FDI

FDI. These are the three most dreaded letters for millions of retail shopkeepers across our country. Foreign Direct Investment. Why? What for?? For whom??? These are questions that keep disturbing me.

Go for the Moon. These were the encouraging words used by teachers in olden days when they found that a boy or a girl is good in academics, sports or arts. Those days teachers were infinitely ambitious about their students.

Today, India is on its way to the Mars as the Moon is too small an accomplishment. India has enviable indigenous technology for a Chandrayan or a Mangalyan. But to sell potatoes and tomatoes we need Walmart or Carrefour. Centuries ago the East India Company was not invited to India. They came here, saw us and conquered us. Now today we are rolling out the red carpet to those who are itching to "provide better service" to Indians. Why our leaders are not showing the wisdom to realise that  this "better service" is only a prelude to invasion and conquering with out any blood shed. the technology needed for retail business cannot be any sophisticated nor the investment needed too big for a country of our vastness. I wont undermine the merits of huge industrial houses entering the retail market. Procurement, processing, preservation, logistics etc are no mean things. But, it definitely is not a 'Martian' task as compared to the Mangalyan.

Despite all the merits of FDI in the retail sector shouldn't India think of its millions of citizens becoming job less? The new generation answer will be "such things are inevitable in a globalised world".

Can you ignore the following story, the story of this educated but unemployed young man of Tunisia? When getting a job conforming to his educational qualifications remained a dream, he decided to make a living by selling vegetables on the streets of Tunis, the capital city. But the young man had to keep shifting his mobile shop when the police started using its muscle power. This seemingly small incident snowballed into a revolution that brought down the autocratic regime that was in power for decades. The revolution drifted to neighbouring countries and we know what happened in Egypt. Syria is still on fire.
So, if a boy selling potatoes could be the seed for a revolution, just think of what millions of young and old retailers who were in the business for generations, are capable of doing. See, hunger is a phenomenon that has toppled empires. New generation solutions are for new gen problems like internet speed or latest mobile apps. Pizzas or burgers are for those eat for the sake of eating and eating more. Pizzas and burgers are not a solution for hunger of millions.FDI in retailing …… My bare foot ! (Sorry, I do not know the English for Olakkede moodu)