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Sunday, May 20th
Engines of National Transformation by Harichandan A. A.
The Hindu, Bangalore, Friday, August 17, 2001
Globally, corporate organisations are being asked to be more accountable, practicise self-policing and make financial transactions transparent and constitutional. They are expected to be partners in the economic and social transformation of nations.
Corporate directors then, must embrace radical thinking, aggressive competition and good corporate governance, says Dr Madhav Mehra, Chairman, World Quality Council.
He was speaking to corporate leaders here recently about his favourite idea - the need to revolutionise the role of corporate directors to make Indian corporate "engines of national transformation rather than mere economic entities."
"A corporate director has civic responsibility. The people who accept this responsibility, do it conscientiously and well, deserve our respect as they are serving a nation. But those who as directors are passive and view their role as mere advisers, are pliable and pleasant but do not insist on a real monitor's role, do small service to anyone and deserve little respect"-is what Chancellor William T. Allen, Corporation Jurist from US, says.
The views are as valid for corporate directors in India, says Dr Mehra. He admits he does not have all the answers. His persuasive skill and the goodwill he has earned through diplomatic perseverance are his strengths.
The right thing Corporations are now being asked to do more than maintain bottomline profit. Indeed, with "public-private partnership" being the latest mantra of cash-starved government, businesses are expected to play role in social transformation of the country.
This being the case, such business leaders who dare to do the right thing, must be encouraged, Dr Mehra says. "If we tell people that it is all right to make mistakes, they too will come up with the ways of tackling those mistakes. If Thomas Allen Edison had been forced to give up after his initial failures to create the electric bulb, the ultimate phenomenal success would never have seen the light of day," he says.
"Dr Madhav Mehra is a phenomenon, nothing describes him better."
Ola Ullsten, Former Prime Minister of Sweden at the 8th World Congress on Environment Management, Palampur, 2006"
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Dr Mehra, I just read your commentary on Satyam....You made one of the wisest observations on board failures I've ever read - "It is difficult to understand something when your salary depends on not understanding it".Brilliant!
Ralph Ward, Boardroom Insider
"Dr Madhav Mehra, has played a significant role to bring about a change in the mindset of the corporate world. India will remember him as a great pioneer who foresaw such a need and strove for inculcating a culture of quality in all spheres of activity."
S S H Rehman Executive Director, ITC Group of Hotels
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"I have known Dr Mehra for the last 8 years in my capacity as the Chairman of the Centre for Social Responsibility,..... Chairman of the S.M. Charitable Trust . I am amazed by the energy, enthusiasm and dedication that he brings to every idea he promotes."
P.N. Bhagwati, Former Chief Justice of India
"Rarely does one come across a legend like Madhav Mehra. I have witnessed his dedication everywhere: building community centres for gaddies of Dhauladhar, hospital and school for slum dwellers in Delhi and addressing corporates on the social role of their business."
Dr Sahib Singh, Ex-Chief Minister, speaking at SM Medical Centre, 13.04.04"
"Had Dr Madhav Mehra just been the founder of the IOD, that in itself would have been a piece of work tat the present and future generations would cherish. But by establising so many other organisations, he has really ensured that we respect him as a pioneering figure of all te good that Indian business is striving for."
Javed Husain, Professor and former Dean of Engineering
"Address of Dr Mehra was a unique experience. I aspire to listen to him again and wish Dr Mehra can find time to address youth in the colleges."
MK Yadav, Hindustan Zinc LTD
"Dr Mehra has given a unique dimension to CSR. His interpretation is particularly relevant to us and we must invite him once again to address our top executives"
Hon'ble Carlton Davis, head of Jamaica's Civil Service"
"Dr Mehra's passion comes alive from his speeches"
Uma Arora, Chairman Idam Learning
"Dr Madhav Mehra's keynote address was the most thought provoking"
N A Patil & R B Rajpune
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