Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Friday, November 22, 2013
Saturday, May 16, 2009
India as Knowledge Society
The growth of any country depends on its technological advancement.
I was discussing with my colleague during a buisness trip on topics like evolution, technology and India. I have always admired his wisdom and thinking towards any topic on Earth!
We were trying to find out what are the strengths and weakness of India as a nation and what measures we should take for its growth. A very interesting point came out as a result that, evolution is a process of overcoming the challenges around for the survival - struggle for existence. From evolutionary point of view, humans are most advanced species on Earth and what makes them stand apart from other species is "Not just changing themselves according to environment but to change their environment using the TECHNOLOGY".
It is evident that countries that lead today, besides their pool of natural resource, are advanced due to their technologies.
In this age of Information Technology where the world is becoming a knowledge society, any country that makes best use of its existing knowledge to turn it into technologies of future will stand fittest.
India for that matter, is quite ahead in this area considering several advancements of the nation. Recent Chandrayana is an example. Historically, India holds a significant position in sciences and I doubt if most of that knowledge has been translated into everyday use technology. Ayurveda and Yoga might be few examples that are popular, however, other ends still remain open.
There were times when India's population was considered bane and global brains were storming to come up with a solution to a TERRA problem. But the problem now seems to have found a solution for itself - thanks to IT. Suddenly the information which remained dormant across communities seem to be gathered at one place and people realize that information and knowledge is not limited to office walls. Networking has now come to desktop and you dont need to spend your rupees on traveling and other overheads.
Information and Knowledge from across the value chain and across geographies can now be recycled to add value back to the communities. Information and knowledge arise at individual level and following Globalization, another revolution that followed was Individualization, where individual opinion became of highest importance. Today ONE customer opinion can change the Genetic Code of a company - suddenly the Numero Uno has become statistically significant, which earlier was could only be appreciated at status quo level.
If we re-align the world ranking in terms of knowledgebase and also consider the individual as multiplier.
Knowledge Score = (Average knowledge of individual) X (Total Population of the Country)
In those terms, India should be the No. 2 country in the world.
What will follow Individualization is - Normalization - where entire population is integrated to share its knowledge at one common platform and hence the a Common knowledge exists.
This is however, is influenced by plethora of factors - such as - Interest Groups and Special Communities. Nevertheless, a world can be classified indifferent knowledge communities.
Particularly in India, the technical brains need to connect to create a Technical knowledge society and following things will follow as per discussion above -
1. Normalization across community
2. Uniform knowledge across community
1+1 = 3 Model:
The equation is strongly positioned against the arithematic model, however, this has nothing to with arithematrics. It is more a theory based on philosophy of creation.
Consider two individuals A and B with X amount of knowledge. Considering the average knowledge, we assign each individual a numeral 1. When these two idividuals are allowed to share their knowledge, then as a result of discussion a new knowledge is created which in sum will be the addition of their knowledge and the new knowledge created. Assuming a new knowldge at every topic discussed, the total knowledge now becomes 3.
This is more or less similar to the value appreciation of credit.
I was discussing with my colleague during a buisness trip on topics like evolution, technology and India. I have always admired his wisdom and thinking towards any topic on Earth!
We were trying to find out what are the strengths and weakness of India as a nation and what measures we should take for its growth. A very interesting point came out as a result that, evolution is a process of overcoming the challenges around for the survival - struggle for existence. From evolutionary point of view, humans are most advanced species on Earth and what makes them stand apart from other species is "Not just changing themselves according to environment but to change their environment using the TECHNOLOGY".
It is evident that countries that lead today, besides their pool of natural resource, are advanced due to their technologies.
In this age of Information Technology where the world is becoming a knowledge society, any country that makes best use of its existing knowledge to turn it into technologies of future will stand fittest.
India for that matter, is quite ahead in this area considering several advancements of the nation. Recent Chandrayana is an example. Historically, India holds a significant position in sciences and I doubt if most of that knowledge has been translated into everyday use technology. Ayurveda and Yoga might be few examples that are popular, however, other ends still remain open.
There were times when India's population was considered bane and global brains were storming to come up with a solution to a TERRA problem. But the problem now seems to have found a solution for itself - thanks to IT. Suddenly the information which remained dormant across communities seem to be gathered at one place and people realize that information and knowledge is not limited to office walls. Networking has now come to desktop and you dont need to spend your rupees on traveling and other overheads.
Information and Knowledge from across the value chain and across geographies can now be recycled to add value back to the communities. Information and knowledge arise at individual level and following Globalization, another revolution that followed was Individualization, where individual opinion became of highest importance. Today ONE customer opinion can change the Genetic Code of a company - suddenly the Numero Uno has become statistically significant, which earlier was could only be appreciated at status quo level.
If we re-align the world ranking in terms of knowledgebase and also consider the individual as multiplier.
Knowledge Score = (Average knowledge of individual) X (Total Population of the Country)
In those terms, India should be the No. 2 country in the world.
What will follow Individualization is - Normalization - where entire population is integrated to share its knowledge at one common platform and hence the a Common knowledge exists.
This is however, is influenced by plethora of factors - such as - Interest Groups and Special Communities. Nevertheless, a world can be classified indifferent knowledge communities.
Particularly in India, the technical brains need to connect to create a Technical knowledge society and following things will follow as per discussion above -
1. Normalization across community
2. Uniform knowledge across community
1+1 = 3 Model:
The equation is strongly positioned against the arithematic model, however, this has nothing to with arithematrics. It is more a theory based on philosophy of creation.
Consider two individuals A and B with X amount of knowledge. Considering the average knowledge, we assign each individual a numeral 1. When these two idividuals are allowed to share their knowledge, then as a result of discussion a new knowledge is created which in sum will be the addition of their knowledge and the new knowledge created. Assuming a new knowldge at every topic discussed, the total knowledge now becomes 3.
This is more or less similar to the value appreciation of credit.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Middle Class should learn to be Poor to become Rich
Middle class always have big dreams. To get a great lifestyle and recognition.
They are always so close to realizing their dreams that, they want to reach in to that category ASAP. Look at the situation - Rich people drive Merc, Middle Class drives Ford Ikon, Rich people go to 5 Star discs, Middle Class goes to an average disc, rich people have foreign destinations to spend holidays, middle class seldom does that or compromises with Indian destinations (not at all bad choice anyway).
So the line is not very thick and it is achievable.
Middle class is an intelligent group, we are hard working, rational thinking and stick to ethics (most of the time) right ingredient to make it big.
We are a large population; however, we haven't made it so far? WHY?
Why only few among us have been able to pull that up and follow their dreams?
On the other hand if you look at Rich people; they become richer and richer everyday .They take decisions and take risks because they don't have anything to loose.
Similarly the poor class people, they don't have anything - actually - to loose anything and hence are free to take risk. They are ready to do just anything at anytime and anywhere to make it happen. And lucky people do get there.
But what stops the middle class?
The risk!
We have a little bit of everything in us. We have a little money to makeour living, a little luxury to make our neighbours feel jealous, a little style to flaunt ourselves in misery. Even if we have a lot of knowledge and intelligence, we rather use that to save the other little things we have rather than maximizing them - We don't want to take risk.
Rich people have too much to loose anything and hence they don't fear, on the contrary, poor people have nothing to loose - so they are free to take the risk.
But the middle class, the fear of loosing the "little bit" we have, makes us fear doing anything.
We teach same things to our kids as well. We tell them to get in to a good college, get a good education, get a decent job, find a decent girl, get married and settledown, raise kids and teach them the lessons "we taught you"!
Our kids are not allowed to make mistakes which are human, we all believe in following the line.
I sometimes admire the Western culture - not for their "I don't care" attitude, but for their thoughtfulness in letting their kids make their own choices and take risks.
People in US like to work with start up firms rather than working with a great brands as there is more learning experience. But in India, we are deeply in love with the established brands - doesn't matter even if we are doing nothing there.
As soon as you get a job and your relatives come to know it, they will start pestering you to recommend their kins for jobs, even if they do not qualify for one!
For Heaven's sake, please promote talent - not tagging.
I spoke with many students recently who wanted to do engineering or go for some other "traditional" course. I asked them why they wanted to do that and was suprised by the answer!
"Just because their parents want them to do that. "
I have seen my colleagues, who after their graduation have changed their profession and some
even after job!
What a waste of time! This is an information age and if we cannot provide our kids necessary information - how can we expect them to make good decisions?
If we don't allow them to take risk, how can we expect innovation and creativity to grow in our country?
Sometimes it gives me a pain to think that, we believe a lot in FREE LUNCH.
Some great leaders gave us freedom and we want to enjoy that. Some visionaries thought of setting up industries, and we are happy doing jobs there.
Some creative American thought of outsourcing and we are looking for easy jobs to make our living.
When will we rise above this mentality?
If we always fear of loosing, when are we going to take the risk, wich is worth taking?
What is our future then?
If not, we should stop dreaming of becoming richer!
The Middle Class today should learn to be Poor before thinking of being Rich!
They are always so close to realizing their dreams that, they want to reach in to that category ASAP. Look at the situation - Rich people drive Merc, Middle Class drives Ford Ikon, Rich people go to 5 Star discs, Middle Class goes to an average disc, rich people have foreign destinations to spend holidays, middle class seldom does that or compromises with Indian destinations (not at all bad choice anyway).
So the line is not very thick and it is achievable.
Middle class is an intelligent group, we are hard working, rational thinking and stick to ethics (most of the time) right ingredient to make it big.
We are a large population; however, we haven't made it so far? WHY?
Why only few among us have been able to pull that up and follow their dreams?
On the other hand if you look at Rich people; they become richer and richer everyday .They take decisions and take risks because they don't have anything to loose.
Similarly the poor class people, they don't have anything - actually - to loose anything and hence are free to take risk. They are ready to do just anything at anytime and anywhere to make it happen. And lucky people do get there.
But what stops the middle class?
The risk!
We have a little bit of everything in us. We have a little money to makeour living, a little luxury to make our neighbours feel jealous, a little style to flaunt ourselves in misery. Even if we have a lot of knowledge and intelligence, we rather use that to save the other little things we have rather than maximizing them - We don't want to take risk.
Rich people have too much to loose anything and hence they don't fear, on the contrary, poor people have nothing to loose - so they are free to take the risk.
But the middle class, the fear of loosing the "little bit" we have, makes us fear doing anything.
We teach same things to our kids as well. We tell them to get in to a good college, get a good education, get a decent job, find a decent girl, get married and settledown, raise kids and teach them the lessons "we taught you"!
Our kids are not allowed to make mistakes which are human, we all believe in following the line.
I sometimes admire the Western culture - not for their "I don't care" attitude, but for their thoughtfulness in letting their kids make their own choices and take risks.
People in US like to work with start up firms rather than working with a great brands as there is more learning experience. But in India, we are deeply in love with the established brands - doesn't matter even if we are doing nothing there.
As soon as you get a job and your relatives come to know it, they will start pestering you to recommend their kins for jobs, even if they do not qualify for one!
For Heaven's sake, please promote talent - not tagging.
I spoke with many students recently who wanted to do engineering or go for some other "traditional" course. I asked them why they wanted to do that and was suprised by the answer!
"Just because their parents want them to do that. "
I have seen my colleagues, who after their graduation have changed their profession and some
even after job!
What a waste of time! This is an information age and if we cannot provide our kids necessary information - how can we expect them to make good decisions?
If we don't allow them to take risk, how can we expect innovation and creativity to grow in our country?
Sometimes it gives me a pain to think that, we believe a lot in FREE LUNCH.
Some great leaders gave us freedom and we want to enjoy that. Some visionaries thought of setting up industries, and we are happy doing jobs there.
Some creative American thought of outsourcing and we are looking for easy jobs to make our living.
When will we rise above this mentality?
If we always fear of loosing, when are we going to take the risk, wich is worth taking?
What is our future then?
If not, we should stop dreaming of becoming richer!
The Middle Class today should learn to be Poor before thinking of being Rich!
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Unique Sculpture
Once there was a sculptor, married with two beautiful kids. He was very talented artist and had power to mould ugly rocks into beautiful testimonies of his imagination. People liked him a lot and he used to amuse them with different designs and artifacts he created every evening. Every house in that area was heavenly decorated with creations of the sculptor. Be it any festival in the year or any special occasion, everyone wanted the sculptor to design things for them.
People came with their imaginations and raw outlines of what they wanted and the sculptor used to cast his imaginations to shape those outlines and fill with beautiful colors from nature inspiring life into the ideas. There was no one unaware of his capabilities and there were times when people got used to him. His work became more a lifestyle and habit than amusement. The town in which they lived was recognized by the unique creativity and blissful patterns.
The sculptor had everything he wanted, food, shelter, clothes and sweets to treat his family quite often; until one day, a fellow town citizen came asking to design a lamp carved in a stone which would act as multiple light sources through the pores specialy designed in it. The sculptor took the challenge as he knew he could do it. Weeks of diligent hard work made him create a unique design which no town around has and he was very happy to see the results. However, beauty lies with the person who sees it. The fellow citizen never liked it – as it was too heavy and could not see the brilliance he expected. The sculptor was taken aback – as this was the first time his work was questioned. Soon, this became a news in the town and everyone was amazed for this incident without giving him a second chance. Although, people never questioned his talent, but they got this strange feeling that how could this happen?
The sculptor was depressed and not happy with what happened. He put another few weeks on redesigning the lamp and finally presented the second copy to the fellow citizen. This time it was light weight and produced more brilliance. The fellow citizen was surprised – and apologized for all bad things he said to the sculptor. He paid him heavily for his brilliant work and offered some traditional gifts to please him. The sculptor gave him a pale smile and took the presents but he did not appear very happy about it.
The sculptor was hurt to his self-respect as no one ever questioned his work before. So he took an oath that he will prove to the town that he is and will always remain the best sculptor around and create a Unique Sculpture.
Next day, he left early in the morning from his home and started walking towards the barren lands where usually heavy rocks were lying. After a days walk, he could identify a huge rock which was unimaginably big and immovable. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind and he decided to start his work on that. He was frustrated and fuming to show his vim to his town’s citizens.
He took out his scalpel, hammer and other crafting tools and climbed at the top of the rock. With the Sun exactly over his head, he hit the first hammer towards proving his verve.
Days past, nights awake, thirsty evenings and hungry dawns – he forgot everything but the Unique Sculpture. His family was worried and so were other people in the town, they tried to find him everywhere but nowhere they could find him.
On the other end, the sculptor was busy carving his Unique Sculpture, he slid all over the rock to carve every corner and hit every hammer with precision and care. Weeks after the work, he was still frustrated as he was lying over the rock and continuously hammering. He did not even see how his work was shaping up – he was just too involved and angry.
Many weeks past a passerby spotted a man climbed on a massive rock and hammering and scalping continuously. When he reached closed to it, he was flabbergasted to see the beautifully crafted portrait of the Queen. The portrait was embellished with carefully polished stones which resembled the precious jewelry of the Queen. Her hair touched her face and eyes looking straight in to eyes of its people leaving a lasting majestic impression. Every feature of her face was so detailed that one can easily imagine the portrait speaking any moment and deliver a command. The portrait was so unique as it appeared as an emblem of Royal Command.
The passerby who was heading towards another town for business suddenly started running back to the town and informed everyone about the Unique Sculpture. Everyone including the Queen herself was curious to see the sculpture and they started moving out of the town to see the sculpture.
The sculptor was busy giving finishing touch to the sculpture and suddenly he could hear thousands of footsteps coming closer. He tried to take a look at what is happening and was surprised to see so many people coming towards him.
He quickly came down and stood infront of his Unique Sculpture while other reached near him.
From the crowd, the security personnel of Queen cleared the way for her and the Queen came out and stood right infront of the sculptor. The sculptor bowed in respect and touched her feet.
The Queen said, we are very proud to have you in our State and we are announcing so much money and all luxuries of life that can make living for your family through their lives. Moreover, from now on you will be recognized as the best sculptor in the history and your Unique Sculpture will be placed right in the center of the town. The gates will be open from visitors from the world to visit to your creation and appreciate it.
The sculptor was still amazed as he could not understand what is happening and looked at the Queen with surprise. The Queen asked him to turn around. He did, he was shocked to the deepest part of his body to see what he has created, astonishing, magnificent, breathtaking symbol of power, hard work, dedication, passion, devotion and righteousness was engraved before him. He could not believe himself.
He was happy, as he was rewarded for what he deserved and that his hard work paid well one day. Although his was work was not ignored even before but people got used to his work and that he had to come out of his comfort zone and doing same work again and again.
People came with their imaginations and raw outlines of what they wanted and the sculptor used to cast his imaginations to shape those outlines and fill with beautiful colors from nature inspiring life into the ideas. There was no one unaware of his capabilities and there were times when people got used to him. His work became more a lifestyle and habit than amusement. The town in which they lived was recognized by the unique creativity and blissful patterns.
The sculptor had everything he wanted, food, shelter, clothes and sweets to treat his family quite often; until one day, a fellow town citizen came asking to design a lamp carved in a stone which would act as multiple light sources through the pores specialy designed in it. The sculptor took the challenge as he knew he could do it. Weeks of diligent hard work made him create a unique design which no town around has and he was very happy to see the results. However, beauty lies with the person who sees it. The fellow citizen never liked it – as it was too heavy and could not see the brilliance he expected. The sculptor was taken aback – as this was the first time his work was questioned. Soon, this became a news in the town and everyone was amazed for this incident without giving him a second chance. Although, people never questioned his talent, but they got this strange feeling that how could this happen?
The sculptor was depressed and not happy with what happened. He put another few weeks on redesigning the lamp and finally presented the second copy to the fellow citizen. This time it was light weight and produced more brilliance. The fellow citizen was surprised – and apologized for all bad things he said to the sculptor. He paid him heavily for his brilliant work and offered some traditional gifts to please him. The sculptor gave him a pale smile and took the presents but he did not appear very happy about it.
The sculptor was hurt to his self-respect as no one ever questioned his work before. So he took an oath that he will prove to the town that he is and will always remain the best sculptor around and create a Unique Sculpture.
Next day, he left early in the morning from his home and started walking towards the barren lands where usually heavy rocks were lying. After a days walk, he could identify a huge rock which was unimaginably big and immovable. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind and he decided to start his work on that. He was frustrated and fuming to show his vim to his town’s citizens.
He took out his scalpel, hammer and other crafting tools and climbed at the top of the rock. With the Sun exactly over his head, he hit the first hammer towards proving his verve.
Days past, nights awake, thirsty evenings and hungry dawns – he forgot everything but the Unique Sculpture. His family was worried and so were other people in the town, they tried to find him everywhere but nowhere they could find him.
On the other end, the sculptor was busy carving his Unique Sculpture, he slid all over the rock to carve every corner and hit every hammer with precision and care. Weeks after the work, he was still frustrated as he was lying over the rock and continuously hammering. He did not even see how his work was shaping up – he was just too involved and angry.
Many weeks past a passerby spotted a man climbed on a massive rock and hammering and scalping continuously. When he reached closed to it, he was flabbergasted to see the beautifully crafted portrait of the Queen. The portrait was embellished with carefully polished stones which resembled the precious jewelry of the Queen. Her hair touched her face and eyes looking straight in to eyes of its people leaving a lasting majestic impression. Every feature of her face was so detailed that one can easily imagine the portrait speaking any moment and deliver a command. The portrait was so unique as it appeared as an emblem of Royal Command.
The passerby who was heading towards another town for business suddenly started running back to the town and informed everyone about the Unique Sculpture. Everyone including the Queen herself was curious to see the sculpture and they started moving out of the town to see the sculpture.
The sculptor was busy giving finishing touch to the sculpture and suddenly he could hear thousands of footsteps coming closer. He tried to take a look at what is happening and was surprised to see so many people coming towards him.
He quickly came down and stood infront of his Unique Sculpture while other reached near him.
From the crowd, the security personnel of Queen cleared the way for her and the Queen came out and stood right infront of the sculptor. The sculptor bowed in respect and touched her feet.
The Queen said, we are very proud to have you in our State and we are announcing so much money and all luxuries of life that can make living for your family through their lives. Moreover, from now on you will be recognized as the best sculptor in the history and your Unique Sculpture will be placed right in the center of the town. The gates will be open from visitors from the world to visit to your creation and appreciate it.
The sculptor was still amazed as he could not understand what is happening and looked at the Queen with surprise. The Queen asked him to turn around. He did, he was shocked to the deepest part of his body to see what he has created, astonishing, magnificent, breathtaking symbol of power, hard work, dedication, passion, devotion and righteousness was engraved before him. He could not believe himself.
He was happy, as he was rewarded for what he deserved and that his hard work paid well one day. Although his was work was not ignored even before but people got used to his work and that he had to come out of his comfort zone and doing same work again and again.
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Leader in You!
Unlike other articles, this is not intended to tell you how to lead people and how to make things happen in your life with leadership. As this discussion believes that Leadership is not about leading people.
Then what is it? There are many lectures, discussions, book available that will teach you how to become leaders and key leadership qualities. For example, good communication skills, vision, execution capabilities, strong will, good listner and all other usual things.
However, leadership is something beyond this. All these are attributes to a leader, but will not make the leader out of you. www.viewsnest.com
You have a dream about something which you believe is good for you; something which can change the world around you. It can be anything, from taking a new exam, joining new course, opening new business, joining new job - anything. You believe in that. You take your chanes and join it - as you believe in your instincts. There will be people who might suggest you million things, some good, some bad. You tend to listen to them but you do not deviate from your decision. You work for it and finally achieve it.
You overcame all your fears to make it happen - because you knew that is the right thing to do. The ability to judge the right thing comes in two ways - either by more experience or less experience plus you instincts. So belief ofcourse is important - another attribute of a leader.
If your dream involves speaking with other people, you got to be a good speaker and a good listner too to capture their sugestions.....however, above all, you need to do "right things at the right time". http://www.viewsnest.com/
Take for example a classroom where a bunch of students are taking physics class. The teacher is explaining an equation in the kinematics and somehow misses a concept and delivers wrong equation. It does not seem right to the students but no one is interested in complaining. But there is one boy who is just not liking it so he stands up and interrupts the teacher with a right solution. The teacher is impressed and the fellow students are looking at him - how could he say that? a normal social reaction.
So gradually, the boy will be participating and acting and reacting to every wrong thing and he will develop a trust among all. This way he becomes the leader in the school. http://www.viewsnest.com/
He might not have the speaking abilities, or dreams or strong will or anything - but he knows what is right and he should speak against it. All other things he can learn with time.
This is a basic difference. People with all the attributes of leadership may not be able to use them because they don't do right things, but a person who does can gradually acquire those attributes with continuous learning.
Evolution in constant, so need to keep walking so that you keep getting the direction of your life. And when you will develop this quality of DOING THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME, you will anyway stay ahead of the time and become the leader automatically.
Cheers.
Brought to you by http://www.viewsnest.com/
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