THE DIARY OF Z

India has become a global economic power house thanks not only to the government reforms of the early 1990s but also to the burgeoning IT industry. The only next logic step for a better India would then appear to be the merging of government and technology.

By launching an online helpline portal, President Pratibha Patil seeks to capitalise on these two factors that brought so much success to India.  The portal — Helpline — aims to direct public grievances to the appropriate government department within seven business days.

Having previously received an average of 400 grievances a day, the President set up this portal to not only give the people a more direct line of access but also to increase transparency in processing claims. As Christy Fernandez, secretary to the President, said, “We have set up this portal so that people have a mechanism by which they know what is happening to their petition.”

In a country notorious for its bureaucratic red tape, such an effort is surely noteworthy although I can’t help but wonder just how much the public will be able to take advantage of this portal. While the internet is now accessible almost everywhere in India, those perhaps most in need of the government’s help—the poor and disenfranchised—probably don’t have the resources to take full advantage of the portal and track their petition online. So right now, it’s largely meant for netizens!

Contributed by Jenny Suzdak

Earlier this month New Delhi’s highest court decriminalised homosexuality. Now, almost three weeks later, I worry that the legitimacy of that landmark ruling is in jeopardy.

Supreme Court advocate Janak Raj Jai has challenged the presence of Justice S Murlidhar on the court bench, claiming that he should not have taken part in this specific case because of his history with HIV/ AIDS advocacy.

In 1994, the Justice in question petitioned the High Court to outlaw Section 377 of Indian Penal Code on behalf of the organization AIDS Bedhav Virodhi Andolan. A law created by the British in 1861, Section 377 of IPC forbade homosexuality in India and has often been seen as an unnecessary legacy of the colonisers. (As many former British colonies have done, England and Wales legalised homosexuality in 1967).

While Janak Raj Jai wrote separate letters to Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court Justice A P Shah and Members of Parliament immediately before the case, I suspect that the outcome of the case has caused those condemning gay rights to take notice of this possible judicial impropriety.

I am a strong supporter of judicial prudence and although the ruling was largely symbolic—hardly anyone has been prosecuted under Section 377 in modern times. I am nonetheless saddened that such mudslinging is taking place. Bollywood stepped into the 21st century with Dostana and I think it’s time the rest of the country did so as well.

Contributed by Jenny Suzdak

News reports surfaced recently that Dr. Abdul Kalam was frisked at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on April 24th of this year. The former Indian president was on his way to Newark via the American airliner Continental Airlines when an American boss for the company insisted that he undergo a security check. While Continental Airlines defended their action, reasoning that there global policy is no special exemptions for VIPs, the civil aviation ministry here in India has opened an investigation into the incident.

I personally think that no one should hold VIP status when security is a factor. While I am confident that Dr. Abdul Kalam— or any of the other former presidents for that matter—would not want to do harm, someone could have slipped an explosive into his bag before he walked on to the airplane and the former president could have unknowingly acted as an agent of terror. For this reason I believe that the VIP no-frisk policy is out of date and reminiscent of another, safer era. If Continental Airlines is found guilty of frisking Dr. Abdul Kalam by the civil aviation ministry investigation, however, the airliner should be punished because despite the fact that they’re American company they were operating in India and thus need to abide by Indian law.

Contributed by Jenny Suzdak

Here are a few budget reactions from the corporate world sent to me by the respective PR agencies. While some are lauding Pranab, others are not too happy with him. As a layman, I am only happy with Pranab for making it a rural-focussed budget. After all, a large part of India still resides in the villages. Farmer loan waiver, social security for the rural youth and focus on education is definetely something I am completely in favour of.

Without further ado, here is what the corporate world has to say about Pranab’s budget:

Gaurav Dua - Head Research , Sharekhan Ltd

The Union Budget has fallen short of high market expectations. The street has reacted negatively to issues such as high projected fiscal deficit of 6.8% (and more importantly there is no roadmap of bring it down), no mention of reforms in petroleum and insurance sectors, and absence of focus on aggressively pushing ahead the divestment program. On the positive side, the Finance Minister announced specific measures to enhance investment in infrastructure and boost domestic consumption through lower tax burden (higher standard deduction, withdrawal of surcharge and education cess). Overall, the focus continues to remain on stimulating economic growth in spite of further deterioration on fiscal front.

Vijay Bobba, CEO, I-Mint

The government has taken specific measures to increase disposable incomes. With a more friendly tax structure, individuals will have more cash in hand which may lead to increase spending and hence augment demand. Exemptions and reductions on excise and service tax on specific areas will also lead to additional margins that can be passed on to the end consumer. Also, the budget aims to rationalise taxation policies with the introduction of the GST next year. However, from a retail perspective, FDI was a major issue which has not been discussed.

SC Agarwal, CEO, Indian Tools Manufacturing, part of Birla auto and engineering group

The Budget appears to be neutral  to Cutting Tool Industry. Due to increases in Planned Expenditure,  allocation for rural employment and additional disposable income on account of individual Income Tax benefit, consumption level can be sustained in the short term. Private capital investment in the Industry  may not get stimulated soon until Engineering Goods  Export and Commercial Vehicle Sales improve.

Kaushal Sampat, Chief Operating Officer – Dun & Bradstreet - India

The Union Budget 2009 -10 is  largely positive, and seems to be an ‘aspirational’ budget in terms of what it seeks to achieve over a long term horizon. As we had expected, the Budget clearly breaks down into three parts – short, medium and long term. The short term proposals, which are focused on economic revival, are slightly above our expectations, and are welcome for the support they’d provide to an economy which is expected to get back on the revival path soon. Of course, these measures would have been even more welcome if a specific road map for containing the fiscal deficit had been laid out for the medium term. Having said that, the government does not have too much room to maneuver and perhaps, living with a high fiscal deficit may be inevitable for the time being. As economic revival sets in, and the high fiscal deficit becomes a potential bottleneck, monetary policy may have to be appropriately adjusted to take care of the issues pertaining to fund availability – which in itself may not have too much room. Hence, over the medium term, concerns remain over the fiscal deficit. The positives contained in this budget will become most apparent over the longer term, and that is where it scores the most – provided the intent and aspiration is met. While disinvestment could have found greater articulation, there seems to be a positive movement in that direction. The large number of measures proposed with regard to institutional, procedural and regulatory reform in such diverse areas as petrol prices, taxation and growth inclusiveness will unlock much of the economic growth potential. As the FM indicated, one budget speech will not solve all our problems! Hence, we may see some key policy initiatives being taken off-budget.

MS Arora, CEO, Zenith Birla, flagship company of Yash Birla Group

It is good to note that the Excise duty rates on Steel related products have not been increased from present 8.24% it will help in demand to grow in the country under these trying times. However no change in the policy, on Restriction to be removed on Flat Steel import is a negative aspect as this will create & increase the imbalance in the prices of steel in the domestic market. Removal of FBT is a welcome step which will help eliminating the cumbersome procedure to keep a track of figures under this head. No initiative to boost Exports to steel product related industries is a cause of worry and hope that the forthcoming Exim policy will take steps to help the declining figures of exports.

Yash Birla, Chairman, The Yash Birla Group

The Budget 2009-10 is all about getting the India Growth story back on track. This is targeted to be achieved through the short and long term measures that have been introduced. The unique aspect of focus on efficacy of delivery mechanisms for various measures is heartening. Due importance to infrastructure has been rightfully given as well as a boost to exports which will stimulate the sector that has been languishing. The disinvestment announcement is welcome but the targeted amount could have been higher which would have freed up resources to invest in the various social schemes that have been announced. This is in short a budget that aims to jumpstart a economy that has slowed down which is good but it could have been more aggressive. For our Group, the positive measures announced for Education, Textiles, IT, Exports are welcome and would give a fillip to our group companies in this sphere.

Kalyan Bhattacharya, President& CEO,  Birla Power Solutions Ltd

The increased budget allocation on social development schemes with focus on health and education for the rural population is indeed a right step for the ‘inclusive growth’ highlighted in the pre-budget survey. The areas which will allow BPSL to increase its contribution towards national development are:
1. National Rural Health Mission
2. Mission in Education through ICT’
3. Construction of Roads/Infrastructure
4. Public Delivery Services
The increased allocation of funds for  Agricultural Development and Irrigation, is a welcome move, though there is no ‘special incentive’ for companies like BPSL which is producing Power Tillers and fuel efficient Pumps for the marginal farmers in less developed states in the East and Northeast.
The budget mentions about the Power Reform Program. However, it is unclear about the incentives available for private sector to join the PPP for investment in power generation and expansion of the distribution system in the rural areas. The budget is not encouraging for the manufacturing sector. No new initiatives are visible and there is hardly any incentive in terms of tax and duty benefits for the organized sector in the engineering industry. Overall, the budget is an average one and does not fulfill the expectation of a key driver for industrial development.

Som Mittal, President, NASSCOM

The Finance Minister’s decision to extend fiscal benefits available to the industry under Section 10A/10B for one year will help the industry mitigate the impact of the current economic environment and help India retain its competitiveness.

Pramod Bhasin, Chairman, NASSCOM

Many of the initiatives in this year’s budget recognize the role the IT BPO industry can play in promoting inclusive growth and creating substantial employment opportunities in the country. The industry will be keen to partner with the Government in expanding e-governance initiatives including modernization of employment exchanges, the UIAD project, and smart cards for healthcare services so as to achieve enhanced governance.  Increased capital outlays on the education and infrastructure sector will also address growth challenges that the country has faced.

Agreed Anjelina Jolie is doing some really good work through her humanitarian efforts to alleviate the pains of refugees, but it’s early days yet for her to make a serious bid at politics.

However, news is that she finds Hollywood boring and has now set her sights on the White House. Yup, she wants to be part of the Obama administration and do more for the world.

Some insiders even say that Anjelina could well be America’s first female president 20 years from now. Though one can’t see that far into the future, all I can say is that Anjelina has her heart in the right place. So whichever work she takes up should do her good.

But Ange, I have just one thing to say. Politics is a different ballgame. You need to be cunning, super shrewd, thick skinned and brave all odds. Don’t know if you are up to it.

Rumour is rife that Jennifer Aniston is dating Bradley Cooper who starred with her in the latest He’s Just Not That Into You.

The news spread like forest fire when the two were recently spotted at a romantic Italian restaurant in New York. But the way he dispels this rumour is at a recent press conference saying, ‘we are just good friends’.

And then, he goes on to say that he doesn’t seen any screen space in the film as he comes in the first half when he’s paired with Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Connelly. But then, that doesn’t mean he’s not meeting her. Familiarity breeds contempt, so the best way to beat it is braek the ice with strangers who are not part of the scenes that you are doing. And that indeed seems to be case with Bradley.

Ofcourse, I agree with him that they are only good friends as of now, I am not sure if it becomes a romantic link-up later. But then, you never know with Cupid, do you?

Michael Jackson is no more, but he still lives on.

The king of pop is managing to keep the flicker of flame alive with his innumerable songs, dances and his very own autobiography Moon Walk. If you were to decode his life of ups and downs, you only need to look up his profile on Wikipedia. But if you were to mark his progress on life’s many paths, his book should do the deed.

What appeals to me most is that he’s a great leveller. My brother was born eight years after I was. And yet, both of us share the same fondness for MJ. That’s bridging generations. And to think that MJ’s most notable work was way back in 1995, it’s amazing how he has remained in the minds of music fans all over the world for over a decade and counting.

But the best part of his life was his unstinted support to as many as 39 charities around the world. However, what displeases me is that his philanthropic efforts didn’t ease up the pains that he was undergoing all his life. From child sex abuse to marital failures to law suits, his life could easily make it to the big screen like boxer Muhammed Ali’s film Ali.

You never know with Hollywood. MJ could be resurrected again and controversies will rear their ugly head yet again. With MJ, disputes were his second cousins.

Mention Lindsay Lohan and you will think of her lesbian connection and her naked news spreading across the universe. So what’s quicker than a Facebook or LinkedIn to get your visuals around? No, not Picasa or Flickr, but Twitter.

Yes, Lindsay has discovered this new way of shedding her inhibitions and grabbing eyeballs. She has gone topless on Twitter. But you can’t credit Lindsay for originality. She’s blonde, remember?

So how did she wisen up? Ashton Kutcher, baby. He was the first to make the most of Twitter and even posted his flame Demi Moore’s ass picture on Twitter.

Sometimes, celebritydom has its extremes. Once you become famous, you wonder how much more famous you can be in that much little time.

The chase continues… But then, that’s life. No chase, no gain.