CORONA & QUARANTINE

Friends,

These two words I came across first time in my life of 57 years. During February month of this year. I was extremely busy in my daughters' marriage but the news about Corona had already been in circulation. We seem to be almost ignored this fact that this is a virus too contagious and travels thru human body. There were some news about its effect in China and unknowingly we were looking for some business opportunities for the country. It was just like killing the Karna in Mahabharta when he was weaponless due to his chariot stuck up in mud and Arjun attacked. With this mindset at least I could not foresee that this virus with no boundaries can spread dangerously across the globe. 

Later it came to know that there is no medicine globally to fight this unseen dangerous killer enemy. Surprise to know this that on one side we going moon, mars and lot many other celestial orbits. We could measure the galaxy and also find other galaxies in the universe. There were news that Russia has developed fastest ballistic missile. Lots of power in humans with arms across the world and frightening each other. In fact we challenged the nature with our knowledge, inventions, arms and so on. God was avoiding all the way since last 90-100 years. Probably after Spanish flu ( which lasted for 3 years and killed about 100 million people). God ignored two world wars, Hitlers' genocides, lot of wars between countries on border issues or some economic issues. We started selling and ruling the world with religions, castes, creeds, colours and so on. We human became so powerful that all mute creatures, trees, rivers, oceans started crying. 

During childhood, I was told that for the God 100 years is nothing more than a day. He noticed what we  human have done during his one day. To reprimand us he simply threw a very very tiny tool and put us on knees. Where are our inventions? What about those atomic powered arms, science to reach beyond galaxy? What about our borders now? Don't forget we used to boost that not even a bird can fly inside our border without our permission. All have become useless . Rather we are asking to each other when this medicine will be invented to fight this Corona. Friends remember Corona is only a small virus and there may be end number of tools with God to teach lesson. Not only in 2020 but in 3020 also. We are tiny species of this mother earth and should behave like this only. 

This is the first time in my life where in the only remedy available is to keep yourself indoor and quarantine. could you imagine  such remedy? what about those space stations, deep underground cities and all? We humans are on the knees friends and only medicine is pray and keep your self aloof. Trying to save ourselves from this pandemic. We forgot every thing now i.e. politics, caste, color etc. and looking at each other if any medicine is available. Tell me one thing if there is any medicine available will we get it on the basis of caste, color or nation? I don't think so. Then why we humans cant behave properly and live together with peace and harmony. 

CP

Best reaction to defeat: Enjoy & move forward

Life teaches always and gives lesson in hardest way . Sometimes you win and mostly loose. The world does not move as per our aspirations, it has its own way and god has to take care of every one . Sometimes you feel lost the battle, embarrassed, ditched, betrayed etc etc. it is painful and may leave deep scar on memory. But the reaction to all these is in our control. The reaction will decide our destiny and that is absolutely in our control. It may affect the health, the reputation, life too badly. 

In my view defeat should also be enjoyed if we want to remain in the ring. There is never end till we decide . Enjoying the defeat may be hard to practice but this is the best and most effective reaction . The let go and move forward approach not only brings back better opportunity but also sure shot chance of winning. If we repent and grudge it will damage us only. So if we wish to grow and become stronger the best reaction is be calm and enjoy the defeat. 

Just shared this thought. 

CP 

Changing Priorities of our country

Inflation highest in 6 years, economic growth lowest in 6 years. 

Recent headlines in the corner of business newspaper. This should have been main news of the paper but they also shied away from highlighting more but could not avoid it totall too.  Anybody listening this or we have changed priorities ? May be it sounds rude but somewhere we are delinking from the global priorities. We need to review seriously if we are really conscious about this shift in paradigm. 

There may have been some mistakes in the past but correcting them does not guarantee that we are not going to make new mistakes. May be more mistakes and blunders . The process will continue till the humans are on this planet. What may be remembered in near term is the improvement  we can make in our society, country and global at large. Post liberalisation we decided to grow economically as per world standards and took a path of liberalism. Last 28-29 years have witnessed substantial growth of our country though it is still long road to go. In such situation changing the track may not be a good idea. We should not repent later towards the cost of achieving something else. 

We should keep aside political issues and focus on the economic front else road to slide will  always be speedy. It takes years to build something but few seconds to demolish. Choice is ours, no one can be blamed. 

Politics vs Economics

As a person belonging to the business community with Baniya and Marwari tag , I hv always noticed the economics ahead of politics. This is further strengthened with the base in Gujarat. Economics always superseded politics till very recently. However in 5-6 years I have noticed significant lead of politics over economics . Now the politics is more important than the economics or commerce. People at mass level have left aside the importance of economics . Now people are interested only in politics . This  shift in mindset is a significant change in our society which is generally noticed during war or crisis times. Why and how this transformation in mindset could happen is a very interesting issue. Till recently politicians used to blame each other for failure in economy . Public too was bit sensitive about inflation, interest rates, price rises , foreign inflow, rupee/ dollar exchange rate, job etc etc. now people more concerned about CAB, 370, temple, statue, religion, caste, neighbours etc etc. you talk any body anywhere in the country all will discuss about these issue and feel elevated with the knowledge acquired through WhatsApp. WhatsApp and google have taken over all the other knowledge sources irrespective to the authenticity. 

In such situation it seems that people feel threatened from deep inside and only concerned with their survival. Somewhere media has played very important role in this mindset transformation. It is true what ever is seen or heard multiple times we start believing and that is the reason that we all are put into a situation where the survival become threatening forcing the people to leave aside economy . 

I don’t know the long term effect of this but one thing is certain - people will be least interested in development and more into different things resulting in to poor growth . Although the political issues mentioned above are also of importance but superseding economics is something worrisome. We have been ahead of our neighbours due to different mind set but this may not continue in future and may be we will imbibe their mindset. Hope we soone realise this and return back to our growth track. 

C P Jain

GDP, GDP , GDP ......?

In current times, most common matter for discussion after weather is GDP. All media channels, newspapers, magazines etc. are full of this word. Every one in our country has become economist along worth the politician. But do we really know about the GDP? Is it important factor and where do we stand in terms of GDP in world economy . 

Although I am a layman as far as economics is concerned but still would like to share my views with little knowledge acquired from here and there. 

Let's analyse bit deep this GDP. 

What is GDP. : Gross domestic product is a value of all goods and services produced by a country in a specific period commonly annual. This helps In understanding the economic size of a country . Our country’s GDP was 2.935 tn usd in 2019. We are 5th Rank in size of economy after US, China, Japan & Germany. 

Now the question arises is what is the importance of GDP and does it really indicates perfect economic situation.

GDP reflects size of economy and hence the market of that country also. In that sense  GDP indicates overall volume of a country if we talk in laymen language irrespective to the size of population. It is just like a income of a family irrespective to the number of dependants. So we can say that yes to understand the size of a country it is important but this is only partial observation.  In fact it confuses with prosperity. We are always taught that the higher GDP will make us rich. This is not fully correct. The GDP is only one factor in deciding the prosperity of a nation. If we divide GDP by the population of a country we can arrive at the per capita income of its' citizen. 

We are ranking  5th in GDP size but if we look at per capita income then we rank at 127 i.e. far below many nations. Our per capita income is 2172 USD as against 8000 USD average level. If we analyse the economy by per capita we are far below the average of the world. In that sense our situation is too dismal. 

In fact the economic analysis of any country should be based on both the above parameters and not one factor only. Considering the population size we are far below average. Whatever be the growth it will take long time to even touch the average mark. 

Also the economic parameters should be mixed with the other factors like freedom, political situation, happiness level, education, mortality age, health care , infrastructure etc. to understand the real situation of economy in any country. 

Hence in my view defining ourselves at number 5 is of no use rather misguiding considering the per capita income. 

CP

Festivals - Over consumption in life

Friends
Festivals are important part of our lives at every age, caste, creed , society, country and world as a whole. For a child festival means staying away from routine, better family mood, good food, travel, clothing etc. When we grow young , festival leads to chilling out, no commitments, no routine life so on and so forth. When we cross the age further, festivals pushes us to meet our nears and dears, off from the routine along with family time.
In last couple of decades I hv noticed interference of media too in the festivals. Mostly the media in current times affects negatively the celebrations. Over consumption of information, social media pressure , mental obsession of media has taken away the way we used to celebrate the festivals. Now a days social media decides whom to wish and whom not, we have to flow in the direction dictated by the media as number of messages you get , it is compulsory to reply else it may affect the relationship adversely. Now you can not take off mentally during the festival. You have to b always ON socially and respond on same way you do it regularly. There is no OFF from social media these days else's you may be termed as arrogant and rude. Also this social media has multiplied the festivals. Infact every major festival starts on social media and ends with it. The duration of the festival is also stretched and now major festivals are celebrated for 7-10 days.
In our Hindu culture number of festivals are much more than other religions. These festivals costs a lot to us due to their longevity and spendings. May be this is one of the major reasons that we have left behind economically. The per capita income speaks all but no one wants to pin point to this fact that so much holidays are severely damaging our economy. Our leaders speaks total economic size but not per capita. 

CP

Growing imbalance in Indian society

Since childhood it is being publicised that all the rulers from every political party annihbce that their main focus is to uplift poor, Dalit, farmers and backwards. 

In last almost five decades I could not see any major change in the situation. Whatever growth we are noticing is a normal growth which happened in every other part of the world.  Lot of government subsidies , programmes , freebies and all are publicised and huge money is distributed but nothing improves.

In my view our rulers should review this method of supporting the needy. Sustainable growth is possible only by improving education and social hindrance. Our millennial habits and social restrictions need to be improved which is possibly only through education, health and better environment. Expenditure in education and health is miniscule hence results will also be u the same proportion. 

Gap between poor and rich has widened manifold in last two decades and it is going up day by day. India has 131 billionaires and 3.45 lakhs millionaires which is third largest population after USA and China. Although in a population of 130 crores , millionaires are less than 0.03% it is quite alarming considering the fact that maximum population is poor. The gap between rich and poor is too wide at serious level. Despite this we are yet to invest reasonable amount in education and health. 

Widening gap between the society causes dissatisfaction and anxiety in the society . It is more dangerous when the rich show off their wealth . More on this in next blog. 
CP