Blogs

Manohar Lal Baharani

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (1972)

PG. Diploma in Environmental Law (2002)

Empanelled - Technical Expert - UNFCCC & QCI

Chairperson, CSR Committee, AISCCON

All India Senior Citizens’ Confederation

A foresight …. For grazing matured competencies….

In an ever changing world around us over the time line; currently we all recognise that the pre-mature deindustrialisation moves, drive for low carbon climate resilient technologies, net-zero vision 2030 / 2050, SDGs, prominence of small & medium enterprises (SMEs) in the growth trajectories, transformations of un-organised sectors, widening gaps between employment & employability, steep demographic changes, migrations, artificial intelligence, Covid 19 impacts are some of the challenges that forms major ingredients currently influencing the contents and contours of lifestyle evolution. These developments are surely set to evolve new learning avenues / processes for all ages during upcoming decades. We currently have senior citizens comprising of superannuated professionals who made their contributions in industrialisation, urbanisation, infrastructure development, information & communication technologies, outer space affairs, health during the preceding five to seven decades and a host of practical knowledge in rural areas for their livelihood and wellbeing.

Post independence the professional services in Indian public sectors commenced with national pride full of loyalty and dedication. The expression of gratitude to seniors was the way of life both on personal and professional fronts. This lifestyle and loyal professional services immensely contributed to the development of infrastructure, core industries besides revolution in IT sector during second half of twentieth century. For example, the company I served for 31 years, MECON LIMITED has to its credit of engineering the Satellite Launch Pad at Sriharikota during the decade of 1990. A number of satellites thereafter has been launched from this pad and are orbiting in the outer space. These satellites are the backbone of internet and other outer space activities on which the youth of 21st century are building up IT infrastructure / Apps for life-support comforts and now heading to AI. The nuances of zero defect engineering for the launch pad had many challenges in which today’s senior citizens contributed for successful implementation of robust launch pad. There are many such examples but neither the public sectors nor the senior citizens of today publicised their competence / achievements. Today there are no tools / techniques to disseminate the importance of  such contributions made by current segment of senior citizens so that youth can appreciate and get ignited to express the gratitude naturally.

Post independence i.e. senior citizens of today; encountered many challenges that are well known; but their entrepreneurship drive / professional passion amidst economic hardships and social / emotional disasters crossed all tides and created many successful stories around the world. The next generation enjoying now the fruits of such robust foundations built by seniors are maintaining safe distance from those elderly. Youth enjoying the digital connectivity - anytime / anywhere and professionally using this backbone facilities for professional activities of software solutions to life-support needs besides practicing work from home as a perk and carrying forward majority of the business activities in an informal sectors are welcome to blossom but seniors surely don’t deserve to be abused sometimes - upto not receiving a praise may be OK as new normal life. Seniors citizens being the fastest growing community now there are merits to examine / explore the prospects of grazing their matured competencies and produce knowledge products for promoting the utilisation of treasure of their knowledge / competence besides obviating some of the precious knowhow from getting hibernated. Food for thoughts for Youth… and high net-wroth individuals to take this agenda forward …. Comments / critics are welcome through email: manoharlal.baharani@gmail.com or by WhatsApp +91 8319723072 ….