India - Poor Country – Rich in common sense and business sense – Part - I

What do you say about a country that is full of contradictions? A commonwealth games that was doomed to failure becomes a beautiful butterfly that emerges from the cocoon of sleaze, controversy, charges of corruption and suspicion. End of the day India delivered a beautiful Commonwealth and the icing on the cake was the stupendous performance of India who emerged a creditable second in the medal tally. Doom day predicting Pundits were left wringing their hands in anguish “we (Indians) are like this only!”

So what makes India and Indians tick? I think it is the enormous pressure that our population exerts on the individual that leaves no choice but to fiercely compete and emerge as a winner – aka “survival of the fittest”.

1.   Old rice becomes vadiyum/Fryums: Rice or food is considered as manifestation of god in India. “Annam Para Brahma Swaroopam”. It is no surprise that Indian Homemakers are loathe at wasting rice. Yesterday’s rice becomes Vadiyum a sort of crispy Fryums like potato chips.

2.       Old rice becomes curd rice and Pullihora: In the same way yesterday’s left over rice becomes Pullihora (colored flavored rice that is very liked as a snack)

3.       Bread bajji: Indians are very fond of fried food. And what is better than mixing two different types of food items bread and bajji and this was born an extremely popular snack food bread bajji.

4.       Plastic containers become foot wear:  India is one of the countries that recycle most of the products and that too very efficiently and effectively. So it is very common to see old plastic bottles becoming footwear. The best possible branding exercise for the multinational giants and also serving the poorest of the poor, a photo-op for the CSR group!

5.       Sharing auto concept: 14 to 17 people in an auto rickshaw:  India is experiencing rapid urbanization and in most cases public transport is either too crowded or totally inadequate. The middle class and the poor are left to fend for themselves. Autos (three seater motorcycle like vehicles) and taxis are too exorbitant. In stepped the concept of sharing autos. All types of autos came into the picture to cater to this demand, regular three seater autos with extra space (Piaggio auto), seven seater autos, and Tata Ace. These can comfortable fit 7 to 10 people and tightly fit 14 to 17 passengers. Yes the seating is very uncomfortable but what the heck the distance is short may be 5 to 8 kilometers and the charge is only what is charged by the regular road transport buses. The sharing autos, seven seater autos, jeeps and Tata Ace do a yeomen service in meeting the transport needs of the poorest of the poor. And what do they get in return? Harassment by the traffic police. The police take bribes and this is the way we treat our service facilitators who make our life a little easy!