PM asks B-schools to think local
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said B-schools should try developing an Indian paradigm of management education, based on local social and cultural attributes, to transform rural areas.
By TNN |
HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said B-schools should try developing an Indian paradigm of management education, based on local social and cultural attributes, to transform rural areas.
“The ideas and models focusing on more universal urban management situations will have to be modified while dealing with rural India,” he said. Addressing a global logistics summit at the Indian School of Business, the PM sounded a word of caution against the adoption of the “helicopter” model of taking modern management practices to rural areas.
According to him, before spreading their wings to rural areas, management institutions should work closely with sociologists and anthropologists. The PM emphasised the need for greater attention to local needs by citing the principle of “think global, act local”.
Logistics, he said, could play a key role in integrating rural and urban divide. But, much of the potential that rural areas offer is untapped due to logistics constraints. “We need to develop a logistics model, which can provide cost-effective access for rural produce to urban, industrial markets,” he said.
Expressing concern over the growing rural-urban divide, Mr Singh said, the 11th Plan will focus on rural development. “Public private partnerships will help address rural development issues. With global markets opening up, Indian farmers should be able to take advantage of new opportunities. This calls for an increased investment in rural infrastructure and improved connectivity,” he pointed out.
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Bharat Nirman, he said, was about bridging the divide and building a new India. “Rural citizens should have the same quality of life as those living in cities and we have to invest in the capabilities of people in rural areas,” he said.In his address, Hero Corporate Services managing director Sunil Kant Munjal said, public private partnerships will help bring development to rural India. Elaborating on the rural business hub initiative, launched by CII, he said, there was a funding requirement of Rs 100 crore per year to cover more areas.
Currently, these hubs are present in 10 villages in India. CII, he said, had facilitated over 50 MoUs with various private partners for taking this programme ahead.
“In the near future, we are expecting to sign over 100 agreements to bring development to rural areas. ITC, for example, has tied up with 11 food processing units and farmers in Uttaranchal. Next week, IFC, Washington, will sign an agreement for developmental activities in north-eastern states,” he said.
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