Sloganeering does not change the world, says Rajiv Bajaj

Bajaj Auto MD emphasizes the importance of skilling youth for India's progress, launching 'Bajaj Beyond' initiative.

Mere slogans do not help usher in change and India can only progress by skilling its youth, Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj asserted on Friday.

“You do not change the world by sloganeering. Saying ‘Make in India’ does not change the world; saying ‘Aatmanirbhar’ does not change the world; saying ‘vocal for local’ does not change the world; and saying ‘Viksit Bharat’ does not change the world,” he said.

Without naming any individual or organisation he said: “Words would not change the world, unless you have the skills to put those words into action. It would certainly not change the world by saying I will spend tens of thousand of crores of rupees on CSR or that I want to touch billions of lives.”

Asking the media, which had been promoting these slogans for years, to introspect, Mr. Bajaj observed: “You have been carrying these slogans. It is time to pause and reflect as to how much of this has turned into reality”.

He said one had to have some skill to be the best version of himself/herself one day. “You need to have some skill to bring in change. Without the skill at our disposal how can we change?”

Mr. Bajaj was speaking at a function organised by several Bajaj Group companies, which had collectively decided to commit ₹5,000 crore investment over five years so as to help more than 2 crore young Indians to benefit through skilling. The group’s charitable trusts would also contribute to the ‘Bajaj Beyond’ initiative. 

On this occasion “Bajaj Beyond’— an identity for the Group’s social impact programs, which aim to empower tomorrow’s youth with a sharp focus on skill development was unveiled. The objective of this CSR initiative is to skill tomorrow’s youth and enable them to take advantage of the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities offered by India’s growing economy.