Government work is God's work

Serving as a Business Development professional for the initial 25 years of my career in corporates, essentially with one of India's top Indian multinational engineering conglomerates with its footprint in engineering, construction, manufacturing, technology, information technology and financial services was one of my most formative, enrichening and rewarding experiences.

This company has a proud claim to be one of the most significant players in literally building the Nation. Its iconic achievements skyline some of the monumental milestones in the country's determined march towards becoming a developed nation. Apart from being an invaluable partner to the industry, what endeared me most is L&T's deep involvement with the Government's infrastructure and Defense projects.

Professionals working in the MNCs and other Corporates into B2B or B2C businesses live in a world that has an ecosystem of people from similar educational and professional backgrounds, work culture, ethics and discipline. Though a large one, it is still a limited world.

There is another all-encompassing system that governs and impacts every individual's life - The Government.

This is one zone where most of the professionals from the suave-chic corporate world have very little or limited exposure. Honestly, the ones who have known the Government and its systems only through secondary-tertiary sources do not form a favorable impression about it and are least inclined to work in that system.

The Vidhan Sabha (Soudha) of my home state has the structure, which is now synonymous with Bengaluru and Karnataka was conceived as a "temple of democracy" where "Government work is God's work". Every time that I enter this 'house of commons' for various meetings- this line incessantly intrigues my mind.

I am privileged to have had a career change opportunity to work in the Government for the past decade. After 25 continuous years in one of the blue-blooded Indian corporates, getting an opportunity to work at a very senior level for the consultancy organisation I worked for, almost purely with the Government Systems has been an eye-opener and an experience of unfathomable amazement.

Every State Government has its unique methods of functioning. Ministers from respective political parties with the mandate to rule have their own systems of making decisions. The bureaucrats, the creamy IAS cadre are a treat to work with. They have to deliver the last mile on the election promises made by the ruling party. Trust me- this is a very tough job.

The Union Government and its systems are different from the State's. Their programs and schemes are mostly executed through the States. Of course, they have their own mandates like for defense, finance, external affairs, central PSUs etc. Working in this ecosystem that takes one to the corridors of power in the North-Block, South-Block, PMO, etc. is yet another skill set.

Preparing for each of these meetings opens newer libraries in the mind. Every meeting brings out another facet of oneself. Post every meeting, the self-review and evaluation of its outcomes is something that gets you into deeper insights and commitments.

My job additionally took me to other Nations where our Ministry of External Affairs have a mandate for developing trade and commerce and also help the host nation in its needs of infrastructure development. One-to-one interaction with the Ambassadors and their staff would become yet another addition to learnings and perspectives.

When we discuss in meetings with the Ministers and Secretaries about how to improve the health-care systems, to improve availability of safe drinking water systems, to develop IT Parks or Textile Parks, to improve lives of people in the fishing community, work on Urban mobility, reducing pollution, develop markets for agricultural produce, attract investments in Industrial growth to generate employment, improve connectivity and logistics, folding in IT enabled solutions for e-governance .....on and on.....

That is when I understand why Government's work is God's work.

Who else is mandated to be concerned about such matters that impact the livelihood and livability of the common people.

Who else will organise funds for the programs and generate revenue to pay that expenditure?

To me personally, the past decade was a period of complete transformation.

Life in corporate had its own significance where we worked hard to increase the shareholders' value by striving for excellence, increasing profits and fighting competition.

On the contrary, the Government has no profit motives apart from employing public funds for the growth and development of the Nation, welfare of its people and protection that secures the future generations.

Having worked with both the Private Sector and Government Sector at senior levels has helped me in having a comprehensive outlook on every event that makes News, and the ones which do not.

Most important and precious is the relationships and connections that grew. The contact list on my phone looked quite ordinary before I stepped into working with the Governments of India's States, the Union Govt. and of foreign nations.

The Nation could benefit a lot if many more professionals with wide experience in serving corporates devote time to also serve the governments. India's huge success in revolutionizing the Telecom Sector, bringing in UID, mobile banking, the ONDC, new Passport Offices etc. are testimonies of its magical outcomes.

Collaboration is the way forward. I see no other way to take the world towards an era that would be impacted by AI .....and its nXT......and its nXT....