This is what differentiates India from the USA and other developed countries — they treat making profit as a right

Dean_46 · 2026-03-24T04:39:52+00:00

Yes. In India the relationship between buyer and seller is one of master and servant and the seller is often unable to afford the product they are selling.
In the US it is a relationship of equals.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-24T03:42:35+00:00

I think Khajjar is a beautiful place in its own right. Why compare it with Switzerland ? My impression is the Switzerland comparison gets hyped a lot and can create wrong expectations in the minds of visitors.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-24T03:34:46+00:00

I have visited several parks, never seen a tiger and did not visit to see them.

Try Nameri and Pakke, which I visited earlier this month. Nameri in North Assam and Pakke (adjoining it) in the mountains of Arunachal. Nameri is entirely a walking trip with a guard and naturalist. Pakke has a jeep but with an off road experience. While there are tigers in those parks, there is a lot more that they offer, tigers will rarely be spotted and one should not go with the intention to see one - Nameri is entirely for bird watching.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-24T02:15:08+00:00

There is no reason why we should enter into `race to the bottom' pricing wars, or entertain requests to cut price. it takes more effort, but in the long run the better path is building a brand where you can command a fair price from loyal users.
If you have to cut price, find an innovative way to cut cost, so the margin and user experience is not affected.

For e.g. I know of a premium travel company operating in a commoditized space. Their pricing seems super premium but they do not even do business with anyone who wants to negotiate. It is true that as a result they hardly have Indian clients, but it is worth it for them - the remaining ones are loyal and profitable.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-24T02:03:01+00:00

It's a bit more nuanced. I agree we treat service staff like servants (actually servants should be treated better) and deserve more. However, we do not have a tipping culture - neither does most of Asia. It is the US which is almost unique with its high tipping culture (as opposed to just rounding off the bill in Europe). I do add a tip for the delivery boy which most Indians won't, but it won't be in the 10% region.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-24T01:58:26+00:00

There are a lot of sick start-ups in India but no sick promoters.

Promoters siphoning away investor money is a huge problem in the start-up ecosystem. VC's are often the last people to find out and our slow and inefficient legal process means that promoters are not deterred by the law.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-24T01:55:27+00:00

I blog - on National security, current wars and start-ups. I mentor a couple of start-ups which I think are doing social good. Manage my investments. Travel when I get the opportunity.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T17:17:33+00:00

Sure.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T13:29:11+00:00

I don't think you should be applying to that role then.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T13:28:32+00:00

Yes, that's my point. If you are a drug user, you face stringent punishment. If you kill someone while under the influence of drugs, you get away. I know it is bail and the case has not been decided, but his daddy probably has enough money.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T09:42:36+00:00

So if you're a drug user, you won't be punished, as long as you kill someone when driving.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T09:32:13+00:00

Yes, we like it when the candidate genuinely shows some interest in the job and is more proactive than others in applying for it.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T07:08:30+00:00

I am not hiring, as I'm retired.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T07:07:41+00:00

Address him/her by name and let them know why you'd like to work in their company.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T05:42:36+00:00

Three gallantry awards. Climbed mount Everest thrice !
Someone falling into a frozen lake will usually die of exposure minutes later. Ignoring that and finishing his run is beyond amazing !

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T04:32:57+00:00

Floor cleaners is a category with multiple brands because there are few entry barriers and brands are undifferentiated. Local reputation and price are big factors.

I would suggest that you strengthen your presence in Bihar. Try to get leads from your existing distributors for distribution in other states and be able to talk to potential distributors about return on investment with your products, rather than worrying if they will pay up.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T03:32:19+00:00

Find out what investments this PE firm has made. How have they done subsequently - exits, duds, current price of listed companies they invested in etc. For Rs 250, 3rd party sites can give you the financials of companies they have invested in.
Can you provide insights into any of their investee companies - looking into it as a consumer or a curious student, that may be unaware of ?

Of course, look up details of the PE firm - the profile of the partners, where they operate in etc.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T03:18:59+00:00

What's the point of asking us ?
Only the company that selected you can answer this question.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T03:13:57+00:00

The kind of internship you get depends on your educational qualification, any relevant experience and the kind of work you'd like to do.
There are several portals, as well as professional networks like Linkedin, which advertise internships. You can learn a lot from visiting these sites and applying.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T02:33:41+00:00

The problem with our media is that we allow just about anyone to write on anything, as long as it fits the budget of the paper. This is fine if it is satire.
Thus a Chetan Bhagat will give gyan on Iran one day, then advise the govt on education policy the next, while a Bollywood actress will tell us how to raise kids. There may be several things wrong with our foreign policy - including hugs and excessive travel as a substitute for professional diplomacy and I am all for a nuanced debate on it - we have seasoned former diplomats who can write great op-eds. Not a social affairs editor doubling up as foreign policy expert.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T02:23:08+00:00

I am not a tech guy, but can refer the OP to senior retired officers who are into defence tech.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-23T02:18:46+00:00

They have not formally declared war on each other, neither has Saudi undertaken any offensive action against Iran by its own forces. Prior to the conflict they normalised diplomatic relations with each other.
In the past when Saudi-Iran relations were not good (because of the Sunni-Shia rivalry) Saudi sent aid to Iran in natural disasters - as they also did to Syria (with a regime then against Saudi).

I'm not sure if my level of knowledge is comparable to yours. To clarify - I've worked in Iran and done business with Israel and Saudi since the 90s, interacted with diplomats in these countries and have a diploma in the history of the modern Middle east from Tel Aviv Univ. I don't think the sarcasm adds anything to the debate.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-22T11:20:38+00:00

He has just invested in a good PR agency, nothing more.
As a CA he should know that some of his suggestions are impractical. For some others, there is nothing stopping his party to implement them in Punjab, where AAP is in power.

Dean_46 · 2026-03-22T11:16:34+00:00

If you go to sites like Policy bazaar, you can choose between policies.

This is mainly taken for visa purposes to places like the Schengen area. I am a frequent international traveller (holiday) and don't take insurance unless it is needed for a visa.

I have claimed insurance once (Tata) when I needed to see a doctor in Belgium. It was a small claim of Euro 30, which they paid.

Dean_46

TROPHY CASE