On Incredible India

I just finished my second visit to India – we have two teams in Kochi (Cochin) and Bangalore. Even though the second time, some of the things that surprised me last time did surprise me again. I do not think seeing the whole family (up to four), including kids as young as months old, being on the same motor bike in the crowded streets pushing and shoving with all kinds of vehicles is a sight that one can get used to.

The streets are as crowded (may be worse) as before - pedestrian, autos (three wheelers), scooter, small cars and big cars still walk or drive aggressively. I do not understand why people are not driving orderly – even on a single lane people seem to enjoy crossing lanes in and out. I plan to watch my Indian colleagues how they walk – in a straight line or in a ziz zag. I might get the answer from there. I believe most of them are driving fast because they are in a hurry – if that is the case, their sense of urgency is understandable. There is also the noise factor – ‘driving by ears’ seems to be the necessary skill by drivers to be on the street. Drivers continuously use their horn to signal each other.

It seems everybody thinks that traffic accidents are to be seen as a risk of doing business. Accidents do happen - last time I visited, I witnessed an accident between a motor bike and a car. I did not stay long to learn about the consequence. Even in my current stay, in one of the offices I visited people were wearing the black band on their shirts. I learned later, one of their colleague’s spouse was killed in a car accident.

Apart from the ‘usual’ still India amazes me – the potential the country holds seems to be immense. Cities are full of people – all these people, what can they achieve? I believe, the current trend of utilizing the knowledge workers in the IT industry is not going to be enough to lift India to a different level. I am no economist but seeing the excesses and the poverty level tells you that India needs to do more – a lot more.

So, where to India? How fast can you move?

Are your people only aggressive on the streets? Will they take you ahead to the future the way they drive on the streets?

Do your children work to bring you to the next level with the same kind of sense of urgency they show on the streets?

The future is to be seen – I wish this country to be prosperous and lifting the beautiful, the modest yet poverty stricken lot with her. I love the people, the culture, the food, the music, and a lot more. Both of my visits were enjoyable – I continue to admire the beauty of this country.

Good Luck India!

Currently Reading: Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.