Blog Full - Ashok Karania

9 Jun 2014

Modi Redefining, Opponents Anachronistic

Leadership Matters ! Leadership Shows !

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in the top job for only about a fortnight. He was expected to bring optimism and efficiency – but he is clear surpassing expectations with his mission mode speed and clear sense of purpose. He has forced even his die-hard critics and the opposition to acknowledge that this is a different Modi. All the so-called adjectives and fear created around him sound so silly and anachronistic.

Modi means business. A look at his first steps:

1. The Pakistan Masterstroke: By inviting Nawaz Sharif and the entire SAARC bloc, Modi has proved that he is wired differently. He has shown that he understand the ground realities. Not only has he created new opportunities for Indo-Pak relations, he has won the domestic community. For India to be accepted as a global super-power, it needs to be recognized as a natural leader in SAARC. All will grow around India. I am sure he would have told them – India is going to grow like crazy in the next years – all of us can enjoy the growth together and all of you will benefit as well.

2. The Cabinet Signal: Modi has created a cabinet team of the people that will work as per his wishes and deliver as per the promises made. He has rewarded loyalty – Jaitley and Smriti Irani. He has welcomed new faces and empowered minister of states.

3. The Empowered Bureaucracy: Modi knows that for his plans to succeed, bureaucrats have to deliver. His immediate appointment of his team of Mishra, Doval sent a clear signal to everyone. He has held direct meetings and provided his full support to honest officers. The bureaucrats were disillusioned, de-motivated and directionless in the previous government – here they have the great opportunity to take India forward.

4. Clear Expectations: Modi has set clear expectations to the team, ministers and party. He has to deliver. Whether working on the 100 day plan or identifying old acts to be repealed, he has set his clear goals. Such clarity only helps everyone and energizes and excites the team towards reaching the goals effectively.

5. Deliver With Humility And Integrity: He has asked his team and ministers to avoid appointing relatives. He has asked ministers to be in touch with their area. He has asked them to deliver and work effectively for re-election in 2019. Gifts are to be shunned. Favor-seeking people are to be shunned.

6. Japan-China-US: Modi has excellent relations with Japan and China. He is a pragmatic and he is held in high esteem in those countries. Manmohan was a good boy and had respect, but he was never taken seriously and could not make impact. Modi has taken the right steps with Japan and China as well.

7. Importance of Communication: The joke was that within one day of election, Modi spoke more than the previous Prime Minister ! He has launched the redefined PM Site. He has very intelligently used the election social media machinery and transforming the same for policy discussions and ongoing communication. He has held several meetings and is clearly ensuring communication and transparency.

By accepting to go to US without any fuss, Modi has shown that he is not the prisoner of past. Though he has excellent relations with east, he knows that US matters and he would be happy to leverage the strengths.

The other notable actions include:
1. Disbanding GOMs and EGOMs
2. Strong assurance to investors – Only red carpet, not red tape.
3. Shunning Sycophancy – No Modi chapters in books, No touching of feet,
4. Personal Example – Working relentlessly from Day one
5. Avoiding transfers, continuing with old officers
6. E-auctions for defence deals beyond 10 lakhs

I understand it is too early to judge the impact. But the environment has changed. The bureaucrats are excited. Citizens are interested in government. world is taking note of India again. Swaminathan Ankleshwaria Iyer said that the animal spirits are backed in stock market. Shashi Tharoor noted that this is Modi 2.0 and we should encourage it.

It is an opportunity not be missed ! Let us hope the good run continues !

16 May 2014

Key Lessons From Indian Election Results 2014

Hope Wins, Corruption Defeated!

The World’s Biggest Election’s Results Are Out ! Narendra Modi Has Catapulted BJP To Power With Its Best Ever Performance.

The Key Lessons !

1. The Power Of Clear Vision, Strong Leadership, Positive Message And Relentless Focus On The Larger Goals.

2. Lead From Front : Modi Led From Front. He Accepted All Weapons On Himself. He Took Full Charge of Campaign – Did Massive Rallies, Decided Key Strategies. If He Failed, He Would Have Been Packed Off Forever, But He Took The Risk.

3. Importance Of Trusted Team & Strategies: Modi Has Created A Strong Team of People For Him. Amit Shah Is The First Name That Emerges. The UP Strategy Was A Masterpiece And Cornerstone Of His Success. Even Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Strategies Delivered.

4. Preparation & Ground Work: Team BJP Worked On Creating Massive Plans For Offline And Online Marketing. Dedicated Team Works On It. Mission 272+, Chai Pe Charcha, Varanasi Thrust, Etc. Were Key Examples. It Was A Strong Ground Work And Lot Of Hard Work.

5. The Importance Of Track Record – Narendra Modi Had Delivered A Strong Government, With Development And Progress. He Was Clearly Seen As A Very Decisive Person Who Powered Bureaucracy And Demanded Results. India Wanted The Same.

6. Accept Reality – Congress Failed To Accept That India Wants Progress, Prosperity. It Wants To Be Match Developed Nations. What Congress Gave Was Same Old Messages And Rhetoric.

7. Nautanki Does Not Work – Delhi And India Gave A Strong Chance To APP In Delhi Government. What Did Delhi And India Get? Nautanki? Nautanki Does Not Work. Visibility, Slogans Are Good – But Vision Is More Important.

8. Sycophancy Sucks – All Major UPA Leaders Have Failed. All People Who Claim To Fame Was Sycophancy Have Lost Elections. Closeness To A Particular Leader & Family Cannot Compensate For Lack of Real Ground Work.

Observations:

1. India Has Rejected Corruption, Inaction and Dynasty.
2. India Has Rejected Party That Never Communicated And Took It For Granted
3. Congress Worst Ever Performance
4. BJP’s Strongest Independent Performance
5. BJP’s Strongest NDA Performance – Better Than Vajapayee As Well
6. Even Good People Like Nandan Nilekani, Gul Panag, Priya Dutt Lost – Big Losses – Shows What India Is Thinking !

What Next?
1. Lots Of Pressure For Modi To Deliver. First 100 Days Will Count
2. Expect Quick Market Reforms. Expect Lot Of Decisions & FDI Inflows
3. Pragmatism And Intelligence From Modi To Win 2019 – Means Deliver Promises And Empower Whole Of India
4. Expect Growth Of BJP As A Party – In Bihar, Uttarakhand, Etc. Biggest Surprise Was Opening In Assam
5. Expect BJP Government In Delhi, Maharashtra.
6. Barack Obama To Invite Modi To USA !
7. Expect Congress & Rahul To See Reality & Focus On Putting Best People For Best Jobs ! Priyanka May Not Be The Solution!

Cheers To Election Commission
Cheers To Security Forces
Cheers To Indian Citizens

Let Us Hope For A Better India !

21 Apr 2014

Get Ready For The ‘Happy New Year’ Marketing Juggernaut !

Get Ready For The Happy New Year Marketing Juggernaut !

The Marketing for SRK’s ‘Happy New Year’ has already started. If ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘RaOne’ and ‘Chennai Express’ experience is considered, expect a mega publicity drive.

It started with the full page advertisements at the start of the year. The latest one is the ‘Happy New Year’ auditions for acting with SRK on Groupon. It is designed to create lot of ‘user engagement’. By being part of the movie, the user will be more connected to the movie. The people who applied for the auditions will have an emotional stake in the movie. People are being gifted certificates etc.

Expect more innovations and more visibility campaigns from SRK. Expect to read more and hear more about SRK and its cast. There will be overt and covert approaches.

Smart move !

20 Apr 2014

Jain Heritage Walk On World Heritage Day

On Ahmedabad’s 597th Birthday, I had undertaken the Ahmedabad Heritage Walk. It was a great experience. Since then, I got the opportunity to revisit the same walk multiple times with friends and guests. Heritage Walks are a great way to know the city and experience the treasure of our culture. It is a great connector between past and present. Now there is Gandhi Walk, Kids Heritage Walk and Art & Craft Walk as well.

On The World Heritage Day on April 18, 2014, I participated in the Jain Heritage Walk Organized by ‘The Times Of India’. The concept of TOI Heritage Walks is to merge music with the walk.

The warm-up for the walk was the beautiful classical music by Genius Sitarist Manju Mehta. She gave a great spiritual and uplifting experience in the early morning at Diwanji-Ni-Haveli in Sankhdi Sheri at Manek Chowk.

After that great start, it was time for Jain Heritage Gaurav Yatra of the Walled City. The walk covered 33 temples made in marble and wood loaded with jaw-dropping carvings and yet retaining simplicity, the core value of the Jain way of life. The walk traversed through Ashtapad temple in Doshiwada ni pol, Ajithnath temple in Choumukhi ni pol, temples in Vaghan ni pol and the underground temple of Sambhavnath in Zaverivad.