“Did you hear Narendra Modi’s speech?” I asked Lulu, my
parrot.
“Did you read about Vishal Sikka’s address to Infosys
employees?” He asked.
“Hmmm…No,
I did not. Did you read what Economic Times [ET] reported? It says ‘Agree or disagree
with him, Modi's speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort evoked a sense of
confidence that a leader was finally in charge.’”
“And this is what
ET says about Sikka’s address at Infosys: ‘Not that he (Sikka) spoke of
anything grand but whatever he spoke (including) digital transformations, on
areas of cloud, etc. were in such a saint-like manner. That was it. That's all
what we want here," said the engineer. It may be marked as the biggest resurrection
at corporate India.’”
“Oh wow! Narendra
Modi has taken several bold steps…….”
Lulu interrupted
me. “Read what ET says: ‘Since his appointment, Sikka has taken five key steps,
early signs of which seem to suggest that there has been a change in the mood
from near-despondency to excitement.’”
“What’s going on? I
am talking about Modi.”
“And I am trying to
tell you that there are two stories running parallel – with so much of
similarity, so much in common.”
“Yeah! I guess this
is a reaction when an organisation, nation or otherwise, hungry for success,
nay starved of success, gets a new leader. Both India and Infosys are looking for
‘Achche din!”
“Both want to act
promptly, both are trying to manage expectations and both of them are
demonstrating who is in control. That is how it should be.” Lulu hopped on to
my shoulder.
“Their job is difficult.”
“That may be the
understatement of the year! They must bring some disruptive change, make
existing systems work more effectively, and yet carry people with them. Unenviable
job!”
“I agree, the more
you think and the more difficult it appears.”
“It is very
interesting to see how similar issues and responses are.”
“Yeah!
Interesting!! And now my eyes are on MS Dhoni. What is he going to do?”
“Indian Cricket
team is like Infosys as it was before Murthy’s return. May be, it is time for
Dravid to return!” Lulu hopped on to the TV remote to switch off the channel
showing the last ‘test.’
Vivek