INDUSTRIALISTS AS POLITICAL LEADERS – WHY NOT?

By Ruma Dubey

There was such a big hullabaloo over news that Nandan Nilekani might join the Congress and get into active politics. What is wrong in that? Yes, politics is dirty and the current entire clan of politicians looks like a band of bandits. So if today we have a credible and very able person like Nandan Nilekani wanting to lead as a politician, isn’t that good news?

And that leads us to the thought – why can’t we have more industrialists like Nilekani join active politics and help lead the country through this current quick sand? What is so preposterous about that? Just because we have mainly thugs leading the country or bigger thugs aspiring to rule, does it mean that we should be stuck with only thugs? And does it mean that well reputed industrialists joining politics would automatically brand them too as thugs? The reaction of people – guffawing at Nilekani’s probable political debut makes one wonder why we do not ever want good people to lead the country?  Like Raghuram Rajan, Nilekani might be the best thing to have happened to India in a long time.

Today, Narendra Modi is being touted as the best thing which could happen to the country if elected in 2014. His entire success and popularity neither hinges on secularism nor social good. It is all about economic progress and that is precisely what people want – growth and a better quality of life. Thus when people themselves are looking for a person who promises better growth, why not more industrialists who can indeed give us all that we truly need to progress?

Why industrialists will make great leaders?

To begin with the most obvious reason – they lead and have successfully lead companies thus know how to implement, stick to deadlines, along with planning for the future. The vision as an industrialist is always for growth and if that is what we Indians need, who better than the task master industrialists? Usually, they are good orators and are used to public speaking and fending the Press thus when they travel abroad, they will not be an embarrassment and at home, their talk could hopefully inspire. Also, industrialists, on a majority are viewed as non-communal and have a much cleaner image . More importantly, they are all already super rich thus the greed for money through corruption is lesser ( we are not saying it is non-existent).  They are constantly thinking of growth thus their mind always works for betterment, improvement. This plus their worldwide travel experience could help bring about major changes, right from macro to micro issues. More significantly, these leaders will be a refreshing change from the dynastic background of most politicians and yes, it will raise the bar for the opposition too, who will have to come with more logical oppositions.  Imagine having Indian politicians who are Harvard and Carnegie educated? Now, that would surely usher in a new India!

When this is the criteria, a quick look at some of the best industrialists who would make great leaders, with the right mix of capitalism and socialism. After all, a leader cannot be only about growth, it has to always be inclusive growth.

Right on the top of list – Ratan Tata.

Azim Premji – his vision and philanthropy.

Deepak Parekh – he is already the first port of call for the govt for expert advice.

Anand Mahindra – his vision for Mahindra & Mahindra and social enterprise, makes him an ideal leader.

Shiv Nadir -  HCL Group’s growth and his philanthropic endeavour in education, with the setting up of a VidyaGyaan boarding school for the underprivileged in Bulandshahar, Uttar Pradesh.

Rajiv Bajaj – the youngest go-getter of India, he turned around Bajaj Auto, with a growth model earning over 20% profit margin.

Yusuf Ahmed – The way he has led Cipla and the way he has stood his steed, makes him one of the best leaders.

Bhavarlal Hiralal Jain - Founder-chairman of Jain Irrigation Systems, with his drip irrigation systems, he has changed fortunes for farmers across India and is a true grass root leader. 

Bharti Mittal, Uday Kotak, Anu Agha of Thermax, KV Kamath, Vinita Bali of Britannia, Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar Shaw…  the list is long and illustrious.

This is the kind of talent we have in our country and it is sad that this talent is not encouraged to lead the country. If only we could have a mix of grass root politicians and top class industrialists…. The change in the quality of leadership can change the entire fabric of our country to a richer hue and texture.