Hi all

Background

One of the members of this India Vision  Group Ms Pramila, working as Journalist in one of the leading National Newspapers at Chennai was mentally disturbed to see few children carrying bricks on their head in the construction sites daily.  Being a journalist, she went further ahead to study the situation.  She found out more than 125 families were staying in temporary huts in one of the parts of Chennai City and they were all brought from different places by construction labour contractors.  Among them, nearly 100 children of age group between 12 and 17 were also going for work and earning around 150 to 200 rupees per day.  All of them used to get up at 4 am daily and they would be picked up by the contractors to take them to the construction sites at different parts of the city.  They used to return only after 7 pm daily.  

She also found out many such children could not even read and write.  Some of them have studied upto second or third standard in some schools. Due to their family movement, they are moving around with their parents. Since they are all migrant labours, they do not have any ration card or voting right..  When she spoke with some children, she found out that some of them were interested to know basic reading and writing.

Pramila is also the member of our India Vision Group and also Action 2020 Team.  After making a preliminary study of these children, she circulated in the Action 2020 team group seeking the views for helping them.  The members debated among themselves and consulted various experts. There were only two possible options to take it forward::

Option 1

Some of the Right Activists suggested that we can report to the Police and rescue the children.  We can create media report, so that guilty persons  are arrested. 

Option 2

Some of the social workers who are working for this type of children and street children, suggested that if we inform the Police, there would be a big hype in the media and the Activists could get large media publicity.  Past experience has shown, after the media hype, some of the contractors would be arrested and later released on bail, due to political connections.  Ultimately, the poor families would be deprived of their income.  Children also would lose the job and not taken to schools.  They suggested that going to the Police would end up with one or two days publicity resulting in these families losing their job and income.

On further study, we also got the information from the social workers that large number of 'migrant labours' are moving around the country with their family members.  They are extremely hard workers and they prefer to train their children even from the age of 12 for such hard work.  They may not be good in education, but they would show their skills in construction works.  Social workers felt that if we take these children out of their employment and put them in the school, they would not shine in the education and at the same time, not getting trained in hard work.  They felt at the age of 17 or 18, neither they would have good education nor good skills for construction work.  Finally, they would end up in small thefts and criminal activities.  Presently, these workers and children are hard workers and do not involve themselves in thefts or any other criminal activities, as they are earning enough money.  

How the issue was resolved?

Again, Action 2020 Team  had to find the balance between the (a) Eradication of Child labour/ Children right and (2) Ground reality.  Vinod and 8 volunteers from Aazraya Charitable Trust (group of students), Team Everest and Kodambakkam 2020  (partner groups of Action 2020 team) joined Pramila to help these children.

As this is a 'complex and sensitive issue' and need to be resolved with care without the families losing the job, the team approached the local Corporation Councillor for help.  He happily offered to help to find a solution.  He also visited the area along with Action 2020 Team.  When the Team wanted to teach the willing children, as expected protest came from some of the contractors saying, "Are you going to make them District Collectors?".  There was a resistance from some of the parents also.

Since Action 2020 Team involved the local City Corporation Councillor (who is also a politician), he resolved the issue by threatening the contractors that if they made any issue, it would go to the Police Commissioner resulting in their arrest.  After this threatening, the contractors withdrew and permitted Action 2020 team take classes.

For time being, Action 2020 Team has firmed up with the Children to take classes on Saturday and Sunday evenings.  They have so far conducted two sessions successfully.  On the first day, only 10 children were present.  On the second day, around 16 children participated.  Interestingly, some of the parents of these children also started attending the classes.  

Action 2020 Team is handling this in a matured manner with the guidance of many people.  Mrs Lakshmi Rahakrishnan, a Special Educator is also giving guidance to handle them psychologically and  carefully.  Presently, the team is focussing only to create  interest amongst the children and parents.  Corporation Councillor has also promised all help, whenever required.  

It is only a good beginning.  Based on the need of these children, Action 2020 Team will plan and execute the projects.

On behalf of India Vision Group, I congratulate Pramila (journalist)  and Vinod (Aazraya)  for their wonderful initiative. and careful handling of such sensitive issue.

For every problem, there is a solution.  If we decide to resolve the problem, lot of good people will join.  

Srinivasan

Moderator

91766 50273

  

 

Hi all

The recent Copenhagen Summit (held in Dec 2009) has thrown many issues open for public debate and compliance.  'Global warming' has become a big challenge before the mankind.  The emission of carbon by almost all the countries is posing the greatest risk to our future generation, for safe living. 

In our anxiety to compete with each other and make more and more money, we are doing great injustice to our future generation.  Fortunately, the world has come to realise the urgent need to address this challenge.

In the recent Copenhagen Summit, more than 190 countries participated and out of which more than 110 Heads of States/Governments participated.

This Summit suddenly brought this Global warming issue to the forefront.  Many people are not aware of the seriousness of this issue.

Dr Arul Aram, Asst. Professor of Media Science Department of Anna University, Chennai has also participated in the Summit as part of the Indian delegation.  This is the only University in the world to introduce 'climate change' as a subject of study in their Media Science Department.

On behalf of PodUniversal, I interviewed him on phone to understand the seriousness of this issue, the remedial measures to be taken, role of universities and schools in creating the awarenss, etc.

Please listen to the Podcast interview in teh following link

http://www.poduniversal.com/2009/12/copenhagen-climate-change-summit-2009.html

Srinivasan

Prime Point

91766 50273

 

hi all

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, is one of the well known Institutions in India with more than 125 centres in India and abroad.  In the 70 years of existence, many great people Dr K M Mushi, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajaji, Sardar Patel, C Subramanian were all associated with this prestigeous Institution.  They are running many education institutions all over India  to provide high quality education at a reasonable cost.  

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan introduced Journalism and PR diploma course many decades back, even before the Universities thought of such course.  Even today, many of the senior journalists across the country, hold the diploma from the Bhavan.   Due to various reasons, this course was discontinued by the Bhavan few years back.

Recently, Mr T S Krishnamoorthy, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India has taken charge of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai as Charmian.  When I discussed with him about the  course run by the Bhavan, he suggested me to submit a detailed note to him for reviving the Communication course to suit the modern requirement.  Since Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has huge infrastructure and patronage  from eminent professionals, the course, if started will benefit large number of . middle class youth.

Now our young professionals need to be trained in  Business Communication skills.  As i observe, Business Communication is not provided by any Instituion either as a separate package or part of the curriculum.  Only MBA students have one paper on Bus. Commn. To enable more aspiring young professionals to learn the Business Communication, I am planning to suggest to the Bhavan, introduction of a diploma course on Business Communication.  

In order to understand the current needs, I have developed an online survey in the following link.  I have given more details there.  I will be thankful, if you could kindly spare few seconds and share your views. 

http://www.prpoint.com/poll/public/survey.php?name=bc

Since Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai is open to fresh ideas from the professionals, I plan to submit the report to Mr T S Krishnamoorthy by the end of the month.

I will be grateful if you share your views before 18th December 2009.  We would like to hear more from the working young professionals on the requirement.  

Srinivasan

Prime Point

91766 50273

 

 

Hi all

Dr Abdul Kalam addressed the Chief Minister, other Ministers and all Senior Bureaucrats of Gujarat Government on 5th Dec 2009.  Please read the very inspiring speech of Dr Kalam.

srinivasan

http://www.abdulkalam.com/kalam/jsp/display_content.jsp?menuid=28&menuname=Speeches%20/%20Lectures&linkid=68&linkname=Recent&content=1410&columnno=0&starts=0&menu_image=7

Address to the participants of Chintan Shivir

05/Dec/2009 : Kutch

A Profile of Developed Gujarat “Thinking provides knowledge Knowledge makes you great” I am delighted to be here in Kutch and to have the opportunity to address and interact with the participants of the Chintan Shivir 2009. I would like to suggest a few areas of thoughts for your consideration for further accelerating the socio-economic development of the state before the year 2020: 1. As a state where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line. 2. As a state where there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water. 3. As a State where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony. 4. As a State where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination. 5. As a State which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors. 6. As a State where the best of health care is available to all. 7. As a State where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free. 8. As a State that is prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of terrorism, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path. 9. As a State that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership.

I am sure that for many of the above thoughts, you would already be in the process of implementation and others you may like to put into action.

As you all know, I am taking a course at IIMA for nearly 100 students for the past two years. I had an additional program this year at IIMA to address the Confluence 2009 where about 600 participants from multiple management schools had gathered to listen to specialists in 27 disciplines. The topic I discussed was: Sustainable Development Models. In the course of my lecture, I asked the students “How many of you will join multinationals, how many will join political systems and how many will join administrative services?” I did not get many responses to any of these questions. Then I asked “How many of you, from the management schools would like to transform into entrepreneurs?” To my happiness and surprise I found almost 500 students of the 600 students present, saying that they wanted to become entrepreneurs. This means that they will become employment generators. Such entrepreneurial interest in the youth is indeed a good sign for the nation and also a tribute to Gujarat, where an entrepreneurial culture is inherent among the youth. I want to stress to every member of this Chintan Shivir that you have a great opportunity to make the aspirations and dreams of the people of Gujarat become a reality. All of you present here at Chintan Shivir 2009, may like to share with other members, one unique aspect or experience that made a big change in your task. This can be discussed in one the sessions. Definitely such an important gathering has the potential to bring a change in the thinking and action of the entire state.  My greetings to all of you and to all the citizens of Gujarat on this occasion.

What worked yesterday, will not work today The world in the 21st century will be a knowledge based society with multiple opportunities naturally in India and Gujarat and we have to become knowledge driven. I was studying a book, “Empires of the Mind” by Denis Waitley. This book gives what type of the new world which we are facing now? What was yesterday and what is today. I have modified certain points of the author to suit the discussions of today. I have also added a third line which relates to action of Governance. The book specially says that “what worked yesterday, won’t work today”.

Profile of Gujarat transforming into a Knowledge Society Yesterday - natural resources defined power Today - knowledge is power Governance should empower knowledge 2. Yesterday - Hierarchy was the model Today- synergy is the mandate Governance will be enabler for intersection of multiple faculties towards mission goals 3. Yesterday - leaders commanded and controlled Today - leaders empower and coach Governance will empower Potential Leaders through exposure to the needs of sustainable development 4. Yesterday - shareholders came first Today - customers come first Governance should inculcate sensitivity to citizen’s needs 5. Yesterday - employees took order Today - teams make decision Governance will enable teams to make decisions 6. Yesterday - seniority signified status Today - creativity drives status Governance will be judged by innovation and results  7. Yesterday - production determined availability Today - Competitiveness is the key Governance has to create cooperative competitiveness  8. Yesterday - value was extra Today - value is everything Governance priority is to inculcate value addition at every level 9. Yesterday - everyone was a competitor Today - everyone is a customer One vital tool of governance is citizen feedback and action based on that  10. Yesterday - profits were earned through expediency Today - Work with integrity and succeed with integrity. Governance will be judged by the extent of working and succeeding with integrity The participants of the Chintan Shivir may like to discuss where we are in every aspect of the knowledge society components.

Gujarat: Growth Endowed with a spirit of entrepreneurship, the state has made significant progress in many areas including agriculture and I am happy to see the vision 2020 evolve in the state. I have also been told by many Gujarat citizens that when it is a matter of development, Gujarat has a characteristic where members belonging to the ruling and opposition, collaborate. I looked at the planning commission development statistics and other reports related to Gujarat. Gujarat has only 5% of India’s population and 6% of its geographical area, but its contribution to India in terms of exports is 16% and in terms of stock market capitalization it is 30%. The state has over 3 lac small scale units, over 2200 large and medium industries, 182 industrial estates and 33 Special Economic Zones making it one of the most industrialized states of India. The contribution of the workforce of the Gujarat has also been instrumental in the progress of the state. Gujarat has a 16.2% share in India’s industrial production whereas the percentage of man-days lost in Gujarat due to labor strife is just 0.5% - which is the lowest in the country. Gujarat accounts for 54% of India's onshore crude oil production and 50% of India's natural gas production.

A Vision With such a growth oriented environment, Gujarat should set itself a Vision 2020 of taking the per capita income to over Rs.100,000 at constant price of 1990-2000. It should augment literacy to 100% and reduce the IMR to less than 10 per thousand and completely eliminate extreme poverty and unemployment.  As I studied your development requirements along with your potential, I would like to give my suggestions with respect to two missions: 1. Agriculture 2. Gujarat PURA Mission

Gujarat Agriculture I was studying the figures for agriculture in Gujarat which has been consistently growing over 9% per annum, more than 3 times the national average. I had a discussion with the experts at Center for Management at IIM Ahmedabad about the methodologies through which such an impressive performance was achieved. A document, “Frontiers of Agricultural Development in Gujarat” prepared by them brings out the reasons for increased productivity as: 1. Reforms in the rural electrification by setting up a dedicated grid for rural applications  2. Creation of large number of farm ponds and connecting, de-silting and recharging the water bodies

Of course, with the increase in agricultural produce, stability of the price has been managed by opening export of agricultural produce. This experience in increasing the agricultural production is very important in the national context and I suggest this conclave to discuss how this experience of Gujarat can be spread among other states.

The challenge in front of the state’s agriculture is to continue this upward trend even in the years of unfavorable weather and market conditions. First green revolution was realized in the country through a combination of political vision, scientific leadership and farmer’s initiatives and collaboration. The conclave may specifically find how the combined power of various specialists can double agricultural output in the state with less water, less land and less manpower using technology and improved processes. The ultimate aim must be how to increase the earning capacity of the farmers. Agriculture and value addition through food processing have to be seen as an integrated system.

Gujarat agriculture should also follow an integrated plan of increasing the extent of the irrigation coverage by realizing the irrigation potential to the fullest. This should be simultaneously accompanied by infusion of better and conservation technologies in irrigation which will help prevent the decline of the ground water, accounting for more than the 85% of the total irrigation sources. Similarly, the surface water conservation and harvesting needs to be encouraged at decentralized levels to help recharge the ground water. Gujarat has more than 4.6 million hectares of cultivable waste and barren land which equal to half of the total sown area. This un-utilized land can be made economically productive by evolving and implementing a Jatropha mission for the state of Gujarat. This mission can even convert alkaline soil into good soil in a time of few years. This Gujarat Jatropha Mission in 4.6 million hectares has the potential to create more than 4 million job equivalent in the rural and wasteland areas of the state. This mission will have the potential to generate almost 10 million tonnes of bio-diesel per year from the fifth year onwards. This will enable the state to evolve green-energy independent villages where the women will not use kerosene for cooking leading to better healthcare especially in the poorer and remote areas. Simultaneously, the state can also work on development of Algae in saline and water logged area which is more than 1 million hectares in the state. This area can generate even higher quantum of bio-diesel compared to Jatropa cultivation and at a faster rate. I will now talk about the Gujarat PURA mission.

Gujarat PURA Mission When a state’s growth is driven by fast changing technologies, one must ensure the participation of every citizen and region of the state without causing any technology, digital or economic divide. One of the solutions for ensuring the sustained and integrated development is PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas). PURA calls for three connectivities; physical connectivity, electronic connectivity and knowledge connectivity leading to economic connectivity.

1. The villages must be connected with in themselves and with main towns and metros through by good roads and wherever needed by railway lines. They must have other infrastructure like schools, colleges, hospitals and amenities for the local population and the visitors. This is physical connectivity.  2. In the emerging knowledge era, the native knowledge has to be preserved and enhanced with latest tools of technology, training and research. The villages have to have access to good education from best teachers wherever they are, must have the benefit of good medical treatment, and must have latest information on their pursuits like agriculture, fishery, horticulture and food processing. That means they have to have electronic connectivity. 3. Once the Physical and Electronic connectivity are enabled, the knowledge connectivity is enabled. That can facilitate the ability increase the productivity, the utilization of spare time, awareness of health welfare, ensuring a market for products, increasing quality consciousness, interacting with partners, getting the best equipment, increasing transparency and so in general knowledge connectivity 4. Once the three connectivities - Physical, Electronic and knowledge connectivity are ensured, they facilitate increased employment potential and earning capacity. Thereby we can lead to upliftment of rural areas, we can attract investors, we can introduce effectively useful systems like Rural BPOs, Micro Finance Systems and increase in micro, small and medium industries based on local competencies.

The state of Gujarat with its more than 18000 villages and more than 3 crores rural population (total population 5.5 crore) has a tremendous potential for the implementation of an integrated state wide PURA Mission which would connect the rural Gujarat with the four levels of connectivities. Gujarat should build a vision to establish 400 PURAs to cover all the rural regions of the state in a phased manner. There are four types of PURAs, Coastal PURA, Hill PURA, Desert PURA and Plain Terrain PURA and Gujarat has the potential for each of these types in different areas.

The excellent physical connectivity which the state has already achieved in terms of roads and electricity would provide an excellent platform for the implementation of PURA. The entrepreneurial energy of the people of Gujarat should also be channelized in creating common state-wide PURA brands which would ensure marketing of quality products and services originating out of the rural regions.  Now I will discuss two examples from the potential PURAs which can be implemented in the state of Gujarat.

Dangs PURAs The first model would be the evolution of Hill PURAs in the Dangs District of South Gujarat. These PURA complexes need to focus extensively on creation of economic assets and income sources in the form of forest products which cover 59% of the total area in the district.  To facilitate such an economic reform the Dangs PURA complexes would have to begin with the creation of electronic connectivity in the region and facilitate the knowledge transfer which can enable the local population to be equipped with necessary skills in processing forest products. The forests of Dangs, with all its medicinal plants, also provide a great opportunity for pharma industry which can flourish in the region. Medicinal resources such as Marda-singi, Baheda, Sag, Khakro and Umbero which are found in abundance in the region can be linked with the molecular research laboratories which can establish the optimal uses for them so that the local population can derive the best benefit out of them and also export them as a source of revenue. Dangs PURAs would also have to focus on customization of the agriculture practices according to the local area. The sloped terrain found in Dangs necessitates that crops be customized accordingly. There are two ways to achieve this as a part of establishing the knowledge connectivity in the area. Firstly, agro research institutes should work in water retention methodologies, enhancing productivity and value addition possible to the local crops, like Ragi, which are suitable for such hilly terrain. Secondly, conventional crops like paddy cultivation can also be customized, both by seed modification and through special farming practices, to suit the local terrain. Another area which Dangs PURAs should look at is the development of Dangs as a center for eco-tourism and medicinal tourism. This can be focused in the Saputara area of the district which well known for its diverse forest wealth.

For achieving economic connectivity one key human capital which can be incubated for implementation of these PURAs would be the training of tribal youth to take up multiple responsibilities in the PURA. The Dangs PURA should also focus on developing socio-ecological needs of the people and the region. Being a hilly terrain covered with forest the need to conserve the ecosystem, is indeed a high priority. Almost all the water supply in the area is through underground sources. This necessitates a focus on the conservation of water through well planned water bodies for capturing the rain water that will help recharging the underground water reserves.  Dangs PURA complexes should further work on increasing the literacy level of the district from the current 59% to at least 80% in the next five years. Special focus is needed for women literacy which currently is around 48%.

Kutch PURAs The second model of PURA I would like to discuss with all of you is the idea of Kutch Coastal PURAs. Kutch is the second largest district in the country with a long coastline. The Kutch PURAs should come about as a joint venture between the state government, prominent industries present in the area and local academic institutions.  Kutch is a region which is rich in natural resources like minerals and has an access to the sea. The Kutch PURA Mission should set itself the goal of augmenting the income levels of the local people by 3 times in the next 5 years. It should also set itself the target of increasing the literacy rate from the current 60% to at least 80% in the five year period and reduce the IMR/MMR and malnutrition to 50% of the current figure. Let me now discuss how this can be achieved.

Kutch has about 12 ITIs already present. These can be excellent centers of customized learning. Each ITI should select 2-3 core competencies to focus on, depending the local needs and resource profile of the area. The engineering and management colleges in the region can also play a significant role in the developing the local rural population. Students of these professional studies can each pick up 10 families from the rural regions and as an internship or a suitably designed course closely monitor and counsel these families towards adapting better technologies, removing social biases and generate awareness towards health, sanitation, education and about the possible schemes they can avail for their development. These student volunteers will play the role of taking the PURA mission of Kutch to the rural people and thereby facilitate community participation in the process. Moreover, the exposure which the students get would enable them to find practical and ground level applications for the technologies they are trained in.

Kutch is very rich in its traditional handicrafts and the Kutch PURA complexes should have distinct vision to capitalize on this skill. For this purpose, there has to be just in-time and match-to-market operations with an in-depth understanding of sales of such products in Indian and international markets. This task can be entrusted to the management graduates as a summer project. Kutch area will be an ideal setting for creating Product based PURAs with a focus to maximize value to the final output. Such handicraft enterprises must be aggregated along the lines of the type of prominent handicraft likeAari, Ahir, Pak-ko, Neran, Kam-bira and Chopat. These can also be an excellent opportunity for adding technology for increasing the productivity and aesthetics of the product.

The richness in mineral resources like lignite, bauxite and limestone has helped Kutch emerge as an attractive center for industrial investments. These investments not only bring in an opportunity of generating jobs for the local people but they also forge an interface to bridge technological gaps which may exist in the region. These industrial setups can also invest in the social infrastructure of the region – like schools, water works, agro development and healthcare facilities. An example of this is Sanghi Cement, which has setup a 5000 cubic meter desalination plant which helps quality drinking water be made accessible to 83 villages in the area. Various industries present in the Kutch region should consider taking up the PURA Mission in coordination with the government.

Kutch, being a place with scarcity of fresh and potable water, would need a special attention over this issue. The Kutch PURA complexes should strive for innovative ways to find ways plug the demand-supply gap for the fresh water. This can come about by augmenting the supply by setting up desalination and recycling plants using solar energy. With 587 millimeters of annual rain, a focussed effort on rain water harvesting and creation water bodies fed by the rain water should be pursued in great vigor. Entrepreneurs and PPP ventures should be encouraged in this field with policy incentives. Thus 2/3rd of the demand-supply gap should be met with by increasing the supply. At the same time, the community should be trained and industry encouraged in conserving and recycling water at their individual or institutional level. Irrigation methods like drip irrigation should be incentivized. Thus, by reducing the demand, the remaining 1/3rd of the gap should be addressed.

Kutch has a long coastline of about 350 kms giving it a direct access into the sea. This gives it an excellent opportunity to focus on maritime and fishing sector. Let me share an experience from a small country in northern Europe called Iceland. Iceland is about 1 lakh km square in area. It has developed one of best fishing industries in the world with the use of modern fishing boats and best practices in maritime industry and it is known for high per capita income in Europe. It has invested in about 330 modern trawlers, which are equipped to catch, process, package and market the marine products in the sea. Kutch has a got a tremendous potential for mid-sea fishing. The processing, marketing other than mid-sea sales can be done through coastal PURAs.

Innovative Policies for Environmental Sustainability Solar Power Mission: It is important that implementation of all these initiatives is done in a sustainable manner which would require many policy innovations. Let me share a thought for green energy in this regard. A study of the Solar Energy system by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy indicates existence of incentives for banks, microfinance institutions and individuals for promoting the use of solar energy in the household and other institutions. To enhance the utilization of these incentives Gujarat Government can pioneer a proactive action to provide solar panels free of cost or at very nominal cost to every household at the time of installation. The charges can be levied as utilization fees spread over time based on the prevailing electricity consumption pattern of the household. Such an initiative will not only help in addressing the problem of climate change, but also create an avenue for job creation through small scale industries based on installation, servicing and maintenance of the solar panels.

Tree Plantation: Similarly, Gujarat may look into how it can conserve the forest cover and increase the trees through community action. Each mature tree, every year, absorbs almost 20 kg of CO2 from the atmosphere and gives almost 14.5 kg of Oxygen by the process of photosynthesis. I have an idea where every citizen of the country should plant 10 trees each and nurture them. This movement can potentially increase the tree cover of the nation by 10 billion trees in the near future. Gujarat can pioneer such a tree plantation and conservation movement and realize the plantation of 600 million trees in the next 5 years across the entire state. These innovative strategies will make Gujarat to become a green and environmentally conscious state.

Fly Ash as a Source of Wealth: I am happy to know that, in order to energize the economic growth, Gujarat is planning major investments in the power sector, especially around the region of Kutch. Some of these plants are based on green sources like solar; while others are dependent of coal as their primary fuel. As you are aware, the use of coal for power generation results in increased quantum of fly ash production. All out efforts are needed to utilize this fly ash not only from environmental considerations, but also to avoid land usage for fly ash dumping. It is reported that the agricultural increase of grains is around 15%, green vegetables 35% and root vegetables 50%, when fly ash is mixed with the soil with any risk of toxicity. The fly ash can become a wealth generator by making use of it as agriculture fertilizers and producing “green building” materials and even roads. The fly ash utilization is an employment generator and at full utilization it can provide a huge business volume for the state.

I think that Thought Camps such as this are a great opportunity to facilitate the exchange of ideas, innovations, horizontal learning, and culmination of best practices and ultimately come out with a realization plan for achieving the vision for the future in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

Creative Leadership When I am in Gujarat, I am reminded of two great personalities who have made immense contribution for building our nation. One is Mahatma Gandhi, who practiced Ahimsa Dharma for realizing independence for not only India but many nations in the world.

While talking about Mahatma Gandhiji, I am reminded of the advice given to Mahatma Gandhi by his mother when he was nine years old. She says,"Son, in your entire life time, if you can save or better someone's life, your birth as a human being and your life is a success. You have the blessing of the Almighty God". This advice has made a deep impact in the mind of Gandhiji, which made him to work for the humanity throughout his life.  Second name which comes to my mind is Sardar Patel who was responsible for integration of the nation for development during the beginning of post independent India. Sardar Patel had given a unique leadership in firm decision-making and shaping the decisions to time bound actions. Sardar Patel’s is hailed as the Iron Man of India who is also remembered as the "Patron Saint" of India's civil servants for establishing modern all-India services. Patel was also one of the earliest proponents of property rights and free enterprise in India.  The present generation leadership, I am sure, will build on the contribution made by such leaders and ensure that Gujarat is always in the growth path.

Friends, I believe Gujarat has gained a lot of experiences in progressing various programs with unique leadership qualities. I have seen three dreams which have taken shape as vision, mission and realization. Space programme of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization), AGNI programme of DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) and PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) becoming the National Mission. Of course, these three programmes succeeded in the midst of many challenges and problems. I have worked in all these three areas. I want to convey to you what I have learnt on leadership from these three programmes: 1. Leader must have a vision. 2. Leader must have a passion to transform the vision into action. 3. Leader must be able to travel into an unexplored path. 4. Leader must know how to manage a success and failure. 5. Leader must have courage to take decision. 6. Leader should have Nobility in management. 7. Every action of the leader should be transparent. 8. Leader must work with integrity and succeed with integrity.

For success in all the Gujarat development missions you have inspire a number of creative leaders at all levels. Creative leadership means exercising the vision to change the traditional role from the commander to the coach, manager to mentor, from director to delegator and from one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect. For a prosperous and developed Gujarat and India, the important thrust will be on the generation of a number of creative leaders through development missions.

Conclusion Few years back when I used to meet youth the question used to be, “when will I live in an India which is developed? In the next phase they used to ask, “What can I do for developed India?” But now the sentiment resonating among the youth is “I can do, we can do, India can do”. The thought leaders of the chintan shivir may keep this energy of the youth in planning and execution of your activities for developed Gujarat.  Finally before concluding, let me reflect one question children and elders ask me, “When there are so many important missions and projects in front of us, why a lot of time is wasted in trivial issues? How can we develop a peaceful and prosperous state and healthy relations for achieving that? What comes to my mind is a hymn, which we often hear in our spiritual places.

Righteousness Where there is righteousness in the heart There is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, There is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home. There is an order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, There is peace in the world. I wish you all success in your missions of making Gujarat a socio-economically developed and peaceful state.  May God bless you and the people of Gujarat.

 

Hi all

We Indians would not have been enjoying the food sufficiciency, but for Bharat Ratnat Shri C Subramanian, a great visionary leader, whose Centenary is being celebrated now.  He passed away on 7th November 1998 at his 90th age. (I wanted to write about him last month.  Since there is a function on 5th Dec at Chennai, i am coinciding with the function.) Series of events are happening to honour him at Chennai and Delhi.  Dr Abdul Kalam is participating one of the events in Jan 2010 and Dr Manmohan Singh is joining in another event at Delhi.

Mr C Subramanian (popularly known as CS), joined Indian freedom struggle and was imprisoned.  Shri Rajaji, the first Governor General of Independent India was his mentor in his legal profession and freedom struggle.  When, he was the education minister in Tamilnadu under Shri Kamaraj, he brought in lot of education reforms immediatley after Independence and has made Tamilnadu to stand out even today. His model was copied by other states also.  In 1950s, when he was the Minister, he acquired more than 5000 acres of land for the Government overnight.   Today, many great Institutions of Central and State Government, including Tidel Park and IIT  are situated in this land adding value.

Then  Shri Jawalharlal Nehru invited him to join his cabinet at Delhi.  After the demise of Nehru, he was invited by Shri Lalbahadur Sastri and then Smt Indira Gandhi to join the cabinet.  He has handled many important portfolios like Heavy Industries, Mines, Technology, Space, Finace and also Agriculture.  He made a mark in all the fields.

When he was the Agricultural Minister, India was suffering from great famine.  He is the architect of Indian Green Revolution.  He brought in lot of National and International Scientists to make this Green Revolution success.  He was personally monitoring the entire country himself.  Within one year, he was able to increase the food production enormously. 

Though many others working in his team got the credit for the Green Revolution, in his own style, he did not aspire for any publicity for himself.  Govt. of India honoured him with Bharat Ratna for his contribution in 1998, two years before his death.  

Though, he was the most influential Cabinet Minister under three Prime Ministers and enjoying practically (not officially)  No 2 position, he never brought to light his family members.  Nobody, including media did not know his family members.  (Compare with the present day politicians, whose great grand child is also popular).

After Action 2020  meeting with Dr Abdul Kalam in August 2008, he wanted our team to get connected with Mr Rajsekar, Mg. Trustee of National Agro Foundation, who is involved in Second Green Revolution. Dr Kalam himself is associated with NAF.   When Mr Rajsekar and myself contacted over mobile, the first question i asked him was "How are you connected with Mr CS?".  He replied, "I am his only son".  That was the level of statesmanship provided by Shri CS.  He kept his personal life and political life separate.  Now Mr Rajsekar is our member and also one of the patrons of Action 2020 team.

Sadly, neither the  Government of Tamilnadu or the Central Government have officially celebrated his Centenary.  Fortunately, some of the great admirers of Mr CS and former officials, who worked with him are now organising the functions in his hounour and to make others to know about his great contribution to the society.

He kept himself about religion and caste. Though he was a Congress Minister, leaders of all parties had great admirations for him.  While the Governments celebrate less significant leaders with some caste or religion background, visionary leaders like Mr CS may not be helpful to mobilise vote bank. That is why the Governments are not serious.  

Indian Vision Group and Action 2020 team proudly salutes such great founders of Modern India.

Members can write about such great visionary leaders of their states, who toiled for creating modern India. 

Srinivasan

Moderator

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