I am sure most of the people are reading this on your laptop/handset while sitting at home. Last 60 days we have all been sitting at home and managing office work and house work in a more patient and controlled manner. We all have been hearing many motivational speakers on topics ranging from ‘How to manage business during & post Covid 19 pandemic’, How to not lose our control and mental peace during Covid 19’ etc. I am sure these webinars must have helped you to pull through these many days. But don’t you think we should look at a larger picture than just our business, our profits, our balance sheet etc and take a dip in understanding the Indian Economy at large, in real terms?

We professionals and Indian economy contributors should think of ‘Construction Industry’ at a ‘Macro Level’. For the last 5 years we have been reading many infrastructure projects in pipeline, smart city projects etc. and you will believe me that we all were very positive and optimistic about the boost in this industry. But now if you see, where are we standing, what would be the picture of the next five years? Have we gone back a decade? Or more? While thinking so, what must have happened? What must have gone wrong? Many questions to ponder upon. Did we become over optimistic? Did we become more dependent on China as a market? Did we prefer more Chinese brands/ products than our own Indian manufacturers? Did we make wrong decisions of giving more priority to low price than better quality? Did we compromise Indian Economy against substandard, low quality Chinese products?

If a country calls upon an economic war against us, I think it’s high time, we realise the value and importance of Indian Manufacturers. We need to be self sufficient and encourage higher innovation, development and production that happens on Indian Soil by the Indian manufacturers. We have to create such a working atmosphere which is full proof to any such attack in future. We all should come together and cooperate with each other to develop a strong Indian dominance. We should not let loose Indian Economy and pride for the sake of low quality, temporary and cheap Chinese products. Even if this has happened now, we should commit to each other that this wouldn’t be repeated. We cannot be taken for a ride by any Chin, Chang or Chong.

We should not go for cheap priced products. We should pay a truthful fee and buy from reliable people and companies. Recently we all read that Noida traders canceled their China orders for the mall. Until last week, about Rs. 1500 crores of orders has been cancelled, simply from NCR and if the fury of China is seen, then the orders of about 2 billion USD were cancelled from the entire USA. That is why China’s government employer Xinhua held a press convention, wherein the Chinese used words like “rein in Delhi”. At present, our cancelled orders are worth 2 billion USD. What will happen the day, when orders worth 62 billion USD are cancelled? The traders of our country can bring them on their knees without any official call, those who vetoed us at NSG.

Now if we consumers stop buying Chinese goods, then the traders will never buy from China. Nevertheless, the traders who boycotted Chinese goods yesterday, are truly worthy of respect. When the people are united in the interest of the country, then it makes the world realise the power of that country, & we can retain our sovereignty. India is the Second most populous country in the world. Avoid buying foreign brands, if Indian brand is available. I do. Even if the discount is less or price, slightly higher.