Bangalore to boycott American goods?
By Techgirl

When American President Obama wanted to tweak tax laws so that American tech companies investing in USA are not overly disadvantaged as compared to companies setting up shop in India, he used the rhetoric ‘Say no to Bangalore and Yes to Buffalo, New York’. This Presidential rhetoric was meant for Americans and not for the Indians. Now some Indians are talking boycott. 

Ironically, the American tech media ignored the Presidential statement completely while Indian mainstream media has reported it extensively.

Even NASSCOM admits the proposed tax changes will not have any quantum affect on the booming Indian IT and BPO sectors. Nasscom VP, Ameet Nivsarkar, was quoted as saying: "The proposals appeared to be aimed at addressing the tax rate differentials that exist across the world. It will impact American headquartered companies with overseas operations. The impact on global companies working in India would be ‘marginal’ as they already pay an income tax rate in the country of 33.9 per cent while the US rate was around 35 per cent. The effect will not be significant on India. Obama's plan is ‘not at all targeting’ India's outsourcing giants like Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Infosys and other companies."

The tax changes may yet be watered down by the well funded, well organized lobby consisting of American tech companies like IBM and HP.  And they may be jettisoned if the recession is over by early 2010.

But the irrational fears of some Indians about America being Anti Bangalore are expressed in often emotional and irrational terms.

Mid-Day did an article ‘Jai ho desi brands’ where Bangaloreans threatened to boycott American goods.
 
Divya P R (30), PR consultant told Mid-Day: “Of course I would. I would make a small beginning by saying no to burgers. I shall make a conscious effort and try and persuade as many people as I can to do the same”

Suman Kumar Das (26), software engineer  told Mid-Day: “It is time for us join hands and make a difference. Though I am an avid sports fan, I shall stop using Reebok and Adidas. I shall only use Indian products henceforth”.

And so on went the views of most Bangalore residents.

Not eating Indian burgers in an Indian franchise of an American company will do some good.  Only in that,  Divya will lead a healthier life.

Americans will never be anti Bangalore because quality Indian talent helps keep them competitive.  Obama, more than most,  understands how global talent operates.  He has appointed 2 Indian origin Technocrats to the two most powerful tech jobs in his administration.