Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Kyoto Protocol
India signed and ratified the Protocol in August, 2002. Since India is exempted from the framework of the treaty, it is expected to gain from the protocol in terms of transfer of technology and related foreign investments. At the G8 meeting in June 2005, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pointed out that the per-capita emission rates of the developing countries are a tiny fraction of those in the developed world. Following the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, India maintains that the major responsibility of curbing emission rests with the developed countries, which have accumulated emissions over a long period of time. However, the U.S. and other Western nations assert that India, along with China, will account for most of the emissions in the coming decades, owing to their rapid industrialization and economic growth.
Kyoto Protocol: India’s Stand. - I would say although all of us are affected by the climate change, the historical accumulation of carbon dioxide is not as a result of anything that we have done. It is largely a consequence of 150 years of industrialization in major developed countries of the world. India has to put in place a national action plan for climate change to improve our response mechanism meeting the challenge of climate change. We do not have to succumb to the hegamony of the US & Australia led coalition.
India should try to maximize its gains from the treaty when the members meet again in Copenhagen; through technology transfers as well as help in R&D. India should lead the developing countries at such forums, and also leverage its position as a significant world player in its advantage. The developed countries can wait, but India can’t; its time India shows some steel by coming out of such baseless treaties that hinders its growth.
UN climate treaty being renegotiated in Copenhagen this December, The US who is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases signed, but refused to ratify, the Kyoto Protocol. Similar are stories of Australia and Japan who claimed to cut emission down by 2020, it was just a dress reharsal which failed badly.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has suggested to the PM that India opt out of the Kyoto Protocol, jettison the G77 developing countries, and voluntarily accept cuts in emission without any guarantee of funding or technology from industrial nations in return. This goes against every principle which India has articulated on behalf of all developing countries.
Last Month India, indicated that it was ready to undertake cuts of emissions, although it couched this as part of its internal adaptation strategy. India was even prepared to quantify the cuts over a period of time. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had told Hillary Clinton on her visit to Delhi after the G8 meets in Italy precisely the opposite. No less a person than the prime minister has gone on record to refuse to specify what cuts India will undertake, stating that it will never allow its per capita emissions to rise above the current global average of 4.4 tonnes.
Since then the Congress party is already in damage-control mode, In September, Ramesh told the Indian Express regarding the acceptance of voluntary cuts by India: “Yes, there is a nuanced shift. But the shift is not in our negotiating stand. That stand remains the same. We are not going to accept any legally binding commitments on reducing carbon emissions. We will not allow the dilution of the per-capita principle. There can be no compromises on these. The shift is in the atmospherics around the negotiations. For long, this canard is being spread that India has been holding up an agreement…that India is not proactive on climate change. This should be able to nail those lies.
He went on to say that “We are already taking a number of actions that will result in significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. We are in a position to quantify these reductions into a broadly indicative number that can be shared with the rest of the world. I see no problem with that…it will completely demolish the myth that India is doing nothing to reduce its emissions. India, which has no historical liability in polluting the atmosphere and has no commitment to reduce its emissions, is doing much more than the countries which are responsible for the current mess and bound by international law to take targeted emission cuts.”
Kyoto Protocol was born out of this convention which the US also signed, and therefore it is the only valid international treaty on which to negotiate when the first phase of the protocol ends in 2012, not the protocol itself. EU has revealed that it already decided on scrapping the protocol one whole year ago. The only reason why the EU was contemplating a change of setting for the drama was the obduracy of the US to the K word, the very mention of ‘Kyoto’.
EU further mentioned that, this had much to do with President George Bush’s explicit statement that the US wouldn’t sign the protocol not only because major emerging countries like China and India weren’t coming on board. He also made the atrocious remark that when it came to cutting emissions, and thereby hurting less energy-efficient sectors of the US economy, it wasn’t kosher because “US lifestyles can’t be compromised”, or words to that effect.
The proposal, which the US has lobbied India in bilateral forums and in multilateral meets to accept, asks all countries regardless of existing status, to take obligations. In its present form, when read with other proposals, it seeks to cap India's emissions by 2020 and force further reductions later on. A cap on emissions automatically converts into a cap of how much energy India can use".
India has less than a quarter of carbon dioxide and total greenhouse gas emissions of the leading emitters of the world, China and the United States, in both annual and per capita terms. India’s per capita carbon dioxide emissions are almost a third of the world average of 4.4 tonnes. Each American emits on average 20 tonnes a year. The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its Reference scenario, projects that India’s emissions will grow at about 4% per year, contributing less than 7% of global carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 (though India is home to almost a fifth of world population).
At the Bangkok meet, the EU, which has been the most proactive on climate and has announced a 20% cut below 1990 levels by 2020, rising to 30% if the US comes on board, itself came in for criticism by several international green organisations.
The G8 declaration, astonishingly, left it to individual countries to determine the baselines from which emission levels have to be reduced: 1990 “or later years”. Germany, the UK and other European countries, which are the greenest in this regard, want to cut theirs by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
The US, which accounts for a fifth of all emissions, wants to reduce its emissions from current levels. Industrial counties’ emissions have grown both in absolute and per capita terms till 2007. This was precisely at a period when President Bush refused to sign the Kyoto Protocol on the grounds that China and India weren’t agreeing to cut their emissions.
While there is a consensus even in the US that 2050 is the ultimate deadline for the world to get its climate in order, the intermediate goals are by no means settled. For any long-term goals, there have to be credible mid-term goals. If major industrial countries intensify their efforts only as this date looms near, it will be virtually impossible to prevent temperatures from rising beyond 2 degrees, the “tipping point”. The much-vaunted Waxman-Markey bill in the US, which seeks to cap emissions by the world’s biggest polluter, kicks in only towards the end of this period. By some calculations, to keep within 2 degrees, global emissions must reduce by 10% from 2010 itself and 25% by 2012, which no country will accept.
The Obama administration is hoping to win new commitments to fight global warming from China and India in back-to-back summits next month. China and India are both critically important to achieving our international goals on carbon,’’ said Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat who serves on the Foreign and Environment Committees. India wants help in speeding its adoption of new, greener technologies and expanding its use of solar power.
The US has a time-honoured method of entering into bilateral relationships with developing countries to further, if not force, its national interests, as we have seen in trade talks. On global warming, the Bush administration had introduced the abortive Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Energy & Climate, with Canada, Australia (the erstwhile Ophelia and still a strong contender for the role), Japan, South Korea and India precisely to bypass the UN climate change convention, with its compulsory emission cuts and penalties for violations. The sectors it targeted for an exchange of technologies, like cement, steel and power generation, are precisely those which the US and Australia fear China and India will have a competitive advantage in, if they do not undertake to cut their emissions.
If, as the US and EU are now proposing, the Kyoto Protocol is scuttled and a brand new entity comes into effect, it will presumably funnel some of the funds that will be paid by industrial countries to mitigate climate change but also have the powers to monitor the moves in each country to reduce emissions, rather like the World Bank with its loans or International Monetary Fund with its structural adjustment policies or World Trade Organisation with its eagle eye on removing trade barriers , all of which have plunged the world economy into deep crisis.
These institutions, if formed are far from being democratic, since there is no “one country, one vote” system. The very fact that the US always chooses the head of the World Bank from one of its nationals, and the French, the IMF, speaks for itself.
On October 21st 2009, India signed an agreement with China, the world’s biggest polluter, to increase cooperation on tackling climate change after the countries rejected calls from rich nations to set binding caps on carbon emissions. China and India say wealthy countries including the U.S. should lower emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020 and share technology with poorer nations to help them fight climate change.
Winston Dsouza
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Doing Business in China

China is said to be leading the world out of the recession but MNCs are finding it difficult to set their foot properly in the land of Dragon. In spite of having the largest population in the world and a thriving economy it contributes to less than 2% of sales of global pharma companies like Pfizer,Bayer and Astrazenca. The FMCG giant P&G gets $3 billion from China which is far less than 5% of their global sales , Unilever gets almost $1.2 Billion from China and is running at very thin profit margins. AIG earns more from Taiwan than China which has just 2% of the population as compared to its Mainland estranged brother.
The foreign firms which are doing good are the two extremes of the value chain one being luxury goods, aeroplanes etc and other being Oil, Ores and recyclable waste. But all the firms in between these two extremes face lots of hurdle in spite of Chinese reforms since it joined the WTO in 2001. Several sectors like telecommunications, oil exploration, marketing, pharmaceuticals, banking and insurance all remain either fiercely protected or off-limits to foreigners altogether. To top it all the corruption and redtapism hamper all foreigners in the business.
Event though all the promises to be investor friendly any American business to start in Shanghai with one year licence may take 6 months , this would need clearance from US state department, Chinese Embassy in USA, Mayor’s office of Washington and Shanghai, Local Tax Authority etc .This is very costly affair but still silver lining is that there is a procedure indeed !!. On its entry in WTO China agreed to allow foreign firms to compete to offer booking systems to local airlines,but the promise is yet to be fulfilled.
State run companies get preferential treatment in allocation of land and credit or by easing the bureaucratic procedures for them. Multinational law firms are not allowed to function in China even if they employ Chinese lawyers. Govt also controls the advertisement rates which make the cost of reaching to the Chinese customers far more than that in US and Europe on the other hand rewards are not good as large chunk of Chinese population is poor.
Firms are trying to overcome this hurdle by producing locally in China and they are spending huge amount of money and time in order to setup distribution network and creating brand awareness. Companies also need to cater to the local tastes. Other obstacle faced by the MNCs are the about subsidised competition, restricted access, conflicting regulations, a lack of protection for intellectual property and opaque and arbitrary bureaucracy.
One strategy which helps MNCs to succeed in China is to price high which is a surprise looking at the low profits which they earn from China. The psyche of Chinese people that foreign goods are of better quality if they are expensive is the reason for this strange behaviour.
If China need to stay ahead of its western neighbour ,which is growing at just 2% lesser growth rate and has more liberal political system coupled with economic reforms , She needs to work on liberalisation of its economy and limit the protectionism which may not be totally eliminated looking at the communist regime in China
Paritosh Sharma
Roll No 26, Trendsetters
(Reference The ECONOMIST Oct 09)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Matheran – The Break we Partied.


Half way through the journey, past Dadar, we had half the bogie to ourselves. So we were cracking jokes, teasing each other. This was one time the entire admin team was with us taking part in our antics. We reached Neral by 10, had breakfast, got divided in groups of 5 and headed for the Hills in rickety cabs. The fun had begun. We were looking forward for this break for a long time, Since Zeitgeist.
The hotel was called ‘Radha Cottage’. Decent place. We saw some guys setting up mise en place for some adventure tasks. Deja vu. Dabosa memories... Luckily things were relatively pleasant. Prof. Parvez Jokhi was with us. He and his team had set up a few fun tasks for us... We did those post lunch... Good fun... Walking on planks, erecting tents with group members tied together, Passing groups members through rope webs, balancing a ball by threads... Good fun... Roadies would die of awe... Post that we had a session by Mr. Shubrotho Sen.
24th September was an important date. It was the day the college was setup. Anniversary of our very own MBS. It was also Kevin’s, one of our batchmates’, birthday. So we had two cakes. There was a bonfire which refused to light up even after guzzling a litre of kerosene. It was raining too. We all partied till wee hours. Next day comprised of some more games and then we embarked on the return journey. We came down in a more relaxed manner. Bathing in the beauty of nature. Felt close to mother earth. Felt good. Felt relived. Felt reclaimed.
Dabosa, as Nikhil had rightly said, was an ice- breaker for our batch. Matheran was a unity-maker. We hung around with friends we generally just knew. Sat till 3:00am with them. Shared anecdotes, nostalgia, ghost stories, past heartbreaks and recent patch ups. We always knew each other, but it was different this time. This break gave everyone some peace of mind they needed. Some sought it in company of others. Some regained their energies by spending time with themselves. The school didn’t meddle with any of our leisure activities. They gave us what we yearned for. Some solace from the daily grind.
We came back with refreshed bodies and calm minds. That small vacation did wonders. Missing those magic moments.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A hidden treasure
Rural India accounts for more than 50% of the GDP and the rural consumption expenditure registers around 60% of the total consumption expenditure in the country. On the other side, the Chinese economy is experiencing unprecedented growth, largely in urban areas, but the need is growing for rural populations to have the same advantages and access to technology as those people living in cities.
In order to tap the rural phenomenon more efficiently, initiatives such as Unlimited Potential by Microsoft, One Laptop Per Child concept by MIT Media Labs, World Ahead program from Intel and 50x15 program from AMD are already been in place. The aim of these companies is at providing the low-cost computing/ PCs to emerging nations to create a win-win situation for all. Recently, One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program unveiled the second version of its XO laptop, while Intel announced its next-generation Classmate PC for developing countries.
However, low-cost PCs may not be the relevant technology to reach rural people in emerging nations. A sustainable rural mobile development program can create all-round growth in under-developed areas of emerging countries as cellular technology is far more reachable than PC penetration.
The rural areas in China and India are experiencing explosive growth in mobile communications, as falling tariffs and rising incomes are bringing mobile phones within the reach of millions of new customers. The Ministry of Information Industry, China announced that the number of mobile phone users had reached 501.64 million by the end of June 2007 and the higher growth came from the rural areas. On the other side, India has emerged as the fastest growing telecom market in the world. The number of rural mobile phone users is around 40 million, accounting more than 22% of the total mobile subscriber base in India. This figure is expected to go up to 35-40% by 2010 in the country.
Although I am of the opinion that rural markets in emerging nations will trigger new types of competition in the years to come, there will be a number of issues to face due to a lack of infrastructure, poor coordination among government bodies, funding and technical support in countries such as India and China.
The active efforts from companies are just getting started, and we believe it will be early to comment that a particular technology will have a solid impact on rural areas growth. As seen in any emerging country, the cost will play a key attribute based on demand, feasibility, and user needs. It will be interesting to see how the business model of various companies evolves to target the big and untapped opportunity in the rural segment.
Winston Dsouza
MBS - Rocks!!
The Stock Market
The stock market plays a significant role in the health of the economy. The economy has to be strong for its country and its citizens to prosper. The stock market appears in the news every day. You hear about it any time it reaches a new high or a new low, and you also hear about it daily in statements like "The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2 percent today, or the more familar statement of " Aaj Bazar 200 point oopar, with advances leading declines by a margin of ..." Obviously, stocks and the stock market are important, but you may find that you know very little about them. What is a stock? What is a stock market? Where does the stock market come from to begin with, and why do people want to buy and sell it? If you have any questions like these, read on......
In the financial market, stock refers to a supply of money that a company has raised. This supply comes from people who have given the company money in the hope that the company will make their money grow. The term "stock market" refers to the business of buying and selling stock. The stock market is not a specific place, though some people use the term " Dalal Street" the main street in Mumbai where BSE is located or they use the term"Wall Street"--the main street in New York City's financial district--to refer to the U.S. stock market in general.
If a company wants to grow--maybe build more factories, hire more people, or develop new products--it needs money. It could get a loan from a bank. But then it would owe money. By issuing stock, a company can raise money without going into debt. People who buy the stock are giving the company the money it needs to grow. Not every company can issue stock. A business owned by one person (a proprietorship) or a few people (a partnership) cannot issue stock. Only a business corporation can issue stock. A corporation has a special legal status. Like a school, its existence does not depend on the people who run it. Under the law, it is separate from the people associated with it, and has special legal rights and responsibilities as well as its own unique name.
Owning stock in a company means owning part of that company. Each part is known as a share. If a company has issued 100 shares of stock, and you bought one, you own 1% of that company. People who own stock are called stockholders, or shareholders. Stockholders hope the company will earn money as it grows. If a company earns money, the stockholders share the profits. Over time, people usually earn more owning stock than leaving money in the bank, buying bonds, or making other investments. The terms "up" and "down" are used to describe the rise and fall of the market as a whole.
Stockholders in a company usually have voting rights. They vote on such issues as who will be elected to the board of directors--the group of people who oversee company decisions--and whether to buy other companies. Stockholders typically have one vote for each share they own. Every vote counts, but a stockholder with 5,000 shares will have more influence on the company than someone with only one share. Most companies have annual meetings, where stockholders cast votes and ask questions of the company's leaders. If they cannot attend, stockholders may use an absentee ballot to vote. Shareholders also receive quarterly and annual reports that tell them how the company is doing.
Bears are cautious animals who don't like to move too fast. Bulls are bold animals who might charge right ahead. An investor is said to be "bearish" if he or she believes the stock market will go down. A "bearish" investor will buy stock cautiously. A "bullish" investor believes the market will go up. He or she will charge ahead and put money into the market. An investor can be bearish or bullish about a particular kind of stock. Likewise, the term "bear market" describes a time when stock prices have been falling on the whole. A "bull market" is a period when stock prices are generally rising.
I have learned a lot from the stock market. I have also learned a lot from being in Economics. When I get older, I will be able to use this information to make money. Economics is a huge part of life.
Winston Dsouza
MBS - Rocks!!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Softening Judgment
Moving Beyond Appearances
It is our natural inclination to judge people, since it happens without our even thinking about it. We take one look and summarize a whole person—overweight, pretty, stylish, sloppy. When we judge, we are looking for pertinent information, trying to determine whether the person approaching is a threat, an ally, or someone we don’t need to worry about. This way of looking at people makes sense in a dangerous context, but in our daily lives it leads to an overly simplistic reading of the people we meet.
If you have ever judged someone, only to have them become a dear friend once you got to know them, you know the hazards of the judgment cycle firsthand. An experience like that may have led you to soften your natural tendency to believe your first impressions. We will always notice things about the people we meet, but as we become more conscious of the shortcomings of judgment, we won’t be satisfied with our surface observations. We may notice that someone is driving an expensive car, but we will decide whether to befriend him based on getting to know him over time. We will not rule out a friendship with someone with messy hair, especially if he turns out to have a great sense of humor and a kind heart. Liking or disliking a person is a choice you will naturally make, but it will be after you have gotten to know them.
Next time you notice yourself judging somebody, try to send love, light, or blessings to the person you were judging. Then try to listen to them openly or look them in the eye and learn something about them. If this is not easy for you, remember not to judge yourself either. Trust that with practice, you will successfully disable your habitual patterns. As you do, you will find a whole new dimension of perception opening up to you, allowing you to see beyond the surface and into the essence of the people you meet..
Cheers!!!
Haider J
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Outlining Your Intentions
Outlining Your Intentions
Making a List of What You Want
The universe is aware of both the concrete goals we actively pursue and the dreams we have not yet begun to refine. Neither our struggles nor the daydreams that inspire us are beyond the range of universal perception. Yet to manifest our aspirations, we not only need to know what it is we generally wish to achieve; we also need to clearly articulate these aims to ourselves and the universe. When we create a list of what we want, citing each item in as much detail as possible, our aspirations take on new substance. What was once a mere wish becomes real and achievable when put into words. As you pour the contents of your heart and soul into your list, your well-defined ambitions become a part of you, and the universe responds to your new determination by placing opportunities related to your objectives in your path.
Whatever the nature of your desires, your list can help you channel your intellectual and emotional power into your efforts to realize them. The list you create should not simply be a record of your individual goals. Rather, it should be a comprehensive, exhaustive catalog of each target you want to reach and your reasons for aiming for them. This may mean that your list will encompass many pages of text, since when you write down and review your ambitions, you empower yourself to more accurately direct your goal-realization efforts. You then also have a framework in place that helps you distinguish success from setbacks. If you keep your list in a convenient spot and review it daily, you will inadvertently reaffirm your conviction to your aspirations, demonstrating that you are truly devoted to your chosen path while keeping your objectives fresh in your mind. If you have an altar, this would be a great place to keep your list.
As you compose your list, try not to edit or judge what you have written. Some of what you want may seem outlandish when considered in the context of your current circumstances. Whether you are destined to fulfill the items on the unique long-term agenda you create in a year, 10 years, or 20 years, if you are free with your ideas and understand that you may not bring these dreams into reality for some time, your list will attract the universe’s benevolence even as it energizes and inspires you.
Cheers!!!
Haider Jasdan
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Trendsetters in the Wonderland

The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to
Alice: I don't much care where.
The Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.
Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.
The Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.
We all read this story in our school didn’t we ? It has such an important lesson to learn , as Cheshire Cat rightly told Alice that she would definitely reach “SOMEWHERE” if she walks long enough and it does not matter which way she takes , but just reaching “SOMEWHERE” is not enough .We need to know where do we need to go and then what is the path to reach “THERE” .
We 30 Trendsetters have already decided we have to reach “THERE” and not just “SOMEWHERE” . Now we are working in identifying the way to reach “THERE” through our externships. We are in the process of identifying the companies where we would be doing our externship and thanks to our well connected Faculties and directors we have a wide range of companies coming and visiting us , to name a few Lawrence and Mayo, Siemens, Al Seer Dubai, Datamatics etc .
Our externships starts this October. That’s when we start our journey to reach “THERE” from the cross road where we are today as we know our goal is to reach “THERE” we would definitely find the way to reach our destination with able guidance of our Cheshire Cats (Our Faculty)
Paritosh Sharma
Trendsetter 26
Proud to be MBSite
An awakening...!!!
Last month we got an unexpected mini-vacation(courtesy... Swine flu). Almost everyone of us had gone home. We met our pre-mbs friends after a gap of almost 4 months. We had a time of our lives. Long chats, parties, nostalgia, all rolled into one. That’s when it struck me. Those fellows... chums... are not very different from the new friends I made here. Staying away from fellow trendsetters for just 4 days made me realise how much I love these guys. It is true ‘Distance is a great teacher’. When we are around 24/7 we don’t realise it. Every moment I was thinking of coming back to school. After returning, I realised, this feeling was same across the batch, Sparsh’s bday party was a testament to that.
Term 2 started with a bang. Never thought International Business would be such fun(Prof. Venky is too much...) and Uncle Bala teaching Management Accounting(He’s a master of his art). Coming back the grind started again. But I felt the difference. The group dynamics had changed. We always sat together as groups to solve the case studies. Now groups were sitting together as a big team, tackling problems, solving doubts. The better ones were teaching and guiding the lesser mortals irrespective of what groups she/he belonged to. Frankly this never happened before. We have become a family now. Like all families, we study together, party together, even fight together and once we are done fighting, we party harder.
I think this is what Dr. Rai wanted us to be. Humane managers. We are becoming ones. We are better at our subjects now. The business immersion’s in place. Many companies are accepting this new format of management studies. We have a green signal from various Brands for interns as well as working opportunities. Life’s on the move. Deep inside I feel, rather we all feel, that we are with a set of likeminded individuals. There comes a time in everyone’s life when she/he thinks beyond her/his personal accomplishments. I think we are doing well. We are still learning. Every dawn sees the end of a dark night.
That’s a small realisation I wanted to share with any and everyone. I now look at this college with a different view... MBS is no longer our school... not anymore... It’s a home away from home.
Bhushan Vishwasrao
Trendsetter # 30
A proud MBSite.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Going through the Opening

Contracting before Expanding
Sometimes our lives contract before they expand. We may be working hard on ourselves spiritually, doing good in the world, following our dreams, and wondering why we are still facing constrictions of all kinds—financial, emotional, physical. Perhaps we even feel as if we’ve lost our spirituality and are stuck in a dark room with no windows. We may be confused and discouraged by what appears to be a lack of progress. But sometimes this is the way things work. Like a caterpillar that confines itself to a tiny cocoon before it grows wings and flies, we are experiencing the darkness before the dawn.
When things feel tight, it’s easy to panic or want to act in some way to ease the feeling of constriction. We might also spin our wheels mentally, trying to understand why things are the way they are. However, there is nothing we need to do at this time other than to be patient and persevering. We can cling to the awareness that we are processing the shift from one stage to another, and the more we surrender to the experience, the more quickly we will move through the tightness into the opening on the other side. Just like a baby making its way down the birth canal, we may feel squeezed and pushed and very uncomfortable, but if we remember that we are on our way to being born into a new reality, we will find the strength to carry on.
We can look to the natural world for inspiration as we see that all beings surrender to the process of being born. In that surrender, and in the center of our own hearts, is a willingness to trust in the unknown as we make our way through the opening.
Cheers!!!
Haider Jasdan
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Right decision at right time changes life…
MBA can make sense at any level as long as it makes sense to you. Doing MBA or not is a very personal decision people take this decision to move ahead in life (fresher(s), experienced(s)).
As an individual I wanted to grow fast, I was facing lot of stagnation in my job and recognitions were not able to stop my hunger of growth. TINA (There is no alternative) factor for MBA was becoming prominent; I planned taking GMAT and with crucial project deadlines and all I could not get a sexy score for ISB.
I always had this in mind; that selecting a B-school is like selecting a new life, one has to be clear that what he or she wants to achieve in life and then think whether the college they are eyeing at is capable enough to bridge that gap.
What one should look while selecting a B-school; is that whether this School can actually add fuel to one’s dreams and desires nurture one by providing knowledge, so that one can protect them and ensures that he/she achieves them rather than making compromises. We just have one life, let’s live to the fullest and ensure it gets everything best.
There are two ways to mitigate that gap. Read up or Go back to School. Going Back to School seems a better option as one has to learn in the right fashion and understand the concepts and perspectives. If one wants to lead or manage then one needs to have all the right tools. Hence selection of B-School becomes very crucial.
I kept myself always occupied to find out is there any college that can help me getting wonderful knowledge and career ahead rather I was looking for BATNA( Better AlTernative Next Available)
Finally I applied for Great lakes, Chennai and got call from Mumbai Business School, a School that has been started with much bigger Mission and Vision; and run by same management.
This is a college that gets you world’s best faculties to teach you, best world’s best management gurus like Padmashree Dr. Bala Balachandran(Professor at Kellogg university, consultant to Indian government and to various countries around the world, man behind ISB,MDI Gurgaon, Great Lakes Chennai) , Prof. Jagdish Seth(Marketing Guru, Professor at Emory university, consultant to best firms in the world like GE, Square D and author to more 200 article), and many more legends standing in front of you and teaching. Chief mentor here is one and only Dr. Sunil Rai (Ex Joint-Director S.P.J.I.M.R, key contributor to its success today). This dream College has been made alive by one of India’s biggest entrepreneur Mr. A. Mahendran (Director Godrej).
The only B-school that is committed to fill all gaps, propel individual’s career and delight industry by giving them “Day one job ready, Domain focus, Role customized Manager” is “Mumbai Business School”. Only place to learn “next best practices”.
I feel this is one of the BEST B-School to study…. And with God’s grace I am at best place.
-Shreeram Iyer( Ex. Satyam Associate)
MBSite
RNo#11
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Plunging Into The Deep

Life Can Be Scary
Life can take us on a roller coaster ride full of highs and lows and twists and turns. Even for those of us who enjoy unexpected thrills, it's frightening to suddenly find ourselves heading for a deep plunge. Yet, it happens to all of us. At these moments, it is important to remember that you are not alone in your experiences. No matter how brave, strong, or levelheaded we are, sometimes, we all get scared.
Our fears may revolve around our physical safety, particularly if we are not feeling well, living under difficult circumstances, or doing work that exposes us to hazardous conditions. Or, we may be experiencing financial woes that are causing us to be fearful about making ends meet. We may also fear the loss of a loved one who is sick, or we may be scared of never finding someone special to spend our life with. We may be scared to start at a new school, begin a different job, move to a new town, or meet new people. Whatever our fears are, they are valid, and we do not need to feel ashamed or embarrassed that we are, at times, afraid.
It may be comforting to know that everyone gets scared, and it is perfectly OK. Sometimes just acknowledging our fears is enough to make us feel better. And while it sometimes takes a lot more to ease our mind, we can console ourselves with the knowledge that life can be scary at times. Giving ourselves permission to be scared lets us move through our fears so we can let it go. It also makes it alright to share our fears with others. Sharing our apprehensions with other people can make our fears less overwhelming because we are not letting them grow inside of us as pent up emotions. Sharing our fears also can lighten our burden because we are not carrying our worries all by ourselves. Remember that you are not alone.
Cheers!!!
Haider Jasdan
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Defining Your Direction

Defining Your Direction
Your Life’s Work
To make this discovery, you must consider your interests in the present and the passions that moved you in the past. You may have felt attracted to a certain discipline or profession throughout your young life only to have steered away from your aspirations upon reaching adulthood. Or you may be harboring an interest as of yet unexplored. Consider what calls to you and then narrow it down. If you want to work with your hands, ask yourself what work will allow you to do so. You may be able to refine your life’s work within the context of your current occupations. If you want to change the world, consider whether your skills and talents lend themselves to philanthropic work. Taking stock of your strengths, passions, beliefs, and values can help you refine your search for purpose if you don’t know where to begin.
Since life’s journey is one of evolution, you may need to redefine your direction on multiple occasions throughout your lifetime. For instance, being an amazing parent can be your life’s work strongly for 18 years, then perhaps you have different work to do. Your life’s work may not be something you are recognized or financially compensated for, such as parenting, a beloved hobby, or a variety of other activities typically deemed inconsequential. Your love for a pursuit, however, gives it meaning. You’ll know you have discovered your life’s work when you wake eager to face each day and you feel good about not only what you do but also who you are.
Haider Jasdan
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Walk the Talk...
Bhushan Vishwasrao
Trendsetter # 30
a proud MBSite
MBS celebrates the spirit of Corporate with ZeitGeist...

So here we were, at Orchid, 5:30 in the evening for the birth for a phenomenon. ZeitGeist was the event every trendsetter in MBS was working hard for over the past 2 months. All the drama and music over the toiling two months had boiled down to this day. All 30 of the PGPM spring 2009 batch were present like knights in shining armour, waiting for the event to unroll. The guest list was stupendous with the likes of A. Mahendran, Dr. Bala Balachandran and Dr.Jagdish Seth present as the mentors and torch bearers of the Mumbai business School family. The spirit was in the air. ZeitGeist meaning ‘Spirit of the time’, was chosen as the name for this mega event. The time has arrived for MBS to unleash its first ever batch of Day 1 job ready managers.
The event started off with the inauguration ceremony and lighting of lamp for the blessings of the almighty. It was followed by speeches of the board of directors of the school. Then the real deal began. Never had we witnessed the honkos of the corporate world play a game of ‘hired or fired’. Followed by a video of the trendsetters journey so far with MBS. A small skit on the dreams and aspirations of the young minds of today followed. It was a wonderful sight a class full of dreams and ambitions ranging from Bollywood actors to a tantrik baba bangali. The hero though was a dreamer who wanted to become a Job ready MBA and travel the road less trodden.
It was an event that will be remembered by the students forever. Because its the beginning of a tradition. Batches will come and go but the legacy of Zeitgeist will continue forever. The interaction that the young dreamers of MBS had with the who’s who of corporate was the main theme of this program. Hence the event did not have the usual dance troop performances or the we-are-better-than-the-rest themes. Instead it had a dinner party wherein the trendsetters had a chance to talk to their heros and idols.
Overall the central idea of having a corporate event was achieved. Thanks to the efforts and support of our Smiling Samurai, Dr. Sunil Rai and the entire team, the guys got a chance to shake hands with their demi-gods. The evening of 17th july 2009 will always be remembered as the dawn of a new era, when 30 thirsty minds bathed in the Ganges of knowledge and experience.
Bhushan Vishwasrao
Monday, July 27, 2009
Effort and Understanding
Having It Easy
Our lives are an exercise in facing challenges. We dream the grandest of dreams as youngsters only to discover that we must cultivate copious inner strength and determination in order to meet our goals. Our hard work does not always yield the results we expect. And it is when we find ourselves frustrated by the trials we face or unable to meet our own expectations that we are most apt to take notice of those individuals who appear to accomplish great feats effortlessly. Some people’s lives seem to magically fall into place. We can see the blessings they have received, the ease with which they have attained their desires, their unwavering confidence, and their wealth. But, because we can never see the story of their lives as a whole, it is important that we refrain from passing judgment or becoming envious.
Throughout our lives, we glimpse only the outer hull of others’ life experiences, so it’s tempting to presuppose that the abundance they enjoy is the result of luck rather than diligent effort. In a small number of cases, our assumptions may mirror reality. But very few people “have it easy.” Everyone must overcome difficulties and everyone has been granted a distinctive set of talents with which to do so. An individual who is highly gifted may nonetheless have to practice industriously and correct themselves repeatedly in order to cultivate their talents. Their myriad accomplishments are more likely than not the result of ongoing hard work and sacrifice. You, no doubt, have natural abilities that you have nurtured and your gifts may be the very reason you strive as tirelessly as you do. Yet others see only the outcome of your efforts and not the efforts themselves
Our intellects, our hearts, and our souls are constantly being tested by the universe. Life will create new challenges for you to face each time you prove yourself capable of overcoming the challenges of the past. What you deem difficult will always differ from that which others deem difficult. The tests you will be given will be as unique as you are. If you focus on doing the best you can and making use of the blessings you have been granted, the outcome of your efforts will be a joyous reflection of your dedication.
Cheers!!!
Haider Jasdan
Sunday, July 26, 2009
How U.S. Firms Benefit When The Dollar Falls..
While that scenario is unfortunate, investors can have their revenge, so to speak, by investing in the stocks of U.S. multinational corporations. Oftentimes, these are companies that investors are already familiar with. They are among the biggest companies not only in the States, but in the world, and earn a significant portion of their profits overseas. As more emerging markets acquire a taste for American products, these companies will send more products across the globe, boosting their bottom lines and perhaps shareholder returns.
Winston Dsouza
Godrej Saralee Updated....

Godrej Sara Lee is the joint venture between Sara Lee and Godrej. The US firm holds 51 per cent stake in the JV, while Mumbai-based Godrej group (MD: A. Mahendran, Chairman: Mumbai Business School) has the remaining 49 per cent.
"There is a possibility of us buying out 51 per cent share of Sara Lee under the right circumstances and conditions," Godrej Group of Industries Chairman Adi Godrej said in an interview.
He said the company has already announced that it is buying the stake of Godrej industries in the 40-year old Godrej Sara Lee and the deal is consolidated.
Shares of the two companies will be swaped effective from June 1 and the total issued capital of Godrej Consumer Products' will increase by about 22 per cent, he said.
Asked if the company is looking at growing through the inorganic route, Godrej said, "We would like to grow considerably through the inorganic route. We have cash in our books with the possibility of further leveraging our balance sheet."
"I think over a period of time the international salience will also increase because a lot of our inorganic opportunities are outside India and we are going through acquisitions outside India," he added.
Former Senior Vice President, Saralee International
Sunny Mahajan
PGPM 09s
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Zeitgeist and the move on....
Last but not the least… Trendsetters we rocked… without each other this wouldn’t have been possible…. J
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Dreams and beyond...
Monday, July 13, 2009
Boom... Boom... Boom...

On the very first day, he entered the class on dot and started off the class with casual talks and jokes. We were really carried away by the name calling exercise and he recalled the whole of our class names in 10 mins flat.
”Cheers”…is now the buzz word in our class as he put it on often…
He uses dramatic gesture in the class to make us pay attention for intricate details he gives during the lecture. Yaa…indeed his way of conducting classes is definitely unique.
Oh…man he calculates the numbers very fast; he writes answers on the board even before we do the same with our fancy calculators.
On his own way…he is really Bhoom…Bhoom…Bhoom…
Uhhh…Operations management classes for the term one got over. Thanks for Dr. Vaidy Jayaraman for making our life easy.
Cheers…
Trendsetter #27
Public speaking…

Wow…what an experience…how many different views and insight…Gestures, voice modulation, podium movement these were some of the areas that were looked into…Haider and Parithosh excelled in the class with their great show….Haider was excellent in voice modulation and Praithosh scored dramatically…
Thank you Sir...for making us to learn this art of public speaking...
Once again the trend setters got sharpened and polished with an eminent person and this time is for public speaking…believe me the faculties have taken oath for making the best for us…
Let’s wait and see what are all there waiting there for us…
Trend setters’ rocks man…
Siva.T.S
Trend setter # 27
Reclaming Your Power
When we feel insecure, we not only perceive ourselves as incapable of meeting life’s challenges but also unworthy of true happiness. We move through life plagued by a sense that others have judged us and found that we are lacking. As a result, we are robbed of our personal power and rendered unable to feel positive about the choices we make. Everyone feels insecure from time to time because each of us is born into the world with unique strengths. If you should find yourself with feelings of insecurity, however, endeavor to understand its source. A tendency to withdraw from risk or uncomfortable situations can amplify feelings of insecurity. When you have pinpointed the origin of your insecurity, focus on your abilities. The more you utilize your personal power—by taking risks, boldly facing challenges, and acting decisively—the stronger it will grow.
Remember that insecurity is not objective. Rather, it is an emotional interpretation of your value unconsciously based on doubt, shame, and fear. As you overcome those underlying emotions through courageous action and self-love, you’ll discover that you are capable of achieving more than you ever thought possible.
Cheers!!
Haider Jasdan
Monday, July 6, 2009
Life of Mumbaikar at MBS
As a Mumbaikar attending MBS, my day starts at 5:00am with the pre readings to prepare for the d respective class quiz and catching up on the left over work... I hastily take a bath and have a sip of tea. Then run down the stairs by 7:45 coz Shahil (H is silent) waiting at putla (Just nearby my house) with a Taxi. Next comes the Dadar Bridge which we run with the 15kg bags weighing us down. With my agile body I reach the platform before shahil does (Truth: The reverse is just what happens).Well, if you miss the 8:06 train the next train is @ 8:20 (according to IST-Indian stretchable Time) But as usual we are always late...after boarding the train begins the next round of revisions and pre-readings..The journey ends and we meet our gang at the station where another almost impossible task awaits us ‘GETTING A RICSHAW TO DROP US TILL COLLEGE.’ 90% of the times you won’t get one...Then you enter MBS and if by mistake or should I say luckily you are on time, then you attend the first lecture. But if you are even 5minutes late u can sit out and enjoy the balcony view...then this schedule continuous till the end of the day. The lunch and coffee breaks are spent at the ajantha auditorium (the room we substitute for a Slumber room)...By the end of the day you are loaded with enough work to keep you busy for a day but unfortunately u have to finish it before sunrise. Worse, when I’m completely exhausted I’m stuck up with the killer group (Killer group coz they actually kill you if you don’t finish your work on time). Then come the ‘n’ number of healthy fights between Two Big Giants of my group (In size and brains) which are mostly directed towards improving the presentations. Although I learn a lot from them, their voices tend to haunt me even in my sleep... After this starts the study session which goes on till 12:15 am...then begins the Journey back home and this time I’m with Kevin and we are rushing to catch the last train and even before I’m able to descend from the bridge, Kevin is waving at me from the door of the train. No chance of beating him in that run...Poor me...By the time I reach home it is already 1:30...n I fall asleep as soon as I hit the bed and that’s after having dinner if u are in a state to ...To end with like the motto of my college says “We can and we Will” and Inspite of this hectic schedule I still say “I can and I will”. Whatever be the case MBS works and students make it Rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!So As Professor Dr.Vaidy Jayaraman says CHEERS!!!!!
Yezdi Mehta
Trensetters #20