The theme of the Convention was “Changin Paradigms” and was divided into two sessions. The theme of the first session was “INDIA V/S CHINA-THE RACE OF THE CENTURY”. Global leaders from various countries and organizations graced the convention and enlightened the audience.

Mr Shivnath Thukral, Group President, Essar Group opened the debate by talking of China as a growing power. He spoke of how Essar as a group outsourced a lot of equipment from China and that China was indispensable and essential for all. Mr. Shivnath was of the opinion that India’s Democratic and China Authoritarian regimes were the reason for the difference between the two countries.

Mr Ronnie Chan, Chairman, HangLung Properties Ltd, Hong Kong, was the second speaker and he had some very interesting insights. He brought to light the fact that often we take certain basic assumptions for granted, and accept them without questioning..He said that the world assumes that China desires to be a super-power but this very assumption is questionable. He said, “I never hear of China becoming a super-power in China” and went onto exclaim that in China no one really cared about being a super-power. He was of the view that China as a political economy has a very different mindset and given that the assumption of China’s desire to be a super-power is false, the concept of a race between India and China does not arise.

Mr Samir Kapoor, CEO, NDTV was the third speaker. He spoke of how Economic prosperity along with freedom was what was desired. He asked the audience why India was doing so well and what Indians had done right. He spoke of the CWG games and of Athletes winning medals despite horrific training conditions.

Mr Ameer Dossal, Special Representative of the Secretary General, UN was the final speaker. He articulated that while we continue to argue about what may happen when the paradigm shifts possibly the paradigm has already shifted from the West to the East. As for the ‘Race’ between India and China the United Nations does not see it as a race at all. Rather it is a movement of ‘Global Leadership’. There are a number of challenges that the world faces today and we have even after the break-up of USSR however we have managed to steer clear of any major world war.

Ms. Bhairavi Jani, National Chairman, CIIs Young Indians started her speech by narrating an incident involving the great management thinker, C. K. Prahlad who, when asked how he viewed India’s journey and success in the last 60 years, replied that he was not interested in what India was like at 60, rather in what it will be at 75. Using this example, she emphasized the need for Indians to be future oriented in their thought process. Success in the future involves innovation. According to her, it is the youth of the nation who have to fuel this innovation.

Mr. Mehmood Khan, Global Leader of Innovation at Unilever (Retired 2009) was the final speaker. He stressed on the need for rural inclusion in order for India to prosper. He emphasized that Management graduates should take the lead in providing solutions for the problems of the rural populace. According to him, innovation in business revolves around increasing the customer base and hence the profitability of the organization. Yet, achieving this goal requires one to think beyond the profit motive and consider the social implications as well.