Expert Zone
Straight from the Specialists
A world of schoolgirls
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily those of Thomson Reuters)
One of the more difficult questions I found myself being asked when I was a United Nations under-secretary-general, especially when addressing a general audience, was: “What is the single most important thing that can be done to improve the world?”
It’s the kind of question that tends to bring out the bureaucrat in even the most direct of communicators, as one feels obliged to explain the complexity of the challenges confronting humanity: how no imperative can be singled out over other goals; how the struggle for peace, the fight against poverty, and the battle to eradicate disease must all be waged side by side; and so on — mind-numbingly.
Then I learned to cast caution to the wind and venture an answer to this most impossible of questions. If I had to pick the one thing that we must do above all else, I now offer a two-word mantra: educate girls.
India Markets Weekahead – A breakout expected before the year ends
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
Markets struggled to hold beyond Nifty levels of 5900 and closed the week 0.47 percent down, breaking a three-week streak of gains. Uncertainty over the banking regulations bill seems to have overshadowed better-than-expected wholesale price index-based inflation data in November. Industrial production soared by 8.2 percent, surprising analysts and sending signals that green shoots of economic recovery are visible.
An affordable house for Mr Aspirer
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
Can the aspirations of 100 million people be ignored?
Consider this. The 2011 Census said 31 percent of India’s population is classified as urban. That’s 380 million people. The Census also said 18 percent of Indian households lack basic amenities — no access to electricity, water, drainage and toilets.
Nifty to consolidate after crossing psychological barrier of 6000
High drama in parliament and volatility in the markets, albeit within a tight range, summarizes the action for the week.
Most in the analyst fraternity including myself expected the Nifty to cross the psychological barrier of 6000 after the FDI vote in parliament, but markets defied consensus once again and ended up a paltry 0.4 percent for the week at 5907.
The burden of India’s cash transfer scheme
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
The government’s cash transfer scheme (CTS) has been accepted by economists as the most efficient method of delivering subsidies to the poor. This became possible with the identification of the poor after the introduction of “Aadhaar” or unique identity scheme. The scheme is going to be implemented from the beginning of 2013.
India Markets Weekahead – An opportunity to ride the rally
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
It was a stupendous week with 4.5 percent gain and the closing at 5879, the highest point for Nifty in 19 months. The week started with positive international cues of a Greek bailout, and was further strengthened with Moody’s confirmation of a stable rating for India.
Will Indian stocks end 2012 on a happier note?
(Rajiv Deep Bajaj is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bajaj Capital Ltd. The views expressed in this column are his own and do not represent those of Reuters)
The rally in the Indian stock markets, fuelled by the so-called reform announcements, seems to have fizzled out. Frontline indexes have retraced more than 60 percent of the gains made since Sep. 13, 2012, the day the reform measures were made public.
From Bhagalpur to Boisar
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
What is common between the movie “Gangaajal” and the television soap opera “Afsar Bitiya“? It’s Bhagalpur.
India Markets Weekahead – It’s a no trade zone for now
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Reuters)
Indian markets were in a narrow Nifty band of 5550-5650 last week but volatility kept market participants on tenterhooks.
Yet another infructuous parliament session?
(The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not represent those of Thomson Reuters)
The last session of parliament was a washout. The present one looks to be no different going by its chaotic start.
