June 2013

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 27 jun 2013

Mr. Som Mittal of NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies), an Indian IT industry association, says that there will be less hiring in the industry for 2013-14. Recently there has been issues regarding the on-campus hiring and joining contracts of the recruited candidates. Due to the gap between the expected demand and the actual hiring requirement at the time of joining some candidates couldn't find the opportunity promised when they graduated from college. According to Som Mittal it is difficult for the industry to be very exact about their future requirements and he proposes a new model where companies should hire a certain percentage of their requirement on-campus while the rest would be hired a year later as fresh graduates off-campus. NASSCOM is also pushing and encouraging entrepreneurship specifically for products and services directed towards Indian market and for this they have partnered with angel investors, incubators, accelerators, venture funds and big IT companies. Read on...

The Times of India: Nasscom - Hiring in Indian IT to fall in 2013-14
Author: Ishan Srivastava

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 27 jun 2013

According to an Indian fashion designer, Gautam Gupta, the fashion industry is witnessing a shift towards textile design. Earlier the design was mostly focused on the designing of the end product. Considering that India has a rich history of textiles current phase of innovation in textiles is a positive sign for the industry. Another transformation is happening on the education side of the fashion with new courses and concepts finding acceptance in institutes. Instead of aping other countries, India has to create and develop its own niche and differentiate itself in the global fashion industry to remain relevant. Read on...

Deccan Chronicle: Fashion today is not just about designing alone
Author: Gautam Gupta

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 27 jun 2013

Professor Anjani Jain of Yale University says that education in India has lagged behind and the lack of world class universities in India is a result of less emphasis and focus on research-based education. According to him India has excellent talent both in the faculty and student population but since there is no institutional culture for research scholarships there is less motivation. He advocates continuous syllabi upgradation and training of faculty. Research provides the opportunity to bring the latest into the classroom. Read on...

The Times of India: India lacks in research-based education, Yale professor says
Author: Ramendra Singh

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 26 jun 2013

Companies and organizations are investing in technology to enhance their global human resources management systems. As work environment evolves with concepts like 'anywhere anytime work', 'remote work', 'boundaryless work' etc there is need for technology enabled HR systems to effectively and efficiently manage globally diverse, multicultural and multigenerational workforce. Experts mention that technology will not dilute the need for human side of the recruitment process and there will be continued need for skillful HR professionals. IT in HR enables streamlined recruitment process; saves cost while reaching large number of diverse talent; helps organize, maintain and manage large HR databases; assists in better decision making. HR professionals have to continue to retrain and update their HR technology skills to remain relevant in this competitive environment. Read on...

The Economic Times: Technology paves way for a highly competitive HR cosmos
Author: Apeksha Kaushik

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 25 jun 2013

Researchers from Cambridge University - Lawrence King, Keertichandra Rajan and Jonathan Kennedy, in their study across 500 Indian districts found that in addition to poverty the most significant factor leading to poor public health is illiteracy. Literacy acts as a foundation for public to understand prescriptions and medicine labeling, avail healthcare, interact with health professionals and engage with public health programs effectively. Researchers suggested that healthcare policy makers should focus on increasing literacy levels than merely on average income and it is observed in less developed nations that economic policies narrowly directed towards growth are insufficient to address public health issues. Read on...

Deccan Chronicle: Literacy can improve public health in India
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 25 jun 2013

In India mental health disorders are not taken very seriously and there is supposedly a stigma attached with them. Moreover experts point out that there is an acute shortage of mental health professionals and facilities (only 4,000 psychiatrists, 1,000 psychologists and 3,000 social workers). Study conducted by National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health in 2005 points out that nearly 5% of India's population suffers from common mental disorders. Currently India lacks any national data on mental health disorders. But recently a comprehensive national survey of mental health is to be conducted by Ministry of Health and Family welfare in collaboration with National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). Professor Mathew Varghese of NIMHANS says that cases of impulsive suicidal attempts among young population may not be all due to depression and there may be other societal pressures and factors. Read on...

DNA: Finally, a national survey on mental health disorders in India
Author: Kevin Dubouis, Anu Prabhakar

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 20 jun 2013

India lags behind in female entrepreneurship and is currently ranked 16 out of the 17 nations considered in Gender-GEDI Female Entrepreneurship Index. Top four were developed nations - US, Australia, Germany and France. Although India scored relatively high on 'opportunity recognition' but scored low on 'institutional foundations', suggesting that there are limited options for women to materialize their perceived opportunities. Moreover it is mentioned that the index did not cover India's large unorganized and informal small and medium business sector where most entrepreneurs and self employed people are engaged in. So the low ranking might be a result of limited data. Read on...

Moneycontrol: India fares poorly on new female entrepreneurship index
Author: Ankush Chibber

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 jun 2013

Charles Correa, a renowned Indian architect, explains his architectural philosophy and concepts that are deeply inspired and influenced by the local Indian culture and environment. His creations are a result of climate, environment and local techniques. He comments on the current state of architecture as dominated by whimsy and fashion. He explains his carefully designed sequencing of basic housing structures as 'open-to-sky spaces'. This concept gives flexibility to individuals to change the design of housing structure according to their requirements but overall scheme of the cluster remains the same. This is the trademark concept that he used in all his designs from individual houses to large cultural complexes. Read on...

the guardian: 'Architecture has become too mundane' says Charles Correa
Author: Oliver Wainwright

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 06 jun 2013

Government of India's National Design Policy intends to create designers in various fields and facilitate the development of India as a design outsourcing hub. Minister of Commerce mentioned that Finland has 145 designers per million people, Japan has 90 per million while India has only 2 designers per million of population. He expects to create 15000 best designers in next five years. A new NID (National Institute of Design) is proposed to be set up. Moreover government policy also intends to encourage the traditional craftsmen and artisans to contribute in design innovation and development by modernising their skills and crafts. Read on...

The Economic Times: Aiming to develop India into design outsourcing hub - Anand Sharma
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 06 jun 2013

Companies are getting 'design focused' to differentiate themselves from competitors and providing the best customer experience. India can play an important role in providing the world with its frugal design principles and innovations, says a design expert. With global economic and business uncertainties and intense competitive environment, companies are looking for cost optimization without effecting the customer experience, thus providing an opportunity for Indian design firms to leverage their best value design concepts. Read on...

exchange4media: The world is looking at India for frugal design principles - Ashwini Deshpande
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 06 jun 2013

Prime Minister's Council for Climate Change announced in 2011 to enhance India's forest cover at the cost of Rs 46,000 crore by 2020, can't be accomplished due to lack of funds. The Green Indian Mission in addition to increasing the forest area by 5 million hectares also focusses on improving ecosystem services, including biodiversity, hydrological services, and carbon sequestration. The mission also plans to work to improve the condition of 3 million forest-dependent families by increasing their forest-based livelihood income. The funds has to come from various ministries and Planning Commission. An expert suggests better coordination and cooperation and comments that politics seem to have derailed the program. Read on...

Zee News: Environment Day - India's green mission caught in funds' crunch
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 05 jun 2013

Environment activist says that land under cultivation for groundnut in Gujarat has decreased by 12.28% resulting in reduction of its production by 24%. Similar is the case with other farm commodity, wheat (land decrease- 14.98%, production decrease- 19%). While cotton saw a different trend (land increase- 5.60%, production increase- 14.90%). This suggests the state is more focused towards industrialization and the allotment of land to industries is a priority. But at the same time farming should not get affected by industrialization. The balance of food production and security, industrialization and rural development has to be rightly obtained for the long term benefit and inclusive development of the state. Read on...

The Times of India: World Environment Day 2013 - Environment pays as state goes heavy on industrialization
Author: Marisha Mehta

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 04 jun 2013

The recent quarter (Q4) data released by CSO (Central Statistical Organization) shows a marginal increase in Indian growth to 4.8% from previous Q3. The growth of overall economy for the year 2012-13 stands at a decade low of 5%. CSO suggests that the economy is bottoming out and there is a chance for gradual recovery. The community services segment has decelerated to 4% in Jan-Mar period. Investment is on a way up while consumption is decelerating. Experts say that unless the investment growth is higher then the falling consumption demand the overall impact would be negative. The government plans to lower deficit by increasing the revenue. The better monsoon will also bring upside to the economy by increasing farm output that would soften inflation. Sectors that showed positive sentiment in Q4 have been manufacturing, construction and financial services while mining, electricity and community services showed negative signs. Prime Minister suggested bringing check on inflation would assist in getting the growth policies back on track. Read on...

Live Mint: GDP growth hits decade low of 5% in 2012-2013
Author: Asit Ranjan Mishra

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 03 jun 2013

Indian economy is getting more integrated with the global economy and its trade with the world is increasing leading to higher flows on foreign exchange markets. In this scenario the role of exchange rate becomes important. The question arises that should RBI intervene to check the movement of the Rupee with respect to other currencies or it must be let free to find its own level? Current policy of the government is to ease capital control at various places and RBI has let the Rupee find its own level since March 2007. But if the Rupee continues to depreciate what options does the government have to stabilize its movement or considering the overall policy of the government regarding the economy does it have any option at all? Read on...

The Indian Express: Value for money
Author: NA

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