The Predicament of the MSMEs


The declaration of the COVID-19 as a global pandemic gave rise to a state of confusion amongst nations. With people foraging for an answer during these uncertain times, Google reported that “since the first week of February, search interest in coronavirus increased by +260% globally.” The pandemic was successful in not only putting a dent in the health-related sectors but also in the economic sphere. McKinsey and Company revealed that the onset of this pandemic made huge ripples around the globe. The effects of these ripples were further built up with the discovery of the situation of several jobs around the globe. A recent data of the International Labour Organization (ILO) with regards to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on labour market revealed the ruinous effects it had on workers in the informal economy and on hundreds of millions of enterprises worldwide.
The declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic in March saw and continues to see a steep surge in unemployment. The sharp drop in work as a result of the outbreak meant that around 1.6 billion workers in the informal economy (approximately 50% of the global workforce) face the danger of levelling of their livelihoods warned the International Labour Organization. “ILO Monitor third edition: COVID-19 and the world of work,” brought to light that the drop in working hours especially in the current quarter of 2020 is expected to be notably worse than anticipated. “Compared to pre-crisis levels (Q4 2019), 10.5 per cent deterioration is now expected, equivalent to 305 million full-time jobs (assuming a 48-hour working week). The previous estimate was for a 6.7 per cent drop, equivalent to 195 million full-time workers. This is due to the prolongation and extension of lockdown measures,” stated a document issued by the International Labour Organization regarding the crisis.
The disturbance in the economic sphere has led to a damage of billions of informal economy workers (representing the most vulnerable in the labour market), out of which a worldwide total of 2 billion and a global workforce of 3.3 billion suffered massive impairment to their livelihood. The ILO revealed that the initial months of the crisis is estimated to have resulted in a drop of 60% in the income of informal workers globally. Statistics divulged that a drop of 81% in Africa and the Americas, 21.6% in Asia and the Pacific, and 70% in Europe and Central Asia was witnessed. The challenge regarding employment has been especially critical for small businesses. Firms with fewer than 100 employees have been seen to be more vulnerable when compared to 40% of the large private-sector employers.
Moody’s Investor Service claimed the downgrading of Indian economy by estimating 0% growth in FY21. The study laid bare that the fiscal measures introduced by the Government were unlikely to offset lower consumption and slow-moving economic activity. Berstein entertained -7% growth, whereas both Goldman Sachs and Normura forecasted a 5% contraction in the Indian economy. The report further stated that although the direct fiscal impact of the policy reforms 1-2% of GDP, it would provide limited impetus to the furtherance of the economy. A strain in the fiscal deficit would contribute to an increase in future debt in debt-to-GDP term reported Moody’s. Moreover, the Investor Service opined that Indian Government’s extension of ‘working capital loans’ to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will not suffice and shield from the economic shock they are facing now as they were already facing financial strain well before the crisis.
The MSME sector which is among the worst-hit, globally, accounts for 33.4% of India’s output along with a whopping 45% of Indian export. These enterprises, since the day of the announcement of the pandemic, have been facing the possibility of extinction. The MSMEs that rely upon daily transaction to stay afloat have been facing serious problems as a result of thee nationwide lockdown. A survey conducted by All India Manufacturers’ Organisation (AIMO) that covered 5000 MSMEs showed how 71% of the small businesses were unable to pay salaries since March. Moreover, the findings of the survey revealed that more than 40% of the businesses would shut shop sooner or later. The CII CEOs snap poll disclosed that almost 54% of company heads predicted job losses irrespective of the sector they are in whereas 45% foresee 15-30% layoffs. For instance, one of the most famous auto-manufacturing company, Maruti Suzuki informed that the production in April was ‘zero’. The predicament has been visible across different manufacturing industries, including textiles, chemicals, etc. TransUnion Cibil discussed that there was a risk of 2.3 lakh crores worth loan might become non-performing. Moreover, with the increase in the demand for cash flow, there will emerge issues that are expected to prevail even with relaxations introduced by the government.
To give a shove to the MSMEs and inject life-blood to this sector:

  1. GOI declared a cut in a policy of repo rate by 75 basis points to 4.4%.
  2. More than 3 lakh crore rupees was injected into the system.
  3. Moreover, it allowed a 3-month moratorium on the payment of instalment with regards to existing loans.
  4. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) opened another window of 50,000 rupees for refinancing. Based on this, post receiving this money, banks will be mandated to invest within one month. RBI also reduced liquidity coverage ratio to 80% whilst providing a special financial scheme to All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) at repo rate.
  5. Emergency credit lines have been created by several banks.
  6. A low-interest rate of 5% has been declared.
  7. Various business continuity measures have been adopted by the RBI.
    Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Minister of Shipping and the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, explained that Government of India has been working tirelessly on policies concerning the MSMEs with focus on entrepreneurship development. The sector that accounts for nearly 30% of the economy of Indian nation needs a robust economic plan so that it can get its engine running once again after COVID-19 ceases to exist. The post-pandemic economic scenario would be one that would introduce capital scarcity to the globe. Nations all around need to conclusively come up with a plan that would be mainly concerned with reviving the MSME sector. A comprehensive system that would get back the MSMEs on track is the need of the hour.

“Where words leave off,music begins”..

Music gives soul to the universe,wings to the mind fight to the imagination and life to everything.Music plays an important part in life it has no boundaries and follows no guidelines.Its is just like an air with no shape or definition yet we need it in our life.Music is life in itself.When people are happy, sad,angry and any type of emotion it is music which nourishes the soul and mind.It acts like a pleasant sound which is a combination of melodious and harmony and which soothes the soul.The music consist of Sargam,Ragas,Taals etc. Thus, Everything in harmony has music.Someone has rightly said, “The music is not in the notes but in the silence between”.Music has great qualities of healing a person emotionally and mentally.It is a form of meditation.Music is purest form of worship to God.

Democracy is the best form of Government.


“Government of the people, by the people’-this is a patent and ubiquitous definition of democracy. The other two alternative forms of equal universal validity are oligarchy and aristocracy. Out of the three, democracy is by far the best and most popular, although it is not an unmixed blessing.
Yet all said, democracy is the best form of government, as it guards the interests of men in general. It avoids the evils and demerits of both aristocracies which empowers a privileged section of society to run the state and of oligarchy in which only a few men or groups of men arrogate to themselves the right to rule over others. It is elective, representative and broad-based.
In the earlier days of the European civilisation, the roman republic was founded on popular voice. It was a crude form of democracy. The popular or mass opinion is a fickle phenomenon, as it can be swayed in one’s favour by the legerdemain of arguments. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare has revealed this truth in the speech of Mark Antony who banished all love of Brutus by an artful play of Sentiments.
Modern democracy is decidedly more solid and well thought out. In it the constitution is supreme. It may be a written constitution like in India or an unwritten constitution as in Britain. Our preamble of the constitution grants even an ordinary man some fundamental rights.: the right to vote is given to all after an age of 18 and the affairs of the state are run by the people of the country. The laws are framed towards the attainments of a welfare state. The neglected section of the society, its underdogs, so to say are given certain privileges so that they are able to catch up with the rest.
One remembers the hoary days of independence. Independence, the Five Year Plans, the illustrious cadres of service that was defined as the Steel-Frame of Administration. One remembers the devoted band of social workers, the Congress, the CPI or CPIM, the SSP that functioned in tandem; and one remembers the healthy bourgeois culture, pluralistic, tolerant soaked on brotherly feelings.
But today the country faces a crisis-ridden with intolerance, doubt, lies to shield power, bribes where money changes hands to protect covert crimes. Entrenched power runs havoc with a massacre of values, honesty and integrity. The nation’s political fabric is a ragbag of opportunism. personal convenience nepotism and what not. The parliament, that was once a cynosure for the ordinary men is today a hothouse of disreputable personae mostly. In a republic like the USA one ‘bugging scandals’ could cause the stepping down its President and in Japan one core could bring down its Prime Minister. But here such scandals are worth only casual attention.
In view of the above scenario ‘democracy’ as it obtains in our country lives only as a platitude with our leaders to befool is during elections. Our constitution is the greatest casualty in the hands of the power that can be. Free thinking, freedom of information, meed o labour -/to wish privileges that form the bedrock of a democratic government is but to live in a fool’s paradise! The high court and the Supreme Court run the administration.

No Men Are Foreign

Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign
Beneath all uniforms, a single body breathes
Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon
Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie.
They, too, aware of sun and air and water,
Are fed by peaceful harvests, by war’s long winter starv’d.

James Kirrup starts off his poem by advising the readers to remember that no men are strange for we are all one. No matter what our skin colour, no countries are foreign for we are all inhabitants of the planet. Beneath all uniforms, all dress, we are a single body that breathes equally the same. All of us from all the countries walk on the land of the same planet and in the same land where we shall be laid to rest once we die. The people from other countries are aware of the Sun, air and water just like us. We are all fed by peaceful harvests and all of us starve due to wars which are like a long winter with no food.

Their hands are ours, and in their lines we read
A labour not different from our own.
Remember they have eyes like ours that wake
Or sleep, and strength that can be won
By love. In every land is common life
That all can recognise and understand.

The poet says that all of our hands, even those in different countries have hands like ours. They also work like us to earn their bread. Their labour and work are not that different from ours. They have eyes like ours that wake up and sleep just like we do. They have the strength that can be won and conquered by love. Every land has a common life that people from any corner of the Earth can recognise and understand.

Let us remember, whenever we are told
To hate our brothers, it is ourselves
That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.
Remember, we who take arms against each other

The poet asks us to remember that whenever we are told to hate our brothers from different lands, it is ourselves we shall dispossess for we are all members of the big family that is planet Earth. We will betray and condemn ourselves if we take up arms against each other. The poet asks us to stay in harmony and peace so that we can all prosper together.

It is the human earth that we defile.
Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence
Of air that is everywhere our own,
Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.

The poet makes us aware that it is our own Earth that we defile and destroy when we wage wars. When we fight against other countries, the destruction caused by our weapons rage hell on Earth and kill the innocent. It destroys the air of our Earth that is our own. We must remember that we are all the same in the end and all the countries are members of the same family of the planet Earth. Thus we must live in peace and prosper together.

RAIN BUGS

Red velvet mite(Aarudhra worm)

Pattikonda:02/07/2020.

Red velvet mite,Popularly known as Rain bugs. The scientific name of this worm is TROMBIDIIDAE.These are red in colour.It ranges in size of 5-7mm and non poisonous. These are Farmer friendly worms.

The Worm which signs for Good rains and good agriculture season throught year. Mainly, In A.P the farmers are believed this for good rainy season and time to cultivate land and Harvesting.

This worms are only comes at rainy season.They are part of soil arthopods which makes soil fertile by decomposing organic material. These shows potential biological control of season.

They also play vital role to the rate of soil fertile and eats harmful bacteria and worms. Farmers have pinned much hope on this worms for good yielding and good season.

Source:Village Farmers

IMPORTANCE OF DIRECTION IN BUSINESS WORLD


Directing is a very important function of management and its subordinates may not perceive the organizational goals in the absence of directing and the subordinates must be communicated what the organizational goals are, what the employees should do to achieve them, how they should do their jobs etc. Moreover, directing is directly concerned with human beings, so it should be executed carefully to achieve the desired goals. The part played by the manager is rather important as the CEO of the company from the point of managing the workers and the management and Getting things down is in the very nature of Directing.

THE IMPORTANCE

1. The benefit of unity of command

 Due to scientific supervision, effective communication, and proper motivation, there is no problem with conflicting orders or priorities and because of a complete reporting relationship with a single superior, personal responsibility for results becomes greater. Directing involves the management of human behavior and it creates cooperation and harmony among the members of a group and increasing people’s awareness has made managing human beings very difficult.

2. Increases potential

For reasons of physical nature’s productivity of managerial resources is limited, but the productivity and effectiveness of human resources have unlimited potential, and directing helps the enterprise in making use of this potential output of the human resources. Since humans evolve as the time goes by and stating together is an important aspect of keeping going together so everyone needs to understand the aspirations and expectations of their subordinates or their colleagues in order to manage them effectively.

3. Initiates action

All organizational activities are initiated through directing and along with planning, organizing, and staffing, managers must stimulate action by issuing instructions to subordinates and by supervising their work and the aim of directing is to activate employees to work towards the realization of predetermined goals of the organization and thus, without directing, other managerial activities like planning, organizing and staffing remain ineffective.

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4.Optimization of individual efforts

 The ultimate success of an enterprise depends on the optimum efforts put in by all individuals with willing cooperation and through effective supervision, motivation, leadership, and communication directing makes it possible.

5.Means of motivation

The organizational objectives cannot be realized unless people working in an organization are motivated to work willingly and perform well to the best of their abilities and directing is motivating employees to contribute their maximum efforts towards the achievement of organizational goals.

6.Provision of a stable and balanced organization

Directing provides effective supervision, motivation, correct leadership, and a well-understood communications, and therefore the organization as a whole work in a balanced way and it lasts for a long time.

7. Integrates employees efforts

At all levels of management, there are subordinates under the managers and the work entrusted to these individuals is interrelated and the performance of each individual affects the performance of others and thus individual efforts need to be integrated so that the organization achieves its goals and the directing functions integrate the activities of the subordinates by supervision, guidance, and counseling.

Study looks at future Marketing on social media

As more brands are turning to social media to connect with consumers, it’s no surprise that marketers are working to utilize the many features on Instagram. Earlier this year, Social Media Today and the team from SEMrush published a survey of over 800 digital marketers in the State of Instagram Marketing 2019 report, sharing insights into what markers are doing on Instagram, what they’re seeing success with and where they see future potential.  

In a post summarizing its latest report (“The State of Instagram Marketing 2019 – Part 3: Future Marketing Opportunities on Instagram”), Social Media Today’s Andrew Hutchinson narrowed in on three key topics covered by the survey:

To help set a baseline, all respondents were asked the question, “Are you currently using Instagram for marketing purposes?” More than 90% indicated they were. 

According to the report marketers see Instagram as a social media platform that will be with them for the long haul. Sixty-four percent of respondents indicated that Instagram is either extremely or very important to their broader social media marketing strategy. Almost 72% of respondents indicated that it’s very likely that Instagram,FaceBook,e.t.c.,

THE makeover of INDIAN COAL INDUSTRY

India has went on to become the second largest coal producer in the world, still has not been able to produce enough to meet the rising demands from industries of steel mills, power plants ,cement, and fertiliser units. India has for long been depending on such coal , for being it’s source of energy. Coal  has been so important, that only nationalized government entities were permitted to participate in the coal-mining process , during the  1970s. This led to the emergence of the Coal India, which constitutes for around 80 % of the total coal production in our nation.

There  are major issues which need to be addressed now, regarding meeting the coal requirement.  Last September, when heavy rains flooded the coal mines, the production had to be stopped for some time completely. The mining license had been restricted to commercial  companies, who needed to have prior experience in bidding of coal mining units.  The coal production, only by the Government entities have failed   to produce the required quotas, as a result new reforms are in place. According to the reforms, any companies who’ve got themselves registered, can try and produce coal now on their own, without having the need of any kind of experience.

It seems that Narendra Modi is finally trying to break the 43 years old stranglehold. He started the policy of auctioning the natural resources, so that the sector is finally open for them to buy and produce. Top conglomerates had been waiting for this to happen for a very long time. This opening up of sectors will help in eradication of lot of prevailing problems like unemployment, poverty. We’ll be directly  benefit as  enhanced energy would be available, and the cost of production would come down making the coal power available at lower costs. The country would benefit , because the increase in FDI, would finally  stabilize the irregularities arising in the Coal supplies. Guatam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Sajjan Jindal were the top conglomerates waiting for these reforms  .

The government also thought this reform to be a money-making model . Initially, the entities had to pay fixed sums per tonne, what now the commercial miner shave to  pay a portion of their total profits, say 5%.In order to boost the coal production, the coal blocks would be given on a revenue –sharing basis. The commercial miners  have to promise to mine at least 50% of the production plan , and share the profits.

Another major problem is the transportation. The transportation by trains is a big concern, as rail transport is the most economical way, but it does not provide access to all the far –fetched areas. On the 3rd of July,2020  RITES have renewed their five-year long pact with Coal India, over the construction of rail infrastructure.

This launching the auction of mines, might prove to a great move turning crisis into opportunity .The companies may not benefit in the short run, but in the long run this might prove to be beneficiary . The  focus was to not on investing on new kind of capacity, but utilise the older ones.

CULINARY HISTORY

The origin of cooking in general goes back to the prehistoric era. Humans
began eating the products of their own pickings. Such as fungus, , roots,
fruits etc. Then they began to kill or catch animals to eat flesh.
The discovery of fire marked the beginning of cooking. Cooked meats or fish was first eaten by accidental when the forest caught fire. And one could discover some flesh of some animal. The same may happened in case of salt with – mountain or sea.
Later the human learnt the art of agriculture. They started living together in groups for bettersecurity. They cultivated cereals, pulses and gradulally vegetables. Frits tree were introduced by Romans such as peaches, lemon,Cherries, apricots, plums etc. brought from far awaytrips to eastern countries.
At the very early stage of First Civilization, Mesopotanians, Aryans,
Egyptians, Greeks, Romans developed the art of cooking for their kings.
Game meat was almost a unique one until came geese and pork breeding.
The Romans also taught French people how to make wone, and bread which have remained staple diet. Most oprobably cumin was the first spiceand vinegar, the first condiment.
Onion and arlic were the main aromates and spices came from Asia and were of high prices. At thwe end of the 12th century most of the
commodities were used. When the spice road opened, invasions mainly
contributed to gastronomy.
The Greeks and Latins created the basics of modern cookery, wine making, baking, stewing, pickling etc. Epicuro and Lacullus were the most famous gourmet who spoke about the art of eating well. The invasion of France by Romans and then Scandinaviansand North
Africans were dominant factors in culinary history. India, Turkish,
Moghulsinvasion and British occupancy influenced the style of contintental foods served. 11:04 AMhe Portuguese and the French people in their respective colonies were also responsible for theirregional development. Pilgrimage, travel and trade were the factors in opening the first roadside eating place INN. Probably Marco Polo’s trip to China is ne of the reason why the pasta is the staple food of Italy. The King’s table contributed to thefast promotion of gastronomy with many chefs’ contributions like: Antonie
Careme, Auguste Escoffier etc. They were considered Chef of Kings and king of Chefs. Soup was ntroduced. Soupa means with slice of bread. Su Pa in Sanskrit means good food taken from the frirst book from Philip IV and Charles Iv. In 1392, William Tyral was Chef de Cuisine and wrote a book on royal kitchen, “Le Lure Fort Excellent”, published in 1540AD, written by
P.Pinoux. Catherine de Medici in 1575 ad brought to France the culinary art.
Italian cooks and pastry chefs- Pllatina, Messitrya, Romati, and Roselli have
contributed lot. The fork for eating was introduced by Henry IV.
Menus beceme balanced with more vegetables and less meat. Around17th
century Champagne, a famous sparkling wine from France was discovered
by monk Dum Perignon. In Table service crystal were introduced. Potatotes
were introduced by Parmentier.
In 1653ad, Laverine, cook of Marguis Deuxelle wrote the French Cook Book.
L.S. Robert’s wrote on 15 years of progress in 1660 in 1671. A sauce stiil has
a name Vatil , was the first victim of cookery. He committed suicide when
the fish delivery for the King’s banquet did not arrive on time. During the
reign of Louis XIV also known as Louis de Bechamel created a sauce. The Duke of Rechelein, winner of battle named the sauce Riche. The Duke of Mirepoix created exotic recipes with Quail. Chocolate was introduced as beverage as tea and coffee. An Italian named Prolopioli Colleti opened the
first café in Paris.in 16 78 wich still exists. Tea was introduced during
renaissance and mostly used as drugs. The first critic for restaurants was
Grimod de Reeymere