The Call of the Entrepreneur
Ankur Bora
Oftentimes,
we have a tendency to daydream, we wonder soaring through the sky, we imagine
being cathartic and powerful. However, most often, we remain on the edge never
taking that leap of faith. On the other hand, there are individuals, who had
the audacity to jump off the cliff, and who risk everything to follow their
dreams. And even if they fail, they have the tenacity to get up, dust off, and
take the next venture with renewed energy. They are entrepreneurs, who play the
most important factor in national economic expansion of a country. They are
instrumental in product innovations; they employ or create new technology and thus
bring tremendous economic growth.
 |
| Horizon Assam Tribune on 7th April 2017 |
The extraordinary
growth enjoyed over the several decades by many East Asian countries has
amounted to nothing less than an economic miracle. These countries including
Taiwan, Japan and South Korea invested heavily in human capital which
transformed East Asia into the economics Juggernauts that it is today. I have always been captivated by these so
called “Asian Tigers” – how those once poorest countries emerged amongst the
world most productive and richest large economics. My quest led me to a young
Assamese who has been working on research involving the economics of these
countries.
Dr
Rupakjyoti Borah who is currently a visiting research fellow at the Institute
of South Asian Studies , Singapore , is a distinguished expert in International
Relations. Rupak was conferred the prestigious Australian Studies Fellowship
when he was at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations,
Manipal University, India. Prior to that, he was a visiting Fellow at the
Centre of International Studies, University of Cambridge, U.K. in 2009 and holds
a Ph.D. from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
(JNU), New Delhi. Rupak has delivered lectures at various international
conferences and has published extensively in journals, books, magazines,
newspapers and websites both in India and abroad.
 |
| At the Jakarta International Defence Dialogue |
The
highpoint of his academic life till date was when Rupak was invited as a
speaker at the Jakarta International Defense Dialogue 2014 along dignitaries including
the former Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Mr. H.E. Mr Xanana Gusmao, Commander
of the US Pacific Fleet Admiral Harry B Harris,, former Chief of Navy of
Indonesia Admiral Dr. Marsetio,, and the former Australian Defense Minister,
David Johnston.
A world away
from a small town in Assam where he grew up, Rupak regularly interacts with select
international leaders, military heads, academics and policy-makers from all
over the world. Between the books and papers, what distinguishes him from others,
as I realize, is his worldview. "When
I was in school, I used to cycle maybe 14 kms(two-ways) to my maternal uncle's
house just to watch BBC.” That spark for learning and innovation is exactly
what he had observed when Rupak was working in Taiwan, a country which went
from lowest tier of poorest countries into a hi-tech powerhouse, making most of
the world's laptops and much of its other consumer electronics.
 |
| With Admiral Harris,Commander of US Pacific+Fleet |
The
willingness to change and a strong entrepreneurial spirit have helped Taiwan
transform itself, despite its small population. As Taiwan’s embryonic
development began to unfold, thousands of youths and this does include women,
began to set up one-man or youthful-partnership companies. Rupak who spent
several years in Taiwan, had a prime seat in witnessing the miraculous growth
of that country. He made a brilliant observation in his article ‘A Year in
Taiwan’. The people of Taiwan value hard work, patience, humility, friendliness
and respect for others and their positive attitudes, particularly amongst the
young, toward entrepreneurial effort all over Taiwan are enormously beneficial
to its economic achievements. Writing from his firsthand experiences Rupak described
with telling stories and portraits from the ground how Taiwan, a tiny nation
became one of the richest economies in the world.
 |
| Book release in Japan |
How did
Japan rebuild itself and become an advanced nation and a major economic power
in the aftermath of the World War II is a miracle. In the 1940s, start-ups like
Sony and Honda helped Japan rise from the ashes of war. Self-reliance, infrastructure,
free trade and entrepreneurial profits were keys to Japan’s progress. For
Japanese students, choosing to become an entrepreneur becomes more common as a
career option. When people are free, Japanese believe, “there is nothing in the
world that can withstand man’s courage and intellect.” Rupak has recently been working as a Research
Fellow at the Tokyo-based Japan Forum for Strategic Studies and found a great
deal of interest with Japanese people and their culture of being industrious,
efficient, committed, disciplined and dedication to work. In his recently
published book, The Elephant and the Samurai, Rupak takes readers through the close
historical ties between Japan and India, how expanding bilateral economic and the
people-to-people relations can be an extraordinary positive force for job
creation , growth , harnessing science , technology and enhanced prosperity for
both counties.
The world is
entering into an era of international integration, technical diffusion, foreign
trade and investment – this powerful force of globalization continue to inspire
Dr Rupakjyoti Borah. “What I have learnt
from my research in Taiwan, Japan and now in Singapore is the importance of
discipline, dedication and determination(3D's)--all these places lack natural
resources, are small in size, plagued by natural disasters(especially in the
case of Japan), but have managed to beat all odds”. As he studies these
areas of research, he also urges Assamese youths to leverage the unique aspects
of our culture, entrepreneurial skills and competencies and doing things that
have never been done before.
Feedback from readers
From: Amal Borah <amal.borah@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, April 9, 2017 4:10 AM
To: ankurbora@hotmail.com
Subject: Request for Information of Dr. Rupakjyoti Borah
Hello Ankur,
I had earlier gone through your Article in the Horizon Section of Assam Tribune on 7th April 2017. It was quite informative and I appreciate your insight on the said topic.
I would be highly grateful if you can share the email address or contact number of Dr. Rupakjyoti Borah since I am interested in setting up an industry based on Taiwanese product technology and know how here in Assam.
Thanks in advance.
Amal Borah
Guwahati
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