VISION-2023: As the TN Pegasus tries to fly high

A peek in to the Global Investors Meet 2015- Part 1

 Pegasus is a sign of lightning and it is believed wherever it lands it brings spring says the Greek mythology. Now it has made its presence in GIM 2015 (Global Investors Meet 2015), first of its kind in Tamil Nadu. With the literal translation of the flying horse’s name from Latin, we are bound to believe that the spring of Tamil Nadu has arrived and the growth would be like lightning and thunder. The profile of the state, ‘Why Tamil Nadu?’ in the official website of the meet presents itself as one of the fastest growing state in 9 of the 12 sectors in India. The GIM has a target of attracting 1 lakh crore investment (16 billion USD) which the government sources say, have already surpassed. Partnership from 9 countries and 21 organisations, housing about 1000 foreign investment delegates and 4000 from various parts of India in a single roof in the Chennai Trade centre, GIM has showed its might in the inauguration event. 

There are lot of factors to be considered which have been a great hinder to the past investors like delay in clearance of documents, the electricity crisis and the unknown unions formed in the manufacturing units that participate in strikes most of the time. For the above mentioned problems, the government have answers. 

The government in the GIM has promised the single window clearance in 30 days for the Memorandum of Understandings signed in the event. The government has registered its point that it is in the verge of turning in to an electricity surplus state. The statistics in the state also gives a clear picture that the strike rate in the state has decreased to a great extent from 2003 to 2012. It has also clarified that the closing of Nokia manufacturing unit in Chennai was not because of the Government.

Let us assume, TN gets the 1 lakh crore investments as planned and even surpasses the target. What does that have to do with the normal citizen living in Chennai or anywhere in Tamil Nadu? The investments have been guaranteed to be taken 40% from energy sector, 40% from manufacturing and 10% from IT and IT enabled Services. 

First of all, this promises surplus employment opportunities in the future in the energy and manufacturing sector. ‘Do we have the skilled labour to achieve this target?’ is the next question that pops in our head. ‘Yes, we have or we will create it’, says the government and this statement were backed by HCL in the event, which has promised a skill development program for about 20,000 students in various fields all over the state.

Second, this would help improve the infrastructure of the state. Third, if all goes as planned Tamil Nadu will achieve its Vision, to achieve 14% growth rate per annum and a total 15 lakh crore investment by 2023.

Infrastructure 

I have intent to explore this second point. A state that is a hub for 6 international airports, lot of manufacturing units in automobile sector and textile and leather industry has posed itself a great challenge in this concern. The government has to realize that it is not enough to develop and maintain the areas of Meenambakkam and that of the areas stayed and visited by VIPs. The entire state needs the best infra to project to be the leading state in India, a feat the government has beset to achieve. In the past, the development in the state has destroyed a lot of natural resources. One such example is the Koovam River in Adayar. This generation would never accept it as river but as drainage. Lot of ponds and lakes have vanished in the name of urbanization. 

 

Today’s state of Koovam River, Adyar.

“The lost beauty-Buckingham canal”

Picture and quote credit: Arvind an IT professional at Athena health

Will the investments, in various parts of TN, destroy the left over natural resources? This question irks my mind. So does for the many other people in the state. The answer lies in the hand of the government which has given Environmental protection infrastructure subsidy up to USD 50,000.

Resources: Wikipedia, The Hindu, GIM website

Public views are being collected through various social media. Stay tuned for the next part!!!

Aylan to Papa

Those people with feeble heart do not read this...
Aylan is a three year old Syrian boy who wanted to reach Greece island  Kos with his family consisting of his father, mother and his 5 year old brother Galip. Thousands of people from various Afrian countries are fleeing their homeland in under capacity boats to escape from the IS terrorist group and Civil war. Lots of people have lost their lives in the middle of the ocean in the process. The European countries like Hungary and Greece have put electric fences to prevent these people from entering their country.

Aylan's family was also traveling in a under capacity boat in the treacherous sea waters with may other people from their home land. Their boat gave up near Turkey and most of them drowned in the waters. This little boy's photo has changed the mind set of many EU nations like Hungary, Austria and they are now accepting refugees from war troden Syria, Libya and other African countries. A salute to Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany who gave voice to the refugees from the beginning.

This one article is a tribute to Aylan, the little boy who changed the minds of Big European countries. We love you Aylan.

An imagination- What Aylan would say to his father?

PAPA..

This is Aylan. Can you hear me?

I see you crying now.

Why are you crying papa?

You want to know why did I sleep in the beach with my face half drowned inside the sand?

I will tell you papa.

You told we would be safe.

You told that the place we go will give us food and water. You even promised me that you would buy me a remote car, once I asked you.

Papa..

You know what?

I saw them coming, the big waves that collapsed our small boat. I was with you and mom. Galip was also with us. But, once the big wave hit, I could not see anything papa. I was drinking that water. It was so salty. I couldn’t breathe. I searched for you and mom. But my little fingers were not enough to grab you, to hold on to you. I saw mom. She asked me to come to her. I was very afraid. She was not normal. She called me again and again from the sky. Now, I saw Galip standing next to her calling my name. He said he would not beat me and asked to come with him. Then, there were you. I saw you picking me with all your might. You wanted me. You wanted all of us, mom, Galip and me. But by the time you took us to the beach, it was too late papa. Mom already gave me a remote car to play and Galip promised not to snatch that from me. So I went with them papa. Now, that explains my sound sleep in the sand from which I would never wake up.

This place where I stay is called heaven mom said to me and I get enough cars and planes to play. There is no bomb. There is no fight. So I will never come to the seas that took you away from me. You should have come with us papa. Here it is so good papa. Mom says it is because of love. She says it brings us peace.

Why there is no love in the place you live papa?

Why people always fight over land?

When will there be peace in your place?

If there is no peace, you come to us papa. You will love this place.

If you want to stay there, I will not bother you. But, don’t cry for us papa. Mom says big people from big nations are talking about the friends from our country only because of my photo. Mom says I served the purpose of my birth and she says she is proud of me and Galip. I am happy for that papa. Mom always talks about you papa. She is always worried about you. She says you tried you best to save us. She thinks you are sad. She loves you papa.

Ok papa. I am going to play with Galip. There are lots of kids like me here.

We all love you papa.

Image source:

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk 

st-eutychus.com