INDIAN ETHOS (TYBMS)

Indian ethos an overview

Ethos is a Greek word originally meaning accustomed place or character

and is used to descried the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community,
nation, or ideology.
Indian ethos is drawn from Indian customs and traditions and owes its roots to the
Vedas, Upanishads, and the epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, and of course, the
Bhagavad Gita. India is a land of diversity. It has multilingual, multicultural states
where various sects and communities live together in harmony. Indians have
believed in two basic universal truths are divinity of all souls and the essential
oneness and solidarity of the universe. The age-old Indian scriptures provide
lessons in management that have universal applicability and are as relevant today
as they were thousands of years ago.
Based on the two universal truths, every Indian believes that god or the supreme
power is in everybody and everything is interconnected at a deeper level. The basic
unity of life cannot be broken. The Indian ethos of management as helping
ordinary people to produce extra ordinary results. The features of Indian ethos are
holistic approach, balanced life approach, values-based approach, dignity of work,
cooperation and collaboration, emphasis on duties and responsibilities, knowledge-
driven approach, Quality-based approach, vasudaiva kuttumbakkam, know
yourself.
Based on the above principles one an accept that the Indian ethos and philosophy is
inward-looking and helps humans to deal with the ups and downs of life in a
balanced way, with the ultimate aim of achieving bliss or ananda. India is, no
doubt, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious with behavior differing
between cities and villages, north and south, east and west.
While there is a multiplicity of faiths and systems, each system of Indian
philosophy proclaims the eternal consciousness in man and the realization of this
consciousness is the goal of human life. Every Indian school of philosophy accepts
the law of karma or the law of cause and effect. Oneness and divinity of all souls is
the common thread tying multiple paths. Because of the applicability and relevance
of these principles. The objective of all human life is attainment of eternal
happiness or bliss. As a dynamic culture, Indian culture has been integrating and
synthesising with a spirit of tolerance and of dialogue, as shown in the mindsets of
Indias spiritual and social thinkers.
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The origin of Indian management can be traced to ancient times when the focus
was on managing kingdoms. Arthashastra by kautilya is a treatise that is applicable
even today in managing kingdoms and business. Indian ethos is much needed and
can particularly contribute to management in the following areas are development
of a value-based management system, self-development and self management,
stress management, social sensitivity, holistic development, unique work culture.
Indian ethos is very relevant in management today. There is no need to discard the
western model of efficiency and materialism but instead to tune these to Indias
holistic attitude of lokasangraha for the welfare of many, for the good of many.
Ethos have practical application and relevance in daily life as much today as they
did thousands of years ago. Value-based, holistic management style, work as an
opportunity, excellence in work, calm and stress-free mind, high results, good
thoughts lead to good actions.
Indian ethos requires a subjective management system, which leads to the
understanding of the following are top management attitude, interiorizing
management, self-introspection, brain stilling and meditation, stepping back, and
role of intuition.
The elements of Indian ethos are evident in practice are as follows are a we-opic
rather than I-opic attitude, spiritual attainment over material prosperity,
sacrificing spirit over a fighting spirit, self control over outer control, duties over
rights, influence rather than authority, team achievement rather than individual
achievement, concern for this age world and improvement, respect for truth.
Indian ethos helps in managerial practices in the following ways are planning,
responsibility and commitment, human resource management, open
communication, delegation, loyalty, work culture.
Veda means knowledge, and the Vedas came into being over 4000 years ago. Some
management lessons we can take from the Vedas are profit through fair means,
social distribution of wealth, knowledge acquisition and management, gender
equality, division of work, labour welfare, total quality management, kaizen,
inclusiveness, value-centric business practices, communication skills, detached
approach.
Mahabharata is considered the largest epic in the world and it is an integral part of
Indias cultural heritage. It is said that whatever is not there in the Mahabharata
cannot be found anywhere! The Mahabharata offers the following lessons in
management are preparation, make powerful allies, leadership style, team spirit,
individual motives, commitment, right managers, the roots, women empowerment.
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Management lessons from the bible are recognize your limitations, encourage
good-character qualities, be thankful for the work of others, effective leaders are
servants, be humble, be honest, worship only god, be ever-helpful, forgive others,
love and respect for all, act always in the knowledge that you are being watched,
work ethic, unconditional love, renunciation of worldly treasures.
Kautilya or chanakya, a philosopher-statesman, is considered the first management
guru in the world. Arthashastra, the treatise on economic administration was
written by him in the 4th century B.C. Several concept of present-day management
theories are explained in this treatise. Lessons from the arthashastra are given
below are management principles, power, essence of leadership, importance of
planning, self-discipline, importance of ethics, distribution of earnings.
Indias vast and varied geography, climatic conditions, and its exposure to various
foreign cultures from those who came across her borders have greatly influenced
Indian tradition, culture and values. Indias languages, religions, dance, music,
cuisines and customs differ from place to place within the country, but nevertheless
posses a commonality- certain common threads which prove its unity in diversity.
India is blessed with a rich and vast heritage. According to Indian heritage, mans
attitude towards his social existence shifted towards duties, obligations and
sacrifice. He believed in simple living, high thinking. Great minds like
Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, and the Buddha advocated the principle of
more of giving, and less of grabbing, and focused on optimum use of limited
resources.