Change - Universal Truth
Asoke K. Laha
President & MD,
Interra IT
It may be a just coincidence; but it has happened. With considerable thought only, I zeroed in “Change” as the topic for the month. In the meantime, I happened to read excerpts of Dr Abdul Kalam's book titled “Turning Points” in Hindu newspaper. It was indeed a treat to read his book. The 177 page book is a prosaic essay written in the simplest of forms to be understood by even a school boy. Its narrative is borne out of his own experience as a struggling boy in his teens to a lovable and doer president. His narratives are straight, honest and to the point with the result that the book can be completed in one or two sittings.
You may wonder why I invoked his book while writing on “Change”. I have read Megatrend written by John Naibitt, which contains ten new directions for transforming our lives. I have also read Nandan Nilekini's “Imagining India” which enumerates the changing India glued in its economic, political and social apparatus. But I feel Dr Kalam's book score over other books that I have read on the subject since his treatise is his own experience, his challenges are that a human being may face every day. It explains the predicament of a human being when confronted with a situation and prompted to take a decision. His decision to contest election for the President of India, backed by both ruling and opposition parties was borne out of a conscious decision.
I am sure somewhere down the line may be two or three years hence, there can be number of books written on the celebrated thesis of God's Particle. Newspapers are writing profusely and channels world over, are showing clips of the great research and the abstract findings of the study, which lasted for more than 50 years. But I am still not very clear how many have got the concept clear, since most of the narratives are couched in scientific terms much above the comprehension of an average human being.
Everyone has a notion of change. I also have one. I have laid down in personal life a few tips as to how to cope up with change. Let me explain these in my own style. The first and foremost principle is to accept change as an inevitable phenomenon. My over simplistic assumption is that those enterprises, which failed to make a mark in the recent times did not heed to change. They believed that their approaches to businesses were sacrosanct and would withstand the test of time. But they were proved to be the proverbial house of cards.
The second assumption is that change agents are few and not all can be in that category. But those who follow the leader also get transformed since they get adapted to the new dispensation. Those who oppose change as a dogma or on ego, sooner or later will be languishing and become captives of their own arrogance.
The third assumption is that the change agent should be sincere and honest to the purpose. He or she should not embark on change for his or her benefit. Those who propound change for personal aggrandizement had paid for their follies in the most miserable manner. Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled and humiliated. Adolf Hitler had to end his life to escape the ignominies heaped on him. There are many such glaring stories. On the other hand there are immortal examples of crusaders of change, who through millenniums had commanded respect and reverence. Gautam Buddha believed in non-violence and tolerance. Mahatma Gandhi practiced Ahimsa. The half naked fakir of India, as described by Winston Churchill, disarmed his severest critiques with his simplistic reasons and tolerant behavior, while his critics, who admonished him for his peaceful approaches to rough up challenges and conflicts, have been discarded by history.
The fourth assumption for inculcating change is to hear out the parties who want to be changed. Often changes are imposed from above. Those who fear the dispensation will accept them for their own survival and those who are opposed to the imposition would take cudgels against the change. Many conflicts, across the world are due to lack of communication and proper strategy to relate the contours of change to the common man.
The fifth principle is that the changed person should be a stakeholder in the new environment.
The sixth principle is that change should not be retrograde but always progressive. Psychologists often remark that children, who have been brought up under regimented control, often misuse freedom, once it is granted to them.
The seventh principle is that inventions and discoveries happen only through change. Some people think futuristically and unconventionally. Not many accept them. Often, they are being termed as eccentric. There will be strong compulsions for change manifested in many forms. Invention of information technology in its present form owes much to man's quest for change. In familial surroundings also change plays an important role. Look at the evolution of laws that protect women and children. Domestic violence and negligence of children are increasingly becoming offences even in developing societies. These are the changes scripted by time necessitated by the contemporary situations.
Change agents display same virtues. They romanticize on trivial things but with a definite purpose, not for their self-aggrandizement but for the benefit of the society. They come in all generations and times to help the mankind find the right path, reasoning and exhort the world to shun the obstructive rules and regulations of the past for a better future. They will not dominate us but work towards the betterment of the society in a similar to what scriptures instruct “ahum bhrma assai.”
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