The Hindu Business Line : ‘Technology must be leveraged to ensure equitable growth’

New York, Sept. 23 As the Incredible India brand is being promoted in New York this week, in an effort to engage the who’s who in the American corporate world in particular and the American people in general, what do two top Indian corporate honchos think about the growing inequalities at home?

Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, CII President and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, agrees that as the world begins to look at the success of Indian industry and corporates with a new respect, corporate India too will have to give a big push to issues such as the availability of education and skill sets to the socially disadvantaged classes.

Answering a question at a press conference organised by the CII to give details about the ongoing ‘Incredible India@60’ campaign in the US, he said that in their personal capacity, many corporates were financing educational efforts in India.

His own organisation had taken up 1,000 schools in Rajasthan, while Mr Nandan Nilekani, who is Chairman of the Incredible India@60 campaign, is also doing his bit, as well as several others.

The US campaign aims to unravel many facets of India – from art and culture to Bollywood and Indian cuisine.

CII’s Chief Mentor, Mr Tarun Das, has taken special interest in ensuring that youth from rural and disadvantaged sections achieve a special set of skills that open up new employment opportunities for them.

“But we do realise that the problem we have is a massive one and there is going to be no quick-fix to it,” he added.

Mr Nilekani’s wife, Ms Rohini, heads Pratham, a voluntary organisation that works in educating poor children.

Mr Nilekani said that despite “a big push,” there is only so much that the private sector can do.

Ultimately these are Government issues, for which huge Budget outlays are already being made.

Mr Mittal added that if technology – be it IT and ITES or telecom – had helped fuel the growth of the Indian economy, it’s once again technology that has to be leveraged to ensure equitable growth.

Admitting that growing inequality would only add to social tensions, Mr Nilekani said: “These are the issues that will decide whether India ultimately becomes a banana republic or a modern, vibrant democracy; the choice is ours.”

Mr Tarun Das added: “Yes, there are challenges like this, but the important thing is that we recognise these challenges and will have to learn to deal with them.”

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