India and the last mile!
Published by Mysorean on Thursday, August 11, 2005 at 8:30:00 pm.
I was watching the highlights of the finals of the Indian Oil Cup 2005 between India and Sri Lanka. My friends had already told me about the fate that India had met with. But I was not ready to believe them. I was very confident it was going to be India's day and we would thrash SL downright!
The turning point of the match, I believe, was the dismissal of Yuvraj Singh. The body language of the Lankans when Dravid and Singh were consolidating the Indian innings with their partnership was quite evident. Sagging shoulders, dropping heads, scratching heads, shouting at each other, etc. Just when the match was in our hands, there was this sweep that Yuvraj played straight into the hands of the square leg fielder.
After that the collapse was quick. I was able to immediately recall hundreds of such matches where India snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The Indo-Pak test which we lost by 12 runs is still fresh in my memory!
India has this block to run the last mile. We stumble at a very significant stage. The scent of victory probably intoxicates the men in the middle. This is true not only in terms of cricket. You may want to observe our Government machinery. The word "bureaucracy" has attained a negative connotation. We devise good policies at the top. The ones that hit the headlines are actually good news. You know the ones like "Rs. 70,000 crores budget allocated for Defense", "Free Power for farmers", "Golden Quadrilateral Project inaugurated". These are all pieces of strategic vision.
Whether these schemes and policies actually hit the intended beneficiaries is doubtful. And why is it doubtful? A cynical mind would suggest that the scheme or policy was formulated with the intention of eating up the money. So, the question of reaching the end-point doesn't arise at all. To such arguments, there is no answer.
Assuming that the intentions were there but we went wrong somewhere and then analysing to find out where we went wrong is a useful exercise. It will atleast help us as a country to aviod that mistake the next time and hence take a step towards a better future. For 57 years, we have been handling issues on our own. We need to learn quickly.
The learning curve takes a steep turn towards the top at a particular point in time. Is this period of two-three years that point of time? It probably is if you believe what Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam says and his Vision 2020. In 1992, with the opening up of the economy and devaluation of the rupee twice in 24 hrs, we were expected to be superpowers by 2000. Well, there's another theory that says that those initiatives were more forced than a result of a conscious analytical mind. The same man who implemented those changes that gave rise to a new hope to the country is again at the helm of affairs. Is it fair to expect him to get it right this time?
If we get our last mile right, then yes, we have the right man at the top to get to where we want by 2020. And what does the last mile consist of? Only one thing. Commitment. If I am in the business of making computing affordable to the emerging markets, I need to give myself completely to it. Whether I succeed or not, I must be happy with the effort that I have put in. The people who come in touch with me must be enthused about what I am doing. I must radiate positive energy around me.
Imagine if this happens to you everytime you enter a Government office to pay your bills or apply for a tender. Whether you bag the tender or not, you will be happy that you have put in your best. Instead of the feeling: That guy paid him more than I did and hence he got the tender! Now, isn't there a change in your attitude towards the system? I am sure there is. It's just the last mile that's not working.
We choke at the last mile. Once we overcome that, there's no stopping us from a better future. India will emerge as a Nation that will be the centre for technology and spirituality. And since, it's a spirituality-based position, we will continue in that position forever!
Tomorrow: Mobiles - A 'last mile' success story!
The turning point of the match, I believe, was the dismissal of Yuvraj Singh. The body language of the Lankans when Dravid and Singh were consolidating the Indian innings with their partnership was quite evident. Sagging shoulders, dropping heads, scratching heads, shouting at each other, etc. Just when the match was in our hands, there was this sweep that Yuvraj played straight into the hands of the square leg fielder.
After that the collapse was quick. I was able to immediately recall hundreds of such matches where India snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The Indo-Pak test which we lost by 12 runs is still fresh in my memory!
India has this block to run the last mile. We stumble at a very significant stage. The scent of victory probably intoxicates the men in the middle. This is true not only in terms of cricket. You may want to observe our Government machinery. The word "bureaucracy" has attained a negative connotation. We devise good policies at the top. The ones that hit the headlines are actually good news. You know the ones like "Rs. 70,000 crores budget allocated for Defense", "Free Power for farmers", "Golden Quadrilateral Project inaugurated". These are all pieces of strategic vision.
Whether these schemes and policies actually hit the intended beneficiaries is doubtful. And why is it doubtful? A cynical mind would suggest that the scheme or policy was formulated with the intention of eating up the money. So, the question of reaching the end-point doesn't arise at all. To such arguments, there is no answer.
Assuming that the intentions were there but we went wrong somewhere and then analysing to find out where we went wrong is a useful exercise. It will atleast help us as a country to aviod that mistake the next time and hence take a step towards a better future. For 57 years, we have been handling issues on our own. We need to learn quickly.
The learning curve takes a steep turn towards the top at a particular point in time. Is this period of two-three years that point of time? It probably is if you believe what Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam says and his Vision 2020. In 1992, with the opening up of the economy and devaluation of the rupee twice in 24 hrs, we were expected to be superpowers by 2000. Well, there's another theory that says that those initiatives were more forced than a result of a conscious analytical mind. The same man who implemented those changes that gave rise to a new hope to the country is again at the helm of affairs. Is it fair to expect him to get it right this time?
If we get our last mile right, then yes, we have the right man at the top to get to where we want by 2020. And what does the last mile consist of? Only one thing. Commitment. If I am in the business of making computing affordable to the emerging markets, I need to give myself completely to it. Whether I succeed or not, I must be happy with the effort that I have put in. The people who come in touch with me must be enthused about what I am doing. I must radiate positive energy around me.
Imagine if this happens to you everytime you enter a Government office to pay your bills or apply for a tender. Whether you bag the tender or not, you will be happy that you have put in your best. Instead of the feeling: That guy paid him more than I did and hence he got the tender! Now, isn't there a change in your attitude towards the system? I am sure there is. It's just the last mile that's not working.
We choke at the last mile. Once we overcome that, there's no stopping us from a better future. India will emerge as a Nation that will be the centre for technology and spirituality. And since, it's a spirituality-based position, we will continue in that position forever!
Tomorrow: Mobiles - A 'last mile' success story!
