India Needs To Change

India needs to change – Now that’s a cliché. But there is no denying the fact.

But are we ready for it? Do we have it within us to execute a successful change-game successfully? Are we ready to take up its challenges? 

I have a couple of concerns. So let’s start with the basics.

Deliberate change usually starts with the realization, acceptance, and conviction, that change is required.

In the next step, Change then starts with a vision of the destination. The vision need not be crystal clear and course corrections are permitted.

A set of steps are then listed out which will achieve the visualized Change. These are called Initiatives.

And this is where the problem starts.

These Initiatives die out over a period of time and “Change” is the casualty. Things revert back to their original state.

The Initiatives remain as “Initiatives” only, and do not bring about the permanent change we had visualized.

In my opinion, success of any change initiative should be reflected in a changed Culture of the populace. Else the attempt to change is a failure.

The reason, is that we do not understand the 4 pillars essential to bring about a permanent change, which I personally believe, are empirical in nature – namely “Norms, Enforcement, Discipline & Culture” - in their respective order.

Norms:

After having articulated the vision of the change sought for, this is the process of setting the ground rules of the game that we will play within. Alternately called Laws, Limits, Standards, Codes, Do’s and Don’ts, Traditions, Customs, Boundaries, Religions, edict, statute, etc.

Norms need to be simple, fair and moreover all encompassing, if they have to be successful in most conceivable situations.

So In India do we have norms / laws that are contemporary, all encompassing and do we have standards set to world class levels? Maybe we do have norms. In some areas they are not contemporary. But we are nowhere up to world standards.

Enforcement:

This will be the process by which the norms once laid down will be – “Made to adhere to”.

This is the most important pillar, as on this, depends the success of the permanency of the initiative. Sadly it is also our weakest link. It co-exists with Disciplinary Action.

So ask yourself - Are our enforcement agencies doing a good job?  Are we afraid of a traffic cop – the most visible enforcement agent in society - and do you take him seriously? The answer is No.

Are they well equipped to discharge their duties? No. Neither by equipment nor by training. Again, the police are a sad example.

Are these agencies impartial, apolitical, corruption free and evoke trust in the hearts of the common populace? Sadly No again.

Discipline:

This is the state which is the results of an efficient Enforcement of the Norms. Ideally, it is that, by which the change initiative, shall be owned by the stake holder, even in the absence of an Enforcement agent. It is easier to obtain in a formal society (like a company, or the army) as compared to an informal one (like public places).

So are we a disciplined society? No way. The way we litter our streets or break traffic rules – is indicative of our society’s deficiency in this critical area.

Culture:

This is the last stage.

In our context, Culture is the percolation of an idea or an initiative to the next generation or batch of people without much questioning of its genesis. (For example a culture of punctuality - say in an organization. It doesn’t question why).

Building “Culture” should be, the culmination of any change Initiative. Else the effort to bring about the change remains a “Initiative” only.

So does our generation have a culture of cleanliness in our society and environment? Have our children inculcated the habit of consciously taking efforts to keep the society and environment clean? How confident are we, that their progeny will do a better job in this particular area? Not very confident are you?

So - Norms, Enforcement, Discipline & Culture.  You can’t miss a step if you want a successful Change.

Now, how many of us feel confident that, lets say “Swach Bharat” has its set of “Norms” spelt out to us and an “Enforcement” mechanism put in place, fully empowered to drive “Discipline” towards cleanliness in Indian Society which will continue long after we have gone as it will be engrained as a “Cultural” element in our children?

Or do you feel that it will remain just an initiative launched by someone? Wake Up India.