Biztro

1. The GM foods shocker

For years, the BJP has opposed field trials of genetically modified crops and upheld the right of states to take individual decisions on a contentious subject. That’s why the recent disclosure that the BJP has allowed field trials of GM mustard and brinjal comes as a shocker. Ashwani Mahajan, all-India co-convener of the Swadesh Jagaran Manch has expressed “anguish and disbelief” at the NDA government’s move. Also, BJP-ruled states like Rajasthan and Gujarat have announced that they would not permit field trial of any of the 13 GM crops. The contradictions within the BJP raise questions on its resolve to govern through consensus on major national issues.

2. A merger in trouble

The proposed government-mandated merger of scam-tainted National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL) with its parent Financial Technologies India Ltd (FTIL) may be running into rough weather, with the move being opposed by analysts, some large minority shareholders and by FTIL itself. Analysts have opposed the order saying the government is forcing the parent company to take over liabilities of its independent subsidiary. There have also been protests from some large “minority” investors, who say the order will not serve public or shareholder interest. The interesting thing is questions are already being asked about the net worth of these “minority” investors.

3. Meanwhile in AP…and Telangana

Whoever says Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has lost his hi-tech gloss is mistaken. Naidu has recently started a service whereby citizens can buy sand online without going through the sand mafia. Under the service, one can deposit money in a designated bank and the sand is delivered at his residence, with facility to track movement of the consignment through GPS.

Math

$10 bn The promised investment in India’s online space, fronted by SoftBank CEO Nikesh Arora (ex-Google)

Have you tried Chinese wine?
The world’s top 10 producers of wine, measured in millions of hectolitres

46.2 France
44.4 Italy
37 Spain
22.5 US
15.2 Argentina
12.6 Australia
11.8 China
11.4 South Africa
10 Chile
9.7 Germany

Source: OIB

0.2% Google Of the 3 million applications it receives every year, Google hires only 7,000— lower than the acceptance rate at Harvard and Yale.

$12.5 mn After 26 consecutive quarters of losses, that’s how much cash Indian portal Rediff.com has left in the bank

Mojo

In Bengal, not a Nano-sized predicament!

The Tata Nano is truly jinxed as far as West Bengal is concerned. Always in the news for the wrong reasons in the state, a Tata Nano has now been identified as among the main carriers used by terrorists in recent times to ferry bombs in the state.

Mind

This week we learnt about…Rumble in the Jungle

Forty years ago Muhammad Ali pulled off one of the most spectacular sporting upset in history, out-boxing George Foreman. As business often draws from sport, Ali and manager Angelo Dundee’s “rope-a-dope” strategy deserves an airing. Foreman was the favourite. But Dundee sniffed an outside chance—if Ali could withstand it, Foreman might just punch himself out. He thought if Ali lay on the ropes, it would weaken Foreman’s blows, allowing Ali to roll with the punches. The rest is history: the match was over in eight rounds. In short, the management lesson: turn your opponent’s strength into his weakness.