A meeting with the man himself

This noon I had a very very interesting lunch- a lunch with Mr. TN Seshan (TNS). For those who haven't heard this rather well know name- TNS was the Chief Election Commissioner of India and by far one of the most strict and candid bureaucrats this country has ever seen. He is know to bring a tremendous amount of discipline into the office and of all the chiefs this country has seen unarguably he's the most known and inspirational.

I met him at the SIBM Bangalore campus where he's mentoring a set of students (lucky they). Over the lunch I got to spend almost 30 minutes with this great gentleman.

Our topic of discussion was Innovation (what else)!

TNS was of the opinion that we Indians have not done anything which qualifies to be really Creative. Me recoiling with the likes of Aravind Eye Hospital, ITC eChoupal, Narayana Hrudayalaya and the other world known examples from India- all that was dowsed off by his trademark (valid) arguments.

He opined that all these were at best- Re-Engineering or Reverse Engineering.

For which I said, may be that all India needs. To which he picked up, that not all India needs... India needs it but not 'that's all'.

The discussion dovetailed into deciphering is it the talent that matters or the investment (resources) for creativity. For which he suggested that talent is a must coupled with patience.

We can't expects our scientists to come up with 2 truths (inventions) a month and beat them all to that result.

We need to have more patience, give enough room for young minds and then expect innovation.

I must say that the talk was enthralling, to say the least and am happy to be at the right place at the right time.

One last thing- even at an age of 70+ his energy level and presence of mind, coupled with trait of mincing nowwords was infectious.

Thanks SIBM.