LEADERSHIP AS AMISSION IN NATION-BUILDING

India's business leaders are moving beyond profits to shape institutions, empower communities, and embed sustainability in national progress

- By KJ Jawa

AS INDIA STANDS AT THE cusp of becoming one of the world's largest economies, the conversation around nation-building has moved beyond governments and policymakers. Today, business leaders and corporate institutions are not just stakeholders; they are architects in shaping the nation's future.

Over the past few decades, I have had the privilege of witnessing and participating in this transition.

From the early days of liberalisation in the 1990s to the globalisation wave of the 2000s, and now into the era of digital innovation, sustainability, and economic self-reliance, the role of leadership in India has evolved. It is no longer confined to driving profits or managing workforces. It is about vision, responsibility and commitment to a collective purpose that transcends boardrooms and balance sheets.

When I first took over the reins at Daikin India, our vision extended well beyond becoming a market leader in air conditioning. It was about creating an ecosystem, one that would contribute to employment, technology transfer and environmental consciousness in India. In the process, I learned that leadership in nation-building is not only about what you build, but how, why, and for whom you build it.

Today's India is young, aspirational, and impatient for progress. Leadership must align with this mindset, not just by offering opportunities, but by demonstrating a clear purpose.