When Barack Obama (or Obama), gave one of the first press conferences inside the White House, it was on Governance. "Transparency and Rule of Law will be the corner stones of my government", he said. At the top, it is always easier said than done. But, in this case, I am, like others, more optimistic - for a reason. Less than a decade ago, a similar promise was made by Mr. NR Narayana Murthy (or Murthy). He did the same for governance of a different kind in India - the Corporate one. This marked a new era in India's Corporate Governance by introducing an unprecedented, at least in the Indian context, level of transparency in Indian business. Quarterly earnings reporting and earnings forecast were unheard of in Indian financial circles till Infosys introduced it.
With this as the trigger, I compared these two gentlemen, their background and actions. If my thoughts are right, then America has found its new FDR, and with it a long period of hope and glory.
Murthy was one of the first entrepreneurs from South India coming from a traditional, conservative Hindu family. Till then, entrepreneurs were equated to Marwaris mostly. Obama is the first African American president of the USA. It is indeed gratifying and humbling to see the great nation vote for a descendent of people who up to forty years ago had to fight for civil rights.
Both have highly qualified and responsible wives willing to sacrifice their professions to take care of the household. Strong men indeed have strong women to support them.
Both have taken great risks and started young. Murthy quit Patni & had to live from his wife's earnings until Infy won its first international project. How he succeeded is history. He too was supported by young and old advisors. But the decisions were his. Obama has made too many promises during the campaign and has only 2 years to effectively put his plans into action (in 2 years, he will have to start campaigning again!). He lacks the international experience that is the stranglehold of McCain or Biden. But, what he brings along is fresh eye, a keen ear, and a decisive brain akin to Murthy's. These are sufficient reasons to expect change from him. His long term perspective is underlined by the fact that he has already started a focus group to prepare for the next campaign and keep up with the pulse of the people. Unprecedented.
Murthy has been steadfast in his idea of responsible and sustainable growth. This one company continues to show the way for governance and responsibility in Corporate India. Obama needs to follow suit. Renewed focus on research (ex. Stem Cell), emphasis on energy independence, transparency in governance are ingredients for sustainability. If he can do to research & energy independence what JFK did for the space program, it will be impossible to shake America's dominance for another century. And it will be really exciting to see how the political equation changes in the middle east, whose oil, America is the largest importer of.
With this as the trigger, I compared these two gentlemen, their background and actions. If my thoughts are right, then America has found its new FDR, and with it a long period of hope and glory.
Murthy was one of the first entrepreneurs from South India coming from a traditional, conservative Hindu family. Till then, entrepreneurs were equated to Marwaris mostly. Obama is the first African American president of the USA. It is indeed gratifying and humbling to see the great nation vote for a descendent of people who up to forty years ago had to fight for civil rights.
Both have highly qualified and responsible wives willing to sacrifice their professions to take care of the household. Strong men indeed have strong women to support them.
Both have taken great risks and started young. Murthy quit Patni & had to live from his wife's earnings until Infy won its first international project. How he succeeded is history. He too was supported by young and old advisors. But the decisions were his. Obama has made too many promises during the campaign and has only 2 years to effectively put his plans into action (in 2 years, he will have to start campaigning again!). He lacks the international experience that is the stranglehold of McCain or Biden. But, what he brings along is fresh eye, a keen ear, and a decisive brain akin to Murthy's. These are sufficient reasons to expect change from him. His long term perspective is underlined by the fact that he has already started a focus group to prepare for the next campaign and keep up with the pulse of the people. Unprecedented.
Murthy has been steadfast in his idea of responsible and sustainable growth. This one company continues to show the way for governance and responsibility in Corporate India. Obama needs to follow suit. Renewed focus on research (ex. Stem Cell), emphasis on energy independence, transparency in governance are ingredients for sustainability. If he can do to research & energy independence what JFK did for the space program, it will be impossible to shake America's dominance for another century. And it will be really exciting to see how the political equation changes in the middle east, whose oil, America is the largest importer of.
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