Every week I attend network gatherings, and when I mention I am from Mumbai, India - there's a sorry reaction. People at times ask me about the situation - tourist per se as well as from political perspective. And I more than welcome then in explaining them of do's and don'ts of travelling.
India has a long history of extreme weather patterns. Any adverse affect of the climate change would indirectly impact the Indian economy. The current political situations at the national level revolve more around terrorism and development of the nation. I am sure there would be 'n' number of blogs on this topic already, and being a idealist and sort of capitalist, I would like to view the leaders of my country being more pro-active and sensible in their approach towards policy making.
More recently my entrepreneur friend at IE Business School questioned me about global warming, setting up a firm in India and how I would address the issue to the President/ Prime Minister of the country if I had a chance to meet them for only 5 mins. Well that was a test and a teaser sort from my friend. Also, this made me wonder that the development versus environment debate makes it much more difficult for the environmental issues to come to the centre stage of any political agenda. Global warming is very essential, environmentally, politically and economically. I firmly believe that the political leaders should come forward to stabilize greenhouse gases using stringent national policies and effective market mechanisms, like moving away from consumption or focus on sharing resources, thus looking forward to remodel our world.
If I had the opportunity to meet the president or the prime minister, I would like to ask her/him about the environmental policy - asking her/him about Global warming and what will it take to implement a cure that is actually more costly than the original affliction? Why that global warming is not discussed with an open attitude, so that the budding entrepreneurs can carefully view their investments to avoid making big and costly mistakes or any repetitive mistakes? It is just not a matter of choosing the optimal economic path, but rather decide what kind of society we would like to live in.
With this meeting I would listen, question and offer my opinions. Finally I would like to take a photograph of the two of us, with an autograph on it, to make me realize that yes it all happened!! My friend was more or less convinced with my 5 min approach, but couldn't stop laughing on the photography statement. Well, not daily you get to meet big personalities - right?
