The Hindu Business Line : Outsourcing obesity?

THAT a country endowed with abundant resources produces goods cheaper and exports them to other countries, where their cost of production is higher is an axiom in the matter ofinternational trade. But one country getting work done in another just on account of the fact that cost of production happens to be low in the latter is of recent origin. Thus originated the concept of `business process outsourcing' (BPO). In the process, `front-shop' and `back-shop' became concepts used in relation to these new operations, while call centres have become integral to the BPO scene.

But who on earth would have imagined that this outsourcing concept would be extended to unexpected areas in human dealings! For instance, there is a flourishing `cross-border' Germany-Czech Republic cremation business as the charges in the latter country are far cheaper than in the former, with comfortable facilities for accommodating the relatives and visitors of the deceased. The formalities there are also found to be far less cumbersome.

But is this the ultimate in `outsourcing'? No. We hear that spiritual outsourcing has entered Kerala, both from the US and European nations. Due to a shortage of clergymen in those countries, people there are sending their prayer requests to Kerala's priests for `Mass Intentions' for the souls of the dead to rest in peace! That there is an outcry in Britain against "God being outsourced" is understandable.

Even as discussions rage in the US about outsourcing and its effect on the economy, the President, Mr George W. Bush, seems to have his own way of viewing the effects of BPO. While many express serious concern about the impact on the American employment scene of the jobs sent overseas, Mr Bush says that, in the process, outsourced jobs are making Indians a fat lot.

He is reported to have made a statement implying that, in effect, the US is outsourcing obesity to India! No doubt it has to be admitted that being overweight poses a health hazard to an ever increasing number of people, even in India and China, where millions survive near-starvation for long spells! The co-existence of poverty and obesity is indeed a curious paradox!

In this context, it is pertinent to note that as the locals in Malaysia are unwilling to take up hair-cutting jobs, Malaysia seeks Indian barbers in large numbers. Will this mean India will grow into a larger `migrant economy', and its foreign exchange reserves burgeon even more?

K. Gopalan

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