Transformation of a Nation
General October 23rd, 2007
What is Transformation ?
Transformation is everything to do with Future state that one desires. It is surely not just a change,..its a clean slate drawing of one’s future landscape. It is about leaving the constraints of the past and to create the possibilities of being the desired state.
BRIC countries are surely in their phase of Transformation. How does a nation transform ? A nation transforms based on what its people aspire to be, what its leadership (political, business, social,..) will and aspirations are, to create an environment wherein its citizens are engaged, prosperous, innovative, democratic, free of corruption, healthy, educated,…
What choices do the BRIC countries have to transform to be a developed nation ?
- Each nation needs definitely breakthroughs with its neighbouring countries and the developed nations. For eg : Russia needs a breakthrough with European Union and USA,..China needs breakthrough with Taiwan, Japan, India and US &EU,..similarly India needs breakthrough with Pakistan, China, US , Japan and EU.
- Breakthroughs are nothing but leaving the constraints of the past relations and opening a new beginning of trust, respect and love for each other
- Political consensus is required in achieving these breakthroughs and the Leader has to be an extra-ordinary person who has the courage make these things happen
- Nations have to create possibilities of being resourceful, value adding, reforming the decision making process.
- The ability to recognize the past, create the vision for the future and have a lasting impression on global citizens
We have the examples of great extra ordinary leaders for their vision and pursuit for excellence such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King,..
We have had great Political Leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, JF Kennedy, Pandit Nehru, Deng Xiao Ping, Michael Gorbachov, Boris Yelstin, Lee Kuan Yew who had the vision to create a landmark for their respective countries.
The power of creation is so extra ordinary that the transformation can last for generations and it is these transformations we are seeing in BRIC countries and the magic of actions is unprecedented.
Economies 2.0
To transform a society or a country, you first need to address what makes that country that country. A classic example I would like to give you is the example of Sydney where I live. You see some 100 odd different nationalities speaking that many languages. This is Australia! A Greek or an Italian or a Chinese living in Australia doesn’t make it Greece or Italy or China. It still is Australia. But this is Sydney. Then you go to Perth and there is a different blend of Australia. The question is, “What makes a society the society that it is?” The answer I believe is The Agreement inside which we live in the society. In the example of Australia, migrants have migrated their cultures here. They still follow their culture. But in Australia, they live under the new agreement given by Australian society. For them what has transformed is their agreement with the society. They did not give up their old culture. But now they adopted a new culture or a new agreement called Australia.
What works in Australia is the awareness that each individual has about living in this country. You can call it in various ways - lucky country, rough country, sunny country and a few more! But you don’t have to educate masses about living here. You get a feel of it any way. I am sure it is the same in every part of the world. You go to different parts of India (that’s where I was born) and you see different things. Things are not necessarily written down on paper, but they exist as an agreement.
I guess by transforming, you mean creating a new paradigm. In my example of Italians, Greeks and the Chinese in Australia, they do not give up their old paradigm. They just aren’t limited by the old paradigm. They just see a new paradigm when they become Australians.
In summary, to transform a society you need to look at
1. What is the reality right now?
2. How do things look in the present and in the near future?
3. What else is possible?
4. How can you make each and every individual aware of the societal agreement?
5. And most importantly, is the infrastructure inside which people live in alignment with the societal agreement?
A new, transformed agreement will need alignment of the people with the new agreement and the alignment of the new infrastructure with the new agreement. Transformation is transformation of every individual and it is ongoing.
Sachin,
Great views. Bottomline is create possibilities for being what you want.
Samba
Hi,
Like they say every idea has a time to come of age and i deeply believe( the world believes it..), that its the time for India to realize its potential…and that requires transfirmation at all levels - governmental, political, administrative educational and finally the the common man.
It is a reflection of this leap of faith that i would like quote an example of an ordinary Indian who has undertaken a trip around the world SOLO and that on an Indian bike. The bravery of this thought can be understood when the Indian Bike manufacterer himself was not confident that his bike or its rider would withstand the rigours of the saharan heat and the arctic glacier. And most importantly he has done it without any corporate sponsorship though he was not born in riches. His idea was fuelled by his passion to achieve his dream to tour and the backing of his freinds who beleived that every Indians time has come to realize his dream.
This Indian has done it and is now back in India touring in India to a warm reception by one and all.
His message to the Indian youth is “Dare to dream and care to achieve”. More details of his adventure can be found on his blog
http://www.bikingtheworld.blogspot.com/
This is my salute to all Indians from unknow walks of life ans small towns who are making the ‘I’ in BRIC, the central pillar