Awesomely Inspiring and Endlessly Frustrating

Sunset in Delhi after a meeting with MHRD

It is an awesomely inspiring and endlessly frustrating thing to be a part of changing policy. Policy moves slowly here in India or in any democracy in the world. Policy is not something which changes overnight it is something that changes over time. Today the need in India is for the right to gain access to education and for that education to lead to a job. My boss, Mr. Ramadorai in a speech he gave recently stated, “It is not just for the economic benefit that India must Skill its people; it must do so for social reasons as well. Peace and prosperity is a natural outcome, when people have jobs that provide food on their table, when they have hope for a better future and a life of dignity. Social unrest is an outcome of dissatisfaction amongst youth. Eventually such developments affect each of us, no matter where we are.”I have the honor of spending this year working for this man. He is man I have come to admire tremendously. Mr. S. Ramadorai rose through the ranks of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to eventually become CEO a role he served in 1996 – 2009. Under his leadership TCS grew from $400 million to $6 billion and the employee base growing from 6,000 to almost 150,000 in 42 countries. He still serves as Vice Chairman at TCS but he also serves as the Adviser to the PM. In this role he is leading a movement in India to bring skilling, training and education to the forefront. As he explains, “60% of India’s 1.2 Bn people are in the working age group. However we are operating at half our capacity, half of our productivity levels because not all Indians have the opportunity to acquire the education, training and skill that fully leverages their capability. Only 5% of India’s labor force in the age group 19-24 years is estimated to have acquired any formal training. It’s an inspiring thought to imagine what is possible if we could leverage our demographic dividend fully.”

So how do these words move from idea to reality; through policy. And how does policy move? Slowly, through the halls of government and the round tables of board rooms and in the energy people are willing to give to push for something to be different. Policy change is fueled by hope and driven by the sheer tenacity of those involved to believe that something can be better than it is right now. It becomes too easy to say things will not change. It becomes so convenient to place blame, to say it is government’s fault or that nothing can be done. Change belongs to no one person it belongs instead to the collective consciousness of people. It is ours to make, together. So please allow this simply blog to be my invitation to you to join the skilling movement in India. There is a role for every player in the massiveness of this effort. There is a place at the table and a talent you can bring. As my boss often says: “Building an inclusive India and reaching our potential is not a matter of choice, it is an imperative” And let me add not just for India but for the good of or global community.

Author

gayatrieassey

Gayatri Eassey is committed to making an impact and a difference in her community both in the United States and in India, both personally and professionally. She is passionate about education, democracy and women's empowerment. She enjoys traveling, taking pictures and spending time with friends and family. She is a dedicated advocate for educational equity and has worked for The College Success Foundation and as Associate Director for External Affairs for Seattle University's Career Services Office. She is the former Interim Executive Director for Career Services at Seattle University. Prior to working at Seattle University she served as Executive Director of City Year Seattle, and as special assistant for boards and commissions in the Office of Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire. She spent three years on the Seattle Community College Board of Trustees. She was the co-founder of the YWCA's Gen-Rising Committee, committed to engaging more young people in the critical work of the YWCA. Her additional experience includes work as a trainer for the National Democratic Institute in Amman, Jordan, preparing women to run for elective office. She has also served as political director for the Washington State Democrats. She recently completed a fellowship with the National Urban Fellows, America's Leaders of Change. She is a former board member for the Center for Women and Democracy, the Institute for a Democratic Future, and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Network. She was the Statewide President of the Young Democrats of Washington and a Fellow with the World Affairs Council of Seattle. She earned her MBA in 2012 and hopes to align her government and nonprofit background with her business education to support public private partnerships which provide mutual benefit and strengthen communities.

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