India’s Rise: A New Brand on the Global Stage
June 29th, 2024. Bridgetown, Barbados. Cricket T20 World Cup Finals.
South Africa needs 30 runs in 30 balls to win. A run-a-ball. An almost-guaranteed win looms ahead for South Africa. And yet, in the last 5 overs, India flips the script. India wins the match and T20 world title by 7 runs.
What we witnessed that day was the face of the new brand ‘India’ in its latest power-packed action play. Unbeatable resilience, a quiet aggression, and a staunch refusal to give up in the face of what seemed like an insurmountable challenge. And with that spirit, Team India transformed that sure loss into an inevitable victory.
The flow of this match rang familiar to me. In other sports and in global organisations, a new face of India is being recognised. And it’s quite unlike what we have seen in the last few decades, and yet oddly reminiscent of ancient India, the stories of which our grandmothers never cease to tell.
India’s journey from a land of mystique and tradition to a global powerhouse is being touted as remarkable. To me, we are finding our roots and our voice once again. And making sure the world takes notice.
Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Challenge Accepted
India has been a hub of technological innovation for several decades now, but the new era of entrepreneurship has ushered in a great shift in the mindset of the country’s youth. Tech giants like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS have positioned India as a global IT powerhouse for years.
However, more recently, in 2023, when Sam Altman implied that India couldn’t build a competitor to his company ChatGPT with under ten million dollars, our tech leaders took it as a challenge. And spending under five million dollars, Tech Mahindra launched Project Indus earlier this month, an LLM that is designed to converse in a multitude of Indian languages.
The startup ecosystem in India has exploded, with unicorns emerging at a rapid pace. Companies like Flipkart, Ola, and Paytm have not just dominated the domestic market but have already set their sights on global expansion. India-based global brands are set to capture the market across industries, beyond the classic IT sector. This entrepreneurial wave is representative of that shift back from a job-seeking to a job-creating mentality, fuelled by ambition and a willingness to take risks once more.
Sports: A New Arena of Excellence
India’s transformation is perhaps most visible in the realm of sports. Cricket, long a passion for millions, has seen India evolve from underdogs to world-beaters. The Indian Premier League (IPL) isn’t just a cricket tournament; it’s a global sports phenomenon that attracts top talent from around the world. The T20 World Cup is another prime example of this narrative.
But it’s not just cricket. Recent achievements in chess have stunned the world. When Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, at just 16, became the youngest player ever to defeat Magnus Carlsen multiple times in 2022 and then again at 18 in 2024, we saw the rise of quiet, understated Indian aggression and resilience. D. Gukesh became the youngest player to win the Candidates Tournament in Toronto to challenge the world chess champion, Ding Liren later this year. These young prodigies represent a new, confident India that’s ready to take on the world’s best and win. And I can’t wait for the Paris Olympics to add to this growing list of Indian athletes that are making a mark on the global playing field.
Leadership on the Global Stage
India’s rise is most evident in the increasing number of Indians and people of Indian origin now leading global organisations. Think Satya Nadella at Microsoft, Sundar Pichai at Google, Leena Nair at Chanel… the list goes on. These leaders embody the new Indian ethos, bringing the best of traditional values with a global outlook and creative thinking.
The Road Ahead
The evolution of Brand India is a testament to the country’s resilience, adaptability, and ambition. And it is exciting to watch. This transformation goes way beyond economic metrics; it represents a fundamental shift in the Indian mindset.
While we celebrate these achievements, we need to acknowledge that there are still significant challenges ahead of us. The country needs to address social inequalities that are still very prevalent and known around the world. We also need to strengthen India’s positioning as a tourism destination, driving economic progress for the country. Moreover, the country is still on a journey to be seen as a strategic partner in business, beyond technology and manpower. My hope is that the new Brand India will continue to approach these with the same boldness and innovation it has shown in other areas.
As the country continues to grow and evolve, it is heartening to see that it does so not by abandoning its rich heritage but by reinterpreting it for the modern world. The land once known as the land of snake charmers is now charming the world with its innovation, leadership, and cultural vibrancy. Brand India today is a complex, multifaceted entity, rooted in ancient wisdom yet driving modern progress, humble in its origins yet bold in its aspirations.
This new India doesn’t just participate in the global narrative; it shapes it. As we look to the future, one thing is clear: Brand India is no longer content to be a spectator on the world stage. It has taken centre stage, and our performance has only just begun.
Enough said.
India’s rise as a new brand on the global stage is a testament to its resilience, adaptability, and ambition. From tech innovation and entrepreneurship to sports excellence and leadership on the global stage, India is making its mark in diverse fields. As the country continues to evolve, it is crucial to address challenges and seize opportunities to further strengthen its position as a global powerhouse. The new face of India is bold, innovative, and ready to shape the future.