Sab se bada Rupaiyya!!!!

Indians have always taken joy in using the following expression-

" Baap bada naa bhaiyya; sab se bada Rupaiyya!"

And now that our own Rupee is steadily on the path of greatness we hear noises not quite of celebration.

Like many of you I too belong to a generation that has grown up with depreciating rupee. I remember as a child my father bought me a book that was priced $ 1.15 and I asked him why is it so expensive when the price written is only 1.15. He then explained to me this price is in Dollars. Each Dollar is approximately valued equal to our Rs.7/- and then he went on to explain why their currency is seven times that of our currency. He told me if Indians were to work better, harder and honestly then may be some day we would command a value equal to the Dollar. After a few years, once again through purchase of another book. I came to know that now the Dollar was more than Rs.9/-. I was a little upset but soon forgot about the whole thing. I guess I had accepted that 'THIS IS THE WAY OF LIFE WAS GOING TO BE'.

Then during my high school days Indian Currency was further devalued. The newspapers were full of "How disgraceful it was. How everyone's wealth was getting eroded etc." I came to associate lowering of currency value with national shame. I do not know if I was right or wrong. Indian Rupee was still falling.

Many years later I learnt that now India's currency (being low in value) had become an opportunity for the nation. By now I had some business experience too. I thought this is similar to what a fresh graduate goes through. He works at lowest pay. He works hardest and creates a reputation while seniors direct his work and claim credit.

Indian Rupee has been rising steadily over last many months now. Each news about its rising has given me more sense pride of being an Indian. And then press is once again full of stories about "How Indians are loosing out!"

To my mind, the clock has turned a full circle. Like a 'fresh graduate' Indians have proved themselves. Now it is time to recognize that. When a one time fresh graduate who has proved himself is promoted the new situation, among other things, brings in new responsibilities. I remember that in 1980s Yen was rising steadily. American Press was full of cries, "Can we ever meet the Japanese challenge?" Then a decade later I came to know that Japanese Exports, despite the rising Yen, continued to grow in the volume terms. That is the nature of responsibility that flashed in my mind a few days back. The question we should be asking ourselves, "With Rupee rising, how can we increase volume of our exports?" The common sense dictates that we need to simultaneously improve the quality of goods and services and reduce the cost of the production.

Navendu Mahodaya
Motivator-Trainer-Consultant
nmahodaya@hotmail.com