Fwd: WEALTH IS WITHIN OUR COUNTRY

[Sharad Puranik]

WEALTH IS WITHIN OUR COUNTRY

 

-          Radhakrishnan ‘Chanakya’  Pillai

 

 

 

 

A spiritual master once said, “Whatever you are looking for lies within”. This can be directly applied in our national development process. It may come as a surprise especially if we have been trained for years to look outside. Infact in India for generations we have got the habit to look outside.

 

A very well known statement is “If some thing goes from here to west and comes back to us we accept it”. An average person having migrated to foreign countries is accepted back with higher respect. It is the case with various goods or services with the tag of “foreign acceptance” being valued more.

 

The fact that various foreign branded garments even though produced in India are sold at exuberant rates is an example of this. When the same manufacturer sells the “same quality” goods by this own brand name his goods cannot fetch the same price. The argument is ‘the brand name’ makes the difference.

 

However, the fact is that we as Indians do not recognise our own value. And even if we do, we do not know how to market or present ourselves. Marketing and presentation is some thing definitely we should learn from the west.

 

The first thing is we should look within.

 

As Chanakya says in the Arthashastra,

 

“Wealth is not only what is ‘with’ you but also what is ‘in’ you”

 

We may not be the most developed country but we should look at our own wealth first. “Look within” is the mantra to be followed. We have to change our mind set for that. Go back and take stock of our own country.  One will be amazed by the wealth we have. The wealth of a nation is not just the GDP measurement or stock market graph.

 

Our population of over one billion people, talented artists, teachers, scientists, natural resources like mines and forest produce, spirituality, our history all this is our national wealth. Sam Pitroda once said, “There are over 20,000 plants and herbs in our country which are unique to India and available no where else in the world”

 

Inspite of all this we look outside not within.  Now let’s look at an action plan based on these lines:

 

 

1. HAVE A TALENT POOL

 

The Ministry of human resource should prepare a data base of talent available within the nation. It can be of various fields - businessmen, artists, teachers, inventors etc. Preparing this data base itself will make us feel proud about ourselves.

 

2. SKILL DEVELOPMENT

 

Talent may not be enough it has to be combined with skill that can be applied in the practical and commercial world. For example there could a talented singer but she may lack the skill of marketing. Now this skill is essential for her to make the world aware of the talent she possesses.

 

3. A SOCIAL BENEFIT

 

Every person should be made to think “From my work what social contribution am I doing? Is it creating value for the society around me? As an individual I may be getting richer and richer but is the society around be also developing.

 

4. INVEST IN FUTURE

 

We should also look into long term benefits. When you plant a tree the benefit is in the future but planting today is necessary. Businessmen should invest in research and development to ensure their growth sustainability.

 

A teacher should think one year ahead, businessmen ten years ahead and a politician one generation ahead.

 

 

(The author is a ‘strategic leadership’ trainer and consultant. He is Director of SPM FOUNDATION.  Can be contacted at rchanak...@spmfoundation.in)