Are Present leaders really value based?

Are Present leaders really value based?

Do Indians live by values or think them to be good enough to display on dash-board only and worship as part of culture?

Do we have real values to pass on to future generations?

Have we inherited values that our ancestors were once proud of?

Well, I don’t know answers to the above questions. It does not mean that I am ashamed to be Indian, but it certainly means that I am not a strong proponent of the saying that Indians are among the most value based people. I may sound pessimistic, but I believe that it is high time to come out of the fantasy of being Indian, accept the realties around and take action for future. Do something that we can really be proud of having and passing on to future generations. We don’t need to do some miracle but take small steps, in fact very small steps.

One of those very small steps is do what you say and say what you can do. Don’t boast; don’t pretend; no showbiz please!

Introspect, know yourself and then act. Start at personal level and then scale up... If we all do the required, things can be done!

But question is are we really prepared or willing to do? Do we have enough courage? How to use the platform to address issues? And yes if we be on platform, will we be carried away by the wind or be connected to realties that we intend to change at some point of time?

NTPC and BHEL are Navratanas. Both vouch of fairness and honesty !

Their value statement can be seen at their websites..

1) Value statement of NTPC can be seen at—

http://www.ntpc.com/about/mission2010.html

2) Value statement of BHEL can be seen at—

http://www.bhel.com/about.php

And now see the economic times article—

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6140966.cms

And now the age-old question—how can you prove that our officials took bribe? We as organization are against the corrupt practices like this. May be our vendor has taken…its mere allegations….

This story I have been hearing for long.

I know that it is difficult to wipe out corruption at 100% level and ethics and culture are contextual. But taking bribe for doing things that anyways one ought to do as part of the job he is being paid for certainly doesn’t command oversight!

Contextual boundaries are thin and one can defend...But I feel there is one question that can help many of us taking control of our acts—

Will I be proud of my act if the same gets published in newspaper next day and my family & friends read the same over cup of tea in morning?

If answer is No, then stop, think for a while and act. Have courage to refrain! Address from your platform in whatever small ways you can.

Don’t blame and say,” sab chalta hai..Sab leta hai toh main kyon nahi luh. Be with the world”.

--By Pooja Ranjan

P.S. -- Opinions expressed in the article are strictly personal and does not resemble in any way to SPJIMR.