India's progress is slow, but the presence of democracy is a good thing !

Former PepsiCo Chairperson Indra Nooyi compares India with China
China achieved rapid progress by adopting a centralised system

New Delhi – “I respect the system in China that lifted the country out of poverty. It was able to become a global superpower because it adopted a centralised system. India, however, is still striving to become a global superpower because it is a democracy. When everyone has the right to vote and express their views, the pace of progress slows down. Nevertheless, I am happy that this is the way things are,” said former PepsiCo Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi. The 70-year-old Nooyi made these remarks while speaking with former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Nooyi said:

1. By adopting a centralised system, China lacks the institutional system of checks and balances that protects individual rights. To explain this difference, she referred to the visible role of the judicial system in India.

2. Like cities in the United States, every major city in India has a court. In China, however, there are no courts because the government itself makes the rules and takes the decisions. That is where the problem arises. Our judicial system, which is visible to the people, gives them confidence that they too have certain rights in this country.

“India’s beauty lies in its chaos!” – Nooyi’s remarks on tourism in India

Nooyi was asked by Rice how India differs from China from the perspective of Western tourists. She replied that China is relatively homogeneous, making it easier for tourists to travel around the country. In contrast, India’s defining characteristic is its “chaos and bustle”. India’s beauty lies in that very chaos. Those who become accustomed to the country develop a liking for its unpredictability.

She further said that this chaos is almost like an addiction—people get used to it. Referring to life on Indian roads, she said that cows can commonly be seen sharing the roads with vehicles. Such sights may bewilder first-time visitors who prefer orderly and clean surroundings; however, for many Indians, these are simply part of everyday life. Indians often adopt the attitude that “This too shall pass” and regard this disorder as part of the country’s social fabric.