Sachdev Ramakrishna FRSA

In my personal experience while interacting as an officer with Narendra Modi, I found in him a receptive, perceptive and decisive leader who took some path breaking decisions and the initiative to break bureaucratic silos. Quite inexplicably, however, something snapped after initial few years. This article in Indicanews, published from San Francisco for Indian diaspora, touches upon some issues that Modi 3.0 can and perhaps should take up. Can he revive the spirit of 2014? https://lnkd.in/gNCUGfHB

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Condemnation is easy and that is what many indulge in. The attempt should be to look at solutions by studying the ground reality that goes beyond purely academic indulgence. What India needs today is not condemnation and criticism but workable solutions. If those that have been in positions to "change" but couldn't or didn't, should not indulge in sweeping criticism. In this interaction with Shutapa Paul, I comment on various aspects of bureaucratic functioning, how it has evolved and how it should and can evolve. The observations are based on personal experience.

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The ongoing row between India and Canada also underscores how Western concepts of alliances, including the Five Eyes, a revived remnant of World War II, operate in a multipolar world. The Five Eyes will continue to take a monochromatic stand on any issues involving another member in sync with the latent narratives of an alliance despite all of them enjoying good ties with India.   This is something India needs to negotiate more carefully. Alignment of interests is more important for countries such as India than being part of an alliance as inherently understood and unfailingly practised by the Anglo-Saxon world. My take. #InternationalRelations #Diplomacy #India #Canada #FiveEyes #MultipolarWorld Read more at:

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The headline is incorrect. However, individual actions against the corrupt are fine but haven't impacted corruption. The issue is creating a system where corruption becomes extremely difficult if not impossible. It can be done today as it has been in some segments of governance through use of technology. Transparency through use of technology can tackle corruption substantially. However, it has to begin from the top. The PMO should digitize files and insist on making processes transparent. Except national security issues, all else should be put in public domain. I discuss this and many other issues relating to governance in this free-wheeling chat.

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#China poses a threat to nearly all manufacturing sectors, but the neighbouring country is particularly targeting the clean energy manufacturing sector for global dominance, fully aware that clean #technology will be the primary traded commodity in the future. Read how China is hindering India’s progress in clean tech manufacturing, and why the US is advising India to protect its $4.5 billion #investment in the sector. With Aggam Walia

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Most of the corruption and malpractices are on account of opacity of processes. Technology can transform this by bringing in transparency but the decision makers at the top should be willing to take the risk of being exposed themselves. Attitudinal Intelligence is much more important than Artificial Intelligence and charity has to begin from the top. https://lnkd.in/gDCpQFsF

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The recent news of Rs.10 crores being given by the Maharashtra Government to the WAQF Board has upset a lot of people, especially supporters of BJP. If any property is accepted as a WAQF property, it would then be impossible to sell it anymore even if such a property has been wrongfully claimed as WAQF property. Thousands of acres of land all over our country has been wrongfully claimed as WAQF property and the original owners of such land are incapable of fighting it off in the Tribunal or any other place of Law. When the WAQF Property Act itself has been claimed as being illegal, why can it not be done away with and the government use such land judiciously? When this BJP government could do away with Article 370 in J & K, can they not protect their own land from being swallowed by trespassers who claim it as their own even after being given about 1/3rd of the land during Partition? Is it not a travesty to keep paying more and more to them even if they do not contribute to the revenues of the Government? And is it not a crime to keep only Hindus away from the largesse that the State and Central Governments want to dole out only to Abrahamics for appeasement? Will digitizing it and putting the stamp of ownership not legalise the loot? Do read the writeup to know more ...

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🌟 India: The Next Global Growth Engine? 🌟 India is poised for high-single-digit GDP growth, potentially following China's economic footsteps. With infrastructure investments and a digital revolution, it's becoming a hub for global manufacturing and services. Yet, challenges like lower educational attainment and competition for FDI remain. Can India overcome these hurdles? 🏭💻 Here is an explanation by Professor Barry Eichengreen. #Herald_Insight_Collection #HIC #India https://lnkd.in/g2Aybjat

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An editorial in the Washington Post suggested formation of Climate Club with the reasoning “Unless China, India and other large developing economies pare their emissions more aggressively, the just and the unjust will broil together. Fortunately, there is a stick available to encourage ambitions to decarbonize: a tariff based on the carbon embedded in the imports.” This concept of Climate Club was mooted by the American economist William Nordhaus in run up to COP15: “Free-riding occurs when a party receives the benefits of a public good without contributing to the costs. A key part of the club mechanism is that nonparticipants are penalized.” That India has taken exemplary strides in energy transition seems to have been lost to many. This is how well-recognized principles of CBDR and equity are being systematically given a go by. That the equity matters in climate actions was highlighted by Prof. Justin S. Mankin, in the context of climate change-induced extreme heat, by telling, “From culpability to impacts, global warming mirrors inequity – rich nations caused it but from 1992-2013, poor nations lost 8% of their GDP to extreme heat.” A modelling exercise `Globally unequal effect of extreme heat on economic growth’ by Christopher W. Callahan of Stanford University and Mankin infers that “However, the inequality of climate change extends to its causes, not just its effects. Rich countries that experience limited damages are also large emitters of fossil fuel carbon dioxide (CO2), making them primarily responsible for increases in global temperatures and associated heat extremes ….high-emitting nations can be considered directly responsible for a large fraction of warming-induced heat extremes and, by extension, the income losses suffered by individual regions extreme temperatures." So, actually which countries are the `free-riders’, really?   This is how climate colonialism works. Unabashedly unconcerned about their moral turpitude, what is being advocated instead is penalizing those very vulnerable countries that are left to face the consequences of the profligate history of development of the developed economies. EU’s CBAM is one such stick. UK too would be introducing its CBAM by 2027. Had the situation not been so tragic, we might have laughed at their assertion of leveling the playing field for its industry; considering that for us, the entire field had been dug up beyond repairs. Despite their technological and financial might, developed nations have yet to fulfil their climate finance commitment. Any technology transfer gets subsumed in the realms of commerce and private sector. Phase out fossil fuels? Well, while coal is dirty, oil and gas are kosher. Rule-based approach, thus, becomes so convenient for those who set the rules of the game. And climate justice remains a good topic for academic discussions. #climatejustice #equity #climateresponsibility

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#circular #economy approach will be the most crucial approach to reduce the #carbon intensity of the #City economy or the #netzero target for the cities. #SDGs, in the #urban context would be assisted by circular economy and greater collaboration and entrepreneurship would accelerate it's attainment.

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In Aug 14 ruling, SC ruled that states can levy tax on minerals on a prospective basis with effect April 2005, making companies operating in mineral rich states like Odisha and Jharkhand liable to pay backdated taxes of nearly two decades. Other states are yet to come out with such a law, but they could catch up gradually, analysts warn. Experts predict the mineral tax could add to the inflation and potentially raise metals and consumer costs. In the below report, Shiladitya Pandit and I, explore the scale of impact and implications of the minerals tax in the coming years. https://lnkd.in/dW-pefnz

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Why BSNL Should Lead Its Own Revival Strategy In a significant move, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has awarded a Rs 132-crore contract to Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for devising a revival strategy aimed at enhancing its competitive edge against private telecom giants like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. This decision, however, has sparked considerable debate within the company, especially among its employees, who term the initiative as “futile.” The underlying concern points towards an essential question: Should BSNL outsource its revival strategy to an external consulting firm? Leveraging Internal Expertise BSNL's workforce possesses extensive experience and deep-rooted knowledge of the company’s operations and market dynamics. This intrinsic expertise is invaluable and often more nuanced than what external consultants can provide. John Verghese, Acting General Secretary of the BSNL Employees Union, highlights the underutilization of this internal talent, advocating for a strategy that maximizes the existing workforce's potential. Historical Context and Lessons Learned Outsourcing strategies and consulting services are not new to BSNL. Past engagements with firms like Deloitte and KPMG have not yielded the desired turnaround, despite significant investments. The continued financial struggles suggest that external advice alone cannot resolve the intrinsic issues facing BSNL. This history calls for introspection and a reevaluation of the approach to revival. The Risk of Over-Reliance on External Firms Relying heavily on external consultants poses risks, including potential misalignment with the company's culture and long-term vision. Consultants, while offering fresh perspectives, may not fully grasp the operational intricacies and legacy challenges unique to BSNL. This misalignment can lead to strategies that, although theoretically sound, falter in practical implementation. A Call for a Hybrid Approach BSNL should consider a hybrid approach that blends internal insights with external expertise. This approach involves creating a dedicated task force comprising seasoned BSNL employees and select external consultants. This task force would collaboratively design and implement strategies, ensuring that external inputs are contextualized with internal realities. Building a Sustainable Future For BSNL to achieve its ambitious targets, including an 80% revenue increase by FY28 and significant improvements in quality of service (QoS) parameters, it must foster a culture of innovation and efficiency from within. Empowering employees, investing in their development, and harnessing their insights can drive sustainable change. Do share your thoughts on whether BSNL should rely on internal expertise or external consultants for its revival. https://lnkd.in/gh_npXhE #strategy #outsourced

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As we approach the tenth anniversary of Prime Minister Modi's Make in India initiative, it is useful to take stock and assess whether the program has delivered on one of the central planks of the Indian government's signature pitch - the invitation to the rest of the world to "Come, Make in India". In the White paper which I authored for the Hinrich Foundation, I argue that the program has been a qualified failure. India has failed to capitalise on favourable global conditions and substantially increase investment in manufacturing. To achieve a genuine renaissance, the government needs to do more to remove policy road-blocks and level the playing field for domestic and foreign investors.

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A very provocative article especially in the Indian context where ACs have always been considered a sign of luxurious lifestyle in spite of India having a largely tropical climate. This needs to be revisited in the light of record breaking temperature, extreme heat events and with worse yet to come. Before AC manufacturers start rubbing their hands in glee at a significantly larger Potentially Addressable Market, I would urge policymakers to send very clear signals to and closely work with the manufacturers and customers alike. They are: 1. Only super-efficient ACs should be the norm. Technology is there (Global Coing Prize with 5x less climatic impact) and both government and manufacturers need to work together to make it affordable. Otherwise our burgeoning cooling requirement will blow up the planet. 2. Adaptive thermal comfort standards must become the norm. Not 24ºC but setpoint in India should be 27ºC. Yea I know these set points are not meant for Scandinavians and Nordic people but we Indians will feel quite chilled (pun intended). 3. Finally, integrated building design needs to be the norm. All passive building design techniques need to be incorporated before active cooling is considered. And the building and cooling performance data need to be disclosed publicly for the public and global good and to help companies comply with SBTi goals and Scope 3 emissions mandates. #thermalcomfort #climateaction #heatstress #airconditioning #passivedesign #acclimatization https://lnkd.in/gNGMaMwN

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SAR Televenture Limited announces Composite Equity Issue of Rs 450 crore Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 9: SAR Televenture Limited (NSE Symbol: SARTELE) announces Composite Equity Issue of Rs 450 crore. The Composite Issue comprises Rights Issue aggregating up to Rs 300 crore and FPO aggregating up to Rs 150 crore (The “Total Offer Size”). The proposal for fundraising of an amount up to Rs 450 crore through issuance of equity shares through Composite Issue was approved at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company held on 20th January 2024. The Rights Issue will comprise 1,50,00,000 fully paid up Equity Shares of Rs 2 each at an issue price of Rs 200 per Rights share (including a premium of Rs 198 per Rights Share). The Rights Issue will open on Monday, July 15th, 2024 and close on Monday, July 22nd, 2024. (The “Rights Issue and Offer Period”) Existing shareholders will get 1 (one) Rights share for 1 (one) equity share held as on the record date Tuesday, July 09th, 2024 for the purpose of date determining the equity shareholder’s entitled to receive the Rights Entitlement in the Rights Issue (“Eligible Equity Shareholders for Rights Issue”) SAR Televenture’s Further Public Offer (FPO), set between Rs 200 to Rs 210 per equity share, signifies its confidence in market positioning and growth prospects. The Company proposes to utilize the Net proceeds towards (i) funding the setting up of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network solutions for 3,00,000 Home Passes estimated to be Rs 273 crore; (ii) Setting up of an additional 1000 number of 4G/5G telecom towers estimated to be Rs 42.50 crore; (iii) Incremental working capital requirement of our Company estimated to be Rs 30 crore and balance amount towards General Corporate purposes to be utilized in FY 2025. (The “Objects of the Offer”) SAR Venture Pvt Ltd. MyGov India NSE India #SARteleventure #fpo #nse #mirabiliabusinessmagazine

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We are all seeing the swift adoption of #ElectricVehicles in India, as well as across the globe, given that consciousness around climate change has picked pace. Data from Vahan portal indicates that the #EV sales in India have surged by 22.8 percent YoY, with 1,56,199 vehicles reportedly sold in #August, alone. Despite these impressive numbers and the fact that August marked the third-highest monthly total in 2024, the sales actually declined by 13 percent as compared to its previous month. What has caused this sales slump? Is it the lull before the festive storm or has the supply taken a hit? Take a look at what our client, Samkit Shah, Co-Founder of Jitendra New Ev Tech Pvt Ltd – a two-wheeler electric vehicle manufacturer, has to say about this. Click on the link below to read the full story!⬇ Thanks for the feature Business Standard Storynmore | #MediaCoverage #ClientInTheNews #JitendraEV #ElectricVehicles #Automobile #EVIndustry

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Even without FDI in Multibrand retail, Indian traders have been upset that ecommerce and quick commerce majors, mostly foreign owned, are taking away their business. But domestic retail trade has grown substantially in the last 10 years and innovation is part of their narrative. Time to relook at FDI in Multibrand Retail against the fast-changing realities of today? 2024 is no 2014…. Business Standard

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