FDI - Foreign Direct Investment...is making so much hue and cry across media. Poor Manmohan is unable to celebrate his 80th birthday in peace, the Bengal tigress walked out of the Jungle back to the safer confines of her cage.... is this a new phenomenon?, I ask myself... the answer is not too tough.....
I go back into the annals of history to the year...1498. This was the beginnings of Foreign Direct Investment into India.
At the port city of Calicut, arrived Vasco da Gama on 20th May 1498. This was perhaps the beginning of what is causing a ruckus across political parties.
Over to Senor Gama on the FDI in retail saga......after over 6 centuries....
Some time in 2012....
I am about to land along the shores of Mumbai in the cruise ship sailing all the way from South of Spain. I was there enjoying myself when I got an urgent summon from the Court of the European Union. Unlike the good old days, today it is one Unified Europe against the rest of them. What relief for me!!!! my younger days were spent in fighting the British, the French etc. No such trivial issues now!!!!!!
The Court of European Union has commissioned me - Vasco Da Gama to lead an expedition to the promised land of India once again. This time, the Seat of EU wants me to set up retail trades within the country of India. Six centuries have passed but things have supposedly not changed there. A consortium of MNC Retailers have approached the Royal Chancellor of EU with this proposal.
One good thing about this voyage is - the comfort!!!! The cruise liner has been sponsored by these MNCs and its comfort personified. Best of the luxuries, wines, food.... the journey has been a royal one.
At times I need to guard the vessel against the pirates along the Somalian coast. Darn!!! Some things do not change at all!!!!!
As I make plans of landing at the Coast of Mumbai - I am informed by my team that a customs and immigration team is going to come aboard for visas etc. Now, I dont have a passport or a visa. I came here 600 years ago. Nobody stopped me then.... why this issue now? None the less, I wait for the officials to come aboard.
Entry into India was a difficult task in those days with the Zamorin of Calicut and is a difficult issue 600 years later!!!! Then, I had bought caskets of honey, oils, hats, corals, almasares etc as "gifts", this time I have a wad of Euros as "gifts".
The immigration officers come onboard, check for all documents from all the members on the cruiser. When my turn comes - they tell me that I cannot enter India without a valid Visa and a passport. I try explaining that I have already been here when there was no passport or visa in existence. To no avail. The MNS (some local party) had staged a huge rally against FDI in the city that day. In the good old days - group of local natives used to congregate at the local markets!!! It pleases me that India has not changed too much but My hopes of seeing the new India are dashed!!!!!.
One only learns by experience!!!! Unlike the folly I committed over 6 centuries ago when I tried fighting only one Zamorin of Calicut only to be defeated - I take some English lessons. I decide to leave from Mumbai and head to the port of Gujarat. I heard from some other wayfarers that the CM there is a man of enterprise and purpose.
To the Gujarat port we head, to an overwhelming reception from the state Chief Minister - Mr. Narendra Modi and the State ambassador Mr. Amitabh Bachchan - both waiting for us to disembark. A Guard of Honour is provided to me!!!! Garlands, tilaks on the foreheads...the works!!!!! A fleet of Nanos are waiting for us to be whisked away from the port to more comforting confines of 5 Star hotel. The natives still fancy a burra sahib!!!! Till now... no surprises!!!!!
After comfortable rest and meal - I decide upon the next course of my action.....
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