Dear Manoj,
I think you missed my point. I did not say PSUs are all bad. All I said was
PSU has a defined role and it should stop at that. Retail Business PSUs should
create the environment for the business and step aside. Let the private sector
run the retail stores. The PSU should not employ the salespersons nor should
the PSU set up the stalls. Create the concept in detail, provide the incentives
like loan and probably the space as in a Haat, and then let the private sector
run the stalls with their own employees. The PSU should keep control over what
gets sold in the Haat (with input from the consumers and the retailers), how
many retailers are allowed in it (based on bids) and maintenance of the
infrastructure. As the concept matures, the same PSU could leave the oversight
of the business to private enterprise, and start experimenting with another new
concept, provided the same champion quality players are still together. More
often than not, the government cannot or does not
keep such groups together.
Manoj, it is quite possible that you all in NEDFi are doing the same as
suggested above or plan to do so. Chandan Mahanta's first letter implied that
the quality of goods and enthusiasm among the salespeople are waning and that
can happen only if there is no competition. I assumed the salespeople are on
government salary, and being secure do not worry about sales and profit.
However mind you I have never been to a NEDFi Haat and I don't know what is
sold there.
Dilipda
====================================================
Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Hi Manoj:
I understand your reaction to "PSU Bashing". Yes, PSUs can indeed be very
useful productive instruments. Where Dilip went wrong was in clubbing ALL PSUs
together as useless entities. That is an American capitalist
oversimplification. What he probably should have focused on is where and how
PSUs fail to deliver. And they differ from undertaking to undertaking. It is
one thing about the chances of success involving an oil refinery, whose
products should have no problem selling. All it needs to do is produce and
competitively. It is a wholly different matter if it is a public health-care
facility or a en educational undertaking or a vocational training facility or a
handicraft promotional operation.
NEDFI's 'haat' concept does sound good. Those of us who are familiar with a
'haat' , a 'bazaar' know that it is a dynamic, vibrant and effective place for
commerce that evolved over millenia and continue to
serve a third of humanity.
Question is IF NEDFI Haat at Guwahati operates like a 'haat'. I would submit
it does not. It is not even close. There must be a number of reasons. As a
transient visitor, obviously I am not in a position to analyze it in depth. But
I can list what I noticed and you, the experts can then see if you can
translate into cause and effect and remedies, if possible. But be prepared to
face the fact that there might not be any remedy to the concept or its
weaknesses.
I have been to the NEDFI Haat at Guahati four times in about five years. I
forget the details of the first. The second time it was holding a FAIR where
there were a number of vendors from many ethnic efforts and many crafts
operated stalls and we bought a number of things. Some hang in our house today.
There were many fine quality and otherwise unique products. The assembly WAS
like a haat. The stall owners ( or at least operators) were ALIVE and they
tried to make a sale. It was mostly outdoors and BRIGHT. Goods hanged in the
bright sunlight and were attractively displayed. Sales people did not appear
dead. A smiling and eager to sell attendant continued to be a rarity, but they
did try to make the sale. There must have been some incentive to make a few
rupees.
The third time also it seemed to be doing OK. There were a variety of goods.
There were a couple of expert artisans featured outdoors who showed how they
made some of their creations and sold them too. There was a sense of activity
and liveliness.
This last time it looked DEAD. The stalls looked virtually the same. The well
dressed young women behind the counters looked at customers pass by, but they
appeared to be in no need to make a sale.
Never mind the smiling face. Indians obviously are not up to it yet
culturally; no doubt due to the fear that a smiling woman would automatically
mean a sexual come -on. It speaks more about the men than the women. The dimly
lit environment is NEVER a good place to either display or perform sales of
items that are non-essential. The one or two bamboo and cane goods stalls had
the same old poorly made junk, churned out obviously by people who had neither
the skills nor the passions for making them. Again it speaks of the QUALITY of
the MANAGERS or their OWN TASTES and SKILLS. Far better goods are to be seen
on roadside stalls in small towns on the highway or in open air haats in the
hinterland.
Quality of the goods are good as far as fabrics are concerned. Everything
else is forgettable if not outright garbage. If I were to be the king of Assam,
I would BAN the production of the red felt trimmed jaapis that have come to
represent a debased state of Oxomiya craftsmanship and culture. They represent
the most atrocious of craftsmanship and design, and is a DISGRACE to Oxomiya
culture, craftsmanship and aesthetics. Just like the very poorly crafted
Xoraais do. As a child I remember seeing far higher quality of craftsmanship
all around us. But they are long gone from the Indianized plains. What remains
of it can be seen today only in the back country homes of indigenous folks like
we saw among the Monpas at Tawang , at Dirang.
Ultimately the sorry and disgraced state of the Oxomiya crafts reflect NOT on
the producers as much as it does on those who are expected to be its patrons:
The Middle Class consumers, their TASTE and aesthetic sense or expectation of
quality and their willingness )(( or absence of it) to PAY for QUALITY.
The result is can be seen everywhere in its continued downhill trajectory.
c-da
At 11:09 AM +0530 11/18/07, Manoj Das wrote:
One disease in this forum is - we jump into conclusions without knowing the
facts.
PSU bashing is the latest hobby for many. But let me tell you, Indian PSUs have
repositioned and refashioned to compete the best in the world. I am proud to be
a part of the PSUs, who are creating wealth for the nation.
NEDFi is the only PSU doing such developmental activities in the country, now.
In fact after IDBI has converted itself into a bank, it is the only such
organisation left.
NEDFi Haat participants get chance to participate in IITF to get a feel of the
national market.. then on we give them chance to participate in Aggressive
International Marketing Project for NER and enrich their product
competitiveness by infusing design inputs by engaging world class designers
from Philippines. Many of our participants of 2003 batch are now exporters. If
you want to know from them directly, I'll give you their emails. M'da has
participated in Autumn Fair at India Exposition Mart. He may share his
experience, and tell us scopes for improvement.
We are not claiming to be perfect here. Your inputs will definitely help us to
improve. Only request is not to hang us ex-parte.
Cheers!!!
-mkd
On Nov 17, 2007 10:18 PM, Dilip/Dil Deka < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
The bane of public sector versus boon of private sector? Probably the brain
behind the Haat got a promotion and moved off, and now the concept does not
have a champion. A government cannot be expected to run a business. PDVSA of
Venezuela and PEMEX of Mexico are good examples of what happens when government
starts running business. Dilip
mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Reasons:
No chain of demand on PERFORMANCE:
By anybody
At any level.
Maybe termed "Total lack of Accountability". What is Target?What was actual
achieved?
Need smaller autonomous focussed groups- again under demand on performance.
Automatic checks on performance.
Upgradation/Degradation of personnel without any fuss.
Top to bottom.
Otherwise remain a fourth grade nation- by Choice!
mm
---------------------------------
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:20:22 -0600
To: [email protected]
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: [Assam] NEDFi Haat at India International Trade Fair'07
Hi Manoj:
What do you know about the state of affairs at Nedfi Haat at Guahati? We were
there two weeks back, and it appeared as though it has shrunk, its vendors'
product quality gone down and it definbitely reduced in diversity. I was
disappointed and depressed.
Something is seriously wrong with the whole concept. It should have become
more vibrant. But it looked tired, ready to expire. Just like Cottage
Industries' Emporium at Dilli, which too has gone down in quality and
diversity.
c-da
At 6:22 AM +0530 11/17/07, Manoj Das wrote:
NEDFi has put up a pavilion like previous years at hall no. 1 to display
exquisite products from NER.
Please pay a visit to encourage our 35 exhibitors.
For your information, there is no business hour and entry is open for general
public from 10-8. The fair will close on 27th Nov.
Warm regards
-m k das-
pavilion director
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