March 24, 2010
Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore
 

“Can the world’s largest democracy become an economic superpower?”
 

This year’s Clarion Call for Change or Awaaz ‘10, deliberated on this topic. The national symposium was organized by Amrita School of Business (Coimbatore)’s Yi Net.
 

 
“ The time has come to tighten the belt and get on the boat,” emphasized Mr. Prahlad Kakkar in his key-note address. Noted ad guru, Mr. Kakkar is the founder-owner of Genesis Film Production Pvt. Ltd.
 

Pointing out that India has been on the brink of growth but has not realized its complete potential thus far, due to the attitude of people, he stated that questioning the status quo would be the only way to move forward.
 

The key-note address was followed by an engrossing panel discussion. On the panel were Mr. Rahul Mirchandani, Executive Director, Aries Agro Ltd., Mr. N. Krishna Samraj, MD, Magna Electro Castings and Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Executive Director, Apollo Hospitals Group.
 

Mr. Mirchandani discussed the factors preventing the country from becoming an economic superpower. The poor skill levels, the employability paradox and the rampant inequality that existed in all spheres of influence were the prime reasons, he noted.
 

“The solution lies in being innovative, planning the urban infrastructure, ensuring environmental sustainability and sharing information so that information asymmetry is destroyed.” “Lose your patience,” he underlined. “Because the day we get angry and question those in authority and demand better, will be the day of reckoning for India.”
 

Mr. Krishna Samraj focused on the factors that impact the quality of life, viz. education, environment, health care, infrastructure and governance. “Focusing on these is imperative if we want to grow sustainably,” he noted. “Avoid the blame game and be part of the solution,” he added, encouraging everyone to take responsibility to contribute to India’s growth.
 

“India is already a superpower,” Ms. Shobana Kamineni asserted. Any international forum today is incomplete without an Indian representation, she noted. “Yet, there remain certain loopholes which need to be plugged in before we can be a superpower in complete sense. Agriculture reforms and infrastructure development are on top of the list of things to do.”
 

 

“If we want to be a superpower, we should behave like citizens of a super power,” she reminded the 500 plus gathering of students. She reiterated that the power to steer the country towards the super power status lay in the hands of young Indians. The panel discussion was moderated by Mr. Omkar Shankar, CEO and MD, Sankar Foundation.
 

Prizes were distributed to winners in the essay competition conducted as part of the symposium. The event was sponsored by BSNL and gifts were sponsored by Titan Octane Media Partner, The New Indian Express and the website Collegekhabar.com.