| | World Fast Changes | China India Europe U.S. Americas Asia/Pacific Africa | | | India's farmers caught in moneylenders' grip
By Krittivas Mukherjee Reuters - Published: March 20, 2008
PANDHARKAWDA, India: Almost every farmer across India's arid cotton-bearing central plateau is a hostage, in one way or another, to the profitable big business of illegal money lending.
Families have lost land, farmers have been asked to prostitute their wives to pay off debts and, when all else has failed, borrowers have killed themselves to end their misery.
An inescapable cycle of debt is fueling one of the worst agrarian crises facing India, a crisis that has seen some 150,000 farmers commit suicide since 1997.
Yet the public image of menacing debt collectors does not entirely reflect the views of the region's three million farmers. The rapacious moneylender, who plugs the gaps in rural financial services, is also the man they can turn to in times of need.
Last month, India's government announced a $15 billion loan waiver for small farmers borrowing from banks, but experts say the efficacy of the scheme is badly diluted because it leaves out those borrowing from moneylenders. | The Food Chain
India’s Growth Outstrips Crops
By SOMINI SENGUPTA - Published: June 22, 2008
India’s supply of arable land is second only to that of the U.S., but it must buy some foods on international markets, exacerbating a global food crisis. | India stocks seen at 13,000 by end 2008 - Credit Suisse
Mon Jun 9, 2008 2:49pm IST
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's main stock index may fall to a 10-month low of around 13,000 points by end-2008, as the central bank may raise interest rates to check inflation due to record oil prices, Credit Suisse said on Monday.
"The market is still not pricing in the much lower earnings growth being forecast by corporates and banks," Nilesh Jasani, head of research at the Indian unit of the Swiss bank told reporters at a briefing.
Indian stocks fell as much as 2.5 percent on Monday on top of a 5.1 percent decline last week and has shaved off a quarter of its value so far in 2008 as foreigners sold $4.8 billion worth of stocks amid concerns of rising inflation and slowing growth | Math Gap Will Widen India's Rich-Poor Divide: Andy Mukherjee
June 10 (Bloomberg) -- Among the many reasons for the growing rich-poor divide in India, the yawning disparity in math skills deserves urgent attention.
The ``math gap,'' if it isn't narrowed, may lead to a much sharper distinction between the haves and the have-nots a few years from now.
A new study by World Bank economists Jishnu Das and Tristan Zajonc presents some stark evidence.
The study links the results of a test given to 6,000 teenagers in two states -- Rajasthan in western India and Orissa in the east -- to students' performance on the same exam in 51 other countries.
The researchers conclude that mathematical abilities of India's 14-year-olds vary widely between the worst and the best students.
If other states are similar to the ones studied then it would mean that 17 million Indian students don't meet the lowest international benchmark of ``some basic mathematical knowledge.'' That's 22 times the corresponding figure for the U.S. | Retail Industry in India:challenges Opportunties and Strategies
The Indian retailing industry is becoming intensely competitive, as more and more payers are Vying for the same set of customers. The major retail players are Pantaloon Retail, Shoppers Stop, Reliance,etc..,
Retailing is one of the biggest sectors and it is witnessing revolution in India. The new entrant in retailing in India signifies the beginning of retail revolution. India's retail market is expected to grow tremendously in next few years. According to AT Kearney, The Windows of Opportunity shows that Retailing in India was at opening stage in 1995 and now it is in peaking stage in 2006. India's retail market is expected to grow tremendously in next few years. India shows US$330 billion retail market that is expected to grow 10% a year, with modern retailing just beginning. India ranks first in 2005. In fact, in 2005 and 2006, India is the most compelling opportunity for retailers, because now India is in peaking stage.
This window of opportunity is useful for executives who plan their market-specific strategies; the four stages or the lifecycle of this industry is as as follows: | | World's cheapest car goes on show
Tata Nano The car is designed for family use in India
The unveiling
Tata Motors has unveiled the world's cheapest motor car at India's biggest car show in the capital, Delhi.
The vehicle, called the Tata Nano, will sell for 100,000 rupees or $2,500 (£1,277) and enable those in developing countries to move to four wheels.
The four-door five-seater car, which goes on sale later this year, has a 33bhp, 624cc, engine at the rear.
It has no air conditioning, no electric windows and no power steering, but two deluxe models will be on offer. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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