GDP!

GDP – Governance, Development & Performance. This has been the north star of the GOI in its Interim Budget 2024-25. Thankfully, so much has been said already on the budget that I have very little to add. Well, my musings on GDP come from my own experience and January has been a hugely satisfying month for me listening to a diverse set of speakers – sung and unsung. And of course reflecting on the thoughts gleaned, words spoken, visuals seen. Read on to know why I say so…..

What did the renowned author, Devdutt Pattanaik say on Governance, at the ICSI Corporate Governance Awards, 2023 ?

• Western philosophy refers to ‘Everybody’s truth’ whereas the Oriental philosophies talk of ‘Ekam Satya, Poorna Satya (the whole truth)’. Jainism’s doctrine is ‘Anekantvaad’ about metaphysical truths that emerged in ancient India. It states that the ultimate truth and reality is complex and has multiple aspects. Accept the different Truths !
• Western truth is measurement based but not everything in life is measurable. Compliance can be measured but not Niyat/ethics which are an integral part of governance. 
• Approach issues with curiosity. Don’t do ‘Vaad’ (argument). Do ‘Samvaad’ (conversation). Each one has a different experience with truth. Let it not be a ‘Rana bhoomi (war) but a ‘Ranga bhoomi (performance). To be successful in business, understand what the market needs and demands. Be curious, not combative !
• The epic Mahabharata which is full of kathas (stories) and upa-kathas (sub-stories) is hailed as Pancham Veda (5th Veda). Through an interesting story he drove home the nexus between Bhook(hunger) – Bhog(luxury) – Bali(Sacrifice) – Anna(Food) leading to Dharma Sankat (ethical dilemma). Bhook is the root cause of ambitions, achievements as well as dilemmas in life !
• This quartet also leads to governance of companies. The question should be ‘Whose hunger are you focussing on  – yours alone or others’ also ?’. You exist for a larger ecosystem of the world – this should drive businesses.
• Law is a shorthand for compassion (Indian definition of governance). Look at the world from Compassion, not Competiveness !

What did the Buzzwomen Gelatis (friends in Kannada) share about Development at their recent Annual Retreat ?

(Buzzwomen is a successful, Bangalore based 12 year old, not-for-profit organisation, working towards spreading financial literacy amongst rural women and empowering them through training, hand-holding and skill development. It has transformed many lives through the 5 crucial elements that drive progress: cash, confidence, climate, care and community. Led by its Chief Changemaker, the spirited Uthara Narayan, Buzzwomen has taken wings in Netherlands, Gambia & Georgia as well, touching women’s lives across geographies. )

• Development is not just the cliched ‘women development’. It is about the transformation that these empowered women are bringing in their men (mostly drunkards, jobless, sick, wayward), in their battered lives and ultimately in the families and neighbourhood leading to happy communities and economically developed villages. How financial acumen and small investments are the wind beneath their wings to be self-sufficient, to support others and become bold entrepreneurs.

As an invitee at the Retreat, for a change I saw a sea of confident, proud rural women being cheered by a handful of men partnering with them through Buzzwomen. Truly inspired by the demonstration of “Development” by Narishakthi (women power) !

What Performance does the documentary “Kappe Raaga – the song of Kumbara” epitomise ?

Do watch this beautiful, heart rending, goosebumps giving Green Oscar award winning documentary “Kappe Raaga – the song of Kumbara” by Prashanth Nayaka. Known as the Night Frog, this is a true demonstration of Performance with patience, persistence, passion and purpose not only of the chief protagonist of the film, a male frog but also of Nayaka and his team. He waited for 6 years to make the 6 minute film which is all about a rare species of frog in the western ghats, named Kumbara (potter in Kannada) by him for the film, of how he protects the newly laid eggs and nourishes them once the female frog abandons them after laying. This is so contrary to the female-as-a-nourisher role and unique to this species of frog found in a small stream. The musical video with breathtaking photography, soulful music, philosophical lyrics is a sensual treat and creates awareness about ecology and environment more than what reams of text or hours of lectures can do. A must watch that I had the privilege to be part of at a recent screening of Bharatnomics series by the WMG group.

Well that was GDP of a different genre for you ! 

As we present the first issue of Samhita in 2024, I would like to place on record my sincere gratitude to CA Naveen Bhat for his contribution to the IT and GST updates every month and in particular to the Interim Budget summary prepared at short notice for this 296th issue. It is a purely voluntary contribution amidst his busy professional schedule.

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https://sharadasc.com/samhita/