjjbzi- Chandran (Monday)

http://www.mediafire.com/?yvpz49txy8k - Angaarakan ( Tuesday)

http://www.mediafire.com/?b6xn12dudzs - Bhudhan ( Wednesday)

http://www.mediafire.com/?xydynoytfn3 - Brahaspathi ( Thursday )

http://www.mediafire.com/?kwvtors9y5m Sukran ( Friday )

http://www.mediafire.com/?59tmzfdfwgy- Sani ( Saturday )

http://www.mediafire.com/?dymij1t7nk9 - Raahu

http://www.mediafire.com/?yywmomtxnth - Kethu

Tamil New years day

This is a mail recieved from a relative of mine. Quite interesting. I tried to get Mr. Karunanidhi's email id to forward to him but could not succeed. I thought of forwarding this to Ms. Kanimozhi, since she will not object to different opinion, but in vain. Have a look and give your opinion.

யாராவது கருணாநிதிக்கு இதை forward செய்கவும்

ஜானகிராமன் வாழ்க

---

Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna ( Navamukhi Pallavi )

I am posting this from the file of Sri K. B. Gopalan, ( Vijayagopal) since some of the rasikapriya members finding it difficult to download from rapidshare. You can simply click and hear this.

Navamukhi Pallavi

Since the original posting under imeem was not giving the full version to some people, I have also posted under mediafire and now you can download the full version by clicking below

http://www.mediafire.com/?fuzcyysmtml Navamuka pallavi

Please post your comments and ratings as feed back to me.

kvnagarajan said...

This only plays a 30-second preview for me. I am unable to listen to the whole clip.

April 25, 2008 11:19 AM

Click on this to get a bigger image and read it

Myths

1. Ice water is certainly not thirst quencher though it may provide relief during the summer months. During summer months pot water is the best.
2. Jaggery, contrary to what many people think, is not devoid of calories. Though it does have micro nutrients, one must consume it judiciously, because calorie-wise itis as much as you'd find in refined sugar.
3. Water melon is summer is soothing, refreshing fruit. You do not catch cold by eating it.
4. Curd and Ice cream are perfectly alright to have it in any weather. If only one have allergic condition, it should be avoided.
5. Lime with a dash of ice can really perk you up in a warm summer day. It is a fallacy that you catch a cold if you drink it.
6. Pulses except chenna and rajma are okay to have even if you have loose motions. When you are having the runs, protein is important. Even plantain is good as it has soluble protein, which is an important binding agent.
7. Tomotoes, guava, and fruits with seeds do not cause kidney or bladder stones. There is absolutely no scientific basis to this commonly held view.
8. Cucumber is a wonderful summer vegetable. To say cucumber should be avoided in the summer months is not doing justice to this vegetable. It is also low in calories.
9. It is important to remember there are no "hot" and "cold" foods according to any scientific classification.
   

Inputs from Dharini krishnan Consultant Dietician
Harisankar said...
my brother had icecream at -6 degrees in cardiff and could not speak of sore throat for 2 weeks.

June 7, 2011 12:47 AM

Is India Shining?

Is India shining?

I am writing this not against any religion. It is purely looked into from economic point of view.

We had a funny situation in our country during this week. From12^thApril2008 to 20^thApril 2008 consisting 9 days, major institutions like Banks, Government offices, many public sector units including Stock exchanges worked only for three days.

This is because 12^th and 13^th being Saturday and Sunday, 14^th Monday was Dr. Ambedkar’s birthday and hence it was a holiday. We worked only 15^th, 16^th ,17^th and 18^th was declared holiday due to Mahavir Jayanthi and 19^th and 20^th are again Saturday and Sunday.. Those experts in our Governments who talk about man days, have ever calculated how many man days we are losing on account of these liberal holidays?

I visited at random about 10 bank branches, which may have average 10 employees and wanted to find out how many Muslims working in those branches. To my surprise there were none. (It may be a sweet news for persons like Mr. Sahabuddin, who are fighting that Muslims should be provided reservations in all institutions)

According to Indian Government the total percentage of Muslim in India is in between 11% to 12%. There are many who claim that it is 13 to 14% Out of these, what will be the percentage of Muslims working in the public Institutions? According to a recently published report to government, called the Sachar Report, Muslims are heavily under-represented in different government and social areas. Among other facts, it found that in the state of West Bengal, where Muslims make up 27% of the population, their employment in the government sector was below 3%.

The total number of Christians in India as per Census in 2001 is 24,080,016 or 2.34% of the population. The Jain population in India according to 2001 census is 4,225,053 out of the total population of India 1,028,610,328.

Imagine! Giving the margin of increase in their population even as high as10%, you can easily arrive at their population as on date. Is that worth declaring holidays on the basis of religion?

I am not telling that these minorities in our country should not celebrate their festival. Considering their strength in each office, they can be given paid holidays. Why 85% of Hindus should be asked to sit before their idiot boxes or go to cinema theaters or sleep at home on those days on which they have nothing to do?

It is high time we started raising our voices in this man hour loosing issue. Even holidays like Krishna Jayanthi or Sivarathri which is not being celebrated by all Hindus are declared holidays. What are the Hindus doing on these days, that they cannot work?

Most of the holidays declared as holidays are being celebrated only for few hours of the day. Who is going to bell the cat? This problem of excessive holidays should be looked into as loss of man days/power, than religious sentiments.

Is not India shining

IITians no longer prefer U.S. as job destination, says study Sandeep Joshi

Instead they prefer India due to booming employment prospects

NEW DELHI: India, with its booming economy and opportunities galore, is now becoming a preferred job destination among graduates from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), who now no longer prefer to go to the U.S. or other developed countries searching for jobs or higher studies.
“It is well known that graduates from IIT, popularly known as IITians, have historically preferred to move to the U.S. or other countries to pursue higher studies and explore more attractive career opportunities. However, preferences have changed during the last few years,” says a recent study conducted by a leading global research and analytics’ firm, Evalueserve.
Prepared after a survey of 677 IITians, the study points out that among IITians, who graduated between 1964 and 2001, 35 per cent moved to countries other than India, while 65 per cent preferred to stay back. However, among IITians who graduated in 2002 and later, only 16 per cent went abroad, while 84 per cent remained in India. “Recent graduates also believe India will be the most promising geography for IIT graduates in 10 years,” it says.
According to the study, among IITians, who graduated during 1964 and 2001, 60 per cent believed that when they were graduating, the U.S. and other developed countries provided better opportunities, while the remaining said it was India which provided job prospects. However, among those who passed out of the IITs between 2002 and 2008, this number dropped to 51 per cent who believed that developed countries would provide them better opportunities.
Interestingly, the point of “inflexion” arrives with the graduating class of 2002, where these changing trends became more pronounced. This correlates with the growth of India’s economy, the study points out. It also notes that better academic opportunity was the primary reason among IITians for choosing the U.S. over India.
However, there were other reasons too that resulted in IITians not going to the U.S. — stringent visa norms after the 9/11 terrorist incident, high cost of living, limited scholarships, high tuition fees, and the perception of reduced employment opportunities and a poorer life in the U.S.—, the study says.
While the reasons behind IITians preferring to stay back included their desire to be closer to their homes, culture, and family; limited number of “significantly attractive” job offers overseas; and substantial increase in job opportunities and improved standard of living in India; and significant entrepreneurial opportunities in India.
Interestingly, when asked “10 years down the line, which geography do you think will hold the most promise for success?”, 72 per cent IITians chose India, with only 17 per cent opting for the US, 5 per cent for Europe and 2 per cent for China, the study adds.
The Evalueserve study also points out that IITians are also expanding their career choices beyond the traditional engineering and technology opportunities.
“There has been a noticeable shift towards consulting and financial services as well as continued interest in entrepreneurial aspirations. This shift is related to the buoyant Indian economy, a surging Indian stock market, and the increased earnings potential in these areas,” it adds.
Hindu dated 19th April 2008