Forbes India - Jun 18, 2010 Issue

ISSUE DATE Jun 18, 2010

How the Mighty Have Fallen

If there is one industry that symbolised India`s power as the emerging market it was mobile telephony. In 15 years almost half of India`s population is touched by its expansion. But ad hoc regulation means the telecom industry is now entering a period of deep uncertainty. Not everyone will be able to make it through this period of uncertainty. Those who do will have the proverbial pot at the end of the rainbow waiting for them.

Why M&M Needs Reva

After Tata Motors, M&M is the second major Indian auto maker to place its bets in the global race for electric vehicles (EV). With a majority stake in the Reva Electric Car Company, M&M gets a product that`s already on roads; and a factory that has a low-cost assembly line to produce the car. Besides, Chaitan Maini, the Reva`s creator, has the global network to drive EV technology development for M&M.

The Most Expensive Pharma Deal Ever

Ajay Piramal negotiated a whopping $3.7 billion valuation for his generics business with US drug maker Abbott - it will eventually pay Piramal nine times the current sales. Despite the huge premium, there are advantages for Abbott. To begin with, it will make it India`s No.1 domestic company. The deal is also likely to force other global pharma companies to pay a lot more for local assets.

South Africa Special

For long, ruled by whites, the country looked for inspiration to the West. But in the post apartheid era, it is increasingly looking at other emerging markets as reference points for its policies