Spiritual Thought-What is Vedanta?

The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York bases its teachings on the system of Vedanta, especially as explained by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) and his disciple Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) and demonstrated in their lives. Vedanta is the philosophy that has evolved from the teachings of the Vedas, which are a collection of ancient Indian scriptures -- the world's oldest religious writings.
According to the Vedas, ultimate reality is all-pervading, uncreated, self-luminous eternal spirit, the final cause of the universe, the power behind all tangible forces, the consciousness that animates all conscious beings. This is the central philosophy of the Vedantist, and his religion consists of meditation on this spirit and prayer for the guidance of his intellect along the path of virtue and righteousness.
From the philosophical standpoint, Vedanta is non-dualistic, and from the religious standpoint, monotheistic. The Vedanta philosophy asserts the essential non-duality of God, soul and universe, the apparent distinctions being created by names and forms which, from the standpoint of ultimate reality, do not exist. Vedanta accepts all religions as true and regards the various deities of the different faiths as diverse manifestations of the one God.
According to Vedanta, religion is experience and not mere acceptance of certain time-honored dogmas or creeds. To know God is to become like God. We may quote scripture, engage in rituals, perform social service, or pray with regularity, but unless we realize the Divine spirit in our hearts, we are still phenomenal beings, victims of the separative existence. One can experience God as tangibly 'as a fruit lying on the palm of one's hand,' which means that in this very life we can suppress our lower nature, manifest our higher nature, and become perfect. Through the experience of God, one's doubts disappear and the 'knots of the heart are cut asunder.' By ridding himself of the desires clinging to his heart, a mortal becomes immortal in this very body. That the attainment of immortality is not the prerogative of a chosen few but the birthright of all is the conviction of every follower of Vedanta.
Vedanta asserts that Truth is universal and all humankind and all existence are one. It teaches the unity of Godhead, or ultimate Reality, and accepts every faith as a valid means for its own followers to realize the Truth. The four cardinal principles of Vedanta may be summed up as follows: the non-duality of the Godhead, the divinity of the soul, the unity of existence and the harmony of religions. On these four principles the faith of the Vedantist is based.
The essential teachings of Vedanta, as stated by Swami Vivekananda is: "Each soul is potentially divine, the goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature: external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or philosophy -- by one, or more, or all these -- and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, are but secondary details."

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West Bengal's development scenario bright for investment

West Bengal's government recently announced infrastructure development programmes worth US$25.2 billion - worth only a little less than total foreign direct investment (FDI) to China in the first half of 2007. Such figures illustrate the scale of dynamic, rival agendas set in either country to lever development potential in the race for greater prosperity.

Hong Kong infrastructure and real estate companies, particularly those run by Indian expatriates with direct connections with West Bengal, can find a considerable list of upcoming opportunities, including in the fields of logistics, infrastructure development and tourism.
Large-scale works ahead.
The new pro-industry approach of the socialist-leaning West Bengal government has resulted in project announcements and implementations on a grand scale. The state is already attracting investments in many different sectors, including ship building, development of special economic zones, light product manufacturing, power generation, iron and steel, IT, retail, agriculture and tourism.
Industry friendly policies, easy procurement of land, the availability of skilled, professionally-trained labour, various central government and state financial assistance schemes are among the advantages in which companies investing in the state have become involved.
Call for investors to India's professionally-trained environment.
West Bengal is particularly well-endowed with minerals, making it among the best destinations for iron and steel plants. Also, with the state being among the top agri-producing states, there's potential for agri-based industries to set up shop.
The huge, western subcontinental state is working towards becoming the leading power generator in the country. West Bengal's government is following the SEZ and industrial parks strategy to industrialisation, which means that units in these regions can avail themselves of some key tax benefits and labour-friendly policies.Beeline for West Bengal by investors and workers.
All this has worked in favour of domestic Bengali companies, many of which are expanding facilities. Furthermore, almost every big company in every industrial sector in the country is making a beeline for West Bengal.
To attract foreign companies to the state, the government is regularly sending business delegations to various trading centres.Most recently, delegations have gone to Russia, Singapore and Taiwan. The government is also working towards strengthening cross-border trade with Bangladesh, by developing the road network while also working on facilitating various tariff and non-tariff areas.Forging a new future in steel and engineering.The iron and steel sector is growing at a rate of around 10% and almost all major players throughout the country have set up base and are expanding. Important players include SAIL, Bhushan Ltd, Gonterman Piepers, Electrosteel Casting and Vesuvius India.Among the new ventures, Bhushan Steel has recently announced plans to set up a two million tonne per annum steel plant.Headlining the projected development JSW Bengal Steel is planning a US$ 8.7 billion steel venture in Salboni, with a capacity of around 10 million tonnes per annum. The first phase of the project is expected to become operational by 2011.
Consumer durables company Videocon has recently submitted a US$ 3.7 billion investment proposal to the Bengali government for setting up a 3 million tonne steel plant in the state, among other projects.
For its part, the Bengali government has put in place industry-friendly policies to boost the sector, including technology upgrades, research and development grants, government procurement and selection for joining given construction projects.
Engineering projects are taking a leading part in development too. US giant GE Equipment Services (GEES) has picked up a 15% equity (US$37.5 million) in railway wagon maker Titagarh Wagons Ltd (TWL), to tap the vast logistics business through West Bengal.
In fact, GE plans to invest US$8 billion over the next three years in the country as a whole, with a substantial amount earmarked for West Bengal. These investments would be targeted at developing infrastructure facilities such as a deep sea port, a railway freight corridor, a transport hub and associated housing and healthcare projects.
Shipbuilding company APJ Bharti Shipyard is planning to set up a shipyard in the state, with an investment of US$ 500 million while McNally Bharat Engineering Company Ltd, a part of the giant Indian tea conglomerate Williamson Magor group, has announced a US$ 5 million investment plan to set up a plant, to help in executing turnkey projects for the steel players in the state.
Boost for automotive development.Automotive developments are also underway. Tata Motor has its huge Singur project, from which an automotive components sector has received a major boost, with a number of players setting up shop in West Bengal. The government has also received proposals for several component manufacturing parks.Caparo Engineering India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Euros 2 billion Caparo Group of the UK, is setting up a sheet metal and stamping facility at Singur to supply Tata Motors.Other auto component makers making a beeline for Singur include Rasandik Engineering, Rucha Engineering, Lumax and JBM Auto.
Green and IT options part of the growth cycle.The West Bengal government has some ambitious plans in the energy sector, among which it's promoting renewable energy projects. These would be implemented through a Green Energy Development Corporation (GEDC).
The state government expects investments to the tune of US$2.7 billion in renewable power projects during its 11th Five-Year Plan set between 2007 and 2012.
Suzlon Energy has already submitted a US$1.5 billion investment proposal to the state government, for a wind energy project, in coastal Digha in West Bengal.
Bhaskar Group, a well-known name in the field of solar wafer cells, has also drawn up a US$ 1 billion investment proposal along with a US company, which is expected in Haldia.
The private sector is investing in captive power plants, as newer manufacturing facilities arise. Bhushan Steel and Strips, which has announced a steel manufacturing facility in the state, is also setting up a 1000 MW thermal power project, at an investment of around US$1 billion.
IT sector on huge growth cycle.The IT sector in West Bengal is growing at a rate of almost 70% annually, even though average growth in the sector nationwide is only between 35% and 37%.
The growth has been fuelled through SEZ and IT parks. "We have set a target of contributing about 15% to the country's total revenue earnings from IT exports and be among the country's top three states in terms of generating revenues from IT-related activities in the next five years," said a spokesman for the government's IT secretariat.Major players such as IBM, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, PwC, Skytech, NIIT, HCL, Genpact and Wipro are operating in West Bengal. Other companies which have charted out their expansion plans in the state include Convergys, HCL Infotech and Patni.US-based Accenture is in talks with the government for setting up its centre in the state's capital, Kolkata. Accenture's Kolkata centre would be its largest across Asia.
Leading software exporter Satyam Computer Services Limited is planning to expand operations in West Bengal, and is keen on acquiring more land. The company currently has an IT and BPO centre in the Salt Lake Electronics Complex.
As many as 13 IT Parks are being planned in the state, to create an additional 13.3 million sq feet of built-up space.
The state government is planning two new IT-specific special economic zones (SEZs) to accommodate IT giants - Infosys, Wipro and TCS. The two SEZs would be owned by the state and located in Rajarhat (323 acres) and Kalyani (200 acres).
To attract more foreign IT companies to the SEZs, the government plans to send official delegations to Taiwan and Singapore, among others.
Besides these parks, towns such as Durgapur, Siliguri, Haldia are emerging as suitable IT destinations, as they have developed software technology parks.
The West Bengal government has also put in place an IT policy with e-governance as the most important feature, aimed at connecting the state's 3,600 local self-governments and municipalities. The policy also focuses on promoting IT education to create skilled professionals in the field.
Infrastructure on the upgrade.Investment for infrastructure in the offing.West Bengal is investing in infrastructure development, by way of upgrading road, rail and air network, and setting up industrial infrastructure by way of SEZs, industrial parks and clusters.
The government is upgrading the infrastructure of the Durgapur-Asansol industrial region. The upgrade includes a greenfield airport, housing, markets, and other infrastructure. The project will take off from January 2008, and will be completed by June 2010.Port infrastructure is another focus area for the government, which is in the process of sprucing up the facilities at the existing ports, while looking at proposals for new port facilities.One such is the Kulpi port, jointly promoted by DP World, Keventers Agro and West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). The port will come up adjacent to a SEZ, close to Diamond Harbour.

Push for tourism.

The huge potential of tourism has brought forth a policy framework to attract more tourists as well as investors.
In 2004, less than one million foreign tourists and 12.3 million domestic tourists visited the state. The government has allocated around US$650,000 in the state budget to boost tourism.
The state's tourism ministry has also commissioned a study to international consulting firm, Ernst and Young, to target the most appropriate areas of tourism development in the state, and to chalk out a strategy for boosting the sector.
The state government is planning to make investments to the tune of US$75 million with assistance from the Asian Development Bank, to promote beach tourism. For this, the UN Development Programme has been asked to study the entire east coast.
from special correspondent Reena Mital, Mumbai

Courtesy: Special correspondent Reena Mital, Mumbai for International Market News

Real Estate Market can be turned around after six successful quarters.

Real Estate Market can be turned around after six successful quarters.

I have mentioned my analysis and investment policy in my blog and I mentioned repeatedly that population is on the rise and our country’s population itself will double over the coming few decades. With our country going global it’s of one’s easy assumption that people would opt for their own flats and residents. Majority of the population being youth gives a strong conviction of the upcoming developments. Fine enough, recession may always come and hurt once in a century but that would only be an opportunity to capitalizes go for the Real estate company which has ambitious plans, a lot of proven land bank and belief that it would spark a robust turnaround once the sentiment changes for good.
Real Estate Market will be turned around after six successful quarters. Market seems to be corrected by 10-15% from October'2008 low. May-Sept'2009 phase to be proved brightest time for investment. Indian Market to be proved the best platform for Energy, Education, Media & Entertainment & "Alternative Energy Sources".

Bio-Diesel & Its Future Prospect

The importance of Bio-fuel (bio-diesel & ethanol) is increasing rapidly with growing anxiety over crude oil supply and fast climatic changes. Bio-diesel is an environment friendly fuel prepared from edible and non-edible vegetable oils. Blending of Bio-diesel with petro-diesel has tremendous positive social, ecological and economic impact on the society. If India wants to become a Developed Nation by 2020, as envisaged by former President, Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam, we need to become self sufficient in the energy sector.Global Energy Scenario: - Petroleum products constitute a major source of energy needs of the world. Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of any country. According to conventional wisdom, the world is likely to run out of petroleum in the near future. Besides, current patterns of energy production and use have negative impact on the environment. At the same time, there is a need, especially in developing countries, for higher levels of energy supply and use for economic development. This has generated renewed interest in bio-fuels.
Rudolph Diesel (1858-1913) had famously said, “The use of vegetable oils for engine fuel may seem insignificant today. But such oils may become in course of time as important as petroleum and coal tar products of the present time” -.Needless to say, his words have come true.Indian Prospects: -Oil constitutes over 35% of the primary energy consumption in India. It is expected that this would rise both in terms of absolute amount and proportion. The International Energy Outlook (IEO) has projected that India will consume over 5 million barrels of oil a day by 2030; more than double its current consumption. In the light of the above, Government of India is expected to announce its National Bio-fuel policy soon. The policy is expected to lay special emphasis on bio-diesel as diesel constitutes a major portion of our petroleum consumption.
Bio-diesel can be manufactured from both edible & non-edible oilseeds through trans-esterification. However the demand for edible oil exceeds supply, therefore Government has decided to use non-edible oilseeds as bio-diesel feedstock. Jatropha and Karanj have been found to be most suitable crops in the Indian conditions. India plans to replace around 5% of its current 40 million tonnes of annual diesel consumption with bio-diesel within five years. This has opened an era of opportunity for entrepreneurs and corporates. The Planning Commission has suggested that, corporates should be given tax cuts to adopt contract farming of Jatropha and Karanj in private wastelands. It has further recommended that Jatropha and Karanj cultivation should be covered under NREGA.
Thus we can safely presume Bio-diesel sector has a bright future.

Market Opportunity for Solar Power

Globally, energy is fast emerging as a critical issue, especially as existing power generation options have limitations in terms of growth potential and long-term sustenance. With the Sun supplying 10,000 times the amount of energy needed every year by Earth, and with technological breakthroughs fast lowering harnessing and distribution costs, solar power is fast emerging as the most viable and eco-friendly power generation option for tomorrow—with no moving parts, no noise and zero emissions.
Solar Market grew by 30% over in the last 18 years. In Year 2006, the global market for PV energy was 2 GW, grew by 41% compared to the previous year. Market is projected to grow from $15.6 Billion in 2006 to $69.3 Billion by 2015. Further California Solar Initiative should add another incremental $13.2 Billion cumulatively.
The PV space is expected to grow five-fold to a global market size of Rs 300,000 crore ($70 billion) by Year 2015 as per Clean Edge Energy research. As the group is one of the early entrants in this space, and having exposure to domestic and international markets since 1994, Saptashva is well-positioned to leverage this explosive growth curve.
UBS’s global demand estimate is for solar electricity to grow from 5GW in 2008 to 22GW by 2012 (a 46% CAGR). It expects Spain, Italy, and France to increase to 35% by 2012 (up from 27% in 2007) of the global market and drive solar growth in the near term. Its estimate for global solar demand in 2010 is 10GW, which is the base case scenario. The aggressive case assumes faster adoption of solar PV in key growth markets of Spain and the US, with the approval of higher feed-in tariffs in Spain and passage of an energy bill in the US, which includes the extension of Solar Investment Tax Credits with removal of the residential cap and utility exemption.
Given the uncertainty of solar in the US market in 2009 and 2010, UBS believes it is more prudent to assume the conservative scenario. However, if the US Energy Bill passes with the solar investment tax credits included, UBS believes the more likely scenario would be closer to its aggressive case of 13GW by 2010. The conservative scenario assumes a five-year CAGR of 30%, resulting in 5.5GW by 2010, and the aggressive scenario assumes a five-year CAGR of 55%, resulting in 13GW in 2010. The conservative scenario is based on sustaining the 2002-07 solar CAGR of 30%. Global solar demand reached 2GW in 2006, and UBS believes demand could grow by 70% in 2007 to reach 3.4GW lead by demand growth in Spain and Germany. It estimates that global demand will grow at a steady rate above 40% year over year until 2011, as solar PV generated electricity cost approaches grid electricity in regions with high retail electricity rates and high solar irradiance.

XL Telecom- Multi-Multi bagger stock

XL Telecom & Energy has transformed itself from a low margin Telecom company by diversifying substantially into the high margin business of Solar Photo Voltaic Modules (SPV). It has a order book of around 2.2 billion in Solar Photo Voltaic divisions and has secured orders for the supply of Fuel Ethanol from the oil companies.Buy XL Telecom & Energy at Current Market Price of Rs 60for a 24 month target of Rs 1800.This company has transformed itself from a low margin Telecom company by diversifying substantially into the high margin business of Solar Photo Voltaic Modules (SPV). It has a order book of around 2.2 billion in Solar Photo Voltaic divisions and has secured orders for the supply of Fuel Ethanol from the oil companies. For the period 2007-2008 barring unforseen circumstances the company should post a PAT of approximately Rs 45 crores on an equity of Rs 14.5 crores. For 2008-2009 barring unforseen circumstances the company should close with a turnover of Rs 1292 crores and PAT of Rs 155 crores. By then the equity would be Rs 26 crores. Thus the expected EPS would be Rs 60 approximately. It is expected for 2009-2010 that turnover would be approximately Rs 1645 crores yielding a PAT of Rs 222 crores which will result an EPS of 85.This Share therefore has the potential to touch Rs 1800 within the next 24 months.Technical View: Stock has very strong support around 60region and minor resistance at INR 55.00