INDIA: Looking Ahead

Well, these are just a couple of headlines that India has made during the recent past.

Questions have been asked about the validity of such optimism. After all, those who have known India closely also know of its vulnerabilities. Corruption, politics, insufficient infrastructure are some of the concerns an average Indian faces. Yet, we would like to believe that India is indeed the emerging global power in reckoning.

India's strength lies in its diversity of culture and thought. While it is arguable whether the diversity and difference of opinion might be due to ethnic and related genetic factors, there is no doubt that it is difficult to find another place with such variety of skill & intellect. Traditionally known as an agrarian society, India has its presence felt in hi-tech areas of nuclear science, biotechnology and space engineering.

While India's population growth rate and thus the population is among the highest in the world, it is also one of the largest customer base for multinationals of all products, right from cosmetics to heavy engineering to automobiles. A mere 2% of the target Indian population makes for the entire market of other countries. If you'd like to know more, sample this; the Indian market size of cardio-vascular medicines is larger than the entire pharmaceutical industry of Australia.

This sheer size of India makes it a favorite destination for businesses of all types. This size also determines the available of the best skills at the most reasonable rates. A highly educated and technically qualified English speaking talent pool serves as the heart of the world's favorite outsourcing destination.

Yes, we have a problem with the infrastructure because we simply can't cope with the rising pressure. The demand for growth in infrastructure is higher than the rate at which we have managed to grow. But then we also have global partners for infrastructure growth.

Corruption and politics and often uttered in a single breath in India. May be we need to rethink the way our Constitution allows the multi-party politics and make way for amendments that will make the numbers' game of absolute majority simpler so that regional political representatives do not adopt arm-twisting ways in national policies. After all, if you as a political party who do not have a national presence, which again is well defined in the Constitution as to what makes a national party and a regional party, then you shouldn't be dictating terms for people who haven't heard of you.

There have been a few cases of where religious sentiments ruled over reason. Didn't politics have to do something with it?I recently watched a movie where a character comments that no country is perfect. For that matter, individuals, nation's smallest building blocks, even an individual is not perfect. Well, that's it. No one's perfect. The key to succeed lies in identifying the strengths and buildings on them in the process negate the weaknesses.

India has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its pluralism. India has emerged victorious after centuries of aggression. We are the world's destination for medical and eco-tourism. Indian spiritualism and Yoga are the most sought after healing techniques. The Indian democracy is the world's largest. The Indian railway network is one of the world's largest and no one else carries more passengers. The Indian telecom industry is among the world's fastest growing. India is powerful destination for top multinationals with their production units to cater to markets elsewhere. India has a sizable urban populace with large spare income and high spending potential making India the target for all consumer and personal products of leading multinationals. The land of Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Amartya Sen and many more greats have shown the world ways to peace, freedom and prosperity and continue to bring ideas and concepts for a better world. Let us recognize the strength of India and move ahead.

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