In July 1991, P.V. Narasimha Rao and his finance minister Manmohan Singh set India on the path to economic liberalisation and market reforms. Long yearned for foreign labels become a vailable to a burgeoning middle class,a new spending mindset takes root. Companies lavish funds on freebies and hoardings and give even patriotism a commercial edge. In keeping with the new spirit of economic adventure, real estate and stockmarket speculation becomes a national pastime.
CNN brings live pictures from the 1991 Gulf War into Indian living rooms and sparks off the satellite revolution. As channels multiply, enterprising cable operators quickly turn their business into a thriving cottage industry, and offer vie -wers the power of choice. As Hindi film-based shows and long-running soap operas mop up high TRPs, the number of connected households jumps to nearly 20 million in six years.
1994: The Human Organ Transplant Act is passed after a racket in kidneys comes to light in Bangalore. The new law facilitates Indias first heart