April 2013

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 30 apr 2013

Indian agricultural scientists are researching on varieties of crops that can resist drought conditions. Varieties of rice, wheat, maize, etc and innovative methods of crop cultivation are being developed for areas that have less availability of water for irrigation. Government programs like 'Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India' are directed towards save water approach. Read on...

Invest In India: Emphasis on Diversification of Agriculture
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 29 apr 2013

'National Food Security Bill' is under consideration in parliament and once passed it would mark a brightest chapter in India's agricultural history, says 'Father of Green Revolution' Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. The bill is significant for 70% of the Indian population. As India tries to fight malnutrition, ecological sustainability and economic viability of farming should be ensured, he said. More investments in farming are needed; use of advanced technology is required along with skilled human resources; enabling environment for younger educated Indians to adopt farming as profession; encourage organic farming and green agriculture are some of the suggestions made by Dr. Swaminathan. Read on...

Indian Express: Swaminathan bats for Food Security Bill
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 24 apr 2013

Considering that India is a traditionally hierarchical society, researchers working on relationship between 'Caste and Entrepreneurship' observed that scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, the lowest groups in the hierarchy, own very little businesses even though India has introduced various affirmative action and equal opportunity programs. Researchers found that in 2005 with about 42 million enterprises, scheduled castes own 9.8% of the enterprises while scheduled tribes own only 3.7%. Although their respective share in populations is 16.4% and 7.7%. Experts point to various reasons for this- discrimination, lack of knowledge, illiteracy and securing financing to start businesses. Since inclusive entrepreneurship is critical for nation's overall growth and job creation, it is important that policy makers, business organizations, financial institutions etc promote 'Inclusive Entrepreneurship' for sustainable development of all communities and therefore the country. Read on...

BBC News: Caste and entrepreneurship in India
Author: Soutik Biswas

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 23 apr 2013

'Business Accelerators' are enhancing the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing support and services to entrepreneurial ideas and early start-ups. Accelerators go beyond funding and provide mentoring and other business enhancing services to business concepts and early stage entrepreneurial companies and assist them in their growth at the critical stage of their development particularly 'proof-of-concept' stage. According to reports, there are around 35 accelerators working in India. The article explores the formation and evolution of one such accelarator operating in India. Read on...

Money Control: Accelerators - How they are boosting India's entrepreneurs
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 18 apr 2013

In a recent survey of top Indian cities it was found that on the theme of 'Urban Planning and Design' these cities got a score of 2.8 out of a total of 10, way below the score of 8.8 for London and New York. As India moves forward, its critical to understand the gaps and challenges related to spatial planning of our cities. Most of the best cities of the world evolved over a period of time proactively responding to the socio economic and technological changes and consistently invested in their redevelopment and revival. While the Indian cities weren't able to effectively handle and respond to the challenges of rapid urbanization and expansion. To move towards building our cities as centers of knowledge, social equity and cultural diversity we have to prepare detailed plans and specific roadmaps and continuously invest in programs that fulfil and incorporate the shifts in economic activity and technological innovation. Read on...

Live Mint: Fixing India's city-systems
Author: Arun Maira, Swati Ramanathan

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 15 apr 2013

Considering that India and Africa have similar socio-economic issues, entrepreneurial partnerships and exchanges can play a very important role in finding innovative solutions. Efforts are on to bring together entrepreneurs from these two big and underdeveloped regions of the world to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. Some of the key areas of importance are healthcare, education, environment, governance, food and nutrition. Read on...

Business Today: INDIAFRICA - Promoting Indo-African entrepreneurship
Author: Dearton Thomas Hector

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 14 apr 2013

India has to overcome its vicious cycle and start attracting foreign investments to avoid economic imbalances and weakening currency, says an expert. Healthy increase in consumption is a result of investment driven increase in production capacity and job creation. Thus for a long term sustainable economy India should create investment condusive environment with responsible administrative measures and reforms. Read on...

Reuters: Investment boost needed to break India's vicious cycle
Author: Hartmut Issel

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 13 apr 2013

To be successful in the globally competitive environment and lead in the local markets, Indian companies have to adopt 'Open Innovation', a collaborative approach to innovation by exploring and utilizing the inputs from external sources at various stages of new product development and also for continuous improvement and upgradation of existing products and services. Institutions and research laboratories can be great sources for tapping new ideas, concepts and technologies for commercialization. Read on...

The Hindu: Indian companies need to embrace open innovation
Author: Rishikesh T. Krishnan

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 apr 2013

Ecommerce industry in India still needs more time to mature, says an ecommerce entrepreneur. Most of the ecommerce companies are struggling for capital. Some of these are copies of the models from mature ecommerce markets like US. But this would not be sustainable in the long term as they would not be able to distinguish themselves. Indian entrepreneurs have to create innovative ecommerce business models keeping in mind the sensitivities and behaviors of the local customers and markets. They have to develop their own niche within the larger ecommerce environment that also includes local operations of the global ecommerce giants. Read on...

Boston.com: India e-commerce - then, now and future
Author: Chad O'Connor

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 apr 2013

Dr. Amit Kapoor, chairman of Institute of Competitiveness, advocates entrepreneurship as an integral part of the learning curriculum in the Indian business schools and they, alongwith engineering institutes, should become centers of new venture development. He insists that India needs entrepreneurs, and not just job seekers and managers, to solve its multitude of problems. Entrepreneurs innovate and create organizations that provide jobs. They are engines of growth and development. In the Indian context, its also very important for entrepreneurs to have a social perspective to understand and develop solutions for a greater public good. Read on...

The Economic Times: Entrepreneurs, not job-seekers, are the solution for the country's problems - Amit Kapoor, Chairman, Institute of Competitiveness
Author: Biswarup Gooptu

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 06 apr 2013

Indian companies are expanding globally and seeking new markets as their business practices continue to match international standards. Earlier the deals were centered mostly on IT and pharmaceuticals, but now consumer goods and energy are also in focus, as a result of increasing consumer class and India's growing appetite for oil and coal. Indian companies made 72 acquisitions worth US$ 11 billion in 2012 as compared to US$6.7 billion in 2011. The challenge in foreign investments are risks- political, economic and labor related. Indian companies have to understand and master these risks to expand in emerging markets that are becoming an attractive proposition as compared to the earlier low risk markets of the developed nations. Read on...

Bangkok Post: Indian companies expand presence via M&A across Asia
Author: NA

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