Seeing India flag at New York Stock exchange is such a moment of pride. At first, I mistook the building to be Indian embassy but it made me pause and smile on a walk I was taking with Miranda Garrido, post work at Novo for an action packed H2 roadmap planning this week.
A week back when I was leaving at immigration via BLR airport, the officer asked me - "So what is the purpose of travel ?". I replied "Work" and he looks at my passport/visa. Now, I'm well travelled and this was my 7th trip to US so he asks me, "Why don't you work there ?"
And I effortlessly said(in Hindi) - "Sir, there is so much happening in India, this is the only place to be !!". He asks me - "What do you mean ? " . I replied only in one world "Narendra Modi , Sir ". And by that I meant Good Governance and Strong global leadership, the stint of which I later also saw in transit at Dubai airport in media/magazines.
Back in 2003, when I first barely came on "internet", I remember there wasn't even a "drop down" of India in the "country list" on most websites. I would see "Italy and Israel" and that would be all for countries with "I".
From then to now, all in my lifetime, I will get to see India truly becoming the powerhouse of the world economy, and "Vasudev Kutumbakam" and that we lead with our own soft skills of self awareness, inclusivity, professional integrity, and a relentless drive and strong belief that not only tomorrow will be better, but WE will personally create it.
This drive that our workday doesn't start/end at 9-6 and that we relentlessly invest in ourselves, upskill/reskill/unlearn/rinse/repeat ourselves for the future leaders this country needs and choosing to stay in India when you can be anywhere to build this country. Because when a strong leader stays in that country you pull your team up and build a new legacy that you call your own.
Thanks to everyone who has personally invested in me - either through your time, your trust, your mentorship, your hard conversations when I needed to listen what I had to and most importantly for Investing in both my companies, Shunya and Supermind - I'm paying you back now - by the people I will build.
That flag at New York Stock could be a temporary thing for a listing that may be happening and I could care less, but I'm incredibly proud that many professionals just like you and me - make it happen through being the top 5% in our workforce. Keep building!!
Invest in India 🇮🇳 , build with love ❤️ , at India, 🇮🇳 for the world 🌎.
Side note - Naveen Tewari - during all my time at InMobi - I always heard, "Building in India, for the world" and this moment is yours and all the builders/operators of new India that have made it possible and all that is to come. Let's Go !! Bigger, Better, Bolder !!
#BuildinIndia
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! Your commitment to nation-building and creating an exceptional workplace is truly inspiring.