Cybercities: Exploring the New Business Economies of South India
Dr. Jothi V. Kumar
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) is a public, comprehensive, land-grant university committed to fulfilling its fundamental purposes through exemplary undergraduate and graduate instruction, scholarly and creative research, and effective public service. The challenges of preparing our students to meet the complex needs of the global society necessitate that these exemplary and relevant educational experiences are inherently global in nature and interdisciplinary in focus. My interest in attending the International Faculty Development Seminar (IFDS) in India, June 1-12, 2007, was to:
- Develop study abroad opportunities for chemistry majors
- Find international exchange programs for both chemistry faculty and students
- Recruit international students to our chemistry program
- Explore and expand research opportunities in nanocomposites
- Involve chemistry students in the global cluster program that is currently under development at A&T
I was unable to meet some of the Chemistry Department Chairpersons when I was in India because it was summer holidays for them. But, I met with the Chair, Dr. Tamilarasi, of Chemistry Department at Queen Mary’s College in Chennai on two occasions and talked to them about an exchange program and collaboration. They needed some chemistry textbooks and virtual laboratory manual. I have already sent the manuals along with CDs and waiting for the list of books they need. They have nominated a student to our program and she is in the process of completing her application package.
I met with Professor Mariappan Periasamy, Dean of Chemistry Department, at University of Hyderabad (UH) and discussed student exchange and research collaboration. He is also interested and engaged in biofuels research which is same as mine. University of Hyderabad has a well established foreign exchange program in humanities and business school. Dr. Vasudeva Rao and Ms. G.V. Kavitha, hosts of this IFDS program, are in-charge of that exchange program at the University of Hyderabad. They will help me in the future on any exchange of students and/or faculty between NC A&T and (UH).
I will soon be making a presentation about my trip to this IFDS to Global studies group as well as chemistry students and faculty. They will then make up their minds to go on an exchange program at UH. US students can take courses in UH and transfer the credits to any US institutions of Higher education. Also, I noticed a lot of students stayed back and worked for those high tech companies in India.
Apart from learning about the new economies of the high tech revolution in India, this trip introduced me to micro-financing and how it is operated by non-Governmental officers (NGOs) in India. The high tech revolution has divided India into two: rich and poor India with the middle class shrinking. There are people who are making million rupees per month and others who barely make Rs.1000. With as little as Rs. 10,000, a family of four can start a small business at home, get financing from the NGOs, and live comfortably while repaying the loan from the NGOs. These businesses are usually started by the housewives and run very successfully. While I was there, I had an opportunity to help a young man start his own business. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I plan to continue working on this micro-financing concept during my retirement.
Another important lesson learned from this trip is the value Indians have put on EDUCATING the children who are abused under CHILD LABOR. There is a lot to learn from those DEDICATED individuals who gather, mentor, and educate the children (of uneducated parents) in small remote villages in and around Hyderabad. This program run by M.V. Foundation prepare the students up to 7th grade and then main-stream them into public education at the high school levels. It was nice to see some of the graduates of M.V. Foundation volunteer to mentor the children in those small villages as well as financially help them. Some of those graduates are currently working in the high tech companies and serve as role models to these children.
One of the negatives of the high tech revolution in India is to do with its effect on culture. Potential brides’ and bridegrooms’ families DO NOT WANT their children marrying any one who is working in the call centers and some of the high tech companies. The reason is the demand put on their time and inflexible work hours. Eastern culture does not allow DIVORCES much. Westernized life style while preserving the eastern culture has become very challenging to many of the families.
Agriculture, one of the major sectors, needed for the survival of many in India has been neglected to a point that the farmers are demanding a separate state where they expect their Government to support them. This is changing the political environment in that country.
Banking has eased up on transporting US dollars (up to 10,000) in and out that country. Inflation has gone up and the real estate market is beyond reach for most of the Indians. The infrastructure to support the high tech revolution is not in place yet. This has created transportation problems in that country.
Exposure to the above enriched my experience and I plan to educate people around me with these lessons. All-in all, I thoroughly enjoyed and got educated on this trip. Thanks to Ping foundation for supporting me in this travel.