posted March 13, 2009 07:24 PM            

When Americans first started marketing the policy of globalization to the world, most underdeveloped countries including India were not ready to buy the idea. The obvious concern was that local businesses would lose at the hands of American giants. And that is exactly what happened.

When American MNCs marched into India many long time organizations had to shut doors or had to sell them selves to these MNCs owing to obvious lack of competitiveness against these giants. Coco Cola and Pepsi herald the death of some of the best companies in the market selling soft drinks and other beverages in India. Tupperware brought and end to the small scale plastic food container manufacturers. Electronic companies from America killed the local entrepreneur's dream to build something out of his own knowledge. Many lost their otherwise promising opportunities to MNC invasion owing to globalization. But did we complain about it?

There was some concern initially but the dust soon settled. Indians and other asians adapted to the changing tide. Rather than thinking of starting their business they supported these MNCs and made them selves competitive enough to work for them. Time and again they proved their worth. And all this at what cost? the hardships in our life here have made us aware of the worth of each penny. We are more cautious about money then our American counterparts and are so satisfied with the packages we are offered.

This is a win win situation. We get to work in MNCs and get a package we value and know what its worth and the MNC gets work done for cheap. A friend of mine once said India produces few directly employable engineers. Yet, why is so much work coming here? Because once we are trained we do the same job as Americans do for much less money and still live equally satisfying lives. Short and sweet... we adapted.

In the process of the spread of globalization, companies from developed nations realized the importance of local people of countries like India and China. They chose to give us work because we were equally efficient at a much lower cost. In the process the American lost job.

This is just a short term side effect of globalization. And America being a part of the world and not the whole world in itself cannot escape this. The American has to learn to adapt to this rather than blame Indians for 'stealing' their jobs. How about considering to love the work you do than do the work you love. Thats adaptation.

I joined the Bank Of America call center in January. I am an undergraduate and a fresher (no work experience). Bank of America is paying me 15000 Indian Rupees a month to answer calls from other Bank Of America employees calling us from US in regards with technical help. I work 9 hours a day in a night shift. Its not something I would love to do most. I would be better off doing an engineering job in electronics. Rather than whining about how the chinese have 'stolen' most of the electronic jobs I am learning to enjoy my work. I like talking to my callers. I like waiting for their survey results. More importantly they like talking to me and thank me for the assistance me and my colleagues provide to them especially considering that we work late night so that they can carry on with their day's business. Most of my engineering friends envy me for earning so much in spite of still being a sophomore. I can easily live my daily life in this money. Not because Mumbai is a cheap city. No! Mumbai is a darn expensive place. The costliest real estate in Mumbai is costlier than the costliest in Manhattan. Its because I have learn to adapt. And how much is Indian rupees 15000? Its US $ 300 a month.

posted March 14, 2009 04:12 AM            

Also the complaint I hear most often is of H1B programs for computer professionals. Obama is making it tougher for American companies who shall use foreign workers services and I think he also has plans to spend on training local resources.

Well every program cannot last forever. After it meets its objective it has to end. So the libs are right on that front. Even our home rebate program could be stopped if the state government decides to.

Market conditions determines the actions the government and its people take. America is the most 'change' oriented nation in the world and the largest economy. Time should tell , how it comes out this time.

posted March 14, 2009 01:29 PM            

no offense to you but the only times i have had to deal with indian "tech support" i couldn't even understand what they were saying and they were so far removed from me that i felt like a cog in a wheel, and i was the customer. it was not his fault, but the system and the all important costcutting reasons for him being on the line in the first place.