India awash with optimism, pride and expectation: Kumar Mangalam Birla

Reflecting the country’s accelerated growth trajectory, India is awash with optimism, pride and anticipation and there is a “palpable” sense that the country is on the move, said Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group in his annual note. on Monday.

“And for that, our government deserves a lot of credit,” he added.

Birla said that as several countries are still mired in pessimism, India seems to be moving forward with “unwavering optimism”. “This is the dynamism and energy of a young country and an old civilization that has found its voice and its footing,” he said.

He added that the viral meme “which just looks like a wow” reflects the vibrant energy of the Indian economy and captures the “unparalleled” nature of the moment.

Birla emphasized that right now, Indians’ confidence is on the rise, and this can be a transformative force.

“Maybe it’s time to propose an index that reflects a country’s collective confidence. Maybe call it the National Confidence Index!” Birla said.

Birla said that since 2020, the world has witnessed several events such as a global pandemic, war, unprecedented technological acceleration and a reshuffling of the global pecking order. During these four years, the world has shown great resilience.

“Many established ideas are being challenged, but countries, companies and people have shown incredible resilience,” he said.

“The secret to navigating this chaos and moving forward with purpose may lie in embracing the ideas and values ​​that are permanently and enduringly relevant.”

Birla said that during one of his foreign visits, he realized that transparency and trust are the foundation of globalization.

“Globalization in its authentic form does not have to be a zero-sum game. And the model of globalization that will always work is one based on openness, mutual trust and transparency,” he said.

First print: January 29, 2024 | 2:24 PM IST