The Plan

What was different this time? Having poured thru all the major newspapers this mornin I still cannot figure out what was "news".
Pumping more money? Buyin out the toxic-assets? Or... Oh yeah, bringin in the private investors !!

Hmmm, I understand Obama loves this guy, and let's be honest, just 2mths into office he aint gonna make us feel otherwise... I dont see this comin for sure, "wait a minute, a mistake's been made, oops the wrong guy's been chosen for the TS position". BUT the communication needs to be improved.

Perhaps a good start wld be by explainin to the mkts how these assets they are embarkin on buyin will be valued; and who are these private investors they speak about.
Yeah, that cld be a good start to somewhere. But still, bravo for havin moved the mkts anyway! Just shows how desperate we are, everybody's thinkin, "perhaps it's different this time"!

Maybe it is! After the many months of agony, everybody's got their fingers and toes crossed, let's see if Geithner's able to pull the rabbit outta the hat, hold ya breath!!! On second thoughts, I suggest otherwise, as it'll be a long while.

White Tiger

On the 60th Anniversary of India's Republic Day, I cannot help but contemplate the country's achievements, its setbacks, its challenges, its potential, its talents, its culture, and most importantly, put India in perspective.

I have great respect for India, although, it saddens me to see that due to the shortcomings of a few crooks in the system, India does not have simple things like roads and basics like clean water and decent housing for the poor. I believe in and admire India for its talent and perseverance, but loathe it for the corruption and the lack of faith its individuals have for their own country. Yes, Indians have relied upon themselves, they have made great leaps, but they have also left millions behind! I have always believed that if India had opened up its economy to the foreigners, it would have provided a level playing field, or at least the much-needed jobs for the poor, which would have created the means to taking the nation to even greater heights.

However, I have also come to the realization that perhaps what I have been concentrating on is a thing of the past. Perhaps, I have been unfair to judge the progress based on simple textbook theories. Perhaps, the resilient and sophisticated India that is transpiring is a direct result of the incompetencies of the system. Let us not forget, India has a history dating back as early as 2500BC; it is a complex country with different cultures, religions and languages. It has a population of 1.1 billion, making it the world's largest democracy. And by all these measures, recent growth rates averaging 9% is a great accomplishment for the Indians to be proud of.I have had numerous discussions on India and its accomplishments with people who have experienced it first hand, and two have had a lasting impression. One, where an acquaintance stated that - India is the only country that is big and ‘innovative’ enough to take over United States as the next biggest economy; and another where I concluded local Indians as 'opportunistic' the way they go about their everyday business; two qualities that I strongly believe are essential for achieving success.

I was told that Thomas Friedman once said on CNN that the difference between China and India is (not directly quoting as I have not watched the interview, but somewhat get the gist) - China is a 4 lane highway with cars travelling at 80-100mph and if a bump is encountered there would be two likely scenarios, either the vehicle would lose control and crash or it would fly in the air and land slightly damaged but will stay on course. India on the other hand is a road full of potholes and puddles, cars travel at 50-60mph, the speed is steady and if bumps occur the vehicles will adjust the speed and carry on moving unscathed.

Just like the latest sensation 'Slumdog Millionaire', the journey might be slow and agonizing, but the end results are more than worthwhile. Being an optimistic, opportunistic, self-reliant, creative hard-worker, with high attainable goals, and a 'never say die' attitude is all it takes, and really that's what makes India, India.

Bull Year?!

I am sure nobody would argue with me if I said 2008 was the most eventful year in our lives! It was a year that witnessed its first ever African-American taking the highest office in the United States of America; it was a year where India, a non NPT member, signed its nuclear energy deal; it was a year where China showcased itself to the world by hosting the Olympics; it was a year where some of the biggest banks went bust or were atleast taken over and nationalized; it was a year where Stagflation became a common vocabulary; it was a year where Madoff became infamous; and mostly it was a year we questioned Capitalism, loathed Globalization, and revisted the Depression Era of the late 1920s for any answers we could find from History, existing in books and not in memory.

Today, it feels like we will never ever get out of this mess. It feels like the world has changed so much in a year, and the only way forward is Down. Sigh, we're scared of the upcoming spending spree on Capitol Hill, we are afraid of the riots that might break out in China because millions are being laid off, we are anxious about the elections in India as reforms might be further stalled, we fear more protectionism from governments going forward, and personally we are facing our worst nightmares in the form of unemployment, negative equity, depleting funds, and a sense of insecurity over our once "rich" lives.

Not that all this is not real, but we humans forget that our memory span is short - just as we've forgotten the boom years, we will forget these depressing times. Maybe 2009 will be a rather difficult year for most, but remember what goes down must go up - as the saying goes :) whatever! Perhaps, it's a good time to sit down and think what exactly will go back up.

Let's get the year MOOving... we can moan till the cows come home... but I'd much rather search for bulls... bring on the year of the OX!!!

Creative Capitalism

Having majored in Finance, I have admired Alan Greenspan all these years. This was one man, whose opinion mattered, not just to American financiers but also to other central bankers around the world. People literally stopped to listen to what he had to say and the FOMC meetings created waves in most economies before and after.

His decisions had the ability to change the world - and change the world they did. For the worse unfortunately. His solution to every crisis was easing of interest rates, creating cheap capital, to boost spending and investment. People taking ever higher risks and using their capital "creatively". We should thank him for Everything!

Anyways, I found out that Creative Capitalism meant something entirely different from what I had been associating it with; and surprisingly it came from someone I had disliked all these years. Bill Gates ! - one of the greatest capitalists in the world

Bill - Capitalism has improved the lives of billions of people — something that's easy to forget at a time of great economic uncertainty. But it has left out billions more. They have great needs, but they can't express those needs in ways that matter to markets. So they are stuck in poverty, suffer from preventable diseases and never have a chance to make the most of their lives. Governments and nonprofit groups have an irreplaceable role in helping them, but it will take too long if they try to do it alone. It is mainly corporations that have the skills to make technological innovations work for the poor. To make the most of those skills, we need a more creative capitalism: an attempt to stretch the reach of market forces so that more companies can benefit from doing work that makes more people better off. We need new ways to bring far more people into the system — capitalism — that has done so much good in the world. - TIME

Wow it's pretty impressive. This guy has the power and definately the resources to make a huge difference. Anything coming from him can be assumed to become a major movement towards the improvement of the lives of the poor around the world.

Today I've lost respect for one and gained it for another.

Political Obsession

I am currently obsessed with the American politics. The unfolding of the greatest political drama of all time intrigues me. The core beliefs of the largest economy and its people, on their economic and international standing, have been challenged - and it is pretty fascinating to observe the reactions of the Americans and their judgement on who they think will lead the country out of the mess. And to make matters really interesting, the candidates on offer are at stark contrast to one another.

So who will America choose?

Haha if the latest VP pick by the Republicans is any indication, the Americans have it easy!

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McCain/Palin leadership will definately help repair USA's tarnished image in the international arena. Atleast people will embrace the change - giving America a more "elderly" and "motherly" image! Nice.

Grandfathers and Housewives please feel inspired!!! All of you have a chance at fixing the economy, the world, the environment, and definately the oil problem. It's NEVER TOO LATE to run... America needs you all at this critical juncture... stand up and run for office.

After the "Stupid" experiment... now all that is needed is the "anyone will do" experiment! Who needs experience? Aint just "been living" enough? Even that's hard nowadays!! Palin's atleast lived a colorful life - been there done that - she's even got BABYGATE to her credentials!! Beat-that!
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Who says politics is boring?

In Perspective

http://globalrichlist.com

Iron Soldiers

I have just found my soul-mate, in Iron Man. I know many of you know it was Leonidas from 300... but Iron Man is just so irresistible! Boy, he's got the wits, the genius, the humor, the charm, the attitude, the cool gadgets... what's not to like about him? Most importantly, he's a one man killing machine, he's got Iron.

Anyways, I'm getting carried away here. I hope most people enjoyed the movie as much as I did - he's officially become one of my fav heroes. But I have to confess, it was not his flamboyance, or his plight in the Middle East, or his armour, or his flight excusions, that caught my heart... it was actually the scene, with the baddy uncle and the Arab terrorist, that really intrigued me.

It's where both the baddies meet and the Arab tries to negotiate the price for the remains of the Iron suit ... "repay me with a gift of Iron Soldiers"... and to his oblivion he gets double-crossed and paralysed by a tiny gadget in Mr Stane's hand.

And the parting words are, "Technology. It's always been your Achilles' Heel in this part of the world"

Whether you love the Americans, or hate them... they are afterall, Iron Soldiers.