Change, We Must

Change, we must if we have to survive as a nation. We have to change the ways of looking at things. Then only we will be able to bring ‘Achche Din’. Only people with frog-in-the-well mentality would not attempt to change even now.

The question is: how we can bring about this change? Is it possible to change when various interest groups are operating at various levels? How do we overcome personal, community and organizational barriers? How do we overcome the impulses to go on rampage and destroy public property when we are in a mob?

Today, we find that people are willing to go to any length to subvert the system for selfish gains even at the cost of national interest. The dominant mode of thinking today is power acquisition and money accumulation. This change has not happened overnight. This was a slow and continuous process and if we look back it will be difficult to isolate a single reason responsible for this change.

Somehow we have failed to create a framework for a strong nation made of a caring society, a caring business, a caring police force, a caring leadership, a caring motorist and even a caring neighbourhood. Today, every citizen of this country is looking for a turn around – the ‘Achche Din’. One can see a visible expression on every body’s face, in their body language: CARE FOR ME.

India needs to do something to get out of this rut. The mindset of each citizen has to change from ‘I don't care to I do’. India's agenda has to change. India needs a care revolution, NOW!

The care revolution is essential to bring in ‘Achche Din’, to usher an era of economic development, poverty eradication, reducing social tensions. Even though wrecked by political perplexity and global pressures, our nation can display a remarkable resilience, provided we care.

We will have to look within and do what we can. India's cultural roots have caring as its ethos. India and her people are famous for tolerance because they care about others. The caring attitude of us Indians manifest itself in our day - to - day family life. The point is, can we bring this caring attitude in the open?

‘Achche Din’ would be possible if we all take initiatives. A caring attitude will enable Indians to win whatever be the emerging opportunities. We will have to overcome the tendency to have quick-fix solutions to every problem. Fire fighting is often due to carelessness, poor housekeeping, and a chaotic style of functioning.

The society must enable the individual to carry out his/her obligations to the society by properly educating him/her. Care has to become integrated to strategic plans in all spheres of our life. Managing with care would become a way of life in every function and at every level. We will have to overcome the attitude of indifference and eliminate the associated costs. The desire to give our best has to be paramount.

The role of the government would be to create a conducive environment for this care revolution, setting a kind of example for others to emulate. Corporate houses have responsibility to the environment and the society in which their companies operate. Farmers and villages, where the plants exist, view the business house as a monster who would eat up their land. This can be overcome by the commitment to the rural development. The confidence and trust of the villager is very crucial.

The life of the common man can become easier if following points are taken care of immediately:

· Reduce paper work to make it easier.
· Reduce the time spent while waiting in offices.
· Identify steps that can be merged or eliminated altogether.
· Provide information and reduce transaction times.

There is no doubt that we can bring ‘Achche Din’ – with Mr. Modi or even when he is not around. The government, industry and education managers in India have open minds and the ability to comprehend. There is no problem with the individual Indian either. They are bright and quick. Any people who can make lunch box distribution scheme in Mumbai successful can compete anywhere.

The agenda for the nation would be that the leaders in government become personal example of care. That they create facilities where there is scarcity of basic services. That they provide education to all. That they create infrastructure for nation’s development. That they become facilitators - not administrators - in economic progress.

That the leaders in business issue care policies for their organizations saying, “We will deliver products and services to our customer on-time, as promised and with care. That they provide education and training to the people working with them. That they go back to their cultural roots and recognize the concept embedded in “Atithi Devo Bhava”.

With the support of universal knowledge and our heritage, we shall create a caring society which will excel all its past glories and will enable every citizen in its fold to develop his or her manifold latent potentialities. We will have to undertake the task of awakening our nation’s soul. The care revolution would give us strength to succeed in this task.

And this will bring ‘Achche Din’ for all of us, the eternal hope shall be fulfilled.