A decade is a long time and I'm sure I would have missed some extremely and probably more important elements. But isn't that what lists are about. Hits and Misses.
My list in no particular order
1. RTI - We ask. You answer.
2. Nano - World's cheapest car
3. Mobile Revolution - 700 million consumers and counting
4. World's IT provider - $30 billion industry
5. Mumbai Terror Attacks - Its a Global War
6. Indian Financial Institutes - The markets the world follows
7. Bollywood - Teaching Hollywood a few lessons
8. Sports - Taking on the World
9. Media - Everything is fair in love, war and on TV
10. Private Enterprise - We want your money
1. RTI - We ask. You answer.
Bringing Information to the Citizens
Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information. It is an initiative taken by Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to provide a– RTI Portal Gateway to the citizens for quick search of information on the details of first Appellate Authorities,PIOs etc. amongst others, besides access to RTI related information / disclosures published on the web by various Public Authorities under the government of India as well as the State Governments.
http://righttoinformation.gov.in/
http://rti.india.gov.in/
The Government of India always lays emphasis on making the lives of its citizens easy, smooth and making India truly democratic and keeping this in mind the RTI Act has been established.RTI stands for Right To Information and has been given the status of a fundamental right under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Article 19 (1) under which every citizen has freedom of speech and expression and have the right to know how the government works, what role does it play, what are its functions and so on.The Act confers right to the citizens to know as to how the taxpayers money is being spent by the Government.
Some success stories can be read at:
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/content/section/15-success-stories-rti.html
RTI has been used, misused and even abused. But overall it has had a major positive impact and made government officials relatively more accountable.
2. Nano - The people's car
The Nano project was launched with great fanfare by the Chairman of the Tata Group, Mr. Ratan Tata who promised the people's car at Rs. 1 lakh. The cheapest car was selling at almost twice that price. It was considered an impossibility but Tata had a dream, and would do whatever it took to achieve it.
http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors/
The Nano surprised many. Insiders as well as the observers. India had managed to shed the image of not being able to design or build anything with indigenous technology. The collection of global awards that the Nano received helped rid India of 1 more of its lack of self confidence shackles.
You can read the story behind the Nano at:
http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/may/14tata.htm
3. Mobile Revolution - 700 million consumers and counting
At the start of the decade, mobiles were just beginning to make an appearance in the metros. And was something that only the very rich could afford. Within 10 years, its become the most widely owned product ever. Its penetration at an unbelievable 60% +. And costs and schemes that make it affordable to virtually everybody.
Today mobile phones are being carried and used even by a large majority of the population that is considered "BPL or Below Poverty Line". The costs could be as little as Rs. 50 per month or roughly $1. The mobile revolution has been used in a wide variety of innovative ways to enable people. Some examples are fishermen for weather updates, daily workers for daily job requirements, courier boys to update status of their delivery and pick up process,...
Some outdated but relevant articles:
http://inside.org.au/india-mobile-revolution/
http://blogs.hbr.org/krishnamurthy/2008/05/indias-mobile-revolution-1.html
http://www.articlesbase.com/cell-phones-articles/mobile-revolution-in-india-440426.html
4. World's IT provider - $50 billion industry
India's IT industry that generated over US 50 Billion in export earnings in 2010 and employs over 2 million people is looking at doubling these numbers in the next 3 - 5 years. The difference in the IT industry as compared to others is that for the first time in India's history, India has been able to become a middle to high level service provider in an advanced industry. Traditionally we have been suppliers of low level goods and services. Whilst the growth is both good and encouraging, the 1 aspect that is worrying is the continuous increasing costs, making the commercials less interesting and the rapid advancement of countries such as China and the Philippines to supply services of a similar or better standard with more competitive pricing. With China currently having a larger number of people learning English than India's current English speaking population, will this final barrier too be broken ?
And can India increase its longevity in the industry by improving ist rather mediocre record in terms of innovations and patents in the IT industry and survive by rising higher in the value chain ?
http://emerge.nasscom.in/2010/12/2011-promising-start-but-a-cautious-outlook-for-it-bpo-industry/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology_in_India
http://pdfcast.org/pdf/patent-portfolio-of-major-indian-it-companies
5. Mumbai Terror Attacks - Its a Global War
India has been the victim of several terror attacks. Pre 9/11 and post 9/11. However since they mostly involved Indian citizens and crowded areas they were generally ignored by the Western media and given relatively short term coverage in the Indian media itself.
The Mumbai terror attacks put the terror issue in India on the global map, with CNN's 24 x 7 coverage. And the capture of a terrorist, Ajmal Kasab alive, gave the rest of the world no more excuses and room for denials of how Pakistan was a victim not the cause.
This was the beginning of a global recognition and appreciation of India's security and terror issues and to my mind, a primary reason for India's ambition to be apart of the UN's permanent security council being listened to. It also marked the beginning of India on the global stage with the leaders of all the Big 5 UN members visiting India in 2010.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Mumbai_attacks
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/India-Remembers-Mumbai-Terror-Attacks-Urges-Pakistan-to-Prosecute-Perpetrators--110794124.html
6. Indian Financial Institutes - The market that defied the global meltdown
This decade saw the meltdown of the global markets and a severe financial crises that saw the end of several institutes like the Lehman Brothers. And governments had to step in to save banks, from the US to Greece, Ireland, Spain to name a few of the high profile cases.
The one exception to this global phenomenon was India. And the 1 reason seems to be the guidelines and norms prescribed by India's financial guardians, the RBI and SEBI.
Until recently criticized for being over cautious and conservative, they are now being praised for being visionary. Whatever the reasons, the results have allowed us to continue our close to double digit growth and a healthy economy and financial system into the new decade.
7. Bollywood - Teaching Hollywood a few lessons
Originally Bollywood was happy with focusing on releasing its films in India. Whilst Hollywood was a global payer. Bollywood has over the last decade taken on Hollywood and emerged as a strong contender.
Bollywood currently releases more than twice the number of Hollywood films and has a revenue that is comparable. It has started making its presence felt globally including the US and Europe. And whilst the majority of its viewers are expat from the Indian sub continent, like the Indian cuisine it is slowly but surely making inroads across cultures.
http://hubpages.com/hub/Bollywood-Vs-Hollywood
http://www.kippreport.com/2009/02/bollywood-vs-hollywood/
8. Sports - Taking on the World
India has never been a sporting country. In fact, one of the main comments by observers revolves around, "1 billion people. Not 1 champion", in almost every global sporting event.
Unfortunately for various reasons, this remain the story. The light at the end of the tunnel however are the sparks of brilliance from Indian sports persons who have on their own, gone and become world champions.
4 that come to mind are Viswanathan Anand in Chess, Saina Nehwal in Badminton, Pankaj Advani in Billiards as well as Snooker and Gagan Narang in shooting.
All of these greats have managed not because of our sporting system, but in-spite of our poor sporting system that makes sports a seat of power for bureaucrats and politicians.
Hopefully this decade will see 1000's of sporting stars and a change in our system to make sports accessible and transparent.
9. Media - Everything is fair in love, war and on TV
The 4th estate as the media is popularly known as, has emerged as one of the most powerful institutes in the country. The penetration of TV into almost every household and the number of new news channels has meant that there is a 24 x 7 x 365 input into every Indian's home.
The biggest positive has been the several exposes, sting operations, posing of uncomfortable questions to the politicians and highlighting issues. And since the audience is the one that keeps all of them in power, the political parties and others have no option but to seemingly behave in a manner that will appease the audience. This has seen the fall of several ministers in Delhi and chief ministers in the state capitals.
Unfortunately there has also been misuse of the vast power. The media or at the very least some of the people in the media have colluded to benefit themselves and their benefactors. This has brought into question both the independence and the integrity of the media.
Whilst this is bound to happen in any field, the sad part is how the issue has been dealt with. The media which has been screaming about honesty and integrity and accountability from the rooftops has chosen to turn a blind eye to its own misdemeanors and has completely swept it under the carpet.
Fortunately the emergence of the Internet and the social networks had meant that we get to see and hear of their misdeeds.
10. Private Enterprise - We want your money
After decades of eying the Indian middle class, this decade has finally seen their emergence as a group that has the spending power and ability to purchase goods and services. And when there's money to be spent, private enterprise cannot be far behind. This decade has seen the boom of spending opportunities across India in the big as well as small cities, in urban India. And in rural India.
The private sector has boomed across all categories. Whether its airlines or road transport. Telecom or Television. Shopping Centers or Hospitals. If you have the money, there are several companies that want it. And this has led to competition. Competition that has meant better goods and services at extremely competitive prices. In fact the deals are so good that I wouldn't be surprised to see a deal, where you will get a TV free if you buy a remote control.
Good for the companies. And more important, good for us.
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