Made in .............. The Reality of the US Consumer Market

After reading N.S.Ramanathan's article in IBNlive from Forbes India, one 'Indian techies working abroad on choppy waters'..... I found a new topic for my post.

Disclaimer: This post has no correlation to me being in US now or at on site on a Project....but the writer's thoughts on the realities I have witnessed over the years...   This also have no reference to my organization or its employees....

Now towards the reality....

The fact is that the grass is always greener on the other side.    Lot of the comments to the original post, says that the ultimate loser in the game of globalization, outsourcing and new visa reforms, is the common  IT worker..this includes both Indians and Americans..

One side countries try to take cost advantage, use shared services, improved data centres and focus on cloud and other computing technologies that enhance the utility services... there by creating innovation, technology and new platforms for emerging markets.....

The other side, creeps in the economic imbalances, financial downfalls,  manufacturing industries struggling to make domicile decisions and countries suffering from self-reliance.     What every American today feels is what every Indian  felt in 1940's.....Swadesh!.... We have read in our history, how the Nation boycotted foreign goods and called in for Indigenous products and industries to relive its original glory....Today, forget about the IT industry... at least 7 out of the 10 products that people buy in United States today is not manufactured here....Which means that it has become a buyer's market where close to 70-80% of consumer spending is driven towards a different country manufacturing the product.  So it is not just the IT industry but the overall, consumer market have to be re looked just in case they do really want to bring jobs back and bring in more of consumer spending go back to the American grassroots....to rebuild economy, and go back to globalization than going towards centralization in States....

Bring Jobs Back from Bangalore to Buffalo

I had a neighbour in my village who owned acres of farm land. He used to cultivate rice, cereals, vegetables and also had coconut, mango, guava trees and lot of other things he needed to run his family. Flowers blossomed in his backyard. The by-products helped them fuel their kitchen and bring home oil. Cattle maintained gave them milk and also helped them get some good money along with adding nutritional values to the family. The whole family toiled in hot sun, rains and winter to make the best of every season. Songs of the ladies in the farms and bull-fights and other local games entertained them for most of the day. Peaceful life with no much of pollution or chaos made them work from dawn to dusk and have a good night sleep at the call of sunset.
This is what is called actual Self- Reliance. We do not dependent on others for the most part of our day to day activity. 70% of agricultural India was like this in pre-independence era and nearly 30% of the rural India is still the same. But today, the whole scenario changed. The transformation from a self sustained community to a global village made every one of us depend on the other person for meeting our day to day needs. Today we don't wear home spun cotton, instead buy import brands which are nothing but made in Tirupur and Erode and re-imported with a brand and price tag. Today we don't cultivate our own food, instead depend on nutritional aids with so many competing brands with actually no idea of what it is made of. Today we have hundreds of channels but actually nothing impresses us and keeps us entertained all the time. Today we don't have time to talk to our families, attend all religious and communal functions, participate in social events, and hardly interact with our neighbours. The more and more we became global, we lost what we had as a small self sustained society- the basic ingredients of life called happiness, peace and contentment. Despite knowing all this, how many of us would really dare to go back to our good old golden days of simple living. That's just next to impossible.

Then how will this new policy of Barack Obama which he calls as "International Tax Policy Reform" will work.??. India gave the world the benefit of human intelligence, hard work and perseverance and all economies of scale. People toiled forgetting day or night. The 8 hours shift was just a name-sake and people worked with commitment on deadlines. We gave the west what they wanted before their sunrise. The cost benefit of low labour cost, exchange rate, educational advantage, commitment of hardworking employees actually made the commercial markets of US flourish with prosperity as their customer service and technical support needs were taken care with low budgets and high turnover. Creation of jobs was in the Obama election promises and he is surely keeping it up thinking of where he would stand at the end of his 4 year term. This will encourage America's confidence in its leader and bring in more of opportunities within. But overall, this protectionism cannot be the way of life for a long time for any country under the global scenario. Curtailing trade opportunities world wide would in turn become counter-productive for US in the long run and only wish the end result is a win-win situation for all, especially for China, Philippines and India who have high percentage of bilateral trade relations with United States. There is no harm in Obama's ideology of making his home as described in my farmer's story, but the same time, the world has to remember that the times have changed. As an analyst, my summary of this is that here we have a leader in United States who does what he promises and we surely need to wait and watch on the results!

The Obama Fever

My Obama fever has restarted again. This time, because 20th January 2009 not only marks the inauguration of the 44th President of United States but an expected transformation of the world economy as his regime begins. I am one of the millions of enthusiastic spectators who is expecting some miracles to happen and for the world economy to oil its wheels quickly to get accelerated asap.
One quick glance of this man in Michigan during his campaigns from a distance, and having had the opportunity to listen to his most of the speeches during his campaign, and also his acceptance speech in Chicago made me his great fan. He has got a fire in him that will drive him hard to face the turbulence's of the stumbling global economy and its direct impact in United States and the world all over. He represents a victory over racism. He remarkably presents himself as the voice of a common man. The way he starts his speech and gets so involved and engrossed and bring in a wave and vibration in the listeners just do not represent a strong orator but a inner leader who awakes as he talks. "Yes, We Can" , the words that naturally flew in his speech, became the slogan of the century. The three words represent positiveness, optimistic future, possibility, and above all Faith. A transforming faith. When a million people together shout, that WE CAN, let me tell you, it just happens, the change not just America needs but the world needs at this hour.
Inspired by this young leader and his views and opinions, I only keep my prayers strong that Indo-US relations should be strengthen and bilateral and economic understanding should grow paving a strong path for trade and commerce, and intellectual exchange to flourish for years to come making India stand ahead as a Developed Nation. His support on fighting terrorism and controlling borders restlessness should help India and our neighbours to develop manageable relationships that are looking for verifiable objector evidence every time we come across an issue. India and Indians in United States should aim at making the best of times during the next years of Obama regime, for here what we have is a man who is intellectually brilliant, emotionally 100% American and rationally strong winning over odd adversities and above all a very ordinary man with extraordinary family values and support system. He have lot of ingredients that sprang in every Indian and unlike most of his predecessors at the White House, here comes an American President who is a global Hero even before he takes over the oval office.
Hatts Off Obama, am sure your parents would be proud where ever they are and you certainly do have your grandmother's blessings. Enjoy your time in DC and give back to the world little more than what is expected, for that's your style and passion, to exceeding expectations!!!

Obama's speech in Chicago minutes after his victory in Election 2008

President-elect Barack Obama's victory speech in Chicago as released by his campaign.If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one peopleLet us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too. And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Obama- The 44th President of United States

Watching the American Obama fever tonight, it makes me write this with a very deep emotion of a Nation desperate for a real Change. People are crying with Joy, jumping in happiness and celebrating the victory of a black American first time creating a history.. Its just 5 minutes back that Obama created history by hitting 284 count on the Decision 2008 at 11pm EST on 4 Nov 2008 and 333 within 7 minutes- creating a new world history bringing in a wave of amazement, happiness and people's mandate to stop the digging of a nation with a hope of revival, and a new energy. Hatts Off Obama... the world is looking for a young and dynamic leader who could change the lives of the people in United States and bring in a transforming change that the country is awaiting. Personally, to me its a day that I would remember being in US when the history is getting created and only wish this kind of a day dawns in my Nation too, where a real people hero would emerge to make my country get set on the right path... Chicago Grant Park is jumping in joy with a Nation standing in a salute to their new found energy in their new President Sen Barack Obama. A victory over race, ethnic values, beliefs, cross-country cultures, expectations, energy and young vibrant future in making with the New President Barack Obama