More standard ratings, less moody ones
In the wake of the sharp downturn in the valuations of mortgage-backed securities last year, financial firms justified their investment in these non-transparent instruments on the triple ratings accorded to them. Tata's tata to Tata
Like many other Indian companies, the Tata group too has globalised in the past decade. It is a testimony to the success of Indian enterprise in the global marketplace that many of them have done well, in the face of severe competition. Of Naxals and rich land of the poor
India's mineral-rich areas have the largest number of poor and are Naxal-affected - there's an obvious story here. Who'll finance 'affordable' housing?
Tata Housing's efforts at helping less privileged sections of society are commendable, but after a point it won't be able to do much for the simple reason that there aren't going to be enough lenders to give loans to these prospective home buyers. Why the US is so keen to sell Bt brinjal to India
The conversion of Indian farmers from traditional varieties and public hybrids to commercial hybrids and GM seeds could create a market larger than China. G-20: A new global oligarchy
The G-20's new-found importance should be used to challenge North Atlantic hegemony. The reign of rural retail
The monsoon rains may have failed and crop output may be lower but, after a small blip, the rural markets are back on track. Women workforce: A revolution in the making
One of the most important implications will be on account of a rapid increase of women in the workforce in the coming years, leading to an unprecedented economic and social empowerment for them and thereby a dramatic redefinition of their roles and influence. No protests over reforms policies! Hmmm. . .
It would seem that the government can announce almost anything it wants, without exciting any opposition. That is a sea change. Making the Asean FTA work
The formalisation of Asean-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) covering the goods sector marks an important step towards India's deepening trade links with its partners in the Asian region. The cost of living in India
Why life for an average Indian is a real struggle right from morning till evening or even mid night as compared to his counterparts in the west. Take a look... A 'memorable' journey in the Duronto
The greatest plus of the Duronto is the service of the outsourced catering staff. Asia's post-crisis challenges
Asia is rebounding fast from the global financial crisis. When MBAs aspire to become clerks
There are 300 applicants for each clerical post at SBI, mostly engineers/MBAs, for a job that just requires a Class 12 qualification. Rebuilding Mumbai for the 21st century
Mumbai does not need to be - de-congested - it needs to redeploy its eastern seaboard. Meeting the urban challenge effectively
The gap between promise and achievement in JNNURM is enormous. What the CII achieved in 25 years
More than lobbying for concessions, CII strove to be an instrument of change. Jaipur oil mishap: IOC chairman must be fired
The current IOC chief should be fired because this fire occurred during his tenure. He should have ensured that safety audits are done seriously. If he is fired, his successor will take safety more seriously, says Sudhir Bisht. Time to get our fiscal act together
India's political and economic business cycles enter fiscal correction phase Carbon dioxide can actually be good for farming
A national network project, run by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research since 2004, carried out to study the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture, is also throwing some light on the complex inter-relation between CO2, global warming and crop productivity. Stimulus: It's important to time the exit right
Although not intended as fiscal stimulus, the unprecedented fiscal expansion during 2008-09 and 2009-10 did help in combating the economic slowdown, but it cannot continue and measures must be initiated to chart a route for fiscal consolidation. 2010: An economic odyssey
The collapse of Lehman Brothers was clearly a point of inflection, in which the rate of decline of the financial system accelerated sharply and its impact on the global economy intensified. In retrospect, it could have been any one or more of the global financial institutions to precipitate the collapse. Telecom scam: Noose tightens around Raja?
It's difficult to say whether the CBI will find enough proof against telecom minister A Raja or whether it will get caught in the parcel of half-truths he's been dishing out on how he's just followed the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and the actions of his predecessors. Dealing with a weak dollar
It offers a lot of opportunities, especially in the commodities market. How flexible benefit plans can help employees
Instead of a one-size-fits-all strategy, employees can be allowed to tailor their benefits package to their specific needs.