To me, business isn’t about wearing suits or pleasing stockholders. It’s about being true to yourself, your ideas, and focusing on the essentials. – Sir Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Group
In his first major interaction with Secretaries to Government of India, PM Narendra Modi stressed on working towards enhancing our “ease of living”. Toilets for all, gas stoves for the poor, power connections in the remotest corners, etc. have been the major steps for the ease of living under the Modi regime. Now the government has turned its attention to water and air. For instance, it strives to provide piped tap water to everyone by 2022.
PM Modi is not just concerned about the ease of doing business. Ease of living is equally, if not more, important. In other words, even in his second term, we will see a pro-active welfare nation, while reforms are expected to be expedited.
Talking about reforms, the Union Budget is the first major instrument of intent that we will see in the coming weeks. With a slowdown knocking on our doors, and rural distress and jobs crisis demanding urgent attention, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be tested.
It is the CEO’s stamp, however, that will be writ large on the Budget document. When we talk about the CEO here, we refer to PM Modi — whose primary responsibility is to maximise returns for all stakeholders. In the journey so far, he has done an admirable job, with nearly half of India now rooting for him.
This is the season of CEOs for us. With corporate results coming in, and with BW Businessworld coming out with the much-awaited annual Most Valuable CEOs issue, we showcase and celebrate the CEOs who have generated maximum value for the shareholders. Much like CEO Modi.
Even in the challenging times like these, these CEOs through sheer grit and determination ensure that their companies come up with out-of-the-box ideas to stay ahead of the curve. And they come from across industries. You will enjoy these CEOs’ journeys in this edition of BW Businessworld.
This issue also has some riveting in-depths. Auto has been one of the worst-affected sectors in the economy, with sales touching an all-time low. Government feels it’s more to do with a credit squeeze than any actual slowdown. The problem, however, is for real, and we look at the way forward on the embattled sector.
The Indo-US ties, otherwise buoyant, have seen hiccups lately, whether it’s trade ties or visas. We examine solutions to the vexed issue with inputs from the US.
Farm distress has been one of the oft-repeated theme of our times. Various governments have come up with various means to counter it. Congress governments have insisted on farm loan waiver, as in Madhya Pradesh. But the story in not that hunky dory, as the special report from the Kamal Nath-ruled state shows us in this issue of BW Businessworld.
We also carry all other regular features and columns.
Do keep sending in your feedback.
Happy reading!