Blog: The Strange Power of Davos

(Prashant Nair is executive editor at NDTV Profit)

As we wait in Davos for the World Economic Forum to officially kick off, there is some time to actually think. Before the frenzy starts that is. The WEF (as it is referred to in Davos) is the place where over the next few days the global elite will gather to meet, network and discuss topics as wide-ranging as the threat of global deflation, gender equality, robotics, and genetic science.

This time the World Economic Forum is expected to receive over 40 heads of states and some 2,500 additional participants. This is my second year at Davos to cover the conference. I have often wondered how do you manage to collect so many of the global elite in one place year after year consistently. Peter Coy writes in Bloomberg Businessweek, 'People go to Davos because other people go to Davos'.

Is it just that simple? To be sure, it's a powerful motivator. As a journalist when we try to get guests on a panel discussion, we often get asked the question - 'so who else you got on the show'. A strong line-up will get better, while a weak one usually continues to struggle. It's the same phenomenon that Peter is referring to. But what about the - sessions and the opportunity to hear from the world's best minds on a variety of issues, the opportunity to network, meet people you wouldn't meet in your regular routine.

I guess all of the above reasons play an important role as well. The other question which I have wondered about is - what kind of people would viewers back home be interested in listening to. Should we interview Indian CEOs and government officials, who are always here in large numbers? Will viewers really care about what the big global fish have to say?

I guess the answer lies somewhere in between. With the new government in place, the central bank cutting interest rates, the stock market making a new high and predictions for the real economy to recover being imminent, it's sure will be interesting to watch and hear government officials as they project the changed environment to foreign investors.

Globally, the big talking point likely will be - is global disinflation now one of the biggest worries following the collapse of oil prices.

Signing off for now, till the next one. Watch this space.

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