Professor from Oxford University Highlights Significant Advancements in Brand India

New Delhi, Dec 4 (NationPress) The perception of Brand India has significantly evolved with the recent economic advancements, with the nation now recognized as a hub for investment, stated Soumitra Dutta, a Professor at Oxford University, in an exclusive discussion with IANS.
Dutta, who serves as the Dean and Professor at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, mentioned, “When I engage with the youth in India, I emphasize that the brand they currently possess is a remarkable asset, and they should not underestimate its value. Three decades ago, when I pursued my studies abroad, the perception of India was vastly different.”
He elaborated that India is now viewed as a land of opportunity and an active player on the international platform, which is vital considering India's vast size and demographic diversity.
“India must be recognized as a key contributor to global growth. The nation has played a crucial role in development, particularly from the perspective of the Global South. For instance, the PRAGATI system has been instrumental in expediting the completion of stalled large-scale infrastructure projects,” the professor noted.
“One of the intriguing aspects for me is that the PRAGATI ecosystem offers valuable insights for the Global South. Other leaders across Africa, Latin America, and Asia require substantial investments in infrastructure and significant, systemic changes. They also need guidance on executing such projects more effectively and efficiently,” he emphasized.
Dutta co-authored a newly released study titled, “From Gridlock to Growth- How Leadership Enables India’s PRAGATI Ecosystem to Power Progress.” He believes that this system, which includes the Prime Minister's direct oversight of significant projects, should be adopted by other global leaders to foster economic development.
He expressed, “The PRAGATI ecosystem provides a roadmap for achieving this. I believe that part of being a responsible global citizen and leader involves assisting others. India is currently positioned to not only support its own development but also to aid others. PRAGATI exemplifies this potential by showcasing our leadership in best practices.”
“Overall, I observe that India is advancing well. While there is still much work to be done, we are in a favorable position to achieve our goals,” he commented.
“There is a growing awareness of India's progress, and I must acknowledge that the achievements of Indians abroad have sparked curiosity about India and its developments. The presence of CEOs from major tech firms and leaders of significant Western nations of Indian origin marks a profound shift,” he added.
However, he pointed out, “The reality is that many people remain unaware of the positive developments within the country. For instance, while the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and the comprehensive payment system in India is the leading model globally, most individuals have limited knowledge of the India stack.”
“Likewise, awareness of PRAGATI on an international scale is quite limited. This lack of knowledge prompted me to conduct a case study on PRAGATI, as it helps to better understand the strength of the system and to share these insights broadly,” he concluded.