An invaluable llst
Compiling a list of India’s most valuable Companies (BT cover, November 30) can be an arduous exercise at the best of times. But you have been doing an excellent job of compiling the list over the years, so much so that it has come to become a much awaited annual rite of passage. I notice that this year, though there is additional data on market capitalisation of companies featured in the list, you have missed out on industries like manufacturing and automobiles in the coverage of industry-specific sectors.
—Anil Patwardhan, through e-mail
A Leaf Out of Obama’s Book Reading Decoding Obamanomics and How to vote profitably (BT, November 30) holds out quite a few lessons we could do well to practice. Barack Obama winning the US presidential election is a good sign of change in the thinking of Americans. Improved relation between whites and blacks will surely lead to greater progress and development in the US. Indian politicians, especially those who are trying to divide India along regional and caste lines, can learn a lesson or two from Obama’s landslide victory. Our voters, too, should show more discernment, by voting out politicians always looking to drive a wedge in people’s minds and seeking to capitalise on such divisions. Unfortunately, in India, most voters are easily taken in by politicians with an axe to grind.
—Mahesh Kumar, through e-mail
Politics Treading on Business of late, corporate India has been witness to concerted attempts at political interference in the way companies run their business. Your feature, Politics of Slowdown (BT, November 16) highlights this baleful trend to good effect. In recent times, two big business houses, namely, the Tatas and Jet Airways, were forced to review their plans thanks to meddlesome politicians pandering to vote bank politics. However, in financially straitened times like the present, even big corporate houses have to resort to drastic measures to keep themselves afloat, which may include downsizing and retrenchments. Political interference in such matters is neither desirable nor defensible.
—Bal Govind, through e-mail
Changing Times
The “tuffs” and “Mr coffee” Ads (BT, Heed Those Jingles, November 16) caught the imagination of the viewers for reasons other than creative merit and aesthetic taste. In the past, subjects dealing with sexuality were brushed under the carpet, which no longer is the case. Today, you face such issues head-on because society is far more liberated than it was in the ’70s and ’80s. Experimentation is all the rage and ads mirror this trend only too well.
—Seema Malik, through e-mail
A Comprehensive View
The meltdown impact (BT, November 16) offered a most comprehensive and illuminating read. I feel that BT has been able to enunciate the effects of the global financial crises on our economy in the right perspective. RBI Governor D. Subbarao’s interview was impressive as was his assurance that the Reserve Bank is on the right prescriptive course to find the right balance between growth and price stability. Elsewhere in the package, N.R. Narayana Murthy’s observations on the IT sector and his analysis of the fault lines and reasons for the slowdown were incisive and instructive in equal measure. Murthy’s espousal of inclusive and compassionate capitalism, his emphasis on seeking out reliable vendors and on exploring business in new regions are, indeed, commendable.
—B. Rajasekaran, through e-mail
Better Than the Best
Wow! what a wonderful selection of Top Indian marketers (BT, November 16). In fact, the Gujarat CM is more than a good marketer— he has such a charismatic personality— that we Gujaratis see in him the ideal person with the capacity to lead our country. Modi has guts, vision and all the 32 lakhsanas (according to Hindu mythology) to become the Indian Prime Minister.
—Charu Shah, through e-mail
How to contact Business Today
Editor, Business Today, Videocon Tower, 5th Floor, E-1, Jhandewalan Extension,
New Delhi—110055.
E-mail: letters.bt@intoday.com
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Website: https://www.businesstoday.in/
Unsolicited articles will not be returned or acknowledged
For subscription assistance write to:
Customer Care, India Today Group, A-61, Sector-57,
Noida (U.P.) — 201 301
Phone: (95120) 2479900 from
Delhi & Faridabad; (0120) 2479900
(Monday-Friday; 10 am-6 pm)
from Rest of India;
Toll free no. 1800 1800 100
(from BSNL/ MTNL Lines);
Fax: (0120) 4078080
E-mail: wecarebg@intoday.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
