Introduction of a new order of things.

Prof. Kesav Nori retired on 31st March after completing 25 years of service in the Tata Consultancy Services. A touching function took place in which all his colleagues spoke about their interaction with him.

The web site http://www.kvnori.com/ was gifted to Prof.Nori on this occasion by some of his admirers.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. V.C.S. Prasad drew the attention of the team members of the Business Systems & Cybernetics Centre of the Tata Consultancy Services to a quote from Nicolo Machiavelli. The quote is given below. He was referring to Prof. Nori's passionate advocacy of the necessity of "seeing beyond computing" in running a software company.

Many of the readers might resonate with the ideas expressed in the quote in view of their own experience of life.


"... there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them. Thus it happens that whenever those who are hostile have the opportunity to attack they do it like partisans, whilst the others defend lukewarmly...."

Nicolo Machiavelli

Written c. 1505, published 1515.