Since Wednesday, the print media is almost euphoric about Nitin’s elevation as dean of Harvard business School. Economic Times, Businessline, Financial Express, and many national newspapers covered the story with good inputs as usual. I liked one report that appeared on the business page of ‘Times of India’ on May 6.
I liked what Kewal Nohria, father of Nitin Nohria said. Kewal Noharia is a former chairman of Crompton Greaves, a pretty known company today and leader in its sector. I liked the statement for a simple reason. Most of the many Indian fathers with similar background of Kewal have similar dreams about their children in US.
I happened to discuss the news of Nitin at the neurotherapy clinic with Mr. Sarin where I take Yamuna everyday these days. Sarin also comes there for treatment. Sarin was in very senior position in Indian Railways. His son is working as scientist in a big hospital group in US. Sarin wishes to see Dhruva, his son to become a Nobel laureate.
Here is what Kewal Noharia had to say:
What did he want Nitin to do when he grew up… what was his advice? ”My advice was to pick up whatever profession he wanted as long as he reached the top. He was studying at the Sloan School in the US back then and had taken up finance. He then came up to me and said he wanted to change and study organizational behaviour, to which I asked why and was satisfied at what he had to say… I’m glad it proved to be the right choice,” Nohria gushed. Nohria was the chairman of Crompton Greaves. ”He had just finished his PhD from Sloan then and was visiting us. I wanted him to be an entrepreneur and had lined up a JV with a company for him. It was all set when he asked me… do you mind if I teach?” I said, “do what makes you happy.” Nitin joined Harvard immediately after.
Let me confess I had not read much about Nitin earlier. As reported, Nitin has almost 16 books to his credit. Nitin is one to moot the idea of Hippocratic Oath for MBAs on line of one done by doctors at the end of their academic course.
I don’t think the idea is a new one. I remember at the convocation Of IIT, Kharagpur in 1962, we also took oath in Sanskrit with almost a similar purpose.
I only wish that Nitin makes management education and training of his prestigious school more meaningful for US with input of some good Indian values. Unfortunately, as pioneer of management education, US managers have failed to present a sustainable business model for the industry. Following US blindly as India does, management education has become a fad in India too.
It reminds me one more thing. Nitin is also one who graduated in engineering and that too chemical, but succeeded in management.
IITs must introduce an aptitude test in its entrance examination. How do we get dedicated hardcore technocrats that India need?
I wish Nitin a great success at Harvard.
Will not an IITian become a Nobel Laureate one day soon for me to get the happiest moment of my life?
दृष्टिकोण - Indra's Viewpoint 