Website

So activity here has been a little down lately. I can't promise that it will improve anytime soon, but if anyone is feeling a little economics-minded, I have a (somewhat imperfect) substitute.

The folks at ISI have decided to give us students our own webpages. So here's mine. There's not much on there at the moment, except links to some research papers. I expect them to be mostly economics-oriented, but I come across some pretty interesting general ones too, every now and then. I shall try and keep that page regularly updated.

As you can see, I'm not doing anything but economics these days.

If there is any writing to be had, though, it will be here. Soon.

Okonomos

I am to be contributing to a column in the Business Standard called Okonomos. The point of it is to relate recent economics research to world events.

My first article was published on 20 March. Have a look. 

One Year On

The second edition of the Indian Premier League is almost here. So it has been almost a year since the first. Has it had any impact on the game?

Several, yes? The Twenty20 format is a success, clearly. I enjoyed the IPL, but I meant marketing success in this case. For another, the BCCI now runs the ICC. And on the game itself, even the longer versions of the game, the play has become sharper in quality, as a result of skills (and mindset) acquired from the slam-bash version. But probably the biggest impact for me has been on national sides, especially the Indian one.

I mean, look, we're currently on seven wins in a row. The most we've ever had is eight in a row, and I cannot for the life of me remember when that happened. We look invincible. Of course, as these things usually go, we'll probably lose to Sri Lanka tomorrow, but in general the play has been superb. Getting out of tight situations and expecting to win every time we play and all that. And if you look at the reasons for all this, if there are any, naturally Dhoni and a spate of youngsters are reasons enough, but then so is the IPL.

A lot of those youngsters got a chance to shine last year at the first edition. Not just that, they performed at a level that had the whole cricket-watching population's attention. And it helped that we have a clear-headed and confident captain in Dhoni. He saw talent and went for it, and it shows in the team selections. Look at the faith he reposes in his team, and how many of the current lot rose in stature at that time. Yusuf Pathan, Rohit Sharma and Praveen Kumar are just three.

I haven't had a chance to look at the rules and auction list of players for this year's tournament, but I hope it hasn't reached the consolidation stage yet. What I mean is, I hope there is still plenty of room for new, as yet unheralded players. There's a lot of skill out there and for too long have we been kept from it by the narrow structure at the top. A lot of players with potential can now aim for the ultimate prize, if they only play well and catch someone's eye. There will be a lot of eyes to catch, that's for sure.

This is also a very good reason to grant official status to the ICL, but there politics comes in the way so that might be unlikely. But if the IPL alone can raise the game to a new orbit like it has, then that is good enough for now, isn't it?

Call Me A Skeptic

Slumdog Millionaire's been nominated for a bunch of Oscars. I'll bet you it wins an unexpected biggie.

Then we'll all go crazy. Hollywood will call. We will answer. Et voila! The film industry opens its doors to foreign firms seeking to set up here. India, the big growth market, fill your buckets boys. And what did it take? An award or two.

Remember the 1990s? Remember how after years of trying, there was suddenly a spate of Indian victories at Miss World and Miss Universe competitions? Did Indian women become suddenly better looking then? Empirical evidence is mixed at best. What changed was that the gains from letting Indians win became apparent, more likely. Jury decisions that ride on so much money are always dubious.

If this is the way it is, there's a fair chance the movie industry will get the kind of fillip the beauty and cosmetic industry got in the 1990s. Suddenly tons of foreign firms entered the market then. Same will happen again now. Before the Left can swing into action, that is.

There's no business like show business. That's why we're getting our own Formula One race soon.

In any case, any takers for that bet?