__p The tsunami cyclone, triggered by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake off the southeast coast of Indonesian island of Sumatra in the early hours of December 26, has turned the coastal belt of southern India into a theatre of the macabre. This is apart from large-scale loss of life and devastation in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
p____p What is distressing is the fact that this tidal onslaught was a disaster waiting to happen. It had twice in the past ravaged southern India, the first in 1945 and then again in 1977. In this context it is a sad commentary that despite technology being at hand to forearm against the tsunami strike, government, taking a short-term view, thought it best to give it the short shrift.
p____p Considering the infrequency of the cyclone and the cost-benefit factor, government deemed it prudent not to invest approx Rs 1,000 crore in a tsunami warning center. The enormous loss of life and property has painfully exposed the perils of this myopic view.
p____p One cannot make allowance for the unexpected, in life as in business. But channel partners would do well to take a long-term view of things when planning their business strategies for 2005. A fact painfully underlined by this colossal tragedy.
p____p Year 2005 is undoubtedly going to be a watershed year for the Indian IT industry no two thoughts about it. While it will indeed bring good tidings for the enterprising players, who have for long felt shackled by outdated business practices and policies, the bells will also toll the end of an era of chalta hai.
p____p The market too holds more promise than ever before what with segments like notebooks, PDAs, wi-fi, digicams, etc, once the domain of the upper crust, now set to flourish with wider reach with competitive pricing. The industry is also witnessing widening geographical penetration by PCs. The B, C and D class cities have emerged the new playground for the manufacturers.
p____p There is no dearth of business opportunities nor will there be of players, both domestic and global kind. The competition is going to be that much tougher, but not for the really enterprising and dynamic, who thrive on challenges. We are indeed in for some exciting times ahead.
p____p The impact of the recent shakeout in the industry in the form of merger / acquisition between IBM-Loveno, Oracle-PeopleSoft, and Symantec-Veritas not to mention the earlier mega merger of Tech Pacific with Ingram Micro will have a ripple effect in the New Tear. The year 2005 is likely to see more mergers and takeovers as the consolidation process gathers momentum, and companies look to increase their profitability.
p____p With old, and outdated, market strategies making way for new stratagems, propelled by new government and WTO trade policies, in the New Year, the channel will be literally ringing in a year of growth and prosperity for the dynamic and visionary.
p____p Before I sign off this year-ending piece, I would like to appeal to all to reach out assistance in whatever kind possible to the victims of this catastrophe. Going by past record, one can expect government only to come up with another additional cess, as in the case of Latur and Gujarat quake, with little transparency.
p__