Stand tall, be counted and lead from the front: Major General Raj Mehta

Ludhiana, November 28, 2019: “Difficult Times offer opportunities in the form of problems for a leader, and the choice perhaps is between accepting them either as a Victor or be subsumed by them as a Victim.”
This was the message shared by Maj Gen Raj Mehta, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), on the occasion of 16th Sardar Manjit Singh Memorial Lecture at Ludhiana Management Association Members on Wednesday late evening.
Kamal Wadhera, President, LMA while introducing the theme Leadership during Difficult Times, said that Major General Raj Mehta was the most suitable person as he had battled challenges throughout his life, be they personal or professional, and it was his sheer grit and perseverance, that enabled him to rise above self doubt and be a role model for others.
Wadhera also recalled the contribution made by Sardar Manjit Singh as a Business leader, who would never convey hopelessness in his demeanor, in his interaction with his people, whatever be the problems.
Former President LMA Anil Kumar also recalled about Manjit Singh’s qualities of perseverance, inclusiveness, staying calm and developing consensus as the highlights of his presidential term.
Maj Gen Raj Mehta, AVSM, VSM (Retd.) also shared his 7 point Leadership Plan, necessary for handling change. Key components of his plan were Decisive Leadership, Leading from the Front, Value based Leadership, Sticking to Your Guns, Respecting Expertise, Personal Sacrifice and sharing leadership with others irrespective of gender, age or a designation. He wove the lecture around real life anecdotes experienced by him in the forces, and also historical battles which led to emergence of leaders like Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh, General Harbaksh Singh and Captain Vikram Batra. He emphasized that a Leader chooses to Stand Tall, Lead from the front, is prepared to sacrifice whatever he has, conquers fear, but above all is fired by passion and enthusiasm that prepares him to Dance in the Rain and enjoy the mantle handed over to him. He asserted that more than the difficulty of times, be they a slowdown, disruptive forces, a conflict or chaos, it is the perception that one has about a situation, which leads to one being a role model or an indecisive traveler in the journey of life.
Dr. Sandeep Kapur, Sr. Vice President, Ludhiana Management Association, proposed a Vote of Thanks to Major General Raj Mehta, and hoped that LMA Members, would welcome the Challenges that come their way during the difficult times, than be daunted by them.
Major General Raj Mehta was felicitated by Advocate J.S. Bindra, Dr. Paramjit Kaur, Mr. S.S. Bhogal, Captain V.K.Syall and Amritpal Singh Riat and Ms.Sandeep Riat son and daughter of Sardar Manjit Singh, former President LMA.