“Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them.” — John C Maxwell
The Narendra Modi government has completed 100 days in its second term. If there is one leitmotif that defines this period, it’s the economic slowdown. It’s also true, however, that the government has been responsive to the pressing economic issues.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has, in a series of announcements, addressed the needs of sectors as diverse as exports and housing. The government also said more announcements are on the way. We take stock of the Modi government’s 100 days in office in a special feature this issue.
We also got experts to write on what it would take to realise India’s $5-trillion vision.
There is, however, no escape from the slowdown. If one were looking for any evidence, look no further than the drying IPO market. As against 2018, the IPOs in 2019 have all but dried up. They have been far fewer in number this year, with many companies preferring to wait and watch even after getting the go-ahead from the regulator. We look at the two successful IPOs — IndiaMART and Affle India — that came after the new government was sworn in, and try to decode the secrets to a successful IPO.
We, thus, feature them on our cover. IndiaMART’s Dinesh Agarwal was on BW Businessworld’s cover in the issue dated May 14, 2001. This goes to show that we don’t leave a story once we have broken it!
In this issue, we also look at whether the coming festive season will bring cheer to India Inc. and businesses, or whether we are set to witness a dark Diwali. We ask this question on the second cover.
We also have a few other interesting stories. One, for instance, is on the booming Durga Puja economy, which extends far beyond the traditional frontiers of West Bengal. So, will the puja economy be affected by the slowdown? Read the story and find out for yourself.
An important book to have come out recently is on the RSS by its long-time pracharak Sunil Ambekar. In an interaction with BW Businessworld, he outlines what the Sangh thinks about the economy and the model that India should follow.
In Last Word, BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav stresses that while the $5-trillion vision is important, so is India’s march as a clean, corruption-free economy under Narendra Modi.
The current issue of BW Businessworld comes with all other regular features and columns.
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