‘Go Kiss the World’ author Subroto Bagchi has garnered wide acclaim and inspired countless individuals, writes Bhaskar Parichha
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appointed Subroto Bagchi as Chief Advisor to the government for Institutional Capacity Building. All Civil Services Training Institutions in the state will be included in this. It is a newly created position for Bagchi, who has been part of the Naveen government in various capacities over the years.
Bagchi, who stepped down as the chairman of the Odisha Skill Development Authority (OSDA) on June 29, has been given the rank and status of cabinet minister with this capacity. He had served the state as chairman of OSDA for seven years.
The immediate benefit of Bagchi’s appointment will be to Gopabandhu Academy of Administration which is the premier civil service training institute of Odisha. The facility was established in Hirakud in 1958 and moved to Bhubaneswar in 1989.
The Academy, being the Apex Training Institute of the State is entrusted with the task of imparting training to IAS (Odisha Cadre), IFS (Odisha Cadre) and OAS Officers at the point of entry, apart from orientation to officers of other Line Departments of the state Government. The academy had recently undergone a change in its training curriculum. It has become a Centre of Excellence for Human Resource Development activities of the government of Odisha.
A number of training programmes sponsored by the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, are designed at this academy following an exhaustive assessment of the training needs of the employees. The State Government officers are being trained here through number of programmes conducted throughout the year. Additionally, various officers from different Line Departments have also been trained through this Academy in the area of public private partnerships. Trainer development plans like “Capacity Building for Poverty Reduction” as well as “Training for All” have been taken up with great enthusiasm and commitment.
Bagchi’s appointment will also benefit civil service aspirants. It may be recalled that in February, the higher education department came out with the idea of providing free coaching for 200 aspirants appearing for civil service examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Enrollment was based on a pre-qualifying entrance test. The State Selection Board of the department conducted the examination on March 26 for selection of the top two hundred aspirants. The Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) has developed the online module for registration of aspirants for the entrance examination.
One of the most admirable aspects of Bagchi’s leadership style is his unwavering commitment to ethical and value-driven practices. He firmly believes that businesses should prioritize ethics, integrity, and social responsibility. Bagchi’s emphasis on the importance of character and purpose in leadership has resonated with many aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders.
When Bagchi embarked on his professional journey in the IT industry, he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering commitment propelled him to remarkable heights. Bagchi co-founded Mindtree, a global IT services and consulting company, in 1999. As Chief Operating Officer, he played an instrumental role in shaping the organization’s growth and success.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Bagchi is known for his thought leadership and captivating writing. His books, including “The High-Performance Entrepreneur,” “Go Kiss the World,” and “The Professional,” have garnered wide acclaim. Bagchi’s writings offer invaluable insights into leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.
Bagchi has consistently made a meaningful difference in society. He actively supports various social initiatives and philanthropic causes. As the Chairman of the Odisha Skill Development Authority, he has played a crucial role in empowering youth through skill development programs. This has helped in their employability and overall growth. As a result, Odisha has achieved a distinction among states in imparting cutting-edge skills to its youth.
In an event, namely, “Ask Subroto Bagchi” jointly organized by Gopabandhu Academy of Administration (GAA) and Revenue Officers Training Institute (ROTI), Bagchi, recently interacted with and advised the IAS, OAS and ORS officer trainees (OTs) to aspire and act in leaving the serving place in a better condition than before.
Near about 200 newly recruited IAS, OAS and ORS officers, undergoing probationary training at GAA and ROTI, asked about 300 questions. A few questions were randomly picked up by the OTs from each of the services i.e. IAS, OAS and ORS, and were asked on-the-spot by Bagchi who enjoyed answering them in very lucid and convincing ways. He shared his interesting journey with real-life anecdotes. He maintained true success in life lies in hard-work, perseverance, interest, sincerity and integrity.
“Showing up bravely in life, particularly during a crisis, completes half the work” was one of his messages to the OTs. He urged everyone to be inquisitive, as not knowing the boundaries sometimes helps in gaining vast knowledge. Bagchi advised, “empowering subordinates will have far reaching implications in the administrative journey of officers”. In his presentation, he convinced OTs not to settle for less and to keep building memories for the future. Multiple identities and diversities enrich life.
He advised everyone to find a passion for life, and time will care for it. He upheld that the purpose of life determines power and taking one step at a time helps lead a successful life. He emphasized that one should live a life first, then think about achieving a work-life balance.
Describing Odisha’s transformational journey in the skill development arena, he explained the motto of skill development as ‘Human Transformation. He was optimistic that the OSDA interventions will transform the lives of 1.5 million State youth. He encouraged the young minds by reminding them that they would be in senior administration positions during 2036. This is when Odisha would celebrate its 100 years of existence as a separate and independent state. Hence, they are the architects of modern Odisha.
It is common for individuals in the world of business to inspire others with their exceptional achievements and their visionary leadership capabilities. Subroto Bagchi is undeniably one such individual. With his exceptional contributions to the corporate world, Bagchi has left an indelible mark. This writeup aims to shed light on his life, work, and the significant impact he has made.
Bagchi was born in Patnagarh and grew up there. Growing up in the middle class of a family, he was taught early the importance of effort, work and determination. The values he inherited have shaped his life. Following his academic studies at Ravenshaw College, Bagchi pursued a postgraduate degree in Political Science from Utkal University.
As an aspiring entrepreneur and leader around the world, Bagchi’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in the corporate world serves as an inspiration to those who aspire to become entrepreneurs and leaders. Bagchi’s visionary leadership, ethical practices, and commitment to social causes have left an indelible mark on the business landscape. This makes him one of the most iconic business figures in the world. Throughout his work, he inspires individuals to embrace their true potential and strive for excellence, both personally and professionally.
In his upcoming role, Bagchi will work towards creating a futuristic vision for Odisha’s civil services training institutions. This will guide them into the future. His unified leadership approach is expected to bring them on par with the leading institutions in the world. In his unified leadership style, both civil servants who are new to the department as well as those who are already in it will benefit.
(Bhaskar Parichha is a Bhubaneswar based senior journalist and columnist. Views are personal)