What do the planners chose? Pretend unpreparedness & do an “ostrich act”? Maybe, no. Some quarters of the planners and intellectuals decide to act, and work on the Delhi Master plan MPD 2021. The MPD 2021 document was notified by the government way back on Feb. 2007 vide the S.O No. 141. The government of India gazette notification is available for the public on the official websites of DDA and other agencies. It is no longer a mystery document. The MPD details are available online too. Lo & behold, the political class did not change the stance, and continue to drag it’s feet on three critical components of management – RESEARCH, RESPOND, REFORM, REGULATE & REGISTER.

Some sense seems to be returning back. Work on the ground is visible again with multiple agencies putting together their resources to make the change, before the change becomes the mess.

Now specifically to the BRT corridors under proposal – Are they required, or aren’t they? The Delhi government think tank seems to find merit that the BRT is the way forward. If I have to add a rider, it would be a caution flag not to repeat the mistakes of the Ambedkar stretch till Moolchand, and to factor in the gargantuan nature of the problem, growing on a daily basis.

RITES carried out the need & feasibility analysis, and seems to deduce that Delhi would require another 375 kms of BRT. Holy cow !!! 375 similar to 6.5 would be suicidal. Nevertheless, as facts stand, 5.6 kms would be added to the existing BRT corridor, and 16 new corridors totaling almost 369 kms would be added over the next 11 years. No one is yet questioning on the funding mechanism for these. Remember, these are internal city roads, and not toll expressways.

Most identified stretches, per estimates, would carry a vehicular traffic of more than 5000 units per hour, in either direction.

The longest of the recommended stretches would be from Khera – Najafgarh – Ibrahimpur whereas the fastest and shortest BRT corridor would be from Rohini sector 21 to Kanjhawala. Now, that seems to be some integrated development, since the government is already planning a couple of Large Hospitals, government housing projects and other social infrastructure in Kanjhawla. Besides, kanjhawala has one of the most sought after, and neat extended abadi Lal Dora areas in Delhi. It augurs well for the region that infrastructure & housing would be developed simultaneously.

Fingers crossed, but my bet seems to be in favour of the Government. Soon, dreams might be reality.

 Many of those found uttering these through professionally worded PR jaunts weren’t actually practitioners. Many, most actually, had a strong connect with the Real estate Industry, which by design, isn’t acknowledged to be the most professionally run multi billion industry, where the demand outstrips supply.

 My questions kept getting bigger, as Mr. Modi’s grin. Of course, he made it seem as if $50 Million was the tip left on the table, post dinner. Nevertheless, factor of intrigue was the REAL estate connect of most (all??) the bidders. A few names or contenders who wanted to be part of the IPL renewed – Videocon, JayPee, Adanis, Sahara, Rendezvous, players in the earlier Pune & Ahmedabad consortiums, Kochi consortium, ICICI etc.etc. Even the Tinsel world contributions came from those who are known to use Real estate as the preferred investment product.

 Now, What is common between IPL & Real estate? Err… I mean, does IPL also have the same traits as real estate industry? Bhai, then tho it is another pakka bubble in the blowing… it would take a few down only after attaining a few billion dollar worth of valuation as well as swell the numbers first.

 Now, isn’t this the same industry which was asking for “Bailouts & Sops” a few months ago? Wasn’t this the same industry which wanted their buyers to wait patiently till their hard earned money see fruition? Wasn’t this industry wanting more money to complete projects? Wasn’t this the same industry which resisted regulation.. now.now.. I don’t want to get into the merits of the RE regulation bill.

 On a generic level, what is it that attracts the companies with a real estate connect to such events? Is it the holding pattern of most RE cos? (promoters own most shares, family run etc.) OR is it the genuine risk appetite. Is IPL planned to be run like the RE indistry, or would RE draw motivation from IPL. (slam-bang-thank-U-maam with the bechara buyer)

 Whatever so, the wait continues for the aam admi coz he has already paid half the money for the dream flat, and won’t even dare to ask questions to the Real estate developers, whether they have water harvesting or not. Sentiment and blessings always with the Real estate developers, from aam admi so that he could complete quickly and then go & play ^%$#@&*.

 Keep wondering, deciphering and finding your own truths.

This is no reflection on the credibility of those who are cash rich and buying teams. Musings only. Disclaimer is almost 150 pages, hence not posting here

Sets me thinking – What is it that the British had which we Indians haven’t been able to replicate.

Answer seems to be – “POSITIVE INTENT & TIME BOUND IMPLEMENTATION”

I am not once confused by the British intent Vs. Desi leaders’ direction. Both desired a certain vested interest, as well as the emphasis of their leadership on the so called “aam-janta”. To say the least, both succeeded, and how. Delhi hasn’t created any marquee landmark building, and still boasts of those that the British left for us, to savour, deteriorate and exploit. I have my sense of exasperation when I read that 54% of Delhi is Urban slums and unauthorized colonies.

A spate of recent announcements in Delhi sets me thinking – “are we finally ready to shed the image of an old dilapidated city, one constructed majestically by the British, and left to rot even more majestically”. However, things seem to be changing. Delhi government agencies seem to be taking the “Builder” tag seriously. Moti Bagh, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan, Maulana Azad marg, Janpath, INA, Shahdra, Kidwai Nagar, Vasant Kunj, Rajouri Garden and some more areas seem to have caught the attention for rebuilding projects.

• Is that owing to the acute shortage of Ministerial houses?

 • Do our policy makers desire swankier offices?

• Do they expect mega parking & parks for their fleets?

• Is there a genuine awareness, awakening and desire to re-build Delhi.

It is heard that some areas of New Moti Bagh are shortlisted to build ministerial houses, and NBCC is the shortlisted partner who would not only build, but also fund the construction through a unique finance model wherein they would be allowed to sell 10% of the total land area for commercial purpose, in return for the ministerial housing. “The government is now open to the idea of making builders like us construct ministerial bungalows because they want the project to be delivered on time. Also, the government didn’t have funds for the project, so we came up with the idea of building them at our own cost and taking some land to build a commercial complex in return,” said Arup Roy Choudhury, chairman and managing director, NBCC. NBCC has already delivered 50 bungalows and the rest are expected to be completed in a year. Choudhury added, “Players like CPWD are quite understaffed so most of their projects suffer time overruns overtime, so the government is looking for fresh bidders who can have accountability.”

Other initiatives include 7.78 acres of land on Janpath under one of the Green building initiatives of the govt, an office complex in INA consisting of 6 blocks, one of which might house the HQ of CVC, another commercial complex in Kidwai Nagar, One residential pool accommodation project in Shahdra etc. The government is also planning a commercial complex in Kidwai Nagar, though no details are available. The cost expenditure for these projects alone would exceed about 600 crores, as per conservative estimates.

Can expect DDA to be left behind (in announcements only). They also have announced plans for housing complexes in Vasant Kunj Jasola, Dwarka, Narela, Baprola etc; a staggering 65000 residential units with an investment of almost $500 million. Parking lots in many areas like Subhash Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Hauz Khas, Gandhi Nagar, Model Town 2 and Munirka are already under construction with investments of around 200 crores . The project is worth Rs 170 crore.

Now, are these mirages or indicators?

 Both our leading ‘partees’ want to name the newly constructed 28 storey Civic headquarters in the name of some leader of their party. It could be named either “Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civic blah blah center” or Gandhi(Sonia,Indira, Rajiv, Rahul, Rahul’s unborn son)  center for invigorating a sense of work culture in Dilli-MCD center” or even plain jane “Gandhi center for civic administration”.

 The new 28 storey building, one of the tallest structures in Delhi costed a MERE Rs. 550 crores of the Tax payers money, and it is of ‘sacramount importance’ that it be named right, for the babu inside to dispense his constitutional duty.

 The Lieutnant Governor (LG) of Delhi is a spoilsport. He just doesn’t understand the sentiments of the aam-aadmi for whom sadak-bijli-paani is a daily fight. The LG has gone ahead and suggested our LEADERS to accept the name ‘NEW TOWN HALL”. How sad. How can now the aam aadmi connect with the civic agencies when the building says “My name is Town Hall”, a la Khan.

If the entire nation was involved in “My name is khan”, do you think that the Chief secretary’s office in Delhi would not accord importance to this issue of national importance?  Sources say that considerable time, paper n think tank exposure was accorded to this ‘issue of national interest’ since two of the parties which ruled us / likely to rule us are hooting for this yeoman cause. There also was an official statement published in the print. Here goes:

 “The L-G has suggested that such an iconic building should not be named after any individual. The ultimate onus of naming the building lies with the state government,” Ranjan Mukherjee, Officer on Special Duty to the L-G, said.

“Based on his (L-G’s) letter, we have written to the MCD commissioner to name the building New Town Hall. It is a befitting name as across the globe no corporation offices are named Town Hall,” Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta said.

 Now, it is of no consequence that we have already missed the deadline of moving into the new civic center.(don’t blame me, it might be called the OSAMA – Obama, Sonia, Atal, MDMK,atmaram Building) Instead of April’10, the civic agencies would move in after October’10. This gives ample time to check out another submersible monsoons and powerless summer.

It is time we appreciate the stand taken by OUR LEADERS. Both parties remain committed to the aam-admi. They say this:

“The decision of the MCD House is final in this case. Our naming committee will pass a resolution under Section 42 of the DMC act. It will then be introduced in the House,” BJP leader Vijender Gupta said.

“The commitment of the Gandhi family cannot be measured in the context of India. Hence, anything new has to have the “G” word on it”, a close associate of Kaun-gress said.

Ladies & gentlemen of Dilli, take heart. We are being ably led, and civic amenities would follow.

 “Hey !!!! watch that manhole while U tread the roads”.

The master plan of Delhi, in 2007, had given three years time for the polluting industries under 99 categories to either shift, or close down their units within three years. To revisit the Delhi Master plan MPD 2021 which was released in Feb 2007, the notification issued then said – “Industries listed under prohibited category shall not be permitted to be set up in Delhi. The existing industrial units under prohibited category need to relocate themselves outside the Capital within a period of three years.”

Most of these units are located within 22 different Industrial hubs spread across Delhi.  The deadline is getting over in the matter of a few days. Would almost 5000 Industries be disallowed to operate? Shut-down?

Ruchika Bhardwaj, an analyst with the leading consulting firm Certes Realty Ltd avers that “most Industrial consumers aren’t aware of the deadline. They might fall prey to the sudden awakening of the govt. machinery after the deadline elapses”.

It is understood that the Ministry of Urban development and other agencies have had several rounds of meetings to put together a plan. The unfortunate part being “too little, too late”. “It isn’t uncommon knowledge that these polluting industries is not likely to get protection from the courts too, in view of the pollution, the recent judgements and provisions under the MPD 2021″ says Mahipal Jain, an Industrialist with a unit within Delhi.

“Delays in the implementation of the zonal plans under MPD 2021 is the only factor responsible” says Ajay Dabas of Certes. He mentioned that the government had moved the provisions to acquire almost 945 acres of land under three villages in North West Delhi, almost 5 years back. Had the Industrial area been ready, these Industries could have found solace. The MPD 2021 itself mentions that the zone ‘N’ under MPD 2021 is the most suitable for high density developments owing to the topography, as well as the cheaper availability of the lands.

Ruchika avers that “an amendment or Ordinance by the government, to amend or delay to the notification issued by the MuD could be the only factor to buy time for these Industries”. It may be recalled that the Delhi state government might not be the regulator in these matters. The DDA is the implementing agency for the decisions released by the Ministry of Urban development.

The categories of Industries which are likely to be affected by the closure orders, if and when they are released soon include gas compressors, acids, alkalis, animal and fish oils, abattoirs and animal blood processing, bitumen blowing, bone grist, bone meal stainless steel pricking, dry cell batteries, electric wires and cables, fatty acids, fungicides, cranes, hoists and lifts (excluding assembly), flexographic ink, fuel oils, illuminating oils and other oils such as synthetic oil, lubricants, foundries, glass furnace (more than 1 ton/day capacity), gases-carbon-disulphide, ultramarine blue, chlorine, hydrogen, sulphur dioxide, acetylene (other than LPG, medical, CNG and oxygen), limekilns, leather tanning and dyeing (raw hides/skins to semi finish), methanol, methylated spirit, mineral salts which involves, use of acids, manufacturing of diesel engines, generators except assembly, potteries/ refractories (using coal or furnace oil), pyridines, plasticisers manufacturing, polythene polymers including resins, phenol, rubber solution and thinner, saccharine, secondary zinc industry, smelting, sugar, khandsari and vegetable oil hydrogenated.

The moot question however remains – Why is the MuD delaying the zonal plans, and what more time would it take for Delhi to implement the provisions of the MPD 2021. Three years hence, time runneth over.

WHO PACKS YOUR PARACHUTE?    

Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience!

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, ‘You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk ….You were shot down!’
‘How in the world did you know that?’ asked Plumb..
‘I packed your parachute,’ the man replied. Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, ‘I guess it worked!’

Plumb assured him, ‘It sure did. If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.’

Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, ‘I kept wondering what he had looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat; a bib in the back; and bell-bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said ‘Good morning, how are you?’ or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor.’ Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent at a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn’t know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, ‘Who’s packing your parachute?’ Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. He also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory — he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason. As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachutes.

I am sending you this as my way of thanking YOU for your part in packing MY parachute.

DONT SCREW AROUND !!    

Once upon a time, a young lad was born without a belly button. In its place, was a silver screw. All the doctors told his mother that there was nothing they could do. Like it or not, he was stuck with it….. he was screwed.

All the years of growing up was real tough on him, as all who saw the screw made fun of him. He avoided ever leaving his house…. and thus, never made any friends.

One day, a mysterious stranger saw his belly and told him of a swami in Tibet who could get rid of the screw for him. He was thrilled. The next day, he took all of his life’s savings and bought a ticket to Nepal.

After several days of climbing up steep cliffs, he came upon a giant monastery. The swami knew exactly why he had come. The screwy guy was told to sleep in the highest tower of the monastery…. and the following day when he awoke, the screw would have been removed.
The man immediately went to the room and fell asleep. During the night while he slept, a purple fog floated in an open window, bearing in its mist, a solid silver screwdriver. In just moments, the screwdriver removed the screw and disappeared out the window.

The next morning when the man awoke, he saw the silver screw laying on the pillow next to him. Reaching down, he felt his navel, and there was no screw there!

Jubilant, he leaped out of bed…… and his butt fell off.

The moral to this story is: ‘Don’t screw around with things you don’t understand…….. you could lose your behind.’

 However, the last 5 years haven’t been exactly as it was planned, both personally, as much as for the industry. When the Industry was on a roll, it resisted regulation of any sort, as was wont. The common wisdom as typical American – “why fix something when it isn’t broke”. (though America boasts of one of the best regulated Real estate Industry).WHY SO???

 Let us compare the Telecom Industry, which is comparatively younger in India. Within the last 20 years or so, the Industry has grown multi-fold by increasing consumption, offering cutting edge products and services, as well as have a singular authority regulating the Industry and setting benchmarks for the future.

The very mission of TRAI announces : “The mission of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is to ensure that the interests of consumers are protected and at the same time to nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications, broadcasting and cable services in a manner and at a pace which will enable India to play a leading role in the emerging global information society”.

 Cut to the real estate industry : The real estate Industry is functioning under no singular guidelines, respective states and organizations carry forward the business as it “presumes” good for the Aam-aadmi, the Aam-Aadmi is still hoping for salvation, there are no benchmarks and set standards, and most of all, an industry forecasted to grow to almost 100 billion dollars in size, seems headed in multifarious directions.

 Critics, players of the Industry and part of the political class argue that the appointment of a regulator is not the solution. Per them, the diversity of the country, the fragmented polity, the governance of different states by different political parties etc. demands a much more localised governance and that one unifying body would be akin to creating a ‘toothless’ tiger. But sir(s), can we create a single starting point? Can we have one direction wherein we can all head to? Can we adapt to tried, tested, best practices already enforced elsewhere in the world? Can the same India be any different in the realty industry compared to the IT, Telecom, services industry? Can we have a level playing field for all existing as well as intending players? Can we try and

 Possibly, vested interest and the lack of a coercive will is the biggest reason. The Mango people (aam-aadmi) deserves to remain a fruit to be milked of their juices, in the eyes of the policy maker. How come that we have certain norms in “A” industry, and can’t be enforced in the Real estate Industry? A clear indication that the Industry is not unified, and that the policy makers have a “VALID” reason not to enforce a singular norm across the country / Industry.

 The unfortunate direct loser of this apathy is the consumer; followed by the Industry @ large, which seems myopic in intent.

 No better time than today to enforce this… bring in a regulator for the real estate industry in India. The benefits would run across the spectrum. The central government would miss the chance to string all the states, either by conviction, or coercion, if not availed now.

 The 100 day agenda of the Ministry of Urban development released vide the press release on the 29^th June’09 mentions this :

Point # 16          Real Estate Regulator for Delhi – Real Estate Management (Regulation & Control) Bill for NCT of Delhi will be taken up for decision.

If Delhi is serious, and rolls out a credible implementation plan, that would be the precursor of the regulator pan-India.

 It is time we seriously considered “Consumer interest”, rather than keep trying to paint the Donkey to look like the Zebra.

“An organization is the extension of the leaders’ personality”.

We could look around our eco system – not only business, but cultural, political and social. Leadership plays an immesely important role. Of the many people I have met, and continue to do so, I have observed that only about 5-7% actually have the innate desire to take the leadership role.

I define that leadership as the “ability to assume responsibility, without the crutches of hierarchy, escape doors on (lack of) committment, and the fear of failure”. Am I off the mark?

In such a scenario, what is the best course for any organization? Do we seek leaders from outside our sphere to carry forward the vision? Can we invest into creating leaders within? Are there thumb number time-lines and investments that can be defined. I foresee this as a huge challenge in the times to come, as many things are coming so very easily to our youngsters today, EXCEPT LEADERSHIP.

Let us try and debate how is the “Organization an extension of the individuals personality”… Look around us… we always see families practising ‘true values’ passed on to generations by the head of the family. We see degenerated mindsets being passed on from debillitated political minds into the younger ones they mentor. We see ethical systems & processes being created by business houses following ethical governance. I love to say this as a fact that “rotten eggs have to smell, irrespective of their state of rot”. Havent we seen success of leadership within government sectors? Isnt the Delhi Metro rail corporation an example in itself of infrastructure creation? Have we observed the dignified positive action of Dr. Abdul Kalam? Baba Amte, S L Bahuguna, Gandhiji, Ratan Tata, Jack Welch and Narayan Murthy… (many names dont appear here, but they are greats in their own right.)

Let me clarify my thought here on leadership… many a people confuse leadership to the top position. I am CERTAIN that the top bracket is not to be referred as LEADERSHIP… Leadership is the ability of a person to take absolute responsibility of the responsibililty vested, with no fear of failure and display of committment to take forward to a successful completion. On these parameters, dont you think some people at the bottom of the hierarchial pyramid display more leadership skills that the ones in the middle. Take for example Bal Kumar in my company. He reaches the office at 8.30, cleans up the place, switches on the Air-conditioner about 15 minutes before everyone else turns in, serves the right beverage to each employee as per their preference, and ensures that lunch is served at the right time. Going forward, he once mentioned to me that he would like to learn how to operate a computer !!! He punched in some numbers I had asked him to be tabulated on a excel sheet.

Cut to another employee, at the middle level, exuding a lot of promise, but, who had nothing but her travails of her relationship with her ma-in-law to be discussed during work hours.

WHICH ONE OF THE ABOVE TWO DO YOU THING DISPLAYED LEADERSHIP?

That is what I meant ! I am a firm believer that those organizations would succeed where more & more people take ownership, create propreitary interest in their direct assignment, and align it with their peers. All good leaders communicate…. everyday… and appraise their peers (more than seniors) on what they have set out to do, and have achieved. It creates a healthy environment and builds teams.

Someone wisely says – “A leader is not known by the number of followers he has, but, by the number of leaders he creates.” This adage is applicable in our daily lives if we can positively influence (read motivate through our committment & action) our immediate sphere, and EVOLVE OURSELVES AS LEADERS.