The party poopers are out of the way. Halla bol! If the genteel members of India's fashion industry aren't saying it, or stating it in so many words, they certainly believe it.

With the pro-reform UPA government at the helm, and young blood (even if only in spurts) injected into Dr Manmohan Singh's cabinet, designers, exporters and corporates who head international brand franchises in India, are hoping the new Commerce & Industry Minister Anand Sharma lends them an ear.

The individuals we spoke to want a two-way change: inside-out and an outward-in. While the creative gang that includes independent fashion designers who represent the country year-after year at prestigious trade shows and fashion weeks, want to see some concrete help in the form of funding and strengthening PR budgets so that Indian fashion can gain acceptance, Indian franchisees of international luxury labels have a bone to pick over non-standardisation of octroi and import duties.

How can an Indian head a student association?

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