Wit Wisdom and Whoop

Two hotly debated subjects – Dynastic politics and Bollywood - compelled me to share my thoughts. All humans wish their children to follow in their footsteps, become their inheritors (not just assets) and become bigger, better names than themselves.    Science talks of DNA, Genes etc and let us not fight that. History has seen musicians, sportsmen, scientists, academics, managers, etc - you name it and there are many who have followed their parents, built upon it, and grown.  It is the reality of life. A Tata progeny leading Tata’s, a Rishab Premji leading Wipro or a Roshni taking over HCL or an Amaan/Ayaan Ali Khan or Mohinder Amarnath, many others are often celebrated without question. In business, sports, music and such the progeny do get extra opportunities, but Bollywood and Politics get criticised for a reason. For those who want to quibble on this issue, please check these links – life is all about “nepotism” historically and globally in every field. http...

Ever since the Indian and Chinese army troops clashed in Ladakh area there has been a huge increase in anti-China sentiments and the Govt announced a ban on 59 Chinese apps. Predictably the opposition and many others educated taunted that the ban would have little or no effect on China economically. To clear the air on that before moving ahead. Here the focus is in not on some jingoistic or religious decisions but hard-core economics. Bans don’t achieve anything by direct correlation and cause little hurt to China. To understand this decision we need to get some leadership lessons. Watch his video. Leaders look ridiculous As rightly said – the leader should look ridiculous, but everybody hesitates to do something “stupid”. Once however the ball is tossed, its just a matter of time before others join in. THAT is when the hurting process begins. Several companies that are doing business with China will start de-risking their business and supply chains. This will take some time but will...

The first world war lasted from 1914 to 1918 and the generation between the ages of 30 to 40 in 1918 would be about 59 to 69 years of age in 1947 in high positions in government and industry or retired. The second world war lasted from 1939 to 1945. The above referred generation would have been between 51 and 61 years of age when world war 2 started. This entire generation even if not in active combat in WW2 would still have an influence in the thinking including on how their children looked at life. The generation aged between 30 and 40 when WW2 got over was hardly 32 to 42 years old in 1947, were ready to lead their countries in various capacities in government and industry. This generation likely shaped in attitudes to life by their parents who had seen WW1 and having themselves seen the WW2 would shape their own children’s attitudes to life. As an aside it is worth noting here that India by and large did not see the actual war and destruction. Though around 2.5 Million Indian...