A group of corporate chieftains, among other luminaries, have taken upon themselves the task of converting India into a force to reckon with by the time the republic turns 75. That is, by the year 2022. They propose to do this with the help of the Centre, partner institutions, community groups and individuals, who they hope will collaborate with them in this endeavour.
Called India@75, the initiative, led by Godrej Group chairman Adi Godrej, includes Tata Group chairman Cyrus Mistry, Infosys Executive Chairman N R Narayana Murthy and Vice-Chairman S Gopalakrishnan, Bajaj Auto chairman Rahul Bajaj, HDFC chairman Deepak Parekh and Mahindra & Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra, among others.
Each member is tapping his knowledge and experience to come up with ways and means to "build the nation". As Godrej says: "The idea is to develop behaviour, values, systems, culture and processes that can take India forward."
The foundation has prepared a vision document that encompasses areas where work is required. These include areas such as education and skilling, technology and innovation, agriculture and food security, business and economy, urbanisation, and environmental sustainability.
According to Godrej, specific goals and targets will be set in each area to plug the gaps and build a modern India. To achieve this, the foundation will encourage common men and women, partner groups, organisations and institutions to either volunteer or take up philanthropic or pro-bono work. People will also be encouraged to donate for this cause, Godrej adds.
The foundation has already taken its first tentative steps in its drive to build a modern India by 2022 by setting up the India Backbone Implementation Network (IBIN), a website which will sensitise people to nation-building and what they can do towards the cause of India@75.
The second part of the exercise has also been set into motion with city-level platforms to facilitate exchange of ideas and concepts having been created in Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. Godrej says these city-level platforms will be taken to more places to include as many people as possible.
Skilling, an important area identified by the foundation, has seen the latter work closely with the National Skill Development Corporation to encourage students and entrepreneurs to pursue skill development as a means to improve their abilities as well as as a viable business venture. "India@75 is a people's movement, where the idea is to take a focused approach to addressing fundamental issues that plague the country. As a key call to action, we have launched a 'Count Me In' mobile app to facilitate maximum citizen participation," Godrej adds.
