Ever since Anna Hazaare's crusade against corruption gained momentum,
India's politicians have injected renewed vigour into exercising their
right to protest. They believe that if they create a noise big enough,
public support will materialise from nowhere. Instant legitimacy for
whatever cause has caught their fancy.
The cause in vogue today is retail FDI. The government is for it so by definition, the opposition must oppose. Regardless of ideology or the people they claim to represent. The opposition's most vocal protesters are from the 'left' parties, with communist leanings but whose interest are they really serving through this protest? Not the common public for sure. Retail FDI and big chains like Walmart expanding operations will provide many benefits like better access, cheaper prices and greater job opportunities, all of which will benefit most of the population. Those already employed in the retail sector will not be threatened. Their employers will be forced to treat them better as the risk of attrition becomes stronger.
Who, if anyone, will suffer when retail FDI opens up? A handful of traders who own retail shops and home-grown retail chains who will face competition in retaining their customers, employees and profit margins. This too is a short-term prospect if they have the willingness to adapt. International retail giants will bring more than just money to the industry - there is a real opportunity to learn from them and improvise, which is the key strength of Indian businesses.
So why the hue and cry? Communists are trying to gain political mileage by supporting a handful of capitalists, who have inadequate faith in their ability to handle market forces...as the saying goes, "it happens only in India!"
The cause in vogue today is retail FDI. The government is for it so by definition, the opposition must oppose. Regardless of ideology or the people they claim to represent. The opposition's most vocal protesters are from the 'left' parties, with communist leanings but whose interest are they really serving through this protest? Not the common public for sure. Retail FDI and big chains like Walmart expanding operations will provide many benefits like better access, cheaper prices and greater job opportunities, all of which will benefit most of the population. Those already employed in the retail sector will not be threatened. Their employers will be forced to treat them better as the risk of attrition becomes stronger.
Who, if anyone, will suffer when retail FDI opens up? A handful of traders who own retail shops and home-grown retail chains who will face competition in retaining their customers, employees and profit margins. This too is a short-term prospect if they have the willingness to adapt. International retail giants will bring more than just money to the industry - there is a real opportunity to learn from them and improvise, which is the key strength of Indian businesses.
So why the hue and cry? Communists are trying to gain political mileage by supporting a handful of capitalists, who have inadequate faith in their ability to handle market forces...as the saying goes, "it happens only in India!"
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