DIVERSITY IN INDIA AND AMERICA

AGENDAINTRODUCTIONOBAMA DISCOURSE’S ON

DIVERSITYIN CONTEXT TO USA/INDIACHALLENGES IN DIVERSITYCONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION Diversity is omnipresent, no two persons are similar in this world. The world

has been and is a platform of huge mix of people with different backgrounds,

religion, castes, race, culture, behavior, age, marital status, nationality,

educational qualification, political affiliation, levels of ability, personality,

gender and many more which vary across the globe.

Which also include socio - economic background of individuals, membership

and non membership of unions, forms and quality/quantity of education,

period and nature of employment, drives to work, and work styles.

Work place diversity – It consist of social, economic ,political visible and

non visible differences which might not have a direct relation at workplace,

but certainly have direct influence on work attitude and performance at the

work place.

PRESIDENT OBAMA TALKS ON DIVERSITY IN INDIA & AMERICA

President Barack Obama On 27Jan Tuesday addressed to the diversity of India and America at Siri Fort.

Obama Said “In India and America, our diversity is our strength and we have to guard against any efforts to divide ourselves along sectarian or any other lines “. 

“If we do that well, that is an example for every other country on earth. That is what makes us world leaders ”.

Diversity in India and America allow the grandson of a cook to become President and a tea seller a Prime Minister.

OBAMA PRAISING INDIAN DIVERSITY Diversity in India and America allow a the grandson of a cook to

become President and a tea seller a Prime Minister.

India is defined by countless languages and dialects and every color and caste and creed, gender and orientations.

Similar in America- black and white, Latino, Asian, Indian-American, Latino- American.

Contd….

The pledge to uphold the dignity of the individual and our declaration of Independence proclaims that all men are treated equal.

In both of our countries, generations have worked to live up to these ideas," he said.

So even as we live in a world of terrible inequality, we are also proud to live in countries where a grandson of a cook can become a President and even a tea seller can become Prime Minister, Obama said referring to himself and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

IN CONTEXT TO USA

By 2050 the percentage of Hispanics-American will grow from today's 11 percent of

workforce to 24 percent

Blacks from 12.5 to 14 percent

Asians from 5 percent to 11.5 percent

The 55 + age group which currently makes 13 percent labour force will increase to 20.5

percent by 2014

The white non-Hispanic percentage of the population has decreased from 77.7 percent

in 1990 to 73.1% in 2000 and it is projected to decrease further to 69.2% by 2010.

Number of female workers have increased from 29.6 percent in 1950 to 46.7 percent in

2003 and are projected to increase to 47% by 2010

Currently, as per ILO report, 45% of world women population aged (15-64) are

employed.

IN CONTEXT TO INDIA Over 400 million women are employed in various streams. Around 30 percent of the workforce in the IT sector is women. Socially disadvantaged people (scheduled casts/tribes, etc.) have

entered organizations as a result of a policy of reservations and concessions.

Old employees have grown in number because of improved medical and health care.

IT Industries like Infosys, TCS and Wipro are actively recruiting foreign nationals and women, both by choice and design.

CHALLENGES IN MANAGING DIVERSITY

Resistance to Change: Long established corporate culture is very resistant to change and this resistance is a major roadblock for women and minorities seeking to survive and prosper in corporate setting.

Resentment: Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) was imposed by government rather than self initiated. The response to this forced change was in many cases grudging compliance.

Criticism: Some group in the organization feels that they have to defend themselves against infringements by those using their gender or ethnicity to lay claim to organizational resources .Thus, while women and minorities may view a firms cultural diversity policy as a commitment to improving their chances of advancement.

CONCLUSION A diverse workforce is a reflection of a changing world and marketplace.

Diverse work teams bring high value to organizations. Respecting

individual differences will benefit the workplace by creating a

competitive edge and increasing work productivity.

Diversity management benefits associates by creating a fair and safe

environment where everyone has access to opportunities and challenges.

Management tools in a diverse workforce should be used to educate

everyone about diversity and its issues, including laws and regulations.

Most workplaces are made up of diverse cultures, so organizations need

to learn how to adapt to be successful practices.