“योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्॥” — This means true Yoga is about doing your duty with skill and focus, without getting attached to the results.
India is at a pivotal moment in history. Our economic growth, youthful population, and geopolitical significance position us among the fastest-growing nations. Yet, there’s a notable issue we can’t ignore.
The Quality Concern
While we manufacture a wide range of products, we often fail to meet global quality standards. Think about why we prefer foreign brands like iPhones or BMWs. It’s not just about price; it’s about trust in their reliability and safety. Sadly, many local products don’t inspire the same confidence.
Every year, we witness road failures and collapsing bridges—this is not simply bad luck but a failure of quality and responsibility in construction. Our small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) often struggle with outdated tools and processes. The focus seems to be on cutting costs rather than crafting quality products.
This raises a big question: Are we okay with manufacturing “low-class” products instead of striving for “world-class” standards?
Reflections from History
Those who remember the 1980s might recall the Hero 332 fountain pen—a symbol of reliability. Or a hair dryer that lasted decades despite rough treatment. These items were built with pride and strict quality control. Why can’t we replicate that today?
What’s holding us back? It’s not a lack of talent or funds. It’s an issue of attitudes. We often fall back on shortcuts and a mentality of “good enough.” This has become a norm in our society.
Changing Mindsets
We obsess over things like mileage, often prioritizing that over safety and durability. The system encourages this; tenders often go to the lowest bidder, leaving no room for quality. Even well-meaning manufacturers sometimes have to cut corners just to survive.
This brings us to another uncomfortable truth: consumers often settle for mediocre options as long as they are cheap. Mediocrity feels normal now. Is that acceptable?
What We’ve Lost
Years of challenges have cultivated a “fend for yourself” mentality. We’ve lost three essential values for progress:
- Aatma Samman (self-respect)
- Karmanishtha (dedication to duty)
But blaming history doesn’t help us move forward. What matters is how we shape the future. We need to aim for Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) and progress by 2047, or even sooner.
Karmanishtha: A New Way Forward
Karmanishtha means more than just hard work. It signifies a commitment to excellence, rooted in self-respect and national pride. It’s about caring for your job, no matter your role. Anyone can take shortcuts, but a true Karmanisthak individual approaches their work with sincerity.
We are at a crucial juncture. It’s time to shed our “chalta hai” (it’ll do) attitude and embrace Karmanishtha as our new motto.
Taking Action
For real change, we need actions:
- Manufacturers should adopt strict quality standards and offer longer warranties.
- Regulators must focus on tangible results, not just forms.
- Consumers should reject subpar products, even if they cost more—this can send a powerful economic message.
- We need to reform procurement processes to prioritize quality over cost.
In this ever-changing global landscape, if we don’t improve the quality of our products, we might struggle to compete. Aatmanirbharta without excellence is fragile.
Quality as a National Goal
If we aspire to be a developed nation by 2047, quality must come first. Karmanishtha should be a core part of our education system. We must instill it in younger generations, creating a culture of pride in workmanship.
Cultural change takes time, but it’s essential. We are fortunate to have leaders willing to make tough decisions. Quality needs to become an uncompromising standard, and excellence should become a routine expectation.
This Republic Day, let’s pledge to practice Karmanishtha in every aspect of life. Because true credit isn’t just about success but about our genuine dedication to our actions.
These insights are shared by Gp Capt Sandeep Singh Chhabra, a veteran pilot and flight safety expert passionate about nation-building and individual responsibility.
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