We are all minorities in some way or the other. Love that statement literally. Shashi Tharoor says it so eloquently in many forms – that is ofcourse very specific in the indian context.

The word Diversity rhymes with two very different words. Adversity, if the traditional majority(in whichever way you view the term) views it as something that limits their own interests. Yet another word “University” also a key word, if the majority views the term as an opportunity to play part in the bigger scheme of things – from an opportunity stand point.

Having read your article, I cant help but wonder, what is diversity – Is it really about the inclusion of all and sundary (as per your definition) or is it something more……

I work with a lot of small & mid size organizations at various stages of the organization life-cycle across the HR spectrum. The common things across these organizations is that there general definition of diversity (inclusion) is as you have mentioned and as stated by you their recruitment practices are are based on merit (mostly in the educational space – as a start point) and so on.

What lot of these organization’s today face is not the lack of folks with high grades or folks from various sections of society or from different religious faiths, but the lack of people who present a different point of view…. or folks who have seen life thru struggles and have come past it ….not necessarily with flying colours but with enough zeal to carry them thru many such struggles….

Interestingly i find that most organizations see this challenge only from a recruitment perspective.. worse still most dont even recognize it as a challenge…
A lot of us depend on a flawed educational system which happens to be the biggest discriminating factor…. and only having gone thru this screen the traditional diversity inclusion measures take effect….

My question to you is do we need to re-define what is diversity in light of todays context and if so what your thoughts on taking diversity at corporates beyond the the traditional means of driving these programs thru line management.

Thanks & Regards,
Shravan Deshpande