The ONGC Fiasco – Investors are not fools

Much has been written and said about the bungled ONGC divestment. About the fact that LIC was forced to bail out the issue. About how the pricing left nothing on the table for investors. About how regulation was twisted to enable government divestment without the traditional public issue >>read more…

Air India more important than aviation industry: More government meddling

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Last week, the new Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Vyalar Ravi was widely quoted in the media as saying that his “top” priority was to ensure that Air India regains its “lost glory”. Anywhere else, such a statement would have drawn criticism for its partiality towards a single player. However, >>read more…

Of airlines, airfares and the usual Government interference

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Despite so much evidence to the contrary, our esteemed ministers remain ignorant about the positive effects of market forces. The latest example of this is the brouhaha (love the sound of that word) over domestic airfares. The Aviation Minister, Mr. Praful Patel publicly came out against the “exorbitant” airfares charged >>read more…

India to host F1: The Kalmadi connection – another CWG in the making?

A few days back, I learned that India is to host its inaugural Formula One (F1) race on October 30, 2011.

The story begins in June 2007, when Mr. Suresh Kalmadi (of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam fame), the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), signed a letter of intent >>read more…

Commonwealth Games 2010, Delhi: National Shame, Or Scam?

With the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi just 70 days away, the abysmal state of preparedness is nothing less than shocking. Consider this:

Most sporting venues, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (track and field) and the swimming complex will not be ready by the August 1 deadline.

>>read more…

The Last Maharaja?

It is with a mixture of cynicism, despair and resignation that most Indians view the continuing fiasco at Air India (or Nacil). In a company that is grossly over-staffed, provides abysmal service quality and makes losses consistently, the specter of striking pilots is akin to absurd drama!

>>read more…

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