Extract from Ravi Chaudhry’s address on Responsible Entrepreneurship
Change in any society or nation begins with a dream. That is why I love dreams.
The greater danger is not that we shall die with dreams unfulfilled; it is that we shall die without a dream.
I am delighted to be here amidst you today, for two reasons:
- Yours are the dreams of the young; it is less likely that they carry the soiled baggage of history &
- Your dreams are in the realm of entrepreneurship; a domain that lies at the dynamic cross-section of opportunity and technology, within the wide canvas of society.
I shall begin with one observation.
You are bound to ask: this is a funny concept. These are our dreams. What do you mean by positive impact on others? I will answer that.
- All dreams are driven by personal aspirations. The actions leading to fulfilment of the dream will invariably have an impact – positive or negative, on you and those around you.
- If the impact on those around is positive, then you will be able to sustain your dream. If not – you may need to invent a new dream.
You are bound to ask: this is a funny concept. These are our dreams. What do you mean by positive impact on others? I will answer that.
I discern the emergence of a new fifth phase of human enterprise, driven by:
- Increased demand for Social Consciousness &
- Need to function in sync with society & environment
Entrepreneurs that are “realistic” enough to acknowledge the new ‘realism’ will emerge as winners in this new phase.
This is not philanthropic talk. Entrepreneurs have only one choice: accept the new realism willingly or grudgingly.
You are the future of India. How you succeed and how you lead your enterprises will determine the quality of leadership we get in India. With these words, I commend you to future: your future, our future.
