Friday, August 18, 2006

From D. Ambani's acceptance speech at ET lifetime achievement award

I have pasted this in my room . It used to be my fav quote even before i decided to join RIL. This quote( the first part dream n dare one) has been in my study desk from the day D. Ambani gave the speech:) One of my all time favs:)

For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win.
Today, I would like to share this message with all young
Indians:

Dream and dare.
My message is very simple:
Let no one demoralize you.
Do not allow any one to deter you.
Pursue your goal, even in the face of difficulties.
Convert difficulties into opportunities.
Keep your morale high, inspite of setbacks.
At the end, you are bound to succeed.

Often friends ask me,
Have I achieved all that I wanted?
The simple reply is : No. There are many more miles to go.
What has been achieved is history. I only believe in looking at the
future.
I still cherish several dreams:
The dream of assured water supply for all our villages.
The dream of a manifold increase in our agriculture output.
The dream of connecting all our villages with the rest of the world.
The dream of giving world-class education.
The dream of providing millions of jobs
The dream of winning a war against diseases and malnutrition.
The dream of employing the latest science and technology.
All for the people of India.

In short, I dream of India becoming a great economic superpower.
Undoubtedly this dream has yet to become a reality.

The question is : What should we do to realise this dream?
First, we must know the problems. However, it is even more
important to know the solutions. Let us acquire knowledge and
then apply it. Knowledge is the key to greatness.

Second, we must respect creators of wealth. Unfortunately,
creators of wealth are ridiculed in our country.
A farmer is dismissed as an ‘illiterate’. Lip service is paid to
him only because he is a voter.
A worker is condemned as a troublemaker.
Businessmen are labelled as crooks.
Those who do not produce wealth discredit those who create
wealth.

This attitude kills the productive spirit.

A society, which condemns creators of wealth will always
remain poor and miserable.

Acquisition of knowledge and creation of wealth are part of our
culture: That is why we worship Saraswati as well as Lakshmi.

Third, we must learn to trust. For several centuries, Indians have
been brainwashed to distrust other Indians. This saps national
energy. Distrust kills initiative. Distrust compels people to
maneuver and manipulate. Trust and transparency stimulates
entrepreneurship.

If India wants to be a great nation, we must have the courage
to trust. This is my sincere belief.

We must learn the difference between a mistake and a crime.

We must have the wisdom to correct and encourage.
Fourth, we must always go for the best. Do not compromise
on quality. Reject if it is not the best – not only the best in
India, but globally.

Friends,
These principles have guided me in my life’s journey – from a
village school boy in Gujarat to the metropolis of Mumbai via
Aden.

I have trusted people and they have put their trust in me.
I have encouraged youth, and they have never let me down.
I have asked my people to take initiative and to take risks. It has
paid me rich dividends.
I insist on excellence. This helps us to be leaders.

Reliance is built on some of these principles. I sincerely believe
that these are the principles that can help us to build a greater
India.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
These are exciting times. Times of change and transition. We
cannot afford to be complacent. These are times of big challenges.
These are also times of great opportunities.
Let us seize them. For this, we must change and discard old attitudes.
We must forge a new partnership for a great India. A strong
and constructive partnership between industry, government
and society.