Business, Economy, Government

Alstom India Set To Grow Revenues from Railways & Transportation

Alstom SA, the world’s second- largest trainmaker, said Indian sales growth may surpass local economic expansion as the government works on a 14 trillion rupee ($317 billion) plan to expand and modernize railroads.  The company has to be prepared for India growth “which is equal to if not higher than GDP,” Sunand Sharma, 61, Alstom’s local head, said in an Oct. 15 interview at his office in Noida, near New Delhi. He declined to give specific sales numbers.

Alstom, which also makes power-plant systems, expects to eventually get a third of India sales from transportation as the government expands the railroads 10 percent a year to support economic growth. The Paris-based company has been shortlisted with General Electric Co., Bombardier Inc. and Siemens AG as a possible partner in an Indian train making venture and is considering building a rail-car plant in the country. Continue reading Alstom India Set To Grow Revenues from Railways & Transportation →

Healthcare, People

Indian Population Faces Huge Diabetes Threat

Stanford University has recently posted updates from their India Research

As India’s middle class has expanded, the nation’s public health concerns have shifted. Obesity rates have risen, coinciding with a surge in diabetes. The number of Indians with type 2 diabetes is expected to double to nearly 80 million by 2030. Meanwhile, 43 percent of children in India are underweight, according to the World Bank.

A chronic condition, type 2 diabetes is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood.  People with type 2 diabetes are at much greater risk of health complications, including problems with the eyes, kidneys and cardiovascular system. The American Heart Association estimates that nearly 75 percent of type 2 diabetics die from some form of heart or blood vessel disease. And the risk of stroke increases more than two-fold within the first five years of being treated for type 2 diabetes.

Continue reading Indian Population Faces Huge Diabetes Threat →

Education, Jobs, People

Career Choices: How do you make them?

Choosing the career that is right for you is more important than the right career. As such there is nothing like a right career anymore. Speaking in an Indian context – late into the ‘90’s you would practically want to do an undergraduate studies in technology as a stepping stone towards career paths. An engineering degree more often than not equipped you with the pre-requisite to get a decent paid job at the age of 21.

Management studies, gateway to PSU’s, Engineering services and Civil services almost invariably traveled through an engineering education. Even the toppers of various UPSC exams invariably came from one of the technology giants generally IITs. Career choices otherwise were very limited – not qualifying for an engineering seat was indeed a step back and umpteen capitation fee type education shops mushroomed to tap the excess demand for an engineering seat. Few of them indeed became good colleges but most of them were nothing more than commercial means to distribute engineering degrees to those privileged who otherwise missed the mainstream boat. In niche areas like medicine and law – opportunities were limited and by no means capable of handling all Indian aspirants. Continue reading Career Choices: How do you make them? →

Business, Economy, Finance, Government

Indian Monetary Policy: RBI Annual Policy Statement for 2010-2011

– By Dr. D. Subbarao, Governor, RBI (Reserve Bank of India)

1. The Monetary Policy for 2010-11 is set against a rather complex economic backdrop. Although the situation is more reassuring than it was a quarter ago, uncertainty about the shape and pace of global recovery persists. Private spending in advanced economies continues to be constrained and inflation remains generally subdued making it likely that fiscal and monetary stimuli in these economies will continue for an extended period. Emerging market economies (EMEs) are significantly ahead on the recovery curve, but some of them are also facing inflationary pressures.

2. India’s growth-inflation dynamics are in contrast to the overall global scenario. The economy is recovering rapidly from the growth slowdown but inflationary pressures, which were triggered by supply side factors, are now developing into a wider inflationary process. As the domestic balance of risks shifts from growth slowdown to inflation, our policy stance must recognise and respond to this transition. While global policy co-ordination was critical in dealing with a worldwide crisis, the exit process will necessarily be differentiated on the basis of the macroeconomic condition in each country. India’s rapid turnaround after the crisis induced slowdown evidences the resilience of our economy and our financial sector. However, this should not divert us from the need to bring back into focus the twin challenges of macroeconomic stability and financial sector development. Continue reading Indian Monetary Policy: RBI Annual Policy Statement for 2010-2011 →

Business

HPCL in E&P to Move Upstream And Reduce Business Risk

HPCL, in consortium with E&P partners companies currently has 19 nos. blocks in India, and 4 nos. overseas blocks in Oman, Australia and Egypt. HPCL intends to implement a strategy for E&P business based on opportunities both within and outside India — to reduce its dependence (and risk) from oil marketing business in India, which is a loss making operation, unless government finds the will to make a change.

Currently HP E&P has presence in 4 countries including India and plans to expand its portfolio in other countries which is a main area of focus of its Strategic Investment plan mainly in Middle East, South East Asia & Africa. Continue reading HPCL in E&P to Move Upstream And Reduce Business Risk →

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