Sometimes, stories help. 

Suiwo, the disciple of Hakuin, was a good teacher. During one summer seclusion period, a pupil came to him from a southern island of Japan. Suiwo gave him the problem: "Hear the sound of one hand."

The pupil remained three years but could not pass the test. One night, he came in tears to Suiwo. "I must return to the south in shame and embarrassment," he said, "for I cannot solve my problem."
 
"Wait a week more and meditate constantly," advised Suiwo. Still, no enlightenment came to the pupil. "Try for another week," said Suiwo. The pupil obeyed, but in vain.

"Still another week." Yet this too, was of no avail. In despair, the student begged to be released but Suiwo requested another meditation period of five days. They went without result. Then he said, "Meditate for three days longer, then if you fail to attain enlightenment, you had better kill yourself."

On the second day, the pupil was enlightened.The markets worldwide are however, still seeking enlightenment, a way out of the current crisis. The global markets still reel under pressure;  in India, the prolonged political uncertainty, number of scams coming  out, policy paralysis, high cost of funding, spiralling cost of input materials,  all has had its impact on the construction equipment sector as most market segments has contracted considerably, across the spectrum. To cap it all, the sharp dip of demand and sales in the construction equipment market in China is expected have its reverberations in the Indian market, too.
 
On a positive note, there has been a geographic shift under way in the transportation market. In a span of just five years - from 2005-2010 - the number of vehicles sold in China and India has more than doubled; it is a trend that is expected to continue. Along with the growing vehicle population, we have witnessed a substantial number of regional equipment manufacturers and the entry of international OEMs in the Asia-Pacific market, and what is considered one of the most promising markets, India, and they have stepped up their presence and activity level in this key market as well.  

India's GDP growth rate was revised four times by the government itself, indicating that these are indeed, very turbulent times. The best survival mantra that seems to be emerging is to improve one`s operational efficiency and be in a position to ensure that one stays sustainable and prepared for temporary setbacks. 

However, as the adage goes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Even though it is presently on the slow track, in a long term, things are expected to brighten up, simply because the immense potential India holds  on development front cannot be ignored. EQUIPMENT INDIA brings to readers the views of the top CEOs on a variety of issues, with special emphasis on the rebalancing act from these players in terms of market consolidation, cost competitiveness, and fast changing service parameters.