By and large, today, British Asians lead fairly comfortable lives thanks to British values and environment. Many from the community have built solid reputations in entrepreneurship, professions, art, culture, media, politics and sports. Turn the clock back half a century or so and the scenario looks different, at times grim. The Asian diaspora, from various corners of the globe, came to Great Britain for different reasons. Some of their own accord. Some with their backs to the wall had no choice but to flee or be consumed by the flames of war and persecution. When they arrived here they had two choices – wring their hands in despair and plead for handouts or roll up their sleeves, dig deep and prepare for the long haul. They chose the latter and in so doing spawned innumerable stories of rags and riches.
The success story of business tycoons Bhikhu and Vijay Patel is one such. By dint of sheer hard work and entrepreneurship they built a business empire comprising pharmaceuticals and property, spanning 40 years. Their success story is one that must be celebrated. On the contrary it is, it seems, at the receiving end of ridicule in sections of the mainstream press – The Times and the Daily Mail in particular. Pray tell, when did wealth generation, job creation and profit making become synonymous with bad business practice ? On the contrary are they not the very bedrock on which the might of our economy rests ? Is the recent case of Atnahs representative of all that the Patel brothers have achieved ?
Crucially, The Times has pointed out that Atnahs has done nothing illegal. The publication should have focussed on the NHS bodies whose responsibility it is to ensure due diligence in the procurement process.
Highlighting the lifestyle of the Patel brothers is indulging in tabloid journalism and hitting below the belt, something not befitting respectable publications. A large number of people have expressed disgust over such sensational and misleading reporting.
Various industry sectors have their representative organisations and umbrella bodies who stand up to misleading media coverage. CBI, Chambers of Commerce, the Muslim Council of Britain and the Board of British Jewry, have been the custodians of the well being and reputation of their respective constituents. On the contrary, British Indian entrepreneurs have very well integrated into the mainstream and have not felt the need for any such bodies to safeguard their interests. Community newspapers, especially Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar will always offer a platform and a voice for those feeling maligned or unjustly treated.
Fairness and transparency in all walks of life, including business are values the the UK has always championed. In the same way are not fair play and balanced reporting essential to objective journalism ?
The case of Atnahs is yet to come under official scrutiny but some sections of the press, in inexplicable exuberance and daggers drawn, are already baying for blood. One can be sure that the final verdict when it is delivered will be free and fair. Rest assured, not even the media can alter that. Until then, hold your horses.
Indian skills development a priority
There is understandable satisfaction in the corridors of power in Delhi at the performance of the Indian economy. Early signs from the current fiscal starting April 1 are encouraging. For instant, May numbers of car sales show a sizeable increase, while the imminent good monsoon should presage higher agricultural growth and better rural demand for industrial goods and services and a possible GDP growth of 8 per cent or more. Jonathan Garner, chief Asia and emerging markets equity strategist at Morgan Stanley said, ‘India has risen to No 3 of 27 countries that we assess on as monthly basis…we see a gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerating that is unfolding now and we see an earnings growth acceleration.’
With reasonable luck over the next three years or so, the good times overall should get better, creating an economic platform fit for 21st century purpose. The key, going forward, is surely skills development. India’s foremost asset will be its youthful human capital. The demographic dividend gives India a potential edge over its rivals in the international marketplace will be a well educated, skilled workforce. If Rome wasn’t built in a day, such a workforce will take time to build. Hence, a start has to commence without delay. Indian planners within government, it would appear, have made that start with the launch of the National Skill Development Mission (rejigged version of the previous UPA government’s policy paper) with a mandate to train 300 million Indians by 2022. Encouragingly, the programme has been making steady if unspectacular progress, but the task is humongous. Government estimates that an incremental requirement of 110 million additional skilled personnel across 24 sectors with the greatest demand coming from sectors such as retail, security, real estate, transport, health and wellness. The demography at first appears overwhelming, but given that 50 per cent of India’s population is below 27 years and 700 million in this age group will constitute part of the national population come 2030.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserves credit for articulating the broad concept of the Skill Development Mission by projecting the vision of India as the ‘world’s human resource capital.’ He suggested that the country ready itself to replace the diminishing workforce of affluent countries with ageing problem arising from declining levels of population growth. Towards the realization of that goal the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ skill loan scheme and the national policy for skill development and entrepreneurship 2015 were brought into being. In all, 25 organizations including key ministries are presently involved in the formidably difficult business of skilling youth for gainful employment. The entire process appears more visible in the rural hinterland where youth are less educated and skilled than their urban compeers. There is greater awareness of these issues and opportunities of betterment.
A skilling project of this scale will inevitably have its teething problems. Although there have been attempts to place all government schemes under a single umbrella, there is also a pressing need to standardize courses, inputs and outcomes.
Clearly, the mission faces myriad challenges. High dropout rate is one. This was true largely of rural youth unable to bear the stresses and strains of urban life, hence return home to their villages. Industry has yet to participate to the full in this ambitious endeavour.
Serious questions remain about the quality about some of the training imparted. To make its desired impact, the programme needs not only to be scaled up but to keep abreast of international norms. Only then will India acquire the skilling base from which it can move forward confidently into the future – a future that works.
David Warner, Virat Kohli stars of IPL 2016
IPL Twenty/20 2016 was arguably the finest, the most exciting since the tournament first presented itself some eight years ago. Since the spectacle has captured the imagination of the cricket aficionados throughout the world, with international stars lining up to demonstrate their skills before mammoth crowds across the subcontinent, with television taking the matches to every corner of the globe.
The spectacle this year was special. The unfancied Sun Risers Hyderabad, captained superbly by the Australian David Warner took the trophy, beating fancied rivals, Royal Challengers Bangalore in a pulsating final by 8 runs, both sides breaching 200, Sun Risers with an awesome 208.
Warner’s carried his side’s batting on his broad shoulders, round after round, piling up a record aggregate of over 800 runs, while the bowling, spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra and Bangladesh rookie Mustafizur Rahman, kept opponents in check. One of cricket’s oldest and truest adages is ‘Bowlers win matches;’ the Sun Risers trio did so to perfection. Through it all, Warner led his team by example: never losing his head in the most stressful moments, encouraging, cajoling and, when required, scolding. The teamwork was terrific; and they emerged deserving winners.
The Royal Challengers, thrice runners-up, were at home before their adoring fans. But their bowling was indifferent, often poor and the lower order batsmen failed to measure up. Their stellar batsman, Virat Kohli, A. B. De Villiers, Chris Gayle, were outstanding. Kohli’s bat yielded 973 runs including four centuries - a tournament record that is likely to hold its own for many a long year. Especially pleasing to the eye was the style and panache with which these runs were compiled. Kohli’s range of strokes held spectators and players in thrall. His leadership skills, like Warner’s, were out of the top draw. The country looks to him to take India to the challenging heights in all formats of the game, especially Tests - the ultimate benchmark of a cricketer’s abilities. India’s Test performances against the best sides have been mostly below spar since 2011.
