Saturday, October 27, 2007

Go Ahead or Stay Behind - Globalization Redefined

Now I'm reading ‘The Lexus & The Olive Tree ‘by Thomas Friedman. For readers of this blog, who have not read this book, this book is about Globalization which rules the 21st century. He has compared how the world is transforming from the Cold War system to the prevailing Globalization system. The title might look irrelevant to what I have said before. Let me help you to understand why the title is about Lexus & Olive tree. Friedman, while he tries to compare both the systems’, he shares his experience of visiting the Lexus car manufacturing factory. He would emphasize the productivity [No of cars made in an hour/day] of Lexus factory. He Projects how fast the world is moving. Now the Olive tree comes, where he would talk about people or country that preserves their Traditions & Cultures. So, it’s understood in which direction the world is moving and what would happen if countries are reluctant to get hold of the pace.



In this blog, I would like to give an example to Friedman’s work. The news which hits the daily newspapers main pages is about the execution of SETHUSAMUDRAM PROJECT. One side, the concerned ministry tries to complete the project soon, thereby enabling the sea trade with the reduction of 350 nautical miles [650 Km] travel distance. On the other side, people oppose this project by claiming that the bridge which lies inside the sea was built by Rama, should not be destructed.

The example given before perfectly aligns to Friedmans’ thought. World steps ahead fast with innovations, advancements what ever. At the same time there are some hindering forces existing.

Finally, it’s all about choice which Countries, States and Individuals chose.

Whether you "Go ahead or Stay behind"

NOTE – The blog does not discuss about which is RIGHT or WRONG. It identifies an example to Thomas Friedman’s thought. Might be, he would include this example in future editions if he reads this blog. [That’s greedy.]

6 comments:

OVER-the-TOP said...

Comment by XAC -

have you read the World is Flat ? It is a good read -- except that after a few chapters , you get the point and he keeps telling the same thing...

My comment is about the SETHUSAMUDRAM Project and you referring peoples opposition to it as Olive tree.... If you check the statistics, the project does not seem to have enough positives that outweighs its negatives ... here are a few -- an ecological disaster
-- take away the fisher flocks lively hood -- the shipping companies dont want to use it coz they cant travel thru the canal as fast as they can in the deep sea -- most imp -- the Indian navy dont even want to use it -- coz if they travel around srilanka -- they can get to the Arabian sea faster ... My point being, why should ppl support such a covert project. Cant we be doing something more on shore -- may be look for ALTERNATE SOURCE OF ENERGY ! -- visit my blog at http://jay-xac.blogspot.com/ -- not much action these days though .

OVER-the-TOP said...

Thanks for your comment Xac-

In fact I have not looked at the merits & demerits of this project. Want to just give an example to Friedman's theory. Not sure, if it was really possible for Rama to erect such a complicated structure, that too under the sea. If this belief is right, then preserving it on sacred grounds would obviously be a perfectly example to OLIVE TREE.

Seenivasan said...

A very good analogy Ramesh. I think this is your best post. Keep it up.

I agree with your points too. :)

OVER-the-TOP said...

Thank you very much Seeni Sir...was awaiting your comment for almost 32 hrs :) :)

Seenivasan said...

was busy. :(

Seenivasan said...

When are you gonna complete that book and lend it to me?