Horizons ’07, the annual management conclave of IIM Kozhikode, was formally inaugurated yesterday by Dr. Jayathilak, the district collector of Kozhikode. Dr. Jayathilak, for those who don’t know it, was the MD of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation for 5 years and was instrumental in orchestrating the “God’s own country” campaign that catapulted Kerala into Superbrand success. In his brief opening statement, he gave an insightful discourse on rediscovering rural India – one of the sub-themes of the conclave.
Dr. Jayathilak brought a unique perspective to the conclave – that of the government. Known for his indefatigable efforts in bridging the gap between public and private sectors, he said that Public-Private partnership is no longer an option but a necessity. He cited the example of Subiksha, a successful retail project involving coconut products that was conceptualized by the students of IIMK and put into implementation by him. A 60 crore horticultural project is also currently being carried out by the students of the Institute.
40% of India’s population is under 18 and therefore cannot vote. He ruefully commented that people with the highest stake in the country’s future were not in a position to voice their concerns. Education, he said, is their primary requirement and it’s the duty of those in power to focus on their needs. Speaking of the frequent obstacles to development encountered, he wryly recounted an incident when a 10 year road maintenance contract was stayed by the High-court when the contractors raised objections to it stating that it would reduce employment and was therefore a human rights violation. Attitudes like these, he said, are a very real roadblock to our future success.
However not all is wrong with India. Despite such obstacles, if India is forging ahead, it is because of the “Can Do” attitude of its people. Stating that improved communications and therefore the media has become so pervasive, that the aspirations of the average Indian has changed dramatically from that of his parents. Talking of his recent visit to a school, he said that the children there no longer limited their ambitions to being a doctor or an engineer but spoke of being BBC journalists and making documentaries for National Geographic. The dreams of the children of Bharat no longer differ from those of Shining India. Proof of this is in the fact that 90% of our cricket team comes not from India but from Bharat.
Technology is the key to free Bharat and unlock its potential. Commenting that the speed of diffusion of technology is highest in rural India (according to a Bloomberg Report), he said that people here can make the most innovative use of technology. He gave the example of people using washing machines to make Lassi. Adopting technology to fulfil their inherent needs comes naturally to people who have been obliged to constantly work under crippling constraints. Yes, he said, stupendous growth rates are a reality, but so are farmer suicides. Agriculture needs to be used as a tool for employment. Dr. Jayathilak certainly puts his money where his mouth is as he’s currently spearheading a project in association with students of IIMK. The project will concentrate on processing and marketing farm produce, thus producing jobs and passing on the additional value created back to the farmers.
He concluded his speech to rousing applause by exhorting the students and delegates to rediscover India by unlocking their potential thereby unleashing India Inc.
