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.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Anand Mahindra on why dreaming is not such a bad idea
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Sachin Tendulkar on why "little steps matter"
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.
"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.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Sachin Tendulkar's seven-point agenda for India
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.
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.
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