After the extensive coverage of South-East Asia in the previous edition of The Harbus, I figured I’d push my luck with yet another article on India. Not quite a conference coverage article, not exactly reminiscences about a trek, but probably somewhere in between. (With due apologies to Gurcharan Das, author of “India Unbound”, a book…
News
February 5, 2007
International Development with an MBA-twist
International development and business have long been considered opposite extremes. Business is often characterized as cold, ruthless, money-mongering enterprises while international development is characterized by soft, touchy-feely efforts. While neither characterization is entirely true, the two are not commonly associated. Nancy Barry is embarking on a novel approach toward international development, or more specifically, poverty…
News
February 5, 2007
A Letter from Camp India: India Trek 2006
Dear Mom & Dad,Camp India was a lot of fun. We had two fabulous camp counselors. They introduced us to all sorts of important political and business leaders and took us to all of the best tourist sites across the country. Our day counselor, Ankit (OH), set up meetings with the ex-Minister of Defense and…
News
February 5, 2007
The Indian Paradox-High Tech, BPO and Beyond
In 1999, my English friends in London summarized India in 10 words “Chicken Tikka Masala, Shahrukh Khan, Taj Mahal, Gandhi, crowds and IT.” They summarized Indians as “software engineers, doctors, bargain hunters, cabbies and newsagents.” Not anymore! On January 26, 2007, at Harvard Business School’s annual SABA Indian Conference, Charles Kaye, Co-President of Warburg Pincus,…
News
November 13, 2006
HBS Students Make a Difference in the World with the India Schoolhouse Fund
In 2005 and 2006, approximately 100 HBS students visited the Rajugella village in India as part of the India trek. They quickly recognized there was a great opportunity to live the HBS dream and truly make a difference in the world. Five of them took that concept to heart and founded the India Schoolhouse Fund…
News
March 13, 2006
Up Close and Personal with Author of "Break the MBA Admissions Barrier"
On a busy Wednesday after class, I hustled to Spangler Grille to find a table with access to an electrical outlet. I was eager to plug in my laptop and take notes on my discussion with sectionmate and author Mohit Jain. Mohit spoke candidly about his motivation for writing a book on how international students…
News
February 21, 2006
Buying Your First Diamond
It was a strange sight. A largely male audience, alert and listening intently to someone talking about jewelery was truly a situation that defies logic. Yet here they were last Wednesday afternoon, grilling jeweler Fred Feldmesser with questions ranging from how one can tell if a diamond merchant is trustworthy to tips on the best…
News
February 13, 2006
In Defense of Pharmaceuticals: Novartis CEO Speaks to HBSers
Daniel Vasella, M.D, chairman and CEO of Swiss pharmaceutical group Novartis AG, was on campus last Tuesday to address HBS students in an event jointly hosted by the HBS Healthcare Club and the Strategy Unit. As the first CEO of Novartis, Dr. Vasella had a leading role in the merger of Sandoz and Ciba-Geigy and…
News
January 30, 2006
Fighting AIDS in India Through Strategic Gaming Exercises
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to make a case recommendation in class and receive instantaneous feedback on its implications? Consultants from Booz Allen Hamilton delivered such an opportunity to a group of scientists, policy makers, and industry practitioners at a discussion on fighting AIDS in India during the Aspen Institute Ideas…
News
November 7, 2005
Social Enterprise Perspectives: Creating Markets for the Poor
Organization: The Global Fairness InitiativeLocation: Washington, DC Where did you spend your Social Enterprise Summer? I spent my summer working in Washington, DC for The Global Fairness Initiative (GFI). GFI is a an international NGO of global leaders dedicated to promoting innovative, scalable models that extend the benefits of globalization to poor communities around the…
News
April 19, 2005
Experience and indication to improve globalisation
On my last visit to Japan, I had formidable experience. Let me narrate whole story started from Ahmedabad, India. I explored all possible leading money changers, but could not get converted Rupees into Yen. I tried at last on Ahmedabad International Air Port before I board on plane, went in vein, the officials assured I…
News
February 22, 2005
Girl, Make Me Your Classcard Man
Girl, if you will let me be the man on your classcard, I will fill your days with ecstasy and your nights with still more ecstasy. I will take you to the Spangler Food Court and I will buy you whatever you desire. Would you like a snack, my queen? Then I will buy you…
News
February 22, 2005
Three SA/MBA Awards Granted
Last week, the Student Association and MBA Administration presented John Bayliss (OI), Janet Smith (OB) and Naveen Tewari (OF) with SA/MBA Awards, in recognition of their outstanding leadership efforts. The SA/MBA Award was created in 2000 by the SA Executive Committee and the MBA Administration to reward students who have made significant contributions to improve…
News
January 24, 2005
India Trek Awes and Enlightens
As an itinerant cattle rancher from Colorado who went to college in LA, traveled extensively in Europe, spent four years in San Francisco and eighteen months at HBS I feel like I’ve seen a few things. Like me, many of us arrive at HBS secured by our accomplishments, believing that we are wiser, worldlier and…
News
January 24, 2005
HBS Making a Difference in Rural India
Over the winter break, I went with 99 HBS students and partners on the India Trek. While the trip was filled with very interesting and fun experiences, one stop on our tour stood out from the rest – our trip to the Rajugella village. My words won’t do the story justice, but try to picture…
News
January 24, 2005
Tsunami: Turning the Waves of Disaster into Waves of Hope
Tsunami, a word unknown to most of us entered our vocabulary forever on December 26th. That day when the people of South Asia had hardly finished their Christmas celebrations, the tsunami caused destruction well beyond anyone’s wildest imaginations. It shocked all of us and exposed our vulnerability to forces of nature by the extent of…
News
December 13, 2004
The Jitterbug takes First Prize
Picture this: 1,100 RC and 350 EC students in a ballroom, having consumed a total of 500 bottles of wine, staring expectantly at the stage where Alex Michael “two first names, one vision” (NH), and Vikram Sharma (NE) were standing mike in hand. Alex is the quintessential New York party boy; sharp, flamboyant, and often…
News
December 13, 2004
Making a Difference Through Technology
Dr. Alex “Sandy” Pentland of MIT’s Media Lab came to HBS on December 2 to talk about ways in which he and other technological innovators are applying their knowledge to help those in developing countries. The talk was sponsored by the International Business and Development Club as well as the Entrepreneurship Club. Dr. Pentland is…
News
December 6, 2004
"I am bullish on India": Mr. N. Srinivasan
On Friday (November 19th), members of South Asian Business Association (SABA) met with the Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Mr. N. Srinivasan, to discuss the current economic situation in India. Mr. Srinivasan was bullish on India and expressed his optimism that India will continue to be a major player on the…
News
November 15, 2004
The Outsourcing Dilemma:
During this year’s presidential campaign season, America was inundated with the opinions about “outsourcing,” the global trend that is sweeping through businesses and enraging many US workers. In the midst of this polarizing outsourcing debate sits a unique Cambodian firm, with strong Harvard connections, showing the world an alternative to traditional ways of doing business….
News
November 15, 2004
HBS Meets Reality: Episode Two
For those who missed the latest reality-television premier, here’s a quick primer. In an effort to pay off my Citibank loans, I’ve imagined a partnership with a major television studio to film a reality show here at HBS. There are secret cameras all over campus that capture the minutiae of our charmed lives. And here’s…
News
November 2, 2004
Diwali 2004: The Festival of Lights
Over 400 HBS students crowded their way into a full house at the Williams Room on Saturday, Oct.22nd for the annual Diwali Party organized by the South Asian Business Association (SABA). Diwali, the Indian New Year, celebrates the emergence out of darkness and into light and knowledge. The festival of light signifies the renewal of…
News
April 26, 2004
India Shining
Harvard Business School’s first annual India Business Conference, organized by the South Asian Business Association (“SABA”) and Co-Chaired by Class of 2004 students Manoj Dengla (OJ) and Apu Sengupta (OB), proved to be an outstanding success as the organizers accommodated more than 720 attendees – a record attendance at a first time conference. The attendees…
News
February 17, 2004
H-BS Special: Election Watch 2004
Testifying before the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, Federal Reserve Chairman Allen Greenspan took aim at President Bush’s economic policies Wednesday, criticizing what he called “massive, unrestrained spending in the context of massive, unrestrained tax cuts.” In response to Greenspan’s criticisms, which adds to the choruses from Democratic presidential candidates who see the economy…
News
February 17, 2004
Interview with Michael Moritz
On Saturday, February 7th, the Venture Capital & Private Equity Club held its 10th Annual Conference. The day was a huge success, thanks to the 50+ organizers, panelists, keynote speakers and sponsors. Prior to his keynote, The Harbus was lucky enough to get some words of wisdom from Michael Moritz, a partner at the California-based…
News
February 9, 2004
Making the Cobra Dance
Forty students from the Harvard Business School sat in the elegant surroundings of The Bombay Club in the heart of Harvard Square intently listening to the story of Cobra Beer Ltd, as told by its dapper UK-based founder and CEO Karan Bilimoria. In town for an Executive Education program at HBS as a member of…
News
February 2, 2004
How to Make a Bundle in India
The South Asia Business Association and the Entrepreneurship Club invited Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder, Chairman and Group Managing Director of Bharti Enterprises, India’s leading private sector telecom company, to give a talk at HBS on January 26th. Using his own story as an example, Mr. Mittal gave valuable insights into the nature of entrepreneurship and…
News
October 20, 2003
Celebrating the New Year:
Deepawali (deep = light and avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) or Diwali is the most celebrated festival in India. During the four days of the festival, people celebrate by igniting diyas (oil lamps) and firecrackers, playing cards, eating sweets, and shopping for the New Year. Historically, there are various legends pointing…
News
October 20, 2003
Girl, Make Me Your Classcard Man
Girl, if you will let me be the man on your classcard, I will fill your days with ecstasy and your nights with still more ecstasy. I will take you to the Spangler Food Court and I will buy you whatever you desire. Would you like a snack, my queen? Then I will buy you…
News
March 31, 2003
Cricket:
As my well-tanned fellow classmates were making their way back last Sunday from Costa Rica, I spent the hours of 2.30-9.30am in front of a TV at MIT. Why, you might ask? Insomnia? Jet-lag? No, the more accurate reason would be mass hysteria. You may know (or you may not) that the ICC Cricket World…