A Shipping Magnate on the Mentoring Deck

Twenty-seven years ago, just like any other Malayali Ajai Joseph flew to Dubai to try his luck on any job that will come his way. He got a secure, comfortable job at Ministry of Health as an X-Ray technician with 5000 dirhams per month with lot of allowances. But he chose to work for a logistics firm for three years at a much lower salary much against the wishes of his uncle and aunt working in the Health Ministry.

There after he became partner in an Arab sponsored firm having a Briton and a Malayali as co-partners that was focussed on air cargo business with just three people. Ajai set up the shipping logistics division which became profitable. Once huge revenues started coming that’s when the Arab sponsor took over the company unexpectedly.

Undeterred Ajai teamed up with the Malayali promoter to start a new logistics firm. In 10 years, the company had grown and had 500 employees worldwide, with operations in India, Dubai, Qatar, Canada, Bahrain Pakistan, Kuwait but he subsequently fell out with the partner after differences cropped up about handling of finances, debt, inducting new investors and other issues.

Following the split with his partner in 2004, Ajai got the Indian operations which had to be totally revamped and subsequently set up a new company in Dubai on his own which he sold three years later to a Kuwaiti multinational firm for a huge sum.

Looking back, Ajai Joseph, Chairman and CEO of Consolidated Shipping Line (P) Ltd in Kochi is happy as logistics industry is recession proof as there is demand for movement of goods even in times of war and natural calamities. He finds time to do corporate mentoring and entrepreneurship development activities too.

He shared his views on investing and entrepreneurship:

#When should someone think of becoming an entrepreneur?

Preferably when you are a bachelor. You may have to forego your job and if the business doesn’t succeed you can always try for another job. Whereas, if you are married and children are studying, a loss in business can be devastating. When I was working, I used to team up with a friend working in an ice cream company in the spare time to sell readymade garments. After sometime, we stopped because it was quite tiring and went into full time business. But my friend continues to work for the same Ice-cream company 27 years later and every time I see him he regrets his decision. I had told him long back, if you can’t take a risk at a young age, you can’t do it possibly 25 years later.

#Is entrepreneurship for everyone?

Definitely not. Your success as an entrepreneur depends on risk taking. It accounts for 50% of your success. However, if you are a natural risk taker, you should be cautious. The first step is to have a proper project report. When you have a business idea, you tend to think positively and avoid the negative thoughts. If you spend Rs 1 crore in the first year and your revenues are only 50% of it and in the second year you have the same costs and your revenue is Rs 75 lakh, do you have the financial strength to bear this shortfall? Be conservative about revenues because you never know whether it will come, but cost projections will be achieved 100% or even more.

#What all safeguards a prospective entrepreneur should take?

In the beginning, it is natural to save costs wherever possible but there are certain compromises that you shouldn’t make. For eg. You need a good accountant to not only to manage costs but also revenues when it starts coming. Most people get the best marketing people but hire an average accountant. It can prove to be a disaster. If possible have all the key departments in place from day one- Marketing, Finance, IT, HR and legal so all systems are processes are ready when the business starts to grow.

#Is it advisable to do partnership business?

I would say it is not advisable to do partnership business. If ever you do, have three partners instead of two. If differences of opinion crop up between two partners, the third can person can mediate. Set out all the terms and conditions for partnership foreseeing all possibilities. It should cover operation of bank accounts, debt management, what value each will bring to the company, cheque authorisations, appointments and so on.

#How do you train yourself to overcome setbacks in business?

If you are involved 100% in the business, no setbacks can stall your growth. I used to go to the customs office for import-export licenses, open LoC (letter of credits), stand in queue for shipping clearances, go to ports to oversee loading of cargo into ships and so on. When you are aware of all the procedures in your business, no one in your company or outside can mislead you. It also helps when you suffer setbacks and has to start all over again.

# Is it wise to diversify once you succeed in a business?

I would advise to diversify with caution. You shouldn’t get into a business which isn’t your core competency and end up making losses on your flagship business too.

#Is it easier to work or do business?

People think it is nice to be your own boss. But it is not. When you are an employee, you get your salary whether the company is profitable or not, you have leave privileges or try another job. You can go for vacations or holidays. In business, you have to think of salary payments, sales, regulatory issues, payments to suppliers and so on.  The moment you think of a vacation, some important client may visit you at short notice and all your plans go awry.

(For republishing, syndication of this interview mailto: sreekumsree@gmail.com.)

Beats’n’Steps to launch New Dance-Fitness Studio in Panampilly Nagar

PRESS RELEASE
KOCHI: Beats’n’Steps, the renowned dance-fitness studio is opening its second center at Panampilly Nagar after two successful years of functioning at South Kalamassery. The new center will be focussed on dance, fitness and martial arts with the best talent to teach in each category.

Training in BollyFitness, Zumba Basic and Strong, Mixed Martial Arts with Taekwondo, Latin Dance Jr, Latin Dance Senior, Bollywood dance, Hip Hop, Contemporary dance, classical dances such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam and Kathak will be offered at the new center, Prasanth S, Director and Co-Founder of Beats’n’Steps said.

“We will have the best of trainers for each of our programs and the most convenient timings for ladies and kids,” Prasanth said. “Lifestyle changes and busy work schedules have made life sedentary for most people and hence our fitness programs are focussed on the requirements of corporates, housewives and above 50 year olds,” he added. 

The Kathak dance training is being provided in association with Mudra School of Dance while Latin Junior and Senior is being offered in association with Paul Paul Academy, Thrissur run by renowned Latin Dance expert Paul Chiriankandath. Paul is preparing kids in the 6-18 age group for Latin Dance Competitions promoted by Dance Sport India affiliated to World Dance Council.

Beats ‘n’ Steps was established in June 2015 by Zumba fitness trainers Prasanth and Aswathy Visweswaran at South Kalamassery. “We have over 250 satisfied clients in our Kalamassery center with focus on Zumba, Aerobics and Yoga,” Prasanth said. He quit a high paying corporate job to start dance fitness business along with Aswathy, a pharmacist turned fitness trainer who is also trained in Latin Salsa dance.

“With more enquiries coming from the heart of the city, we are launching the new facility at Panampilly Nagar to cater to people living in Kaloor- Kadavanthara, Vytilla, Ravipuram, Thoppumpady, Thevara and nearby areas,” Aswathy Visweswaran said.

 “Our clients have expressed satisfaction with Zumba Fitness, Aerobics and Yoga as they have experienced improvement in their health, weight management and happiness which gives us motivation to offer our services more people,” she added. Lately, even doctors, nutritionists and sports medicine experts have recommended Zumba to keep fit and prevent cardiovascular diseases and stroke, Aswathy said.

Beats’n’Steps: Ist Floor Kannada Sangha Builidng, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi-682036

Beatsn’Steps: Ist Floor, Khafji Tower, Near CUSAT Signal

For enquiries: Mob-9895611537, 9744954607

Salsa Can Help In Improving Relations Between Sexes: Rahul Stephen

KOCHI: Women seek leadership, guidance and protection from men and that is perfectly mirrored in each step of Salsa, according to Rahul Stephen, international Salsa dance trainer and performer. The music, steps and movements are all blended for a perfect relationship to evolve between both the sexes and it goes beyond the sensual appearance for the viewer, he said.

In Salsa men take the lead, hold and direct the movements of the lady partner and the focus is on attaining perfection that both the dancers can’t think of anything else even when it appears sensuous to the viewer.

Rahul Stephen was in town to conduct a work shop on Salsa on invitation byBeats ‘n’Steps, in South Kalamassery. In these times of increasing sexual abuse, the mistrust and fear evoked in interactions between sexes, the relevance of Salsa is only increasing day by day.

Salsa also helps the performers become part of a rich culture of dance and music that evolved from the slave trade of Africa. The clave rhythms, the Mambo dance, Kizombo of Africa became popular in Cuba due to slave trade. From there it gradually spread to America where it got blended with Jazz music. As it moved across the world different styles evolved and thus you have the Cuban Style, Colombia Style, New York Style and Los Angeles Style (LA).

“When you hear about Colombia you come to equate it with guns and drugs trade but not many know of its rich music and dance culture. Likewise, Cuban music suffered no obstacles in moving to United States despite the ban on movement of people and it helped the developed of Latin dance styles in US,” Rahul Stephen said.

Training at Cyprus

Rahul along with his twin brother Deepak were trained in Salsa in Cyprus where they went to study BBA at European University after their school education at Christ Nagar School, 

Thiruvananthapuram in mid-2000. They were trained by Christos Shakkalis at Dance Club in the university and also at the Shakkalis School. After five years, they did a dance diploma at International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA).

Among their early achievements include an impressive performance at International Dance Festival in Cyprus for which they got a standing ovation, reaching semi-finals at Greece Got Talent and performed at the Torching Ceremony of London Olympics 2012, regular appearance on Cyprus Television and Bollywood Film Festival in Moscow in 2016 where they performed along with Harsh Vardhan Rane of Sanam Teri Kasam fame.

After his marriage to Abi Gail Ramsay of England in January in Thiruvananthpuram,he  has been leading a quiet life and occasionally doing workshops in Kochi and the capital city. She is also a salsa trainer and works in a financial firm in Leeds. They met at a dance event in UK.

Rahul who will return to UK next month is looking forward to their forthcoming appearances at Thailand Dance Festival and also a major event in United Kingdom. “We have performed on invitation in many countries including UAE, Malta, France, Pland, Ireland, Isreal, Germany, Indian cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore,” he said. He is happy to find more acceptance for salsa in metro cities and Bangalore while it is making only slow inroads in a more conservative Kerala milieu.

Asianet News Cover Story on sexual abuse of actor- the need for self-introspection

A recent Cover Story episode in Asianet News where in its anchor Sindhu Suryakumar lashes out at the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood) for not doing anything to the injustice suffered by its female actors has received considerable attention with lot of social media shares.

Sindhu points out that the film fraternity that gathered to protest against the sexual abuse and attack on an actor while she was travelling in a car to Ernakulam arranged by her film company.  Only two female actors were given an opportunity to speak while the male actors were seen struggling to express their anguish and anxiety over the attack.

Male chauvinism is very much prevalent in Mollywood and what moral right do the actors have in convening such a meeting and expressing solidarity for the cause of the abused actor, Asianet Cover Story asked.

She also took a dig at the political leadership who along with the industry tried to making effort to protect the unholy nexus in the industry- consisting of a few actors, directors, goondas and producers who were controlling the whole scene.

The need for self-introspection
The Asianet  News Cover Story no doubt exposes the hollowness, hypocrisy of Mollywood industry- even super stars portraying misogyny, goondaism and glorified corruption yet do nothing for the suffering endured by the female actors. Only actor Prithviraj announced that he will no longer be acting in any role that is misogynistic while many superstars who have been criticized for doing such roles in the past are yet to make such a promise even after the sexual abuse incident rattled the industry.

We can only hope that the Mollywood industry would take criticism against them in the right spirit and try to mend their ways.

Introspection is required for all

Professionals from all walks of life should do a self-introspection. Is the media of which Sindhu Suryakumar is a part, doing justice to its journalists, cameramen and others working for the industry? Who will highlight the injustice suffered by them?

What's happening is a blame game. You can find film industry, politicians and others blaming the media for misrepresentation, sensationalism, falsifying news while media sits in judgment on all others.  Doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, architects are all keen on putting blame on policy makers and the media but seldom look inward into the unethical practices seen in their profession.

No profession is free from unethical behaviour and therefore self- introspection should be done by all. For example, doctors have been accused of colluding with clinical labs and pharma companies to prescribe unnecessary tests or medicines.  When doctors make a mistake, the people who sit in judgment over a complaint are people from the medical profession itself. On the other hand, we have a practice of appointing judges to head to the press watch dog- Press Council of India. Likewise, lawyers are more keen on finding fault with other professionals than looking inward.

Unethical behaviour by any professional needs to be dealt with firmly and discouraged but does this happen always?

Are Mollywood Superstars Mammooty and Mohanlal Misogynistic?

Following the attack on the leading Malayalam actress by a gang in Kochi  led by her former car driver, the Mollywood film industry have unitedly condemned the attack and expressed support and solidarity for the actor. Leading stars Mammooty, Mohanlal, Manju Warrier described the incident as unfortunate and said the culprits should be brought before law.

Meanwhile, my friend G Pramod Kumar, a senior journalist shared an article he wrote sometime back in Huffington Post criticising the misogynistic roles portrayed by our superstars Mammooty and Mohanal.  He especially refers to Kerala State Women’s Commission serving notice to Mammooty for his insulting dialogues in the movie Kasaba.  He notes that many of the roles done by Mohanlal and Mammooty denigrated women and hence it was sheer hypocrisy now that they were crying over the assault on the actress.

Mammooty in Kasaba

The Artist and the Individual
Superstars have dual identities before us- one is the roles they play on the screen and the other is their real personality. Most of us have only access to the screen identity and not to their real identity except through interviews in TV, newspapers and magazines when they reveal their views on life, family etc.

There is no reason to believe that superstar Mammooty or Mohanlal share the same attitudes towards women as the characters they depict on screen. In public life, they have been seen to behave responsibly. We shouldn’t confuse their screen identity with their real identity.

The role dialogues, attitudes of a character in a story are all created by film makers to appeal to the audience and also with an eye on the box office. No film is made to make it a loss for the producer.  If the superstar plays the role of a goonda, or a rapist or a corrupt politician he needs to do justice to the role. In such cases, the actors become successful when people hate the character in the movie.

All the films that Mammooty acted in misogynistic ways were cleared by the Censor Board who are the gate keepers in the film industry.  They are bound to examine the moral, ethical and social implications of a movie before clearing them for viewing by the public. Now films display statutory warning messages on screen whenever a scene showing smoking or drinking is displayed. This is to tell the audience that the film is not being produced to promote smoking or alcohol use.

The commercial side of cinema and attitude of society

The cinema has a commercial element and an artistic element to it. Considering the huge cost in involved in its production most often the commercial weighs more than the ethical, moral or artistic dimensions. However, that doesn’t deter Mammooty or Mohanlal fans to keep rushing every time a new movie of theirs is released.

Secondly, we must not forget the fact that women from different walks of life are harassed in Kerala not necessarily physically but by words, gestures, looks and unwanted gossip to malign. Mollyood films partly are a reflection of this attitude and there is nothing alarming about it.

First and foremost we must stop taking double standards in society—what is applicable to men is not so for women. Men and women are not equal but unique in their own ways-each having their strengths and weaknesses. Once we realise this much of the problems that we see around will disappear and perhaps the dream of women travelling safely anywhere at any time can become a reality. Where this should this learning begin- at home, at school, at workplace….?

Tailpiece
There is lot of talk about revealing the identity of the leading actress who was assaulted in Kochi. However, what was quite painful was the way Times of India reported the incident as rape. How could they sit in judgement on the issue just because police had registered a case against the culprits quoting sections of the law which is against rape. Ultimately, the choice of news, articles in newspapers, news, visuals on television and themes for film are guided by popular appeal and commercial interests. Sometimes, sensationalism can go to extremes flouting all media ethics. After all they also need to sell and be ahead of their competition.

Decline of Nair dominance in education institutions in Kerala

The agitation by students in an academic institution teaching law in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala is entering its fourth week. Student organisations have pointed out several anamolies in the functioning of this premier private law college in Kerala. The institution run by Nairs- Lekshmi Nair, cookery show celebrity,  the principal and its founder is her father Narayanan Nair who headed the institution for a long time. His brother Koliakode Krishnan Nair is a CPM leader.

However, Kerala Law Academy Law Collge, an autonomous institution has nothing to do with the Nair Service Society (NSS) founded by the freedom fighter and visionary Mannathu Padmanabhan. They have a large number of educational institutions from primary school to engineering, medical, arts and science colleges and hospitals in the State.

The NSS was started in 1914 with the objective of uplifting the Nair community that was facing a crisis due to outmoded customs, beliefs  and loss of their supremacy in land ownership due to lack of hard work and education. Nairs were the warrior tribe in erstwhile Travancore and they occupied high positions in administration. Some Nair families by virtue of their land holdings also kept slaves. . Their extravagant life style, ceremonies and lack of education contributed to their decline.

The classic work, The Decline of Nair Dominance: Society and Politics in Travancore 1847-1908 by Robin Jeffrey gives a description of the changes that occurred to the Nair community during this period.

Meanwhile, the Kerala politics witnessed the dominance of caste in elections since late 1940’s before the formation of Kerala State along linguistic lines. The early dominance of Nair community gradually gave equal way to Ezhavas, Christians and later Muslims who continue to have pockets of influence. NSS sometimes maintained a principle of equi-distance from the CPM-led Left Democratic Front and Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

Apart from government institutions, private aided, unaided schools and colleges set up by NSS, Ezhava community, Christians and Muslims have played a stellar role in creating more educational opportunities in the state.

However, in terms of quality of education and training imparted, the Christian institutions seems to have scored over others although in terms of infrastructure NSS. Ezhava and Muslim institutions were equally good.

Having studied for two years in an NSS institution and later in government institutions, I realised the vast difference in standards between the two. Also the better scoring students tended to seek admission to institutions run by Christian organisations.  Examination results also reflected the quality of education provided by NSS institutions. The teachers were recruited more on their financial ability rather than merit.

The Law Academy Crisis

The Law Academy was started in the late 1960’s as a society with the blessings of the CPM led government at that time. However, in due course, it became a private institution with no control of the government except an affiliation with the Kerala University.

The irregularities in the functioning of the Law Academy was known to people in the capital city and I remember in my college days, meritorious candidates usually sought admission to Government Law College while average or lesser performers got into Law Academy.

It was N Narendran covering the education beat for The Indian Express who first chronicled the irregularities in the Academy but no political party or the University took any steps to correct the anamolies in its functioning. The notable alumni list of the institute includes politicians, journalists, magistrates, government pleaders, advocates and therefore nobody took up the issue. No other media organisations seem to have followed up Narendran’s story either.

The Academy also didn’t take any step to improve their functioning and expressed their ire over Narendran’s reports. They didn’t keep ownership and management of the Academy separate. This led Lakshmi Nair, daughter of the founder taking over the reins of Principal of the institution. Serious allegations have been raised against her including calling a Dalit by his caste name apart from showing favouritism in internal assessment for some students.

Although run by Nairs, the Law Academy has nothing to do with NSS but at the height of the crisis, they were reported to have approached NSS leadership to seek their support.

The NSS institutions seem to be requiring a good dose of professionalism just as Mannathu Padmanabhan exhorted the Nair community in early 1900’s to come out of their shells and work hard to be in the forefront.

Demonetization:Cutting the Vital Blood Supply to the Economy

By Sreekumar Raghavan

By now you may have read many articles, analysis which were either supportive or against the recent demonetization initiative of Narendra Modi Government in India. This is my first post on demonetization. Without being judgmental, let us try to find out what was done through demonetization.

Let’s take a comparison between blood circulation in our body and currency circulation in the economy. Blood by itself doesn’t have much value in our body but it is important because it carries vital nutrients and life sustaining oxygen to our cells and tissues.
 

For some reason if there is bleeding in our body we use emergency measures to stop it or else we will die. Also we know that blood that comes back to the lungs has less value that that which is pumped into the heart chambers for distribution in the body as it contains oxygenated blood. Also we know that when surgeries are performed, the patient is put on other life support systems to survive.

As blood is to our body so is currency to our economy. The 10, 50, 100, 500,2000 or other currency denominations don’t have any intrinsic value other than as a medium of exchange in the economy. When we curtail the supply of currency economy slows down just as our body turns weak when we have less blood which is medically called Anemia.

Sometimes, patients are diagnosed with blood lacking vital minerals or vitamins—potassium, sodium, magnesium … They are given supplements to make up for what is lacking in blood.  

The currency is exchanged as value of a good or service or an immovable property. Only when people engage in work and business men or government invest in machinery and raw materials, does the economy function. Currency is only a convenient way for people to buy and sell goods or services as otherwise we may have to adopt the cumbersome barter system of ancient age.

What may have gone wrong with demonetization?

The objective of demonetization was to curb black money, money laundering, fight terrorism and bring more transparency in business and personal finance in the country. Ever since I started learning and reading more about Economics after my school years, plenty of analysis has come about black money-politicians, economists, bankers all talk about it. Black money is also legal tender but for which the concerned individual or institution hasn’t paid taxes to the government.

It is true that taxes are what we pay for upkeep of our civilization. We need good roads, hospitals, schools, dams, public utilities, law and order, judiciary. Government can utilize tax payer’s money to fund all these projects. But people are reluctant to pay taxes, most people try to evade taxes rather than avoid it. Tax evasion is a criminal activity while tax avoidance is permitted.

It may be because people dealing in black money have an obligation towards each other. If one party reveals his source of income, it exposes all the stakeholders who were involved in the transaction who in turn have to expose all others involved in the transaction and it will be never ending cycle. 

The voluntary disclosure scheme was laudable but many didn’t utilize it as they may have been anxious about income tax sleuths pestering them with notices and investigations on their wealth.

Now coming back to the blood circulation analogy in our body, if we turn sick no doctor suggests changing your blood however infected it is. Even in case of dengue fever where platelet count drops more platelets are injected into the system or certain herbal medicines are taken to increase the platelet count.

Finding the right cure

Just as the task of any physician is to diagnose the disease and administer the right cure, the government needs to make a proper diagnosis of the functioning of the economy and take corrective steps. It may be rationalization of taxes, bringing more transparency in use of funds for public good, instilling trust in citizens and business community.

The go ‘cashless’ slogan is no doubt laudable. It requires time and more infrastructural investments in backend technologies and proper awareness building. 

I am not being judgmental on the demonetization issue- just because most people are suffering due to lack of currency and restrictions on its withdrawal from banks. Nor I am saying the crisis in agriculture, small and medium industry and trade is going to last forever.


 

                              V C Shukla, India's Revenue Minister's clarification on demonetisation in 1970

The truth is many sectors of the economy are gasping for breath as vital supply of blood (currency) was made as a ‘patriotic’ measure by Narendra Modi government. The Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) data shows new investment proposals have fallen drastically in October –December 2016 quarter, tourist arrivals have come down, traders report lower sales, farmers have destroyed crops in some places as there are no takers at prevailing prices.

Why the currency was kept in lockers and under bed?

It is astounding the amount of currency that was legal tender but didn’t come to the banking system nor was it invested somewhere. if we had indeed invested so much money in agriculture, industry or in services, we could have easily overcome China , the emerging economy giant, in growth and development. In the post financial crisis period of 2008, it may be recalled that China, India and Brazil were the fastest growing economies in the world.

I think the government, income tax sleuths and policy makers should not be hunting down tax evaders treating them as criminals but think of how to utilize such hidden wealth for the development our nation.

Not yet ready for post-mortem

We are not yet ready for a post-mortem. The government has given indications that currency crisis will continue until April or a bit longer. If the economy, personal finances, money supply and economic activity are not normalized by then, then people would deliver the final judgement.