NHRD Journal - National HRD Network

Then the system was recommended for the other
state banks, and their CEO s were so excited by
the new concept that they suggested to take the
responsibility of introducing the system
themselves! Later, TV volunteered to work with
Bharat Earth movers Ltd. To introduce and
stabilize the new system. Capitalising on this
experience both Udai and TV offered the first
workshop on HRD systems at the Indian institute
of management at Ahmedabad in 1979. A draft
of their proposed book on designing and
Managing HR systems was circulate din this
workshop. Later a course and series executive
development programs were started by Udai and
TV at IIMA to popularize and promote HRD.
Crompton Greaves, State Bank of India and its
associates and a few other organizations
followed this initiative and Udai and TV worked
as their consultants in introducing and
implementing the HRD systems and starting new
HRD departments separate from personnel. The
spread of change to these strategic organizations
has been well documented (Rao, 2004).
Diffusion of Change: Networking Strategy
At that time Udai went on a long consulting
assignment, as USAID OD Advisor to the
Health Department of the Government of
Indonesia, TV continued the work of diffusing
change in India. Larsen & Toubro created a
Chair on HRD at XLRI Jamshedpur, which was
taken up by TV in 1983. One of the conditions
of the L&T Chair required L&T professor to give
an annual public seminar on his work. TV used
this to get L&T host the four-day seminar at
Mumbai, where more people could attend. The
seminar focused on the recent experiences in
HRD. About 40 persons participated in the
seminar. TV presented the integrated HRD
model developed at L&T. Dennyson spoke
about how it was being implemented. Susan
spoke about their attempts at Assessment
Centers. The seminar explored what was
happening and not happening in HRD, how
many organizations were not able to
understand the right spirit of HRD, the
helplessness of HRD managers in convincing
some CEO s etc. A number of success stories
were also shared and there was new
enthusiasm in all the members. Rajen Gupta
shared his struggle in Jyoti Ltd and the support
he was getting from the top. Subhash Durlabhji
shared how HRD was an integral part of the
Japanese philosophy. PVR shared HR practices
at Sundram Clayton member of the TVS Group.
TV shared his concern for continuing the
process of learning from each others'
experiences. The response was very positive.
As expected, in response to a suggestion from
TV who was leaving XLRI to return to IIMA,
the members proposed continuation of the
Initiative under a new banner. Several
suggestions were given. It was Rajen Gupta
who suggested that we call this body network
as the term network means connecting with
each other. The suggestion was readily accepted
to set up HRD Network. It was also agreed
that different cities should have such Networks.
T P Raman and his colleague Mohan agreed to
give facilities and promote it in Mumbai. PVR
and Chandrasekhar agreed to do this for
Chennai. Prasanna and Kishore Rao agreed to
do this for Bangalore. Rajan Gupta agreed to
do this for Baroda. TV volunteered to explore
for Delhi. Coordinators were appointed,
briefing them about organizing such Networks.
Fr Abraham agreed to stay behind in Mumbai
to visit L&T and get the material for the first
newsletter. The newsletter was supposed to
disseminate the new knowledge about HRD. It
was agreed to have one intellectual article by
an academician, one essay profiling in details
the practices of accompany, a few case lets of
problems and issues, which may be posed to
the reader, some references and bibliography
and news items. Fr Abraham and TV thought
of getting every number sponsored by a
company committed to HRD and having done
November 2007 NHRD Journal 103