CII, as the premier industry association in India, has always been at the forefront of setting a leadership agenda for itself and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. CII advocated the opening up of the Indian economy in the early 1990s, and prepared the industry to become competitive both in the domestic and global markets
CII has worked closely with Central and State governments to influence development agenda and also taken up many initiatives that contributed to the development goals. Thoughtful planning and consensus building were the methodologies adopted in most cases. This gave confidence to CII to look further into the future of India's development and the State/ regional CII units looked further into the future of their respective regions.
For instance for four Southern States - Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala - we have developed a Vision 2025 document using deliberative democratic approach. Gradually, its stakeholders raised their expectations and now expect CII to not only contribute, but also participate in setting a long-term Vision for India.
This expectation was, in a manner, reflected in the lecture by Professor C.K. Prahalad, Paul and Ruth McCracken Distinguished University Professor, Ross School of Business, The University of Michigan, at the India@60 celebrations of CII in New York in September 2007. Prof Prahalad presented a Vision of what India can achieve in the next 15 years.
Regarding the process of vision creation, Prof Prahalad lays down three principles:

• Aspiration (vision) must always exceed present resources-in other words the vision must be a big stretch, and it should not be obvious how it will be attained
• The vision must not be an extrapolation from the past. Rather, the process of progressing towards the vision must be a process of discovery, of 'folding in the future' as it is created by visionary action
• Adoption of 'best practices' will not help to realise a vision that is not an extrapolation of the past. Rather, there must be innovation, and development of 'next practices'

CII found Prof. Prahalad's vision inspiring and achievable. In more ways than one, CII's current plans and initiatives tackle most of the goals presented in the lecture. There are few others that will require thinking through and deliver upon. The thoughts in this lecture are a base for CII to undertake an "aspirational role" and facilitate India's transformation to a global leader by 2022.
The last time the country truly came together as one was under the umbrella of Poorna Swaraj. With India@75 we are attempting to recreate that magical effect of a diverse nation uniting to dream together to create and implement a shared inclusive vision.
The lead has been taken by CII. Using Prof. C. K. Prahalad's paper on vision India@75 as an inspiration and benchmark, CII proposes to engage the various stakeholders in this country to create the vision for India@75. Primary amongst them are the Young Indians (YI), the young inclusive arm of CII that brings young entrepreneurs, professionals, farmers, overseas Indians, students, bureaucrats, politicians on one platform. YI along with CII will drive this agenda forward. Methodology adopted is to do the visioning exercise at a state level which will not only lead to inputs for a national vision but will also contribute to the formation of a state vision. The national vision will be presented to the prime Minister by CII on January 26, 2009 and various state visions to State Chief Ministers.
The first step - To create excitement around Vision India@75 using Prof. C.K. Prahalad. He has given us 7 days in 7 cities, spread over July and August meeting with the polity, young Indians and vision ambassadors (the set that will create a multiplier effect of his vision in the state). Another way to create excitement and a movement amongst people, especially the youth, is a proposed theme eg, a theme - Play For India. Everyone wants to play for the Indian cricket team, we get them to play for India@75. They will play matches against corruption, creating a greener city etc. as part of 20-20, one dayers or test matches.
Step Two - With the help of Boston Consulting Group, we set up a process which involves the following:-

• Obtaining feedback of inclusive group of stakeholders in each State
• Look at the feedback thematically against Prof.CKP's 6 principles
• Integrating them to National level vision
• Developing Vision for each State
• For Southern States who have already developed their Vision last year, create a "District level Development Plans (DDP)"

Step Three - Take the Development Plans and Vision statements into action as a way of setting agenda for next and future years of CII / YI leadership.
Activities so far

• Compilation of existing and past work
• Four Stakeholder consultations
• Four Meetings of the Task Force
• Three meetings with Prof C K Prahalad - including with the Task Force on 16th April
• Testing of Prof C K Prahalad's Vision for India@75 with diverse stakeholders in different states and regions, in eight languages. Twelve stakeholders covered in four regions.
• Announcement of Professor C K Prahalad's Vision from CII Platform on 8th May 2008 in Delhi
• Adoption of India@75 as the CII Theme for 2008-9
• Planning the roll out of the process of Visioning, with the Boston Consulting Group India
• Identification of 18 states which will go through the process of visioning before Jan 2009
• Creation of State Level Fask Forces led by CII with YI co- chair to take this forward

Proposed Action Plan
1. CII and YI to collaborate with the support of BCG India to create a Vision for India@75: The Next Agenda

• Southern States with existing vision documents use Prof C K Prahalad's Vision to enhance the vision and create an actionable agenda.
• Other States use the template of the Prof C K Prahalad Vision for India@75 to develop State level Visions and specific action agenda.
• States also provide their perspective on the Vision for India@75
• Central resource team to support with methodologies and next practices.

Outcomes

• State level Visions with action agendas
• Pilot Initiatives that CII can implement as a nodal agency.
• Agenda inputs for the next years themes.
• 4The opportunity to weave the states' visions into a possible "CII's Vision for India@75."