The changing scenario has placed new demands on both the cultures and the work force.

Society today seems more comfortable, living a life of

luxury, with various amenities at their disposal. Technology claims to have brought the world closer with facilities of Internet, telecommunication and
e-commerce at the fingertips. The idea of ‘global village’ as evident in the economic scene is delusive and misleading. Such a society brags about
‘openness’ as its key force that actually determines the mindset of people. But it is necessary to understand this idea of ‘openness’, in the context of
the changing economic and social scene. Is it openness to the idea of free market, the urge to involve oneself in international investments and global
commerce that is required? Or is it the openness of one’s mind to the universally accepted human dignity and value systems that is required? In order
to adapt well to the changing environment in the business world, and confidently face the ongoing challenges, it is essential to ‘know oneself’ in the
true sense of the term. It is a call to humanity in general, and companies and organisations to reinvent themselves.

The present day civilisation suffers primarily because of its tendency to be involved in the process of exteriorising. This has led to the loss of oneself
in more than one way. This process of exteriorising is unfortunately understood to be synonymous to modernisation. Every individual tends to derive
his satisfaction from outside his being. The idea of self-awareness and self- enrichment has been losing its way in the sands of posterity. The culture
of the economy today is dominated by an Epicurean culture, which is akin to the Charvaka philosophy: excessive indulgence, conspicuous
consumption, materialistic values and craze for power. Such culture inevitably generates confusion and conflicts. This culture is responsible for the
degradation of man himself, demoting him to a mere commodity.

Every individual is a bundle of virtues and weaknesses of the head and the heart. The resulting individuality of a person from this balance sheet of
positive and negative qualities is his CHARACTER. The strength of the character of a person has alone been the indicator of his potential, capacities
and capabilities. Character is thus, the most important factor that makes for effective individuals, and to be more specific, effective managers in an
organisation. A man of character implies essentially and necessarily, a man who lives life with the guidelines of the basic human values.

Character stands for self-discipline, loyalty, readiness to accept responsibility and willingness to admit mistakes. It stands for selflessness, modesty,
humility and willingness to forego or sacrifice. A person of character practices human values and his thoughts, words and deeds are in harmony. He is
consistent in his behaviour and the constancy and stability are evidently signs of integrity.