Few days ago I saw a very sad report about the closure of prestigious HMT watch factories which I feel is a decision taken in haste. After my long associated with a Maharatna Public Sector undertaking NTPC for more than 33 years, another public sector  company HMT wiped out of the map. During my younger days, Hyderabad, HMT was very famous for its watches and people used to stand in queue to get a this prestigous watch. Hyderabad was known for many public sector undertakings. One of them was Chetak scooter for which people used to wait for months to get their turn. And it used to take lot of influence to get that scooter any earlier than predetermined date.  Same was the case with HMT watches. I personally feel, the management and trade unions should have stepped up their efforts to save the company. In this day and time when there is so much emphasis on "Make in India", was it not possible for HMT have reinvented itself? .

  In fact the closure of HMT must be a wake up call to other Public undertakings. The notion that all public enterprises are white elephants is a wrong one as there are many public sector units which are consistent achievers and performers.( like NTPC and Power Grid). Their work culture and strategies should have been replicated in other organisations held by Govt too. I would have been happy, if such good performing companies could take over their "sick siblings" and help them to recover. The Department of Posts can serve as beacon of hope with way it has reinvented itself. Companies should look for qualities like accoutability, competency, discipline and speed to adapt to modern day changes and  also visibility in the market are what PSUs must look forward to. I still hold the opinion that Govt of India should have explored other possibilities to revive this great undertaking.