Editor's Letter: The Road to Amrit Kaal
The old order changeth, yielding place to new - from Morte d'Arthur by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Change, they say, is the only constant, but some changes take more adjusting to than others. Shy of publicity, though he may have been, Cyrus Mistry has been in the limelight since he became the second chairman of the Tata Group, who was also not a “Tata”. His short stint at the helm of one of India’s largest group of industries, was also one when many companies within it faced an existential crisis. Accolades for this quiet, yet determined industry leader, have poured in since a fatal car crash claimed him on 4 September. Read our tributes to this unobtrusive, yet enigmatic young industry leader, as friends, associates and analysts, recall his life and achievements.
Queen Elizabeth’s glorious reign of 70 long years ended with her passing at the age of 96. King Charles III was immediately elevated to the throne. He also inherits her leadership at the helm of the Commonwealth, a role that will no doubt, be watched as the days go by. It is perhaps serendipitous that the British monarchy are in the limelight while India celebrates 75 years of independence from British rule. At his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spoke of abandoning the colonial mindset and taking pride in one’s own heritage. He also called for five pledges (Panch Pran) to take the nation forward, the first among which was to make India a developed nation by 2047.
Serendipity again perhaps, that India should have overtaken the United Kingdom as the world’s fifth largest economy this year, making the country’s 2047 mission not seem too distant. India@100 has been a recurring debate on the pages of BW Businessworld. In this issue we bring to you a special feature by Suman K. Jha on the five pledges that could actualise the Prime Minister’s ‘Panch Pran’ goals.
India has already drawn up a clear roadmap for its ambitious target of transforming itself into a developed economy by 2047, writes Jha. Skill development, which could metamorphose India’s demographic dividend of a young workforce into a productive workforce too, is already an agenda of the New Education Policy, for instance. Along with skilling, India needs a culture of entrepreneurship. It needs to nurture innovation and motivate the participation of the states in the federal structure and of the private sector in the economy, writes Jha. Read this special feature and a host of other opinion on the roadmap for India @100, as the nation prepares to march towards its Amrit Kaal (golden phase).
Of course, we also bring to you all our regular features and columns. Happy Reading!
