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Hi friends,
Some of us might have had difficulty in reading the HTML version of this
Rediff article submitted by Suresh. I am therefore submitting it in text
form. The article by Ambani is very well thought out. I particularly liked
statements like:
Think big. Challenge conventional wisdom. Think differently.
Think long term.
Work towards long-term objectives. Do not get distracted by
short-term opportunities.
Always aim for the best. Not just the best in India, but the
best in the world. The best technology, the best equipment,
the best workforce.
Do not fear change or the unknown.
Embrace the information technology revolution. Make the
fullest use of technology.
Create leadership qualities and, above all, trust in your
people.
These are particularly relevant for us as we set out to sketch out an
ideal political party. Some might think of this task as not merely big,
but futile.
I am reminded of the massive thought processes which run in the US. In the
1920s, an architect in Chicago designed this building where, if you are
the boss in each floor, you simply drive into the elevator and park your
car next to your office on whatever floor. This country thought big from
the word go!
We have to persuade others to join us in these big discussions so that the
best thoughts and strategies for policy change are discovered.
Thanks,
Sanjeev
*************************************************************************
April 11, 1998
The Rediff Business Special:Mukesh Ambani
NRIs can accelerate the pace at which India catches up with the West
=====================================================================
What do we need to achieve economic superpower status? Change our
priorities. Economic reforms are important. They need to be deepened, no
doubt. But sweeping reforms in the field of education are needed to reap
the rich harvest of information revolution. A national crusade for
education standards representing what all our students must know to
succeed in the knowledge economy of the 21st century is required. Every
school must shape the curriculum to reflect these standards. We have to
transform our schools, colleges and universities to dynamic centres of
learning. Sweeping educational reforms are the crying need of the day.
With a correct strategy and focus on these two areas, double digit growth
in our GDP will appear to be realistic.
Achieve or perish
------------------
Looking closely, we will discover that India has really no options. She
must achieve a great power status or go under. By the year 2020, our
population of 950 million would increase by another 350 million -- of
which 200 million will be joining the workforce.
This new generation will grow up in an environment of rising aspirations
fuelled by the communications revolution. They will insist on nourishing
food. They will demand meaningful education and gainful employment. They
will demand a better life.
We must tackle the basic problems of food, education and employment. If
we do not, India will be torn apart. Violence crime and malnourishment
will cause an unmitigated disaster. This, obviously, is unacceptable. On
the other hand, if we manage to tackle these problems successfully. India
will automatically become a major economic power.
Therefore for us, there is only one course: To summon the will of all
sections of our society and make this dream a reality. We have to discard
poverty of ambitions and lethargy in action. We have to make 'India an
economic superpower' -- a mission for all Indians.
In my view, changes are required across the board.
--------------------------------------------------
Firstly, changing the mindset must be the starting point. Hard work in
every field by every citizen must be the hallmark of a new India. Pursuit
of excellence at the individual is desirable -- but world-class
achievement these days demand collective effort by a large number of
people with diverse skills. We must learn the art of team work.
Secondly, high quality of leadership is a must in all walks of life.
Political leaders with conviction and commitment. Business leaders with
courage and ambition. Intellectual leaders with creativity and vision.
Our sages and saints can make an invaluable contribution by providing
moral leadership to fill the spiritual vacuum that is the hallmark of a
society in transition.
Thirdly, I must submit that we cannot have a 21st century economy and an
18th State apparatus. The State must be modernised. Let us discard the
view that government is the benefactor and people are supplicants.
Government-people relationship should be marked by a spirit of
partnership and reciprocity. Government should be responsive and
accountable. Democracy must percolate much deeper.
Fourthly, we should be clear about the role of government. Borrowed
cliches often confuse our minds. I do not share the view that the State
will have no role to play in the market-driven economy. In fact, in order
to satisfy both material and non-material wishes of the people, the State
must deliver. Private enterprise will no doubt, assume command of the
economy, but the government must continue to fulfil major economic roles,
specially in respect of macro-economic management and providing a
regulatory framework that encourages competition.
Fifthly, participatory ethic should permeate all our institutions
including business corporations and academic bodies. People whose lives
are affected by a decision must be a part of the process of arriving at
it.
Sixthly, India has suffered acutely because of the disconnect between
technology and business. This must be ended. We can derive a big
advantage by attracting our non-resident professionals, scientists, and
engineers in the work, particularly in the technology intensive areas. We
can shift the balance of technology power by attracting back our highly
educated and trained non-resident Indian people. These high-tech
professionals with their network of contacts can quickly close the
technology gap and accelerate the pace at which India catches up with the
west.
Technological leadership has been the West's domain for many decades.
Perhaps, this will continue in some areas. But technological
applications, proving the power of technology to millions of new
participants in the global economy, will depend on many highly educated
and skilled people. India has the potential to dominate the 21st century
of skilled technicians who will be able to deliver new products and
services to the world.
'The new era is not for the feeble hearted'
-------------------------------------------
No knowledge-based society can flourish without the full participation of
women. You cannot hope to achieve a successful great leap forward if half
of your people are not involved in the creative process. Indian women
have demonstrated they are next to none in the world. May I say that
Indian women have been quicker to seize the opportunities of
globalisation than men -- both in beauty as well as in brain -- Sushmita
Sen and Aishwarya Rai became the most successful ambassadors of Indian
womanhood. Kalpana Chawla, with her grit and determination, catapulted
herself from being a shy girl in Haryana, into a confident astronaut
exploring outer space. For Indian women, the sky is not the limit.
I have no doubt that the information revolution will totally transform
the work environment for women. It will demolish gender inequality. Women
will be equal partners with men. The most revolutionary changes of the
next 20 years will be come from the desire of Indian women to enrich
themselves by participating in all human endeavours.
Indian woman will discover unique ways of blending religious commitment,
cultural traditions, and family obligations with new work styles and
leadership in various areas. They will redefine feminism the 'Indian Way'
providing an additional dimension to our common humanity.
I hope this vision for India 2020 will stimulate your thinking. I do not
have answers to our all problems. I may be looking at the sky, but my
feet are firmly on the ground. This vision envisages flowering of an
individual, strengthening of community, building institutions and
strengthening our country. In fact, it ensures that a vibrant and dynamic
India is able to play a befitting role on the global arena. It rejects an
isolationist approach.
I invite all of you to join in the great march towards India 2020 of my
dreams. Towards making this country an economic superpower in 20 years.
Several nations as well as individuals in our times have achieved
miracles in a 20-year span.
The mantras of my life
----------------------
Before I conclude let me share with you a few mantras that hold the
secret to success:
Think big. Challenge conventional wisdom. Think differently.
Think long term.
Work towards long-term objectives. Do not get distracted by
short-term opportunities.
Always aim for the best. Not just the best in India, but the
best in the world. The best technology, the best equipment,
the best workforce.
Demand excellence. Never compromise.
Do not fear change or the unknown.
Embrace the information technology revolution. Make the
fullest use of technology.
Create leadership qualities and, above all, trust in your
people.
Work hard. There is no substitute for determination and
perseverance.
Never accept defeat. Turn adversity into opportunity.
I have learnt these mantras from my father in the process of building
Reliance. But these are not the monopoly of Reliance alone. I would like
to see these principles enshrined in the consciousness of every
individual and business entity in India. Nothing can then stop India from
becoming an economic power.
This new era is not for the feeble hearted. The time has come for us to
think adventurously and act decisively. We have the resources and we have
the opportunity. We have to summon the determination and make the effort.
My optimism springs from my faith in the youth of India. It is sustained
by the richness of our civilisation. It is strengthened by examples of
our achievers.
Our generation cannot shirk its duty to the country and to the future.
Making India one of the five economic superpowers may appear to be an
impossible dream today; it will become a reality tomorrow. Let us take
India forward and achieve the impossible.
Let me challenge each one of you today to think and contribute to our
India 2020 vision. Let us together hand in hand create an India our
children can be proud of. None of us can finish the race alone. We can
only achieve our destiny together -- one hand, one generation, one Indian
connecting to another.