21 Aug 2010 - Foundation day

It was our insti's foundation day today.
Padmabushan Dr .J.J Irani, the director of Tata Sons, was invited to grace the occassion with his presence.
We were called by 9.45 am for the function which we did.Came early and occupied the front seats.But the 'show' started only at 10.30 am.
Pcom had reiterated that nobody would ask any questions except their own volunteers.
It was a short but very inspiring session.
To be in a presence of this very singular personality of 84 years which has been instrumental in developing India's industrial spectrum for more than 4 decades was an other-wordly experience.
It was almost like talking to India herself.
He closely resembled the image we all could only imagine becoming.
A self-satisfied,fulfilled and successful business personality whose organisation had whole-heartedly linked its own growth with that of the country's growth.
A person whose values we all came to adore in a short span of 45 minutes.
He spoke simply about the core values that constitutes a person and the importance of ethicality in organisation's business practices.
He told us 3 things
1.You do business by rules even if your competitor does not.
After 100 years you would survive but not your competitor.
2.We cannot solve world's problems by the same level of thinking that created it in the first place - Albert Einstein.
So he wanted to catch people young and create habit of independent thinking.
which Tatas have actively been part of in Bihar and other areas.
3. Perception and reality
Co-existence of people with different beliefs and priciples is possible,but we must learn not to compromise with our principles.
He gave an example of Lalu Prasad Yadav,then chief minister of Bihar in 1990's.
Tatas wanted to set their plant in Bihar.
When Mr Irani met Yadav all he said was that
'Tatas will continue as an organization even when I am gone.
Similarly Bihar will continue to be a state even when you are gone.
So we have a responsibility.
Tatas won't spend a rupee on bribing but if there is anything that is required
society wise we would be oblidged to do it.Like cleaning Patna ,digging wells etc'
And in these 20 years he never made an improper demand to the Tatas.
Cos he knows what can be garnered from whom.


He also said that there is nothing wrong with our mindset-India's mindset though we need to change it somewhat.
Foreign values was forced on us for many generations which has led to the current problems.
He expressed his confidence in India's entreprenurs but not in politicians.
When both are good,that's the ideal condition.
The coming century belongs to India as per him.
He also spoke about important issues like the climate change and
how if proper steps not taken now ,it would lead to disaster in 50 years.
He mentioned the reply of Tony Blair when he asked a query pertaining this to
him ' This is inconvenient from point of view of getting votes' was what he had said.

Mr Irani spoke many many things .Candid Pearls of wisdom.
Lastly he promised us to come back to IIMK and also to recruit people for
TAS.
One sentence particularly got me interested though
'If you want to be a billionaire don't come to us.
But if you want to be fulfilled ,have job-satisfation in your work and help the country
along the way ; do come to us'

a True sage of Indian industrial arena! last of its kind !

Oh yes btw had a delicious Onam special lunch on banana leaf in the afternoon..
which led to a dark slumber and eventual missing of the STI class in evening..

Looking forward to the screening of STI movie @ 9.30...
brilliant world movies they are .. bye for now