Although, let me hasten to add that it's still going to be
about a book.
This week, India dominated the Canadian Manufacturing
Technology Show (CMTS) in Toronto. Over 150 Indian engineering companies
participated in the show – all of them from the small and medium enterprise
sector. On display was Tata’s Nano, the world’s cheapest car and Mahindra Reva,
an electric car.
The Best of India in Services is a coffee table book (why
not tea table book? It’s India, after all) brought out by the India Brand
Equity Foundation. Ernst & Young has prepared the compilation.
It was released at a media conference earlier this week, following the inaugural of the India Show at the CMTS in Toronto.
It was released at a media conference earlier this week, following the inaugural of the India Show at the CMTS in Toronto.
It gives a glimpse of the enormous changes that are taking
place in India led by the exponential growth in the services sectors.
It updates the latest trends in sectors such as business
and professional services, education, engineering, real estate and
construction, financial services, healthcare, innovative concept services,
media and entertainment, research & development, retail, technology, telecommunications,
transportation and logistics, travel, tourism and hospitality.
Here’s a passage that best illustrates the deep roots of
Indovation (Indian innovations in technology that lead to affordable apps).
It’s about Mumbai’s dabbawallas.
“A small but unique business idea that the traditional
dabbawalas (lunchbox carriers) of Mumbai introduced way back in 1890 is a
thriving industry today. Mumbai dabbawalas deliver customised, home-cooked
meals to the clients for a monthly fee. The dabbawala in his Gandhi topi (cap)
is a permanent feature of Mumbai cultural landscape. Popular among school
children as well as as working people, these packages meals delivered in
special boxes are carried in trains to an unloading station, where they are
sorted by distinctive coloured destinations.
“In 1998, Forbes Global magazine conducted an analysis of
the system’s efficiency and subsequently awarded it a Six Sigma rating. The
concept has also been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records. Various
media channels, such as BBC, Zee TV, CNBC TV 18, CNN and Sony have made
documentaries on Mumbai dabbawalas.
"The world-renowned dabbawalas have lectured in management institutions
and even charmed Prince Charles! Inspired by the dabbawalas of India, women in
Canada have initiated the Tiffinday service.”
The book is full of many such factoids that underscore the depth of India’s determined march forward as an economic powerhouse.
