Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2007

Imagine an India with medicare for all. Dr Devi Shetty believes it can happen

2007-10-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

To say that Dr Devi Prasad Shetty is just a cardiac surgeon would be understating this man's achievements. To those who don't know him, he is just another "heart specialist". Those who know him equate him with God.

In a country that is horribly deprived of quality medicare at affordable rates, Dr Shetty built Narayana Hrudayalaya, a multi-specialty hospital on the outskirts of Bangalore. To go with the hospital, he also initiated a unique comprehensive health insurance scheme called Yashasvini with a premium of just Rs 5 a month.

Here, he outlines his vision for an India that provides medicare for just about everyone.

Swami Ramdev's 7-point plan

2007-10-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

He contorts his body like a gymnast would. He oratory skill can hold thousands of his devoted followers in rapt attention for hours even as they do Yogasanas that are seemingly impossible. In just a few years since his programmes began beaming to millions of Indian households, Baba Ramdev has become a global ambassador for the ancient spiritual practice.

In this exclusive, first-ever piece for Hindustan Times, Baba Ramdev charts his seven-point plan for an India of his dreams -- a spiritual superpower. Do you agree with him? Read here and comment.

How tough is it to build world class transportation infrastructure

2007-10-08T06:53:00.000-07:00

It is possible, says E Sreedharan, the indefatigable engineer who helped build the excellent Delhi Metro Rail system. Even at 79, Sreedharan continues to work tirelessly to build the country's best public transport network. But a lot many things need to change, he says, before that can happen.

"The government should also seriously think of setting up a separate ministry to oversee and expedite Metro constructions in all our cities with populations over three million. Only such measures will solve the transportation problems of our medium and large cities.
India also needs an administrative environment where decision-making is very fast. Procedural shackles slow down projects and this situation must change. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been quite successful in this respect and there is no reason why government departments and public sector undertakings cannot follow the Delhi Metro example."

Makes sense, doesn't it? You can read the entire piece here.

India's premier hotel baron talks five-star dreams

2007-10-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

When people of the stature of PRS Oberoi talk, we listen. So, without much ado, here's what one of the country's greatest hoteliers has to say about his dreams for India.

Jyotiraditya Scindia on why spiritual power must guide our progress

2007-10-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

Jyotiraditya Scindia, who leads a pack of young MPs in Parliament, has an interesting take on progress. Read it here.

India as a global player

2007-10-05T03:28:00.000-07:00

Reams of newsprint have been used up in analysing India's position in the world of business, and indeed in strategic terms. Is it a serious global player? Will it earn respect among the community of developed nations just as China has? Will India become a serious player in the world's geopolitics?

Hmmm, interesting questions.

Uday Kotak, the executive vice-chairman and managing director of Kotak Bank, feels that "the first signs of a growing nation are when its people get respect and attention from the world. Recognition translates into confidence in its own people and fuels success stories."

He also cautions, though: "India needs to realise that while the wind is blowing in her direction, there is a very thin line between confidence and conviction, and between exuberance & foolhardiness. That is why it is important to focus on the unfinished work rather than thump our chests in victory. India has risen, but the elephant needs to dance."

Read the exclusive piece he wrote for Hindustan Times right here.

Anand Mahindra on why dreaming is not such a bad idea

2007-10-04T00:22:00.001-07:00

Anand Mahindra started out young. Admittedly, he had the Mahindra & Mahindra empire handed on a platter, but as vice-chairman and managing director of the group, he has diversified from building just jeeps and tractors to information technology, trade and financial services, infrastructure development, education, philanthropy and even a super-successful football club.

He imagined, and he made it happen. He is, therefore, eminently qualified to speak on why dreaming is not such a bad idea, after all.

In an exclusive signed piece for Hindustan Times in the run-up to the Leadership Summit on Oct 12 and 13, he writes: "I imagine an environment, first and foremost, in which entrepreneurs dare to dream because they are encouraged to do so. Because the financial eco-system provides them the resources to invest in cutting-edge ideas; because consumers reward novel ideas and services; because intellectual property rights are fiercely defended; because the red-tape in starting up a business has become negligible; and because failure is seen as but a milestone on the journey to eventual success.

"If these entrepreneurs are to succeed, then we would need to imagine an India where commerce is carried out on a level playing field, where promising areas of business are not—on the ostensible grounds of regulation—made off-limits to new entrants. We have caught the attention of the world so far because of the astonishing rise of new business barons and we should continue to measure our success by that benchmark."

Read the entire piece here.

Sachin Tendulkar on why "little steps matter"

2007-10-03T04:15:00.000-07:00

Sachin Tendulkar on why his boundless energy as a kid made him the sportsman that he is:

"I would never have become a serious cricketer had I not been a problem child. I was extremely difficult to manage and had seriously high energy levels that would invariably get me into trouble. At that stage, my brother thought that summer camp could be the making of me — it would give me no time for pranks or mischief. Somehow, the idea worked and those eight hours I spent on the field everyday changed my attitude towards life. I became very serious about the game — it was a single-minded focus where nothing else mattered."

... "It’s really funny when I look back now, but then, as a 12-year-old, even though I knew I wanted to play for India, I didn’t know how one got there. I was clueless about the Ranji, and Duleep or anything. In my little world, I had some vague idea of things — you played well at Mumbai’s club games and were magically transported to playing for India.

"And then, it happened. I started doing well at those games and found myself suddenly in state contention, rubbing shoulders with men I’d only seen on television. Dilip Vengsarkar, Ravi Shastri, Lalchand Rajput… many more. My being there with them first gave me the confidence to believe in my own ability and then, that season, when I became the highest run-getter for Mumbai despite the presence of several stars, it became more special. It gave me the confidence to know I wasn’t out of place. I belonged here."

Read the entire piece.

Sachin Tendulkar's seven-point agenda for India

2007-10-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Sachin Tendulkar sure is the elder statesman of Indian cricket, but how would he fare as a thinker on the social stage? Not bad at all, considering his seven point agenda that he shared with Hindustan Times just a few days before the Leadership Summit. Here, in brief, is his dream for India:

Eradicating hunger: I dream of an India where there is enough food for everyone, where nobody goes to sleep hungry. There are places in Mumbai where they regularly feed those who cannot otherwise afford it, and I think they do a precious, vital job.

Access to clean water: I’m not talking just of water crises in metros but of those people who have to walk miles to get drinking water in remote areas in the great Indian interior. We need to find a way to make sure that if someone is thirsty, water is within easy reach.

The right to shelter: One of the things that strike you about the cities is the miles upon miles of suffering homeless on city streets. My future India will see a roof over every Indian’s head.

Educated women: My India would see the end of discrimination against women, an end to female infanticide. Educating our girls is a must; women make families, influence generation next. We cannot be unfair to them.

Access to healthcare: I’ve read and seen enough about the lack of decent medical facilities across the country. We, as a people, need to make sure that anyone who needs a doctor is able to reach one and be helped. And helped properly.

The end of terror: I am from Mumbai, where too many have fallen prey to terror attacks. People have suffered all over India, too many have lost near and dear ones. Somehow, somewhere, this needs to stop. And maybe that can only happen if we have a common dream, one of a better tomorrow.

A more tolerant India: Finally, when I look at my team-mates, people from different religions, socio-economic backgrounds and cultures who still manage to bond like brothers, I wonder why that cannot be replicated across the country. My final prayer, therefore, is for a more tolerant India, where religious and other differences will not matter.

Impressed? Read more on our special Hindustan Times Leadership Summit web site. Imagine the India that can be.