Being a management student, this day was not be missed by us,
Keynote Speaker was Prof. C.K.Prahlad, and the subject was Essence of Development - Entrepreneurship
True to the topic,
Prof.Prahlad addressed that Successful entrepreneurship is not a illusion, but it is composed of several ingredients. Targeting the right macro-opportunity is a good starting point but being a first mover is no longer sufficient for success in today's world.
Market leaders of tomorrow, will be companies that will have the ability to scale up their operations without diluting the quality and economics. Most business are setup with objective of trying to address an unmet need or an already met better need. But then being in sync with your customer during the scale up is a must as it helps in optimal allocation of your capital and in timely course correction
Commenting on India's demographic advantage, he said that the Young have the flexibility to adapt, absorb and conceptualize and innovate. This is the key ingredient of technological and economic progress. China has large supply of new workers for private enterprises but these workers are basically state owned are older and are not as adaptable as the young labor market of India. Population trends are not easily reversible and here the advantage goes to India.
He also presented his latest "The Innovation Sandbox" which focussing on being market driven and emphasizing on Bottom of Pyramid Practices.
Session 2: Entrepreneurship and Election Management:
Bench:
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Shri N Gopalaswami, Chief Election Commissioner, GOI
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Saurabh Srivastav, TIE Delhi - Host
Infused the audiences interest in democracy by being a slightly disappointed given that it was election time and turnout was a mere 60 %.
Mr. Gopalaswami admitted that if India was ever to attain a status of superpower that it cannot be attained with out developing the Government.
Also that Political machinery is a part of Economic Efficiency; hence improving Government also is responsibility and duty of entrepreneurs.
Mr. Gopalaswami added an unpardonable satire when someone from the audience asked, "Should there be a minimum education limit for standing in election?"
At which, he calmly responded "There is no reason for that, not until Voter's turnout increases, or people become more responsible".....
But he added that personally, candidates standing from election should have minimum level of education that completely changed the bureacratic image of Govt, we had.
A second sign of India Changing
Session 3: Lifestyle Entrepreneurship
Bench:
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Mr. Yogi Durlabhji, KS Durlabhji. He Has the distinction of being in "Outstanding People of the 20th Century", A Leader of Influence
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Maharani Gayatri Devi, Rajmata of Jaipur
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Leander Paes,
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Raghavendra Rathore - Designer, His couture line reflects his states vibrancy (Jaipur), he has formalised Sherwani etc
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]JJ Valaya, HOuse of Valaya
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Vanadana Luthra, Founder and Mentor – VLCC
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Raj Jaswa, President, TIE Silicon Valley.
Again this session was a great value addition. Lifestyle Entrepreneurship is basically a vocation, profession or any activity which a person likes to do even though it cannot be that big.
The session kicked off with the Bench explaining what made them take, why and thus making every attempt to justify their success story.
Many a times, would be entrepreneurs spend more time and energy trying to find out what they should be doing. if one has to ask this question, one is probably yet not ready for becomming an entrepreneur.
in India, today opportunities exists everywhere, and the gifted entrepreneurs will be the first to spot them.
but the bench of ours felt nothing like that. THis bench just that some day or the other this idea will work for them, they never know a particular time frame, but had a belief.
This also bought an interesting fact to the light, it is important to keep in mind that no mean achievement requires tremendous sacrifice, exceptionally hard work and an unflinching determination to succeed, the resilience to accept and learn from failures and then bounce back and solid commitment to core values.
Unless starting with the golden spoon (no pun intended), it also means frugal lifestyle and being the jack of all and master of many.
Who would have Paes to play Tennis, and still expect stardom.......but then self-beliefs play the most important role, when VLCC was started, nobody saw it as promising but then it persisted till date making the most of it.
Moral : To Unlearn is still "To Learn..."
The true spirit of entrepreneurship was defined by the Bench. Remarkably by Paes and by Rathore.
Paes when asked that his career was on decline and now what he see the future as.....to which Paes responded, if the future seems bleak..doesnt matter, " i have a plan of creating a sports infrastructure in various regions thus promoting sports as equal option to any thing that is worth DOING...."
Similarly, Raghavendra too seemd keen on getting Local Vogues to being recognised.
Session 4: The Prism of New India:
Bench :
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Dr. Kiran Bedi, IPS
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chairman, CERT
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Hrudalaya.
Ø[FONT="] [/FONT]Kanwal Rekhi, MD, Inventus Capital Partners.
Another Invigorating Session, this reached to the peak and still asked us...."Want More..?"
Session started with Dr. Devi Shetty showing some Videos, that are Narayana Hrudalaya's Initiatives (NH is also discussed in Bottom of Pyramid for its Cost Effectiveness)
One of the Videos had that in Rural Areas People are unable to have an ECG analysis; to this NH initiative was they developed software, through which a local doctor can have free access, get the ECG test done, and then upload the same to NH's Website via Software.
The Doctor's team at NH would then study and reply within 24 hours. That’s entrepreneurship.....they receive on an average, 400-500 ECG reports daily.
Second Video showed that Farmers getting insured through the NH's Initiative. Normally a farmer would never think of getting insurance, and even if he does, the premium package or the company are simply out the reach, hence NH Tied up with Indian Post Offices in rural areas and now any farmer could now make an insurance policy available at the premium of Rs. 10 per month, valid for 5 years. That was truly inspiring.
Now, if even this was not enough, NH also opened its Rural Clinics (Could also be the place not utilized in the village), where they would Teach and employ the local people as Nurses, etc, and also made tie ups with Medical companies for Genuine Medical Care.
For the NH is trying to tie up Godrej so that other genuine facilities are also made available. Now Arent these Guys E-Choupals (Entrepreneurs) of India.
To add to the magic of it, it was now Kiran Bedi's turn. The first lady police still has same grace, same vigor which she had in 1980's.
When asked by a lady in the audience, that local police are harassing her just because she is a teacher and wants to educate the children, but the locals are not comfortable with this action of hers and have registered a Police Case.
As the result the Police are also now against her, not allowing her to continue with the Social Build Up.
To this Dr. Bedi Replied;"Tell the Police, This is None of your Business, better be out of it". She also gave an example to it......
While working in Tihar Jail, in the earlier period of her career, the prisoners were not allowed to read or write. but she was the first to make the authorities realise the dire need that in order to change the people, they need to be educated.
thus bending or changing the rules of the games......emphasizing that People should come forward to take active reforms even if they are radically driven in the interest of humanism and only then can India progress
This was another Feather to the Cap of Genuine Leadership....better done than said.
That ended the 2nd day, whoa...