Role of Education in choosing workable leadership For those of us who do talk about a literate world and development through education but deep down believe that those superstitious, ignorant folks can never make it big––here is something from guys who might sound unreasonable––who believe change is possible. See the video at http://gsevserv.harvard.edu/ramgen/iep/iep_nm_fr.rm.
How many of us believe that it is possible to have an educated workforce in Assam who choose their government not based on the symbol of hand (Congress) or Lotus (BJP) or elephant (AGP)—, since they cannot read the names of the party but recognize only symbols, like preschool kids? Or, vote for whom their community leaders direct them to, but by being literate and able to read widely and judge for themselves what sort of political party is good for them, and more importantly which local leader should be voted out of office and which one voted in? Is it possible to have a society in Assam where it will be necessary for the politicians to enter in discussion and debates to convince the voters of their worthiness? And not just give speeches and car rallies to show their muscle strength, to browbeat voters into choosing them.
Of course, the questions remain: How useful is universal literacy in improving economic development of the region? Will universal literacy translate in Assam becoming the next Japan? Is there any role of neighbors in economic progress of a region?
Location, Location, Location!! Would it would make any difference if instead of Bhutan, Bangladesh and Burma (Myanmar) the NE region of India had the location of current Switzerland? What if France, Italy and Germany surrounded Assam? Most likely the culture of progress and technological advancement and subsequent trade would have rubbed off on Assam as well. Aren’t Mexico (and also Canada) progressing due to its proximity to super power USA?
Linkages and Learning Strategies How can Assam inch towards such world powers despite being halfway across the globe from them?
Can we learn from Japan?
While reading “Made in Japan”, the famous autobiography of Akio Morita, the founder of Sony group, who was also the unofficial spokesman of Japan Inc., it becomes clear that Japanese grew by their interactions, through trade and education, with the USA. Sony rose from the ashes of post WW-2 Japan. Akio moved to USA while running his factory in Japan, to expand trade there and imbibe new technology and business practices. He said that he kept away from fellow Japanese and mingled freely with the Americans, since only Americans alone could help him develop new skills. Fellow Japanese were like blind leading the blind, all in the same boat. More info on Akio Morita can be found at http://www.sony.com/ SCA/press/morita_bio.shtml.
Can we learn something from Japan? Is learning by doing possible?
What is possible?
Contributed by
Umesh Sharma.
Ed.M. Harvard Univ. ‘05, MBA ‘96, BA (Econ.) Delhi ‘94
College Park, MD, USA
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