Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Monday, 18 January 2021

Birth of a Black hole ?

 


 

It is said, even light cannot escape a black hole

A black hole is about to be born ( in India’s E Commerce Sky ) from which no data can escape !


Context :

Reliance to embed JioMart in WhatsApp within six months   /  ET NOW  /  18 Jan 2021


Extract :

Ø  Reliance Retail Ltd is planning to embed its e-commerce app JioMart into Facebook-owned WhatsApp within six months. The move will allow 400 million users of the messaging service to order products from JioMart without having to leave Whatsapp.

Ø  JioMart was launched in May last year across 200 cities and towns. In July 2020, Jio announced that WhatsApp and JioMart would work closely to let the latter transact and also create opportunities for kirana stores in the country. 

Ø  Mukesh Ambani said that JioMart has now enabled a multi-purpose point of service (POS) services to enable smooth transactions between stores and their users. "JioMart and WhatsApp will be working closely to create growth opportunities for millions of Indian small merchants and enable customers seamlessly transact with kirana shops," said Mukesh Ambani. 

Ø  A WhatsApp spokesperson told the publication, “Through our investment with Jio, we’re going to bring millions of small businesses and the customers they serve into the digital economy. This will make it easier for businesses to connect with customers and close sales".

Ø  Meanwhile, Reliance Retail is also set to rope in local kirana stores as franchise partners to fulfill orders placed on JioMart. The kirana stores will sell these products to consumers in their respective neighbourhoods.

Ø  In the case of products ordered on JioMart and not in stock with the kiranas — which typically sell the 300-400 most popular items — Reliance Retail will supply them and the margins will be shared equally

Ø  Reliance Market, will be turned into fulfilment centres for B2B delivery of products to kiranas. The neighbourhood stores will place their orders online and get deliveries at their outlets. 

Ø  On the other hand, WhatsApp Business app has its own inventory management feature which allows businesses to showcase and share products and services by creating a catalogue. Recently, the messaging platform added a shopping button that gives customers access to a business’s catalogue directly from their chat screen.

Ø  Reliance not only helps kiranas procure items but, through its point of sales ( PoS ) machine, offers the kiranas, FINANCING, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT, and TAX-RETURN FILING services, among others

Ø  APIs for any catalogue-based service will be built in such a way that as soon as NEW INVENTORY comes in, it will keep feeding TWO-DIRECTIONAL DATA to both Jio Systems and what is front-ended on WhatsApp

===================================================

WHAT DATA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THIS BLACK HOLE ?

 

STAGE  1

To begin with, your entire PURCHASE HISTORY of a life-time, comprising :

Ø  WHAT you purchased - WHEN – from WHOM – at WHAT PRICE – HOW much qty., – how PAID for

 

STAGE 2

Next, it will compile data about each unique item that you ever purchased – and some more :

Ø  Frequency of Purchase

Ø  Package Size

Ø  Brands ordered

Ø  Mode of Delivery

Ø  Mobile Number ( and, may be all of your CONTACT DATA – to entice your friends / family )

Ø  Your MONTHLY CONSUMPTION RATE for each item ( and by using AI, size of your family )

Ø  Whether you are single or married ( does not require sophisticated software ! )

Ø  If married, number – and age – of your children

Ø  Your bank ( - and your bank balance ? You bet ! )

 

STAGE 3

And then this Black Hole will find all of your visits / activities that you carried out with your mobile at any website and collect / compile, following data about me :

[ source :  Just  Ask  Google  !     28 Nov 2017 ] 

 

          Who I am ( name )

 

     Where and when, I was born / who were my parents

 

     Where I grew up / where I live currently

 

     Do I live in a rented place or in an owned flat

 

     What Schools / Colleges I attended ( - and degrees I acquired )

 

    What Companies I worked for and salaries I got

 

    How I travel to work ( own vehicle or public transport )

 

   Where I go for my holidays / what books I read

 

   Who I married and who are my children ( - and how many )

 

   If divorced, how much alimony I pay and to whom

 

   Where I invest my money ( Banks – Funds – Equity etc )

 

   How much I have borrowed from whom and for how long

 

   My Credit ranking  ( including my spending history / card wise – wallet wise )

 

   What are my eating ( food ) preferences and the restaurants I visit

 

   What I do for entertainment ( Music / Movies / Videos )

 

   What clothes I wear and how often do I buy

 

   Who are my friends and how often I phone / text them / meet them

 

   What ailments I suffer from and what medicines I take

 

   What minor offences ( traffic ) or crimes that I have committed

 

   What elections I have contested ( won and lost )

 

   Who are my doctors / lawyers / brokers / agents etc

 

   What web sites I visit and how often and for how long

 

   What do I search on the Net / What RSS feeds I subscribe to

 

   What TV channels I watch and Radio Stations that I listen to

 

   Every photo of mine ever taken ( selfie or otherwise )

 

   Every phone call that I ever made or received

 

   Every Email / Text message that I ever sent or received

 

   Every blog / comment that I ever posted on the Web

 

   Every face-to-face communication that I engaged in

 

 

 

   STAGE 4

 

          Before placing an order, you might have many questions which remain

          unanswered on product-photo / catalogue

 

          These could be about :

 

          Ingredients / Expiry Date / Side effects / Return policy / Contact details of 

          Customer care / Compliance with  National – International Standards for that

          product / Country of Origin / Veg – Non Veg / - host of matters

          

          WhatsApp – JioMart App will introduce a Conversational AI Chatbot, with

          which you can engage to ask such questions and get proper answer (

          somewhat like ALEXA  GOOGLE ASSISTANT  SIRI  CORTANA etc )

 

         

          When 400 million users of WhatsApp, each asking every day, just 10

          questions, this Chatbot will soon have answers to all of your questions !  

 

          

 

    STAGE 5

  

      I like to compare this stage with EVENT HORIZON, upon reaching which, there is

      no escape !

 

       At this stage, WhatsApp / JioMart will “ Register and feed your Life-Data “ ( of

       course, your permission to do so,  would be built into the app–hence no

       separate permission needed ! ) to NEON.life  web site and create for you,

       a virtual NEON View, which will :

         

 

Ø  Know when you are about to run out of an item

Ø  Tell you that a replenishment has been ordered

Ø  When – and how - it will get delivered

Ø  Which of your bank account has been debited

Ø  Recommend newer / better alternatives now available, with their advantages

Ø  What other alternatives, your friends / relatives are using

 

 NEON View will have the face of your loved one and talk with you in his / her voice !

 

Those having any doubts re this “ Shape – and Sound – of Things to Come “, read this :

   After You Die, Microsoft Wants to Resurrect You as a Chatbot  /  13 Jan 2021

 Extract :

Ø  Last month, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent to Microsoft that outlines a process to create a conversational chatbot of a specific person using their social data. In an eerie twist, the patent says the chatbot could potentially be inspired by friends or family members who are deceased,

 

Ø  According to the new Microsoft patent, images, voice data, social media posts, electronic messages, and written letters can all be used to "create or modify a specific index in the theme of the specific person's personality." From there, engineers can use the index to train a chatbot to converse like that person—yes, even if they're already dead.


Ø  Even creepier: The application could also don the likeness of your dead loved one in a "2D or 3D model," and utilize their voice while talking to you.


    Of course, chances are much better for the following Start-ups to come up with their version before Microsoft :

 

 

Ø  Pranav Mistry ……………………………. NEON

Ø  Nikhil Jain / Adam Zheng  ……….. Oben

Ø  Joe Ward ……………………………………. Ikin

 

===================================================

With regards,

Hemen Parekh  /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com / 19 Jan 2021

===================================================

Related Readings :

JioMart fulfills Isha’s wishes …………………………………………………………..[ 14 Jan 2021 ]

 

Asha of Isha ? …………………………………………………………………………………..[ 15 July 2020 ]

 

A White Hole called Reliance Retail   ……………………………………………..[ 29 April 2020 ]

 

Congratulations, Shri Pawan Kumar Agarwal   ………………………………[ 13 April 2020 ]

 

Jumping onto Reliance Retail Bandwagon   …………………………………… 07 March 2020 ]

 

Unfolding as Envisaged ?   ………………………………………………………………[ 30 Dec 2019 ]

 

Disruption : The New Survival Strategy ……………………………………….[ 04 Sept 2019 ]

 

Ready to revolutionize Retail [ 3R ] ?   ………………………………………….[ 15 Aug 2019 ]

 

Who needs Fulfillment Centres [ FC ] ? Not Reliance Retail………..[ 23 April 2019 ]

 

Bypass E : Go from D to F   …………………………………………………………..[ 07 Feb 2019 ]

 

Weave a Wondrous World [ W3 ] …………………………………………………..[ 20 Jan 2019 ]

 

Mukesh has the last laugh !  …………………………………………………………..[ 31 Dec 2018 ]

 

Re-defining Retail : Maini and Mukesh ……………………………………………[ 30 Oct 2018 ]

 

Jio Hubs : Entrepreneurs Apply ………………………………………………………[ 19 Sept 2018 ]

 

Reliance Juggernaut Rolls !  …………………………………………………………….[ 06 July 2018 ]

 

 

   

Sunday, 17 January 2021

Elementary, my dear Watson !

 


 

Every time “ Super Detective “ Sherlock Holmes unraveled a seeming mystery surrounding a crime , he would tell his colleague, Dr Watson :

“ My dear Watson, it was rather elementary logic “


Context :

With 2 big ports, Gujarat sets off race for Tesla plant   /  Business Line  /  17 Jan 2021


Extract :

Jostling has started to host the assembling or production plant of Tesla Inc, after the Elon Musk-led electric car-maker opened a research and development unit in Bengaluru ahead of hitting the road in India


With India’s biggest ports – Kandla and Mundra – in Gujarat, the State is pitching for the Tesla unit


The first indication that Gujarat will pursue Tesla AGGRESSIVELY came from S K Mehta, Chairman of Centre-owned Deendayal Port Trust ( formerly, Kandla Port Trust / chairman@deendayalport.gov.in )


“ The Smart Industrial Port City that Deendayal Port Trust is developing on more than 800 acres could be ideal for Tesla “, Mehta told Business Line


According to industry sources, Gujarat is on Tesla’s RADAR, as the State has established itself as a manufacturing powerhouse for auto and auto components, which Tesla can leverage


With a plant near a port, the electric vehicle company will save on logistics costs


This will also fit in well with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of PORT-LED DEVELOPMENT MODEL


Mansukh Mandaviya, Shipping Minister, whose ministry controls Deendayal Port, is an added factor in hard selling the port [ Mansukh.mandaviya@sansad.nic.in ]


“ Tesla will have huge import and assembling requirements. So, locating the plant next to a port, than in the hinterland, will save a lot of logistics costs “, said S Sittarasu, Business Development Team Leader, at Deendayal Port


Centre-owned Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust ( JNPT ) , which had pursued Tesla to lease land in its Free Trade Warehousing Zone, has slipped behind other contenders such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana for the project

===================================================

In early Oct last year, when Elon Musk twitted re his intention to come to India, I sent following blog / email to Shri Vijaybhai Rupani [ CM – Gujarat ] :

 

ARA & M Ltd ? ……………………………..[ 02 Oct 2020 ]

 

Where I wrote :


“ Now current Gujarat CM , Shri Vijaybhai Rupani, too is a BANIA – but with a difference !


He does not like ambiguity / uncertainty / leaving things to imagination !


So most likely, his WhatsApp Message ( or posting on Elon Musk’s Twitter page ), is likely to be :


“ Elon , welcome to Gujarat for setting up your Tera-Factory

Attached find :


Ø  Relevant GR ( Government Resolution ) of Gujarat Government, allotting to TESLA , a 10,000 acre plot of land ( absolutely FREE of COST ), next to MUNDRA port

Ø  A Google Map of the land showing attached ADANI Jetty ( for exporting TESLA EVs, all over the World )

Ø  Draft of a Joint Sector MOU ( between Gujarat Govt / Ambani / Adani and TESLA )

Please indicate date / time when we can discuss using ZOOM ,

Ø  MOU draft

Ø  Other incentives that my government may extend to your EV project

Ø  Appointment of OSD ( Officer on Special Duty ) who will obtain all permissions in advance and work for successful and quick implementation of your project. He will be a Secretary level officer with no other duty  “

                                    For other interesting suggestions, read the entire blog  ]

===================================================

So that all the States competing for Tesla plant can work-out their pitch, 5 days later I sent following e mail to the concerned State officers :

Fastest Finger First ? …………………………..[ 07 Oct 2020 ]

 

In this mail, I listed specific methods / incentives by which, these competing States can motivate Tesla by :

[ A ]…. Lower Cost of Steel

     [ B ]…. Lower cost of Electric Power

    [ C  ]  …. Lower the cost of Finance

[ D ] …. Lower the cost of Supply Chain of components

[ E ]  …. Lower the cost of Sea-Freight ( for Imports-Exports )

[ F ] ….. Lower On-road Sale Price through various incentives


One more thing that the State Chief Ministers may want to pitch to Tesla :


“ Elon, OK – so you want to go to some other state for setting up your EV plant. Fine

But if we have read your intentions correctly ( which is so obvious  from the Company Name you have registered in India ), you are in the ENERGY BUSINESS – of which, electric cars are the MORE VISIBLE components


You are also into :

Ø  Domestic Energy Storage Devices ( PowerWall – mounted on kitchen walls ) – which could store electricity generated from solar rooftop panels and supply power to Electric Cookers ( thereby, reducing / eliminating imports of LPG / NPG for cooking )

Ø  Rooftop Solar Panels

Ø  Grid Level Power Storage Batteries ( MW size )

And in long term,

Ø  Millions of EV storing Solar Energy ( in their batteries ) and feeding the GRID ( or a home ) when EV is not driving

We would be happy to have you pursue these projects in our State “

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MORAL OF THE STORY :


When it comes to competing to attract foreign investments, there is no such thing as LEVEL PLAYING FIELD !


If in doubt, carry out an exercise by substituting the Country-Names with the names of Indian States, in the following :


[  source :  Level Playing Field ? ……………………………….11 June 2016 ]



Extract :

Now, Industrialists / Businessmen, all over the World, will continue to compare the INDUSTRIAL INPUTS existing in their own country with the following BENCHMARKS :


#   Most Business Friendly ................................... Ireland


#   Lowest Corporate Tax...................................... Kuwait ( 0 % )


#   Lowest Hourly Wages ( PPP basis ).................... Bangladesh ( $ 0.25/hr )


#   Highest Working Hours.................................... Mexico ( 42.5 / week )


#   Least Govt mandated paid holidays................... USA     ( Nil )


#   Highest Manpower Productivity......................... Switzerland


#   Lowest Bank Interest Rates.............................  Denmark ( 0.05 % )


#   Demographic Advantage of a Young Population....India 


#   Ease of Introducing unpopular reforms..............  China ( Dictatorship )

  


There is , quite likely, some parameter on which a Country can claim to have distinct advantage over all the other countries



It could have something to do with its Geographical situation / Historical evolution / Political System / Legal Frame-work / Societal Norms etc



It is not possible to replicate advantages of all of these Benchmark Countries , into any one single country

 

===================================================

E Mailed To :

Shri Vijaybhai Rupaniji…………………………vijaybhairupani@gmail.com/min.vrrupani@gmail.com/ osd2cm@gmail.com

Shri Mansukh Mandviyaji………………………Mansukh.mandaviya@sansad.nic.in

Shri S. K. Mehta ( Chairman-DPT ) chairman@deendayalport.gov.in

Shri Gaurav Gupta…………………………info@ksiidc.com 

 

===================================================

As to my past persuasion ( of Elon and Govt of India ), refer to my following e-mails :


All Charged Up ?...................................................[ 15 Aug 2016 ]

Welcome ! Elon Musk ………………………………………………[ 10 Feb 2017 ]

Piyush Goyal is a Visionary ! ………………………………..[ 19 Mar 2017 ]

INDIA : the NEW LAND OF THE RISING SUN ?....[ 01 Apr 2017 ]

From ELON to ION ……………………………………………………[ 11 May 2017 ]

Will Tesla follow Apple ? ……………………………………………[ 23 May 2017 ]

ENABLE ELON TO CATALYSE ! ……………………………………[ 15 June 2017 ]

Is it NOW or NEVER ? …………………………………………………[ 23 June 2017 ]

Elon : Hesitation Can Hurt ! ……………………………………….[ 03 July 2017 ]

Elon : Widow Opens ( Door is not closed, either )…[ 07 July 2017 ]

An Electric Future ? ………………………………………………………[ 17 Aug 2017 ]

Smart Cars , Safe Cars , Social Cars ? ………………………[ 31 Aug 2017 ]

Gadkariji is Angry …………………………………………………………[ 12 Sept 2017 ]

A Rapidly Shifting Paradigm ………………………………………[ 03 Dec 2017 ]

Auto Industry : Policy Inputs ………………………………………[ 27 Dec 2017 ]

National Energy Storage Mission ………………………………[ 19 Feb 2018 ]

#ElectricVehicle #ElonMusk …………………………………………[ 23 april 2018 ]

Crossing the Seven Seas [ 7 C ]……………………………………[ 10 Sept 2018 ]

Mobility on the Move – Finally ………………………………………[ 09 Mar 2019 ]

A School Grade Math ? ……………………………………………………[ 04 June 2020 ]

EV : Battery Charging Stations : Solar power Storage .[ 13 Sept 2020 ]

Trying to beat Lithium-Ion Battery ? …………………………….[ 19 Sept 2020 ]

To beat OR not to beat ? ………………………………………………………[ 29 Dec 2020 ]

At long last, TESLA is here ! …………………………………………………[ 13 Jan 2021 ]

 

 ==================================================

Related Readings :

Why PM Narendra Modi visited Tesla Motors headquarters  /  06 Oct 2015

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wit regards,

Hemen Parekh /  hcp@RecruitGuru.com  / 18 Jan 2021