A hope, a bright light at the end of tunnel
Posted : February 16, 2005 at 7:01 pm [IST]
 Jayshree Ullal |
 Padmashree Warrior |
When I was assisting my eldest IITian son in finding the right university in 1988-89, I came across some Indian professors in Departments of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering of US universities. I was in communication with a number of them in those days. Finally, he selected Purdue. During my HM(Hindustan Motors) days, I was in touch with large number of senior professionals in Machine Tools and automotive sectors, but there were hardly any Indians in senior positions. I had been subscribing to American Machinists, and Manufacturing Engineering for many years. The number of Indian names appearing in those magazines was a rare thing in 70s or 80s.
Today, when I go through the same magazines, I find Indians contributing in area of manufacturing sector too. They are getting awards and other recognitions. Many of them hold good position in manufacturing companies. It is not only IT where the Indians have made a name but they have also done the same in many other areas particularly management education. I could never believe that two of my one-time subordinates in HM are having manufacturing enterprises in US. I had never considered them that material when they were working for me. As I observe all around in USA through the magazines and journals, I get a pleasure with this change. The latest issue of Business Week covering nano-technology mentions the name of Krish Doraiswamy, who is a senior planning manager for DoPonts nanotech research effort. And the Fortune in its lead article-Why Carlys Big Bet is Failing gives a photograph of HPs printer prince V Joshi- a candidate for the chair Carly held.. My son tells me about two Indian women who are occupyingt respectable positions in thier multi-billion companies. They are Padmashree Warrior, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Motorola and Jayshree Ullal, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Security Technology Group Cisco Systems, Inc. It certainly gives a lot of excitement to a person like me as I associate them all to the strength of India.
Whenever I visit the Indian outlet or the big retail chains, an idea flashes in my mind. The hordes of Indian students community coming to US University will provide the direct and indirect answers to all my dreams for India. I wish they wouldnt go only for a cozy job in some companies. They must explore the possibility of getting into some cutting edge specialization, try to tread a little difficult path and become entrepreneur.
Further, I am sure a large number of these young men come from the middle class family of India, some even from rural areas with parents still young enough and working. Their parents or other relatives will certainly be visiting them. I wish these young men not only take their parents for pleasure trips but also discussthe possibility of getting them into some profitable business with potential in a market such as US and other developed countries where consumerism has reached its peak. My only worry is that Indians are missing the opportunities to other smaller countries of its region with cheaper labour cost.
The advantage of the technical capability and skill available in India is not being explored fully and fast because of the lack of the mindset, the inability of the larger number of people to think big, the lack of innovations at all levels to compete.
I am sure the large number of the people visiting the developed counties goes back with many newideas from this consumer-centric society and implement them back home. Those in US must facilitate further.
- Indra
Category: IRS in US '05 |
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