As we step into the next decade 2011 to 2020, I cannot help but feel nostalgic. I still seem to remember that cold night of 31st Dec 2000 in Indore sitting in my room .. visualizing my dreams .. for the first decade of the new millenium .. the magical year of 2k ..
What a decade it has been !! From a stabilizing largest democracy on this planet, we have taken large strides in almost all fields to become trailblazers in Asia and where the world has taken note of this young energetic talented nation.
This happened through a muti-pronged approahch starting with politics becoming more transparent, politicians and politcal parties becoming more accountable, the masses becoming more critical and aware of the duties of responsible citizenship.
The nation's thrust on education at all levels - primary and secondary schooling, streams in engineering and management, the government's investments in world class Institutes like the IITs, IIMs and the new trend of academia-industry alliance in the form of ivy league ISB has changed the educational footprint in the country. Gone are the days when every child coming out of school dreamt of choosing to be an engineer, a doctor, a chartered account or a lawyer to earn respect in society .. the social fabric is now promoting 'excellence' which can be achieved in any field of choice and not necessarily the old trodden path.
The country has invested heavily infrastructure to transform its urban and semi-urban landscape. The number of flyovers, expressways, metros transforming the way we travel to work everyday was unthought.
The Indian consumer has become all powerful. The choices offered to him today is unprecedented and often baffling. The emergence of modern retail on the lines of the classics of Wal-mart has changed the way people make their buying decisions. While hypermarkets and collosal shopping malls dot the metros today and the metropolitan consumeris spoilt for choices, the father of Indian retail Mr. Biyani has ensured that the young and old poulation in rural and semi-urban small towns are not left out of the party.The Big Bazars and the Food Bazars retail umpteem household categories at affordable prices and offer a never before existing value proposition.
India Inc. has also led from the front to capitalize the era of globalization and liberalization.Be it consolidating its own strategy and operations within the country or inorganic growth plans charted through aggressive and ambitious acquisition plans. Whether its the Tatas acquiring Jaguar / LL and Corus or the Mittals taking over Arcelor, these excellent business groups have not only built wealth for the organizations but brought back pride to the country.A special mention of the leading IT sector and services sector which has built a special reputation for India and its intellectual power. The country cannot but help salute the IT czars Narayanmurthys, Nilekanis of this country for putting the Indian map on the global landscape.
What a decade it has been!! The nation has changed, the people transformed, the dreams bigger and the spirit of innovation and enterprise has been sowed in the hearts of millions. Today as i sit in the heart of the nation and look back .. the last 10 years has changed so much for me .. the targets have moved, the scale of ambition and dreams have changed and in my heart i feel 10 years younger with more energy to realize more dreams for me and to contribute in my own way ..
How will the next decade be? This question excites me and I move into a pensive mood....
(to be continued)...
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