Coming Out of the Closet – Who is B Shantanu?
*** CAUTION: LONG POST ***
My name is Shantanu Bhagwat. Some of you who are reading this know me…Most of you do not.
I am was* a partner in a venture capital firm in London. I have spent more than seven years at this firm…working with some very smart people, investing in a few fascinating ideas and meeting some truly talented people …
Prior to Amadeus, I worked briefly at another great firm…Monitor Co. Some of you may know of Monitor as Michael Porter’s firm. Others may have heard of Monitor’s blue-chip connections.
And before Monitor, I was part of India’s “charmed circle†– the civil services – as a diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service…During the time that I was in the IFS, were the several years I spent in Japan. That was also where my daughter was born. Japan will always have a special place in my heart.
But this post is not about Japan. It is about India.
Compared to a vast majority of my fellow citizens, I have had a privileged existence – at least for the past many many years…And I was also extremely fortunate to have the opportunities to realise my potential…
Many of our fellow citizens are denied this opportunity. For them, the doors to a better, brighter future are shut…for them, the joy of achievement is something that they may never experience.
For them, each day is a monumental struggle, each moment a study in despair, frustration and hopelessness…
It does not have to be like that.
I belong to a very rich and blessed country…Yet my fellow Indians are destitute and miserable.
Have you ever paused to think why? Have you ever paused to think what can you do about it? Have you ever paused to think how can this be changed?
Until a few years ago, whenever I had thoughts like these, I used to talk to a few friends, make a few phone calls, find something worthwhile that someone was doing and make a charitable contribution…
I could then sleep peacefully at night – believing that I had done my bit for my country…Isn’t charity very uplifting and ennobling?
Gradually it dawned on me that charity will not solve this problem – it cannot. I realised that the roots of our poor development, the suffering of millions, the pain and the despair that the vast majority face everyday were elsewhere.
*** Identifying the roots of the problem ***
It was becoming clearer to me that India’s *fundamental problem* was poor governance and bad policies… and there was only one way to change that…Fortunately that way did not require a bloody revolution.
One of the “blessings†of being an Indian is to belong to a democracy, to a system where change can be brought about by popular will – and does not have to be forced down the barrel of a gun…
But living amidst freedom, amidst a free society, entails responsibilities and duties…somewhere along the way, we – the healthy, educated and fortunate citizens of India – began to take the “fruits†of freedom (free speech, individual liberties, rule of law) for granted and forgot the responsibilities that these entailed…
Responsibility to think about our policies, responsibility to participate in the political process, responsibility to act…
For this, I do not blame the vast majority of our population whose life is a daily struggle for survival and basic dignity…You cannot think of policy on an empty stomach…and you cannot feel patriotic as you walk miles to get a “haandi†of “drinkable†water…
But what about you and me? You and me who are most likely reading this sitting somewhere comfortable, with our stomachs full, with enough bread on the table, enough food in the refrigerator, enough water to have a bath twice a day if you want?
What about you and me who are fortunate but shy away from thinking about the unfortunate?
What about you and me whose stomachs are full but who salve their conscience by donating to charity?
What about you and me whose response to misery has so coarsened that looking away from a beggar is no longer a conscious activity but a reflex action?
What about you and me who only feel patriotic on 15th August and possibly 26th January?
What about us?
Why don’t we think about what is wrong with our policies? our governance?
What can possibly cause starvation deaths in a country that produces enough food for its billion-plus population?
What can possibly cause farmers to attempt suicide and sell their daughters for a few dollars?
How can it be water is actually “sold†in Cherrapunji – which receives the highest rainfall anywehe in the country?
How can it be that we can launch satellites in space but cannot ensure a basic dignity of life to the millions who are our poor?
*** The way forward ***
These questions began to trouble me…and have been haunting me for the past few years.
Alongside, there were other issues…many issues that made me feel angry, helpless, frustrated and dejected…
During the last few months, it felt that this cycle of anger, frustration, despair and deep desire to do something radically different was being repeated ever few days…
Reading the news every morning used to make the stomach turn or cause my blood pressure to rise…Every discussion about India came to be tinged with bitterness, anger and rage…until I stopped discussing “politics†with friends completely.
My only solace was my semi-anonymous blog and a few internet groups where I found kindred souls..
Then something happened…
Almost unconsciously, I felt the change…
I still remember the triggers…The first was probably the shameful perversion of democracy on the floor of the house on 22nd July. In response to my post on this subject, Sanjeev Sabhlok challenged everyone to either rise and do something about it or shut up.
That shook me to the core….it hurt ..but it probably hurt even more because it was true…
How long can we wail and beat our chests about the rot, the decay in the system? How long can we continue to cry about the despair and the frustration it generates? How long will we contend ourselves with post-dinner discussions and wake up the next morning pretending (or worse, forgetting) that everything was really OK?
The second trigger were the blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad…Ironically, I had been to both these cities just a few days before…But strangely it did not feel like I had cheated death…
I tried to remember when was the last time I had felt really close, very close to being scared…
Regular readers of my blog (and friends) noticed the change in me…one even said, they could feel my anger by reading the posts on the blasts.
I was glad that my feelings had found an outlet…but this was not enough…clearly a lot more needed to be done…
Somewhere down the line, sometime in the last few weeks, these feelings turned into something positive – a positive determination to do something…a positive determination to bring about change…a positive determination that we will succeed.
Other events and things happening around me, helped make the decision…I watched with awe and fascination as the Obama campaign changed the paradigm of fund-raising in the US by reaching out at the grassroots… I began to read about interesting experiments that were happening around “crowd-fundingâ€.
I realised that I had to think differently – almost like an entrepreneur – here…what I had was an idea and a grand vision that could change the world…now I needed to make that happen…
I tried to distil down all the years of insight, experience, things I had learnt sitting on the other side of the table.
I began to think how could a group of committed and passionate people break the mould?
How could we change the paradigm of popular politics, of vote-banks, electoral compromises and sub-serving of national interest? How could we take this powerful idea – an idea of changing India – and actually make it work?
Success in this “venture†may not make any of us super-rich but it will put India on a vastly different growth trajectory…I realised that if we did succeed, we will have a chance to make the 21st century, India’s century and help India reclaim her rightful place of pride in the community of nations…
…and even if we failed, it will not be for want of trying…
But this is not about the risks of failure…it is not about failure at all…This is about determination…a determination to change the way things are…a determination to create opportunities for our fellow citizens…a determination to try and do our best so that millions may live better…
This is about determination to “Change Indiaâ€â€¦and it is about hope…
Hope that many will support us…Hope that we are not alone…Hope that the time has come…Hope that when the going gets tough, we will not loose heart or courage…Hope that even in darkness, we will be able to carry the light in our souls…
And it is about belief…Belief and faith in ourselves…and the strength of our convictions.
For me, this is a defining moment, there is now no turning back.
Next: “Changing India: One Step at a Timeâ€
* UPDATE: I left the firm in 2009 to spend more time in (and on!) India…The rest is here on the blog…
Indeed, how many of us so called ‘educated, well to do’ Indians stop for a moment and wonder what kind of a Nation we bequeath our children and grand children. The enormous list of short comings and failures can eventually be traced to Poor Governance. A revolution, a fundamental change in the way we think and do things is needed and it must happen through the democratic process.
It is gut wrenching to see the current crop of politicians destroying India. There is so much one could write about what ails the Nation and its people, and many, more articulate than I, have done so-but to what avail?
Dear B Shantanu:
I totally concur with your sentiments, feelings, observations and concussions.I support your suggestions and the mission.Indian community should be grateful as to your initiative and if not able to directly act on it, at least should support and nurture.
Greesh
@ shantanu: 2 ? i have
1)Why your company amadeus, is mentioning the place of birth or origin in all of yours partners profile???..
and how does the above parameter help in adding to the bottomline of the company?
2)Global Markets: An Amadeus company thinks of its natural home market as global, not local. Your business must have the capability of exploiting global opportunities, even if it isn’t doing so at the moment.
could you pls explain me what is the basic funda of the above para..mainly ” company thinks of its natural home market as global, not local. Your business must have the capability of exploiting global”
so i could understand n apply it in my business
P.S. I was glad to see the word “Marathi” in the languages spoken by you on your companies website..in the ranks on other nations language .. मराठी चा à¤à¥‡à¤‚डा असाच फडकत राहिला पाहिजे
Very evocative. Two suggestions: at least your year of birth cd be mentioned somewhere (your admirers may like to know whether you’re young or not-so-young!), and whether you’re an Indian citizen!
Looking forward to your next post.
PS
I was in the IAS (1968) and the kinds of issues that bother(ed) you bother(ed) me too! I did what I cd while I was there but, after completing pensionable service, preferred early retirement in 1999.
PPS
For those in India who grumble at the state of affairs, my response to them is they have no right to do so unless they vote – it is the least they can do as citizens! That shuts them up!
***
I do feel strongly that Indians MUST vote – it is our first civic duty. I also feel strongly about “privileged” Indians who’ve chosen to settle abroad telling us all that is wrong about our country – and that is why they left it – but doing nothing selflessly to make things better in this country they preferred to leave (you’re obviously an exception!).
i feel proud of shantanu first as an indian and secondly as a maharashtrian ,leading a successful life as a professional abroad . he says he is successful and happy in life . i always try to point out to my talented marathi friends to venture abroad and show their talent to the world , rather than getting caught in the local political melee . a lot of times i m misunderstod by them . i hope shantanu can explain to them better what i m trying to convey .
It was nice reading about you and your work. I found your this post more interesting than any of your other post. Till now I was afraid where do my comments goes, who is the person who is handling my views and opinions. But now I know it goes to right place and to right person who has determination and courage to change India.
All The Best for taking a challenge of changing India. And I Hope there are other Shantanu’s at each and every corner of India who are as passionate and far sighted as you about India.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Jai Hind!
Dear Shantanu.
The feeling you expressed are of most “Middle class Educated”, except that those who think this way keep it to themselves. They do not come out open. It is good that you have shown the courage to come out open, now you will find followers to your way of thinking BUT be careful that there may be “Wolf under the sheep’s skin”
I felt discrimination both in India ( my own country ) and abroad too. My personal belief is that because we do not stand together against the injustices done to us ( Hindus particularly). I speak only for my community because I have evidence to the theory of “conspiracy and agenda” of Worlds English Media (that includes Indian Media too). Islam and Christianity have funds to distort the reality on the ground. Judaism is a different cattle of fish. They manage their might because they “stand United” against their “friends or foes”
My beginning of life has taught me many things and I learned it hard way.
There is lot to write but actions should speak louder than words.
Dr. Ambekar.
..Waiting for your next post.
Dear All: Thanks for your comments and encouragement.
***
@ Ashutosh: You are right. It is very easy to find faults but more difficult to propose solutions – especially practical solutions that would work in a democratic system like ours…and that are based on the fundamental ideology of choice, liberty or freedom.
That will be one of the main focus of my work.
***
@ Greesh: Thank you for your support… I will need lots of it in the months and years to come.
***
@ Mahesh: The reason behind mentioning nationality on Amadeus’ webpage is that we want to demonstrate the broad, international element of the team and the fact that we really believe in diversity.
Re # 2, what it means is that we want to support and build companies that have global ambitions and are not just looking at the domestic market. This is important as globalization is rapidly erasing trade boundaries and unless companies begin to look outside their home markets (and I am specifically talking of high-tech companies here), they may not grow and worse, may be swamped by competition from US or indeed Asia.
***
@ Krishen-ji: Thanks. Year of birth is ’66. So I am a young 42 years old (I hope that does not turn off all the young readers here!)
and yes, I am proud Indian citizen.
There is a story behind why I quit IFS after just 9 years (but it is best narrated in person)…No luck with pension (as the tenure fell well short of minimum service requirements) but by God’s grace, I should be fine.
Separately, We will need advice and guidance from you and others with such experience as we go along…
I hope we will have your support.
***
@ Tarique: Thank you…I will now be getting caught in the local “political melee” as you put it…but really there is no other way…
If all of us turn our backs to our society and country, who will be left to fix the home?
So yes, people should venture abroad or wherever their talents take them but at some point in thier lives, they should also start thinking about what they can do for improving India…That does not mean that everyone has to join active politics…but everyone must at least think about these issues…
The ones I I have very little sympathy (or time) for are those who have no interest or commitment to do anything for people back home and/or those who just grumble about the state of affairs (as Sh Kak put it) but do little else.
***
@ Indian: You are right…We need MANY more such people…in thousands if not more…Hopefully this site can become a platform for getting them together in some form…
***
@ Dr Ambekar: Thank you for sharing your thoughts…Your last line touched me…”…actions should speak louder than words”.
So true…
***
@ Manoj: Thanks…Netx post either today or tomorrow.
Dear Shantanu,
My thoughts were not misplaced. Let me congratulate myself for it! You were an eyeopener to my thoughts, I really thank you for it.
You gave a window of opportunity for many of us who were thinking but no place to put our thoughts across. You have also brought together a milieu of people to express themselves on a commomn platform.
THANK YOU!
Tarique! I beg to differ with you. We have been running away from our responsibilities as humans over the years and we are now reduced to this level. Will running away help us out of this cauldron of trouble or sitting up and fighting will provide us a base.
Today we can articulate and change scenarios by the method of informatrion, both visual and basic.
People are aware of the problems of the farmer in Vidharba and the Arushi murder case and also the bombings in Assam; You name it people are coming together to make a difference.
People are recognising the weakness of the system and will like to do something different. Today we welcome communications in languages other than English and we are not ashamed about it.
As I have referred to in one of my mails in this blog things are changing and we will miss the fun when it happens if we start running away.
As I have said in my other mail in this blog the world likes a fighter and the greater UNDERDOG he is the greater a fight for him.
Let us enjoy the chaleenge and give it a run for the fun of it.
We are not going to lose anything more than what we have lost. We have everything to gain.
Regards,
vck
I, for one, am a person who do not believe everyone can be saved. The reason is I do not believe there is enough resource in the world to overcome poverty.
Humanity has reached this stage by embracing progress, cutting out the weak. US became strong first by attracting people who were willing to risk it all by moving to US and then empowering them to take risks and become entrepreneurs. For most of its history and to their fortune, it worked. China is becoming strong, because it has an iron clad regime that ensures it happens. Any dissent is taken care of. Neither look to encourage the weak or side with them. In India, we lag behind in empowering people to become entrepreneurs to make bold decisions. Decisions are made in a committee and fall into bureaucratic quagmire which look to make popular decisions rather than the correct ones.
For example, at the time of independence (or at least well before 1983 when I was born), we failed to ensure a law of population control, though a two child policy was encouraged. As a result, the policy was reasonably implemented in the educated sections of the society while not so in the uneducated ones (I do not have stats to prove this, but from what I understand in other readings, this is the case). The uneducated lacked resources to take care of their seven or eight children and as a result, the “poor situation” has escalated.
Correcting the mistake now in the current democratic setup will not be possible because it still will not be popular.
Our political setup is completely out of date. This can be easily conveyed by comparing with the US political system. One reason US as a democracy has been a success is because :
1) It is virtually a two party system – Anyone who do not agree with the two parties do not have a say in what happens in the country. This is significant is the Indian context, because we scattered with region based parties who are mainly concerned about holding on to their regional vote bank. Everybody has a self serving opinion and it will be heard in a national context (because of coalition politics), but in US it is contained. As a result, in US national interest prevails, while in India, it is regional interests. We cannot move forward as a nation with regionalism inherent in our political system.
2) It is a Presidential democracy – It empowers a person to lead the country. It is a risky decision, as seen in the case of W, but an executive in US is not bound by his party and can make decisions that are believed to be right, though the party may disagree. (No bureaucratic quagmire and faster decision making). It has for its part worked in US. Also, the party is not bound by the candidate. Though politically W was a disaster for GOP, McCain can still harbor thoughts of winning till election day.
Bringing this to India, I do not believe it will be politically feasible to ban region based parties given their current influence at the national level. But we can phase them out with a bit of social engineering by bringing the two national parties to the forefront. (It is a far fetched thought, but I suggest this only because I do not see any other way). The second however is not difficult – introducing a Presidential democracy.
I do not believe India can move forward without getting out of the current political setup. Also, as things stand, I expect regionalism and antagonism towards other communities to believe, unless the central government reels in the region based parties. I’ve written abt this earlier in part, though I doubt hardly anyone has read it (Yes, this is a self serving comment to attract some eyeballs to my rarely read blog and u r welcome to delete this, if it is inappropriate 🙂 )
Looking forward for ur next post in this thread.
You have rightly stated the problem. The solution is missing. You want to do somthing but what…
Dear Shantanu
I’m delighted to find out more about you. I am very glad that you are clear about what most NRIs have not yet clear – that throwing money at charitable institutions and feeding a child here or there is not going to be enough for India. It is good but not enough.
You have spoken like a true leader. You are right to note that Obama has tapped into the vast need for change in USA (whether the change he is advocating is of the right sort is a matter that only time will tell: I have many reservations about his policies). In any event it is time for leaders like you to step out and offer India your vision and plan of action.
I know you have been a member of the Freedom Team (http://freedomteam.in) for a while and have raised many issues on the team, all of them quite valid. But the challenge now is to not simply ask questions but to show the way, to create new ways.
There is no limit to what India can achieve, and what its young leaders can do in this networked world. Bringing together like minded people; making sure that we are developing true leadership among all (including ourselves) and not belittling any viable option; making sure that we are flexible and open to new leaders emerging everywhere in the country; building trust based only on (in my view) a stringent test of self-interest – these and others are the challenges ahead.
It bothers me everyday (I can’t recount enough how subtle the hints that flow everyday on these matters in the West) that Indians are looked down upon as incapable of achievement even as we know that India has the history of being – without any doubt in my mind at least – the world’s most advanced civilisation for thousands of years. So why do we misbehave in our Parliament and why do we allow fools to create policies for us?
It is not good enough for us to be the world’s best in IT or chess or cricket or a few things here or there. We need to learn the rules of ‘world best practice’ on each policy frontier and then go beyond the frontier. We cannot have home-made gilli-danda in the Parliament and policies dished out by people who have ABSOLUTELY no policy understandings.
We are governed by the corrupt and incompetent, even as those who know better avoid getting anywhere near the electoral system. It is time to change that and to attract the best to Indian politics.
I trust your next contribution will show us where you propose to go – a plan to raise an army of leaders to demolish socialism and bad policy in every corner of India’s governance.
My father sent this the other day: “Give us power not to become insensitive and silent spectators to social, moral and political evils and bestow us necessary wrath to fight these evils†(Rig Veda 1-97-8)
Also, let us recall Vivekananda: ‘Liberty in thought and action is the only condition of life, growth and well-being: Where it does not exist, the man, the race, and the nation must go down.’
India has forgotten its message of freedom. It is time to re-assert our heritage.
Regards
Sanjeev
(I would also like to make a pitch for my forthcoming book which is now being printed and will be available next month. Orders can be placed with the publisher by going to:
http://www.sanjeev.sabhlokcity.com/breakingfree.html
and clicking on the order form linked on that page. This book lays out a potential blueprint for India to consider. I trust your readers will find at least some merit in this blueprint.)
Hi Shantanu,
Appreciate your time and efforts and moreover salute your thought of helping others.
Bringing necessary and good changes in our political system would obviously solve many of our country problems. Need actual leaders who can drive our country towards fairness, prosperity and liberty. Its high time to stop corrupted, incapable people coming in and survive as politicians.
We need institutional changes that make the politicians accountable, bringing transparency in the system. The system should allow only honest and capable people becoming leaders. We need new political culture where politicians are just to serve the society.
There is an organisation, which has been extensively working with such great objectives. Though you are part of it, I would request the readers to have a look at below website.
http://www.loksattamovement.org — The Silent Revolution
http://www.loksatta.org — New Political Culture
It is high time to think and act. Join Loksatta Movement, the silent revolution, the second freedom movement. Thanks for your time.
I think below comments will make my above comments complete.
I strongly believe Loksatta Movement address the concerns you expressed in this article. Loksatta Movement suggests solutions and have action plans to achieve the goal of building a good political system in India by restoring values. It has also made considerable progress. Please have a look at the Loksatta Movement website.
But living amidst freedom, amidst a free society, entails responsibilities and duties…somewhere along the way, we – the healthy, educated and fortunate citizens of India – began to take the “fruits†of freedom (free speech, individual liberties, rule of law) for granted and forgot the responsibilities that these entailed…
Finally, we, every one of us, have to come forward with voluntary efforts, join hands to educate others and help build a better and fair system.
Let us be part of the solution. God is within the person who helps the needy. Thanks.
Shantanu, nice to read about your background. I am curious why you went into IFS – out of interest or by default (like most of seem to do when it comes to education/career).
“How can it be water is actually “sold†in Cherrapunji – which receives the highest rainfall anywehe in the country?”
I have to say this is exactly why the country is poor with few jobs are available for those who want work whether educated or not. While people recognize socialism is evil, most still think they are entitled to free things in life! There is no free anything. Even drinking water. (It’s just an example, of course).
The key to slowing down pseudo-secularists is get economic policies right and eliminating poverty. (I think Modi recognized that after a while – hence his rush to develop Gujarat.)
Anyway, good blog. Please keep it going.
@ vck: Thanks for your kind words..I am glad I have not disappointed you..
I loved your last sentence…It is worth repeating:
We are not going to lose anything more than what we have lost. We have everything to gain.
***
@ Arby: Hopefully you will have a chance to read my next post in which I have mentioned some ideas…I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts.
I don’t agree that we have lack of entreprenuers…In fact there is a post on this on my other blog:
Second, I don’t think our population is a problem…It is a liability if it is not well-fed, under-nourished, unhealthy or unskilled…But on the other hand, we have one of the greatest assets anywhere in the world…the advantage of demographics.
Poeple of my age will remember that even as recently as the early 90s, almost all of India’s ills were blamed on our “population”…I disagreed with it then and I disagree with it now (in fact, I got into a major argument on this in the early days of my career with a senior IFS officer)
You are right in pointing out the problems in our current set-up…
But what is the choice Arby?
We can either complain, grumble, curse and give up…or we can *try* and bring about change…Will it be easy? Of course not, otherwise it would have already happened…but unless you participate in the process, how can you bring about change?
We might still fail, but it should not be for want of effort, correct?
I will have a look at your blog..#
***
@ Mahesh: The beginning of the “solution” is in my next post…Hope to hear your thoughts on that.
***
Dear Sanjeev: Actually, I should be thankful to you for helping clear several ideas and thoughts that I had…Not that everything is crystal clear now but certainly there is more clarity than before…and there is enough to start with a foundation
You are absoluetly right: “(charity)…is good but not enough” .
And as you have pointed out, “…the challenge now is to not simply ask questions but to show the way, to create new ways…”. Very true…
I hope some of the ideas I have mentioned in my next post can be a beginning…
You have already mentioned some of the ideas I have been toying with…I will be pursuing them very seriously in the coming months…in particular, “…Bringing together like minded people; not belittling any viable option; making sure that we are flexible and open to new leaders emerging everywhere in the country…”
I would like to repeat what your father mentioned to you:
“Give us power not to become insensitive and silent spectators to social, moral and political evils and bestow us necessary wrath to fight these evils†(Rig Veda 1-97-8)
Indeed, it is “…time to re-assert our heritage”.
***
All: I will most probably write a separate post on FTI…In the meantime, do have a look at the website and also Sanjee’v book.
***
@ Raghava: Thanks for your comment. I am very familiar with Loksatta. I have mentioned before on this blog that amongst all the parties and new poilitical formations that I have interacted with, JP and the Loksatta’s team seems most advanced in terms of organisation, policies and having an action plan.
I would be very happy to support these efforts…I have spoken at length to Alok (and have also met Surendra and others in Mumbai)..I have some thoughts which I will share on the UK Loksatta google group (as you know, I am a member of the group)
***
@ Chandra: There is a long (and interesting story) about how I got into the IFS…(By the way, hard as it may seem to believe, my three choices of services were: IFS, Indian Information Service and Andaman and Nicobar Service!)
I often say (only half-jokingly) that my whole life has been a series of accidents, mistakes and unexpected good fortune…My first dream career was to join the Navy…that did not happen…Then it was an MBA…and in spite of having got through all the IIMs in my first attempt (someone somewhere likely made a mistake in my scores, I think), I ended up in Rourkela after my graduation…Anyways, as I said, this is a long story…for another time.
You are right that the first task is to ensure socio-economic development…and to elminate poverty…everything else can wait…it must wait…
Shantanu…gr8 to see a post about the author of this blog!…:) Its a pleasure, indeed a privilege to ultimately get to the real person behind all the postings here! Please keep up the good work of providing us readers with thought-provoking and analytical posts!
Thanks Shantanu,
Am really happy you came out of the closet and I truely appreciate the courage and will that brought you here.
You know me thro a few emails as an angry young doctor and most of our past lives have been similar.
Am an ardent fan of yours and above all even if the whole world were to stop supporting you I would be with you in your mission – till we reach success and even beyond. These are not hollow words.
I have been angry with you – cos in the past you used to sound like manmohan singh – when in some of my posts – i spat venom on karunanidhi or muslim terrorists – you sounded very secular and chopped off my posts.
Let me clarify the anger was not due to the fact my posts were chopped – I have had my share of spotlight – have been a professional model, tv news anchor, actor and now a very happy doctor based out of india who visits india every 2 months and who is very active in my own way. So its not anger at my craving to see my vomitus on ur website. its just that I thout you might become yet another rubbery spine all talk no cock person.
I am happy you proved me wrong and I salute your vision and your stand.
contact me on my drsuryas@yahoo.com or gmail.com email and we can pls let me know how I could be part of your mission.
The goodd news is as I have been telling you, there are several angry young/ not so young brains ready to rubbish our present readers and start afresh, its time to act.
Most importantly we shudnt fizzle out like the group of IIT students who started with a bang and ended nowhere. Im not finger pointing but lets include every single like mided people and beware of black sheep and march ruthlessly ahead.
I come from the troubled state of Tamilnadu where this change will be resisted tooth and nail becos the worst politicians India come from there but trust me bay Im born ready and its time to kick some ass.
Let not for a second think being aggressive is wrong – we shall be aggressive yet we shall not be loud. we shall be firm but not rabid.
I haave said the above words out of sudden happiness after reading your blog. This doesnt mean I wudnt accept your vision or ideas. These are just my humble thoughts and Im ready to walk side by side with you in difficult battles and not just lecture from the airconditioned confines of my hall.
Hello Shantanu,
I have raised all that you have mentioned in my mind and have started to try for an answer/solution.. I have been trying to make small changes in my own way.. small drops make an ocean.. but I am still standing at where I started.
“Hey there is que here,will please follow it?.. the answer was, who are you to tell me..I will barge the way I want to!”
“Listen, please dont spit on the road.. the answer was does the road belong to you? I will spit wherever I want to, get lost!’
“Excuse me, is this counter closed?”.. I got a blank stare at the post office counter after standing for quite a lot of time and did not get the person at the counter to look at me.
I can go on and on..I am not talking about people who are starving and dont have education.. So where do I start? I havent given up though!
Shantanu,
Reading the second part of your coming of the closet series…. I can see another Surya sending his comments too… Looks like there are several Suryas ready to join you!!!!!!
Let me clarify. Im Dr Surya Narayanan, who used to be a regular at your site and I also used to write in with the name rough/ roughelement. (I have also contributed comment number 19 in this thread. )
Later I had stayed away cos I felt you didnt want my ideas polluting your site.
And now Im happy to see your coming out of the closet article and have come back to you.
I am also amazed by Sanjeev Shabloks stance on several issues. Thanks to Sanjeev for being greatly instrumental in getting you here. Thanks Sanjeev.
Together we have several like minded individuals who will help us in our goals. Waiting to hear from you.
@ Sootradhaar: Thank your for your kind words of support and encouragement. I also recd. your email. I will respond to it shortly.
***
@ Dr Surya: Of course I remember you! and thanks for writing in…I am very glad to see you back here.
You are right that there is a tremendous amount of energy and desire for change which we should think about channelising…I agree that it would be imprudent to rush (and run the risk of disappointing others and failed expectations)…
I will email you to discuss some suggestions..In fact, I am considering given the number of kind offers of help that I have received whether it would be better to have a skype call between us.
Once again, thank you for taking the effort to write in and for putting your efforts and energy behind this.
P.S. You should also look at the FTI site and consider joining.
***
@ Pranathi: Glad to know that you have not given up…and you are right..small drops do indeed make an ocean…It does feel pointless at times but one must not give up hope…Anyways, I will be discussing some specific ideas in my next post on this series and we can discuss further.
You are also very welcome to join the Skype conference call which I am planning on doing sometime in the next few days.
Thanks.
Dear Shantanu,
Small drops do make an ocean, but for the drops to fall the air has to precipitate, and then we have the drops.
To precipitate we must have the right “atmosphere” and the perfect condition. If we have too much precipitation we might end up with floods, if we have too less no showers, so things have to be balanced.
It looks too pedagogic! but that is the truth. To precipitate properly things have to be in place and for things to be in place things have to be played right.
If we need to eradicate poverty we need jobs for all, but not all are not capable of either doing the job to the satisfaction of another or incapable of doing a job.
What does that mean? It means people specialise in things they are capable of doing and what they are trained for doing.
Are you getting the trend of my thought? I am sure you are, and many more on this blog also. The problem is then we end up with the spirit of satan, which is why not Adam eat the fruit of knowledge?
If everybody is to eat the fruit of every type of knowledge then we find more incompetencies and more inconsistencies and we end up neither here nor there; Only a foreboding of having lost everything and feeling miserable.
The specialisatin provides for a base for many to be encouraged to perform their work more effectively and efficiently, and consequently it provides for a group to encourage their progeny”s to take after that.
It provides for many then to interact and believe in themselves. If this is interpreted with a satanic attitude we end up the losers and the satan wins.
let us provide a base for survival for everybody according to their worthiness and capabilities and we may not need “dhan’ or “charity” with an ulterior purpose leading to emptiness and worthlessness.
Pranathi has identified a problem. Let us teach our children, our families to treat others with respect by falling in line in the queue, or not spitting on the road. It may take some time but it can happen. Just as children can be motivated to perform candle night vigils and fight for a cause, I am sure if we take the steps we can create a sense of disquiet in them and their parents and I am sure they will fall in line.
It is a long haul but we can do it, when we set our heart on it.
Regards,
vck
@ Shantanu : Regarding entrpreneurship in India, not many of them have go on for bigger things. It is not the number that is important, but the quality. US is a nation built by entrepreneurs, from Edison to Jobs. (btw, here’s a post on why India has not been able to produce rule changing entrepreneurs in our favorite sector – IT http://www.pluggd.in/entrepreneurship/microsoft-facebook-google-from-india-can-indian-society-produce-gates-larry-zuckerburg-1989/ )
Hey Arby,
That was a great take off. It is still the same. Even as of today what does a parent tell his child. Hey when is your next tution? What time do you have your Physics special class?
Tachers are worse; thay teach their children to Pass an Exam. Beyond that , HEY THAT IS NOT MY PROBLEM!
Why is it so? because a student who has failed but succeeded in another type of work will never be recogonised by his family or his peers. The first question a peer poses to his friend; Did you get 99 or 100. I missed my centum by 1/2 a mark, because I did not put a colon!
Ramanujam was treated as a failure by all until he was recogonised by the great Dr. Hardy. Today all the Indians beat their chests with pride as being one of the greatest mathematicians of the century.
Horobind Khorana couid not get promotion at his university when he worked in India. After he won the Nobel Prize, HA he becomes a great son of India!
Macalauy achieved his ambition making us a nation of Clerks.
Regards,
vck
well a wonderful and sound medium to reach out to all like minded people and I must say that the energy and your feeling for our motherland shines through all your blogs….pls. continue raising awareness and spreading knowledge through your blogs. having met you I must also add that the blogs are a true reflection of your intellect and yoru desire to invoke thoughts and questions that helps increase one’s intellect.
many thanks and pls. continue your wonderful service
While there are growing blogs, articles and occassional books echoing the thoughts and emotions as we (Shantanu and blog readers) feel here, I find there is dearth of penning these ideas in an argumentative approach in Hindi – where bulk of our population lives. It is but unfortunate that the idea of ‘Bhartiayata’ is to be propogated in English by most ‘intellectuals'(my comment falls in same category). What is left for the ordinary Indians are people like Thakreys, who instead of helping the cause just create more damage and stereotypes.
I undertand the practical difficulties of having Hindi on internet, I myself face it as it slows down my typing speed to one-tenth, but I strongly believe that a gradual shift should begin for the educated and well travelled Indians to start speakign to their masses in their own language.
In the end, we can identify ourselves only by our associations, memories and significance of quotations and teachings of Ramayana, Mahabharata, mythological stories and characters, shlokas of Geeta, teachings of panchtantra and hitopadesh, concept of Ganga maiyaas, devi shaktipeeth, jyotirlingas, tulsi in backyard, morning and evening prayers and so on… And these can only be discussed in Hindi and not English.
For my bit, I am trying to train myself better in Hindi typing and participate more in forums where I can voice my opinions. I might not be the best of the writers, but as Kabir das said “karat karat abhyas ke, jadmati hot sujan, rasari aavat jaat se, sil par parat nisaan”.. hopefully I will improve as well…
Nachiketa: Very good point… If you have written something in Hindi on topics of current interest/relevant to this blog, I would be happy to consider publishing it…
And please feel free to attempt a translation of the some of the posts here – if you think it would help.
Thanks.
Dear Shantanu
Value education (naitik Siksha)is the sole solution of every problem.Now a days we are forgetting it.It is sleeping in the corner of our mind. Just awaken it we will find new joyfull world
Amazing strong post. Resonates with me and many of my friends to the core. I agree with almost all the points – especially whats wrong is governance and policy.
If you can garner enough support and proper structure would love to immediately join you. If you need some creative brainstorming, would like to join.
I feel the best solution is to come up with a structure or system that can be done in a Private way with Public approval and funding. Just to purely challenge Government’s way of working and policy making.
Thanks Vinu (and also for your comments on the other posts). We do need creative brainstorming…Pl. leave your thoughts here or join one of the Skype calls that I am now planning on a periodic basis (we had the first one yesterday).
Re. JaagoRe (Janaagraha) folks…I know some of them but all introductions are welcome.
Look forward to the post on your blog.
Shantanu
Hi Shantanu,
You have inspired me…I am really smitten by your ideas and way of thinking…..when I was in colleage I used to work parttime and give that money to a orphange…even now I think charity is good…but you have made me think more…
Just now I stopped one blog journey..Now I am thinking to start a new one with serious thoughts…..
You are doing a good job man…
Aryan’s Mom
I received this link from Sanjay. From 26/11: A Different Message – Ramesh Ramanathan in MINT:
Of the many responses to the pieces I wrote on the Mumbai attacks, one was brutally honest. It came from AB, a Mumbaikar who had recently moved overseas.
He wrote, “What disturbs me most are exactly the points you’ve highlighted. Today, I am most angry at myself because I stand guilty of living through other terror attacks Mumbai has witnessed by indulging in the ‘Mumbai is a resilient city that bounces back from any adversity’ reaction, and then moving on to completely forget that these attacks ever happened. The sheer apathy with which we as citizens have reacted to these incidents once the media hype subsides is disgusting, to say the least.
“I have personally resolved to change that at my own individual level. The challenge I (and others like me) face is figuring out which initiatives will be sustained and where one can get involved.â€
These are the words of a successful professional.
AB’s comments on the Mumbai attacks carry two messages—the first and straightforward one is the need to care, to really feel the impact and then resolve to do something tangible about it, not assume that it’s someone else’s problem or forget about it the next day. In other words, an important message (albeit a possibly turning off sermon) about morality and responsibility.
There is a second message as well—about personal growth, and looking outside the box of one’s own life to make it more rewarding.
The odd thing about being an upwardly mobile professional is that the more successful one gets, the more conservative one becomes. Taking on something completely out of the ordinary such as figuring out what to do about the attacks, or volunteering for community work can shake us out of the straitjacket of our lives: no rules, no hierarchy to enforce, no “power†to wield, no boilerplate colleagues. And in the process, two things happen: The first is that we begin to see new challenges that exist outside our cubicles, and discover people with completely different motivations than us—very driven and possibly more passionate about their work than we could ever be. The second is that we become more creative at our own work.
Both are desirable outcomes; the first being more radical, with potentially discontinuous consequences (“I also have an idea to change the world!â€), while the second is a less turbulent way to integrate a sense of change into our lives. Incidentally, none of this needs to happen because a person is “burnt out†or becomes guilt-ridden about the vices of the corporate sector. One can still enjoy being a hard-charging marketing executive or a target-oriented sales manager.
The phenomenon of the white-collar employee and the modern corporation is relatively new in India, at least in its current form. As a result of this nouveau globalization, professionals in the corporate sector don’t really have “role modelsâ€. By default, therefore, they have fabricated a false construct of a successful professional career built around the monorail of the corporate ladder.
As the Indian corporate sector matures, more and more individuals will realize that there are multiple ways to build successful careers. Many of these begin with allowing creativity, diversity and unexpected challenges into one’s life. It’s a win-win: You can do good, and you can do well at the same time.
Take a look at the following statistics from a survey on community involvement by James Austin, professor of business studies, Harvard University, called the “Invisible Side of Leadershipâ€. Of at least 9,800 Harvard Business School graduates and 316 Fortune 5000 company CEOs:
81% were involved with non-profits and 57% were board members
Community service was not just a late life phenomenon; it began early and grew. At least 60% of recent graduates (25-29 age group) were involved with non-profits. This rose to about 90% by age 55, at which point board membership reached about 70%
CEOs were heavily involved. They generally served on four boards, double the number for the average executive, with 30% sitting on 5-11 boards; most spend 5-20 hours per month, twice the average
Community service was an integral part of executives’ lives and careers; 63% considered their non-profit involvement to be “very important†to them and another 35% “moderately importantâ€
Sometimes, this might require change not just at an individual level but also at the level of the organization itself. It’s hard to want to try different things when the organizational ethos is not enabling. In the US, a 1993 Conference Board survey of 454 companies revealed that at least 90% have formal volunteer programmes for their employees and that 86% encourage their executives to serve on non-profit boards. Indian companies may need to make it easier for professionals to make space for these activities, even if for purely self-interested reasons such as nurturing better leaders.
Maybe there is more than one reason not to forget 26/11.
***
Thanks Sanjay.
Hi Shantanu,
Blessed art thou; with talents as many, as you have and yet keep fetching.
We agree with you in to-to; we, who have the time to read your msg, understand and even be able to contribute to it.But, what about those, who are just thinking of only one thing, how to fend for tomorrow.
To that question, I suppose, answer does certainly lie in what you have enunciated.
Let us do our bit, change things, if not India, at least a wee bit of it, summation of which all wil be something worthwhile.
So, let us embark, each one with a bit of a resolve.
How about leading a movement in that direction shantanu? You seem to be a natural Leader- the kind of intellectual and effective tribe of Shrikant Jichkar and alike.
Please accpet Blessings, from Well-wishers, keep growing, keep smiling, keep helping, keep leading and there-by also keep making yourself as well as your intimate circle happy and rejoicing in the laurels so won.
Would like to get in touch with a few more concrete things next time, instead just a bit of lament, a bit of philosophy and a bit of eulogy all put together.
you,v done-thought-thinking so much.
We, lesser mortals too seem to be waking up.
Regards
Yatindra
91-9823027704
Dear Yatindra-ji,
Thank you for your kind words…There is a lot of activity and several initiatives that I am involved in..
There are also some next steps that I have suggested on this link (and its follow-up):
https://satyameva-jayate.org/2008/10/31/changing-india-one-step/
Please have a look whenever you have a moment.
Hi Shantanu,
Are you aware of this books:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Manhattan
hi shantanu
good to read about your prospective plans & revolutionary thoughts well it definately leads to lot of brain stroming and discussions however will get in detailed touch with u later
Here is Shantanu: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mABOPnhdUrk
Better answer for Who’s Shantanu? – for visitors who don’t know you personally I guess. (Delete the comment if you think it is inappropriate!) 🙂
Dear Shantanu , I just can’t describe how happy , I feel GREAT after going through your profile . You were the BEST during School days . The heights you have attained is incomparable . I called my daughter and son to read and learn from what you have attained in a very short span of time . Its marvellous , encouraging and briliantly designed . Best Wishes , Dr. Sunil Goyal ( KVIn 1984 ) .
There were so many funny statements… I belong to rich country :-)… I belong to what used to be rich country. Patriotic on 15th August/ 26th January… What about other days?
Sunil: Thanks a lot for your kind words…Pl do make others aware of this blog…There is so much more to be done…I am sur eI wil have your support in this endeavour. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
***
@ Bubba: What is the point you are/were trying to make? You are right that it is not enough to be/feel “patriotic” on 15th Aug/ 26th Jan alone…The task of nation building is a continuous pursuit.
Dear Shantanu,
We have met before. I am Priti’s father and have met you at Priti’s house or at your house during some functions. Would you please give me your personal email id so that I can share my views with you.
Give my regards to your family.
Shankar Shenai
i have already heard about you from my mother.sir i appreciate about your thoughts….but sir i who was planning iit and then politics could try for all these or he should quit plans for iit and focus on democracy
Shreyas: Your focus must be on 1] becoming self-sufficient and 2] making sure that you are able to fulfil your responsibilities.
Political activism is not something to be considered lightly. It takes an enormous amount of preparation and you will need all the support you can muster (not to mention family support)
That said, this is the right time to begin *planning* for a future political career. A good start would be getting involved with some political organisation. Secondly, pl make an extra effort to stay abreast of critical issues of national/strategic importance.
At some point, I am hoping to publish a list of blogs and twitter feeds for all to follow. That could be a good starting point in terms of raising your awareness and understanding of issues involved.
The third thing to do would be to begin connecting with like-minded people…
Hope this helps. If you need to ask me something else/ need addl. info, pl email me at jaidharma @ gmail
Sir you have talked about some political organisation to join ….i can not understand that ..i have no idea about any political organisations,…i had been surfing the pages of FTI for a long but could not understand how to contribute for it….i am not yet capable,…. and sir one last doubt…….. that i could not understand the main scene behind the ongoing Kashmir matter ….even after going through several articles of Hindustan times I could not reach to the conclusion about the main culprit behind this protests and killings…..who is responsible Indian public or Indian police/army?
a lot of thanks sir………
hii sir!!
i read ur blog n m feeling gr8 dat we the INDIAN youths hav d platform 2 xpress our views!!
getting associated wid u is sumthing rally very very gud!!
right now i’m in class 11th in PCM stream.n i wanna persue my career in economics from DU!
Shreyas and Anubha: Thanks for your comments…I will respond once I am back from my travels later this week.
sir i hope u r back!!
m so eager to read ur comments!!
@anubha: I am seriously considering starting a weekly/fortnightly open session on Skype for blog readers and others interested in politics/current affairs to discuss issues of critical importance….Stay tuned for more – hopefully soon!
actually i n shreyas r so purturbed as v hav started reading news paper daily n annalysing d current issues realating to politics,CWG,china’s interference.so i just wanted to ask u dat can v as students do sumthing?
Shantanuji
I also want India to succeed but from London in the home of the former colonisers I see a diffrent angle, you are quick to blame india curroptions etc no doubt true but you forget bharat miserably recent history which must not repeat 150 british rule etc. I found it very useful to read the Declaration of Independence of the US where is declaration of INDEPENDENCE there is none what INDIA stands for and DIES for.
@Anubha @ Jayesh
You make points which deserve serious and proper attention. The Americans made their declaration of independence at the request of France in return for its support. Indian indepence was not so much won as legislated by an Act of Parliament at Westminster. I remember as a student American students said how much they detested the red coats who ravaged their country. The peculiarities of Hindu history has welcomed all manner of miscreants to dominate over them and this cycle has to be broken by the power of self belief in yourselves and those who you should hold close to you. The catalogue of wrongs angainst will endlessly be added in the meantime, but that is the only light at the end of the tunnel. I wish I could say that Hinduism has the answers, but that would be misleading. If that was the case India wouls not suffered so much for so long.
Dear Shantanu,
If I am not wrong you were one of the UPSC topper during 80s.
Anand: “Topper” is probably too strong a word! My All-India “rank” (for whatever it is worth) was 31st.
The real “topper” in my batch (1991, not 80s; I am not that old!) was Raju Narayan Swamy (IAS, Kerala cadre) who has since been in the news (for all the right reasons, I must add): http://www.indianexpress.com/news/raju-narayanaswamy-iit-ias-keralas-cleanup-officer/214374/
Another notable from my batch and a good friend is Marie Lou Fernandes, IPS officer and one-time Police Commissioner in Mumbai.
God bless you, Shantanu. I am delighted to go through your profile. Please carry on your missiion and succeed. Vijayi bhava. Ayushman bhava.
Ram Ohri
Thank you Sir. Your blessings & good wishes mean a lot…I look forward to your continued support and encouragement.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
hi sir!!!
i m so glad to attend your seminar in jodhpur iit.i want 2 join u.i m in vyas enginneering college. my case is also like u.i have no interest in technical field.but i want 2 do something in my life.plzz help me….:):)
Dt. 05-03-2012
Hello Shantanu,
To remember me, you have to go back into 1980’s (Maharashtra mandal Ganeshotsav & Holi) when you was living in Rambag, Indore. I have gone through your blog and very much impressed with your thoughts. Pl. be in touch with me when you are in Indore you can contact me on XXXXXXXXX whenever you find it suitable.
Thanks
Shekhar Kibe
Shekhar: I remember! Will call you soon/ Have taken out yr mobile # to protect privacy
Congratulations Shantanu. I wish I had your persevierence.Just like you, I lived in US for 40 years and came back to India and wanted to do something with my free time. I was shy, low self esteemed woman prior to my going to US but was one of those very fortunate people who was lucky to have gotten opportunities and could accomplish my dream in US. When I moved back to India, I had to face tragedies of two very young men that I new well succumb to liver sclerosis. I was shocked to learn how freely alcohol and drugs were available in every Galli in the city of Hyderabad. I thought i found my reason to come back. I researched in great detail alcoholism and its ill effects on bodies and was all set to go and educate the middle and high school kids. I offered my free services to several schools but faced with great disappointment. I have a purpose in my heart, a will to do something, god gave me health and stamina and tools and time to give but feel that I am at a dead end.
I have tried to contact politicians, school principals, some organizations but all in vein. I know I am capable of convincing atleast a few handful if not a whole lot.
A Disappointed Deamer
Adding this link here which is the source of the quote on my About Me page:
As you have come into this world, leave some mark behind. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the trees and stones?
From “Complete Works” CW V 382-383.
Additional source