Computer chips, potato chips, swadeshi-videshi, where does the average educated Indian stand on those issues? That's what Outlook commissioned market research agency MODE to find out. MODE polled 1,220 graduate men and women aged between 18 and 40 years in the four metros, Bangalore and Hyderabad to get a fix on Indian attitudes at this critical crossroads of history. The findings: a stunning groundswell of support for swadeshi policies, from protecting Indian companies from foreign takeovers, to allowing MNCs only in high-technology areas.
So, is the average Indian mind coloured saffron? Maybe not. Even the Left, sworn enemy of the BJP, would respond the same way our respondents have done. And historically, in times of uncertainty, nations are prone to patriotism.
Does it matters to you whether a product is Indianor foreign ?
Yes : 60%
No : 33%
Can't say : 7%
Which do you prefer - an Indian or foreign product?
Indian : 62%
Foreign : 17%
Indifferent : 21%
Should foreign companies be allowed to buy majoritystakes in Indian Companies ?
Yes : 32%
No : 63%
Can't say : 5%
Should companies be allowed only in hightechnologyareas ?
Yes : 78%
No : 20%
Can't say : 2%
Do you Support enrty of foreign companies inconsumer products ?
Yes : 37%
No : 60%
Can't say : 3%
Should multinationals be allowed only if threymanufacture products in India ?
Yes : 75%
No : 23%
Can't say : 2%
Should the new government work towards protectingIndian companies ?
Yes : 75%
No : 16%
Can't say : 9%
