GREAT PEOPLE IN BUSINESS 

N. K. Singh 

Two developments in international business scenario have made an impact on the entire world. First is the Bill Gates’ decision to give up his favourite achievement, Microsoft, and turn to social field to help those who need the critical help today; the second, rise of an Indian businessman to number one position in the world in Steel-making arena. Laxmi Niwas Mittal has brought honour to his country India. He stands as a role model for many business students and contemporary businessmen. 

Bill Gates had no cause to retire so early in a world where one finds octogenarian running for loaves and fish. Sometime when I meet a so-called rich man I wonder as to why he needs more money. It seems there is no end to the greed for wealth. When I was teaching hundreds of would-be leaders of business in Delhi and in other countries, I always had my favourite sessions on values with the students. I told them of ancient Indian values of Dharamarth, Kama and Moksha. I taught them about ethics in management which requires building of credibility and reliability to succeed. One student in Delhi got quite irritated with this and asked me that if I am teaching management, how is it compatible with tyaga (sacrifice). He thought it is better to take sanyas (exile) rather than attending management school. My answer always was “management is art of creation of wealth and there is nothing wrong to acquire it. We teach creation and sharing. The problem lies in greed and lust of wealth. It is the possession and attachment to it which creates all conflicts.” It is, however, sad that there is rat-race for money and these days people are prepared to do anything to obtain it. The capacity to share it and to give it for right cause in larger interest is missing. In fact, in our culture as enshrined in books and practiced in the past “the ability to give up” was writ large in our ashrams, in the final journey to moksha. In this very country our forefathers fought for freedom and sacrificed without waiting for rewards. Unfortunately, after freedom the same spirit was given up. Today, on our Independence Day, it will be just right to think as to why the spirit of sacrifice has been lost in past few decades. We have politicians who cling to their seats and we have businessmen who may give millions to get rid of some astrologically adverse aspects on them, but not for social work. We seem to have lost the ability to give when need arises. Bill Gates and his friend Buffete have set an example to the rest of the world.  

Compared to this, in spite of great achievement of Mittal , it is a pity that in vulgar display of wealth he spends fifty millions dollars on a  marriage . It is high time that our businessmen who fund religious places to obtain moksha  or spend lavishly on celebrations, think about funding the cause of education, health and poverty alleviation programmes. In the Unites States alumni contribution to the universities is an established practice. Many such institutions such as Ford Foundation and others contribute to educational and research needs of growing knowledge sector.  

There is, however, lot to learn from Mittal’s great achievement to become steel king in the world. He started with humble person, but through sheer strategy of management, and using Indian skilled engineers, achieved great success in a competitive world where United States, Russia and Japan dominated. Europe’s racist resistance was the last citadel to be demolished, which he did with diplomatic patience and finally humbled the white pride. Business world needs to emulate him, excluding his flagrant display of lately acquired wealth.