10. French -- Number of speakers: 129 million
Often called the most romantic language in the world, French is spoken in tons of countries, including Belgium, Canada, Rwanda, Cameroon, and Haiti. Oh, and France too. We're actually very lucky that French is so popular, because without it, we might have been stuck with Dutch Toast, Dutch Fries, and Dutch kissing (ew!).
To say "hello" in French, say "Bonjour" (bone-JOOR).
9. Malay—Indonesian Number of speakers: 159 million
Malay-Indonesian is spoken - surprise - in Malaysia and Indonesia. Actually, we kinda fudged the numbers on this one because there are many dialects of Malay, the most popular of which is Indonesian. But they're all pretty much based on the same root language, which makes it the ninth most-spoken in the world.Indonesia is a fascinating place; a nation made up of over 13,000 islands it is the sixth most populated country in the world. Malaysia borders on two of the larger parts of Indonesia (including the island of Borneo), and is mostly known for its capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
To say "hello" in Indonesian, say "Selamat pagi" (se-LA-maht PA-gee).
8. Portuguese -- Number of speakers: 191 million
Think of Portuguese as the little language that could. In the 12th Century, Portugal won its independence from Spain and expanded all over the world with the help of its famous explorers like Vasco da Gama and Prince Henry the Navigator. (Good thing Henry became a navigator . . . could you imagine if a guy named "Prince Henry the Navigator" became a florist?) Because Portugal got in so early on the exploring game, the language established itself all over the world, especially in Brazil (where it's the national language), Macau, Angola, Venezuela, and Mozambique.
To say "hello" in Portuguese, say "Bom dia" (bohn DEE-ah).
7. Bengali -- Number of speakers: 211 million
In Bangladesh, a country of 120+ million people, just about everybody speaks Bengali. And because Bangladesh is virtually surrounded by India (where the population is growing so fast, just breathing the air can get you pregnant), the number of Bengali speakers in the world is much higher than most people would expect.
To say "hello" in Bengali, say "Ei Je" (EYE-jay).
6. Arabic -- Number of speakers: 246 million
Arabic, one of the world's oldest languages, is spoken in the Middle East, with speakers found in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt. Furthermore, because Arabic is the language of the Koran, millions of Moslems in other countries speak Arabic as well. So many people have a working knowledge of Arabic, in fact, that in 1974 it was made the sixth official language of the United Nations.
To say "hello" in Arabic, say "Al salaam a'alaykum" (Ahl sah-LAHM ah ah-LAY-koom) .
5. Russian -- Number of speakers: 277 million
Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Yakov Smirnoff are among the millions of Russian speakers out there. Sure, we used to think of them as our Commie enemies. Now we think of them as our Commie friends. One of the six languages in the UN, Russian is spoken not only in the Mother Country, but also in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and the U.S. (to name just a few places).
To say "hello" in Russian, say "Zdravstvuite" (ZDRAST-vet- yah).
4. Spanish -- Number of speakers: 392 million
Aside from all of those kids who take it in high school, Spanish is spoken in just about every South American and Central American country, not to mention Spain, Cuba, and the U.S. There is a particular interest in Spanish in the U.S., as many English words are borrowed from the language, including: tornado, bonanza, patio, quesadilla, enchilada, and taco grande supreme.
To say "hello" in Spanish, say "Hola" (OH-la).
3. Hindustani -- Number of speakers: 497 million
Hindustani is the primary language of India's crowded population, and it encompasses a huge number of dialects (of which the most commonly spoken is Hindi). While many predict that the population of India will soon surpass that of China, the prominence of English in India prevents Hindustani from surpassing the most popular language in the world. If you're interested in learning a little Hindi, there's a very easy way: rent an Indian movie. The film industry in India is the most prolific in the world, making thousands of action/romance/ musicals every year.
To say "hello" in Hindustani, say "Namaste" (Nah-MAH-stay) .
2. English -- Number of speakers: 508 million
While English doesn't have the most speakers, it is the official language of more countries than any other language. Its speakers hail from all around the world, including the U.S., Australia, England, Zimbabwe, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Canada. We'd tell you more about English, but you probably feel pretty comfortable with the language already. Let's just move on to the most popular language in the world.
To say "hello" in English, say "What's up, freak?" (watz-UP-freek) .
1. Mandarin -- Number of speakers: 1 billion+
Surprise, surprise, the most widely spoken language on the planet is based in the most populated country on the planet, China. Beating second-place English by a 2 to 1 ratio, but don't let that lull you into thinking that Mandarin is easy to learn. Speaking Mandarin can be really tough, because each word can be pronounced in four ways (or "tones"), and a beginner will invariably have trouble distinguishing one tone from another. But if over a billion people could do it, so could you. Try saying hello!
To say "hello" in Mandarin, say "Ni hao" (Nee HaOW). ("Hao" is pronounced as one syllable, but the tone requires that you let your voice drop midway, and then raise it again at the end.)
February 28, 2008
Section 49-O of the Indian Constitution: "I VOTE NOBODY"
Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth,confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!
Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".
Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received"49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....
Please spread this news to as many as you know.... Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O).
There is also the Election Commission Handbook which has the rule. Check this link: http://archive. eci.gov.in/ handbook/ CandidateHB_ EVM_.pdf
pages 133 has Section 49-0 & pg 138 point no. 3.
Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O".
Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received"49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....
Please spread this news to as many as you know.... Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O).
There is also the Election Commission Handbook which has the rule. Check this link: http://archive. eci.gov.in/ handbook/ CandidateHB_ EVM_.pdf
pages 133 has Section 49-0 & pg 138 point no. 3.
June 28, 2007
PMO seeks to get Gandhi's Letter Back
Friday, June 29, 2007 (New Delhi)
A seven-page letter signed by Father of the Nation M K Gandhi goes under the hammer on July 3 in London.
Nineteen days before he fell to an assassin's bullets, a seven-page letter was written by Mahatma Gandhi in which he calls for tolerance towards Muslims and Urdu.
While time is fast running out for the Indian government, the pressure to get the manuscript back is mounting.
The Ministries of Culture and External affairs held a series of meetings on Thursday. On Friday, the Prime Minister's office is going to take the final call on how to do it. The options are:
Bid through organisations like the Nehru Museum and Library, as the government doesn't normally participate in auctions.
Ask the sale to be stopped by contesting the title of the manuscripts as the government feels the title of the manuscript is dubious.
The government can even seek an injunction against the sale.
Sources in the government say the manuscript perhaps has the same source as another lot of Gandhi papers that were up for sale in England in 1997 by the auction house Phillips.
An old picture shows L M Singhvi, the then Indian High Commissioner to the UK, receiving Gandhi's manuscripts.
This after he raised doubts about the title of Gandhi's papers, as all Gandhi writings are the property of Navjeevan Trust, as per Gandhi's last will dated February 20, 1940.
Surprisingly, sources in the Ministry of Culture and the Nehru Museum say the government acted late as it felt that the manuscript was not significant.
But those who know Gandhi say, once sold the manuscript will be lost forever.
Nineteen days before he fell to an assassin's bullets, a seven-page letter was written by Mahatma Gandhi in which he calls for tolerance towards Muslims and Urdu.
While time is fast running out for the Indian government, the pressure to get the manuscript back is mounting.
The Ministries of Culture and External affairs held a series of meetings on Thursday. On Friday, the Prime Minister's office is going to take the final call on how to do it. The options are:
Bid through organisations like the Nehru Museum and Library, as the government doesn't normally participate in auctions.
Ask the sale to be stopped by contesting the title of the manuscripts as the government feels the title of the manuscript is dubious.
The government can even seek an injunction against the sale.
Sources in the government say the manuscript perhaps has the same source as another lot of Gandhi papers that were up for sale in England in 1997 by the auction house Phillips.
An old picture shows L M Singhvi, the then Indian High Commissioner to the UK, receiving Gandhi's manuscripts.
This after he raised doubts about the title of Gandhi's papers, as all Gandhi writings are the property of Navjeevan Trust, as per Gandhi's last will dated February 20, 1940.
Surprisingly, sources in the Ministry of Culture and the Nehru Museum say the government acted late as it felt that the manuscript was not significant.
But those who know Gandhi say, once sold the manuscript will be lost forever.
June 20, 2007
Rig Veda becomes 'World Inheritance'
In the 60th year of Indian independence, here’s a reason that will make historians swell up with pride.
The medieval Indian manuscripts including the Rig Veda –restricted only to its practitioners till now – have now been selected for inscription in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, 2007.
While the Rig Veda has been selected from Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, other Indian nominations include the IAS Tamil Medic Manuscript Collection (1997), Archives of the Dutch East India Company (2003), a Dutch nomination, and the Saiva Manuscripts in Pondicherry (2005).
The Vedas are the first literary documents in the history of humankind, and they transcend far beyond their identity as scriptures.
The Rig Veda, oldest of the four Vedas, is among the 38 items of documentary heritage of exceptional value which have been added to the prestigious register, bringing the total number of inscriptions since 1997 to 158.
It is a collection of 1028 hymns of exceptional literary qualities eulogising the Vedic deities and is said to be the source of the Aryan culture.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni welcomed the move and said India's cultural heritage “always brought happiness to all the countrymen.”
The recommendation to include Rig Veda was floated by the International Advisory Committee, which met in Pretoria (South Africa) from June 11 to 15 and was formally accepted by UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura.
The programme for the Memory of the World was initiated by UNESCO in 1990s to honour significant landmarks in the world’s documentary heritage and have them recorded as world's inheritance.
The Memory of the World programme claims to guard the world against collective amnesia by preservation of the valuable archival holdings and library collections all over the world. These are thereafter made available in the public domain for dissmeniation and awareness.
The National Mission for Manuscripts of the Culture Ministry had submitted the nomination on behalf of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
Out of the total number of 28,000 Manuscripts housed at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, the 30 manuscripts of the Rig Veda form a valuable part of the collection.
Besides the Rig Veda, the list of 38 items of documentary heritage includes Unpublished Papers of Christopher Okigbo, considered one of the most renowned African poets of the 20th century, killed during the civil war in Nigeria.
Human Rights Documentary Heritage, 1976-1983 (Argentina), The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906-Australia), the world's first feature-length film, and The Convict Records of Australia: written account of the deportation over 80 years (1788-1868) of some 165,000 convicts from the UK, who founded the independent Australian Commonwealth also find a place in this year's entry .
Further, The Tabula Peutingeriana or Peutinger's Table (Australia), the only surviving ancient map depicting the road network of the Roman Empire's public communications service, and Canada's Hudsons Bay Company Archival records, which played a crucial role in Canada's creation, have also been included in the prestigious list.
The medieval Indian manuscripts including the Rig Veda –restricted only to its practitioners till now – have now been selected for inscription in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register, 2007.
While the Rig Veda has been selected from Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, other Indian nominations include the IAS Tamil Medic Manuscript Collection (1997), Archives of the Dutch East India Company (2003), a Dutch nomination, and the Saiva Manuscripts in Pondicherry (2005).
The Vedas are the first literary documents in the history of humankind, and they transcend far beyond their identity as scriptures.
The Rig Veda, oldest of the four Vedas, is among the 38 items of documentary heritage of exceptional value which have been added to the prestigious register, bringing the total number of inscriptions since 1997 to 158.
It is a collection of 1028 hymns of exceptional literary qualities eulogising the Vedic deities and is said to be the source of the Aryan culture.
Culture and Tourism Minister Ambika Soni welcomed the move and said India's cultural heritage “always brought happiness to all the countrymen.”
The recommendation to include Rig Veda was floated by the International Advisory Committee, which met in Pretoria (South Africa) from June 11 to 15 and was formally accepted by UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura.
The programme for the Memory of the World was initiated by UNESCO in 1990s to honour significant landmarks in the world’s documentary heritage and have them recorded as world's inheritance.
The Memory of the World programme claims to guard the world against collective amnesia by preservation of the valuable archival holdings and library collections all over the world. These are thereafter made available in the public domain for dissmeniation and awareness.
The National Mission for Manuscripts of the Culture Ministry had submitted the nomination on behalf of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
Out of the total number of 28,000 Manuscripts housed at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune, the 30 manuscripts of the Rig Veda form a valuable part of the collection.
Besides the Rig Veda, the list of 38 items of documentary heritage includes Unpublished Papers of Christopher Okigbo, considered one of the most renowned African poets of the 20th century, killed during the civil war in Nigeria.
Human Rights Documentary Heritage, 1976-1983 (Argentina), The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906-Australia), the world's first feature-length film, and The Convict Records of Australia: written account of the deportation over 80 years (1788-1868) of some 165,000 convicts from the UK, who founded the independent Australian Commonwealth also find a place in this year's entry .
Further, The Tabula Peutingeriana or Peutinger's Table (Australia), the only surviving ancient map depicting the road network of the Roman Empire's public communications service, and Canada's Hudsons Bay Company Archival records, which played a crucial role in Canada's creation, have also been included in the prestigious list.
February 25, 2007
Muscovite impresses with his mastery of Tamil
Alexander M. Dubianskiy
His chaste Tamil surprises you. Alexander M.Dubianskiy hails from Moscow. He and his Tamil language students were in Chennai recently.
He met music director Ilaiyaraaja, Gangai Ameran and writer Jayakanthan. He is particular that his studentsfollow him in speaking the language with the correct pronunciation.
Dr. Dubianskiy spoke to S.R.Ashok Kumar about his passion for the Tamil Language.
Alexander M.Dubianskiy holds a doctorate in Tamil Language and literature and works in the Department of Indian philology, Institute of Asian and African studies, Moscow State University.
He visits Tamil Nadu every second year. This time, four of his students accompanied him and they all went round Tamil Nadu.
"When I wanted to go for higher studies, a friend who studied in the oriental language department in the University of Moscow wanted me to pursue the same courses he was studying — Hindi and Sanskrit. That year, in 1965, a new group of students started studying Tamil. I joined them. Today, I am happy that I have learnt a new and rich language.
"That was the first group that studied the language. The university did not have a full-fledged Tamil scholar at that time.
"Students and people from Tamil Nadu helped the lecturers. Tamil fascinated me very much due to its rich literature and poetry.
"After finishing my course I decided to pursue a postgraduate course in Tamil mainly to learn more about the language."
Dr. Dubianskiy soon started teaching Tamil literature. "But that was when it was called the Soviet Union. Now there are practically no jobs for people studying Tamil in Russia. I hope something will be done soon ... "
He feels it is his duty to sustain the study of Tamil because he considers Tamil and Tamil culture an important part of Indian culture.
Although, he completed his doctorate in 1974, the academic came to India only in 1978-79.
"I studied in the University of Madras under the guidance of some very knowledgeable people such as Professor N. Sanjeevi. I was very friendly with my teacher Prof. Pon Kothandaraman (Porko)."
His research thesis was on Sangam poetry — an area on which he has guided other students too, as also the poems of Subramania Bharathi.
Dr. Dubianskiy says has learnt something from every visit. This is his 12th visit to the State.
His one great wish: "I want somebody to take my place and spread the Tamil language. I also want more students to learn it."
He met music director Ilaiyaraaja, Gangai Ameran and writer Jayakanthan. He is particular that his studentsfollow him in speaking the language with the correct pronunciation.
Dr. Dubianskiy spoke to S.R.Ashok Kumar about his passion for the Tamil Language.
Alexander M.Dubianskiy holds a doctorate in Tamil Language and literature and works in the Department of Indian philology, Institute of Asian and African studies, Moscow State University.
He visits Tamil Nadu every second year. This time, four of his students accompanied him and they all went round Tamil Nadu.
"When I wanted to go for higher studies, a friend who studied in the oriental language department in the University of Moscow wanted me to pursue the same courses he was studying — Hindi and Sanskrit. That year, in 1965, a new group of students started studying Tamil. I joined them. Today, I am happy that I have learnt a new and rich language.
"That was the first group that studied the language. The university did not have a full-fledged Tamil scholar at that time.
"Students and people from Tamil Nadu helped the lecturers. Tamil fascinated me very much due to its rich literature and poetry.
"After finishing my course I decided to pursue a postgraduate course in Tamil mainly to learn more about the language."
Dr. Dubianskiy soon started teaching Tamil literature. "But that was when it was called the Soviet Union. Now there are practically no jobs for people studying Tamil in Russia. I hope something will be done soon ... "
He feels it is his duty to sustain the study of Tamil because he considers Tamil and Tamil culture an important part of Indian culture.
Although, he completed his doctorate in 1974, the academic came to India only in 1978-79.
"I studied in the University of Madras under the guidance of some very knowledgeable people such as Professor N. Sanjeevi. I was very friendly with my teacher Prof. Pon Kothandaraman (Porko)."
His research thesis was on Sangam poetry — an area on which he has guided other students too, as also the poems of Subramania Bharathi.
Dr. Dubianskiy says has learnt something from every visit. This is his 12th visit to the State.
His one great wish: "I want somebody to take my place and spread the Tamil language. I also want more students to learn it."
February 06, 2007
Iron Lady of a lost cause
Irom Sharmila Chanu's story is magnetic in its moral force, yet not violent or binding. It's heroic, yet rooted. It's self-sacrificing. Irom's struggle talks about human life when it's robbed one of its most essential commodity -dignity.
Irom hasn't eaten a morsel of food or taken a drop of water for the past six years.
Synonymous with the agitation against the Armed Forced Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Irom Sharmila demands that the draconian act 'must go' to restore peace in the state.
"I can't tolerate the atrocities on my contemporaries and on my people. This is God's will and I will carry on. It's intolerable," she says.
Today, she weighs just 37 kgs and most of her body organs are wasted. For the past six years, the Indian state has kept her alive on a cocktail of vitamins and nutrients and she is forcibly fed twice a day through her nose.
Charged with attempt to suicide, Sharmila has been in the custody of the Delhi Police for the past one year and five police personnel guard her round the clock.
Irom Sharmila, a poet, a Gandhian on a modern-day satygraha, is today a high security prisoner.
Those who come to visit her at Room No 8 in the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in the Capital—where is is currently lodged—are searched, their gifts opened, and conversations overheard.
In a nation that reveres the principles of Ahimsa and Satyagraha one of Gandhi's greatest followers has been forgotten.
Irom hasn't eaten a morsel of food or taken a drop of water for the past six years.
Synonymous with the agitation against the Armed Forced Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Irom Sharmila demands that the draconian act 'must go' to restore peace in the state.
"I can't tolerate the atrocities on my contemporaries and on my people. This is God's will and I will carry on. It's intolerable," she says.
Today, she weighs just 37 kgs and most of her body organs are wasted. For the past six years, the Indian state has kept her alive on a cocktail of vitamins and nutrients and she is forcibly fed twice a day through her nose.
Charged with attempt to suicide, Sharmila has been in the custody of the Delhi Police for the past one year and five police personnel guard her round the clock.
Irom Sharmila, a poet, a Gandhian on a modern-day satygraha, is today a high security prisoner.
Those who come to visit her at Room No 8 in the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in the Capital—where is is currently lodged—are searched, their gifts opened, and conversations overheard.
In a nation that reveres the principles of Ahimsa and Satyagraha one of Gandhi's greatest followers has been forgotten.
January 30, 2007
Moment of fulfillment for India, Ratan Tata
Shy, reticent almost reclusive—Ratan Tata seems almost opposite of what a chairman of India’s largest corporate house might be. But time and again he has displayed a spine of steel.
Ratan Tata is one of the most respected corporate chieftains in India. However, there's a still a lack of clarity about who'll be his successor after his planned retirement in 2012.
With the latest acquisition of London-based steelmaker Corus, Tata has certainly arrived on the global arena.
That's a short snapshot of Ratan Tata, 69, who controls the $22bn Tata group, which includes 96 companies manufacturing a range of products from automobiles to watches, steel to fertilisers.
Aggressive tycoon:
Way back in 1962 a young Ratan Tata fresh out from studies in the US joined the house of the Tatas. Over the next 30-years he worked in almost every group company before the legendry JRD Tata chose him as the chairman of the group.
Almost immediately he faced criticism for his decisions to sell Tata oil mills and move out of ACC—the largest cement company at the time. Besides, at the group’s headquarters he was opposed by the stalwarts he had tipped to the chairman posts.
Rusi Modi of Tata Steel and Ajit Kerkar of Indian Hotels seemed unhappy with him at the helm but he managed to ease them out. He then focussed on his dream project—an indigenous passenger car. In 1998 Tata motors unveiled the Indica. It transported the company from a commercial vehicle maker to one of India’s biggest carmakers.
In 2000, Tata’s bought the Teteley Tea. Since then they have been buying companies worth thousands of crore.
Today, the smooth, suave, and introvert Ratan is being seen as an aggressive and ambitious businessman, whose strategic vision has shifted from local to global.
In a recent interview, Ratan Tata said: "We were very obsessed with ourselves in India. So, I have felt for some time that we didn't need to be that."
This realisation has struck many Indian promoters and, after the Tata-Corus deal, India's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) outflows will exceed FDI inflows in the first seven months of this financial year.
Crucial Milestones :
As the group entered the 21st century, Ratan Tata was obsessed with four critical issues.
The first was to globalise his group's operations, where he has succeeded to a certain extent.
The second was to safeguard his companies against possible hostile takeovers after the London-based Indian, Lakshmi Mittal, purchased the Luxembourg-based Arcelor early last year to become the world's largest steelmaker, and announced his ambitious plans in India.
So, to thwart any threats, Tata decided to up his stakes in most of the group companies.
Lone Fighter:
The unmarried Ratan Tata had to look for a successor. There were several candidates - including his step-brother, Noel - but none of them had an established track record. Some of them didn't have the character to carry on the legacy of a group that's synonymous with reliability of products, honesty, integrity and public service.
Last year, the retirement age for non-executive directors of Tata Sons, the holding company, was raised from 70 to 75 years.
The Corus buyout makes Tata Steel the world's fifth largest steelmaker.
But it needs to play the catch-up game with Mittal. Tata has to do the same with Mukesh Ambani, the promoter of India's largest private sector firm, Reliance Industries, which aims to be among the top 100 in the Fortune 500 list.
Ratan Tata is one of the most respected corporate chieftains in India. However, there's a still a lack of clarity about who'll be his successor after his planned retirement in 2012.
With the latest acquisition of London-based steelmaker Corus, Tata has certainly arrived on the global arena.
That's a short snapshot of Ratan Tata, 69, who controls the $22bn Tata group, which includes 96 companies manufacturing a range of products from automobiles to watches, steel to fertilisers.
Aggressive tycoon:
Way back in 1962 a young Ratan Tata fresh out from studies in the US joined the house of the Tatas. Over the next 30-years he worked in almost every group company before the legendry JRD Tata chose him as the chairman of the group.
Almost immediately he faced criticism for his decisions to sell Tata oil mills and move out of ACC—the largest cement company at the time. Besides, at the group’s headquarters he was opposed by the stalwarts he had tipped to the chairman posts.
Rusi Modi of Tata Steel and Ajit Kerkar of Indian Hotels seemed unhappy with him at the helm but he managed to ease them out. He then focussed on his dream project—an indigenous passenger car. In 1998 Tata motors unveiled the Indica. It transported the company from a commercial vehicle maker to one of India’s biggest carmakers.
In 2000, Tata’s bought the Teteley Tea. Since then they have been buying companies worth thousands of crore.
Today, the smooth, suave, and introvert Ratan is being seen as an aggressive and ambitious businessman, whose strategic vision has shifted from local to global.
In a recent interview, Ratan Tata said: "We were very obsessed with ourselves in India. So, I have felt for some time that we didn't need to be that."
This realisation has struck many Indian promoters and, after the Tata-Corus deal, India's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) outflows will exceed FDI inflows in the first seven months of this financial year.
Crucial Milestones :
As the group entered the 21st century, Ratan Tata was obsessed with four critical issues.
The first was to globalise his group's operations, where he has succeeded to a certain extent.
The second was to safeguard his companies against possible hostile takeovers after the London-based Indian, Lakshmi Mittal, purchased the Luxembourg-based Arcelor early last year to become the world's largest steelmaker, and announced his ambitious plans in India.
So, to thwart any threats, Tata decided to up his stakes in most of the group companies.
Lone Fighter:
The unmarried Ratan Tata had to look for a successor. There were several candidates - including his step-brother, Noel - but none of them had an established track record. Some of them didn't have the character to carry on the legacy of a group that's synonymous with reliability of products, honesty, integrity and public service.
Last year, the retirement age for non-executive directors of Tata Sons, the holding company, was raised from 70 to 75 years.
The Corus buyout makes Tata Steel the world's fifth largest steelmaker.
But it needs to play the catch-up game with Mittal. Tata has to do the same with Mukesh Ambani, the promoter of India's largest private sector firm, Reliance Industries, which aims to be among the top 100 in the Fortune 500 list.
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