We Are Trying To Build A Centre Where All Art Forms Will Be Practiced Together: Sunil Kant Munjal

Sunil Kant Munjal, Chairman, Hero Enterprise is an entrepreneur, angel investor, institution builder and author all roped into one. He is also the Chancellor of BML Munjal University. 

In conversation with Dr Annurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, BW Businessworld and exchange4media group at BW Dialogue, Munjal spoke about healthcare infrastructure, recent education policy and the overall economy of the country. 

In his opening comments, he said, “In the initial phase of the lockdown I was trying to help the authorities at the local, state and central levels with addressing the response to the pandemic by way of looking at capacities of hospitals, ICUs, ventilators, protective gears and the like.” 

When asked about what he looks for before investing in an idea he said, “We will invest in companies where the leadership team displays passion about the product or service that they are making, there is a felt need for that product or service in the market and the company is going to have a positive social fall out in addition to the financial criteria.” 

Munjal asserted that the country has two extremes when it comes to the healthcare infrastructure. “At the top end our healthcare institutions are very good and like any global institutions but when you take one or two steps down, the entire thing just fritters away,” he added. 

The two healthcare challenges that the nation needs to fight are that of reach and quality. Not enough people have access to quality healthcare and healthcare available to the majority of the nation is of very low quality.  

Speaking about the new education policy he said, “The entire system has been feeling the need for this change because for too long we have been teaching kids to become crammers rather than to think for themselves.” 

It is an economically crucial time where cash conservation has become the mantra for all businesses. The one thing that Munjal has been advising every young company is to look at their business models afresh and from an outside perspective. 

He further informed that one of the things he is currently involved with is trying to figure out a way to increase the exposure and appreciation of Indian arts and culture. He informed, “We are trying to build a centre where all of the art forms will be practiced together.” 

These art forms will include visual arts, culinary arts, performing arts all intertwined with each other. The centre will also run education programs, residencies and research programs. The building constructed for the same will use the most modern technology available in the world so that it is eco-friendly, energy-efficient and responsive for people. 

For India, it is a unique opportunity to grow ourselves at this time. Elaborating on the current global scenario and Indo-China relations Munjal stated the following three opportunities for our country:  

1. Attract companies currently having investments in China to come to India 
2. Persuade countries to buy from India rather than China 
3. Become part of the bigger global value chain 

Munjal strongly believes that utilising these opportunities will help India in becoming a manufacturing superpower of the world.