I have just returned from a month’s research and lecture tour of India, visiting various universities and cultural institutions, speaking at conferences, and addressing MBA students. I also immersed myself in deep dialogues with leaders about the history and potential of Indian wisdom for modern business science.
What I discovered was that India can also benefit from such lectures and engagement because its own science and education have been deeply colonised. Whilst migrants have developed the experience of negotiating east and west, India is being forced to respond to the onslaught of western language and culture through media and liberalism, without the experience of migration or deep dislocation. The huge move towards urbanisation has also led to deep dislocation of family and community, with villages becoming empty of young people.
The positive story of India, especially in places like Gujarat and Maharashtra is the deep entrepreneurial culture, where people are willing to work hard in spite of the odds, and do it with a smile and faith in religion, which they see as a risk manager. In the West, we have lost our entrepreneurial culture and learn to moan about our problems and challenges instead of doing something about it.
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Belief is seen as not important to entrepreneurship, nor is trust and community. In business education, we undermine culture and values, and teach students a formula of success, which is often driven by greed and transactionalism, rather than patience and relationship building. Not only the content but even the method of business education needs to change radically, and I have written several books on these themes. I see India innovating in business education very fast, while places like Britain are more complacent, relying on past glories, with elite universities separating research from teaching, disconnecting knowledge from education.
I am excited to develop this column for iGlobal, and have plenty of ideas for future topics, which I dug up from my travels and dialogues. Follow these articles in future and share them widely – they will help and educate at the same time. As an example, Ashrams like Dada Bhagwan’s TriMandir in Adalaj, or SRMD Dharampur in South Gujarat, are not just oases of peace and harmony, but provide invaluable education and spiritual upliftment, in a community atmosphere which is very professionally managed, secure and innovative.
They are designed creatively and the atmosphere helps improve mental and physical health and wellbeing, for everyone living in the vicinity. One of religion’s biggest roles is in community building, helping people connect with one another, and avoid loneliness and isolation. The West, in its obsession with materialism and individualism has fractured our social lives, and India offers hope. It is no surprise that in the UK and elsewhere, the Indian diaspora are congregating more and more towards faith and belief, actively combating selfishness, and protecting their health through sharing and caring for one another.
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I know many communities are worried about young people growing up in the West, losing their cultural spirit and anchor. Try to instil love of language and festivals from a young age among our children, such that it becomes a normal part of their lives. Focus on being an example to them about sharing and caring, and help them experience the joy of giving. For teenagers, let them explore their own identity and in time, they will come back towards family and faith. Be kind and generous to young people – they have many pressures on their lives today from different fronts and we should empathise with them and not over-burden them with expectations and goals. In future columns, I will share more experiences from India and its potential to recharge all of us.
Professor Atul K. Shah [@atulkshah; YouTube/Atul K. Shah] teaches and writes about Indian wisdom on business, culture and community at various UK universities and is a renowned international author, speaker and broadcaster.