4.05 kilometers
310 calories
22 minutes
An incongruous set of numbers to some. Gibberish to others. And for the fitness freaks, hardly a big deal!
But to me these figures held some significance. As I stepped off the treadmill my eyes lingered on them just a while longer and images flashed across my eyes.
The reception of my office in Delhi as I gasped for breath...waking up in the middle of the night covered under a torn green sheet in a strange hospital bed...the blurred images as I struggled to focus my bloodshot eyes after the blood vessels had burst...and the scars over my hands that remained long enough to remind me of the ordeal my body had been through.
It was not all that long ago...in fact precisely three years to the day.
As I wiped the sweat off my face and greeted my trainer to begin yet another intensive workout, more images flashed by... The sudden asthma attack which rapidly escalated into a cardiac arrest and caused my heart to stop. The horror that my family went through as I was literally dragged back from the edge. The look on my friends faces when they visited me in the hospital. The messages of concern, love and well being from different corners of the world. All formed a nice little collage in my brain. While I pumped iron.
Thirty one sets later my affectionate and caring trainer concluded my workout with a stretching session and I walked out and filled my lungs with the fresh Singapore air.
I had work to do, calls to attend to, projects to execute and plans to formulate. The calendar was filled with appointments. Travel was on the cards. Even the weekend held promise...I would connect with people from the microfinance company. My parents were visiting me and settling into a relaxed holiday schedule. And we were preparing for the big event in our lives...the new puppy would arrive from Sydney in a few days!
What a privileged existence!!
This opportunity to live life!
To struggle and strive.
To help and guide.
To listen and learn.
To befriend and trust.
To love and lose.
To grieve.
To try and then fail.
To give and to receive...
And before I carry forth with this miserable attempt at poetry, thankfully I glance at the watch. The date is past. The future beckons...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Dr. Sharad Desai
In 1965, a tall, lanky bespectacled gent made his way from Delhi to a city then known as Leningrad, in a country which used to be called USSR. A year later he was joined by a Bengali lady and a Maharshtrian engineer. These young people had gone there to pursue their education and earn a Ph.D. degree. The next few years were perhaps among the most exciting of their lives...new friendships were formed, they settled into a world entirely different from the one they had been brought up in and together they explored Europe.
The engineer - Sharad Desai - returned to his hometown, Pune, with a Russian wife...a union that was not meant to last long. The tall man married the Bengali lady in what was then the first marriage outside the community for both families. In 1971, they had a son they named Rahul.
Upon his divorce, we did not hear from Sharad uncle for some time. A few years later, he was indeed very fortunate to find a wonderful woman as his wife. Medha aunty brought our families together once again. Till date, I regard her as one of the most vivacious, positive and loving women I have known in my life. We started to meet once every few years in what became regular family vacations. Each get together would entail travel and exploration to some part of India...and was marked by fun, laughter and gaiety. Medha aunty's children became my friends and my childhood memories are full of tales of the three friends - my parents and Sharad uncle - and their bachelor days in USSR.
Several years later, I found myself in Pune where I went for my Master's degree. Naturally, I would stay in Sharad uncle and Medha aunty's house as I looked for accommodation and started my coursework. Over the next two years, they became my parents away from home. Soon they engulfed my friends in their loving embrace and we would frequent their house to relish Medha aunty's cooking as she prepared to feed a pack of hungry beasts who would eat like they had not seen food in years! She and Sharad uncle would sometimes come for an 'inspection' of our bachelor quarters, resulting in hectic activity for us as the two room apartment would be scrubbed clean and precious 'evidence' removed before their arrival. Of course, they fully expected the pre-visit sanitisation and many jokes were cracked on what had been hidden! During the course of my studies in Pune, I developed a special bond with Sharad uncle and Medha aunty. Later, even as my work took me to different cities, I stayed in touch with them. The run up to my marriage was marred by tremendous strife at home, which eventually led me to move out of my parent's house. As always, Medha aunty and Sharad uncle were present and they brought comfort and joy to our family.
Sharad uncle had contracted Parkinson's disease. I would get to see him once every couple of years and there would be some deterioration in his condition. However, when we met, I always found him to be his usual affable self and enquire after us. In the evenings, we would share a drink together. A few years ago, my institute honored me by presenting me an award as the alumni of the year. I was invited to a function to mark the occasion. I requested Sharad uncle and Medha aunty to join my wife and me for the ceremony. I was surprised by the large gathering and the solemnity, wondering what I had done to deserve the attention. When I was unexpectedly called to address the gathering, my thoughts turned towards the front row where I found them beaming with pride. With some emotion, I acknowledged the role they had played during my crucial years at the institute...and I saw tears in their eyes as the gathering collectively applauded their presence.
Over the next few years, Sharad uncle's speech slurred and he spoke lesser. Often, Medha aunty would act as his translator. His movement became unsure and he encountered injuries due to his frequent falls. Other complications developed. Through all this, Medha aunty was the pillar, caring after his every need and even tending to his business affairs.
Last September when I was in Delhi, my father had a blackout in the bathroom which resulted in a neck fracture. Given that it had occurred in the aftermath of his strokes, there was reason to be concerned. I got a call from Medha aunty asking if they could visit us...Sharad uncle needed to see his friend. It was a shock as I saw him, a frail man, being wheeled out of the airport. He could not walk even a few steps without support and it was really difficult to understand what he was saying. He had traveled through some pain. The smile was unchanged. We spent a wonderful week together…the evening tradition of a drink remained, though I was careful in pouring him a tiny one. Despite everything, it was interesting, even comical, to see the friends interact and we had a laugh over the game of chess between my father and him. They struggled to remember the moves, needing intervention from the ladies! As I bid them farewell, we talked about getting together in Singapore soon. We knew it would be precarious for him to travel, but we were keen to be together again.
Two weeks ago, just when I reached my hotel room in Chicago, I got a call I had not imagined receiving so soon. Sharad uncle had died in his sleep. I could not fight back the tears and memories flashed before me. Medha aunty was strong as ever...even in her pain, she consoled me. He had suffered greatly the past few days and the passing had been quiet and peaceful, much like the life he had led.
I called my mother to break the news. In his passing, there was a deep sense of loss. I grieved not just for him, but also for the friendship that he had shared with my parents over forty five years. I remember him for his constant presence in our lives, for his soft nature, for his smile...
Rest In Peace, Sharad Uncle.
The engineer - Sharad Desai - returned to his hometown, Pune, with a Russian wife...a union that was not meant to last long. The tall man married the Bengali lady in what was then the first marriage outside the community for both families. In 1971, they had a son they named Rahul.
Upon his divorce, we did not hear from Sharad uncle for some time. A few years later, he was indeed very fortunate to find a wonderful woman as his wife. Medha aunty brought our families together once again. Till date, I regard her as one of the most vivacious, positive and loving women I have known in my life. We started to meet once every few years in what became regular family vacations. Each get together would entail travel and exploration to some part of India...and was marked by fun, laughter and gaiety. Medha aunty's children became my friends and my childhood memories are full of tales of the three friends - my parents and Sharad uncle - and their bachelor days in USSR.
Several years later, I found myself in Pune where I went for my Master's degree. Naturally, I would stay in Sharad uncle and Medha aunty's house as I looked for accommodation and started my coursework. Over the next two years, they became my parents away from home. Soon they engulfed my friends in their loving embrace and we would frequent their house to relish Medha aunty's cooking as she prepared to feed a pack of hungry beasts who would eat like they had not seen food in years! She and Sharad uncle would sometimes come for an 'inspection' of our bachelor quarters, resulting in hectic activity for us as the two room apartment would be scrubbed clean and precious 'evidence' removed before their arrival. Of course, they fully expected the pre-visit sanitisation and many jokes were cracked on what had been hidden! During the course of my studies in Pune, I developed a special bond with Sharad uncle and Medha aunty. Later, even as my work took me to different cities, I stayed in touch with them. The run up to my marriage was marred by tremendous strife at home, which eventually led me to move out of my parent's house. As always, Medha aunty and Sharad uncle were present and they brought comfort and joy to our family.
Sharad uncle had contracted Parkinson's disease. I would get to see him once every couple of years and there would be some deterioration in his condition. However, when we met, I always found him to be his usual affable self and enquire after us. In the evenings, we would share a drink together. A few years ago, my institute honored me by presenting me an award as the alumni of the year. I was invited to a function to mark the occasion. I requested Sharad uncle and Medha aunty to join my wife and me for the ceremony. I was surprised by the large gathering and the solemnity, wondering what I had done to deserve the attention. When I was unexpectedly called to address the gathering, my thoughts turned towards the front row where I found them beaming with pride. With some emotion, I acknowledged the role they had played during my crucial years at the institute...and I saw tears in their eyes as the gathering collectively applauded their presence.
Over the next few years, Sharad uncle's speech slurred and he spoke lesser. Often, Medha aunty would act as his translator. His movement became unsure and he encountered injuries due to his frequent falls. Other complications developed. Through all this, Medha aunty was the pillar, caring after his every need and even tending to his business affairs.
Last September when I was in Delhi, my father had a blackout in the bathroom which resulted in a neck fracture. Given that it had occurred in the aftermath of his strokes, there was reason to be concerned. I got a call from Medha aunty asking if they could visit us...Sharad uncle needed to see his friend. It was a shock as I saw him, a frail man, being wheeled out of the airport. He could not walk even a few steps without support and it was really difficult to understand what he was saying. He had traveled through some pain. The smile was unchanged. We spent a wonderful week together…the evening tradition of a drink remained, though I was careful in pouring him a tiny one. Despite everything, it was interesting, even comical, to see the friends interact and we had a laugh over the game of chess between my father and him. They struggled to remember the moves, needing intervention from the ladies! As I bid them farewell, we talked about getting together in Singapore soon. We knew it would be precarious for him to travel, but we were keen to be together again.
Two weeks ago, just when I reached my hotel room in Chicago, I got a call I had not imagined receiving so soon. Sharad uncle had died in his sleep. I could not fight back the tears and memories flashed before me. Medha aunty was strong as ever...even in her pain, she consoled me. He had suffered greatly the past few days and the passing had been quiet and peaceful, much like the life he had led.
I called my mother to break the news. In his passing, there was a deep sense of loss. I grieved not just for him, but also for the friendship that he had shared with my parents over forty five years. I remember him for his constant presence in our lives, for his soft nature, for his smile...
Rest In Peace, Sharad Uncle.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Hibernation
It has been so long that it seems I have entirely lost my ability of expression. I feel like a batsman who is sorely out of form and attempting to get back to the basics trying to connect ball to bat…so help me, Lord!
It is worthwhile figuring out how I got here in the first place. What has kept me from writing all this time? It certainly was not the good ol' lack of time thing. While time is an oft touted reason for the inability to do something, I have never really believed it to be true. We are always able to find the time to pursue what we really want to. Was it then the 'writer's block'? Hardly. I could never have called myself a writer in the first place so such grand excuses were also not plausible. Truth be told, I have felt a vague and nagging emptiness over the past few months. An emptiness borne out of an inability to contribute my worth to those around me…and some events on the personal front also pushed me further into my literary shell.
So here I am...gingerly retracing my steps back into ViShesh PraRambh and hoping to find a quiet little corner within its confines. I had last dropped in here while I was in the cradle of the gentle Austrian Alps, from where I returned to Singapore rejuvenated and relaxed.
Which was also when I learnt about some new developments in my parent's health conditions…
My father, who had suffered two strokes in December 2007 was experiencing some complications which took him to the hospital on a weekly basis. Once the brain is affected, other body parts soon join the party and play havoc with the system. Also, my mother who had been coping remarkably well with the altered situation at home needed to take care of her own health. Her eyesight had deteriorated and needed a small corrective surgery. So off I went to Delhi to provide assistance and relief to my parents. The global nature of my job (and some very understanding and helpful colleagues) makes it possible for me to pretty much function from anywhere. All I need is a reliable internet connection, a functioning telephone line, and once my calendar is adjusted to the new time zone, I am all set to operate. These have become such essential prerequisites that one experiences extreme discomfort in their absence. What were we like before the advent of wireless technology??
Back to Delhi and the cataract procedure. Surgery performed successfully, scarcely had I brought my mother back home with the intent of providing her time off for the post op recovery, that my father determined we did not have enough excitement in our lives. Early the next morning, he fell unconscious in the bathroom. We would not have known of this at all were it not for a nasty bruise on the upper back. Stroke victims often suffer from short term memory loss, so he had only a vague recollection later of what had transpired. In all likelihood he had suffered a sudden blackout and collapsed on the floor like a heap of bricks. Upon regaining consciousness, he promptly came back to bed to continue his slumber. By the end of the day, his neck seemed to be strained at an angle so we took him to the hospital for a check up. Examinations revealed a fracture in the neck which, if disturbed even slightly, could have caused irreparable damage because of the proximity to the spinal cord. The next few days were spent in the hospital and my mother instantly transitioned back into her role of primary caregiver, notwithstanding her own condition. Over the next few days, our existence revolved around the hospital and we were glad to finally bring him back home with his neck ensconced in a brace.
I returned to Singapore a few days later with more questions than answers in my head. What caused the blackout? Would my parents be able to cope by themselves? Should I get them to Singapore? But travel was out of the question in the immediate term. Should I have stayed on longer? Then what about my work and travel commitments? The biggest question was (and remains) what I needed to do longer term to take care of them...India? Singapore?
In the coming weeks, there was some normalcy as my father recovered from his latest adventure.। traveled around the region. First to the Philippines...a country I love visiting and where I have thoroughly enjoyed my work over the past couple of years. A fascinating visit to Shanghai and Beijing followed...where I spent quality time with several colleagues and also went to a couple of their top business schools. I always enjoy being in an educational institution and was impressed by the clarity of vision of the leaders I met. In China, business education is scarcely seventeen years old, yet they have made great strides in creating high quality programmes comparable to the best anywhere. I can see them gaining ascendancy in the decades to come as leading providers of business education of global relevance. My stay in Beijing was brief, but I did get away one evening to see the world famous Bird's Nest and Water Cube...resplendent under the bright lights. This was not my first visit to China, but this time I felt I had gained some deeper insights. It gave me a chance to strengthen old relationships, and to form new ones. The confidence and purpose in the people was palpable. And despite the developments of the past few years which have catapulted China into global prominence, I did not sense any arrogance among its constituents. Surely, these will be very exciting times for the people of this nation.
November brought with it some hope. Work had gained momentum and I looked forward to getting some initiatives off the ground. We also planned a year end visit to Sydney. I have family there and we have not met for a while. As the year draws to a close, there is a general slowdown...the pace of activity reduces, people wear a relaxed demeanour as they plan for their time with friends and family, Christmas carols play non-stop, and there is an air of festivity all around. At such a time, what better place to be than Australia? And since I anyway carry my office in a backpack, all I needed were the bare essentials – the internet connection and a telephone line! The plan was to spend a couple of weeks working from Sydney and then to take time off during the final week of 2009.
My father, however, had other thoughts. Perhaps he was missing my company. So once again he fell into a sudden faint (thankfully this time was in a shop while leaning over the counter). The drill was repeated...back to hospital in an ambulance, more check ups. A few days later I found myself back in Delhi again doing the rounds of doctors. Once more, there were more questions than answers. Nobody could clearly explain what was causing the blackouts, yet all agreed that it was not a happy place to be. The medication was carefully reviewed and rebalanced. I had another discussion with the doctor who impressed upon me that his brain power was unlikely to return to its previous levels and that one needed to consider a future with his reduced faculties. Perhaps I have spent too long in the corporate sector...but the words 'new normal' reverberated in my head. Was this the future one had to contend with? I looked for other therapies and explored Ayurveda - the traditional Indian medical science which uses natural methods of healing and focuses on addressing root causes behind apparent manifestations. I had been through one such treatment a few years ago. I spoke to the doctors about it. None offered much hope of a recovery. But neither did they say with certainty that it would NOT work. So what was the harm in trying? And as was to be expected, I met with much protest from both my parents on being subjected to more treatment.
But the decision is made! They shall be duly dispatched tomorrow to the Ayurvedic centre in Delhi for a fortnight of oil massages, yoga and a healthy diet of vegetarian food.
Even though my visit was in somewhat dire circumstances, I did get to enjoy the Delhi winter, which I have missed for many years having lived in tropical climates for the past ten years. Having the morning sun upon your back while reading a newspaper and sipping a warm cup of coffee are luxuries of a bygone era! The other highlight was a Saturday evening in the company of some excellent people – old friends and new – who are eagerly devoting their energies to enhancing the lives of others around them. One of them is focused on healthcare for the masses, another on financing the rural poor in north India, and a couple others are actively partnering with social entrepreneurs in their quest for bringing about positive change in the society. The dialogue was engaging, and I was thrilled that some new connections were made as people resolved to join forces with each other. It would give me immense pleasure to be of some assistance in their laudable efforts.
I spent last week in Singapore and then over the weekend went across to Chennai to work with the microfinance organisation that I had been introduced to during the summer. It was wonderful to be back in their office, a quaint old bungalow, where I had working sessions with the management team. Since my last visit, they have inducted fresh people into the organisation and are facing a new set of challenges and opportunities. We discussed a number of issues...like how they would preserve their unique culture of service to the rural poor as they expanded their organisation; or continue to be lowest cost providers of finance to their customers and enhance their social impact. It was exhilarating being with such committed and focused people and I felt privileged to be a small part of their world.
The year end plans for Australia still hold...though it will be a shorter trip than what I had envisaged originally. Thoughts of being with family bring comfort and joy...I look forward to being with the elders and learning about aspirations of the youngsters. I hope to find some time to be in reflection and gratitude for all that has been bestowed upon me. As I look back at the year gone by, there is still a nagging emptiness…but it is not unaccompanied by resolve for the future. I look for the wheels to turn…in hope that they shall lead me to a path of productivity and benefit for others around me. After all, what else is there to really live for?
Besides good single malt, of course.
Of which I hope there will be ample supply down under…
It is worthwhile figuring out how I got here in the first place. What has kept me from writing all this time? It certainly was not the good ol' lack of time thing. While time is an oft touted reason for the inability to do something, I have never really believed it to be true. We are always able to find the time to pursue what we really want to. Was it then the 'writer's block'? Hardly. I could never have called myself a writer in the first place so such grand excuses were also not plausible. Truth be told, I have felt a vague and nagging emptiness over the past few months. An emptiness borne out of an inability to contribute my worth to those around me…and some events on the personal front also pushed me further into my literary shell.
So here I am...gingerly retracing my steps back into ViShesh PraRambh and hoping to find a quiet little corner within its confines. I had last dropped in here while I was in the cradle of the gentle Austrian Alps, from where I returned to Singapore rejuvenated and relaxed.
Which was also when I learnt about some new developments in my parent's health conditions…
My father, who had suffered two strokes in December 2007 was experiencing some complications which took him to the hospital on a weekly basis. Once the brain is affected, other body parts soon join the party and play havoc with the system. Also, my mother who had been coping remarkably well with the altered situation at home needed to take care of her own health. Her eyesight had deteriorated and needed a small corrective surgery. So off I went to Delhi to provide assistance and relief to my parents. The global nature of my job (and some very understanding and helpful colleagues) makes it possible for me to pretty much function from anywhere. All I need is a reliable internet connection, a functioning telephone line, and once my calendar is adjusted to the new time zone, I am all set to operate. These have become such essential prerequisites that one experiences extreme discomfort in their absence. What were we like before the advent of wireless technology??
Back to Delhi and the cataract procedure. Surgery performed successfully, scarcely had I brought my mother back home with the intent of providing her time off for the post op recovery, that my father determined we did not have enough excitement in our lives. Early the next morning, he fell unconscious in the bathroom. We would not have known of this at all were it not for a nasty bruise on the upper back. Stroke victims often suffer from short term memory loss, so he had only a vague recollection later of what had transpired. In all likelihood he had suffered a sudden blackout and collapsed on the floor like a heap of bricks. Upon regaining consciousness, he promptly came back to bed to continue his slumber. By the end of the day, his neck seemed to be strained at an angle so we took him to the hospital for a check up. Examinations revealed a fracture in the neck which, if disturbed even slightly, could have caused irreparable damage because of the proximity to the spinal cord. The next few days were spent in the hospital and my mother instantly transitioned back into her role of primary caregiver, notwithstanding her own condition. Over the next few days, our existence revolved around the hospital and we were glad to finally bring him back home with his neck ensconced in a brace.
I returned to Singapore a few days later with more questions than answers in my head. What caused the blackout? Would my parents be able to cope by themselves? Should I get them to Singapore? But travel was out of the question in the immediate term. Should I have stayed on longer? Then what about my work and travel commitments? The biggest question was (and remains) what I needed to do longer term to take care of them...India? Singapore?
In the coming weeks, there was some normalcy as my father recovered from his latest adventure.। traveled around the region. First to the Philippines...a country I love visiting and where I have thoroughly enjoyed my work over the past couple of years. A fascinating visit to Shanghai and Beijing followed...where I spent quality time with several colleagues and also went to a couple of their top business schools. I always enjoy being in an educational institution and was impressed by the clarity of vision of the leaders I met. In China, business education is scarcely seventeen years old, yet they have made great strides in creating high quality programmes comparable to the best anywhere. I can see them gaining ascendancy in the decades to come as leading providers of business education of global relevance. My stay in Beijing was brief, but I did get away one evening to see the world famous Bird's Nest and Water Cube...resplendent under the bright lights. This was not my first visit to China, but this time I felt I had gained some deeper insights. It gave me a chance to strengthen old relationships, and to form new ones. The confidence and purpose in the people was palpable. And despite the developments of the past few years which have catapulted China into global prominence, I did not sense any arrogance among its constituents. Surely, these will be very exciting times for the people of this nation.
November brought with it some hope. Work had gained momentum and I looked forward to getting some initiatives off the ground. We also planned a year end visit to Sydney. I have family there and we have not met for a while. As the year draws to a close, there is a general slowdown...the pace of activity reduces, people wear a relaxed demeanour as they plan for their time with friends and family, Christmas carols play non-stop, and there is an air of festivity all around. At such a time, what better place to be than Australia? And since I anyway carry my office in a backpack, all I needed were the bare essentials – the internet connection and a telephone line! The plan was to spend a couple of weeks working from Sydney and then to take time off during the final week of 2009.
My father, however, had other thoughts. Perhaps he was missing my company. So once again he fell into a sudden faint (thankfully this time was in a shop while leaning over the counter). The drill was repeated...back to hospital in an ambulance, more check ups. A few days later I found myself back in Delhi again doing the rounds of doctors. Once more, there were more questions than answers. Nobody could clearly explain what was causing the blackouts, yet all agreed that it was not a happy place to be. The medication was carefully reviewed and rebalanced. I had another discussion with the doctor who impressed upon me that his brain power was unlikely to return to its previous levels and that one needed to consider a future with his reduced faculties. Perhaps I have spent too long in the corporate sector...but the words 'new normal' reverberated in my head. Was this the future one had to contend with? I looked for other therapies and explored Ayurveda - the traditional Indian medical science which uses natural methods of healing and focuses on addressing root causes behind apparent manifestations. I had been through one such treatment a few years ago. I spoke to the doctors about it. None offered much hope of a recovery. But neither did they say with certainty that it would NOT work. So what was the harm in trying? And as was to be expected, I met with much protest from both my parents on being subjected to more treatment.
But the decision is made! They shall be duly dispatched tomorrow to the Ayurvedic centre in Delhi for a fortnight of oil massages, yoga and a healthy diet of vegetarian food.
Even though my visit was in somewhat dire circumstances, I did get to enjoy the Delhi winter, which I have missed for many years having lived in tropical climates for the past ten years. Having the morning sun upon your back while reading a newspaper and sipping a warm cup of coffee are luxuries of a bygone era! The other highlight was a Saturday evening in the company of some excellent people – old friends and new – who are eagerly devoting their energies to enhancing the lives of others around them. One of them is focused on healthcare for the masses, another on financing the rural poor in north India, and a couple others are actively partnering with social entrepreneurs in their quest for bringing about positive change in the society. The dialogue was engaging, and I was thrilled that some new connections were made as people resolved to join forces with each other. It would give me immense pleasure to be of some assistance in their laudable efforts.
I spent last week in Singapore and then over the weekend went across to Chennai to work with the microfinance organisation that I had been introduced to during the summer. It was wonderful to be back in their office, a quaint old bungalow, where I had working sessions with the management team. Since my last visit, they have inducted fresh people into the organisation and are facing a new set of challenges and opportunities. We discussed a number of issues...like how they would preserve their unique culture of service to the rural poor as they expanded their organisation; or continue to be lowest cost providers of finance to their customers and enhance their social impact. It was exhilarating being with such committed and focused people and I felt privileged to be a small part of their world.
The year end plans for Australia still hold...though it will be a shorter trip than what I had envisaged originally. Thoughts of being with family bring comfort and joy...I look forward to being with the elders and learning about aspirations of the youngsters. I hope to find some time to be in reflection and gratitude for all that has been bestowed upon me. As I look back at the year gone by, there is still a nagging emptiness…but it is not unaccompanied by resolve for the future. I look for the wheels to turn…in hope that they shall lead me to a path of productivity and benefit for others around me. After all, what else is there to really live for?
Besides good single malt, of course.
Of which I hope there will be ample supply down under…
Saturday, August 22, 2009
A trip to South India
It is my second evening in the Austrian mountains and a new bottle of wine. Tonight it’s a Cuvee – a delicious and smooth blend of different grapes from the region. I don’t know much about wines...just that they have recently caught my fancy and I have decided to explore them during my week in Europe. It has been raining since afternoon and the alpine air is wonderfully invigorating.
And as I sit in the hotel lounge, I again reflect on the events of the past few weeks.
The high point for me this summer was undoubtedly my visit to Chennai and Madurai last month. A visit that gave me an opportunity to see the impact being made by a microfinance organisation that was deeply committed to serving the poor by providing rural women with the means to achieve economic independence. When I visited the villages where they operated, I saw first hand how they had provided people the skills and means to emerge from poverty and attain a sustainable livelihood.
This opportunity arose thanks to a dear friend with whom I have worked closely for several years. She has now moved beyond the security and comfort of a career in the corporate sector and embarked upon a new journey as a social entrepreneur. Recently, she was approached by an acquaintance, a private equity investor in the social sector, whose fund had invested in this company and where he was a board member. They were looking for an experienced HR professional to serve as a strategic advisor, poised as they are for significant growth in the near future and felt they needed to really get the people equation right. She suggested my name and a few phone calls later introductions were made, connections established, and off I was to see how I could be of assistance in their noble venture.
What I experienced over the course of the next two days left a lasting impression on me and I came away with deep appreciation both for the dedication of these people, as well for their creativity and innovation.
I was received in Chennai by their Chairperson, a woman of very impressive credentials, who took me to a charming old house which served as the company headquarters. The private equity investor also flew in and over the next few hours, we had a spirited and absorbing discussion as they brought me up to speed on the nature of their work. By the end of the day, and several copious notes later, I had received my initiation into the fascinating world of microfinance. As I would realize a day later, this was just my ‘theory’ lesson. The ‘practical’ was to take place the following day through a field visit to the villages.
The next morning we took a 7am flight to Madurai, a small town in the very south of India. I had visited Madurai twenty years ago with my parents while on a summer vacation trip across south India and remember seeing the grand Meenakshi temple, which has lent fame to this town as it attracts both pilgrims and tourists from far and wide. This time though, the day was spent touring villages and branch offices of the company in and around the town. I was accompanied by the Chairperson, who also played the role of translator for most of the day as conversations took place in the local lingo - Tamil. I met with Self Help Groups (SHG) – clusters of 15-20 women organized by the microfinance company for the purpose of providing loans – and saw how they were educated and empowered to take charge of their lives. For most of these women, the journey to self-reliance began with an enrolment into a SHG, an entity that would form the edifice for much of their future existence and the foundation for lasting relationships with others united by a common desire to achieve economic independence and well being for their families. Each SHG would undergo months of training in entrepreneurship and basic finance and accounts. When considered ready, they would receive their group loan…which they would utilize to start a business venture. Some would purchase cattle, others would start a tailoring business, or else make trinkets and toys for children. Each month, the loan installment would need to be repaid and the group would be collectively responsible for ensuring timely payouts. The organisation has a quarter of a million women customers across the state, and an astounding recovery rate which would be the envy of mainstream banks. Just goes to prove the transformational power of enlightened and determined women.
One of the truly remarkable aspects of this organisation was their conscious desire to employ people from the very strata they serviced. This serves a dual purpose…of building trusting relationships within their customer base by being deeply etched in their lives; and underscoring their commitment to improving the lives of people in the rural areas by providing gainful employment to deserving candidates. The results - strong trust based relationships, a stellar reputation and a lasting impact on society!
I came across some astounding tales of human accomplishment.
We were accompanied in our field visit by the regional manager, a middle aged lady who oversaw operations across several branches. She spoke to me of her humble beginnings, from the time she had been a beneficiary of microfinance from this company 15 years ago. Starting off from a meager background (her husband was a daily wage labourer with a low and inconsistent income stream), this lady not only found a means to livelihood for her family, she took greater initiative by first becoming an employee of the company and forming more SHG’s, and in parallel pursuing higher studies, eventually completing a Master’s degree in commerce. Her three sons were now based in countries in the Middle East – all gainfully employed, with the eldest enrolled into a Ph.D. programme! This woman has worked tirelessly and risen to the position of regional head with oversight of several of the company’s branch operations. Recently, she has bought a computer and an internet connection and is learning to operate it.
There were more such stories…
The other revelation was the creativity and innovation in the social sector. The network of SHG’s is an extremely effective distribution channel and can be used as a conduit for several other ‘products’ – basic mobile phones, insurance plans, education and healthcare being a few examples. As technological advancements take effect, some of these will have a significant effect on the fabric of rural society. Imagine the impact of people in remote villages with access to information on their fingertips, combined with the ability to transmit it real time anywhere across the world. I feel this can lay the ground for transformation at the grassroots level. Such technology gives power in the hands of people and can help expose corruption, lay bare inefficiencies, and fight injustice…instantly and without censorship from any governing body!
I witnessed one such innovation. We had reached one of their branch offices in a semi-urban area of Madurai. This was in the upper floor of a small house in a narrow street reachable only on foot. On the day I was there, there had been a load shedding – long hours of electricity shut down - in that part of town. As we looked across the office, I noticed a printer on a table…this was their ‘collections’ room where they kept records of loan disbursement and repayment. The standalone printer was unaccompanied by a computer, something one would naturally expect to see in an operation that dealt with finances. When I enquired about how they managed accounts, the answer left me stunned with amazement. The collections officer, a 30 year veteran of the company whipped out his mobile phone and activated an application. Upon punching in a password, the screen came alive with up-to-date information on every SHG supported by the branch and the current status of loan repayment of each individual member! This information was fed and refreshed at the company headquarters in Chennai and all that was needed was for him to jack up the phone to the printer, produce the latest records and issue receipts to the customers every month! In one fell sweep, this innovation had significantly reduced the need physical infrastructure, reliance on electricity, and also the risk of fraud by unscrupulous employees. Grassroots technology at its very best!
My trip was an eye opener. I came away energized and refreshed from my interactions with these wonderful people. I spent the next few days thinking about how this organisation could harness its human potential and further its impact on the society. My past experiences provided some answers, but more came from friends who have immersed themselves to such causes. Today I see capable and highly qualified people who have chosen to dedicate themselves to bringing about sustainable and equitable development, rather than pursue the path of purely personal gains.
The wheels...they are surely turning!
And as I sit in the hotel lounge, I again reflect on the events of the past few weeks.
The high point for me this summer was undoubtedly my visit to Chennai and Madurai last month. A visit that gave me an opportunity to see the impact being made by a microfinance organisation that was deeply committed to serving the poor by providing rural women with the means to achieve economic independence. When I visited the villages where they operated, I saw first hand how they had provided people the skills and means to emerge from poverty and attain a sustainable livelihood.
This opportunity arose thanks to a dear friend with whom I have worked closely for several years. She has now moved beyond the security and comfort of a career in the corporate sector and embarked upon a new journey as a social entrepreneur. Recently, she was approached by an acquaintance, a private equity investor in the social sector, whose fund had invested in this company and where he was a board member. They were looking for an experienced HR professional to serve as a strategic advisor, poised as they are for significant growth in the near future and felt they needed to really get the people equation right. She suggested my name and a few phone calls later introductions were made, connections established, and off I was to see how I could be of assistance in their noble venture.
What I experienced over the course of the next two days left a lasting impression on me and I came away with deep appreciation both for the dedication of these people, as well for their creativity and innovation.
I was received in Chennai by their Chairperson, a woman of very impressive credentials, who took me to a charming old house which served as the company headquarters. The private equity investor also flew in and over the next few hours, we had a spirited and absorbing discussion as they brought me up to speed on the nature of their work. By the end of the day, and several copious notes later, I had received my initiation into the fascinating world of microfinance. As I would realize a day later, this was just my ‘theory’ lesson. The ‘practical’ was to take place the following day through a field visit to the villages.
The next morning we took a 7am flight to Madurai, a small town in the very south of India. I had visited Madurai twenty years ago with my parents while on a summer vacation trip across south India and remember seeing the grand Meenakshi temple, which has lent fame to this town as it attracts both pilgrims and tourists from far and wide. This time though, the day was spent touring villages and branch offices of the company in and around the town. I was accompanied by the Chairperson, who also played the role of translator for most of the day as conversations took place in the local lingo - Tamil. I met with Self Help Groups (SHG) – clusters of 15-20 women organized by the microfinance company for the purpose of providing loans – and saw how they were educated and empowered to take charge of their lives. For most of these women, the journey to self-reliance began with an enrolment into a SHG, an entity that would form the edifice for much of their future existence and the foundation for lasting relationships with others united by a common desire to achieve economic independence and well being for their families. Each SHG would undergo months of training in entrepreneurship and basic finance and accounts. When considered ready, they would receive their group loan…which they would utilize to start a business venture. Some would purchase cattle, others would start a tailoring business, or else make trinkets and toys for children. Each month, the loan installment would need to be repaid and the group would be collectively responsible for ensuring timely payouts. The organisation has a quarter of a million women customers across the state, and an astounding recovery rate which would be the envy of mainstream banks. Just goes to prove the transformational power of enlightened and determined women.
One of the truly remarkable aspects of this organisation was their conscious desire to employ people from the very strata they serviced. This serves a dual purpose…of building trusting relationships within their customer base by being deeply etched in their lives; and underscoring their commitment to improving the lives of people in the rural areas by providing gainful employment to deserving candidates. The results - strong trust based relationships, a stellar reputation and a lasting impact on society!
I came across some astounding tales of human accomplishment.
We were accompanied in our field visit by the regional manager, a middle aged lady who oversaw operations across several branches. She spoke to me of her humble beginnings, from the time she had been a beneficiary of microfinance from this company 15 years ago. Starting off from a meager background (her husband was a daily wage labourer with a low and inconsistent income stream), this lady not only found a means to livelihood for her family, she took greater initiative by first becoming an employee of the company and forming more SHG’s, and in parallel pursuing higher studies, eventually completing a Master’s degree in commerce. Her three sons were now based in countries in the Middle East – all gainfully employed, with the eldest enrolled into a Ph.D. programme! This woman has worked tirelessly and risen to the position of regional head with oversight of several of the company’s branch operations. Recently, she has bought a computer and an internet connection and is learning to operate it.
There were more such stories…
The other revelation was the creativity and innovation in the social sector. The network of SHG’s is an extremely effective distribution channel and can be used as a conduit for several other ‘products’ – basic mobile phones, insurance plans, education and healthcare being a few examples. As technological advancements take effect, some of these will have a significant effect on the fabric of rural society. Imagine the impact of people in remote villages with access to information on their fingertips, combined with the ability to transmit it real time anywhere across the world. I feel this can lay the ground for transformation at the grassroots level. Such technology gives power in the hands of people and can help expose corruption, lay bare inefficiencies, and fight injustice…instantly and without censorship from any governing body!
I witnessed one such innovation. We had reached one of their branch offices in a semi-urban area of Madurai. This was in the upper floor of a small house in a narrow street reachable only on foot. On the day I was there, there had been a load shedding – long hours of electricity shut down - in that part of town. As we looked across the office, I noticed a printer on a table…this was their ‘collections’ room where they kept records of loan disbursement and repayment. The standalone printer was unaccompanied by a computer, something one would naturally expect to see in an operation that dealt with finances. When I enquired about how they managed accounts, the answer left me stunned with amazement. The collections officer, a 30 year veteran of the company whipped out his mobile phone and activated an application. Upon punching in a password, the screen came alive with up-to-date information on every SHG supported by the branch and the current status of loan repayment of each individual member! This information was fed and refreshed at the company headquarters in Chennai and all that was needed was for him to jack up the phone to the printer, produce the latest records and issue receipts to the customers every month! In one fell sweep, this innovation had significantly reduced the need physical infrastructure, reliance on electricity, and also the risk of fraud by unscrupulous employees. Grassroots technology at its very best!
My trip was an eye opener. I came away energized and refreshed from my interactions with these wonderful people. I spent the next few days thinking about how this organisation could harness its human potential and further its impact on the society. My past experiences provided some answers, but more came from friends who have immersed themselves to such causes. Today I see capable and highly qualified people who have chosen to dedicate themselves to bringing about sustainable and equitable development, rather than pursue the path of purely personal gains.
The wheels...they are surely turning!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thoughts from the Alps
It has been a long time since I was here...
A period of intense activity! Intense at work and intense in areas I have wished to pursue outside of my work. Yet, it has not been overwhelming or overly strenuous. I think somewhere my subconscious mind had willed me to act rather than contemplate...which probably explains this hiatus from the blog.
Now, as I find myself in the cradle of the Alps, sitting by the pond in the hotel I have checked into earlier in the day, with a glass of Blaufrankistch wine (I think I got that right!), the mind turns inwards and reflects upon the events of the past few weeks...
To start with, there was concerning news from home. My father, already affected after suffering two strokes in late 2007, had developed some further complications. Living away from one's parents is never easy and at times like this, one faces the eternal dilemma of rushing back home versus staying back. However, after a couple of weeks of diagnosis and treatment, it appeared that the new complication was in remission and I was a bit more at peace. I decided to move ahead with my short vacation which has brought us to Austria…a beautiful and charming country with a long and interesting history. I still plan to go early next month and spend a few days in Delhi from where I will continue to work whilst in parallel seeking further medical opinions.
The relationship with my father has been a strange one and has evolved over the years. During my growing years, I looked upon him as a strong willed man - honest, upright and always upfront. For a long time he remembered how I would refer to him as a 'no nonsense man'. Because of his nature, people would at times find him difficult to deal with…he had a sharp tongue and usually an opinion to the contrary! On the other hand, he was known for his generosity...ever willing and ready to help folks in need. In my earliest memories, I have known him to place the needs of others before his own. Whether it would mean taking someone’s child for a school or college admission, having people over at home from distant lands as they toured India, or taking relatives of an indisposed person to the hospital on his scooter everyday till the crisis was past, he was always at hand when the need arose. His tall and lanky figure was a dominating presence within our family and wider circle of friends. As I came into adolescence the clashes began…perhaps as I struggled to come into my own and he with letting go of his progeny. I rebelled and did several things that did not please him. As the years progressed, the relationship strained further…leading to a flashpoint as I walked out of my house after having made the decision to marry. It was a period of immense emotional turmoil within our small family, which eventually eased a couple of days before the wedding as he was persuaded by friends and family to attend the ceremony and give his blessings. Still things did not completely subside and thereafter began a phase of uneasy calm, which continued into the next decade as my work took me from city to city…leaving Delhi, the place of my birth, for Mumbai, then on to Bangalore, and last year to Singapore. All of this was terribly upsetting for my mother, torn as she was between the father and son. For my wife, this was equally distressing as she tried to come to terms with such strong emotions, the very causes of which were unclear to her. One thing did grow though…and that was the respect my father developed for my professional endeavours. Through all of our arguments and conflicts, he remained proud of the effort and progress he felt I was making.
Morbid as it may sound, I think his illness was again a turning point in our relationship as he underwent two successive strokes within the span of a week, which had a sudden and significant impact on his brain. His memory and comprehension were badly affected. A learned professor of modern European history who had taught in an institution of international repute for nearly three decades now could not even recall the date of birth of his only child. Or read the newspaper and understand the state of affairs around him. Gone also were the obstinacy, the fiery temper and sharp tongue. In the short span of a few days, his entire persona had undergone a transformation… However we are fortunate that physically he has remained relatively unaffected, being able to walk about and take care of his needs without aid from others. It could indeed have been a lot worse. Today he is much more placid and compliant. The dynamics in our house have changed. For years he was the dominant force, and my mother the one in compliance. This has now reversed and she has taken charge. She has learnt to use the mobile, get the groceries, manage the household and finances, all the while taking him for his medical check ups and overseeing his medication and wellbeing. My mother even took a computer course so she could be in touch with me over Skype and email. The strong willed woman, who once gave up her career to rear her child, has emerged from the shadows and started afresh…after a 35 year hiatus and when she is well into her 70s!
I feel that my father and I now share a different equation, entirely devoid of the strife we had experienced over the years. My conversations with him are much like the one’s he may have had with me when I was a child. I check in on his daily routine and the progress he is making on the ‘tasks’ I have assigned him…has he been reading? How many pages written in the last few days? I test his memory with some facts and questions. He sounds upbeat and eager to talk…but then has nothing to say after a couple of sentences. Often, the same questions are repeated. When will I be visiting? How is work? Where did I travel? Are we doing all right? Earlier this year, after much persuasion, they visited us in Singapore for a couple of months…a much needed change of scenery and an opportunity to recuperate in a different environment. It did make some difference. But the progress is really slow and I wonder to what extent a recovery will take place. I don’t expect that it will be the way it was before. Nothing ever is, is it?
A period of intense activity! Intense at work and intense in areas I have wished to pursue outside of my work. Yet, it has not been overwhelming or overly strenuous. I think somewhere my subconscious mind had willed me to act rather than contemplate...which probably explains this hiatus from the blog.
Now, as I find myself in the cradle of the Alps, sitting by the pond in the hotel I have checked into earlier in the day, with a glass of Blaufrankistch wine (I think I got that right!), the mind turns inwards and reflects upon the events of the past few weeks...
To start with, there was concerning news from home. My father, already affected after suffering two strokes in late 2007, had developed some further complications. Living away from one's parents is never easy and at times like this, one faces the eternal dilemma of rushing back home versus staying back. However, after a couple of weeks of diagnosis and treatment, it appeared that the new complication was in remission and I was a bit more at peace. I decided to move ahead with my short vacation which has brought us to Austria…a beautiful and charming country with a long and interesting history. I still plan to go early next month and spend a few days in Delhi from where I will continue to work whilst in parallel seeking further medical opinions.
The relationship with my father has been a strange one and has evolved over the years. During my growing years, I looked upon him as a strong willed man - honest, upright and always upfront. For a long time he remembered how I would refer to him as a 'no nonsense man'. Because of his nature, people would at times find him difficult to deal with…he had a sharp tongue and usually an opinion to the contrary! On the other hand, he was known for his generosity...ever willing and ready to help folks in need. In my earliest memories, I have known him to place the needs of others before his own. Whether it would mean taking someone’s child for a school or college admission, having people over at home from distant lands as they toured India, or taking relatives of an indisposed person to the hospital on his scooter everyday till the crisis was past, he was always at hand when the need arose. His tall and lanky figure was a dominating presence within our family and wider circle of friends. As I came into adolescence the clashes began…perhaps as I struggled to come into my own and he with letting go of his progeny. I rebelled and did several things that did not please him. As the years progressed, the relationship strained further…leading to a flashpoint as I walked out of my house after having made the decision to marry. It was a period of immense emotional turmoil within our small family, which eventually eased a couple of days before the wedding as he was persuaded by friends and family to attend the ceremony and give his blessings. Still things did not completely subside and thereafter began a phase of uneasy calm, which continued into the next decade as my work took me from city to city…leaving Delhi, the place of my birth, for Mumbai, then on to Bangalore, and last year to Singapore. All of this was terribly upsetting for my mother, torn as she was between the father and son. For my wife, this was equally distressing as she tried to come to terms with such strong emotions, the very causes of which were unclear to her. One thing did grow though…and that was the respect my father developed for my professional endeavours. Through all of our arguments and conflicts, he remained proud of the effort and progress he felt I was making.
Morbid as it may sound, I think his illness was again a turning point in our relationship as he underwent two successive strokes within the span of a week, which had a sudden and significant impact on his brain. His memory and comprehension were badly affected. A learned professor of modern European history who had taught in an institution of international repute for nearly three decades now could not even recall the date of birth of his only child. Or read the newspaper and understand the state of affairs around him. Gone also were the obstinacy, the fiery temper and sharp tongue. In the short span of a few days, his entire persona had undergone a transformation… However we are fortunate that physically he has remained relatively unaffected, being able to walk about and take care of his needs without aid from others. It could indeed have been a lot worse. Today he is much more placid and compliant. The dynamics in our house have changed. For years he was the dominant force, and my mother the one in compliance. This has now reversed and she has taken charge. She has learnt to use the mobile, get the groceries, manage the household and finances, all the while taking him for his medical check ups and overseeing his medication and wellbeing. My mother even took a computer course so she could be in touch with me over Skype and email. The strong willed woman, who once gave up her career to rear her child, has emerged from the shadows and started afresh…after a 35 year hiatus and when she is well into her 70s!
I feel that my father and I now share a different equation, entirely devoid of the strife we had experienced over the years. My conversations with him are much like the one’s he may have had with me when I was a child. I check in on his daily routine and the progress he is making on the ‘tasks’ I have assigned him…has he been reading? How many pages written in the last few days? I test his memory with some facts and questions. He sounds upbeat and eager to talk…but then has nothing to say after a couple of sentences. Often, the same questions are repeated. When will I be visiting? How is work? Where did I travel? Are we doing all right? Earlier this year, after much persuasion, they visited us in Singapore for a couple of months…a much needed change of scenery and an opportunity to recuperate in a different environment. It did make some difference. But the progress is really slow and I wonder to what extent a recovery will take place. I don’t expect that it will be the way it was before. Nothing ever is, is it?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The 'demographic dividend' in India
It was fantastic to hear from an old friend and colleague some days ago, when she called me wanting to know if I wished to participate in efforts to help address the needs of skill development and training in India. She had recently returned to India along with her husband after spending a couple of years studying in an ivy league institution and pursuing her efforts in global healthcare and other related areas. She was concerned about the issues of youth employability in India and felt that urgent and concerted initiatives were required to help create employbility at scale for the youth of the country. Studies have indicated that India has a "demographic dividend" for the next 25 years or so - the 325 million people in the age group of 15 - 29 years - making India the country with the youngest workforce, with a median age well below that of China and other developed economies. Failure to reap this dividend, she felt, would have difficult consequences for the society over a period of time as unemployed and misguided youth would turn to other means for sustainance.
The conversation with her led to some further research on my part. I learnt how out of the 13 million new entrants to the workforce in India, currently no more than 20% receive skill training. And in our existing workforce, only 2% have skill training. In other developed countries, this figure ranges from 70% to over 90%. It appears that this is now becoming a key priority for the government and they are looking to make policy changes and encourage investment by the private sector as well. This is indeed encouraging. However, the overall picture still appears unclear in terms of concrete steps and action.
I have been privileged to work in an organisation and an indistry which has contributed towards employment of youth in a significant way, not only in India but in other countries around the world. My perspective (as a layman) is that for a country to progress, it requires the articulation of a clear and all encompassing vision which can then be executed by different nodes of the economy, working in conjunction and complemeting each other. An opportunity of this scale cannot be achieved unless various parties are galvanised into action - the government, civil services, educational institutions, not-for-profit organisations, as well as the private sector. The government ought to set the direction and policy, and take away bureacratic hurdles to the creation of new and collaborative models for skill development and employment; the private sector needs to be incented to participate with the promise of longer term benefits rather than immediate gains. Partnerships and helpful networks will lay the foundation of this progress...between each of these nodes. This is no different from how any corporation to operate...first by articulating its vision, and then aligning its various functions to execute to the vision.
But even doing all of that does not necessarily achieve sustainability. For that I continue to believe that in our next generation we need to focus on building Competence, Character and a Desire to Excel...which I consdier to be three pillars of sustainable all round development in society. Sustainability will necessarily require our people to discharge their obligations towards one another and to the society at large. And it is time we inculcated that in our people.
I was grateful to her for having thought of me and we ended the call with a resolve to think further about this and engage with some other like minded people. I hope to contribute in any small and humble way to this cause that I am capable of.
The will surely exists...now to find the way!
The conversation with her led to some further research on my part. I learnt how out of the 13 million new entrants to the workforce in India, currently no more than 20% receive skill training. And in our existing workforce, only 2% have skill training. In other developed countries, this figure ranges from 70% to over 90%. It appears that this is now becoming a key priority for the government and they are looking to make policy changes and encourage investment by the private sector as well. This is indeed encouraging. However, the overall picture still appears unclear in terms of concrete steps and action.
I have been privileged to work in an organisation and an indistry which has contributed towards employment of youth in a significant way, not only in India but in other countries around the world. My perspective (as a layman) is that for a country to progress, it requires the articulation of a clear and all encompassing vision which can then be executed by different nodes of the economy, working in conjunction and complemeting each other. An opportunity of this scale cannot be achieved unless various parties are galvanised into action - the government, civil services, educational institutions, not-for-profit organisations, as well as the private sector. The government ought to set the direction and policy, and take away bureacratic hurdles to the creation of new and collaborative models for skill development and employment; the private sector needs to be incented to participate with the promise of longer term benefits rather than immediate gains. Partnerships and helpful networks will lay the foundation of this progress...between each of these nodes. This is no different from how any corporation to operate...first by articulating its vision, and then aligning its various functions to execute to the vision.
But even doing all of that does not necessarily achieve sustainability. For that I continue to believe that in our next generation we need to focus on building Competence, Character and a Desire to Excel...which I consdier to be three pillars of sustainable all round development in society. Sustainability will necessarily require our people to discharge their obligations towards one another and to the society at large. And it is time we inculcated that in our people.
I was grateful to her for having thought of me and we ended the call with a resolve to think further about this and engage with some other like minded people. I hope to contribute in any small and humble way to this cause that I am capable of.
The will surely exists...now to find the way!
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