A Few Good Indian Managers

Managers in the West may face hypercompetition, whereas those in India face different challenges including red tape. Yet, many in the government and corporate sectors have done extremely well, and their organisations, or we at large, have benefited. Here are a few over the years.

Maruti's first Chairman, V. Krishnamurthy, set up a plant to manufacture India's first modern car with Japanese technology. Maruti 800 was a revolution of sorts, which literally launched the Indian middle class on its drive towards 10 percent growth, a far cry from the Hindu rate of growth till then of 2-3 percent (now a Christian rate of growth, ironically).

Verghese Kurien, the man who gave us milk. May sound silly in 2012, but when he started putting together what I consider India's best brand, Amul, he had to battle bureaucracy and more.

In another way, the people who gave us shiny black hair, the good people at Chik shampoo who first brought it out in small sachets costing 50 paise or 1 rupee, fulfilling a lot to rural Indian aspirations, of an affordable hair wash.

Hero Honda's managers, for giving Indians a bike which they could fill, shut and forget about filling again, because of its fuel efficiency.

Onida's managers, for picking the best ad slogan ever (my subjective opinion)- Neighbour's Envy, Owner's Pride, with a devilish glee.

The man who cleaned up Nagpur, giving it wide roads, and clean and green environs. I believe it was one Chandrasekhar.

Sreedharan, India's metro man.

Chandrababu Naidu, for his e-governane initiatives, making life easier for the common man.

Whoever brought about the mobile revolution, and brought an end to govt. monopoly in phones. Otherwise we'd be still lining up at the post office to make a trunk call. And I wouldn't be writing this blog.

The RBI governors in the last decade who saved our country from going bust with their control over fancy financial instruments.

Tatas, in particular TCS, Mr. Narayanamurthy, and Mr. Premji for improving India's standing in the world, and giving jobs to millions of under-employed Indian engineers.

Of course, the biggest of all, Dr. Manmohan Singh, for pulling the plug on licensing. In 1991. That was our velvet revolution.