The Visionary Leaders for Manufacturing (VLFM) Programme, a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) initiative, is a pathbreaking programme aimed at creating a critical mass of 250 Visionary Leaders over a three year period. These Visionary Leaders are being skilled in leading the Indian manufacturing sector to the next leap of growth in the highly competitive global scenario. The participants of the 1st Batch of the Programme have completed their training and Batch 2 was launched on July __. To mark this occasion, the VLFM Division of CII organized today the 1st Annual Session of the VLFM Programme at Hotel Intercontinental – The Grand in Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jamshyd N. Godrej, Chairman, CII VLFM Division & Chairman, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co. Ltd., said, “VLFM is a new and path-breaking beginning for the Indian manufacturing sector. The programme appeals to those with a passion and a dream to raise the competitiveness and innovation level in India. The pioneering batch of VLFM will be path-breakers for Indian manufacturing. Our vision is to create a large pool of those who have been a part of the programme and who will become visionaries.”
Delivering the inaugural address, Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, Chairman, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council, Govt. of India, said, “The VLFM programme is important for the Government, the People and Me. I believe in building leadership. India has great leaders, but in order for it to compete in International Business, we should accelerate growth. A country like ours, where the industries contribute 40%, manufacturing 30-35% of GDP, this situation cannot remain, as it will create an imbalance in the economy unless the manufacturing goes up to 38%. Agriculture will grow at 4-5%, but if we want to correct the imbalance, we will have to improve our manufacturing. Through manufacturing, we can create employment opportunities and people from rural areas and villages can get employment through manufacturing. India’s security lies in a strong manufacturing base in order to be competitive in the international market. Unless we don’t bring visionary leaders in manufacturing, we cannot make a difference. My message to all of you is – The Future of Manufacturing Industries will be MADE.”
Speaking on the New VLFM, Prof. Shoji Shiba, Chief Adviser, CII VLFM Division, said, “I congratulate the first batch who have completed the programme and welcome the second batch. I believe in the three D’s – Dedication, Dream and Diffuse. All participants should Dedicate something beyond themselves, create your own Dreams, and Diffuse your skill to whatever is around, like your supplier and vendor”.
At the occasion, Mr. Tomoyuki Fujii, India Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency highlighted JICA’s support to the programme. Post this, Mr. Masaharu Shimizu, Acting Consul General, Consulate General of Japan, Mumbai provided an insight on a new horizon of the India-Japan Collaboration.
During the session, Dr. V. Krishnamurthy felicitated Prof. Shoji Shiba (Chief Adviser, CII VLFM Division), CEOs and Module Directors. Post this, Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, Prof. Shoji Shiba, Mr. C. S. Patel, Mr. Jamshyd N. Godrej, Mr. Lakshminarayanan and Prof. Shekhar Chaudhuri distributed the certificates to the participants of the 1st Batch of the Programme. This was followed by Mr. Jamshyd N. Godrej announcing the VLFM Alumni Association and launching of the VLFM Website.
Delivering the vote of thanks at the end of the session, Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said, “I congratulate the 1st batch of VLFM graduates in taking on the ownership to lead the sector to new global heights.”
Earlier during the launch of the Visionary Leaders for Manufacturing Programme, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, Govt. of India, had expressed his happiness in noting that CII had started the VLFM programme, an initiative under the Joint Co-operation Agreement between the Govt. of India and the Govt. of Japan. He had further added that while providing impetus to the growth of manufacturing, this programme will also enhance the government’s skill building initiatives critical to developing competency in India’s manufacturing sector.
This 1st World Wide Innovative Management Transformation Programme is being implemented under the guidance of Prof. Shoji Shiba, the world renowned expert in Breakthrough Management. Apart from Prof. Shoji Shiba, other Japanese and Indian faculty from the industry share their experiences with the participants in this very innovative programme. The Japanese faculty includes representatives from Canon, Toshiba, Sony, experts in Toyota Production System and those awarded the Merit of Culture by Govt. of Japan. It is also being implemented under the Technical Collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency, Govt. of Japan.
