AI-led job loss is real, govt must intervene

This article I wrote appeared in today's Deccan Herald. The article looks at the challenges due to AI advancements on Jobs and possible actions to be driven by the government . 

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Quiet quitting and moonlighting are real - workplaces need to adapt

This article I wrote appeared in the Deccan Herald Panorama page. The article argues that moonlighting will become a reality and all the stake holders need to join hands in coming-up with a  framework for handling the same. 

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India@100: World’s innovation capital

 This article I wrote appeared in the New Indian Express on the 19th Aug 2022. 

The article looks at India's current status on innovation/Patents, comparison with other countries and what needs to be done for India to become a leading innovation hub in the world. 

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Protect youth from stock market perils

 This article I wrote appeared in the Deccan Herald on 28th march 2022. Key points:

1) Globally it is established that stock market fall and suicides have deep correlation.

2) More and more youngsters are falling into the trap of make quick and easy money based on the stock market trend on 2020 and 2021

3) Government must embark on  "Financial Literacy" courses at all levels including Under Graduate and PG progammes.  Maybe the SEBI/NCPI led financial literacy module can be enhanced for wider audience

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Should kids code or not?

 This one I wrote appeared in the Deccan Herald Panorama page. The article argues that it may not be a good idea to mindlessly push children into software programming. 

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Education and the town-country divide

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This article I co-authored with Prof PV Krishna bhat is published in the. This  Indian Express on 2nd Sep 2020. The article looks at the following:

1) We need a large scale orientation programme for teachers similar to the one done by Germany soon after unification

2) We need rural focus by creating Bridge infrastructure, Significantly improve R&D spend on Agriculture and allied industries.

3) Need to building rural leadership that can help in generating jobs in Agri and allied industries. 

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Multimode delivery: The best way to impart learning

This article I wrote, appeared in the Financial express on 16th June 2020. 

1) India will have to go with Multi mode education delivery ( class room, online interactive  And recorded )

2) Bridge  Digital Divide -providing Tablets and internet connection with teaching faculty intervention will help

3) TV in households is much better than Mobile and internet reach . 95% of South indian homes have TV.

4)  We should use TV as a main stream methodology for imparting learning . Move beyond the DD Gyan . Incentivise Free to air Channels  to carry daily education content .  Localised content and the teachers can talk to Students weekly to monitor progress.

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COVID-19: Need for improved net infrastructure

This article I wrote appeared on 2nd April 2020 in the Indian Express. 

The article focuses on the following

1) India's internet infra has significantly improved over the psat two decades and hence working from home / remote working is a possibility

2) Working from Home has not been popular in India due to Trust and cultural issues. We could see Uberization of work picking-up as a direct consequence

3) Educational institutions are adopting Virtual classes and MOOC model 

4) We are lagging behind many countries on internet speeds. A wake-up call for the government and telecom Industry to improve the Internet speeds in the country

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Creating world class talent in India

This article I co-authored appeared in the Indian Express on 22nd Feb 2020.  The article looks ar the following: 

1) The concept of Teaching university is welcome. However, there must be provision for lateral entry of industry experts to get education

2) Multi-disciplinary approach to HEI is good. However, it needs unlearning on the part of the goverment as well as the educational instituions
3) Skill Development : The focus must be on Learning by Doing approach.
4) Often ignored, there must be innovative methods to emphasise the need for values and ethics.

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Technology’s always been a job creator

This article I wrote "Technology’s always been a job creator" appeared in The Hindu Business Line Edit page.  

Indian IT industry has the challenge - Balancing between legacy and new age technologies.  

AI will take away many jobs, but historically technology disruptions have always been a net job creator.   

Uberization of work force should be embraced, new age of working in organizations. 

Gen-Next Engg graduate education needs an overhaul.

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Big worry: unemployment and underemployment

This article I had written about the biggest challenge faced by the country , appeared in the Deccan Herald

1 in 4 unemployed or underemployed. We should start measuring Labour under utilization rate or LUR

We need to focus on manufacturing, wage code bill is expected to help in the longer term and automation will help as well.

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Lessons to learn from IT industry's current turmoil

This article I wrote appeared in the Deccan Herald on 11th July 2017.  The article talks about the challenges faced by the IT Industry  and what could be the key learning. 

 

1) The negative news flow about the IT industry continues , yet IT industry jobs are the most sought after. 

2) Re-skilling in IT Industry is needed and we have gone through re-skilling in the past during the pre/post Y2K era.

3)  A downturn looms large and every 8th year since 2000, we have seen some form of down-turn, but the Industry has demonstrated resolve to grow post the event.

4) Engineering colleges mushroomed by piggy-backing on IT. Only 3% of the graduate Engineers are employable in IT Industry. Intake into Engineering colleges must be tightened, colleges must reskill teachers 

5) We need alternate Industry to pick-up for mass employment generation. Also focus on entrepreneurship will be the key

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Internet addiction’s a public health issue

This Article "Internet addiction’s a public health issue"  I wrote appeared in the Hindu Business Line on 16th July 2016 , editorial page. The article looks at the following:

1) IAD is a serious global issue and countries like the US have witnessed employability issues  linked to IAD. Countries like japan are worse off with over half a million kids impacted

2)How countries like Japan and Korea are providing intervention for IAD. Japan has started  "Internet Fasting centers" to help children get over severe screen addiction/ Internet addiction. 

3)India could soon see a huge problem with 12% of Indian internet users already considered to have the internet overuse problem.

4) Possible solutions for India 

a) Getting 4 ministries to work together (Telecom, Health, MHRD and AYUSH)

b) Embark on mission to increase awareness of the issue, schools

c) Put the onus on Internet service providers to educate users about IAD

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Digital India ! infinite Possibilites , Implementation will be the key

 

Bengaluru-based telecom professional G Krishna Kumar said while Digital India was a great initiative to bridge the digital divide between the cities and the rural hinterland, the government would need to embark on an e-literacy mission for training people and helping them understand the benefits of using e-governance platform.

"Even in cities, we need a strong work flow automation set-up to be established. For example, if I request for some document from the government office, I should know how long it will take for the document to be processed and also what is the current status. This removes anxiety among the citizens, an assured service level would mean better accountability and reduced corruption," he said.
Citing the example of property registration in Bengaluru, he said despite it being digitised, most processes were still done manually and required multiple visits to the local office.
"The assured services and timelines are rarely met. Even if we have the technology and platform, enforcing the system can be a challenge. A strong willingness from the government is much needed," he said.
According to him, Digital India and smart cities initiatives can be aligned and existing e-governance systems should be modified to be brought under it.
Krishna said public private partnership (PPP) model of executing the projects was the right approach. Under this model, private players will look for profits and so it would be important for the government to provide a clear roadmap and blueprint for the same.
He said one successful case of PPP project was the Passport Seva Kendra, where the government partnered with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
"Maybe, the government should replicate the best practices (of the Passport Seva Kendra) so that it is a win-win for the stakeholders," he said.

30 June 2015 - 7:10am IST | Place: New Delhi | Agency: dna | From the print edition

Need to redesign structure for skilling India

This article "Need to redesign structure for skilling India" I wrote appeared in The Financial Express FE-Reflect on 2nd Feb 2015.  The article tries to argue that there is a severe Demand-Supply mismatch and hence  need to align and rationalize existing skill development initiatives. NSDA should be responsible for this.

 

Skill development to be started at primary school level ( Adapt China’s implementation), OR we can learn from Germany’s DSVET

 

Provide both teachers and students with regular and mandatory industry exposure

 

Digitial India and Make In India can help in fast forwarding the skill development. However, Agriculture sector  should be given importance for promoting innovation and productivity improvements

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We Need India-ready Engineers

This article authored by me appeared in today's New Indian Express Editorial page. India's entry into Washington Accord appears to be the right move.

More than creating more mobile engineers ( Engineers who can work abroad), we need engineers who have the right skills to work in India and more importantly we need a framework for the engineers to find the right type of jobs. 

MHRD should use the WA as a tool to overhaul Indian Engineering education.  There are over 3000 Tier-2 Engineering colleges and changing the system undoubtedly tough but not impossible.

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Learning from the Germans

This article I co-authored with Vasishta appeared in the Financial Express FE-Reflect Page on  18th Nov 2013. 

India should adopt the German Dual System for Vocational Education and Training (DSVET), ensure Industry bodies take ownership  and support practical experience. 

We need to capitalize on the ICT advancements like MOOC to support students.

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India's Skill Will Conundrum

This article authored by me appeared as a lead Editorial article in the New Indian Express on 1st October 2013.

 For India to benefit from the Demographic dividend, the combined "will" ( willingness!) of  the Goverment, Industry and the people  is needed.  

1) Government's "Will": Focus on improving quality of education at all levels. Can we use Food security to decrease drop-out rate?
2) Industry's "Will":  Can CSR be made effective?
3)  Individual’s Willingness :  Need to address the challenges of 
 "OVER-ENTERTAINED" youth

The government should come up with an ICT based long-term plan for addressing the skill requirements by involving key stakeholders.

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India's sub-standard engineering colleges

This article authored by me , on improving Engineering education in the country has appeared in the Hindu Business line editorial page on 11th June 2013. About 7 lakh engineering graduates pass out every year, but less than 40% land in proper jobs. The article argues that the Engineering education is heavily tilted towards IT and an urgent need grow beyond , through a broader framework with Industry participation.
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Transforming Education

This article "Transforming Education" appeared as an editorial page article in the New Indian Express. While avaiability of affordable mobile gadgets like Tablets and better data connectivity is being improved, the latest trend interms of MOOC could play a key role in developing and delivery courses( content).

The educated class will benefit from the MOOC revolution with out any government intervention. But government's attention is need in addressing the semi literate/illiterate poulation.

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