Role Models and their Boilerplate Arguments
Over the last couple of years, in discussions with folks ten years younger than me, I found three names crop up as their role models, people who inspire them: Narayana Murthy, Abdul Kalam and Rahul Gandhi.
I have respect for all of them: Murthy for carving out a niche for himself when all others were just coasting along, Kalam for his sheer hard work and dedication, RG for his willingness to learn rather than be the crown prince (for the record, I am not kidding).
I can respect these individuals and still be extremely critical of them. And, they are not my role models. Abi gets it right when he says that what we get from Murthy is just more boilerplate talk. What worries (if this is indeed the right word) me is comments like this one:
Shame on you Abi.
Atleast Narayana Murty is inspiring the people, what are you doing??? […]
Even though facts were wrong, but many of us did find the article to be inspiring.(emphasis mine)
What I found inspiring about Murthy was that he led the way two decades back; that he build the so-called (by the inspired folks) “first Indian multinational”; that he built a company which was years ahead at that time.
But that was then. The world has moved; in some ways, Murthy hasn’t.
He talks about need for research and science, but is not willing to put efforts where his mouth is. Contrast him to another visionary who was instrumental in setting up, among other things, a place still known to Bangalorites as the Tata Institute.
What I find disconcerting is not that Mr. Murthy is an inspiration; he has earned that Role Model status. Instead, its lack of realization that (i) this kind of criticism does not take anything away from his accomplishments; (ii) that we find boilerplate arguments inspiring; (iii) that call-to-arms, when you really get down to the details, contains nothing that the protégé is required to do, only an assertion that this is our opportunity / our time; (iv) and most of all, in words of the next commenter: “when facts are wrong and it still inspires you, it is called Religion”.
But that was then. The world has moved; in some ways, Murthy hasn’t.
Yes, world has moved; it has produced Satyams.
Niket, you are an ass. You do not realize that the values and the in your words “boilerplate” that Murthy esposes are timeless and relevant. What is sickening is your assertion that if Nanopolitan talks ill about Murthy, it is “being critical” and is a freedom of expression, while if Nanopolitan is being talked ill about, and called out on his stupid post, it is call to arms.
You need to understand much more to realize why boilerplate arguments are not boilerplate, and are the real things, and why they inspire people. You may just then realize that what inspires people is not the fact that there is a SINGLE mistake in Murthy’s opinion piece (so there are no ‘facts’ wrong, but only a fact - that is not germane to the whole argument,), but that he touches on a whole lot of issues that you and the self styled nanopolitan have clearly not found time to peruse.
Your argument that Murthy does not put money where his mouth is - is a boilerplate. Do you have any data on how much money has Murthy put into eradicating hunger in India? Do you have any idea of what you are talking about?
As to putting money in research - you need to know what research is happening inside Infosys. And why Microsoft is paying money to Infosys for that research. Research that is relevant, generates money and improves products. So if that research is not being given to you for your refreeing, it is not relevant. great. Kudoes to your research, that only you and possibly the couple of refrees have read, and we will see what money you have put in where your mouth is.
Finally to your and the stupid commentator’s piece about religion. There are no wrong facts - just one wrong fact. The piece inspires me, not the wrong facts. Religion also inspires me. It may not to you. Your pseudo secularism is a boilerplate. It is similar to those anti-hindu people who are amazed at why Tata (the same Tata family that gave your inspiring Tata Institute - no that is not religion!) would put his factory in Gujarat. Anything to do with religion is untouchable to you. You know what , that is the religion you follow. Don’t touch the religion. Religion is devoid of facts - it is all dogma. Never mind that Murthy or Kalam or the whole bunch of leaders we rever - like Gandhi - are and were all deeply religious people. Religion does not take away your sense of propriety and reality - or your ability to get inspired by the right thing. Quite the opposite. Look at and read the comments that follow Murthy’s piece in the Hindu. Maybe you will learn why that piece inpires people - maybe you will then differentiate between boilerplate, inspiration, and your own vacuous rhetoric.
[…] discussing about my post on boilerplate arguments by role models, someone mentioned to me that he agreed with me when I said Mr. Narayanamurthy was just there at […]