I recently came across The Economic Times' "40 under Forty" list, and it filled me with a profound sense of optimism for India's future. Seeing the roster of brilliant young minds shaping our nation's destiny is truly inspiring. Names like Kulin Lalbhai of Arvind Ltd, Anant Goenka of CEAT (anant.goenka@rpg.in), Ashish Hemrajani of BookMyShow (ashish.hemrajani@bookmyshow.com), Roshni Nadar Malhotra of HCL Technologies (roshni@hcl.com), and Nisaba Godrej of Godrej Consumer Products (nisaba.godrej@godrejcp.com) stand out not merely as inheritors of legacies but as architects of new ones.
This celebration of new leadership takes me back to my own writings on the future. It’s striking to reflect on ideas I put down decades ago and see them manifest in the work of this next generation. In a 1989 piece, I wrote about the need for leaders to possess the "ability to 'foresee'/'anticipate'" and the courage to "'make things happen'" (A Wireless Future : predicted 34 years ago). I envisioned a future where expert systems and information technology would be the very foundation upon which new empires are built.
Today, I see that prediction coming to life. These young leaders are not just managing businesses; they are the ones building the "castles in the air" I spoke of, leveraging data, technology, and a global perspective to redefine their industries. The work of Roshni Nadar Malhotra and Nisaba Godrej shows a paradigm shift towards technology-driven, sustainable, and inclusive business models. Entrepreneurs like Ashish Hemrajani have created entirely new ecosystems from scratch, while leaders such as Kulin Lalbhai and Anant Goenka are masterfully infusing legacy giants with a spirit of relentless innovation.
This list is more than an honor roll; it's a powerful signal that the future of Indian enterprise is in exceptionally capable hands. These individuals are not waiting for the future to arrive—they are actively building it. Their success validates the belief I've held for so long: that true progress comes from the foresight to anticipate change and the boldness to act on it. The vanguard is here, and they are leading us into a brighter tomorrow.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
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