“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney

The current debate over foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail has caused a stalemate in the functioning of parliament. Introducing FDI in the retail sector is a big step taken by the government in the reforms process. On a long-term basis, this is a positive reform measure for the economy. The antagonists are ignoring the enduring benefits that will accrue to the country. Even if we do not talk about benefits to the organised retail sector and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), let us consider the large population of farmers who will stand to gain. Organised retail has the potential to increase price realisation for farmers through direct or closer to farm sourcing, drive investments in technology and know-how in agriculture backend and food supply chain and cold chains. With its ability to drive efficiencies and leverage scale, modern trade is able to increase affordability for consumers. Intermediaries, who have been making the largest profits so far, will eventually be eliminated. Yes, I agree that the devil lies in the details of implementation and any policy measure has to be implemented in the right manner to draw the payback that is intended.

Therefore, if deliberations and discussions must be conducted — they should be about implementation. It is distressing that our politicians ignore the long-term gains and cannot rise above petty politics for the larger good of the nation. Leadership is not about political titles and positioning, it is about having a vision and taking charge in working along with people to ensure that the vision is realised. In the words of Roger Staub II, “Effective leaders remember and act upon the fact that all work is ultimately done by people, with people, through people, and for people. Leaders function by creating alignment around tasks, inspiring and relating to people. Leadership is high touch. It is grounded in the four chambers of leadership’s heart: Intimacy, integrity, passion and competence.” India today needs leaders of calibre to ensure that the country reaches the pinnacle of success that it deserves. Let not history say India had the opportunity but....

The view that everything from the west is great is rapidly changing and the new India does not need to look to ape the west. The new India needs to redefine the way business is done, demonstrate leadership and spearhead global growth in the coming decades. India needs to understand its strengths and how it can differentiate itself and define its own path. The strength of India lies in its people — the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, the ability to work hard and smart, our young demographics, and a large rural population that is waiting to break into the middle class.

It is rightly said that India is a land of a billion entrepreneurs. We have a thriving private sector that is increasingly going global and Indian multinationals are being created. Indian management style has already been accepted and acknowledged the world over. This is evidenced by the people who have joined the billionaire club; all of whom are first-generation entrepreneurs. The diversity of businesses is amazing — how many brands are there in the world that can stamp their name to both salt and software and yet be recognised for quality and highest level of integrity?

The innovative spirit of India will triumph and help us develop high-tech industries. It’s no coincidence that the prime minister Manmohan Singh has declared this decade as the ‘Decade of Innovation’. However, the government will need to provide an eco-system where innovation can not only live but thrive and prosper. We have to create an environment that will not only retain talent in this country but also motivate people to perform their best. This is an investment that we have to make for our future generations. In the words of Winston Churchill, “This is no time for ease and comfort, it is time to dare and endure.”

India and China will be the largest consumption states in the coming decades with the largest number of people being added to the middle class. Our demographic advantage ensures us a growth at an accelerated pace because the fundamentals are strong.

What we need is leadership that can pull all this together and move India in one direction. There needs to be one vision and one desire to make India the greatest nation in the world. We need to make our people feel proud of their country. For this, every citizen needs to be treated as an equal and he needs to perceive the same. A war has to be launched against corruption. Corruption is a disease and needs to be treated as such and some politicians need to stop mouthing innuendos about corruption. Each Indian needs to have the self-belief that we are the best and stay one step ahead of everybody else.

“A successful leader has to be innovative. If you’re not one step ahead of the crowd, you’ll soon be a step behind everyone else.” — Tom Landry

(The writer is head of advisory services of KPMG, India)