A country where 70 percent students in higher education pursue a future in science and technology with only 30 percent in humanities has shown a healthy irreverence for global models of development. It has pioneered several other models of future growth which defy the conventional image of Africa as a follower (sometimes, people allege a sluggish one). Let me list some of the initiatives that Ethiopia has taken in the recent past which merit a serious attention of any student of authentic and culture specific developmental discourse.

Ethiopian leaders realised that the Nile river originating in their country had not been historically harnessed for irrigating lands within the country. All the water practically drained to Egypt and Sudan. They decided to build one of the largest dams in the region without relying on the foreign aid or loans from abroad. Most international agencies advised against it because of their historical interests and biases. They floated bonds to raise almost entire capital from common people with some from well meaning foundations. They will raise power generation from 2,000 MW to 10,000 MW in the next five years with attendant increase in the area under irrigation.

Ethiopia invites entrepreneurs form abroad to take land on lease, grow crops and export to their own countries. There is some opposition within the country to this policy but then its impact on local millets has to be appreciated. The traditional foods constitute major staple unlike most other countries who allowed imported or intensively cultivated wheat and rice to replace local traditional, nutrition rich crops.

The vice chancellor of the largest university in Africa at Addis Abeba was very proud to mention that Ethiopia had 215 graduate studies programmes and 67 PhD programmes. But when it came to set up higher education council, they recently decided to  locate it  not in the ministry of education but in the president's office. Education deserved highest attention, and it had to be visibly so.

Ethiopians are fond of saying that the south of the country is rich in culture, the north is rich in history. This is one country which has more than 80 languages and a script, Amara, in which most intellectuals feel honoured in publishing. Perhaps, when the language of masses and classes is the same, the authentic thoughts get launched on a natural trajectory. Language shapes the habit of thoughts, as some linguists often say. More prominence the local languages have in national polity, greater is the possibility that vernacular or local thoughts will get a chance to be heard at all levels.

Given its large agro-biodiversity, it is of course facing the same challenge that most other emerging economies are facing: loss of diversity and its movement from shops to the roadside. However, many of these spices and medicinal crops and plants could be an area of global engagement.

Where can India engage with Ethiopia in view of the forthcoming visit of the Indian prime minister to this country in a few days?

(a) Higher education: India can share open source courseware of its IITS, IISC and IIMs with its counterparts in Africa. India should launch a global open innovation university. (b) Triggering innovations based on grassroots knowledge and creativity, building the value chain. Africa is conscious of its indigenous knowledge but is unable to take it forward fast enough - a situation in which both India and Africa have to co-learn and  co-evolve. (c) ICT, biotechnological and sustainable agriculture cooperation for looking at the problems of difficult regions collaboratively, partnership for promoting crops and enterprises of common interest. (d) Contract cultivation of pulses (and some aromatic crops) to meet Indian chronic shortages. (e) Mineral prospecting options with future stakes. And (f) MSME development through development of distributed design and fabrication facilities and venture promotion and investment funds.

Ethiopia proposes to be self sufficient in food in five years. It has sponsored a million dollar study to gauge perception of corruption levels in different sector and spaces of the country. China has invested more than a billion dollars in this part and India's role remains to be properly defined and developed.

Ethiopia and India share linguistically, culturally, biologically diverse societies. Ethiopia has already achieved some of the millenium development goals (MDGs) targets. Most leadership positions in government are being  given to the younger generation, older leaders serve as ambassadors. We will miss this opportunity if we think we have to only give and not take. Mutual respect and learning spirit will help us achieve a breakthrough. In a marathon race, Prof Calestuous Juma at Harvard university (a long-time observer of African change), observes, Ethiopians runners, come from behind and then outperform the rest. They are planning to be a leader in life sciences, and excel in social development too. Let us be a part of this process.