Editor’s Note

Growth, expansion and diversification make it more apparent than ever that time is always at a premium and there will never be enough hours in a day. In other words: we’ve been exceedingly busy!

New projects, new clients
As this issue of Insight will show, we’ve several new projects—commercial and residential—coming up in Bangalore and Mysore. Existing projects are in various stages of creation and completion. With an expanding customer and client base, our calendar will be going out to a great many more people this year!

Brigade Foundation becomes an operating reality
We set up the Brigade Foundation (a charitable, non-profit trust) several months ago. Projects initiated by the Foundation are now becoming satisfyingly concrete. The Brigade-CTVTI has held its first courses; the Brigade School started issuing applications for admissions…our focus is more definite and our progress more measurable. This issue of Insight covers some of the Foundation’s activities. Future issues will keep you updated on its present initiatives and expanding operations.

And we celebrate turning 17!
In the midst of tight schedules and deadlines, we managed to find time to celebrate a very special occasion: our 17th anniversary. On 10 October 2003, the entire Brigade Group team took a day off to unwind, relax and share songs, games and stories of the past and present.

All this and more, in greater detail, is covered in this issue. As always, we look forward to your feedback.

INDIA, as we Indians believe, is on a roll. After a long gap, the manufacturing sector has started looking up and there is all-round activity, creating an abundance of new jobs. The continuing progress in the services sector—particularly IT and BPO—is most welcome. However, it is important that this progress is reflected in all sectors.

The new year should bring cheer to most! With the country’s forex reserves edging up to the US $ 100 billion mark (a far cry from the 1 billion in 1991), India will join the exclusive club, where China is sitting right on top. China, with its uninterrupted 7%-8% growth in GDP year after year from 1980, has shown to the world what good economic policies can do to a country’s progress. It is very conceivable that India can not only match, but better China in the years ahead. For the first time since independence, our political parties are beginning to realise that elections can be won based on sound economic policies, rather than on caste and religious considerations.

THOUGH the increased economic activity happening in Bangalore is good for its citizens, I feel it is leading to a big migration from other parts of the country and from the rural areas of Karnataka, creating pressure on the city’s infrastructure. The only way to avoid large-scale migration is to create economic opportunities in all the district and taluk headquarters.

THE KARNATAKA Government’s initiative to reduce stamp duty and registration charges on properties from 14% to 9% has yielded increased revenues. This should augur well and one hopes that in the forthcoming state budget, the combined stamp duties and registration charges are brought down to an acceptable 4%-5%, as being recommended by the Finance Ministry at the centre for years.

BRIGADE GROUP’S limited foray into two new areas—hospitality (Woodrose Club and HomeStead Serviced Apts), and education (Brigade School and Brigade-CTVTI)— offers both a challenge and some measure of satisfaction.

I EXTEND warm greetings of the season and wishes for a very happy and prosperous 2004 to the Brigade family of customers, staff, associates and friends.

— M.R.Jaishankar
MANAGING DIRECTOR, BRIGADE GROUP

Brigade awarded certificate from IFMA



The Indian chapter of International Facility Management Association (IFMA), awarded a certificate of recognition to the Brigade Group for being amongst the best service providers in the industry. This was based on a recognition-of-excellence survey carried out by Ernst & Young for IFMA in November.