"Francly" Speaking - Say Sweese

The World Economic Forum (WEF 2015) kicks of in Davos Switzerland from tomorrow (21st Jan.2015). There will be plenty to discuss; the sanctions on Russia; the price of oil; Charlie Hebdo; Greek elections and threat of exiting EU; the Euro and the European economy; and among several other topics - the one which would impact every person visiting the event from outside of Switzerland - yes, the rise of the Swiss Franc.

The 5 minute vertical scramble was faster and straighter than that of a F-16 jet in relative terms; and in those 5 minutes hell broke loose around the world along with an absolute panic in the Swiss Stock Exchange. The Franc and Euro now cost the same. The Swiss are not exactly pleased with the situation. Switzerland is now more uncompetitive now than the rest of Europe and many of its iconic industries are threatening to relocate to Germany or France if the Government does not do something about the situation soon. The tourist industry will take a big hit too especially the flow of Indian tourists to the destination they love most - the Swiss Alps. I did not believe it until I visited the place that in Interlaken the fourth most heard language after German, French and English is Gujarati.

I am sure our Prime Minister; now a world famous Gujarati will also be visiting this nation that produces world class watches to chocolates that have become benchmarks for global standards. He will certainly evangelize to the global business and investment community that India is the destination for the future. But the Swiss already know that.

Did you know that India is the 2nd largest market for Swiss exports? It's true; if not see the list below and see for yourself. Also mentioned are the top 20 items exported by the Swiss; and seeing them you will be convinced why India buys so much from this tiny Nation. Thinking of which gave me an idea that our PM should actually sell the idea of "Make in India" to the Swiss industrialists, bankers, and hoteliers wanting to move out elsewhere; and ask them to relocate in Kashmir. If you question my judgement on the location then think again.

Kashmir is said to be as pristine and beautiful if not more than Switzerland; and any Bollywood location scout will vouch for that. The Swiss hoteliers will have ample of locations to set up top quality ski lodges and infrastructure that will make Kashmir a 12 month 365 day destination where Indians can feel completely at home. The Swiss have a lot of construction contracts to consider based on the fact that its a nation known to have lived in the midst of very hostile neighbours and has built much of its infrastructure knowing that it could be attacked anytime - just like the situation in Kashmir. Our northern most State is known for such quality of fruits and fresh produce that the Swiss food processing industry will feel right at home. Ah! think of saffron infused fondue spiced with Kashmiri chili flakes or chocolate coated walnuts or apple and berry schnapps. With a high production and consumption rate of milk and milk products in India -  will it take time for the Swiss to come up with Swiss Paneer or the perfect Swiss Mithai that will be craved for by the world?

If the people in Kashmir are capable of assembling the most intricate IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) or come up with such exquisite wood carving or weave shawls than can pass through a small ring; then assembling complicated watches and knives or making fancy cuckoo clocks or knitting world class cashmere wear is a no-brainer. Let's just admit that the people there are very highly skilled for executing tasks with precision. With the secrecy in banking gone; what better way than follow your main customers for the Swiss Banker? Ahem! you get what I mean right? And for the customer, what is better than the reliable banker at a location that is just as good as Switzerland? The perfect "Ghar Wapasi Yojna".

I can bore my reader with tons of reasons why this match of bringing the Swiss to India is a marriage made in heaven. The only reason India is not the topmost export market for the Swiss is its strong currency. But if Swiss goods are made in India then the consumption of the same go up many fold. On the other hand India needs to incorporate Swiss honesty, integrity, timeliness, quality, precision and other such qualitative aspects in its manufacturing process for the world to respect Indian goods the way Swiss products are. It would be win-win for both nations right? India would consume more "Make in India" Swiss goods without spending most of the forex and the Swiss would get a larger market and hence profit without actually having to export anything at all in expensive Francs.

The Kashmiris are not looking at Independence from India but a profitable Interdependence on India that allows the State and its people to prosper. For now, the people may not trust their fellow Indians; but the Swiss they will - and the Swiss already trust the Indian market - else it would not be No. 2 on their list. Now all "Please Say Cheese".

1	DEU	Germany	$45,773,068,256.51	17%
2	IND	India	$27,958,008,683.63	11%
3	USA	United States	$23,324,420,889.38	8.8%

1	7108	Gold	$52,519,814,522.47	20%
2	3004	Packaged Medicaments	$29,809,689,115.44	11%
3	3002	Human or Animal Blood	$16,366,090,711.94	6.2%
4	9102	Base Metal Watches	$13,094,390,819.91	5.0%
5	9101	Precious Metal Watches	$8,801,199,640.98	3.3%
6	9021	Orthopedic Appliances	$6,274,875,494.06	2.4%
7	7113	Jewellery	$5,861,875,912.54	2.2%
8	2933	Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds	$4,813,692,968.35	1.8%
9	9018	Medical Instruments	$2,949,264,886.40	1.1%
10	2924	Carboxyamide Compounds	$2,310,012,797.62	0.88%
11	8479	Machinery Having Individual Functions	$2,305,538,459.54	0.87%
12	8411	Gas Turbines	$1,990,137,273.64	0.75%
13	2941	Antibiotics	$1,925,647,940.48	0.73%
14	7110	Platinum	$1,911,387,864.71	0.73%
15	0901	Coffee	$1,911,084,340.99	0.72%
16	7106	Silver	$1,820,695,078.35	0.69%
17	7102	Diamonds	$1,819,415,434.20	0.69%
18	2710	Refined Petroleum	$1,774,658,701.22	0.67%
19	2934	Nucleic Acids	$1,689,843,877.86	0.64%
20	9701	Paintings	$1,649,334,740.33	0.63%

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Will Delhi get the Jhaddoo ki JhAAPi again?

Last January (2014); most Indians, sitting on their white thrones (so I guess), going about their morning business with ease - thanks to a laxative called the morning newspaper - must have been analyzing the score card of the Delhi Government run by Chief Minister Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) . The political party had selected the broom as its logo, promised clean politics and cleaner governance. The ideology was exactly what the common man (aam aadmi) wanted in place and rewarded the party with an election result that just fell short of absolute majority. Propped up by the Congress; a party it opposed - blaming it for the woes of India - AAP formed a government that ruled the State for exactly 49 days. Those 49 days made for great news delivering high drama virtually every day. Knowing well that AAP would not achieve much as a minority, and having assumed that the show put on for 49 days was sensational enough to get him sufficient national fame and endearment to become the king slayer at a national level; he and his government resigned blaming both BJP and Congress for not allowing his team to function. In reality the move was aimed at mobilizing resources to fight national elections; which he thought would deliver a result where a government at the center without AAP would not be possible for either BJP or the Congress.  But, the electorate had reached a different conclusion. That is, AAP was too anarchic in its approach to sit in opposition party and certainly not govern any public body based on the immaturity shown in the 49 days. Mr. Kejriwal himself along with his trusted merry men lost the elections with AAP winning 3 seats from the over 400 contested by it.

So much for history. Mr. Narendra Modi and the BJP won a majority victory to form the government at the center and slowly but surely went on to prove that his management skills could extend beyond running a State. This January, most Delhiites, sitting on their white thrones (so I guess), going about their morning business with ease - thanks to a laxative called the morning newspaper - are analyzing the score card of Prime Minister Modi and his government to understand if his party is suited to run the State as well. While Mr. Modi may have hijacked the broom as a symbol for his "Swach Bharat Abhiyan" (Clean India Initiative); his cleaning up of his own party and supporters is drawing a lot of flak. Just like AAP had several of its members shoot rubbish from their mouth that contradicted the very ideology that won it the government of Delhi; so are the members of the BJP, VHP and RSS going about spilling dirt on the national canvas -  some of it is quite dangerous to the point of sedition. While the PM has come out strongly against the "rogues" within his circle of influence; there are quite a few who believe that the fire is being stoked by none other than the PM himself as no none today dare stand up to him. I certainly don't believe it; but I do believe that the BJP is in for a surprise if it thinks Delhi elections will be a walkover for it.

It seems the people of Delhi may be ready to forgive Mr. Kejriwal and his new improved AAP that is harping less and less on the anarchic rhetoric. But, it's still focused on bringing down its opposition with allegations and accusations when the people want to really know how will AAP govern the State if given a second chance. It maybe one of the smallest States in the nation; but it is a very important one based on its location. The Capital Region has several administrative issues that prevent it from functioning as a full fledged State. It's one State where even its police force is not under its own command. The BJP now have two former AAP ladies in its fold and one of them; a giant slayer in her own right (Kiran Bedi) may be pitched as the choice for CM. She can walk her talk and can sweep the carpet off right under AAP's feet. Until AAP makes itself clear on what it stands on or rather for now; the people will not be willing to be embraced by the AAP broom anytime soon.

2015 - have we reached the tipping point?

2015 has just begun and I am wondering how will this year end? It certainly hasn't gotten off to a good start; with one bad news chasing the other, as a carry over from the last couple of weeks of 2014. The most recent event - now world famous as - "Charlie Hebdo" makes me wonder if we have entered into a new World War? One where the enemy is the intolerance within humanity itself manifesting itself a terror under the shield of religion.

Until a few days back, I had never heard of "Charlie Hebdo"; and with a circulation of some 60,000 not many around the world would have known about it either. The reason for the slaughter was attributed to blasphemy as the magazine had published cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammed. If one was to read up on him; their would be a realization that like any man, he too had a sense of humour - and more than that - a sense of forgiveness towards those who had even wronged him. How then can someone kill in his name or justify the killing with his preaching? There are many who believe that the magazine pushed the envelope a bit to far and offended the sentiments of Muslims around the world; and that the French government should have put a ban on it. What they don't realize is that the constitution of that Country and that of many others allows freedom of expression - right or wrong. Incidentally, Charlie Hedbo has made disparaging fun against all ethnic groups including Jews. (https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/01/09/solidarity-charlie-hebdo-cartoons/). Thank God that Hindus have not gone to the same extremes at their mythical Gods and Goddesses being converted to caricature and mythical lore rewritten as new age fantasy fiction. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramayan_3392_A.D.)

But; the purpose of the perpetrators has been achieved. It has taken the divide between various ethnic groups of the world versus the Muslims of the world one step closer to confrontation even though a significant majority are themselves shocked at and opposed to what has happened on the streets of Paris. The anguish of the aftermath has been capitalized upon by world leaders to justify their own actions against a certain communities pushing more into the fold of radical fundamentalism. If turning peace marches into a political statement march was not enough; more insanity followed with one news channel's anchor making a statement on air for Muslims to kill all radical Islamists (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/01/13/fox-news-host-jeanine-pirro-islamic-terror-rant-we-need-to-kill-them_n_6461328.html). Is this an isolated view or that of a growing majority? It scares me to think that it is the latter. 

There is a growing call by citizens of Western nations with a liberal immigration policy to re-examine who gets to come in. America; called the "Biggest devil" by the radicals is actually one of the most tolerant and liberal of all nations when it comes to welcoming people to its shores and permitting expression even that hurts it at times. [I was in Washington DC a couple of years back and stayed there for a few days close to the White House. I witnessed a Man from Afghanistan shouting anti-American anti-President slogans outside the White house by day (unhindered by the security) and retiring to a Church shelter for food, bed and bath by night. Can't imagine where else this would have been tolerated].  Should such barriers on religious lines come up the divide will only get deeper and push the world closer to a tipping point. 

Charlie Hebdo has reached a tipping point of sorts in global visibility. The sales of its latest print magazine carrying a depiction of the Prophet (yes once again) is projected to cross over 3 million*.  "Maintenant, je sais trop Charlie" (Now I too know Charlie)

On a very different note I feel that 2015 will be known as the year of paradigm shifts - some even positive. We are precariously close to the edge on many fronts - emotional, environmental and economic. I hope we as humanity can save ourselves through our own actions from irreversible disaster; and in that belief wishing this world a Very Happy 2015 from here on.  

*Latest news is that 5 million copies will be published.