Assorted Links: Globalization, Outsourcing, India

1. Indian consulates in the U.S. now outsource all visa applications to a private company - Travisa. Not so long ago, getting a visa from the Indian consulates across the country was a nightmare; now, applicants are all smiles thanks to the smooth functioning of the method of outsourcing such requests. MP: Invisible hand at work, can we do this with the Department of Motor Vehicles?

2. Republican Legislation: No more passport outsourcing. U.S. passports currently use foreign components and are assembled with a computer chip inside the cover in Thailand.

3. Iowa Public Radio officials are deflecting criticism for outsourcing volunteer-based fundraising efforts to a call center in California.

4. India court approves quota plan: Under the plan the lower castes' share of places in educational institutions would more than double to nearly 50%.

5. Toyota Expands in India: Toyota is building its second plant in India to increase production in a growing market. The plant, which will cost more than $340 million, is to open in 2010 with an initial annual production capacity of 100,000 vehicles, including the Corolla subcompact.