How easily do most Indians end up believing that Reliance is the real forerunner of the Indian Industry and the real source of inspiration to the next generation Entrepreneurs of our country!
To me the Reliance is a very good company when it comes to vision, but far from a benchmark that I would like to follow if ever I were to own a company! I have hated the manipulatory designs they have used to influence the government. I also think that there are issues related to corporate governance in the Group.
But this is not the time to blast Reliance.. It is a time to celebrate Ratan Tata's story. The Nano is just a stepping stone to what lies ahead! I wont write much about the Nano cos its all too much there in the press these days; I would only say that I am pretty confident that this will be the car of the decade.
I remember having seen an interview of Ratan Tata saying that he wanted all the Tata Group companies to be in the top 3 companies of their respective segments. To this endeavour, the Tatas sold off what some would say, their "top" companies. ACC, Tomco, Lakme, Goodlass Nerolac, Merind, Tata Yellow Pages to name just a few!
I guess most people would only dream to own such businesses! But then the empire had become too large and was unable to stand its own weight. It was the vision and far sightedness of Mr Ratan Tata that made him dare selling these.
The Tata group companies were bleeding bad... Tata motors the Indian Giant bled to the tune of 5 billion rupees!!! Tata Steel was in blood-bath. Perhaps, only TCS was doing well. It was the determination of Mr Tata, that these companies are today one of the largest companies by Market Cap in India. TCS and Tata Steel are Global giants. TCS is the largest Indian Software Company. Tata Motors probably at its point of inflection today. I would not be surprised if it could be the largest seller of cars in India 5 years from now!
Take social causes for instance. Not one Indian corporate house has given back to the society what they have.
When Tata Tea acquired Tetley, about 7-8 yrs back, It was by far the largest overseas acquisition by an Indian Company. There are a lot of Indian companies which have a so called global foot-print but to be true not many are really global in true terms! The only Indian company to be truly global, I think is Tata Steel. It has its manufacturing facilities and clients around the globe and that is the true test of being global. A lot of eyebrows were raised when some years back, the Tatas donated a good sum to the Oxford university over our IIT's or IIM's, but I guess the Tatas were only fulfilling their global responsibilities.
Ratan Tata has successfully done what very few can dream.. To transform a lazy, lethargic giant that was dying of its own weight of internal conflicts and egos to a vibrant war horse that most would defy size and strength. Kudos.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The 'Indian' Mentality
How many times do we see reports in the newspapers citing the success of the odd Indian in the States.. or how the Media abroad applaud the performance of one of the Indians; and then how often do we ourselves have that feeling of joy from within us?
When Rehman is called Mozart of the East or a young kid is selected for a NASA project or a NRI (who hates being associated as an Indian) successfully wins a seat in the Elections abroad or any other scientific development hyped up by the foreign media, dont we all start looking at these as the idols of our nation?
Very often, as a Nation get a sense of joy. To me, this is the Indian Mentality. (you could call it the developing world mentality as well!) Half of us Indians do not think that India has a future anywhere close to the developed world. Only when we see such reports, we say for a moment that some Indian did something big; the very next moment India is an abysmal failure.
The number of people who aspire to make a career outside India is a testimony to what I am saying. I hope that we start believing in ourselves on our own and stop thinking that the west is where success is and also stop looking to them to find successes/achievements that we have.
I hope we stopped taking pride in a movie receiving/getting nominated for an Oscar, or an actor having his wax replica at the Tussad's.
I hope we start being Indians.
When Rehman is called Mozart of the East or a young kid is selected for a NASA project or a NRI (who hates being associated as an Indian) successfully wins a seat in the Elections abroad or any other scientific development hyped up by the foreign media, dont we all start looking at these as the idols of our nation?
Very often, as a Nation get a sense of joy. To me, this is the Indian Mentality. (you could call it the developing world mentality as well!) Half of us Indians do not think that India has a future anywhere close to the developed world. Only when we see such reports, we say for a moment that some Indian did something big; the very next moment India is an abysmal failure.
The number of people who aspire to make a career outside India is a testimony to what I am saying. I hope that we start believing in ourselves on our own and stop thinking that the west is where success is and also stop looking to them to find successes/achievements that we have.
I hope we stopped taking pride in a movie receiving/getting nominated for an Oscar, or an actor having his wax replica at the Tussad's.
I hope we start being Indians.
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