Latest controversy involving the Adani conglomerate

Reference to the latest controversy involving the Adani conglomerate, according to some media reports, the core of the allegation is that some discoms refused to get into agreements with 'Solar Energy Company of India' (SECL), because the price that SECL had committed to 'Adani Green' and 'Azure Power', was above the market rates - and Adanis then, the US regulator alleges, bribed state officials to get them to sign the agreements with SECL. The US case is based on the premise that this is where the corruption happened, and this is what 'Adani Green' did not tell investors in America.

It is here that the focus needs to be on SECL, which should make a statement that, all dealings with the two entities were as per the established norms laid down for any dealing, and the same were duly audited by their statutory auditors. and were found to be above board. Secondly, the discoms in question too need to come out in the open, and state that the said agreements being referred to, were signed only after following the established norms and procedures, and were subsequently duly audited by their statutory auditors, and no question marks were raised.

Certainly, the records/documents to substantiate the same, would be privileged information and can be revealed only to the right authorities, but for now to calm nerves, such statements should not be delayed.

Then a key source for the evidence may well have been a cellphone notes, which was used to track details of the bribes offered and promised. These notes included the names of the states, the exact amount paid to officials, the amount of power discoms would purchase, the per megawatt rate for the bribe offered, title of government officials among other details.

It would be only appropriate that such details are shared with our authorities, for a parallel investigation.

Though indictment means a formal accusation and not a conviction, and it is hoped that the conglomerate would be given ample opportunity to present their defense, before the final verdict is delivered, yet in the interests of our "Infra Diplomacy", it would only be prudent for us to take due note of the same, and initiate the steps required to come out clean.

Some ideas for Trump 2.0 to 'Make America Great Again'

* Instead of going ahead with the proposed tariff hikes on imports, across the board, which can only lead to a disastrous cycle retaliation and counter retaliation, it would be better if Trump 2.0 identifies key imports, majorly contributing to the trade imbalance, and encourage local production of the same, keeping in mind the 'Law of Comparative Advantage'. Here, America Inc. could play a vital role by examining what all it would take to locally produce the same, keeping price-value equation at par if not better from what the US consumers are getting from imports at present. Besides, the Trump 2.0 could also identify those foreign companies, having major share in their exports to the US, and encourage them to set up manufacturing units in the US. Among the various incentives considered for them could include, a corporate tax structure, which is inversely proportional to the number of tax-payers they create within their US based entities, and allowing them to import basis raw materials from their home countries at negligible import duties,

* On inflation, identify key items in the basket of everyday consumption, besides of course gasoline, which have recorded significant rise in price levels in the past four years, with the root causes. Fix those causes to the extent feasible, to bring down the cost of living, even if it means increasing imports of some items to cater to the demand. Yes, increasing gasoline production to tame it's price has to be a short fix, but that in no way should compromise on their overall commitment to encourage sustainable energies, to battle the climate change. Both can go on in parallel, without having to burden the average consumer right away, with hefty costs of such a transition to clean energy,

* Ukraine - While the return of Crimea is to Ukraine is off the table for the US, the least what they can insist on, is return of the 20% of it's territories being held by Russia, ever since it invaded two years back. As a quid-pro-quo, US can give guarantees on behalf of NATO to Russia, that Ukraine will not be admitted within their fold, but that will not deny the NATO members to participate in post war reconstruction in Ukraine. Furthermore, Russia needs also needs to give 'iron-clad' guarantees, that no further invasion of any other sovereign country will take place from its soil,

* Middle East - Impress upon the Palestinian leadership to dump Hamas, and enable the return of the Israeli hostages being held captive for over a year, at the earliest. Side-by-side, compel Israel to accept the 'two nation' formula, by recognizing the 'State of Palestine'. With Iran, try to renegotiate a new peace deal, by which Iran reigns its proxies in the 'Axis of Resistance', and commits to upholding human rights and also pledges to be a responsible power, and gets off the sanctions.

India is uniquely poised to play a dependable interlocutor, in enabling the above. 😊

Some Marketing ideas for Restaurants

Have often witnessed birthday celebrations at some popular restaurants, where the guests get their own cakes. Besides the cake-cutting after their meals, taking pics with smartphones, are only natural for those accompanying the "birthday boys or girls" of any age group. 😊

But have often wondered, how come some of the Managers or other senior staff, fail to react appropriately, to cash on at the special occasions, being celebrated at their restaurants?

Typically, the Managers or other senior staff, could come forward to greet the "birthday boys or girls", and offer some gift like a x% special discount on the spot on the total invoice value, or a "Be our special guest" voucher which entitles a meal for two, at say 50% discount etc? Besides, encourage those taking pics to post the same at Instagram or Facebook etc under hashtag#xyz restaurant, with a line "must try abc cuisine".

Those guests who actually do it on the spot, and show it to the Managers could be entitled to some "reward points", which are instantly communicated to them via sms or whatsapp. These reward points could be redeemed any time within a year.

Then, using their CRM systems, they can keep a track of their next birthdays and ensure at least a warm greeting to them on those special days. Whether or not this would translate into repeat visitations from those valued guests, is another matter, but at the very least, it would ensure a top-of-the-mind recall for their restaurants, which would definitely translate into a wider "word-of-the-mouth" publicity, and which in turn can lead to better footfalls, something badly needed in this age of Zomato and Swiggy led food deliveries.

Of course, same holds true for those celebrating other special occasions, like their wedding anniversaries etc😊