The entry of retail giants like Wal-Mart into India should not be a matter of concern as Indians abroad, particularly in Britain and the US, have effectively taken on such chains and prospered, says Britain-based business magnate Lord Swaraj Paul. Similarly, the opening of Reliance Fresh outlets across the country would not drive neighbourhood shopkeepers out of business, the Indian-born British peer contended.

"Why should the entry of chains like Wal-Mart be a concern here? Indian businessmen in Britain and the US are prospering in spite of these chains because they have created a niche for themselves," Paul told reporters here Sunday evening. "When Indians can take on (such chains) on their own turf, why should it be a problem here? The trick lies in finding the way to do so," he maintained on the sidelines of a function to launch a magazine aimed at NRIs.

"Everyone has a role to play. It's just a question of adapting to the changed circumstances," stated Paul, who has been honoured for his role in furthering India-Britain ties. Speaking about these ties, he expressed confidence they would be further strengthened with Gordon Brown becoming the British prime minister.

"Brown is much more committed to India (than his predecessors) because he sees India as a partner and not just from the point of view of investment and trade," Paul pointed out. Brown's predecessors Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair "did magnificent work" in promoting India-Britain ties and "much more will happen now", he maintained.

Paul also spoke of the need for inclusive growth if the true benefits of the booming economy were to reach those who needed it the most. "I am a very passionate believer that India should be called a developed country but this is miles away because there is no concentration on the core issues," he stated.

He listed these core issues as poverty, education, healthcare and the "disgraceful" treatment of women. "The abysmal instances of female foeticide, particularly in Punjab and Haryana make me ashamed, particularly because I trace my roots to Punjab," Paul said. "Progress comes not by singing songs of economic development but by ensuring all the 1.1 billion Indians benefit. Of course, the fruits of development will not reach all the people, but one should at least try," he stated.

Social indicators eclipse India's growth: Swraj Paul
New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS)

Lord Paul spoke again in New Delhi on Octover 1, 2007, citing that India's high economic growth will be unacceptable if 35% of its people continue to merely subsist on less than a dollar a day and children are denied basic education, Swraj Paul said.

"India is changing, people are realising their potential, and their demands and expectations are rising. But what is lacking is a serious attempt at alleviating the lot of the poor," Paul said in a lecture delivered at a function organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).

"India must grapple with and find credible answers to problems of educating its masses, proving healthcare to them and tackling the menace of corruption," he said. Paul said the number of Indians with higher education was a mere seven percent, compared with 50 percent in Britain and 47 percent in the G-8 countries. India, he added, compared unfavourably with even some African countries.

"Without education and healthcare, there is little chance of productivity going up," Lord Paul said, and hastened to add: "These are not responsibilities of the government alone." Paul, who is also chairman of the diversified Caparo Group, accordingly advised Indian business community to look at these twin social issues seriously and said their businesses stood to gain with higher productivity.

Paul said India needed greater policy focus on education and that the government needed to move away from speeches by politicians to actual delivery. "There is far too much discussion on policy," he pointed out. He also said that corruption was another issue that was not being fought hard. "If you are ready to walk out, you won't have a problem. It is very easy to find a solution that is faster, but in the long run, it doesn't help."

On globalisation, he was emphatic in saying that the phenomenon was unstoppable, but added that it would prove meaningless without free movement of people along with merchandise. "Competition should be of a level that it hurts. That alone will help produce better and cheaper products," he opined.

Paul also described India's population as an asset, and said the world today was recognising India because of its good people. "Let us create confidence in business and trade that it is possible to take on international majors. Let us create the attitude and mindset to make things happen."