Text of Vice President's address at 14th AIMA Managing India Awards Ceremony

Good evening, all of you. 

Humbled to be invited for this occasion. Gratifying to be amongst industry leaders and promising professionals of Bharat at this distinguished gathering today.

 The All India Management Association (AIMA) has emerged as a credible forum of convergence of industry captains and professionals to enhance networks of knowledge, skills and expertise including by rendering due recognition.

The nomenclature-the AIMA Managing India Awards is exemplified and vindicated in action. 

Congratulations to the awardees for well deserved recognition. Their success stories will inspire and motivate many and collectively work towards India’s growth.

There was a Chief Justice in the late 80s, Justice Venkat Ramaiya, a great judge. When he came to Rajasthan, I had the occasion, then in the 80s, to be President of the bar. Justice Venkat Ramaiya, the Chief Justice of India, said while he was speaking on contempt, "There is another point of view in life. You must lend that point of view. You must not be instantly judgmental about it. Don't drop that point of view with a drop of a hat because more often, the other point of view is the correct point of view, and the other point of view is a nectar of life.

These awards are indeed very special. These enhance affirmative public perception and influence. In this I must recognise the contribution of the distinguished jury.

 Time for all of us to reflect on the profound responsibilities while we celebrate the success stories of the awardees.

The Greek Philosopher, Heraclitus हेराक्लीटस in pre Socrates era said “Change is the only constant in life.”  Friends-We are amidst this change in its extremity and severity.

 The 21st century is already marked with precipitous changes. Disruptive technologies be it AI, IOT, blockchain, machine learning, 6G, Quantum Computing and the kind have made inroads virtually in every facet of human activity offering both opportunities and challenges.

 India is in the front line of nations in unleashing these technologies. National Quantum Mission with allocation of over Rs. Six Thousand Crore is already functional. This will seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology. It is one such instance. There are many more like Green Hydrogen Mission, Commercialization of 6G and the like.

 It seems we are at the threshold of equivalent of another industrial revolution. The world is grappling with the speed, scale, complexity, and transformative power of these technologies.

 Now science fictions are fast taking shape of science facts and technology fusion is the main driver.

 Friends, historically, technological innovations have been considered as the main drivers for sustainable economic development and geometric productivity growth.

 Now the new breed of technology is required to be harnessed for substantial role in wealth creation and socio-political stability.

 These technologies have a potential to cause broader societal transformation by changing the existing economic sectors, tenets of work, production, and consumption. It lies, friends, in your domain to harness these technologies and convert challenges into opportunities.

 Building skills into the workforce of Industry is imperative. There is a dire need to identify and develop the disciplines and the required missing abilities in order to build suitable skills into the workforce of industry.