What's this India Business - The weather

While writing about the Weather in India, Paul says

"Then there is the monsoon. Regularly every year, from around the beginning of June, the rain belt creeps up the subcontinent. This is a matter of some discussion and analysis for the very good reason that lives depend on a good- that is, heavy - monsoon.

Like most cities, as soon as it rains even a little, Mumbai quickly comes to a halt. When the monsoon deluge starts it is like a massive seizure. If a taxi driver, without a second thought, moves himself out of the driving seat, rests his head against the door pillar, puts his feet up on the dashboard behind the steering wheel, and goes to sleep, that is some indication of how long the ensuing traffic jam will last.

This illustrates two points about India. The first is that the monsoon is seriously wet. The second is that taxi drivers go to sleep at the drop of a hat.

Once the monsoon starts in early June it will continue right to the end of September, give or take a week or two. It's not continuous rain, but when it is raining, you will know what it means to see wet people.

A raincot won't be much protection for the quick dash from your car. Use an umbrella - at least it may keep your hair dry."

What's this India Business?

Sree read this and said, its a must read for everyone in India or associated with India in any means.

I started reading this one, Preface to begin with and found it worth the read. First it sounded sarcastic, but fact, with the humor punch. I'm still reading this one, but already want to put the preface here.

Preface - Pack your suitcase

"Someone who goes through life without experiencing India misses a whole range of opportunities, paradoxes and contradictions. Where else in the World would you see electronic voting machines being transported to far-flung locations on the back of an elephant or the most advanced communications fiber being laid into the groung with only the help of pick and shovel? At the same time, there is a vibrancy about the business environment in India that can restore enthusiasm and make you want to take on the market anew.

A colleague of mine rolled up in India with two suitcases, one full of business clothes and toiletries, and one packed with cholocate bars - in case he couldn't get hold of any "civilized" food. I was also uncertain and unsure on my first visit, because India does not feel daunting in the West. But I was convinced it was going to be so different that it would change the way I saw both life and business.

I got to know life and business life in India over a number of years, some of which I spent as Managing Director of Unisys India. It was the most challenging and exciting period of my life. Without ever quite being able to anticipate what was going to happen, I had some real successes. I also made all the mistaked there are and learned from them. I hope you can be more wise and learn, not from your own mistakes, but from the mistakes of others - or more particularly, from mine.

So throw away that second suitcase and let's begin."