Indian concepts

Management curriculums in Indian B-schools are based on Western thoughts, concepts and corporate experiences. Today's students become managers of tomorrow. Thriving on Western management concepts, they come across the problems of 'Indianizing' their knowledge. Ignoring Indian sentiments and culture makes management students confused in actual work situations

Indian civilization is one of the most ancient in the world. It has a unique cultural and spiritual fragrance gifted by great seers, saints, kings, acharyas, and visionaries. Their timeless advice is enshrined in the ancient Indian scriptures. Ancient Indians knew the art and science of management and Indian scriptures are a testimony to this.

Scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, and the Mahabharata speak volumes about the management excellence of Lord Krishna. King Janaka, Arjuna, Vidura, Bhishma, and the list is only indicative. They were front runners in the management of affairs of their times. Their management styles showed enough poignancy to complement and supplement the present-day management concepts.

Indian scriptures are a treasure house of philosophy and offer vital guidelines on psychology, sociology, political science, social psychology, human behaviour and modern-day management concepts. Resurging focus on spirituality, yoga and meditation in management has made the scriptural knowledge all the more relevant for modern-day managers. Add to it, deteriorating ethics and degrading values in society and the time is ripe for Indian managers to imbibe management concepts from these scriptures.

The Indian style of functioning is different from the Western style, and that makes it imperative for managers to provide 'Indian uniqueness' to management. Admittedly, Western and Japanese management styles are not irrelevant for Indian managers but these can at best serve as nutritional supplements. The 'basic food' should come from Indian scriptures - experiences, culled from Indian sentiments and sensitivities rooted in these scriptures.

Present day managers are well versed in technicalities of Western management concepts. They have modern infrastructure to support them but equally important is the 'Knowledge of Self Management'.