India Needs a Hardliner

Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri
Hony. Dean, Centre For Economic Research and Advanced Studies, IIPM 
  
 
When Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in October gave the call for Israel to be “wiped off the (world’s) map,” the world, rightly so, erupted in protest (and I do hope that the protests will be similar if America were to give a similar call for wiping out Iran tomorrow). EU condemned the statement vociferously, so did Russia. Almost all EU nations ‘summoned’ Iranian diplomats for explanations. The White House commented that Ahmedinejad’s statement proved right their concern about Iran’s nuclear programme. UK’s Tony Blair also blared out UK’s total non-acceptance of the issue, but confirmed that no plans were being currently made to invade Iran. UN promptly released a joint statement further castigating Iran. And Israel, the honest victim, demanded that Iran be kicked out of the UN immediately. Israel’s Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres excitedly gave a global press release that Ahmedinejad’s statements were “tantamount to a crime against humanity.”

Interestingly on November 3, the same Ahmedinejad approved a radical plan to offer shares of state owned companies, including oil monopolies, totally free to Iran’s poor families, estimated at 14 million. This move will dramatically uplift millions of Iranians above the poverty line, and might one day soon, “wipe off poverty from the face of Iran.” But would any western country care to praise Iran at the UN about this pro-humanity move of Ahmedinejad? Of course not, why should they support an autocratic ruler? For records, despite whatever Bush & Blair might pretend, Iran was, is, and would remain a democracy, in spite of a so called “hardliner” at the helm. Western nations have to realise that democracy neither had its origin in their backyards, nor was born to serve them. A number of democracies are today opting for hardliners as their leaders because, simply put, none of these ostensible pro-poor first world countries can give shares of their rich government oil corporations to poor people of third world nations to remove their hunger.
 
 
In New Delhi, on the weekend before Diwali and Eid, a series of bomb blasts killed more than 70 people, injuring and decapitating many more, destroying their families and livelihoods. All evidence from the blasts provided incriminating reaffirmation of Musharraf and Pakistan’s continued support to anti-India terrorist groups. It was surprising that despite India having such definite evidence, not one EU country summoned diplomats of Pakistan demanding an explanation or condemned President Musharraf’s complicity. Not one White House official commented that these blasts prove India is right about the negative intent of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. No UN official condemned Pakistan. Not once did UK’s Tony Blair speak about invading (or not invading) Pakistan. Nobody threatened to throw Pakistan out of the UN, or could squeak out a press statement saying Pakistan had committed a “crime against humanity.” Of course why would anyone? The western world was anyway never concerned about India or Pakistan. Neither India, nor Pakistan ever had any oil to give them, did we? As did Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Iran.

While talking to many concerned thought leaders after the Diwali bombings I realised that many in India actually want someone like Ahmedinejad to say, “India, Here I Come,” because if having a hardliner for a leader means pro-poor policies and equitable economic growth as well as tackling external threats firmly, then they say, such hardliners are the ones India, ought to welcome. Though it is a scary way of looking at things, it does go on to show the growing frustrations amongst, not just the common man on the streets, but also a section of the intelligentia. Don’t be surprised if democratic India too opts for a hardliner next time around.
 
by Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri 

Noted economist & management guru Professor Arindam Chaudhuri is an eminent author, an authoritative speaker & a transformational leader. He has been conferred upon with ‘Management Guru 2000’ award, ‘Personality of the Decade’ award, ‘Example to Youth’ award & many more... He also happens to be a film maker. Read more about this new age Renaissance man..

Arindam Chaudhuri as a management consultant, he specializes in the areas of Strategic Vision, Leadership, Social Sector Consulting, Comparative Management Techniques and Global Opportunities & Threat Analysis. His contribution to the field of management studies can be found in the iconoclastic "Theory 'i' Management" which he has developed for India Inc. "Theory 'i' Management" is about India centric management ideas with global applicability. For the last few years he has been conducting workshops on Leadership and Strategic Vision exclusively for CEOs, MDs, Directors and Presidents from the corporate sector. From the Managing Director of Hero Motors to the President of Tata Chemicals, from the Executive President of A.V. Birla Group to the CEO of Ernst & Young. have all taken LEADERSHIP TRAINING WORKSHOPS from him.

His original contribution to the field of economics can be found in the three theories that he coins in his book "The Great Indian Dream". They are the theory of 'Survival of the Weakest', 'The Trickle-up Theory' & 'The Law of Increasing Marginal Utility'. His concept of an ideal economy is what he calls 'Happy Capitalism' in his book.

Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri has also been conducting workshops, seminars and lecture tours on Comparative Management Techniques worldwide. His talks have always had a spell binding effect internationally.