THINK BEYOND ACADEMIC RESEARCH

                                                            Bikash Choudhury

Academic Research has been one of the top most criteria for Global University ranking in USA and also in other developed countries and now the same method is being followed by Indian Universities to improve their rankings as well as building their Brand value before their stake holders. There is no harm in such a hypothesis being practiced by emerging private universities in the country; however, we need to ask if such a policy aligned to the need and goal of our country? Can’t we think of a better method that is much more challenging than ‘Academic Research’ and lucrative to our country’s development?

 Growing Economic Inequality pose the biggest challenge to our society and our country. Quality education and skill development are the immediate solution which our Autonomous Educational Institutions and Private Universities are doing very well in the recent past. However, one more thing they can do to improve the Economic Condition of a cluster of village by deploying their academic resources and knowledge pool. That should offer enough challenge to the students and faculties to find solutions for the problems of Cluster Economic Development in real time. That would also give opportunity to students to apply their knowledge and skill. Academic Research would henceforth be targeted at some real problems of real people and eventually benefit the residents of village cluster apart from creating umpteenth case studies for intellectual postmortem and academic consumption. Apart from sharpening the academic acumen of the students and teachers; such experiment if successful would help in bridging the economic inequality in the country over a period of time.

This is easier said than done; however, if our private multi-disciplinary universities and autonomous institutions like IIT & IIM could think of adopting a village cluster of 10-15 villages with 10,000 population and 5000-10,000 acres of cultivable land. First of all Universities could incubate an organization in association with the resident of cluster villages and devise a plan to improve the Agricultural productivity, generating employment opportunities by conceptualizing MSME relevant for the cluster, imparting the education & training and skill development of young people, marketing the produce of the cluster in lucrative market and finding investors for such project or raising finance by deploying their inter-disciplinary talent pool in the university campus. This could be an Indian model of Knowledge Mining in Academics designated to benefit deprived rural masses not only in India; but, in other developing countries also. With successful practice such program could be a role model globally that may be adopted by United Nations Development Program (UNDP).   

   

#Flat No: 105, Kalpatru Nivas Apartment, Swarnapuri Road, Patia, Bhubaneswar-751024 India Mob: 9853426657 E-Mail: streben.marke@gmail.com Twitter: @ ideasofhope       

INDIA ON A MOVE

Bikash Choudhury

India would become the next Global Economic and Political Power of this century; as a strong and stable Govt. is set to take office by 25^th May 2014 under unusual pressure of Indian Middle Class activism, impatient youth of the country baying for a change and on the influence of 24x7 media which is largely free and fare. There is an invisible ground swelling desire of large majority of Indians to cut their losses of past sixty plus years and establish a robust economy. The new Govt. that would soon take over the reigns is expected to make India a preferred and attractive destination for Global Business and Investment by putting the policy paralysis of last decade behind it and taking rather proactive decisions to lift all the hurdles in the way for brisk economic activity of a billion plus country. Further, the new Govt. would address the internal security challenges and all external threats by taking bold decisions wherever required; matching the expectations of people who are most likely to remain behind the Govt. in its mission to resolve all problems that has imprisoned its development in a substantive manner. India would henceforth choose to unite the Indian sub-continent culturally and economically to capture the pay offs of the demographic dividends, stopping wastage of vital resources thus posting unprecedented human development along with double digit economic growth. India would also be magnanimous enough to collaborate with all its South Asian neighbors to make this region one of the prosperous and secured regions of Asia. Global Powers can’t take India for granted any longer much less to mess around without bruising its own interest as India moves ahead to become a large English speaking consumer market with deep pockets. India would also become a huge shopper for technology in the domain of Infrastructure development, Water conservation & management and Urban Centers Development and its Management. Further, as India engage itself to better educate its children and re-skill its young people there would be enough scope for all developed countries to take a pie of Indian growth story. A wind of change is blowing across India and soon India would be on the move.             

#Flat No: 105, Kalpatru Nivas Apartment, Swarnapuri Road, Patia, Bhubaneswar-751024 India Mob: 9853426657 E-Mail: streben.marke@gmail.com Twitter: @ ideasofhope      

ART & SCIENCE OF TEAM BUILDING

  

Tapati Rout

Recently I was invited to a Puja Ceremony by a relative on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar city in a rural hamlet. There was a temple adjacent to a large water body full of greenery. Village folks lazily going about their morning routine; while chirping of birds on hunt for food creating its own melody. On the other side eight priests are busy arranging for the Puja Ceremony meticulously inside the temple. I have keenly observed them doing their job seamlessly without any mistakes, arguments or any confusion. All eight Priests were very well coordinated in their activities and trained to perform their job in harmony and with appropriate sequence.  To my mind, these Priests who have never seen the portals of any Management School were a classic case of ‘Team Work’ impeccably planned and meticulously executed in time. I was pleasantly surprised and yet so happy to see such a Puja Ceremony in rural hamlet. Only regret I did not carry my digital camera to record the event for the posterity.

It is but an accepted fact that, credit for a successful project goes to a successful team; that is equally applicable for a project in a corporate sector, playing a game to win or even organizing a puja ceremony at home or an event. In the animal kingdom the King of Jungle also work in a team to catch a big prey. A good team must possess some universally accepted qualities; however, there would be a need to change such strategy on the basis of the nature of job and the external environment prevailing at the time. Two types of example flashes in my mind; One the puja ceremony and the other one was famous movie called “Chak De India” – which was all about playing Hockey for India and winning the game .Both the situations have adopted different strategy to ‘Build’ successful team at their level. Let us now look at the different strategy adopted in two aforementioned cases. In the case of Puja Ceremony my observations are as follows:

• Complete understanding  about the job by all team members
• Higher level of Non-Verbal Communication Skill among the team members
• Outstanding networking and coordination between team members
• Goal orientation of team members and spirit of co-operation between members of the team to complete the task successfully and in time.
• Leadership quality in each team member and the ability to take initiative to complement the job with a sense of Timing
• Mutual respect for each other as a person and their respective abilities and absence of any ‘Bully’ in the team
• Good Listening Skills of team members
• Time management
• Positive attitude towards the job
• Maintaining a calm but productive environment

The movie ‘Chak De India’ which I have watched umpteen numbers of times was a classic and powerful example of how to build a winning team to respond to Global Competition. My observations are as follows:

• Team members must understand the value for time(when the player from Chandigarh enters late, the coach punishes her)
• Building Team Spirit (The Coach coax the team members to understand and feel as part of one Indian Team Identity)
• Compatibility among Team members (Allotment of beds to the team by the Coach to promote cross interaction)
• Job allocation/rotation to bring out the best from each member (allocation of field placement of players by the coach)
• The leader at times should act tough to bring the team in coordination
• Develop sympathy and compassion  between each team members (team members  help each other to learn English)
• Select a team leader who is liked & respected by all members of the team (Captain selection)

The humble Puja Ceremony by Priests in a rural landscape and the movie makers of ‘chalk de India’ may not be conversant with current team building process and technology practiced by private business organization  and those are being taught in Management Schools; however, they have intuitively used the art and science of team building. 

Former Visiting Faculty of KSOM, KIIT University and an Entrepreneur. She can be reached at:ch.tapatirout@gmail.com       

                                                                                            

 

   

 

   

MARKET FOR CONTEMPORARY ART

BIKASH CHOUDHURY

It is said ‘Odisha is the land of Art & Architecture’ only in speeches. Recently visited an art camp and exhibition at Jayadev Bhawan organized by ‘Together’ a forum of creative artist and supported by house of TATA; it was evening time and there were hardly any visitors apart from a few students of fine art from Bhubaneswar. Needless to mention there were repertoires of art on display from eminent artists and from students on various shades and techniques on many facets of life apart from the main theme-women issues. Such public apathy of art and artist is unpardonable, largely due to lack of encouragement from the state govt., few sponsors from local Industrial Houses & Business, little appreciation for art by rich & famous residents of Bhubaneswar city & across Odisha and few real connoisseurs of art and craft in political & bureaucratic leadership. All this have conspired against shaping a nascent art market in the city and therefore has not rekindled substantive public interest in art exhibitions which remain poorly attended events. Media has restricted itself to just reporting of art exhibitions and other related events; while its mandate were for shaping the public opinion on art and promote creative artist of the state. During the rules of monarchy the art, architecture and culture was actively promoted by the then rulers and their family as often they had deep personal interest on the subject. However, in our time the Member of Parliament and legislative assembly; who have replaced the ruling class of our history either ignore or don’t encourage art & artist due to lack of personal & family interest and moreover, that does not constitute any potential vote bank to be pursued with cash or kind. How do we create a vibrant market for contemporary art in the city of Bhubaneswar? First of all we need to create awareness among school & college students for appreciation of art and simultaneously develop a taste for art; which would later transform into genuine public interest in art & architecture. Art lovers across the world agree that art has the potential to change the attitude of mankind, inspire new ideas & ideologies in other creative pursuits and also drive innovation in science and technology. All developed societies have espoused the cause of art and artist at all times. Therefore, people in our city, social groups, business organizations, non-govt. organizations and our state govt. should pioneer the cause of promotion of art and artist in the city in the larger interest of socio-economic progress of the state. For a change individuals and organizations in the city should try to invest a certain portion of their surplus resources in buying art works every year; that could encourage artist to travel to the depth of their consciousness and experience to put art on the canvas to make us and our society much richer. No army has ever marched on an empty stomach neither any artist could display his excellence without optimum resources funded by market. And, market is mostly driven by ‘Glamour Quotient’; it is possible to create an aura around the Art & Artist taking a cue from IPL in sports. But, you will need a passionate sponsor and promoter of art like Lalit Modi in cricket. Our city has plenty numbers of business men turned politicians, media barons & bureaucrat turned political party boss, Eduprenures of Global reputation  and mafia turned businessmen with very deep pockets who can have an image makeover by giving a leg up to the art world of Odisha. Our state Govt. could become biggest investor of art in the beginning; apart from facilitating to showcase the very rich Odia School of art & architecture in mature markets like New York, London, Paris and Dubai. Any takers?  

#Flat No: 105, Kalpatru Nivas Apartment, Swarnapuri Road, Patia, Bhubaneswar-751024 India Mob: 9853426657 E-Mail: streben.marke@gmail.com Twitter: @ ideasofhope       

AGENDA FOR THE NEW PREMIER

Bikash Choudhury

Forty Five days from now a new premier would take office at South block in New Delhi after the election result were public on 16th May 2016 with a complete mandate to lift this country from gross despair and desperation. Country has already found itself an astute and market savvy central bank governor in Raghuram Rajan who has started to put bricks to strengthen our financial system and monetary policy for the larger goal of macro economic stability. But, it would be the call of new premier and his Govt. to set the direction of the economy with their proactive decisions and management of bloated bureaucracy in central govt. to meet the expectation of people. Therefore, it is interesting to speculate about the agenda of the new Prime Minister. For a change the new prime minister could choose to have a principal secretary from industry than from bureaucracy; some body like Indira Nooui, as much for symbol as for the substance. A person of Nooui’s ability could help the new prime minister to execute his agenda oblivious of bureaucratic log-jam if any; further, she has no mean global reputation for performance with purpose which could be her single most contribution to the new govt.

Further, if the new premier wish to recoup the looses of past sixty plus years in sixty plus months; then, he should know that well enough----it is impossible to deliver in such a scale alone; he would need a team of four deputy premier to help him execute his vision while giving the premier the time and space to select the Strategic Direction from time to time. That should also help to evolve a loyal and committed core team while balancing the administrative necessity of large country as ours and political expediency of personal political ambitions of his senior colleagues in the cabinet. It would be also imperative to leave behind the bitterness of hard fought general election campaign and move to build a National Consensus on the Strategic Direction for the country. It is possible to bring about a consensus on “India the Global Economic & Political Power of 21^st Century”. The new govt. and the opposition could break bread while discussing over the finer points of such a proposition. The new Govt. is going to inherit a litany of issues from a virtually defunct, dysfunctional and at times an impotent predecessor govt.; however, the new Govt. could wisely choose five to ten items for a fast drive in 1^st year that would have multiplier effect in other sectors. In my opinion ‘water’ remains central to our life and civilization and therefore it should be on top of our hit list; that should look after the conservation, augmentation and management of water that alone would have a great impact on our Agriculture & Agriculture productivity apart from Dairy, Fishery and Water transportation sectors. The other important issues could be ‘women’, ‘infrastructure’, and ‘ease of doing businesses’ and ‘connectivity in land, air and in the seas’ and ‘policing’ and many others. It is very important for the new Govt. to be straight with its people and communicate regularly what it propose to do and how? This should transform the hopes of millions of young people in India with concrete result on the ground. Hope is in the air for a better time for all of us.

#Flat No: 105, Kalpatru Nivas Apartment, Swarnapuri Road, Patia, Bhubaneswar-751024 India Mob: 9853426657 E-Mail: streben.marke@gmail.com Twitter: @ ideasofhope      

     

TEENAGE SUICIDE

Bikash Choudhury

There was a late night mobile call which I could not attend due to deep slumber or due to painful sleep disorder on the heat of scorching summer which has hit many of us very badly. Next day morning there was a call to inform that 13 year old son of a close friend committed suicide for doing poorly in his 7^th class examination. This was as shocking to me as it would be for the readers of this esteemed news paper. I visited my friend with family to console and to find out what went wrong and if it were possible to save another precious and innocent teenage life? What we gathered from our visit was that the boy Pintu (name changed) was slightly introvert for his age and he had no real friends except his parents and he was very good at studies apart from being a very good looking and an impressionable boy, having a room to himself where he probably fiddle with gadgets apart from studies. He was also very keen on digital photography. He just had shifted to a new school with better reputation in the city and some how he could not do that well in the exam and his score came down by 30% from his old school; which created heart burn for the child and may be a little for the parents concerned. Within four days of the school result Pintu took his life in his thirteenth year. This may not have been an easy decision for the boy; but, his academic reputation in the joint family and among the peer groups was so much so that he did not find life worth living for. Is this a teenage decision? The information age of today and social networking overdose has made millions of teenagers in schools half baked adult and rub their child hood the wrong way. Further, dime a dozen Reality Soaps in the small screens have infact made scores of teenagers the real bread winners of the family. Some times the Parental greed and in some cases the impact of demonstration effect has created its own mirage of instant success story of beach side bungalows, fast cars and the liberty of globe trotting in first class comfort; and, that have created immense pressures on the tiny heads in our contemporary society. Some times it hits us with very unusual incidents of teenage suicide which is rare but growing incidents could be routine next; if it were not addressed properly. The solution remains with Parents at homes and Teachers in schools; children are very good imitators like a monkey and they are easily influenced by what they see in their parents and hear from teachers in schools. I guess Parents would be little more cautious with their kids keeping in view their Information Age rather than real age. And, avoid thrusting upon their unfulfilled aspiration on children; as that would eventually be counter productive for a holistic growth of a person and personality. Teachers should henceforth held themselves responsible for a healthy harvest of good and responsible citizens by impressing upon the students about life beyond success and temporary failures as those are events in a long span of productive life to learn and move on with life for greater and gross public good. Can we prevent another teenage suicide happening in our neighborhood?

#Flat No: 105, Kalpatru Nivas Apartment, Swarnapuri Road, Patia, Bhubaneswar-751024

Mob: 9853426657 E-Mail: streben.marke@gmail.com Twitter: @ ideasofhope