Sunday, February 20, 2011

Victory Speech

Hi,
I was introduced to the Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism’s wonderful philosophy by my sister nine months ago.
I was always a positive person but lacked clarity interms of a career path and didn’t know my strength and was applying for all sorts of job openings with higher pay packages. This led to a lot of frustration and due to rejections, there were other problems too in my family and this de-motivated me and I stopped practicing for a period of 15 days. Then my mother shared her experience of attending meetings which inspired me to start the practice again. This time after meeting some leader’s I chanted for clarity, unlimited wisdom and direction. One of India’s leading private banks came again to our campus and with the guidance of my college friends who came as a protective force and I found right job profile. We chanted for the job opening at this bank which would have been a good start to my professional career and due to chanting with dedication and working hard for the interview I got the offer from the bank even though some of my contemporaries had a higher GPA and work experience.
This Philosophy isn’t any magic adversities will come in our lives and we have to face them with unlimited wisdom, determination and have win over them thus the philosophy gives us the strength and wisdom to go ahead in life .
I would like to thank my family, friends and the leaders for their guidance and would promise to work hard for the bank and give back to the fullest.
Thank You,

Regards,

Yagesh K Rathi,

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Reality or a bubble- South Mumbai

Reality or a Bubble- South Mumbai

I have analysed the property market of South Mumbai, an area which the most lucrative for real estate companies. The present scenario looks opportunistic but the future of real estate in South Mumbai looks bleak because:-

•The real estate deals in terms of volumes are at all time low(specifically in South Mumbai)
•Real Estate Brokers are finding it difficult to survive, are frustrated at the cartel of builders and investors who are not allowing the rate to go down.
•New projects, when launched, are getting sold in volumes by builders to investors, A lot of money laundering practice have been undertaken during these bulk sales. These investors get a significant discount too.
•The remaining units are then sold at a 50 % premium in the market.
•Due to these practices many properties are unsold for a long time.
•Old depleted buildings and chawls of Kalbadevi and Khetwadi per square feet rate is between Rs. 20,000-32,000 which was quoted in Walkeshwar & Kemps Corner last year.

For Instance
A project initiated by a reputed developer in South Mumbai has told that the project is 50 % booked and the flats are available from only 27th floor onwards. Only 3BHK are available with an area of approx 1715 sq. ft and approx 2255 sq. ft. and the construction is expected to begin in October 2010. The rate on first enquiry is quoted at Rs. 35,000 per square feet on super built-up basis. If an individual would negotiate with the builder then the property could be available at Rs 25000 per square feet. There is a reduction of 20-30% reduction and the cost incurred could be Rs 3.5 Crores, this entices the developer to make a sales pitch which would be termed as a “luxurious living “

Infrastructure of South Mumbai- Present Situation
•Water Logging during rains
•Many Old buildings (danger status given by BMC)
•Small lanes( C.P.Tank) (rigged real-estate prices which are community driven)
•Un organized Markets( Vegetable market)
•Infrastructural Disparity is high between a radius of 1 kilometre
•Inadequate Facilities offered by developers in South Mumbai
•Slow Redevelopment Initiations by existing Corporative Housing Societies who are incorporated since 50 years

The real estate market in South Mumbai is similar to the capital markets where prices are rigged due to herd mentality and a few players have benefited from it and has made it difficult for the common man to exist in the area. Once the Bull Run would end a significant correction is anticipated. Whether the correction would be led by a government-induced curb on prices? or on a high supply-driven curb, It would be interesting to know how long the bubble would persist.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

C.K.Prahlad Lecture

The 7th Nani Palkiwalla Awards
Venue-N.C.P.A, Mumbai
Lecturer-Mr.C.K.Prahalad
Topic-Swampurna Azadi

Mr.C.K.Prahalad touched upon many major issues faced by India and has it learnt from his mistakes. India is the largest democracy in the world with many institutions like the judiciary, police and many other institutions. The functioning of this institution is different but impacts each other’s proceedings. India is a country which consists of 3000 panchayats. They are social institutions which resolve issues of their respective villages. Recently many economists have felt that these bodies have mere role and should be eliminated from the system to enhance efficiency.
India is the largest democracy in the world. But its political history indicates a different picture were there were the concept of coalition politics emerged. In India coalition government would function in the state as well in the centre but what is the basis of this coalition? The basis is not common understanding or ideological similarities but it is purely the number game. We can take instances like the recent Jharkhand Government formed by the J.M.M & B.J.P and many previous governments. That raises the issue of governance. That is the reason the Indian governments have not been successful in the decision making process, which lead to ideological differences between them which in turn affect the stability of the country.
The education system of the country is very disproportionate. Only 2% to 3% of the Indian students have got the opportunity of professional education. There is so much of disparity that a state like Andhra Pradesh has 1,06,000 Engineering colleges but does it consist of the quality of faculty as well as students who apply.Jharkhand,Chattisgadh,Rajasthan and Bihar totally don’t have even half then. Since there is so much disparity, if the country has to improve the level of education system entirely.
The learnings from the lecture was that India needs to look at its past and should improve its policies. Governments should be formed on the basis of strategy and not to play the number games. Infrastructure developments are taking place, only in some pockets of the country. Its time when we take a holistic view and strategies our future targets which could be achieved and concentrate on rural India.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Whats in the name and why play the game?

Hi,
The country has recently seen a row of arguments over this term called as name. What does this indicate.Today if I am a creator of something,why do I have to give it a name? Why do I have to take credit for it.Now there are problems on how much credit should one get on a creation of a product. What is that argument for? When the whole world knows about the truth? We Indians always get into petty issues and don't focus on the big picture.The country is facing numerous problems which are not hidden but we are behind this term(name). Whats the name game all about in this country.Is that the reason most of the individuals shy away from responsibilities.Do they really know the meaning of it? There are some basics which need to be learnt by we Indians.Its surprising that we were a British colony but haven't learnt to be a disciplined group of people and thats the reason Indian Managers are inconsideret of the hygiene factors and have low ethical values . Reports or Stories which shouldnt be given importance are been given adequate importance and people who would have not been successful are today due to one term name which surely gives certain advantage to some and is a disadvantage to many.
We should seriously reconsider it's importance and should focus on issues which could change lives of many.
thankyou,
Regards,
Yagesh K Rathi