President Bush blames India for global food crisis!

A little while ago, I saw a TV news headline that said that US President George Bush has linked the current world food shortage/rising food prices to India’s growing prosperity and its large middle class. At a very global, macro-economic level, it is true that as India’s economic power increases due to faster growth relative to nations such as the US, its currency strengthens vis-a-vis the US$, its forex reserves increase, its BOP position becomes more favourable (to India). Consequently, the purchasing power of the Rupee too rises- and India can afford to spen more on foodgrain or edible oil import.

But India’s growing economic clout in world markets is only one part of the equation. Supply of foodgrains has been hit because of drought in Australia (a major wheat producer), growing urbanization in India as well as in other developing countries (which means less land is available for growing food), the trend to diverting corn and other crops for production of ethanol and other biofuels and a general reduction in farm productivity. There is also a move by farmers to grow other cash crops that yield higher profits per unit land than conventional foodgrains such as rice, wheat and corn.

There is also the issue of waste- whether in India, because of a poor supply chain (poor warehouse facilities), or in the US, where average portion sizes tend to be large (not to mention “Texas sized portions”), resulting in a fair amount of waste. In energy-starved societies like India, even refrigerated food sometimes tends to spoil, leading to waste.

Therefore, all told, the argument that India is somehow solely responsible for the current global food crisis is laughable at best and a flawed thought process at worst. But to be fair, I think President Bush was not trying to point an accusatory finger at India. He was only highlighting the other side of globalization.

Half-time @ IPL

We are now roughly half-way into the inaugural IPL tournament and expectedly, there have been some upsets and reversals. Of course, the very format of the T20 format increases the odds of upsets. The Jaipur Royals, captained by Shane Warne, have got the better of teams that boasted of a stronger line-up at least on paper. At the other end, Ganguly’s Kolkata Knight Riders have now lost 3 matches, after annihilating Bangalore’s Royal Challengers in the tournament opener to weeks ago.  And in spite of Gilly and Symonds, Hyderabad’s Deccan Chargers are languishing near the bottom of the league (with Bangalore below them).

So is the IPL a success? Or has it failed? I would say that the reality lies somewhere in between. Without a doubt, unknown youngsters from India have got a chance to play with and against some of the world’s best. This will undoubtedly hone their skills and boost their confidence. But at the other end of the spectrum, players like Sachin have not yet taken the field- and the pyrotechnics expected of the Jayasuriya-Tendulkar combo still remain a dream.  There is also the risk of cricket fatigue setting in. International stars leaving at the half-way stage can significantly impact the drawing power of future matches. Tempers flaring on and off the field have resulted in key players like Harbhajan Singh being banned and Warne and Ganguly being fined a part of their match fees. And finally, commercial success of individual franchises remains a question-mark. I think at least half the franchises will find it hard to break even. And that may well determine their willingness to invest in the teams going forward.

The rebuilding of Indian hockey

A TV channel sting operation was the undoing of long-time IHF Secretary Jothikumaran. And soon after, KPS Gill has been eased out of his post as IHF President. If the IOA could do it now, why could it not have done it earlier? Anyway, one just hopes that at least now, the process of rebuilding Indian hockey can (and will) begin in earnest. A group of experienced hockey players has been chosen to select the team and one hopes that the collective expertise and experience this group has will enable it to efficiently discharge the responsibility entrusted to it by the nation. Now that there will hopefully be no more “instructions from the top” regarding selection, training, coaching etc., one hopes that Indian hockey will again see an up-tick. Obviously, things cannot change in a month ot two. The new dispensation will have to work tirelessly at strengthening hockey at the grass-roots level and at restoring public confidence and pride in the Indian team and the sport at large. And for its side, what the Indian public will need to do is trust the new establishment – at least give it a fair trial- at least for the next few tournaments.