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India trip observations- Economy

March 6, 2009 by apurvadesai

As I indicated in my earlier posting, my next series of postings will focus on observations of India during my recent visit in December 08/January 09.     Again, these comments are based solely on my observations visiting cities and observing middle class life  in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.   My last trip to India was 6 years ago and my comments generally focus on changes I noticed during the last six years, from the lens of a non-resident Indian born and raised in the US who has visited India generally every 5-6 years.   The first set of observations revolve around economic changes or conditions in the cities I visited.

Economy

Most have read about the continued economic growth in India over the past several years, but seeing it first hand really drives it home.   Observations are related to the noticeable growth but also some slowdowns to that growth that have hit India and the world during the past year.

Housing

  • In Hyderabad, I stayed in an 8 floor building of flats near Banjara Hills built in 2004.  Nearly, the whole area of flats has been built in the past several years. Continue Reading »

Posted in India, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Steroids and Game Theory

February 25, 2009 by apurvadesai

Steroids, Steroids, Steroids…. Why 50% of Major League Baseball Players must have been on Steroids in the early 2000’s

The recent revelation that baseball superstars Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez tested positive for steroids or other banned substances has rocked the sports world and reignited the seemingly never ending steroid saga. But really, should anyone be surprised.

The late Ken Caminiti admitted in a Sports Illustrated story that he had used steroids during his 1996 MVP season and had indicated he doesn’t regret using them to get ahead. He further said, “It’s no secret what’s going on in baseball. Continue Reading »

Posted in Sports | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

How best to help developing countries?

February 25, 2009 by apurvadesai

What does the former # 2 United Nations official recommend as the top action to help developing countries?

I picked up Time Magazine this weekend and came across the article  “A Glimmer of Hope in Africa”.    While it talks about some of the improvements in Congo, the first paragraph of the article lays out some of the common problems in emerging countries such as Congo:

“A region with great natural wealth, riven by war, racked with hunger and traumatized by a long history of colonial abuse, postcolonial kleptocracy and plunder. In the past 10 years alone, millions have died here, and more die each day as a result of the conflict.  Most die not from war wounds but from starvation or disease.  A lack of infrastructure means there is little medical care in the cities and none in rural communities, so any infection can be a death sentence.  The most vulnerable suffer the worst.  One in five children in Congo will die before reaching the age of 5″

That paragraph mentions lack of infrastructure, widespread disease, starvation, high infant mortality rates, tribal wars, lack of medical care in rural areas.  Continue Reading »

Posted in Book Review, Public Policy | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments »

India trip observations

February 22, 2009 by apurvadesai

I just completed a 3 week trip to India in December 2008/January 2009, visiting cities in two states- Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Born and raised in the United States to Indian parents, I haven’t lived in India but have visited parts of India generally every 5-6 years. Trips to India where I was at an impressionable age were in 1984, 1990, 1993, 2002, and 2008. Significant change has occurred since my last visit 6 years ago and this note documents some of my observations and reflections about changes or general characteristics of modern day India in the cities I visited. To me, it was a fascinating trip—intellectually stimulating to think about how India will continue to adapt to the economic growth that has unfolded in the country over the last several years (often in urban areas) while simultaneously dealing with the needs of more rural areas and those that make their living off of the soil (2/3 of India), all within the context of the largest democracy in the world with a population consisting of many different religions, languages, and customs. And to add to the complexity, India now has to deal with a slowing economy after getting accustomed to the growth over the last several years.

This past trip I visited the following cities in Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad (population 7 million), Guntur (population of ~ 800 thousand), Vijayvada (population of near 2 million). Continue Reading »

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Hello world!

February 14, 2009 by apurvadesai

Welcome to my blog- Reading, Writing, and Reflecting-  Apurva Desai’s Musings and Observations.   The phrase Reading, Writing, and Reflecting was uttered by many people I’m sure but was a philosophy embraced by Paramahansa Yogananda, the author of Autobiography of a Yogi.    I believe that is a powerful approach to keep the mind fresh, curious, and enriched and thus, the reason for this blog.

Topics covered will range from politics, business, sports, international and current events, travel, technology, and general lifestyle tidbits.   Topics of particular interest include:

  1. India: After my most recent trip to India in December 2008, I’ve become even more fascinated with the challenges and opportunities facing this country.
  2. Sports: A lifelong sports fan, I’m particularly interested in professional and collegiate competitive sports along with the  globalization, business, and social aspects of sport, viewed from an analytical angle.
  3. Wireless, Internet, and Social Media technologies: I’ve spent the last 8 years working for various companies in these industries and have become particularly interested in the social media advances over the last couple of years.
  4. Energy and Environment: Lately, I’ve become more cognizant of energy and environmental issues and am striving to learn more and change my behavior for the better.
  5. Social and Public policy: Particularly linked to how technology, education, and energy practices can help drive better living standards around the world.

As the title of the blog suggests, I will often post about passages of articles, books, or other media that I have read to offer my perspective or to share with others.

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