Stories from the grassroots | Thoughts on development | Lessons on leadership
It is now a little more than 4 decades since i first read the 8 volumes (now they are nine) of ‘The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda’. So much water has flowed under the bridge, so many experiences that have added to my understanding of his message and so much still left in this ever continuous learning journey. … Continue reading
Nations around the world are challenged on how to ensure the benefits of governance and development reach the last mile. When all things are said and done, what really matters is whether the person at the end of the road is feeling the impact of, and getting the benefits of good governance. … Continue reading
‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ – one must have heard this call for action several times over the last few years. When I interact with Civil servants and citizens, I find that each one has a perspective on what it means. Most of them relate it to economic independence, self-reliance or producing goods and services within India.… Continue reading
January 12, 2023 is the 160th Jayanthi celebrations of Swami Vivekananda. The whole country celebrates this event as the National Youth day. What does the Youth day signify in a country with one of the youngest populations in the world. More than 50% of our people are less than 20 years. … Continue reading
We all are familiar with the popular adage, ‘Those who do not learn from the past are condemned to repeat it’. While this could be true in several situations, I feel that it may not be appropriate when it comes to learning from India’s civilizational past.… Continue reading
The last couple of weeks has seen discussions around the vaccine for COVID and whether they are safe and effective. While each person is entitled to his/her own view, it can indeed be confusing listening to the several experts and political commentators about this issue. … Continue reading
A few months ago, Ms Sneha (name changed) had been to the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) branch office near her home to pay the house tax. She was aware that she was eligible for a 5% discount if she paid the taxes due for the current year before the 31st of May. … Continue reading
My first brush with being made to feel like a South Indian and distinctly different from the person in front of me is something that is strongly etched into my memory now. My father had insisted that all his children learn three languages at school – Kannada, the language of my state of Karnataka, English and Hindi (which he felt was our National language). … Continue reading
Countries around the world are struggling with the economy slowing down drastically due to the COVID crisis. While lockdowns are being gradually lifted, one is still unsure when there will be light at the end of the economic tunnel. While there is no single solution framework that exists, countries including India will have to chart their own contextual response.… Continue reading
While so much has been written about the COVID crisis and how life will never be the same again, there is little or no attention on a sector that is considered as one of India’s largest employers. It has been estimated that there are more than 3 million NGOs of all sizes and shapes that exist and that close to 30% of them will be shut down or rendered irrelevant by the end of this financial year 20-21.… Continue reading
Video of the webinar on the same subject is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnP0kZoF6wM&feature=youtu.be
The meaning of crisis itself has altered so much during this time of the pandemic. A few years ago, our experience of a crisis would have been limited to a family, a neighbourhood or sometimes a country or the crisis faced during a terror attack or an economic downturn.… Continue reading
Read the article at https://civilsocietyonline.com/column/village-voices/the-virus-unites-us/
You can read it here too:
A lot has changed in the last one month. The COVID crisis has thrown up challenges both on the public health as well as in the personal front for each of us.… Continue reading
Leadership is a process of listening, interpreting what we listen to, and then intervening with the appropriate action. Most people equate intervention and action as the expression of leadership without recognizing that socially productive leadership action can be optimal only when they are based on deep listening that goes beyond its traditional appreciation.… Continue reading
A few months ago, I saw a tweet from a recently elected Member of the Indian Parliament (MP) expressing his happiness at the address of the Indian Prime Minister to the newly elected members. In his address, Prime Minister Modi reminded the MPs that being a MP should not be seen as a position of power but should be regarded as an opportunity to serve their constituents and the Nation.… Continue reading
The air around the country is already filled with election fever. Parties are scrambling to form alliances or sometimes break them. Though the formal process is yet to be announced by the Election Commission of India, parties are already identifying winnable candidates and fine tuning their strategies.… Continue reading