India At 75: Nadir Godrej On A Nation’s Tale Of Resurgence And Revival

On August 15, 1947, India, to paraphrase Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, awoke to life and freedom. Seventy-five years on, I take great pride in saying that we have kept our tryst with destiny.

From groaning under the yoke of the Empire to casting off the shackles of colonial rule, from financial ruin to our emergence as a major world power, we the citizens of post-independence India have together scripted a singularly unique tale of revival and resurgence.

The journey has not always been easy. We have faced our share of trials. We walked some dark roads. But, demonstrating our trademark grit, resilience and perseverance, we have always found our way back to the light.

We must, therefore, celebrate this most significant of milestones, the 75th anniversary of our independence. But as we do so, we must also take a moment to reflect on how we got here and cast our minds forward to think about the India we want to build for future generations.

At the Godrej Group, we see ourselves as one of the custodians of India’s destiny.

Our roots lie in the Swadeshi movement and since 1947, whether that’s through building ballot boxes for our first democratic elections or igniting our country’s interstellar ambitions, we have been among the central protagonists in India’s post-independence growth story.

It’s only natural, then, that we feel a compelling sense of responsibility for our country’s future.

So what do I envision for India?

I envision an India that is united. I envision an India in which we have eradicated inequality, reduced, poverty and drastically narrowed the health gap. I envision an India where everyone, regardless of background, has equal access to the same quality of education and healthcare. I envision an India that is self-reliant. I envision an India that continues to stay true to the democratic principles on which it has been founded.

I’m not envisioning a fool’s paradise either.

The vision I have for India is very much attainable and as I consider the future, I am filled with a sense of optimism.

We stand on the cusp of an exciting new era, an era rich with opportunity. It is an era of change when technology is redrawing the boundaries of human existence on a near-daily basis. It is an era when the established order is being challenged and upended by young nations and new ideas.

It is a time when a country like India can confidently stand up and asked to be counted.

This newfound confidence is being reflected in the changing aspirations of our population, which, incidentally, is the world’s youngest. Just as India is gaining a voice on the world stage, so too are our youth.

If we harness their potential by creating the right opportunities for them, there is no reason the next 25 years can’t be our most prosperous yet.

But of course, optimism must always be tempered by challenges and there will be plenty in the years ahead. The Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the accelerating effects of climate change have only given us a taste of what may be.

The surest way that we as businesses can help build this resilience is by doing our bit to preserve people, the planet and profit.

For decades, when viewed through the capitalist prism, people and the planet have been perceived as standing at odds with profit. But today they are all each inextricably interwoven with the other. This is reflected in not only the discourse shaping opinion today but also in consumer behaviour.

There is a growing environmental and social conscience that is shaping purchase decisions today. Profit isn’t just about the quality and price proposition anymore. Indeed, consumers today want to spend their money on brands that stand for something more, brands that give back, and brands that display a commitment to the environment and local communities. In our group, we have clearly demonstrated that social and environmental consciousness is not at the expense of profit but when intelligently addressed can enhance profit. Energy efficiency, waste elimination and green energy improve the environment and reduce costs. CSR social and environmental spending can have business benefits if we bear in mind Michael Porter’s Shared Value approach.

If this social conscience does indeed serve as our guide, then our future looks bright. We may have gone astray in the past but today we are on the right track.

So long as we continue to strive toward closing the wealth gap, creating equal opportunities for all, equipping our young population with the skills to meet the challenges of tomorrow, protect our planet and promote inclusive governance, there is no reason why we shouldn’t script a new chapter of resurgence and revival in the story of our beloved country.

Nadir Godrej is Managing Director of Godrej Industries.

The views expressed here are those of the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of BQ Prime or its editorial team.