Call it misplaced patriotism (but please don’t call me parochial), I am rather proud of the fact that I’m Indian. What I’m uncomfortable about is the India brand as it is (mis?)represented today. We have, by our own actions and inactions, led the world to believe that we are disorganized and “cheap”. Well, it is true that we are burdened with illiteracy and an exploding population, but what I also know is that there are highly enlightened professionals and talented leaders. These are the people who-in my view-should take it upon themselves to highlight to the world, the value of the traditional Indian ethos.

Indians are very tolerant and, to some extent, fatalistic. We are taught values of familial and social conduct and grow up believing in the power that “soft and immaterial” living, empathy, trust and spirituality can provide. Although Western (typically American) influences have caused a change, especially in the middle class philosophies – that evangelize material quest – we are already beginning to see that our native cultures hold better promise. Intellectual ability coupled with excellent educational institutions have put India on the map as a serious contender for providing powerful and human-oriented knowledge solutions on top of our proven technical prowess. We probably qualify as the best partners in realizing the knowledge dream.

India is a veritable, invisible heritage. It might be interesting to track India’s history … I’d like to start by putting one aspect in this context. Here’s a paragraph I took out of one of my articles (Of Godmen & GUIs – 1996) that I think would be a fitting backdrop for starters.

“For centuries, India has helped shape world thinking. Concepts like “shunya” (Zero), “satyagraha” (Non-cooperative non-violence), “karma” (Motivation sans motive), and individuals such as Gautama Buddha, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Ravishankar, Zubin Mehta have all stamped enduring impressions on the world’s cultures. The alluring, hand-woven carpets of Kashmir, the exquisite pottery of Khurja and the scintillating silk sari of Kanchipuram, all demonstrate a prolific unity in India’s art, craft, technique and ability. I am continually spurred-on by the possibilities that might emerge if we combine these portions of our native ethnic character with new global technologies. If only we could liberate ourselves from the bondages of history, the world would have a chance to partake of our heritage. To aim to use our knowledge (and share it with the world) in a way that addresses ethnic sensibilities and provides the highest-possible degree of psychological well-being. In contributing our share to globalization, we should take our cues from the accepted learning habits of the peoples of specific cultures ­ and I am convinced that this can only be achieved in India through a concerted return to our native cultures.”