Keep up with the Times

(Published in Banking Services Chronicle February 2005)

A great-uncle of mine is known for his obsessions. When I met him a few years ago, he was wallowing in the platitude: “If you don’t keep up with the times, you will be discarded like a worn-out shoe.” His repetitions may have sounded jarring to some. But if a man in his seventies gets possessed with the idea, it’s time one paid heed.

The secret of success lies in responding to change. When the oil crisis dealt a blow to the world economy in the 1970s, Danish developers began a search for alternative fuel technology in cooperation with energy provider Elsam. The search now seems to be paying dividends. According to the Copenhagen Post, “Danish energy researchers say car and truck motors may literally run on straw and wind in the foreseeable future—and could even run more smoothly on these unconventional fuel sources.”

Elsam’s invention VEnzin—VE stands for vedvarende energi (renewable energy)—seems to be a move towards the resolution of the problem of oil. VEnzin is traditional petrol with added alcohol in the form of methanol and ethanol. While methanol can be extracted via wind energy, ethanol is obtained through the fermentation of molasses.

Responding to change becomes even more important in the world of ideas than in the material world. A follower of panchsheel and democracy, India could never even think of hobnobbing with a military junta. But in a globalised world when India began to look East, Myanmar could no longer remain an untouchable. It was more important to curb terrorism and boost trade than pursue a mere idea.

Another thing that has changed in the new world is the concept of employment. If you retain 10 persons for a work where five are sufficient, it is nothing but disguised unemployment. And why pay high wages to employees when jobs can be outsourced much cheaper?

Even recently, the Netherlands’ biggest bank ABN Amro announced it was cutting 2,850 back office and IT staff. This after it has already cut about 10,000 jobs in the last four years. The motive: it aims to bring its cost base in line with its competitors. Indian banks have also followed the trend and shed flab to stay competitive. Technology is reducing manpower. But the phenomenon needs to be accompanied by relevant education as well. Techno-friendliness needs to be inculcated. Only then can we get rid of the long queues which have become ubiquitous in banks.

Within India greater changes are taking place. Awareness is increasing among the citizens of the country. Gone are the days when bureaucratic deals took place in the corridors of power and not a voice was raised. People accepted corrupt practices of the officials as a part of their fate. Today there is a demand for transparency. The tabling of the Right to Information Bill, 2004 speaks volumes in this direction.
Even government officials have begun to candidly admit that the system has become corrupt. Yes, it’s official. Amod Kumar, the District Magistrate of Sitapur, recently wrote to an executive engineer for settlement of power bills of two farmers in the following words: “Kripya bina ghoos ke karwane ki mahti kripa karen. (Please do the huge favour of getting the work done without any bribe.)”

But changes have their flip side too. Openness and transparency become a burden when they stretch into the realm of vulgarity and obscenity. The Mid-Day splash of the kiss which they claim to be Kareena and Shahid’s lends journalism a yellow tint. Film actors and newspapers are the role models of the society. When they indulge in titillation, what can we expect of school children? The DPS MMS should then not come as a surprise.

The message is: Keep up with the times. Change the model of your shoes. But don’t change it so much that the foot becomes bare.