June 2019 – Dev Kusum Foundation

From tribalism to tribalisation

As a concept, ‘tribalisation’ is not congruent with being a savage or needing urbanisation. We would do well to remember that tribals fare far better than urbanites

It was probably for the first time that a definite action plan for tribal welfare figured in a presidential address to both the Houses of Parliament on June 20. It is all to the good. There was a time when small-scale industries had not graduated into the domain of a significant curriculum in the portals of leading educational institutes. Part of the reason was the lack of not only the ability to read but also that of instructional material. Then there was also no way forward on the unique characteristics of the management of tiny, medium and small scale enterprises. Many management functionaries erroneously believed that management principles, when reduced in size and domain, would be valid for tiny, medium and small industries.

Slowly as instructions focussed on entrepreneurship in a given sector, it grew in academic maturity, research contributed and the area picked up. It became abundantly clear that SMEs had unique characteristics. To feel the pulse, a sense about the nature of the area was needed. Similar is the story with tribal studies. […]

Reality and forecasts

Forecasting is a flourishing business that keeps thousands of people occupied. But it does not worry any one too much that it often goes wrong

Everyone likes to know the future. The trouble with forecast is that often one does not know how much it will go wrong and in which direction. Nevertheless, forecasting is a flourishing business that keeps thousands and thousands of people occupied. People forecast by looking at the palm, at the stars, at the forehead, at the horoscope, through planchets, through numerology, the list is endless. Of course, one should not forget the columnists, who rake in money by sounding wise and profound through forecasts, by reading trends and extrapolating selective data. It does not worry any one too much that very often, these forecasts go wrong.

Certain times are more propitious for forecasts. One such case is at the beginning of the year. It is interesting to note how by a simple calendar change of date, a ‘New Year’ has been converted into such a ritual of consuming, dining, wining, buying and celebrating. It is possible to argue that there is really no difference between December 31 of any given year and January 1 of the next […]

Monthly Archives: June 2019

From tribalism to tribalisation

Reality and forecasts