Need more Job Givers than Job Seekers

"His exceptionally amazing way of analysing the statistics and circumstances to reach the perfect solution has always been worthy of appreciation. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Governor of Kerala, is committed to making people’s lives easier, and is known for his ideologies and opinions in regards to social issues, environment and society development. He is currently the 23rd Governor of Kerala, and previously he has been the Governor of Bihar and Himachal Pradesh. A Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader, Arlekar joined the BJP in 1989, and has been active member of the BJP (Goa) since the 1980s. He has been a Cabinet Minister in the Government of Goa, and former speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. He is credited with making the Goa Legislative Assembly paperless, the first state assembly in India to do so."

"Talking recently at an MBA institute in Pune, he gave a scintillating talk on why today, India need more job givers and not job seekers. He also talked on the importance of having a goal and purpose in life, the vision for 'Viksit Bharat@2047', and more. Corporate Citizen brings you the excerpts"

Having a goal in life is essential

I’m not a legal luminary or an education expert, but, while meeting chancellors of many universities, I got the opportunity to visit many campuses and educational institutions. I have always tried to understand what education truly means and what role it plays in the coming future.

The youth in the audience here are not just sitting here without a purpose; they know very well, what they want to do next. You are not the next generation, you are today’s generation, who are going to shape the future of our society and the nation. That's the reason why you all are here. You all have some objectives in your life—having a goal in life is essential. It is not just about finishing school and moving on to college, because someone told you to do so. Have you really given a thought as to why you are doing it?

You are doing it—going to school and college—because you have a clear goal in mind. If you don’t have a clear goal, life can be directionless and lack purpose. Have a goal in your life—a personal aspiration for something you strive to achieve.

To achieve professional success, drawing inspiration from others is a powerful strategy. Look at the accomplishments of successful individuals, as a guidance to framework your own career journey. You can learn from their success strategies, approaches and experiences, to carve a unique path towards your goal.

To have a goal is important—without a goal, you are a rudderless ship. Having a goal in life definitely provides a sense of direction, a roadmap towards your future.

Find your purpose in life

We all are here for a purpose and it is up to us to find our purpose in life. Otherwise, our life becomes meaningless, and we tend to tread on the paths set by others around us. You should identify what you're truly passionate about, what brings you fulfillment, and how you can contribute to the world in a meaningful way.

Swami Vivekananda has said “Each soul is potentially divine”. The goal must be to manifest the divinity within, the good and not the negative.

Today’s youth are talented and skilled, let those abilities grow by setting a goal. Identifying one's destiny allows for a purposeful and focused life path. Determine what you want to do and where you want to go in life.

Vision of Viksit Bharat@2047

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in the Indian youth, stating that they are collectively charting the roadmap for India's future over the next 22 years, and will achieve the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047. In the next 22 years, our country will be a developed nation. Our Prime Minister has put today’s youth at the centre; they are the harbingers of a Viksit Bharat. Youth are the destiny of Bharat.

If we want to make India a developed nation by 2047, we have to start working today, and not tomorrow. That is our destined goal and our journey in the next 22 years will be towards that goal.

"We need a shift from working for others to working for oneself. Why not think big—become a job giver and not job seeker. Develop a job-creator mindset, shift your focus from seeking employment to job creation"

Rajendra Arlekar, Governor of Kerala

Think bigger

We need a shift from working for others to working for oneself. Why not think big— become a job giver and not job seeker. Develop a job-creator mindset, shift your focus from seeking employment to job creation.

Let me share an anecdote to explain this thought process. Once Ustad Alla Rakha Qureshi, Hindustani classical musician and renowned tabla player, wanted to travel abroad to perform. He visited the passport office to complete the formal procedure to get a passport. At the passport office, he was facing difficulties to fill out the application form. The office clerk, on seeing Alla Rakha struggling, mockingly said, “If you do not even know how to fill out a form, why are you going abroad? One who does not know English language or cannot fill out an application form, have no business going abroad.”

Alla Rakha calmly asked the clerk, “What are your educational qualifications?". To which he replied, “I have completed my B.Com”. Alla Rakha further asked, “How many B.Com graduates are there in this city?” The answer came, “May be 200+.” “How many in this area?” “Maybe a 1000+.” “In this country?” “Many.” “In the world?” “Crores.”

Then Alla Rakha said to the clerk, “B.Com graduates are many, but Alla Rakha is only one in the world, and that is reason why I want to go abroad.”

Ustad Alla Rakha was a talented musician and that’s why the world wanted to hear him. His skills made him world-famous and revered as one of history's most iconic players of the tabla. We need to have a mindset like him—to do something different and unique.

We all are talking about startup these days. The Central and State governments are also offering many schemes to support these startups. will urge the youth to avail the startup incubation and innovation centres set-up in your universities. Take advantage of these opportunities. We need more job givers than job seekers. Have the mindset of becoming a job giver.

Guaranteed poverty vs. risky prosperity

An economist describing the mental state of youth in India, once said, “Today's Indian youth accepts to live in guaranteed poverty than live in risky prosperity”.

To accept guaranteed poverty means choosing job safety, even if it is limited. But, if you’re a master of your destiny, then you have the courage to take the risk. So here, risky prosperity means taking risk for growth and prosperity—establishing your own startup is a risk, but it gives you the prosperity. Today, the approach of risky prosperity is needed. And, in today's world, who has the potential to take that risk? The youth—engaging with startups at an early age comes with many benefits for young people.

The younger people tend to be more risk-tolerant as they have fewer responsibilities than what happens later in life. So, preference should be for risky prosperity over guaranteed poverty. We need this mindset, to bring our vision of ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ into reality.

Let us all work towards the ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ goal. It should be a targeted goal and we should start working on it from now. Seeking guidance from seniors, teachers and mentors, can significantly benefit you. We are here to provide you everything, but you must be ready. Becoming a developed nation by 2047 is our dream and we are fully determined to achieve that goal. And you, today’s generation, are the ones who will make it happen.

Focus on foundational schooling from the ground up

Our Indian Knowledge System (IKS) is a vast and diverse collection of knowledge, beliefs and practices, that have developed over thousands of years in India. How can we utilise all that ancient knowledge now, is what the educationists today must be attempting to answer.

While higher education can be a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, it shouldn't be seen as the sole determinant of success or the only avenue. Rebuilding the education system from the schooling period requires a multifaceted approach. From their initial years, children’s mental growth is forged and carried forward. Many children in India drop out of school after completing high school, though rates have generally declined. Our National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, introduced by the Government of India, is a comprehensive reform aimed at transforming the education system to align with the needs of the 21st century.

Becoming a developed nation by 2047 is our dream and we are fully determined to achieve that goal. And you, today’s generation, are the ones who will make it happen

What we can do for our motherland?

Supporting locally manufactured goods can significantly impact a nation's future, potentially leading to economic growth and increased self-reliance. I’m not saying to stop using what’s not being made in our country, if it’s needed then it’s okay. But, do I need an imported pen or wristwatch? India is capable of manufacturing such high-quality products. Small initiatives like preferring Indian-made goods, can make a big difference in our vision to make India a developed nation.