Face to Face Text & Interview: Betsey Johanson ■
Three little words can influence the purchasing decisions of
Der Zusatz „Made in…“ als Hinweis auf die geographische Her-
buyers around the world: ‘Made in (insert country here)’.Certain
kunft stellt bei vielen im Umlauf befindlichen Produkten ein nicht
products are so bound to their geographical origins that their
zu unterschätzenden wertbildenden Faktor dar. Man denke zum
names are spoken in conjuction. Swiss watches, Italian shoes,
Beispiel an Produkte wie schweizer Uhren, italienische Schuhe
French Champagne … Proudly proclaiming a product’s origin
oder französischen Champagner. Der Nachweis der Produkther-
can be the ultimate statement of quality.
kunft gilt als ultimatives Qualitätsversprechen.
While Indian champagne isn’t about to take over the sparkling wine
Doch Globalisierung und Internetrevolution haben die ökono-
market just yet, globalization and state-of-the-art communications
mischen Kraftfelder auf diesem Erdball von Grund auf verschoben.
are enabling ‘new’ players to compete in established fields. 70 %
Der Kontinent Asien, zur Jahrhundertmitte die führende Weltregion
of the world’s population lives in Asia and India could soon overtake
mit 70 % der Bevölkerung, ist das neue Gravitationszentrum, und
China as the most populated country on the planet. Its technological
Indien – ein Land in dem bald mehr Menschen leben werden als in
advances and massive workforce are keeping it on course to
China – auf dem Weg zu seiner technologischen Vormacht.
becoming the powerhouse of Asia. Bei der Hannover Messe 2006, der Welt größte IndustriegüterWith 340 companies taking part at the world’s No. 1 industrial ex-
schau, war Indien mit 340 Firmen der größte ausländische Aus-
hibition in Germany, India was the largest foreign presence. A plain
steller. Dass Indien anstrebt als am schnellsten wachsende Ökonomie
indicator of the country’s economic growth, India’s significance in
auf der weltpolitischen Bühne eine führende Rolle zu übernehmen,
world politics is something, narcissistic Europe has been a little slow
wurde im narzisstischen Europa spät erkannt.
in recognizing. Mit dem indischen Subkontinent verbanden Politiker wie Publizisten With little sense of the country’s cultural heritage or history, politi-
vorwiegend Vorstellungen von Massenelend, Seuchen, heiligen
cians and the media have predominantly associated the sub conti-
Kühen oder Kinderarbeit, sie zeigten wenig Gespür für seine
nent with poverty, disease, sacred cows, and child labour. While not
geistige und politische Bedeutung.
The Elephant has awoken –
unfounded, India’s economic facts are causing many to take a second
India’s IT service providers are second to none. In a world where
junger, gut ausgebildeter Inder auf den Markt, kreieren IT-Lösungen,
India on course to become the powerhouse of Asia
information technologies are the future, the country releases milli-
Software, Ingenieur- und Dienstleistungstechnologien und revolu-
ons of highly trained soft and hardware engineers on to the global
tionieren den globalen Wissenshandel. Bald werden auch indische
market every year. A driving force. In India’s rapidly expanding middle
Autos auf den Strassen der Welt rollen. Indien ist Nuklearmacht,
class – the purchasing power of which affects everything from
hat die viertgrößte Armee der Welt und muss nicht mehr wie oft
automobile manufacture to improved medical facilities. As a major
in seiner wechselvollen Geschichte damit rechnen, unter fremde
international power, India’s military machine has also grown. The
Herrschaft zu gelangen.
look.
Indische Dienstleistungsfirmen in der Informationstechnologie sind schon heute weltweit führend. Jahr für Jahr strömen Millionen
country counts nuclear warheads amongst its arsenal and boasts the worlds 4th largest army. Invasions from neighbouring countries are a
Made in India – Motor dieses Wirtschaftswunders ist eine Gene-
thing of the past.
ration genialer Unternehmer, die mit Pioniergeist aus dem Nichts blühende Imperien schufen: Milliardär Azim Premji, der mit seiner
While the middle class is estimated at around 300 million people, a
Firma Wipro die indische Antwort auf Microsoft gibt, Lakshmi
few names in particular continue to make headlines. One example is
Mittal, aufgewachsen in den Slums von Kalkutta, heute größter
billionaire Azim Premji whose company Wipro, is considered the Indian
Stahlproduzent und einer der reichsten Männer der Welt oder
equivalent to Microsoft. Another is the head of the worlds largest
Captain C. P. Krishnan Nair – Preisträger der Vereinten Nationen,
producer of low and mid-grade steels and the world’s 5th
Umweltschützer, Großindustrieller und Hotelier aus Cannarore,
richest man, Lakshmi Mittal. His family worked its way from humble
Kerala, der mit einer Näherei für Borten begann und heute der größ-
beginnings in kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Or Captain C. P Krishnan
te Textil-Exporteur Indiens ist.
Nair – United Nations Global Laureate, environmentalist, industrialist and hotelier from Cannarore, Kerala – who made a journey from
Wie nutzt Indien, die größte Demokratie der Welt, seinen Einfluss?
handlooms and is now India’s largest garment exporter.
Ist es – wie viele Amerikaner und Europäer heute sagen – tatsächlich „ein besseres China“? Captain Nair hat für uns die Antworten. ■
Kempinski Magazine caught up with Captain Nair and took the opportunity to get some answers on a place many consider, ‘China – only better’. ■ 18
19
Face to Face
Interview with Capt. C. P. Krishnan Nair Chairman, The LEELA Palaces, Hotels and Resorts
For a long time, India was considered by many as a difficult
the State is a Muslim. An Incredible ethnic diversity coming to-
marketplace, over regulated, plagued with poverty, social con-
gether it would seem. Does unity stem from diversity? Is India a
flicts, corruption and bureaucracy. How has the country learned
role model for harmonious plurality and how does India utilize
to accomplish these problems?
this to its advantage?
India has seen a sea change with the advent of young dynamic
Absolute secularism from the world’s largest democracy for which
Mr Rajiv Gandhi as India’s Prime Minister. He was a techno savvy
the world can take India as role model. Our tolerance, non violence
visionary who wanted to make India a big player in the new sci-
and propagation of peace comes to us from Vedic times. The
entific upsurge in the world. He hired telecom Guru Sam Pitroda
people as a whole are peace-loving, simple and unostentatious.
to set up the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
As Chairman of business conglomerate in textiles, garments and
to take India into the new age scientific mission. That has paid
hotels, my personal living expenses can well be with a frugal
off, though sadly, he has paid with his life. The succeeding
amount and yet be comfortable. Indians are realising their Indian
government presided by Mr Narasimhan Rao herald it the
dream. A dream that can be dreamt by Gujarati or a Tamil, by a
opening up of the economy with Mr Manmohan Singh as Prime
Muslim or Parsi, on a charpoy or a luxury bed. No one identity
Minister and Mr Chidambaram as his Commerce Minister. Young
can triumph in India. Indians themselves belief in the success of
Kamal Nath who instituted The Festival of India, taking it to
Indian pluralism.
Europe and America, made an indelible impression of India’s rich cultural heritage on the world map.
You donate a lot of your time to social projects designed to aid the less fortunate. How can India combat poverty and develop-
Every field felt the impact with resultant rebirth in tele commu-
ment in long-term?
nications, nuclear technology, missiles, energy and agriculture. In
Compulsory free education to children in the country, women em-
the process India created a million scientists who branched out
powerment and giving equal opportunity to men and women, if
into the world to bring back new thinking into diversified fields.
achieved, will mark the beginning of a new era in the chapter of
The current leadership is taking the good work forward in leaps
India’s history. At The Leela clothing factories we employ a work-
and bounds. Today India is open to the contention of ideas and
force of over 25,000 of which 80 % is comprised of women.
interests within it, unafraid of the prowess or the products of the outside world, wedded to the pluralism that is India’s grea-
With regard to foreign affairs and security policies, India and
test strength, and determined to liberate and fulfill the creative
the western community of states have a great deal in common.
energies of its people. Such an India can make 21st century on
But compared to China, these similarities have not always been
its own.
appreciated in the past. How do you see India’s role as a partner of the western countries in the future?
Upon what is India’s economic success built? Are there any
As the largest democracy in the world, India shares the liberal
major differences to other East Asian countries? Is there an
thinking of countries such as in Europe and America. Every adult
Indian economic model?
can vote and install a government of their own choice. China on
Science and technology can transform India into a developed
the other hand has historically been a closed country.
nation by 2020. Our young people, numbering 300 million
20
■ Cpt. C. P. Krishnan Nair
should develop the curiosity, knowledge and core competence.
‘We expect India and China to reclaim their places as the
Determination, perseverance and the courage to invent new
world’s top producer as they did in the middle of the nineteenth
phenomena in science and technology leading to path-breaking
century. Back then, these two countries controlled over half the
discoveries. Technology isn’t just about enabling businesses but
worlds production’. Says Gerald Celente, Director of the Trends
also creating an environment for businesses to thrive in. Our
Research Institute in Rhinebeck, NewYork. Can India overtake
major strength is that India is educated in English and almost
China as Asia’s new super tiger and why?
3/4th of the country understand English. Our Indian economic
Yes, the young, technology savvy, vibrant English speaking, edu-
model is an agro-based economy and a private and public sector
cated youth is India’s strength and hope in our endeavour to rule
driven mixed economy.
and reclaim our rightful place in the sun.
18 official laungages, over 70 % of the population are Hindu, the
India is already home to one of the worlds leading film
President and the Defense Minister are Sikhs and the Head of
industries. Bollywood producers an amazing 900 films a year 21
Face to Face
(Hollywood 670) and makes billions at the box office. Can other Industries in India learn from this success?
T h i n k i n g ou t s ide t he b ox
Captain C. P. Krishnan Nair
All organisations reflect the new character of Indian companies turning multinationals with multiple markets across the globe; the companies are slowly establishing a more global identity. In 1976, India became the first country in the world to make environmental protection a part of its legislation. As your many awards can attest (including the UN global 500 award-known today as the champions of Earth award), environmental protection also has a special place in your heart. Would you like to see more governmental support for such things as power supply, renewable energies and waste disposal? Most emphatically, yes. Nature has been kind to India with its generosity of resources. It is not just the government but the ■ Captain C. P. Krishnan Nair was born at Cannanore, Kerala in
responsibility of every Indian to ensure that we nurture it.
1923. He completed his schooling at the Local Raja’s High School and subsequently joined the Muslim College in Chennai. With the spirit
Around 76 % of Indians believe that by the year 2020 India will
of a rebel and a freedom fighter, he joined Free India’s army.
be a major world power and the third largest economy after the
Later on, he resigned his commission to champion the cause of
USA and China. What hurdles will the country have to success-
handloom weavers. From pioneering handlooms, the far-reaching
fully negotiate to prove them right?
impact of the visionary Capt. Nair has always been evident. When
Indian businesses have a robust supply chain of talent. We are
his sights focused on hospitality, he transformed industry stan-
home to the largest young population in the world. We have to
dards forever. Today, he is a significant player in the Tourism and
integrate our young into the economic engine.
Handloom Industry. In per capita terms, we may still be a poor country but we are His three magnificent creations in corporate hotels and resorts,
hungry for growth, being capable and determined to succeed. ■
The Leela Kempinski Mumbai (1986), The Leela, Goa (1990), The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore (2001) stand testimony to his unswerving spirit. Numerous are the awards that Capt. Nair has won over the years. Special amongst all is the Global 500 Laureate Roll of Honour by the United Nations Environment Programme in 1999, the Maharana Mewar Foundation National Award for ‘outstanding practical achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment’ in 2002, and the prestigious V. P. Menon Award from the President of India. Once, when asked what motivates him, he replied, ‘The obsessive compulsion to excel, and to offer my country the best of what I was fortunate to experience around the world, is what drives me endlessly.’ Capt. Nair pioneered the export of fabrics to the USA in the late 1950s with the ‘Bleeding Madras’ fabric. He was the first in the organised sector to set up a unit to produce cotton laces in India with Scottish collaboration in Leela Scottish Lace Private Limited. He was also instrumental in organising the ‘Small Exporters’ Guild’ which helped many small exporters. The LEELA Group, which has just re-launched its beach resort in Kovalam plans the opening of the Leela Kempinski Gurganon in Delhi in late 2007, a further expansion in Chennai, Udaipur and Hyderabad as well as the extension of the property in Bangalore. ■ The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach Kerala
22
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