Open Wide the Indian Boundaries
by Vijay Anand
If you are one who has traded in the Stock Market and had anyone sensible enough to teach you the ropes, the first rule is that when everything starts to drop, its a good time to buy. The rule is simple. When everyone is heading one direction, there is probably – and with very high probability – a chance to make money if you head the other direction.
Given the economic climate, the first thing every country out there seems to be intend on doing is to plug their capital leakages, and in most cases seems to be shutting down outsourcing, closing borders to immigrants and workers, and the usual shabang. Close the doors, lock it tight and throw away the keys till we figure this thing out seems to be the attitude.
This is all just so wrong.
The US is such a fabulous country for one reason. Because the land gave opportunity for entrepreneurs to succeed. It was a fresh soil, they got rid of all the natives and with no prior baggage in terms of history, it was all open to those who arrived to build the nation. And building almost always came with perks – of becoming rich.
We need to do the same here in India.
Its election time in India, and not sure if anyone is reading blogs and listening to the voices that go on here, but if there is someone listening, they should seriously consider opening the boundaries of this country for any national from anywhere in the world to come here, and setup shop. We should even go as far as providing these startups with space and some financial support to get them on their feet.
We have very little to lose, and so much to gain if we do this. We would;
a) Have more entrepreneurs coming here, looking at everyday problems of ours and trying to fix them effectively, essentially building this country. And Making money.
b) Bringing a fresh and radical outside perspective which doesnt carry the cynical attitude that we carry towards change.
c) Will leapfrog India into an International zone, creating various modes of expression and lifestyle services, that will make us unique and original, rather than imitations of the west.
d) Entrepreneurship is the fastest way to create most jobs.
As I said, if anyone out there is listening, You make this part of your mandate, and You have my vote and support.
Sadly Entrepreneurship and innovation lacks in India and is not on the priority list of the Indian Government. An Entrepreneur has zero respect in India. Corporate India only respects an MBA from IIM or a CA degree not innovation, thats the reason why people in India aspire to have an MBA or a CA degree and work 70 hours a week for their employer only to retire broke and not being able to afford basic needs…Wasted talent and brain drain.
The cynic in me would read it for the politican as “how can I help you make money to help me make money”. That’s the problem we have to solve first.
The politicians. Period. They’re the best entrpnrs the country has — They made truck loads of money for themselves, out of plain thin air!
Nice one mate. but one thing jumped into the mind “they got rid of all the natives”… hopefully you were being sarcastic there?
but other than that, how do you beat the politicians? with a lack of transparency there is just too much imbalance.. I mean the other day Mulayam Sing Yadav was so plain about his “get rid of english, computers and high corporate pay” plans, that no one even squirmed for a second.
I guess that comes down to lack of education… it is in the best intersts of the politicians to keep the poor and down trodden uneducated … how else do you take advantage of a majority?
true entrepreneurship (atleast in india) wont come from the government, it will come from (good) money via talent that would return to india and apply pressure for change.. am i just wishing for too much here?
I have rhymed something very similar in one of my blog posts.”….I’d want an American, a Korean, a German, a Kenyan and even a Pakistani to think that India is a land of opportunity and this is the place where they can come and realize their dreams…..” Infact why only enterpreneurs, we should open our boundaries for education as well. In the history of the humanity, the places that have flourished as centers of civilization have one trait that is common and that is – those places have welcomed people from all over the world regardless of their religion, cast etc. Ofcourse, its easier said than done… (and in election time if you come up with a manifesto that promises this, you’d be treated as “anti-nationalist”)
Aspiring Indian Entrepreneur:
Nobody will respect someone because of their lifestyle choice, and that goes for entrepreneurs too.
Actually I think you are drastically oversimplifying it here. The govt does know about all these things, and there is money being spent on what needs to be done. Its the execution level that is horribly gone bad. But then again, how many smart people you know of go join the government and work for things to change?
Indus:
Great point. I am sure the guy who takes this up will gain the majority support of most of the youths in this country
Sri Panyam:
I know its quite sad. But I am sure as always, eventually talent will make capital dance.
Abhijit:
Will certainly go through that post of yours.