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We have been over-fed with the success stories of Dhoni, Sreeshant, Narain Kartikeyan, Sunil Mittal, Priyanka Chopra, and many more who epitomise the inevitable take-over of the small-town boys & girls in all fields worthy of any popular attention.
A similar revolution is happening in business world that hardly gets talked about. A silent shift that will shape the way our offices (and America’s back-offices, may I add!) will look & feel in another 10 years!
Over the past four years, as a part of my job, I have had an opportunity to meet a large number of young boys & girls anxious to get their first big-break in life. And the small town phenomenon is catching up here too!!
Allow me to share some of my observations (and do share yours)-
A disproportionately large number of the new-economy entry-level jobs are going to boys & girls (yes, girls!) from places that you never had to spot on the map in your geography exam.
They come from all over the country- Cuttack, Behrampur, Hoogly, Azamgarh, Sikar, Sahebgunj, Nasik, Meerut, Badaun, Rohtak.
States like Orissa, Bihar, & Jharkhand – where the economic opportunities are fewer, naturally have a disproportionate representation.
They are reasonably good products of a bad-education system in their home states. Their hunger to make a mark, and determination to succeed - adequately covers up for inadequate “polish” & “finesse”. These kids are self-motivated & study hard - mostly on their own - to learn as much as they can! They continue to do so even at the workplace. They fear being left behind!
In general, they are very reserved and self-conscious about their backgrounds & limited English speaking skills.
They often do not make the cut for that "dream-big-company-job" but end up working as “on-contract or temp” resources with the very organizations they aspired to work for. After 1-2 years, the best amongst them get absorbed at the starting rung by the same companies, that over time, recognize and reward their hard work, experience and job-knowledge.
Those who make it, invariably do so with a healthy salary that their previous generation never dreamt of.
They are the heroes in their peer-group. They make their extended families, teachers (& postman!) back-home - proud! They also become role-models to their siblings, cousins, neighborhood kids and inspire them to have the big-city dream!!
They are extremely gritty, focused & hard-working and are willing to bust their butts – 7 days a week !
They seldom complain of having got a raw deal in life or seek sympathy. Honesty & integrity is significantly above national average! They are self-propelled and rarely crack under pressure. (There you go…NOW are beginning to see shades of Dhoni!)
Like most of us, they too love Priyanka's pout, Bipasha’s oomph, & Amitabh’s voice & ; and hate politicians, commercial-breaks, & slow internet connectivity.
They too buy mobile-phones with life-time validity for gifting to their parents & grand parents back-home!
It is not just the cricket fields that they have conquered…take a look, they are all around you - in the cafes, lounge bars, shopping malls, music stores, bowling alleys; on the pizza delivery scooters and even in the steel-and-glass offices…ready to work twice as hard as anybody. Willing to sacrifice their today – for a better tomorrow.
And in a few years, many WILL make it big! Some in their chosen professions, and a select few by turning entrepreneurs.
It is only a matter of time before there is a critical mass of success stories going around…and then the positive spiral will build...And there will be a million Dhonis writing an important chapter of India's economy....and surely - their hometowns'.
Jews on the Street & WASPs in the New England area ; Swaminathans, Sens & Raos in the Valley, Marwaris in Kolkata, Singh’s in Canada, and Patels everywhere…..they have all flourished with similar mindsets….(OK..I know the comparison is far fetched, somewhat incorrect and worth debating over, but I am sure you get the drift - "All underdog tribes with fire-in-their-bellies will eventually get prosperous, come what may)
Please look around…there is a garden of million Dhonis blooming…and don't forget to enjoy the defining sight !
