Mumbai: Calling for a meaningful blend of tradition and modernity, well-known industrialist Swaraj Paul on January 9 said Indians should play a major role in changing the face of the country in the current phase of globalisation.

Delivering a lecture on Indian values in the 21st Century at the Nehru Centre, he lamented that the moral sensitivity had declined. However, India through its ancient tools of 'ahimsa', 'satyagraha' and other philosophies could usher in a moral revival.

On the issue of free enterprise, he said though free enterprise meant creation of wealth quickly, it had to be accompanied by a moral responsibility.

The mix of traditional perceptions of business and modern ideas on trade were the key to the future of the world, he said.

Paul said the current focus should be on creating conditions to develop potential of every individual and then subsequently leaving them free to grow up with minimum interference. Dubbing this concept as the third way propagated by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, he said this path could help in bringing about a substantial change in the world economy.

The current generation had in its power, if it so chooses to eradicate all forms of human poverty.

Advocating the concept of "world is one" in the context of September 11 terrorist attack on World trade Centre, he said the condition in the poor countries was bound to affect the environment of the rich countries and hence efforts should be made for a new deal to be struck between developing and developed countries.

PTI