Author: G Giridhar Prabhu

A Reflection on Gaming Start-ups and India’s Potential Introduction: A Call for Playful MindsIn a world that demands innovation and problem-solving, the need for creators who can design and develop games is more relevant than ever. This is not merely about entertainment; it’s about fostering a playful spirit that can transcend traditional boundaries of thought. Creativity, Indian Philosophy, and the Future of Innovation “Creativity starts the moment thinking stops.” – J. Krishnamurthy J. Krishnamurthy’s philosophy invites us to step into playfulness as a pathway to creativity. This is especially relevant for game creators and innovators who, to be truly ground-breaking, must embrace the spirit of play. Yet, this playful mind-set often collides with the practical concerns of financial backers, who prioritize tangible returns. Peter Drucker once said, “Innovation is a tool of an entrepreneur.” While Drucker wasn’t a specialist in creativity, he framed innovation as the cornerstone of entrepreneurship. In India, this concept takes on a different dimension, shaped by our unique socio-economic and cultural context. Can we balance the structured needs of entrepreneurship with the unstructured essence of creativity? Goa: A Creative Base Amid Global Shifts As someone who has visited Goa for over five decades, I see its potential as a hub for creativity and leisure. However, in the larger picture, the Asia-Pacific region, including India, is poised to shape the future. While Goa embodies playfulness, India often isolates itself from global influences, perhaps due to a colonial hangover or misinterpretations of Vedanta. India’s return to the principles of Buddhism, particularly the Eightfold Path, could help bridge this gap. These teachings emphasize mindfulness and balanced living—qualities that could guide both personal creativity and collective progress. A Vision for India’s Coastline Goa aside, I envision an “intelligent coast” stretching from Trivandrum to Panvel, encompassing underpopulated areas like Dakshina Kannada. This region has untapped potential for employment generation, fostering a blend of creativity, innovation, and sustainable development. To leverage this potential, we must focus on creating meaningful employment—jobs that not only provide income but also align with the aspirations of a modern, forward-looking India. Creativity and the Ability to Play A compelling perspective on creativity emerges from the work of Donald MacKinnon, who found that highly creative individuals aren’t necessarily more intelligent than their peers. Instead, they have the ability to get into a specific state of mind—a playful, childlike mood where ideas are explored for pure enjoyment.This aligns beautifully with Krishnamurthy’s philosophy: when we stop overthinking, creativity begins. Playfulness isn’t just an indulgence; it’s a mind-set that enables natural creativity to flourish. Conclusion India’s path forward lies in integrating its rich philosophical heritage with modern innovation. Whether through the playful creativity of Goans or the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, we must cultivate an open, adaptive mind-set to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.As we strive to build a better future, let’s remember: innovation and creativity aren’t just tools—they are ways of being. Giridhar Prabhu

India Brings Back 102 Tonnes of Gold From Bank of England on Dhanteras in a Move Toward Economic Sovereignty Announced on Dhanteras, this decision marks a significant step in securing India’s national wealth domestically. Proposal to Relocate Gold Reserves to India Gains Approval: Earlier suggestions to the Prime Minister’s Office advocated for storing India’s gold within the country, including at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. A Symbol of National Pride and Heritage: Repatriating the gold symbolizes India’s dignity and economic independence, showcasing forward-thinking governance. Building a Strong Foundation for Financial Independence: Bringing reserves back to India reinforces the nation’s commitment to economic self-reliance and sovereignty. Safeguarding National Assets and Empowering the Indian Economy: This move supports the vision to strengthen the Indian Rupee’s status globally while ensuring prosperity and security for future generations. A Global Currency Initiative for the Indian Rupee The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) currently maintains a USD 50 billion swap arrangement with the Bank of Japan, overseen by Deputy Governor Shyamala Gopinath. With the Japanese yen depreciating by 45% against the USD to a current rate of 154 yen, there is a timely opportunity to consider a Rupee-Yen arrangement that could provide significant economic advantages for India. This calls for a well-structured, long-term mechanism with Japan to support the growth and prosperity of both nations over the next 30 years. 1. Repatriation of Gold Reserves India’s gold reserves should be transferred from the Bank of England in London to a secure facility within Rashtrapati Bhavan in India. Guarded by the elite Presidential security, this relocation would symbolize national wealth and ensure dignified stewardship. With high security in place, the public could view the gold holdings for a nominal fee, alongside a rotating exhibit of valuable state-owned jewelry or items lent by private collectors, adding a cultural dimension to this initiative. 2. International Circulation of the Indian Rupee The Government of India and the RBI should collaborate to print Rs 1,000 notes in Japan for international use. These notes would be distributed by Japanese banks in global financial hubs, backed initially by the Yen, to encourage Rupee circulation worldwide. In India, the notes would be honored but kept from being introduced as additional currency to control inflation. Foreign nationals and Indian citizens traveling to and from India could carry up to Rs 50,000 per person, subject to standard customs declarations. 3. Rupee Seigniorage and Investment This initiative would allow the RBI to benefit from seigniorage, creating Rupee funds available for investment within India and abroad, thereby advancing the Rupee as a convertible currency. Indian embassies, consulates, and expatriates should be able to exchange this currency globally at banks and currency exchange counters. 4. Digital Rupee Expansion A digital equivalent of the Rupee should be made available by the RBI to facilitate international transactions, complementing the existing digital Rupee platform. 5. Convertibility for Investors Convertibility of the Rupee should be ensured for both domestic and international investors, bolstering its appeal as a currency for global commerce and investment. 6. Strengthening Defense with Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers India should invest in nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (81,000 to 90,000 metric tons) equipped with Rafale jets to secure its strategic interests for the next 70 years. 7. Prepayment of World Bank Loans India should aim to prepay its loans to the World Bank, working toward independence from future borrowing from the World Bank or IMF. A structured plan for repayment should be implemented by the next administration. 8. Investment in World Bank Bonds Indian banks should be encouraged to invest USD 70 billion in World Bank bonds. This bond investment could provide influence in global financial structures and potentially facilitate rescheduling of loans for other debtor nations, benefiting about 80 countries. 9. Expansion of the Indian Foreign and Trade Services The Indian Foreign Service, Consular Services, and Indian Trade Service should be strengthened, with the UPSC tasked to recruit Junior and Senior Foreign Officers, as well as Trade Officers, on 10-year Short Service Commissions. 10. Introduction of Rs 300 and Rs 400 Notes The Government of India and the RBI should explore issuing Rs 300 and Rs 400 notes, accompanied by relevant national symbols, to enhance the Rupee’s utility and appeal. In partnership with the top 10 French banks, including BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale, the establishment of a significant banking presence in India’s GIFT City can help Indian banks manage Euro accounts, thereby facilitating current account operations with Europe. This would foster a seamless connection with the Eurozone’s extensive economy and allow banks like HSBC to manage multicurrency accounts for various European nations, reinforcing India’s financial connectivity on a global scale. Additional Strategic Collaborations: 1. Defense Collaboration – Support for nuclear-powered engines for seven aircraft carriers over 35 years is critical for India’s maritime strength. 2. Aerospace Technology Development – Indian institutions like IITs, NITs, and Polytechnics should collaborate with French engine manufacturers for advancements in aircraft engine technology. 3. Maritime Logistics – Establish a support framework for a registry of approximately 2 million marine containers, ensuring infrastructure for global logistics. 4. Central Banking and Bonds – Participation in global central banking and bond-holding activities will integrate India further into international financial markets. 5. French Language Training – Partnerships between Indian universities and French institutions for enhanced French language training can strengthen cross-cultural and economic ties. These measures represent a comprehensive approach to positioning the Rupee as a globally accepted currency, while bolstering India’s strategic, economic, and defense capacities for long-term stability and growth.

Why Choose Okinawa for India-Japan Collaborations? Okinawa is not just a gateway to Japan, but a hub of potential for deeper collaborations between India and Japan in the 21st century. With its strategic location and cultural openness, Okinawa can play a pivotal role in fostering economic, political, and social ties between these two nations. Here’s why Okinawa should be at the forefront of such partnerships: Geographical Advantage Okinawa’s proximity makes it an ideal entry point for flights from India, cutting travel time and improving aircraft turnaround efficiency. Strategic connections from Okinawa to the rest of Japan will also boost business and leisure travel, creating new economic opportunities. Code Sharing Among Airlines Indian airlines could embrace code-sharing agreements to streamline air travel between India and Okinawa. For instance, a traveler flying from Chennai with IndiGo could return via Air India to Kolkata, creating seamless travel options for passengers. A Hub for Indian Engineers Okinawa has the potential to host 20,000 to 30,000 Indian engineers, fostering economic growth through joint ventures in aviation, engineering, and technology. These engineers will contribute not only to Japan but also support Indian growth in various sectors. Asia-Pacific Support Services Okinawa can become a central player in providing support services for the Asia-Pacific region, bridging political, economic, and social interactions between India, Japan, and other regional players. Bilateral Currency Integration The proximity of Okinawa to South Korea and Taiwan makes it an ideal location to initiate currency integration between the Yen and Rupee, facilitating smoother trade not only between India and Japan but also with other Asia-Pacific economies. Expanding Global Leadership India’s access to Asia-Pacific communities can be enhanced by using Okinawa as a collaborative base. This can promote global leadership through partnerships with countries like New Zealand, Australia, and Pacific Island nations. Cultural Integration Okinawa could be the cultural bridge between Japan and India. Establishing cultural centers for language, arts, and education will benefit both nations, allowing Okinawa to become a destination for Japanese citizens to experience Indian culture. Scientific Collaboration Okinawa can serve as a hub for scientific conferences and collaborations between Indian and Japanese universities, promoting joint research and technological innovation. Postal System Integration India and Japan could collaborate on postal services through a central hub in Okinawa, streamlining parcel and postal delivery between the two nations. Maritime and Marine Development Okinawa’s location makes it an ideal center for maritime training and research. Indian technicians could train in Okinawa, improving skills in marine craft development and maintenance—benefitting India’s eastern seaboard, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Antarctica Exploration Collaborations between India and Japan could extend to Antarctica exploration and research, with Okinawa serving as a base for projects aimed at mapping and human development. Desalination & Oceanography Research Okinawa’s expertise in oceanography could be pivotal in helping India develop desalination centers along its eastern coast. This collaboration could drive economic growth by addressing water scarcity and promoting regional prosperity. Conclusion Okinawa is uniquely positioned to foster closer India-Japan ties in the realms of business, culture, science, and geopolitics. By leveraging its strategic advantages, Okinawa could become the center of a 21st-century initiative for social, economic, and political collaboration between these two great nations.

Empowering Petroleum Education – A Strategic Necessity for India’s Future In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, it is crucial for India to elevate its educational system to meet the demands of the petroleum and natural gas sectors. Integrating petroleum education across all state universities, IITs, and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in India could play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s energy future. The Importance of Petroleum Education Petroleum is a cornerstone of global energy. India as a growing energy consumer must build a knowledge base that not only supports its needs but also fosters innovation. Encouraging IIT Dharwad to become a center of excellence for petroleum downstream industries, along with alternative green energy initiatives, could be a game-changer for India’s future energy landscape. This academic endeavor should not only focus on India but also explore global case studies like the Total project in Mozambique, encouraging discussions that resolve industry disputes and foster international cooperation. Strategic Petroleum Reserves – A National Priority India’s need for Strategic Petroleum Product Reserves is a pressing issue. Expanding these reserves could provide much-needed energy security in times of geopolitical uncertainty. Academia should engage in generating innovative ideas and making them accessible to policymakers. Furthermore, better management strategies for petroleum pricing, which directly affect India’s energy stability, are essential. Additionally, with the Qatar Gas deal nearing its end, it is crucial to address how India will source natural gas moving forward. Increased export of U.S. natural gas, combined with enhanced production from existing assets, could be part of the solution. A Call for Collaborative Learning A visionary idea is to bring together academia and industry by establishing professorships in petroleum studies across Indian institutions. This partnership would allow seasoned professionals to share their insights and experience with students, enriching both theoretical and practical knowledge in the sector. By encouraging MBA programs to sponsor national professors in petroleum studies, India could create a network of professionals who understand the complex pricing dynamics and geopolitical influences on energy. These initiatives could go further by encouraging professors to teach in their local languages, making petroleum economics accessible to a wider audience. The Role of Mangalore in India’s Petroleum Story Mangalore, a significant hub in India’s petroleum refining industry, stands as a testament to the success of integrating education with industry. The city’s refinery, which began in 1993, now ranks among the world’s finest industrial complexes. This achievement, rooted in collaboration between the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Petroleum, showcases the potential of similar initiatives across India. Moreover, the Mangalore region’s educational initiatives have untapped potential. The city’s tradition of self-sustained education could serve as a model for expanding petroleum studies, research, and innovation. A visit to the region could spark further interest in aligning education with industrial needs. Building a Harmonious Future Through Education The broader vision calls for the integration of 22 Professors of National Eminence in Petroleum Economics, who would be fluent in India’s diverse languages. This could drastically improve public understanding of the petroleum sector, fostering a more informed and engaged population. By promoting innovation in petroleum education, recycling initiatives, and energy conservation, these professors could play a pivotal role in driving sustainable development across the country. Such initiatives would not only enhance energy security but also contribute to nation-building by nurturing a culture of informed, forward-thinking professionals. Conclusion: A Call to Action Integrating education with India’s strategic petroleum and energy needs is a crucial step forward. By fostering a culture of collaboration between academia and industry, India can develop a workforce capable of addressing the complex challenges facing the global energy market. These initiatives will ensure that India is well-prepared to navigate the future of energy, ultimately leading to a more prosperous and self-reliant nation.

Capital Account Convertibility – The Role of Indian Commercial Banks – Control, Regulation and Management – Indian Resources for India The role of Indian capital for India in metals is described below with prescriptions for Total Factor Productivity. India has been very active in mining and holding basic metals since ancient times. So much so that the term “Panchaloha” involved melting and casting five metals. Idols have been cast in Panchaloha since ancient times. It is conclusive that the separation and mixing of metals was one of the biggest skills of Bharat and was widely applied in the making of weapons for defence, for ordinary use at palaces and homes. The degree of prosperity, from a household to a kingdom, or an article of common use within a community, was measured scientifically, and proportions held significance. For example, brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, holds historical and sustainable importance due to its hardness and workability. Brass has been extensively used since 500 BC, and even today, it is one of the commonly used materials in the form of sheets. PANCHALOHA The concept of Panchaloha must be extended to the commercial banking sector, Investment Banks as well as Commercial Banks. Individuals who have benefited from the growth in capital assets and have their own private investment agenda need to be encouraged to hold metal in Indian soil. National Insurance Company of India can have its insurance business taken over by New India in a commercial deal, and Oriental Insurance can transfer its business to United India. National and Oriental can function as Investment Companies (sovereign) and be managed effectively. Kolar Gold Fields, RITES and chosen performing PSEs need to embrace the metals and energy portfolio as managers, owners and handlers of metal. There need to be at least 16 entities embracing the real economy within the financial sector, either as holding companies or investment companies. They need to be multinational as well as multilateral, with close liaison, as now repeatedly declared – within the G20 and establishing a new order among nations. These institutions need to be controlled, governed, and regulated.  Commercial Banks in India need to be compelled that 2% of the total commercial assets of the Commercial Banks of India, NBFCs, Cooperative Banks, and any entity holding SLR securities must be allowed in physical metals and energy inputs. The Reserve Bank of India, in a policy statement, should establish an entity overseeing how Capital Convertibility integrates with the holding of metals as a strategic reserve dealing with convertibility of the Rupee with all producing nations but also with nations that have strength in the institutions governing markets at financial centers: a) Chicago, b) Perth, c) Paris, d) Frankfurt, e) Singapore, f) Tokyo, g) Dubai, h) Fortaleza in Brazil Any nation that is a producer of a metal should establish a direct relationship of that currency in Gift City but also onshore in India. All commercial banks need to be involved in this activity in proportion. The composition of Panchaloha metals are as follows: (Table 1) Source: https://srivadivelavanmetals.com/panchaloga/#:~:text=Panchaloha%20idols%20are%20mostly %20found,a%201%20portion%20of%20Iron.  This composition may be for idols but Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India can develop a composition in national interest. The other important metals that are always in demand are as follows: (Table 2) Source: https://engineeringlearn.com/ The below table is about exotic metals and minerals that go into the semiconductor or the specialist areas for the next 15 years. (Table 3) Source:

Precious Metals – World’s Top 10

Trading in respective national currencies need to be addressed. India’s Metal Production: (Table 4) Source: https://mines.gov.in/admin/storage/ckeditor/_January_2024_1709620048.pdf The energy inputs inventory can be of crude oil onshore, petroleum products, LNG and coal inventory at critical points of consumption. The Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India should develop at least 90 centres as holding and development centres for these metals, and energy inputs at least at 1200 locations which need to be governed as follows: All the centres should be guarded by the President’s bodyguard for bullion, while the Central Industrial Security Forces should guard other metals. (In India, bullion refers to precious metals such as gold and silver that are traded in bulk quantities, typically in the form of bars, ingots, or coins. In India, platinum is not traditionally considered as bullion in the same way as gold and silver.) Guarding formats for holding respective metals should be well determined. The delivery centres should be spread across 70 locations in India to begin with. The RBI can initiate processes to convert Commercial Bank premises into “depositories.” Additional centres can be established at prominent Railway Stations and territories. GIFT City should also have a depository with all commercial banks having equity interest and investing in common facilities. For gold, there should be one centre for every district headquarters, with at least three Commercial Banks holding enough to supply 7 days’ requirements of that district. These centres need to be governed as Custom Bonded Territories with GST officials in deputations. An IRS officer of the Rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India can be deputed to the Indian Banks Association as Executive Adviser to RBI, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other institutions for a period of three years to establish SOPs and Work Instructions. Market regulation falls under the State list of the Constitution of India. Commercial Banks should appoint an Executive Director (Own Directors) solely for the purposes of asset management in securities and metals, with expertise developed over years capable of handling executive capacities, free of frauds and corruption. They should have the ability to control assets for disintermediation in approved centres. The Reserve Bank of India and the Government of India must introduce guidelines equivalent to those of Singapore and Switzerland by leveraging their expertise in building strong rooms, access centres, security measures, CCTVs, and digital technology to ensure precise delivery of every unit of metal in caskets/boxes. One joint venture from each nation’s bank and depository should be established with a 100 percent State Sector enterprise. For example, Kolar Gold Fields Limited has a joint venture with an Australian Bank and Depository, leveraging facilities around Kolar Gold Fields territory. Special purpose SEZs should be established for marine containers as well as metals – mined or virgin, and recycled – at various points in India, preferably at railway sidings. Expertise in electronic boxes, such as those made by BEL for the Election Commission, should be replicated for gold, silver, and currency equivalents. These boxes should be exclusively transported by contract to the Indian Postal Service, Airlines, and Railways, using special carriages controlled through digital and analogue means from the logistics centre to the delivery points spread across the nation. The Panchaloha principle involves a proportionate mixture of metals through melting and casting in amalgam. However, concerning the depository, each bank should propose a percentage allocation of each metal as a national policy. The Panchaloha principle implies a geometric proportion in value, eventually representing the total current assets of the Indian nation. Deliveries to these centres can originate from domestic or imported sources. Once on the premises, standard prescriptions should be followed from production to storage. Trust levels, alongside consistency, should develop over time. The Panchaloha principle also dictates that the Reserve Bank of India establishes a National Committee to anonymously fix the rupee equivalent value of each metal. This would enable all producers, importers, and exporters in India to follow these reference prices. The Panchaloha principle involves disintermediation, allowing people in India to hold full or fractional certificates of Panchaloha issued by all Commercial Banks. These certificates, carrying no interest, operate akin to mutual funds, with valuations based on daily movements, thus enabling individuals to benefit from any escalation. Commercial Banks need to establish individual and composite Panchaloha pricing, based on afternoon fixing. This process should automatically shuffle micro weights attributed to each metal, ensuring no manipulation akin to the Libor rate in the future. A National Costing Committee on the production cost of metals should daily declare costing based on currency per unit, i.e., rupees per kilo of the metal. This guaranteed purity ensures accessibility to consumers or users daily at any convenient point and location in India. Investment demand for these currencies will be speculative, with returns equivalent to the money returned to the economy, incentivizing producers to dematerialize their stocks and encouraging consumer purchase from commercial auctions or delivery points. Auctions can be held for additional quantities in exceptional circumstances. Indian citizens should actively participate in metals and energy inputs with participation certificated backed by metal. Daily auctions for specific quantities by holders, followed by trade on arrival indexation, would ensure economic efficiency. The closest consumption point should become the point of reference. Summary: Commercial Banks need to have the capabilities to manage capital account convertibility adequately and will be the frontline troops that make foreign exchange reserves effective. Metals, (all import equivalents) Energy inputs e.g. coal, petroleum – crude and products need to be on Indian soil at secure guarded customs bonded convenient locations suiting re-exports, consumption and convertibility will enhance competitiveness and economic efficiency. The Reserve Bank of India may determine that all Commercial Banks and financial entities need to invest 2 percent of their DTL in approved foreign currencies, metals, energy inputs and equivalent that sustain India s needs for a sustainable period and will constitute equivalent of foreign exchange reserves and tradeable current assets. This may be initially controlled by the RBI through specific agencies and Primary Dealers as a SLR requirement. This resembles managing gold reserves by the RBI, from a national perspective as forex reserves. Inventory should be held in Special Economic Zones, like the strategic crude reserves held by ISPRL. A state-owned bank can be assigned the task of agency or representative of the State and RBI through a 10-year agreement between the RBI, the Government of India, and state-owned banks. Commercial banks would then handle all metal consumer transactions across India on a day-today basis. The first transaction would occur in India from a depository, with customs duty paid by purchaser and taken delivery of through specific delivery contracts. Global operators need to be allowed and should have the freedom to take metals out, when necessary, without obstacles, even in extreme situations. Indian savings and capital should not be preempted for controlling inflation but utilized freely for constructive purposes and nudged towards long-term investments, while commercial banks focus on short-term transactions and payment systems. The Forward Markets Commission has been established for approximately four decades. India has a futures market. The physical market needs to be effective or efficient. State governments need to be proactive and protect the interests of citizens. The entire nation needs to be addressed, with trade centers where buyers and sellers converge. Exchanges are meant for the convergence of information, not for operating on their account but through their members. Therefore, activities of all metal markets need to converge at the most economically efficient point. Citizenship is crucial, emphasizing self-discipline and the need to establish a clear distinction in perception of media operators between – – Control, – Regulation, and – Physical delivery markets. Governance is about performance and enforcement of contracts. These need to cover social contracts of humanism. Dispute settlement mechanisms are driven by constitutional agencies, followed by legally driven entities towards convergence and harmony. India will have rapid progress when Governments introduce economic efficiency in every sphere – Self-discipline and discipline need to be evident. The role of Bharath will be established in enhanced capital account convertibility based on metals and strategic inputs and role of capital of the citizens of India.

CRUISE HOSPITALS Cruise hospitals will make the world better in handling the curative aspect of many ailments that plague the citizens of some nations. Universal Healthcare is not an easy term to understand, and medical tourism needs to be defined separately. Tourism is meant for healthy persons of all ages to enjoy moving out of their homes to places that are meant to attract “tourists.” The result would be an economy based on transportation in all forms, making the places of stay enjoyable and ensuring the expansion of the human mind in witnessing places, events, and different aspects that one as a human being would need to look at beyond the walls of their homes. The cruise ship industry has enormously grown and is now a preferred way of traveling at leisure compared to air transportation. It is required that the United Nations, as well as all nations, undertake a multinational transnational effort to have hospitals that cruise. The modifications need to meet world standards equivalent to the National Health Service of the UK and the standards of G20, as much as it is continuously evolving in terms of the presence of doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals now include administrators, accountants, and promoters who organize as a specialized field of management so that patients can be taken care of, treated, and discharged more effectively than ever in the past. The question here is who pays for it. The patient? Insurance companies covering patients globally for health insurance? National Health programs like the NHS in the UK and many other agencies in parts of the world, like ESI in India, which is also a form of insurance coverage for employees? The difference between hospitals on land and a cruise is that it provides the ease of a multinational crew and the healing power of the sea. The facilities inside will also be available to patients whose diagnosis is “complete.” The specialization involved here is in the waiting period for the doctors to attend to the patients. It is not per se a “shortage of doctors” but the time that is given by the doctors to the patient. The doctor decides on the program based on years of experience and advanced preparations. The current time of the doctors is engaged in commuting and also the coordination efforts that are required for each of the operations, if it is a surgical operation, where a large number of cases are pending. Operations are critical and non-critical. Critical operations get the highest attention for life-saving, while non-critical operations improve the condition of the current patient diagnosed but waiting for treatment. The cruise period can be currently determined as a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 4 months. The facilities available in nations like Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, parts of Brazil, and islands like Cuba, where the medical profession can evolve to a generation of new doctors who will be able to have the requisite experience in dealing with patients at any part in the world. The administrators know the cost of each activity, and health insurance companies are now engaged in the top as they are continuously engaged in settling claims. The United States is an example where every insured person goes through a process. Currently, in India, hospitals (labelled as corporate) do have administrations that make the admission and discharge of the patient more efficient and effective by way of trained employees. The patient is taken care of as that involves life in the process of admissions, and the family, dependents and supporters of the affected patient will have to do the registration processes efficiently by the time the patient is treated. This is normally diligence. Hundreds of insurance companies globally and their reinsurers have more knowledge about this than any layperson. The public topic here about the cost of such aspects as premia or treatment is evident. The United Nations must adopt the resolution about the merits of cruise hospitals as they can absorb a multinational crew. The multinational crew, as much as running the ship, is also a multinational discipline on various specializations. These specializations can then improve the productivity of the teams that make a patient cure in non-critical aspects. Therefore, the cruise ship will manage the non-critical patients faster and enable the practices to improve safely and with safety. Postoperative care will happen on another part of the ship, which then allows the patient to be discharged by the time the ship returns to port. The advantage here is that the doctors and nurses can come in by rotation, and the time spent on commuting at home, the energy costs that run in hospitals, and all that can be comparatively cheaper than building more hospitals on land to accommodate a larger number of patients. Also, the doctors can be chosen and validated from any part of the world without any issues when it is managed as a world operation. The protocols and mechanics can be operated based on government funding, private philanthropic funding, or otherwise to begin the treatment of patients. Eventually, any non-critical operations can be done effectively. This paper does not go into the merits of costs or the merits of the difference between flying a patient and going back. The most important aspect to note is that a non-critical patient, when flown by aircraft and back, the accompaniment of the relatives of the patient is not as effectively managed as a patient on a cruise. The number of accompanying patients can be treated differently and isolated from the medical part by special compartments. Building operation theatres can be effectively managed, and once the patient is discharged, the visiting rooms can be more effectively managed than the rotation that happens in major medical centres. The doctors and the hospital crew can have their rest and leisure much better managed. It remains to be seen whether the cost-effectiveness will work out. For the moment, the National Health Service can view this as a critical point as tens of thousands of patients are waiting for care but not being able to receive it. By taking doctors from the Commonwealth or beyond by validating the processes of doctors as is done in the NHS, they need not devote their time to administrative purposes. This will have a more controllable aspect. The remuneration or fees can be flexible on the cruise because they are accompanied for a shorter period. They can contribute better without loss of their attention, accuracy, or the probability of risk, which they themselves are insured for. Therefore, the world community needs to shift the term medical tourism to medical management, or world medical management, for the treatment of non-critical processes. This will eliminate the current issues that non-critical patients should not transfer risk to the rest of the community as is now insulated. The multinational crew will look at human beings irrespective of nationalities and enhance the quality of medical attention. The entire organizational part, including the current trend for reducing the cost of administration and deliveries, would make it possible that cruise hospitals can be more cost-effective than land hospitals. This is due to the prohibitive costs involved in making brick-and-mortar hospitals compared to the conversion of current ships into hospital ships or equivalents. It is the preoperative and postoperative care costs that make it contained compared to the management of the same on land.

CASHEW MARKET: CHALLENGES & INSIGHTS Cashew production, the manufacture of cashew kernels, its by-products, and the journey to rightful consumption defy orderliness. It cannot be commanded. The increase in offered prices for cashew kernels has seen an unprecedented rate of rise of USD 2,246 per metric ton within just 15 working days. Prof. Peter Drucker, a less quoted and understood management teacher, conveyed that management is a convergence of data, information, and knowledge. The application of knowledge broadly can enable organizations to perform. It must be emphasized that both raw cashews and cashew kernels, along with their by-products, adhere to medieval business practices and classical economics. Attempts to fit them into 21st-century practices are commendable, but cashews, both RCN and kernels, will defy artificial intelligence while accepting applied intelligence. Both raw cashews and cashew kernels conform to the classical economics of perfect competition, where the slightest change in demand and supply alters the price. The question then is whether markets are organized. Both raw cashews and cashew kernels have defied market organization. Cashew kernels are a century-old product. Twentieth-century economists, both classical and later, have employed metrics and wisdom in developing theories. Each theory has its merits, but any wise person who generates a theory also points out its limitations. What is remarkable about raw cashews is that they are seeds waiting to transform into one of nature’s loveliest products—the kernel of an inedible nut. The nature of raw cashews is that they love freedom. Any interference in their journey causes them to deteriorate subtly. They do not perish; they decay. Human nature has a sense that value should not be destroyed, but it also permits the loss of value. Commerce always operates within a series of limitations, while imagination takes one beyond borders. It is perseverance, persistence, and sheer hard work that produce and present a kernel. Raw cashews appear hardy, but their molecules dance and play inside. The kernel is instantly edible but needs preservation and nurturing until every gram is enjoyed in consumption. The modifications that cashews go through are complex, making room for complications and the attention to them. There cannot be prescriptions until the diagnosis is completed. There cannot be predictions or forecasts until one completely understands. Interference by governments, unless proportionate and in genuine public interest, hurts all trades. These burdens affect any businessman, regardless of their shades of honesty. Delving deeply into cashews or any part of nature is pure joy. Crass commerce is part of our daily lives that one enjoys. People expect a lot. Here’s what is happening in the market: # Raw cashews were pressed below its true value; no equilibrium value in a neutral currency has been established. # Cashew kernels are now quoted on a bilateral basis, and contracts remain in jeopardy without settling at their true value. # Nature has restored equilibrium, wiping out excess supplies with lesser outputs this year. # Supply and demand in individual markets will cause prices to fluctuate. # Cashew fundamentals adapt through substitution; one cannot consume what one cannot have. Consumers vote. # The world has forward and spot markets. Spot markets are in a difficult position and will set the price. Forward markets will freeze. # Capital is always the winner. As mutual funds say, “past performance is not a guide to the future.” Cashew requires studies and is getting the necessary attention. Convergence is some time away. Arrive at your own conclusions and act nobly.

CASH CROPS OF CANARA Agriculture and horticulture are the main topics for any generation to address. Every individual must partake in food consumption to fulfil their daily needs. Mangalore has played a pivotal role, steering a transition from agriculture to horticulture and subsequently to services. Cash crops are defined as those grown in fields by producers, readily sold for cash, not meant for subsistence or direct consumption but as a sale for consumption by the whole community. The element of consumption is vital in any agricultural produce value chain, and the demand and supply of any product can vary significantly. Significant agricultural products like jute, cotton, and tobacco are also noteworthy. The Indian economic structure comprehensively covers a range of spices and normal cereal production, pulses, oilseeds, cotton, and similar items. Food will always be in its natural form, as evident in crops such as banana and papaya, which are now readily available year-round. This is due to modern techniques and skills employed, with better and better varieties and hybrids of every kind of agricultural produce based on agro-climatic conditions, irrigation, and nutrients. Regarding Dakshina Kannada, Mangalore has long been renowned for handling black pepper. Written observations suggest that black pepper exports occurred as early as 3 BC, mentioned in Greek records. This historical claim warrants validation, given Mangalore and neighboring communities’ active involvement in promoting international trade in various produce. As for policy, plantation regulation is overseen by the central government in consultation with state governments, ensuring a well-structured growing and delivery process. One should delve into all agricultural products, numbering over 325 basic species. However, variables, variants, and feature-oriented approaches in each of these contribute to the diversity in the production-to-consumption value chain. Mangalore has demonstrated expertise in conversion, as seen in the production of beedies using tobacco, tendu leaves, cotton thread, and paper. It has been at the forefront of knowledge in cashew conversion and coffee curing. In the 1960s, intrepid farmers in the district made rapid strides in arecanut cultivation, incorporating research inputs from CPCRI Vittal for coconut in Kasaragod. This led to the development of hybrid cultivation practices that yielded higher returns than paddy. By the 1970s, Bunder Mangalore was teeming with arecanuts, involving ecology, commission agents, traders, processors, baggers, and subsequent trade. Bananas, pineapples, all vegetables and fruits, and the uniqueness of mangoes are frequently discussed. Currently, tender coconut can be considered a cash crop. Plantation crops, such as coffee and tea, are defined in India. Consequently, the term plantation refers to extensive cultivation undertaken by individuals or groups. Legally, plantations are meant to be production places where regulations for labour management apply. All these activities, including cultivation, harvesting, and marketing, are undertaken by specialized individuals, the producers, encompassing tea, coffee, spices, and similar produce nationwide. Cash crops yield outcomes when further processed. For instance, coffee beans are roasted with chicory to create blended coffee powder for instant coffee technology. Mangalorean investors transitioned into coffee planters, transforming the town into a coffee curing station. Cocoa was introduced into the Puttur and Sullia regions of Dakshina Kannada. Cadbury India successfully implemented it as a backward integration measure. Campco, as a cooperative, efficiently managed this produce by introducing world-class machinery and continues to handle it successfully. Novel opportunities are emerging for developing cash crops. Essentially, cash crops are those planted and produced for selling by the producer, not for self-consumption or sustainability. The daily consumption habits of urban and rural people in our region will shape the future of cash crops. It is now taken for granted that discussions about common or improving beverages are shifting towards specialties, blending nutrition, wellness, health, and value-added components. This encompasses aspects like brands, trademarks, organized manufacturing, national production, packaging and distribution, supermarkets, convenience stores, and home deliveries. India is blessed with abundant natural resources, affirming the capacity to feed every Indian. Furthermore, the pursuit of comforts and luxuries by different economic classes significantly influences modern-day commerce. A legal distinction exists when one mentions a plantation crop. KCCI needs to address with organisations like UPASI to extend auction arrangements for tea at Dharwar or Gadag, the centres of Karnataka for price discovery and associate all cash crops in the auction centre. Mangalore would contribute in knowledge, data and information incorporated as part of skills in trading and commercial geography.