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BI-MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF CHANDIGARH MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
A Perspective on the Need for Change in Organisations Align your processes for a right SHEQ-up
Transparency in Spectrum A Must Microfinancing
Application of Pareto's law to Business Punjabi Juttis --- The Ethnic Choice
INSIDE India's Mediocre Billion Plus Book Review
Paradise in Peril Mankind at Cliff's Edge
Important Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs Event - Shaping Young Minds
Why you need to leave your relief sector
CMA
eMag
Foreword
A new era has ushered globally with the introduction and advancement of information
technology, press, media and entertainment industry and other related streams which
have revolutionized our thinking, having a profound effect on what we teach and learn.
Our quest for knowledge and our constant endeavour to achieve excellence in all fields
of activity is pushing further the ever increasing frontier of knowledge.
One area, which the education system in our country should address, is to develop
skills rather than creating degree holders at the tertiary level. It is also a matter of
concern that some time ago, according to a study by Mckinsey, only one third of the
engineering and management graduates passing out of the Indian Universities and
other institutions are employable.
Education in advanced countries is considered investment and not expenditure Dr. Gulshan Sharma
Ph.D (Service Industry) ACTE (WTO) Spain, WT (USA)
and similarly developing human capital is considered the most important resource in President CMA
economic growth and attainment of full employment. & Executive Director
ITFT College-Chandigarh
Failure in quality education and skills, lack of technical and vocational training and
inappropriate policy makes it imperative that our educational systems need a structural
change. However, the dire need of today is to evolve some kind of mechanism for
constant interaction between industry, academia and government.
Keeping in view that development of human resource is crucial coupled with skill
development of our youth to make them employable both in the domestic and global
markets; Chandigarh Management Association has chosen this as the theme for the
year.
I am thankful to all members of the executive members and members at large, who
have provided me their ful support to carry forward the message of skills development
for employability in its various events held in the recent past.
I am sure as usual you will find this issue of eMag interesting and useful. Kindly keep
contributing your views in our future endeavors.
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eMag
Contents
8 Align your processes for a right SHEQ-up Prof Priyavrat Thareja 13-14
eMag
a gradual effortless process. automation companies of yesteryears in cyclostyling /
Amongst the six areas of concern, firstly, the CEOs and typewriters etc). Feedback generated from the field may
Senior Management may have a limited understanding not be distilled
of what their organisation is all about, strange though it and interpreted
may seem. They may also lack a holistic knowledge about correctly for
the company's strengths and weaknesses. There is a c o u r s e
tendency to manage by fads and individual drives, such corrections to be
as a new transfer policy every year. There could also be a ad o p ted . T h i s
neglect of the core expertise of the organization and the leads to an
creation of measurable objectives. Finally, un-researched inability to track
projects may be taken up in the drive for diversification. shifting customer
Secondly, there could be a failure of vision. The needs at the top
organization may not set itself clear goals or work out a management
strategy to achieve them. The vision may not stretch level.
employees and may neglect the onset of competition A t t i m e s
and adoption of better technology or products by rivals. c u l t i va t i o n o f
Not preparing a strategy for tackling roadblocks and s p e c i a l i zed o r
short-sightedness in the choice of technology and work bulk customers is
processes for the future is another crucial grey area. ignored or recovery of lost customers is delayed. For
The third aspect is financial, the organization may get example, some bank branches of PSU Banks /
overburdened in debt in a concern to scale up rapidly Cooperative banks in rural areas ignored their main
(remember Subhiksha and Vishal Retail), may be unable customers only to lose them to nimble footed
to generate cash and the assets on which credit competitor's private sector banks looking for an opening.
worthiness was based lose their value under difficult / The sixth but equally crucial aspect is motivational or
changes circumstances (the pager industry losing to the internal. Discontent at middle or supervisory level
mobile industry or the cable industry being challenged by becomes a roadblock in improving performance. Lack of
the satellite receiver industry). empathy with employees and a focus on self-interest at
Fourthly, we can classify it as a prolonged continuation of senior management levels rather than employee welfare
a comfort zone in an organization. It could also be impacts employee morale adversely. Rewards and
labelled as smugness. A tradition of success convinces assessment processes if not transparent and as per the
the organization precepts as preached by top management also
that the existing contribute to low morale and low productivity.
model would Companies unable to offer long term stability or clear
continue to deliver career paths and prospects witness diminished
positive outcomes employee loyalty and effectiveness. The brand equity of
in the future, an organization also carries weightage in employee
maybe with minor motivation, in case the brand equity diminishes, attrition
t i n k e r i n g or low productivity is almost certain.
(Hindustan Motors Conclusion
is an example). It is The factors as detailed above, in combination or by in
also factual to acknowledge that human nature finds it isolation, ultimately impart a momentum to events
difficult to reject or disown old techniques and strategies which makes a change process inevitable in case the
that have worked, (specially the case with managers who organization is to survive as a vibrant and profitable
put in a longish tenure in an assignment and may become entity. The art lies in identifying changes in the operating
complacent). environment in time or tracking employee morale by
Organization bureaucracies also attempt to stifle new effective HR policies. This would impart an overall
ideas as it is perceived to threaten the status quo or their smoothness to the process of imparting changes to the
existence. There is also a scenario that the management organizational processes and systems. This should be
continues to rely on old models hoping that the akin to the sailing of a super tanker and its docking; it has
operating environment is only undergoing temporary to be smooth, planned in advance and each degree of
blips and would restore itself to their comfort zone. turn required mapping out in detail. Neglect of the issues
Complacency or smugness also tends to blunt as described above either results in an organization's
competitive edges. Even organisations with a downfall or crystallizes in the need for cataclysmic
monopolistic market should never take their intellectual changes, with adverse fallout in terms of stress,
/ knowledge assets as consistently superior to that of organizationally or for employees.
emerging rivals as the operating environment can
change radically rendering the organization floundering The views expressed in this article are his personal
for a viable model (note that IDBI the DFI had to change views of the author and do not necessarily represent
over to IDBI Bank). the views of his employer.
The fifth aspect is crucial, that is being out of sync or in
touch with the real market. The organization loses its
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eMag
Transparency in Spectrum
A Must
The report carried in media about the In the instant case, for example, the S-
peculiarly one-sided contract between band frequency used to have some
the Indian Space Research Organisation value, which dropped to almost nothing
(ISRO) and a private entity called Devas, when the technology changed but, with
wherein satellite transponders and a another change in technology, has once
wide swathe of frequency spectrum again acquired value.
were leased out for a fraction of the It was partly in recognition of this that
latter's current commercial value, once t h e G o ve r n m e n t co n s t i t u t ed a
again brings into sharp focus the need to committee to advise it on spectrum
constitute an entity that will oversee the pricing two years ago. It will be argued by
allocation/leasing of spectrum. some that such committees do not serve
The Comptroller and Auditor General the purpose for which they were
(CAG) is asking a series of questions from intended. While there is some truth in DR. P. K. Vasudeva
the Department of Space in this regard. It that, going by the principle of something Former Senior Professor
believes that, on a presumptive basis, is better than nothing, the time has ICFAI University
more than Rs 2 lakh crore may have surely come to dilute the absolute power
foregone by the exchequer as a result of of the Government in such matters be it
the contract. Eventually realistic figures a resource under the land, over it or
may vary, but the fact of revenue loss above it by introducing a system of
cannot be overlooked. Though the checks.
government has annulled the contract Who knows, for example, what's been
and the defence ministry has raised going on in the Defence sector, which is
eyebrows as to why it had not been squatting on huge amounts of spectrum?
consulted on such an important and Who would have thought that the
serious security issue. However, such Department of Space, which is directly
losses have to be prevented in future. under the Prime Minister, would have
Regulate market for spectrum been so careless? Under any shroud of
As a matter of fact, in purely economic secrecy, costly mistakes can be made,
terms, wireless spectrum is no different even when there is no mala fide. Secrecy
from oil or gas field or a coalmine, or even cannot be compromised. The last 63
just plain government land. The common years bear ample testimony to this.
feature is government ownership and In a sense, what needs to be done is to
constantly changing commercial value. introduce a well-regulated market for
spectrum, which is the composite name
for a range of frequencies that are put to
different uses. Such a market will ensure
reasonably accurate price discovery and
it will be superior to the current system
where private information, ministerial
discretion and plain negligence can and
do lead to thoroughly undesirable
outcomes. The Government needs to
create a well-regulated market for
spectrum, which will ensure accurate
price discovery. It is time India moves to a
system where prices of scarce resources
are determined by the market rather
than by a command-control-corrupt
model.
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One of the premises of the economic reforms that the with additional investments in infrastructure such as cell
Prime Minister initiated when he was Finance Minister sites; their assessment of how much spectrum they will
during 1991-96 was that bureaucrats would no longer seek is therefore conditioned by the price of the
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manage businesses. A subset of this was the non- marginal spectrum and the marginal investments they
negotiable requirement that they do not set prices need to make. Arbitrary price setting, especially one
because, as everyone knows, price distortions are a that disregards these economics and dynamics, can
major reason for the misallocation of resources. But
habits die hard,
especially when
they can be
beneficial as well.
So it should come
as no surprise
even if it causes
some dismay that
t h e Te l e c o m
Regulatory
Authority of India
( T R A I ) i n
formulating cripple the industry and push it towards a structure
pricing of 2G comprising a small oligopoly just three or four firms
spectrum, used by instead of a more robustly competitive market with
the current set of eight or more players. The former would encourage
mobile phone collusion and the consumers' happy hours would be
companies, should have decided that prices are not best over.
left to the markets. As a result it has not provided a long- It is time India moves to a system that allows prices to be
term solution to pricing a scarce resource; nor does it determined by the market rather than a Soviet-style
address issues that queer a level playing field. What it command-control-corrupt model.
does is to create more confusion in an industry already Government is now after a set back on the S-spectrum
bogged down by various scams. scam thinking over to bring industry top guns like
The calculations are based on a number of assumptions prominent bankers and former regulators on board in
that leave too much room for bureaucratic order to amend the entire financial sector norms and
interpretation. It also seems to have ignored the fact also to suggest ways to fortify its supervision system for
that the recent auction of 3G spectrum has firmly checking frauds and irregularities.
established that the cost of a resource such as spectrum The panel will be responsible for reviewing and
should be determined through a market-based updating the entire financial sector regulations.
mechanism. Instead of suggesting such a mechanism, According to sources, people from the legal fraternity
the telecom regulator has stuck to linear calculations. In will also be included in the group and a former Supreme
May 2010, TRAI said that 2G spectrum should be Court judge might chair it.
allocated on a pro-rata based on the 3G price. Nine Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in his last budget
months later, after a review by four external speech announced Top of Form
consultants, it has thrown up another figure. Perhaps
the panel, as "Financial Sector Legislative Reforms
another review by a different set of experts would
Commission" (FSLRC). The final Terms of Reference
suggest a new price. Rather than relying on some
(TORs) and constitution of the panel will be made after
mathematical equation, TRAI should have found a way
consulting with stakeholders and financial sector
to put the spectrum in the market place.
regulators RBI and SEBI.
MARKET DRIVEN PRICING
Looking at the growing number of scams, the need to
Thus, it has suggested that the Government should rewrite financial sector regulations has become more
collect a one-time fee from operators with 2G spectrum relevant, said sources. RBI Act, framed in 1934,
at the rate of Rs 1,769 crore per Mhz of spectrum up to Insurance Act of 1938, Public Debt Act of 1944 and
6.2 Mhz and Rs 4,571 crore per Mhz for anything beyond Securities Contract Regulation Act of 1956 are some of
that. This will cost the telecom firms about Rs 16,000 the old financial rules that are need to be rephrased. It is
crore, according to Government estimates. Over the never too late to carry out reforms.
next few years, this could go up to Rs 40,000 crore, when
the operators go for renewing their licences. While
there is no denying that spectrum should be priced at Author can be contacted at
contemporary levels, asking operators to pay with E-mail : vasu022@gmail.com
retrospective effect seems incorrect.
Phone companies can trade off spectrum requirements
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eMag
Application of Pareto's
law to Business
Abstract principle, its applicability to the
In 1897, Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian business and inferences that business
sociologist and economist laid down must deduce to remain competitive in
his deeply studied observations, that the market.
80 percent of Italian wealth was in the Introduction
hands of 20 percent people. In other
Vilfredo Pareto's principle has also
literature and discussions, it is also
been applied to state that 80 percent
defined as 80 percent of the effects
of Italian land was owned by 20
coming up due to 20 percent of the
percent of the people. In effect, one of
causes or famous 80:20 principle.
its many interpretations has been that
While many have debated this
80 percent of the objectives are
interpretation as partially true, we Col (Retd) K.K. Sharma
achieved with 20 percent means. The CH Adam Smith Institute of Management
witness many examples where it fits
challenge in any business enterprise is
the mould perfectly. Even now 80
to identify those means and focus
maximum resources and efforts of the
enterprise on these, instead of
frittering one's energy across other
less contributing means. The principle
or law has a reasonable applicability in
life as in business or other work
places. Efforts need to be put in to
identify those 20 percent clientele
which consumes 80 percent of the
products and nurture them as loyal
customers.
In the current economic scenario with
i t s vo l a t i l i t y, e m p l o ye rs a n d
employees need to do more with less
tools and resources. This lesson aligns
well to Pareto's rule and
percent of the wealth is with less than understanding this rule actually helps
20 percent the world over or 80 us to identify points of leverages in life
percent of the world's natural as well as business.
resources, mainly from the tropical
South are consumed by 20 percent Application for Business
countries of the world, mainly from Some of the direct interpretations of
the North. Like in nature, human Pareto's law on business are a
endeavours also show us that nothing follows:
is evenly distributed in this world.
• 80 percent of output originates
For business one of the earliest from 20 percent of input.
realisation and application has been,
• The 80:20 ratios are also applied
that most companies earn their 80
to revenues.
percent revenue or profits from 20
percent of the customers. This short • 20 percent advertising efforts
paper covers fundamental fetch 80 percent eyeballs.
interpretations of Pareto•fs 80:20
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• 80 percent of management issues, attrition, innovative ways - like keeping an exclusive list,
work ethics problems or cases are believed to periodic phone calls, a client newsletter, annual
eMag
be caused by 20 percent of the employees. meetings and deputing a contact manager (Morrow
• 20 percent of the customers account for 80 1996). This is being done by the banking industry for
percent of sales. High Net Income group persons by giving them
privileged client attention and thus facilitating
• 20 percent of components involve 80 percent of personal banking and care. Similarly in the
costs. organisation, 20 percent employees need to be
• 20 percent of the vehicles cause 80 percent of identified and updated on a regular basis as they
the pollution. carry the company across 80 percent of the time.
Business has to depend on better IT enabled data
All above interpretations give us an inter-
mining and reporting as also tools for analysis with
relationship between high level of efficiency or
near 100 percent accuracy.
inefficiency (up to 80 percent) with relatively limited
means up to 20 percent. One has to be careful to References :
note that all these interpretations are generalized 1. Rooney, Paula : Microsoft's CEO: 80-20 Rule
and not necessarily accurate on all occasions and for Applies To Bugs, Not Just Features, (October 3,
all industrial sectors. Application will also differ from 2002), ChannelWeb.
one industry and functional department to other.
2. Morrow Edwin P : Applying Pareto•fs laws;
Identification and analysis of 20 percent inputs will practice and Technology, Journal of Financial
prepare an industry for a better product life cycle, Planning, Oct 1996.
after sales servicing and inventory management.
Similarly industry or company needs to concentrate 3. Slaybaugh, C.J. : Time and Efforts, where to
those 20 percent revenue avenues which are giving spend more and where to spend less; Price
maximum returns with a focused strategy. For an IT Waterhouse Review; June 1967.
company, it could be the IT consultancy or off-
shore/on-shore projects or hardware manufacturing
and support. Marketing departments can leverage
20 percent efforts and fund these efforts
accordingly. After sales service has become an
extremely important function to retain customer
loyalty. As Roony Paula (2002) reports that Microsoft
has been addressing and fixing the top 20 percent of
t h e m o s t
reported bugs,
a n d
c o n s e q u e nt l y
eliminating 80
percent of the
errors and
crashes without
having to do
anything. It also
proves that the
time and efforts
of the management must vary as per the product,
component or service in question, and its
importance to the overall objective of the company
or product (Slaybaugh C J, 1967). Inventory
management has been done on ABC or Economic
Order Quantity methods based on the same
Pareto•fs Principle. (ibid 1967).
Application on the Human Resource Management
functionaries is direct, as regards to the employees
and other stakeholders. There is a need to identify
those minority customers who are loyal and account
for 80 percent of the sale volumes. Therefore, there
is a need to nurture these clients by different
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eMag
India's Mediocre Billion Plus
Each one of us, at some time or the unique achievement from each one of
other has felt exasperated at the the more than six billion people. And
mediocrity of the people we come that is where the problem lies. Studies
across and strongly felt the need of indicate that an average Indian
doing something about it. However, the operates at approximately 30 percent
thought that each one is responsible for of his/her potential. Situation in Govt
his/her actions and no one should ever
try to become the custodian of others'
thought , emotions and actions etc .in a
free society, always prevented us from
any action of any kind.
We know that this thought itself has
resulted in our personal mediocrity
because the status remains as is where Col (Retd) D S Cheema
is. An average healthy new-born comes Executive Director,
to the world with many God Given Gifts Fashion Technology Park, Chandigarh
and acquires so much from the world in
eMag
social and economic change possible only with advances are tiny matters as compared to what lies within us.
in science and technology, particularly in IT? A lot has Indeed there is so much within to be discovered that one
changed and is changing all around us at a fast enough life is not sufficient time to do that. However, what ever
pace but the speed of change in our attitude towards little can be explored from one's inner self is good
excellence at work place is terribly slow. Our attitude enough to enrich one's own life and that of others.
towards basic tools and catalysts of development like Perhaps, the most difficult question in the world is about
productivity, time as a resource, profit, growth ,work- self, “Who am I?” Wise men of the past have struggled to
ethos ,innovation and creativity, wasteful management find an answer to this question. Some of them tortured
practices, professional democracy, national pride, self themselves in their own way and others renounced the
confidence etc. is ,to say the least, counter-productive. world to punish themselves in their pursuit to salvation
Sense of judgment of time and distance of majority of or Moksha. It may not be possible for ordinary mortals to
Indians is so disproportionate that minutes and yards do find a solution
not have any meaning in their daily lives. to this very
Look Within complex
Best motivation for individuals who wish to excel is to question, but
look within. There is an outside world and there is an w h a t i s
inner world and all human beings belong to both the known is it is
worlds. Every individual must be what he or she can be. up to us to
And that is possible only if the body and soul are engaged make or mar
in some constructive action. According to Bhagwat Gita, our lives. If we
which is venerated by Hindus as the most sacred of the can use our
scriptures, says,” Do thou thy allotted work, for action is potential by
better than in-action; even the maintenance of physical 'discovering'
life cannot be effected without action.”- translated by Dr. our latent
Radhakrishnan. The action must be performed with talent, developing our strengths further and by taking
positive attitude and total devotion to the task being care of our weaknesses, we can do wonders and attain
performed. Devotion to work is the root cause of success as perceived by others. We must precisely define
prosperity, profit and welfare. Mahabharta has this to our success and try and achieve that. Every one's
say of work, 'One who is devoted to his work becomes definition of success is different to suit one's
great and enjoys unlimited happiness.' Work has always perceptions. As long as action is constructive and effort is
been considered a source of happiness, so much so that made to contribute to organization one works for and
many have concluded, 'Work is Worship', that ultimate society one lives in, one should be satisfied with what
attainment of the Creator is possible only if one ever one is able to achieve. Most of us feel inadequate
performs. But the work-ethos must be converted in to and guilty, if we do not achieve the standards of success
worth-ethos i.e. work without a purpose, without its fixed by others. This should not be the case.
positive and substantial contribution to individual Excellence demands its price. It is a matter of
himself, to the organization he serves and to society at centimeters and inches and not of meters and yards. The
large, is not really working. It should be able to make a path to excellence is ridden with so many temptations
difference in a positive manner. which impede the progress to excel, that most people
Work places are often inflicted with negative emotions have tendency to give it up on the way. People start on it
of workers for each other and these negative forces with a lot of fanfare and enthusiasm, but keep inventing
impede the path of goal achievement. In fact, negative excuses to give up and their passion for excellence
emotions are the greatest enemy of individuals, drools down to occasional spurts of bright spots. The
organizations and the society. The cause of such whole effort is not focused and perseverance is often the
emotions is the tendency of individuals and victim, dumping a good-starter back in the huge
organizations to compare themselves with other collection of millions.
individuals and organizations once it is known that there Since we are a deeply religious and God-fearing people
are no '.duplicate' human beings and there can be no (why the expression God-fearing, why not God-loving),
'duplicate' organizations, why should these be many scholars plead the use of religious devotion and
compared. Each organization has its own unique fervor among the people to get rid of the yoke of
resources which makes them totally incomparable with mediocrity which has plagued our nation. The route of
others. Yet, major problems arise out of unreasonable canalizing one's religious intensity to perfection
comparisons. /excellence in work place is not easy and is fraught with
Setting reasonable goals and making all out effort to dangers. For example, some one may loose faith in one's
achieve these can help individuals maintain a balance of chosen deity if one does not get the rewards one
life. It is often seen that people set very high goals for expected after performing duty with total devotion.
themselves and if they can't achieve them, they get a However, the connection between one's purely religious
feeling of helplessness and frustration. There is no doubt values and sanctity which one brings to the work place is
one must not set a goal which is within one's reach a matter of serious study. This has been highlighted
without a good effort, because a goal which does not beautifully by R H Tawney in his classic,” Religion and the
inspire a person to challenge one's limitations does not rise of capitalism” Perhaps this is one hope and wake up
give the feeling of satisfaction and happiness of having call for our teeming millions who have burdened
achieved some thing worthwhile. themselves with tonnes of mediocrity.
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Paradise in Peril
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year. These places abound in tourism and recreational, also the need to improve the basic infrastructure of
archaeological remains, monasteries, ethnicity, roads and transport to these places as well as to
indigenous crafts, and folk culture. Himachal has attractive sports in the interior of the state.
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around 57 helipads of which majority have come up in Despite the fact, that the state government has
snow bound areas providing vast opportunity for heli- accorded a high priority to tourism development, there
taxi service which has recently been started in the state. does not seem to be a coherent plan, which
It is to be ensured that the fragile ecology of these encompasses activities of all the departments. It should
unspoiled places does not get degraded. be ensured that the tribal areas of Kinnauar, Lahaul &
Tourism as Economic Activity Spiti and Chamba do not suffer from the pitfalls, which
Tourism in such laggard regions can play a positive role have caused unlimited damage to the landscape of
in breaking through inertia and economic morbidity. As Shimla and other places. Local residents need also to be
a catalyst, it can go a long way in bringing socio- involved in tourism planning and in the protection of
economic transformation of the society. However, environment.
before making these places accessible to the visitors, Against the background of snowcapped mountains,
care need to be taken to ensure that their centuries' old Mecleodganj, or Upper Dharamasala, is now an
customs and traditions and fairs and festivals are not internationally known place as a great centre for
commercialized, while their architectural ethos remain Tibetans studies and residence of His Holiness Dalai
more or less in fact. Lama is visited by lakhs of domestic visitors and
Take the example of Shimla, known as the Queen of hill thousands of foreign tourists. The result is that the
Stations, which attracts more than 15 lakh domestic and place is choking with traffic jams and unseemly
almost 50, 000 foreign visitors every year, the maximum buildings that have mushroomed in the area. Serenity
crowd making a beeline in the last week of December to and quietness, which were the hallmarks of the place,
seem to have vanished. Development has taken place
without taking into consideration the carrying capacity
of the place and its sustainability. Dharamsala is also a
starting point for a number of treks to the majestic
Dhauladhar ranges and beyond to Chamba and Lahaul &
Spiti. It also needs to be ensured that the trekking trails
and the halting places enroute these treks remain clean
and are not littered with garbage and junk
For a lavish display of natural scenery, Manali is the
principal show place of the Kullu valley and the starting
point of an ancient trade route, which crosses the
Rohtang Pass. One sees well-defined snow capped
peaks, evergreen pines flanking the sides of sheltered
celebrate X- mas and New Year Eve and to enjoy the ravines and with the river Beas meandering through it.
snowfall visit the town.. Rapid and unregulated
development of tourism facilities, has not only brought
environmental degradation, changing the very intrinsic
character of the place, but has also brought a number
of other problems such as congestion, parking, water
shortage with enormous strain on infrastructure.
Consequently the local residents suffer. It seems the
town is bursting at its seams, with the famous Mall
presenting a scene of a smiling river in the evening.
People from all parts of India get mingled up
indistinguishably with the mass of humanity drawn
from the adjoining areas. As one approaches the town
near Tara Devi, one gets a very dismal picture of it, which
looks like a concrete jungle. Manali is a place for a perfect holiday and a favourite
Around Shimla, there are a number of picturesque spots place for trekkers. However, unplanned development
such as Kufri, Naldehra, Tattapani, Phagu, Chail and has grossly marred the landscape. Vandalism and
Narkanda, which more often than not present a picture commercialisation of the land route, congestion and
of filth and neglect. Efforts need to be made to disperse pollution have robbed Manali of its pristine charm.
tourist traffic to these satellite destinations. There is To regulate and facilitate tourism development,
Himachal Pradesh need to emulate the example of
Kerala which has already passed the Kerala Tourism
Zones, appropriate advice to the local authorities in
regard to formulation of the projects and taking action
against unauthorized construction and encroachment.
Besides all the stakeholders government, hoteliers,
resort owners, travel agents, tour operators, adventure
outfits, transporters, escorts, local bodies, restaurant
owners and others may feel that it is in their own
interest to maintain the scenic and cultural assets of
Himachal Pradesh, which is rightly called the Dev Bhumi
The Abode of Gods. 10
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Important Characteristics
of Successful Entrepreneurs
India was able to neutralize the products and services that you sell
impact of worldwide recession in a are completely worthless unless you
s h o r t t i m e d u e t o i n h e re n t target it to right group of people;
characteristics which are backbone considering their age group, income
of the Indian entrepreneurs. I am group, educational level and
summing up 25 such important locations.
c h a ra c te r i st i c s o f s u c c es s f u l 7. Customer is the king
entrepreneurs which are must for Business is not about the products or
carving a niche in society: prices you charge. It is all about your
1. Possess strong will customers. Business, including your
Every entrepreneur requires strong policies, service and prices must be
will followed by firm resolve to get customer-oriented.
the desired results. The adage 8. Believe in self-promotion CA. Manmohan Kumar Garg
“Where there is a Will there is a Way” Self-promotion of persons behind Chairman cum CEO,
may now carry a preamble “Where the products and services is one of Gurukul Vidyapeeth
there is a Wish, there is a Will” the most potent tools for marketing,
2. Decide and do what you enjoy yet most underutilized.
In fact, if you don't enjoy what you 9. Project a positive business
are doing, chances are you won't image
succeed. Enjoyment in your work is a Business owners must go out of their
pre-requisite to success. way and make a conscious effort to
3. Take seriously what you want project the most professional and
to do everlasting image of their business.
You must have to be serious in that The more you become known for
what you want to do. You can't your expertise in your business, the
expect to be successful unless you more people will seek your expertise,
truly believe in your business, its creating more selling and referral
goals and services. opportunities.
4. Plan everything before action 10. Know your customers
Business planning is important Most significant competitive edge
because it requires you to analyze the entrepreneur has over the larger
each business situation, research and competitors is the he can offer
compile data and make conclusion. personalized attention.
5. Manage money matters wisely 11. Make use of technology
The lifeline of any business Make sure you are keeping pace with
enterprise is cash flow. Two aspects high-tech world as it suits your
for managing your money wisely: a). needs. Use Internet as frequently as
the money you receive from clients in possible to upgrade your skills.
exchange for your goods and services 12. Build a top-notch business
(Income). b) The money you spend team
on inventory, supplies, wages and No person can build a successful
other items required for business business alone. He requires a
operating (expenses). committed team. Thus teamwork is
6. Ask people to buy what you are vital for any business's success.
selling 14. C r e a t e a c o m p e t i t i v e
Marketing, advertising or advantage
promotional activities of the Stand apart from your competitors
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by providing better service, warranty, flexible 20. Grab attention
payment options etc. Promotional activities are aimed at building
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15. Invest in yourself awareness through long-term, repeated exposure.
To become effective entrepreneurs buy and read 21. Master the art of negotiations
business and marketing books, magazines, journals, Mastering the art of negotiation means that your skills
reports etc. These resources will improve your are so finely tuned that you can always orchestrate a
understanding of business. win-win situation in your favor without antagonizing
16. Be accessible your competitors.
You must be accessible and knowledgeable about your 22. Get and stay organized
products and services. You must make it as easy as you Small things such as creating a to-do list at the end of
can for people to do business with you. each business day, or for the week, will help keep you
17. Build a rock-solid reputation on top of important tasks to tackle.
A good reputation is one of the business owner's most 23. Take time off
tangible and marketable assets. It can't be purchased Create the schedule to suit your business needs. Of
but it is something that you have to earn by honoring course, your schedule should be flexible. Take time off
your business commitments. for leisure activities with your family and friends.
18. Sell benefits 24. Limit the number of hats you wear
Selling benefits associated with owning and using the The ability to multitask is a common trait shared by
products and services will attract new customers and successful entrepreneurs, but you should know at
retain the old ones. what you are good at and what task to be delegated.
19. Get involved 25. Follow-up constantly
Always go out of your way to get involved in the Constant follow-up enables you to turn prospects into
community that supports your business. It is fact that customers, increase the value of each sale and buying
people like to do business with people whom they frequency from existing customers, and build stronger
know. business relationships with suppliers and your core
business team.
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time to align, he would have been alive. comparisons), and
SHEQ at workplace Vertical Alignment: degree of match within one
Aligning the people to Quality is indeed vital. Just component (e.g., within same activity) across
move without adequate caution and one jerks the multiple levels (e.g., across grade levels).
body to exhaustion. So says the Newton's first law of Dan Peak and C. Steve Guynes (2003) report from
motion A body in a state of rest or motion continues Texas, USA, the positive benefits of alignment in
planning process in the case of IT field. It is claimed to
have improved and facilitated communication on IT
and IT projects throughout the company, from the
executive level to the operational level. As a result it
brought client units closer together.
The alignment exercise was not easy. The planning
process was successfully carried out as a four-year
activity that involved:
(i) A pilot implementation and
(ii) Effective integration is the next step on the
journey, past alignment.
to be in the same state, until it is changed by the
(iii) I t i s e x t e n d e d t o a c o m p a n y w i d e
application of an external force. And 'if there is an
implementation of the IT alignment planning
action, it must be accompanied by equal and
process.
opposite reaction'- argues the third law. The reaction
It is achieved when the individual components of a
is what scares the SHEQ (Safety, Health,
performance management system operate as fully
Environmental and Quality in the Workplace). So
interconnected unit.
engineer the action with adequately planned fore-
thought. It was designed to be flexible so as to dovetail with
corporate strategic planning processes. It solicits a
Let us imagine when the bad news of that lad, who
consistency of plans, processes, information,
died with windpipe choke, was brought home- to his
resource decisions, actions, results and analysis to
wife. Do they give the shocking news of the demise at
support key organization-wide goals. After Successful
once or apply a slow simulation of grief in the
implementation, IT alignment planning was
environment before the bad news is broken out. They
acknowledgment and approved in all divisions of the
bring the condition of the affected person to cool
company.
down, so that there is no sudden outflow of blood,
lest it goes out of control. In other words, the person So alignment helps everywhere, right from making a
is prepared to take on that stress. Alignment is the small mistake to committing blunders. When
extent to which and how well all inputs impact indifferent things are comprehended due to bad
together to guide and ultimately protect the system alignments, mishaps do happen, as if the subjects
from making the SHEQ tremble. have been hypnotised.
The direction in which alignment is examined can be Well! If the managers have been aligned rightly for
broken down into two approaches (Niebling, et. al., pursuing planning, the job is well done!
2008): Amen!
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Microfinancing
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conditions and nutrition, and expand their Improvement in Asset Position
businesses. The fruits of their businesses not The average increase in assets was about 72%, from
only make an impact on themselves and their Rs 6,843 to Rs11,793 in real terms (in one to three
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families, but entire communities. years) in most of the households where micro-
· Evidence shows that groups of women are financing has been extended. Before given the
better customers than men - they are better credit, one in three households had no assets; after
managers of resources - benefits of loans are that, it changed to one in six.
spread wider among the household if loans are Increase in Savings
routed through women - mixed groups are
often inappropriate in Indian society - record of While most households given micro-credits were
all-male groups is worse than that of all-women having negligible or no savings, this improved to Rs.
groups, everywhere. 160-Rs. 460 and in some cases, the average
household savings rose to as high as Rs. 1444.
Present Status of Micro - financing in India:
Changes in Borrowing Patterns
With 75 million poor households potentially
requiring financial services, the microfinance With improvement in above two factors, people
market in India is among the largest in the world. were more ready to borrow from the semi-formal
Estimates of household credit demand vary from a and formal sector rather than their traditional
creditors i.e. friends and family, moneylenders,
landlords.
Conclusion:
Most criticisms of microfinance have actually been
criticisms of microcredit, delivered in the absence of
other microfinance services such as savings,
remittances, payments and insurance. For example,
there has been much criticism of the high interest
rates charged to borrowers. The real average
portfolio yield cited by the sample of 704
microfinance institutions that voluntarily submitted
reports to the Micro Banking Bulletin in 2006 was
22.3% annually. However, annual rates charged to
clients are higher, as they also include local inflation
and the bad debt expenses of the microfinance
institution.
minimum of Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 6,000 in rural areas and Microcredit has been blamed for many suicides in
Rs. 9,000 in urban settings. Given that 80 percent of India: aggressive lending by microcredit companies
poor households are located in rural areas, total in Andra Pradesh is said to have resulted in over 80
credit demand ranges between Rs. 255 billion and deaths in 2010. Microfinancing generally has
Rs. 500 billion. However, only Rs.18 billion of this generated positive benefits, despite some lenders
amount has been generated so far. The reason for charging interest rates between 40-60%. For the
this is that major portion for rural crediting has been success, focus has to be strictly on microcredit,
from the informal sector and this is at a very high thereby giving citizens in poor countries access to
interest rate, thus reducing the volumes of such rudimentary and cheap savings accounts. There is no
credits, and by far has been for investment purposes evidence of any negative influence of micro
(13%) and more for family emergencies (29%) and financing but countless examples of people now
social expenditures (19%). looking at the bigger picture and saving for better
things have surfaced, which negates the profound
Hurdles in implementation:
purpose which lied at the foundation of
· High fiscal deficits have meant that microfinance.
Government is appropriating a large share of
financial savings for itself.
· Convenience and frequency with which such
loans can be accessed
Successes in Micro-financing
The effects of micro-financing trickling down to the
poorest of Indians can already be observed in the
Indian economy.
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Punjabi Juttis ---
The Ethnic Choice
The state of Punjab is blessed with rich generation to other.
culture and heritage. Here the people The Punjabi Juttis have been in fashion
are very fond of different varieties of constantly. Its demand is on the
food (spicy, roasted) and are quite keen increase, as the younger generation has
towards various kinds of attires, also taken to it. One unique feature
accessories etc. Like many other parts of which has now being associated with
the country, here also, Rajas and Punjabi juttis is that it has become a
Maharajas were very fond of dressing ceremonial footwear along with long
and delicacies.. T ill today, this Achkan and churidaar payjama.. The
inheritance continues. People, even younger generation wears the designer
now after centuries, are still continuing juttis that is specifically made to order as
this tradition .Among many things, per their choice of leather, threads,
Phulkari embroidery of Punjab is very colour-combinations. Besides designer
famous. juttis ,the traditional sober colour with Alakshita Pasricha,
One of the less famous but more sober work are also still popular . M.Sc(Hons)Chemistry, P.G.D.M
popular among all other things is Different kinds of leather are being used
Punjabi juttis. It is typical to Punjab. This to make these juttis, mainly being cow,
royal footwear was worn by Nawabs of goat, sheep, and camel. The leather of
Lucknow and maharajas of Patiala, cow is the softest one being used in
besides the rich families of Punjab and these juttis and camel being the
nearby states. These juttis were also hardest. The price of these juttis also
known by the name SHAHI JUTTIS. In differs according to leather used .
those days, embroidery work on juttis The basic material i.e leather is obtained
used to be with gold thread. However, from Jalandhar, Malerkotla for
now that has been replaced by silk and manufacturing these Punjabi Juttis in
cotton thread. There are many varieties and around Patiala. The thread, beads,
of Punjabi juttis. The ceremonial ones sequins , mirrors and other accessories
which are generally designer juttis are obtained from outskirts of Patiala
having sequined work, beaded work and which is actually a hub of these items.
work done with gold and silver thread. Incidentally the same thread is being
MIirror work in combination with used in PHULKARI the most popular
different coloured threads is known as embroidery of Punjab. Other items like
cloth for embroidery , PVC Sole , special
pasting material, mould etc are locally
available.
The price ranges from Rs150 per pair to
Rs3000 per pair and in certain cases
beyond Rs3000 if some special work is
done on order. Normal range is Rs250-
Rs400 being used in daily wear by most
of the people belonging to middle class
families.
Phulkari juttis. One speciality of Punjabi juttis is that
The major area of manufacturing of the entire work is done by hand and
these juttis was Patiala (Punjab) and no machine is used.
nearby places. Patiala used to be main While talking to one jutti maker (Raju
hub. But now, the manufacturing of jutti Store)in Patiala ,it was told that to
Punjabi Juttis has spread to other cities make one single jutti,it requires about
of Punjab, however,Patiala is still 5-6 hours approximately and above all
leading. There are special karigars the whole work done on it is hand
(craftsmen) who have been in this job work.However another jutti maker of
for many generations. It is a specialized Patiala was of the opinion, that one
job and art is being passed on from one experienced craftsman can make even
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upto ten juttis in one day.It was not a surprise to be told government in any form; tax has been imposed; no
that these juttis are being displayed almost all over the incentive for the participation in exhibitions; no
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country in various “promotional council” type body; no patronage from
exhibitions,melas etc.And also departments of handlooms and handicrafts; high level of
that these are being exported competition; lack of skilled and trained workers; people
to countries like are shifting to more lucrative occupations.
U.S.A,Canada,Germany,Englan It was heartening to know that the demand for Punjabi
d. Juttis is on increase.However,more people are not
Talking to some of the jutti coming into this business mainly because there are no
makers of Patiala during visit to promotional activities to popularize it on large scale.
their kaar-khanas(factories) Therefore its production is on limited scale with limited
and showrooms/outlets,jutti families who are doing it traditionally for generations.
makers , it was revealed that For the present the demand is on increase and the
they were facing certain traditional makers are still in their place. But as and when
problems .,Some of the major more lucrative alternatives are available, there is a
problems pointed out by the Punjabi jutti walas were that danger that this art of Punjabi juttis may shrink if not get
they were not receiving any support from the extinct.
Book Review
“International Trade : Text and Cases” (2011) by P. K. Chapter 10 presents a helpful and concise explication of special
Vasudeva, PhD, Excel Books, New Delhi. Pp 512, Price Rs 395. economic zones: an Indian perspective. Chapters 11-14 identify
ISBN 978-81-7446-931-1 the major issues concerning government policy on import,
By J.N. Vohra imports of capital goods both new and second-hand import
The 'international Trade presents detailed information on the under EPCG scheme, imports of raw materials and importation
external trade performance of 153 countries in terms of overall cycle with special reference to foreign exchange markets.
trends in current value, volume, and price: the importance of Chapter 15 exclusively deals with exim policy, foreign trade
trading partner; and the significance of individual commodities policy 2004-09 and 2009-2014 and target plus schemes.
imported and exported. Chapters 16 deals foreign exchange risk with currency issues
Chapters contain data on individual countries, including: import such as exchange rates, transaction exposure, types of banking
and export series data; percentage breakdowns of imports by institutions and FEMA. Chapter 17 discusses various forms of
broad economic categories; percentage breakdown of exports international business and documents associated with export
by industrial origin; the value of import and export trade activities, import transactions, and transportation. It also
analysed by the principal countries or areas and regions of concerns international insurance, including various perils, risk
provenance and destination; and the quantity of value of management, policy types, coverage, claims, and the particular
imports and exports analysed by commodity. challenges of insurance in the international setting.
Tables in Chapters analyse trade in commodities by region and The book strikes a balance between explication of the "what is"
country. Special tables show the contribution a country's and discussion of the "how to." Sufficient foundation in
trading industry has made to its region and to the world, the important theories and concepts enables the reader to adapt to
flow of trade between countries and regions, and the changing conditions in the international trade. At the same
fluctuations of the prices at which goods moved internationally. time, where most topics are concerned, detailed guidance on
Chapter 1 introduces the genre of international trade, application gives users the immediate knowledge needed to
difference between international trade, international manage international trade and logistics.
marketing and international business. It has deliberated on The strengths of this volume are its in-depth discussion of trade
INCOTERMS and their ramifications. Chapter 2 discusses key issues, the detail provided on documentation, and a focus on
issues and theories of international trade and India's role in conveying information useful in the actual management of
international trade theories. Chapter 3 concerns global international trade transactions. Each chapter is followed by
sourcing with particular reference to international trade review questions and a list of key terms and their location in the
deficits, structural deficits, cyclical deficits and the fiscal text. Comprehensive case studies are appended after each
deficits. Chapter 4 has addressed exclusively on World Trade chapter that makes the reader understand its implications.
Organisation (WTO) especially impediments on the A careful effort by the author to define the book's audience and
implementation of Doha Round and the future prospects of its intended purposes clearly underlies this volume's obvious
WTO. utility for practitioners and students of international trade.
Chapters 5-9 explain India's exports, export finance, export International Trade is a valuable addition to the literature in this
documentation, instruments of payment and physical exports discipline. It will probably be most useful as a textbook in MBA
with special reference to principal risks, and documents types courses on international trade, and as a reference for
involved in terms of payment. practitioners in the field.
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Mankind at Cliff's Edge
Just yesterday, while driving through one of postpone definite and purposeful steps to
the Southern sectors of Chandigarh the restore eco-balance with great urgency. The
City Beautiful, I noticed a group of three signs of the time are all too evident for us to
street cleaners sitting next to a healthy feign ignorance, same of which are the
looking tree. The weather had turned ozone layer getting depleted, ice cover at
rather cold with the blowing of a freezing the polar ice caps melting thereby raising
breeze intent on chilling human bones, also the level of the oceans, global warming
those of animals. These three had lit a small giving rise to unpredictable weather
bonfire next to the trunk. I was certain that pattern and closer home, the diminishing
were it to continue for another half an hour, size of glaciers in the Himalayan region. It is
they would burn its bark and damage its said that each year about one thousand
core. Seeing ecological damage in the living species become extinct while an
making, I stopped my car and approached equal number of flora specimens vanish.
them determined to warn them of the Can we not read the dials on our consoles
consequences. clearly indicating the new vectors? It is an
I mustered all the politeness that I could and unexplained paradox that we are instead Brig Ranjit Banerji (Retd)
managed to persuade them to put out the more responsive to the possible effects of Corporate Advisor
fire. I must confess that I was a bit surprised, the holocaust likely due to the use of
albeit pleasantly, at their agreeing to my weapons of mass destruction which we
suggestion with such ease. These three possess.
stated that they would not have done so Are we then not sitting at Cliff's Edge
had they knew the adverse effects of unwittingly watching our planet turning
lighting a fire so close to a full grown tree. As more and more unlivable every five years or
I resumed driving, I began to think that if s o ?
this was the level of ignorance of people Theologians
residing in a developed city as is and time
Chandigarh, what could be happening in watchers say
smaller towns and villages where eco- that Doom's
awareness is miniscule, if at all. Day is not far.
As described in the Bible, Adam and Eve Can we make a
who were the considered
first two guess that this
h o m o - day could be
sapiens, lived when we die
in a garden because we no longer are left with
having an sustainable levels of oxygen and thus we
entire range asphyxiate due to our own doings?
of flora and Having made an attempt to portend
fauna which p o s s i b l e e c o - d i s as t e r, I n e ed t o
contributed counterbalance it with air of optimism. I am
t o b i o - certain that even today we have the ability
diversity to reverse the situation by taking timely
essential to steps through use of corrective innovative
sustain life. Ever since Man, either by technology for example aerial seeding,
default or design, has been carrying out one consumption of sea/maritime foods,
or the other form of atmospheric control of foul and harmful gas emissions
degradation. We have come to a stage and raising of ground water table through
where today just a fourth of Planet Earth water harvesting measures. Besides, we can
still possesses some semblance of green minimize the utilization of carbon and fossil
cover. Countries periodically meet to talk of fuels by maximizing the use of nuclear, solar
protecting it from further loss, but alas and wind assisted energy generating
political considerations override self- systems.
seeking realities. The participating nations Last, but not the least, let us make a clarion
disperse with a resolve to meet again and call to Mankind to shift back from its Cliff
resume a meaningful dialogue. So this Edge posture, thereby gifting our coming
process goes on unending. generations with a good chance to restore
Today's scientific advancements and know- to Earth its former eco-equilibrium. We can
how have left mankind with no excuse do it, as still it's not too late.
whatsoever to vacillate, dilly dally or
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Hundreds Attended 'Shaping Young Minds”
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Speakers Left the Young Professional
Spell Bound
Chandigarh Management Association (CMA) organised today an event building said that nothing is impossible in life if you have the will and
'Shaping Young Minds” at Tagore Theatre Sector-18, Chandigarh. This desire. Professional Students need to acquire marketing skills to sell their
event is an initiative of, N.Delhi. More than 1000 students drawn from talent and potential to the prospective employers. Dr. Geeta Joshi,
various institutions of the Tricity attended this event Principal Army Law College,Mohali chaired the session.
Inaugurating the programme Mr.Kamal Singh, Director All India Prof Bibek Debroy said that what he achieved in life was more of an
Management Association (AIMA), the sponsors of the event, said that accident that designed. But he that now his consolidated life time
this is third event in a row. First two programmes were organised in experiences tell that it is better to undertake those jobs or activities,
Lucknow and Hydrabad. He said that the event seeks to help young which endears you most rather guided by desires of outside advisers. He
people find their career path. He said in this programme young students said that he left many lucrative jobs in India and abroad which did not
of professional institutions are exposed to eminent speakers who address interest him. Dr.P.K.Vasudeva, former professor (international trade)
the students with their anecdotal, storytelling and coaching style; laced ICFAI chaired the session.
with their personal experiences. The idea ultimately is to deliver a Mr.Anil Sachdev gave a heart rendering motivational speech and narrated
charismatic message to the young minds how Hotel Taj employees save the life of their customers, when terrorist
Dr. Gulshan Sharma, President CMA said that many young people today attacked the hotel, even under the threat of their own life. He said that
have bright minds, which need shaping up on what to expect in a even corporate can build loyalities in their employees with value system.
professional career they are always seeking advice from icons. The Dr.Gulshan Sharma, President CMA Chaired this session.
programme objectives are to inspire young people aspiring to enter in The institutions, which participated in this event, included Aryan Group of
professional domains. Colleges, Army Institute of Law, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Desh
Three speakers who addressed the students were Ms. Sangeeta Talwar: Bhagat Group of Institutes, Gurukul Vidyapeeth, IIPM, ITFT Education
MD & CEO of NDDB Dairy Services, Prof. Bibek Debroy, noted economists Group, RICM and SASIIT, Mohali.
and Mr. Anil Sachdev, Founder and CEO of the School of Inspired Learning.
All three speakers left the student audience spell bound.
Sangeeta Talwar while narrating her successes and failures in her career
Dr. Gulshan Sharma, President CMA Mr. Kamal Singh giving his welcome address.
giving his introductory remarks His address was followed by Curtain Raiser Film 20
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Profiles of Eminent Speakers Who Enthralled
The Young Professionals With Their Anecdotal
and Motivational Speeches
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Chandigarh
Management Association