National brand, reputations making world take India more seriously: Jaishankar at Pune event

Jaishankar said the world appreciates Indians on different counts. “Indians are regarded today by the world as people with a strong work ethic. They believe that Indians have an aptitude for technology and espouse a family-centric culture. India today is defined by its talent and skills.

In conversations abroad, I largely hear words of praise for our diaspora. And increasingly, as ease of doing business and ease of living improve in India itself, for us as people, nation, and society, the old stereotypes about India are steadily being put behind,” he said.

Jaishankar said there is much more than we need to do in our journey of progress and modernisation, but this evolution in our image is an undeniable reality. Our figures vouch for this transformation.

”Among them are the growing number of global capability centres in India, the increasing demand for Indian talent and skills abroad, and the individual successes of people. And this extends equally to us as a collective,” he said.
How do we Indians approach the world? ”Again, I would say clearly, with more confidence and with more capability. But there is a difference that is worth noting. Most nations have made their presence felt in the world through economic interactions, be it trade, investment, or services. Naturally, that has been our pathway as well, and each of these metrics has been increasing. But what distinguishes us, however, is the relevance of human resources,” he said.
Jaishankar said as incomes rise and demands grow, a range of socio-economic requirements need to be addressed more effectively. We will need not just more engineers, doctors, and managers, or scientists, techies and lawyers, but equally, teachers, researchers, historians, artists, and sportspersons.

”Bear in mind that in the last decade alone our higher education institutions have broadly doubled in number over what they had been before and there is room for more growth and restrictive improvement,” he said.

“Globalisation has fundamentally altered the way we think and work,” the minister said. Jaishankar said much of the Western world now feels that it has stagnated, a sentiment that has increasingly come to acquire a political meaning. Western elites consciously chose to shift production to maximize profits.

”Their competitiveness has eroded over the years, accelerated by their lifestyle,” he said. Their demographic predicament has been an added factor, he added.

The cumulative result of all these happenings is that the global economic and, thereafter, political pecking order has actually undergone a very significant change, Jaishankar said.

Addressing the graduating students, Dr S Jaishankar congratulated them on achieving an important academic milestone and reflected on the transformation India and the world have undergone over the decades. “Those who are graduating today have a wider knowledge base, far greater confidence and a very different skill set. You are the generation that has the responsibility of taking India to the next level,” he said.

Dr Mujumdar in his presidential address highlighted the importance of holistic development and outlined three guiding principles for a successful and meaningful life. “Innovation with courage, compassion for those less fortunate, and passion in whatever you pursue are essential not only for success, but also for happiness,” he said.

Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Dr R Raman, Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Dr Rajiv Yeravdekar, Provost, Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, Symbiosis International University (SIU), Dr M S Sejul, Registrar, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), were the other distinguished dignitaries present for the function.