<div>It is tempting to write about the pros and cons of FDI in retail. But enough has been said about it. With every step like this, many people benefit but some lose out. Among those who lose out are those who just could not withstand competition. But the larger good of the economy and society outweighs the interest of a few.</div><div> </div><div>In this piece I am keen not to talk about FDI but about how every change is opposed, accepted and then embraced. Surprisingly, it is often by the same people who did not want the change.</div><div> </div><div>Decades ago when computerisation began in the country, there were many sniggers. How could a country without adequate power and literacy ever succeed with computers. Government departments bought computers since budgets had been allocated, but most officials chose to ignore them. They computers were installed in their offices or those of their assistants. Mostly they were used as adornment or paper weights.</div><div> </div><div>Slowly but surely, the adoption increased and improved. Now it is a rare officer who doesn't use a computer.</div><div> </div><div>Similarly, telecom reforms were announced, there was country-wide concern about the misdirected priorities of the government. Why would a poor country want mobile phones. This was a toy of the rich and the poor would never benefit. As always the socialists and leftists were among the most vocal protestors.</div><div> </div><div>There were security concerns about foreign investment in the so called sensitive sector like telecom. The labour unions of government run telecom utilities were up in arms. They fretted about potential job losses.</div><div> </div><div>Mobile phones today empower more than 600 million, with half of them in rural areas. What we take for granted today was seen as a national sellout at one time.</div><div> </div><div>When the government encouraged private banks in India, the socialists and leftist again protested government run bank unions went of strike. They still do.</div><div> </div><div>But private banks used technology in a way that government banks never imagined. The smart government banks reinvented themselves. Few people can say that private banks have not helped the citizens. Financial inclusion for all is still a while away, but it is real possibility.</div><div> </div><div>Even the entry of foreign insurance companies in India had met with stiff resistance from trade unions and political parties. Today, the country is the better for it.</div><div> </div><div>Everybody who is opposing FDI retail today will accept it a few months later and even benefit from it. In any change the important issue is to support those who will suffer from it. Some of the concerns around FDI in retail are valid. The debate should be about how to help the kirana store evolve. The debate should be to ensure that farmers don't get squeezed by big buyers.</div><div> </div><div>A few years later, when another reform is being debated, we might just quote the example of how FDI in retail came through a huge storm.</div><div> </div><div>If only we could skip the initial protest and go straight to constructive debate.</div><div> </div><div>(Pranjal Sharma is a senior business writer. He can be contacted at pranjalx@gmail.com)</div>
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