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"India can become a world leader"
"India could be a tremendous source of inspiration to the West, if she gave up aping Western nations in the pursuance of their nuclear armament programme."
India can inspire the USA in many ways, says American author-cum-management expert Vance Sherwood Engleman.
At a time when many pursue a single point agenda, "Go West," can India apply the brakes and change track to its advantage and become a source of inspiration to the US and other Western nations? Possible says Mr. Engleman, who believes in the Gandhian principles of self-reliance and sustenance. India can inspire America in many ways, he says.
A specialist in strategic planning, impact evaluation, executive team building, management training, screening talented people, member of the Board of Advisors of the International Centre of Gandhian Studies and Research in New Delhi, Mr. Engleman is the Director of Options International, a sole proprietorship management consultant practice.
On his recent visit to Madurai to participate in his book release function, he shared his perspective of future India and what the US and the West can learn from India in a candid talk with J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar.
"INDIA CAN become a world leader if she focuses her attention on development rather than upping defence expenditure, eliminate corruption at high places rather than being content with the status quo, and pursue a non-nuclear proliferation programme rather than a minimum deterrent nuclear programme," says Mr. Engleman.
Mr. Engleman has a high regard for India especially its unity in diversity, and respect for democracy and social justice.
He says, "India could be a tremendous source of inspiration to the West, particularly the US, England and France, if she gave up aping Western nations in pursuance of their nuclear armament programme."
He reminisces about his arrival at the Dum Dum Airport in 1968 on his maiden visit to India. Since then, he has visited India 15 times.
Though he is 68, he has no qualms about travelling and exchanging ideas with Indians on humanness and development.
"India should not be apprehensive of Pakistani aggression because the latter can do little harm to India. Indian leadership should cut down the huge defence expenditure and divert attention towards enhancing the pace of development."
However, India should not think in terms of becoming Westernised, instead it must step up its development programme and overcome the threat of competition from its neighbour, China, in the international arena.
India has close semblances with America, especially the state of homelessness and poverty that afflict both nations. If India solved these problems, then America might get inspired and rethink its agenda of taking pride in possessing weapons of mass destruction and resolve the problems of poverty and homelessness.
"It is high time India diverted attention towards eradicating poverty and dispelling the state of homelessness," he said. The people should not be allowed to be dependent on anyone for sustenance. The Gandhian principles of self-reliance and self-sustenance must be imbibed. Self-sufficiency can be attained if poverty is overcome, he says.
"My book came into being because of India and is reflective of my experience and observation of the country," he says.
"I love India passionately, largely because of its great history and diverse culture and also because it is one of the largest democratic nations in the world. It is unique because it is the birthplace of the Mahatma and Rabindranath Tagore."
N. Radhakrishnan, Chairman, Indian Council of Gandhian Studies, New Delhi, released Mr. Engelman's book, In search of profound humanness, at a function held at the Gandhi Museum library in Madurai recently.
The secretary of the museum, S. Pandian, received the first copy.
"The book is about the human journey to become the best. I used various art forms of approach to writing to grab the consciousness of the reader's inner self," Mr. Engelman said.
He says that as a democrat he believes in social justice and endeavours to make life better for everyone.
As a specialist in strategic planning throughout the US and at the international level, Mr. Engelman has been providing a comprehensive summary of management techniques and best practices, compiled as a result of more than 25 years of providing consulting services to business managers and executives. While he was chairman of the executive committee of Pittsburgh, Mr. Engelman worked with presidents and chief executive officers of small- to medium-sized businesses, ranging from two million to one billion dollars in annual sales.
He has interviewed 400 presidents and CEOs as potential members and became closely involved with 50 companies.
"The Americans can become true globetrotters if they visit India. Many visit the Western nations, which they presume to have a culture akin to theirs. But, their lives can change for the better if they come to India, which has a rich mosaic of culture and tradition. Further, India's faith in non-violence, one of the cardinal principles advocated by Mahatma Gandhi, will bring the needed transformation in their lives."
"I am engaged in promoting a partnership between the two nations, particularly the travelling public, and I promise to do a good job because both nations have a lot to learn from each other. India can learn the rewards of punctuality and time management from America."
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Life
Chennai
Coimbatore
Hyderabad
Kochi
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Thiruvananthapuram
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