Making sense of it all
When I first told people that I was writing a book, most assumed that it was a memoir of my years at Infosys. There was some bemusement, even consternation, when I told them that I was writing a book on India.
Could someone like me contribute to the discussions and debates on India’s future? In retrospect, I can say that I had some advantages. As an entrepreneur from a ‘new economy’ company, which largely lay outside the state’s complex regulatory system, I was a bit of an outsider to Indian industry when it came to the challenges of doing business in the country. Neither of course, did I belong in government, although I had participated in various task forces and policy committees. This, I like to believe, gave me a unique perspective on both markets and the state in India.
I was also fortunate in being able to talk to a variety of people – economists, policy experts, NGO activists, bureaucrats, politicians, entrepreneurs, journalists – about their various ideas for India. And what struck me time and again, is the vibrancy of ideas and solutions that exist for sustainable growth. There is no dearth of new, interesting answers for our problems.
Why then, do our challenges seem so intractable? We are an emerging economy, making waves in the global market, but the numbers of our poor are still staggering. We struggle to provide our citizens with basic levels of education and healthcare. In many parts of rural India, infrastructure is nothing more than a distant hope – we have villages with no roads leading out, and villages with mobile connectivity but without electricity, where people have to walk miles to the nearest town just to charge their phones.
I believe that much of India’s challenges come from our divisions. The Indian state has long championed the country’s ‘unity in diversity’, but in reality, our diversity has also meant that we are a fractured society, split along the lines of caste, religion, region and class. As a result, our politics have long been a politics of our divides rather than one driven by ideas or solutions.
However, there is a chance that this has begun to change. I think that the most effective answer to such politics is creating a ’safety net of ideas’ that can weather political storms and divisive rhetoric. If such ideas become popular across large numbers of voters, no government can survive by simply mining our resentments, and without addressing these issues.
Already, we can see a set of such core ideas that have gained traction in India post-reform. The English language for instance, was once a favourite target among politicians who wanted to whip up regional passions, and some state governments even banned the teaching of English in schools in the 1970s and 1980s. But with the rise of India’s markets and the growth of our outsourcing sector, the tongue has become a language of aspiration, and political parties have found that a hostile stance towards English is deeply unpopular with voters. We have seen a similar shift in how Indians view our population – once seen as a burden, now viewed as a strength – our entrepreneurs, and the role of technology, globalisation, and democracy. These ideas have arrived in India, and have helped drive the story of our growth.
There are other ideas however, that remain in limbo – such as education and infrastructure reform, which despite their popularity among voters, are difficult to implement thanks to weak systems and ineffective governments. And at the same time, ideas such as labour and university reforms are still deeply divisive, with no clear answers in sight. And finally, there are the issues that are critical to our future, but we haven’t yet begun to debate – such as our health, environmental and energy issues.
I discuss these various kinds of ideas in the book, and intend to do the same on this blog – I believe that an open, involved debate on these issues that will provide us some clarity on India’s future, and help us shape an effective, sustainable path for growth. Do join me in this debate.
November 16th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Sir,
I am relieved that men like you have come forward to assuage the rising worries of the common man. I look forward to reading your book which I am sure will resonate well with the serious thoughts and fears of millions of concerned Indians.
In my blog “Campaign for a Responsible Government” (www.vvranganathan.com) I had conveyed my worries about the future of my young children who have five or more decades of life in front of them. My fear is not without any basis and this fear has understandably gripped many of my friends too. Will this country that is still called a young democracy at 61, stick together as a nation? I recall with alacrity as to how the Soviet Union disintegrated into pieces and how people suffered. Please recall that the central piece to the whole disintegration of the Soviet Union was a weak Central Government and certain coercive forces (the growing strength of provincial barons) that accelerated the collapse. And imagine we are increasingly closer to such a situation with weak central governments plus the right mixture of dangerous ingredients like unaffordable prices for basic necessities of life, joblessness, inequalities, angry youth, communal violence, diverse languages, growing intolerance, internal insurgencies, a huge and unmanageable population that has not stopped rising, growing regionalism and above all lack of bold and determined leadership
Our present prosperity and peace are as a result of the countless sufferings and sacrifices of people of yesteryears who made India a reality. Selfish and self centred pre-occupation with work, personal wealth and glory will all become meaningless if we can’t leave India as a safe place for our children to live peacefully and enjoy the fruits of our hard earned wealth.
This fragile fabric called India has shown considerable elasticity in the last several decades. If we do not immediately arrest those forces that puncture holes and try to tear it apart, we may soon become another Soviet Union. If this shall not happen to India, then ordinary mortals like us should be prepared do extraordinary things.
There is no running away from this responsibility. Take a look at the number of bold individuals who with a missionary zeal are trying to bring that positive change all alone. There are a number of very credible not-for-profit organisations run by dedicated individuals. Support them in their quest for truth and accountability. Help the good people in government do their jobs without fear of the corrupt and the powerful.
Congratulations for initiating this debate and to use your own words ” I think that the most effective answer to such politics is creating a ’safety net of ideas’ that can weather political storms and divisive rhetoric. If such ideas become popular across large numbers of voters, no government can survive by simply mining our resentments, and without addressing these issues”
Regards
Ranganathan
November 16th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Hello Nandan,I appriciate your concept of “safety net of idea’s”,however I wonder,wasnt our nation build upon a similar concept,out constitution,which has lost a lot of relevence given a lot of changes ? So how can we have a “constantly refreshing net of positive ideas” & how can we ensure pridictibility of such an idea culture?
Thanks & Regards,
Sanjay
November 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Dear Nandan,
Being an Engineer and an IT professional myself and having gone through the upswings and downswings of Indian IT economy, I endorse your views on ‘what needs to be done’. I am certain that you would become the role model for future entrepreneurs of this country. However, I have differing views on your take on ‘English-speaking India’, which in my view, is just an abberation, ‘fortunately’ turned positive for us.
Though we boast of largest number of English-speaking graduates in the world, the ‘quality of thinking’ as imparted to our English-speaking graduates is very shallow compared to the many ‘educated’ nations of the world. We seem to put heavy emphasis on physical/vocal demeanour–like our ability to communicate in a phoren language. Most of Indians of my generation in forties–particularly from the south and from middle-class homes–were bred with a false belief by our fathers/grand-fathers (lived in the colonial era) that ’speaking English’(language of ‘doras’) is tantamount to ‘educatedness’. Now, the current success euphoria further reinforces this false belief (in my view). What I feel is, in the name of English medium, we neglected our regional languages and the opportunity to ‘think’ and ‘develop’ in a wholistic manner in our society (particularly all those from rural and small towns who are deprived of opportunities, just because they can’t speak English like their counterparts from cities).
In my view, if the progress of India is to be holistic, it will have to look inward–respecting our languages, cultures and our ways of thinking. When can we have good written manauls on carpentry or plumbing in Telugu or Tamil or Hindi for our artisans. How can we make our excellent skilled craftspersons share knowledge and express themselves fluently in a language dear to their hearts and minds.
To sum up, OK, English brought us to door-steps of globalization. However, real socio-economic development at grass-roots level happens only if we focus inwards and stop aping western attitudes, languages and start thinking, doing and communicating in our tongues.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Hello Mr. Nilekani,
First congratulations on the idea and the effort. But I wish the book was more nominally priced.
As one of India’s most successful entrepreneurs, your ideas and the knowledge you share would certainly be interesting to read. But when you price a book such that it’s inaccessible to many, you are not letting the ideas reach the people.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Congratulations on the completion and launch of this new Book titled as “Imagining India”. I plan to buy it as soon as possible. It is refreshing to see that the CEO and Founder of Infosys is writing on issues other than ones related to Infosys The Company. I hope Mr. Narayana Murthy also comes up with his own Book launch function in Mumbai City.
Santosh S
Navi Mumbai, India.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Mr. Nilekani,
Congratulations on your book - I read the TOI review/excerpt of your book with great interest yesterday and looked online to pre order (despite the stiff price). Unfortunately the folk you’ve tied up with ‘Indiaplaza.in’ already show the book as being ‘out of stock’. Now that’s an interesting idea! A book that has not yet begun to ship being out of stock. Whilst being disappointed I did wonder what the real reason behind this was. Perhaps your people can drop me a line?
Regards,
Indrajeet
November 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Hello Indrajeet,
Thanks for your feedback. There was an unforeseen software glitch. We have fixed the issue and the book is available for pre-order at 30% discount and with the free book club and Rs 100 gift certificate. Please do write to customerservice@indiaplaza.in for any assistance.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Hi Nandan,
Congratulations on writing the book!! As an ex-Infoscian you have done us proud. I think the debate on language is futile because for me it is just a form of expression. As usual we are missing the point. I am not against promoting regional languages we already do that when we start communicating with our newborn in our mother tongue. We have to look at the bigger picture we should be more focussed on promoting India and Indians at large. Nandan my request to you is that let this book launch be the beginning of something bigger and positive. It should not be another book that rests on the shelf gathering dust. It should be a book that makes sure that the dust never settles. Imagining is indeed the first step towards reality. When I used to attend your meetings in Infosys, part of my job was to note down the minutes of the meeting but I imagined myself on the other side of the podium and eight years after going back to school here Iam in a position to do just that. I imagined but now my dream is a reality. So I dont see why we cannot work towards making India as thinkers like you imagine.
I am going back to back to India after graduating at the end of this year to make my contribution.
Wishing you luck for the success of this book,
Seema.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Hi Nandan,
Congratultions and i am looking forward to read the book. I was impressed reading from the Times and india and hopeful that it will give more ideas and confidence to many like me. I liked the thought where people have think how to imagine india in the next few decade and how our next generation can look forward for better way of life.
Wishing you luck and huge success of the book
Azhar
November 19th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
thanks for chatting to me the other day Nandan - see my blog post - Yes We can but No we Don’t!
http://ridingtheelephant.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/%e2%80%9cyes-we-can%e2%80%9d-but-%e2%80%9cno-we-don%e2%80%99t%e2%80%9d-%e2%80%93-businessmen-hit-at-india%e2%80%99s-failings/
all best wishes for your book launch!
je
November 20th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Congratulations on the book, Nandan. I too am looking forward to reading the book. It is nice to see that people like you are concerned with the mess India is in and are trying to do their part in improving things for future generations. Keep it up.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Dear Nandan
Congratulations !
The name of the book ‘Imagining India’ is really thought provoking.For long we have been trained to imagine and express our ideas in the terms of caste,community,religion,stae etc,etc.Imagining India as one integral unit for growth and future perspective is indeed rejuvinating.
Please keep giving us your insight into the functioning of our ministers and bureaucrats.
November 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Thanks and Congratulations Dear Nandan,
It looks really gr8 to have another book on India I would say BHARAT as there is lot of sacrifices had been done in the past to come out from India to Bharat, this is what I feel. There were few freedom fighters who also wrote few good books on Bharat on its good and real independent future …unfortunately it has never been taken forward.
In my view Bharat needs a big revolution in coming days, which will definitely happen. It will happen once we have following things are in place.
There are few things in any common human being’s life, which are must, so that he can start thinking about his country and surrounding
- Easy and good quality food
- Cloth
- Shelter
And the most important GOOD THOUGHT PROCESS (sadvivek buddhi from our gr8 Geeta) which comes from good education system in easily understandable language (i.e. our Mother tongue).
The current growth which we are seeing is only in terms of money and physical things which is only creating barrier between healthy human relations rather building good human relations which are must to have healthy life. We just started thinking more about “ME” first instead of “WE”. Once we are successful in changing this ATTITUDE we are done.
We need population with every one has a mind with GOOD THOUGHT PROCESS rather as a dump head count (in terms of IT). I hope this book will give us an opportunity to bring this GOOD THOUGHT PROCESS in individuals mind and most important is a reaction of that in actual behavior to get the results.
Lets hope for the best …..
November 21st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Hi Nandan,
Am very eager to read your thoughts on India. And being an Infoscion it really pleases me to hear from one of our founding members.
I was in a bookstore in my hometown (Guwahati) and the store owner was asking me about where I work et al and when he came to know that i was working in Infosys he told me about your book IMAGINING INDIA and how it is one of the most eagerly awaited books of the year.
I’m pre booking it for sure.
Hope this is just the beginning and we’ll get to see many more books from your side.
All the best.
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
[...] He is a celebrated and successful entrepreneur with strong views fortified by patriotism, philanthrophy and effective communication skills. He is a genuinely concerned citizen like you and me. I expect him to deal with difficult matters honestly. Please visit the dedicated website for this book at http://imaginingindia.com/ and listen to what Mr. Nilenkani has to say. Also visit [...]
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Just read your take on English. For all the “boast” of being proficient in English, we have many issues with “proper” English- we have “our” version of English. Running a transcription service out of Bangalore with supposedly well _”educated” people, is a day-to-day challenge with silly grammatical errors.
Frankly, I think India should follow the mother-tongue instruction pattern for the first few years of school. Being a student of languages and linguistics, I can tell you that the amazing “Ideas” of “self-confidence” that is inherent in our native languages are light years ahead of English. That said, you may want to read up on some recent research on the effect Sanskrit sounds have on brain patterns and learning. Also, it has been found that Sanskrit learning reduces effects of certain learning disorders commonly associated with English learning. I say that India should make Sanskrit learning compulsory (as suggested by the Kothari commission all those years back) and get every Indian child relate with his or her ROOTS before the branches arch out towards english or Spanish learning. Given the current mess of the US economy that was calling the shots on global economics, it may not be a bad idea for Indians to teach the graduating class of 2012 some Spanish, spoken by many developing economics and used by almost 30% of the world’s population.
I think your “idea” is very passe, ivory-towerish and “Nehruvian”- sorry, you need NOT compromise on knowing how to drink tea off a bone-china cup- drinking off a kullad adds flavor and is GREENER.
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Thanks for stimulating and enriching people’s imagination to collectively decide the destiny of millions of educated,middle class whose voice and ideas are rarely heard or expressed.There will be new ideas and the “Idea framework “will make people think and proactively participate in nation building in a small way as possible rather than getting depressed and withdrawn from the present state of affairs, Democracy is of the people and in the history of Nations ,if this power of people is not positively channelised then we are all at a grave risk of what happened to the former Soviet union or eastern europe.
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Dear Sir , You had been a source of inspiration fo many and now have been even more by putting up your ideas and thoughts through this book and giving people a platform through Imagining India to put forward their views and ideas to continue to shape India and introspect themselves.
As an individual , it is the duty and moral responsibilty of each one of us to contribute back to the society in whichever way we can for a better India.Rightly said by you that it is not necessary only for Politicians only to shape India but the onus is in on each one of us .
English no longer is a medium of a few educated ones but has become a common medium for all of us to come together and share ideas.
Indians as individuals and as Organisations are coming up and competing at world levels and helping in the transaformational process of Image of India as a nation
As human beings we are born to break barriers and nothing is impossible.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Quote:
“I believe that much of India’s challenges come from our divisions. The Indian state has long championed the country’s ‘unity in diversity’, but in reality, our diversity has also meant that we are a fractured society, split along the lines of caste, religion, region and class. As a result, our politics have long been a politics of our divides rather than one driven by ideas or solutions.”
I believe you have hit the nail on the head. I am in Bangalore and I see the division so intense based on language/region that sometimes it will make you mad. If you go to Chennai, it is far far worse. Everything has to be in Tamil or you are an outsider and not welcome.
Unfortunately, it is much more abetted by various people in good positions who actually play it to the hilt. I am in IT and see people purely favoring/recruiting/promoting based on region/language! There is an intrinsic bias based on languages and we have seen many riots based on that. Recent development in Mumbai, one of the most advanced economic areas of India is a solid proof that how deep is the divison.
November 24th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Dear Sir,
Its really a commendable job of imaginning india and presenting a very optimistic picture of india. India has never been so confident and enthusiastic about itself, as a nation which can make difference to the world around it.
What I believes and percieve mostly being abroad about india is, it has abstraction or virtual elements called ideas amoung the generations. But within india it was not realised, But once its being reflected with accreditations from abroad back to india, its valued here.
Now its time for corporates like infosys to get into domestic affairs by offshoting a division from themselves. As your voices will be now as vital as once it was of congress agianst britons to leave india as free nations.
Writing a book with positive frame of mind of beautiful scenarios in future of present india by referencing present status is a quite observational process of yours and people you consulted.
Make an Impact sir, Why not when you could easily ?
Infosys made lots of dreams of young generation fulfilled by magnitude of money they earns foremost and leverage to travel world, which gives filling of conquering it !!!
Why not organisation like infosys by their corporate philanthrophy comes along with goverenment and politicians to take up projects like water,sanitation,poverty,illiteracy amoung girls child and many more like this in big framework as with state or national level to formulate policy and work towards its achievement.
I think their is lot of critcal analysis to be done before justifying roles of corporates and its management teams towards nations progress.
What corporates can do in present geo-polictical environment with persuading electrol politicians quite easily would not had been possible in past,But Corporates are not exploring opportunities. An opportunity to make India what it imagine itself in abstraction.
Heartiest Congratulation on Observing India and imaginning it from abstract idea to feasible india.
Thanks .
Rgds
Pushpraj Singh
Glasgow , UK
November 24th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Sir,
I am delighted that you have come up with such a book. I have been a passionate follower of your work in and outside infosys.I can strike cord with your thought and what you are trying to convey through this book.It is absolutely essential that all successful Indians should have the desire and urge to give back to the society.They need not be millionares or billionares.The sharp divide which is there in our socity is a grusome reminder that we all owe something to our society.However our intellectual,business,scientific,IT community suceed we will not be able to justify ourselves and anyone else in the world unless we all commit in one way or the other to give back in some way to the less privileged.You are a standing example which everyone should follow, that being successful and being rich does not mean to promote and propogate ones own interst only, but to pursue the dream of India which was thought upon by our great leaders Gandhi and Nehru.Thank you and congratulations on reaching this new milestone in your life.
November 24th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Hello Nandan,
This is Nibras from Colombo, Sri Lanka. Let me first congradulate you on the book. Not sure what the book is all about. I have ordered one and am yet to receive it to my hand. But I do get the impression ( from your NDTV interviews with Burkha Dutt & Sivanath Thukral) that you want to enter politics. May be i am wrong and would be happy if I was wrong. I admire Infosys, Mr.Murthy & you for the visionary thinking & transformation that you have brought about. However, I do have my reservations about your entry into mainstream politics…. In my humble opinion, a gentleman like you is too good to be a politician. Politics in the subcontinent is a lot more messier than we think it is..Atleast its a lot more messier than coding for software & outsourcing
I have travelled quite extensively within India…. I’m exposed to the good, the bad and the ugly… The most beautiful thing about your great country is PEOPLE… PEOPLE… PEOPLE…. but the ugliest thing about Indians is their POVERTY !!!!!! I don’t quite understand the co-existence of the slum dwellers alongside the tatas, the birlas and the ambanis. Afterall, India is NOT a poor country… ( Technically it couldn’t be a poor country given the vast resources & population ). But the sad reality is the INEQUITY that is unjustifiable….. Would appreciate if great sons of India like you can address this issue.. Then again, you don’t necessarily have to enter politics to bring about this CHANGE that my loving neighbour so deserves… Let me once again congradulate you on your acheivements so far…. May you live long…. Mother earth certainly needs people of your caliber…. All the best….
Nibras
November 25th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Hi Nandan,
As an IITian myself,(KGP’58-’62. Electrical), I feel proud that it is an IITian like you that can jog the public’s conscience about these critical issues facing India’s future.
Yours is clearly a very influential book and I look forward to reading it. Judging by the lively debate I saw on NDTV yesterday, I am sure it will set off a wide ranging debate and hopefully create a sea-change in the mind set of all those who care about India.
I am the Joint Secretary of the IIT-London Chapter and if you could spare the time when you are passing through London, we would love to have you address our members.
With warm regards - Peter Chan (Surrey. UK)
November 25th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Hi Nandan,
Indeed a very timely publication, coming in at a time when we are witnessing so many tensions on our social fabric. I haven’t read your book as yet, however have been following the release.
The concept of coming up with a set of idea is a great thought. It defintely encourages debate. The next step is to “action” this. And that is where the challenge lies in India. In our constitution we encourage plurality, which also is the essence of having a lively thriving democracy, however in order to take action once need a path, a direction. Unfortunately plurality does not provide “a path”, it provides “many paths”, and if one takes the option of “many paths”, it is wasteful and in-efficient.
From “plurality” to move to a situation of “Universal Choice”, we need strong individuals who can carry people together and hone the differences towards this universal choice. Mahatma Gandhi did it, even Pandit Nehru. However in today’s context it seems difficult to have such an individual emerge who could assimilate so many divergent views.
Even emergency situations can bridge this process from “Plurality to Universal Choice”, as you have mentioned happened in 1991. The question that begs an answer is do we wait for these emergencies to happen before we act?
One can say that let the Market drive this process. English as the main business language, has also been catalysed by Market demand. Market being the primary driver can be a matter of concern and greater debate.
Thanks for providing this space and creating a forum to air our thoughts.
Regards.
Prodipto
November 25th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Hi Nandan,
First congrats on your book, I can not wait any more to read the full book.My self a software engineer based in Italy from last 10 years.
Thanks god that in India people like you exists , who are giving so much back to the society.
There are lot people around who like to give back to society but don’t find the way out.
Is there any Hindi version of this book also?
As I am form Bihar/Jaharkahnd , I would be happy if there will be Hindi version aslo so that lot people in our state can read and understand the book.
Once again congrats for every thing you doing for our INDIA.Being a emotional guy my self , I like the word of your on NDTV saying that , we should not waste our great emotion on worrying……….
We should use this great emotion as positive energy……for development of our great democracy.
Rajiv
–
November 26th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Hi Nandan,
Great… great step from your side… I think this is just the beginning… A lot of people are going to be inspired.. (in the same way you guys have inspired us by the success story of Infosys) and soon will follow your foot step.. whatever you have imagined for India, the youngsters are going to make it a reality… no doubt about it… We are very proud to have a leader like you… Keep on showing the path…
Thanks,
Srimaya Rath
http://www.worldofsrimaya.blogspot.com/
December 1st, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Thanks for the great responses, and your kind wishes. I won’t be able to respond to all of the comments, but will try to be as thorough as possible.
Ranganathan: I fully agree about ordinary Indians having to take up extraordinary roles. We’ve often focused too much on our successes than on our challenges. Being an Indian citizen means accepting both.
Krishna Koneru: I think adopting the best of the world is very different from ‘aping’ western culture. And is English a ‘western’ language anymore? Some linguists have pointed out that more Indians now speak the tongue than Americans and British.
Meenakshi: Reiterating my response to Krishna, I don’t oppose native languages. But I don’t believe in the Indian vs. foreign dichotomy as the reason to teach or not teach a language.
Pushpraj Singh: I agree that Indian companies must do a lot more, the way American businesses involve themselves in philanthropy. Infosys has tried to do this with its Foundation. But development needs both business and government - neither can survive without the other. Both have to take up more effective roles.
Prodipto Roy: You are right that India has had a tendency to react with reforms only in crisis. An ongoing, idea-based approach towards policy is still missing.
Rajiv Ranjan: Yes,the book should be out in Hindi (and other Indian languages) soon. I would like to reach as many people as I can.
- Nandan.
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Hello Sir,
A famous quote from Einstein, “Imagination is more important than Knowledge”
He must have said this because all the knowledge has its source of Imagination
I’ve always wondered seeing people in cities, having great sence on their Home which keeps the House look beautiful both physically and emotionally. But the same person neither sence nor imagine the beauty ouside his House.I think this is the main reason for conflict around us.
That is why, a person working in big MNC is able to keep his house better by his IMAGINATION. But he never has either the sence nor the consciousness on his society’s devolopment. His IMAGINATION on his society is very less. In the long run this will only hit him back and this has to be realised widely and your book is absolutely towards this realisation.
This is a reason why he keeps his campus beautiful but never Imagines places outside his campus to look beautiful. I’m sure your book will really trigger the unique sensiblity of the humans, THOUGHTS and thereby help him Imagine better Changes and Improvement.
regards,
Arun Bellie,
Farmer.
(e-mail - arunbellie@gmail.com)
December 4th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Nandan,
I think India has proceeded beyond the ideas and imagination stage. What we want now is action - from our people, our policymakers, corporates, NGOs, et al. It is heartening to see a new sense of community and ‘India’ take hold, especially among educated youth who are increasingly connected through new technology media. Please do join the election fray. It is very enlightening to observe that voters themselves have not been persuaded that they need development rather than handouts from a sarkar mai-baap or a bottle of country liquor from aspiring candidates. Charismatic and inspiring people like you in hard-core electoral politics should be able to change the scenario.
Good luck
Sharmila
December 6th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Respected Sir,
First, Congrats on your book.
if the Transistion or the changes happens based on your thoughts and ideas, which will be the true victory for every one in India, Wish that day is not too long..
You’re born to inspire us…
Best,
Anand
December 16th, 2008 at 2:07 am
mr nilekani , i have been follwoing ur blog and ur views on the televesion, i have made a small summary of things which can be done thru ideas given by you and other people on the media front, i have formulated it as a small political class, called the ” common man’s party” , think of myself as a small ordinary man from a small city which is just 5 sqkm big, is there any way where someone who thinks he can contribute put his ideas directly to you , after hearing that you and also other industrialist like mr tata are ready to involve themselves for the common good of the country, if you think it would be good enuff for you to have a look at the idea i propose, in which you and 30 other ppl have an important role to play to re-shape the reform the running of this country.thx for going through this, you are the inspiration behind this move
varun jain
common man
indian first
December 25th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
A very ambitious book, judging by its contents.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:47 am
“Imagining India” : Ideas for the New Century.
Excellent book by Nandan Nilekani where he analyzed India’s past growth and future possibilities by analyzing evolution of ideas in India. He used a good analytic framework and analyzed 18 Ideas crucial to India’s growth and categorized them as: Accepted (6), Process (4), Debate (3) and No Direction (5) depending on where we stand currently. Spot On !!
I would like to add three more ideas to this list -
Dignity of Labor & Career
Internal Security and Foreign Policy
Relation between Business and Politics
I would add “Dignity of Labor & Career” in the Accepted Category. Nandan’s Generation and even my generation grew up with the notion that there are only three careers for educated middleclass Engineering, Medicine and Chartered Accountancy. Depending upon one’s aptitude ( read marks) in Maths, Biology or Accounts, one has to choose one of the three careers, face fierce competition with fellow aspirants to enter colleges of repute and employment market.
Today situation looks different and dignity of labor is being accepted in many more careers. New careers have emerged and middle class is accepting these career choices for children with equal enthusiasm. Chefs, Choreographers, DJ’s, Fashion Designers, Air Hostess, Singers, Actors are being increasingly accepted as career aspiration rather than as creative rebel act. Performing in realty TV shows is as sought after recognition as getting into IITs for middle class families. Even in sports, apart from Cricket, recent successes in other sports such as Tennis, Badminton, Shooting, Golf, Boxing is inspiring many youngsters to take these as a career. To make India a developed nation we need to have excellence in all services which will be driven by dignity of labor i.e when a person chooses his profession by his choice and not by narrowly defined options governed by societal pressures, and then excels in his chosen field.
I would add “Internal Security and Foreign Policy” in the Debated Category. We know the issues, debate is on but no consensus yet. As India is gaining increasing significance in the world, India needs to protect its national interest and grow up its global profile by behaving like a mature global player. How India should deal with Pakistan? Should India be offensive like Israel or channel Diplomacy? How to conduct its foreign policy? Should it align with any current camp or form an alternate camp of Emerging Countries? How should India deal with China? etc etc.
Why Indians need to obtain visa for visiting any other country which hinders India’s ease of doing business with rest of the world? Why can’t other countries give visa concessions to Indians as they give to Europeans, Americans and other Asian nationals?
How can India prevent terrorist incidents like one in Mumbai? Should we focus more on inclusive growth for internal security or become a tough policing state like China. Cries for tougher laws, structural and policy change intensifies and is debated after every incident but gradually fades away for the lack of any concrete consensus.
I would like to place “Business and Politics” in the No Direction category. We all know political parties need funds and in the absence of transparent fundraising framework unlike west where business houses and individuals can openly participate, political parties in India resort to parallel economy and remain secretive about their supporters , fund raisers. Following such ways can take very ugly turns like the one incident which took place recently: A Government Employee was allegedly harassed to death for not contributing to ruling party funds.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/dec/24up-pwd-engineer-lynched-fir-against-bsp-mla.htm
A developed India can not take shape unless there is transparency in the relationship between business and politics and civil society has the means and rights to question these relationships within legal framework.
Finally, I differ with one of the solutions Nandan proposed in ICT in India. The Single Citizen ID, this problem is rightly identified but I differ with the solution approach Nandan proposes. Stated solution approach is classic example of what Nandan’s Fellow Infosys Board Member, Rama Bijapurkar, wrote in her book “We are like that only” - India will not develop like any other country because of change in circumstances and India’s solution will have to be designed with keeping in mind the current realities. I believe, India has more cellular phones than any other government generated identification document, Passport, Voters ID card, Driving Licence, Ration Card, PAN Cards etc. So instead of finding out any western solution of Single Citizen ID, why cant we start with Mobile Phone Registration and start from there?
In all Nandan’s framework is a good analytical tool to understand and debate on India’s problems and opportunities. I sincerely hope that politicians use this framework and some of the ideas in upcoming election debates ….
February 17th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I have just finished reading this book and I found it extremely interesting. I wish Penguin had published a paperback edition, so that I could have saved the expenditure on hardcover.
India, the democratic juggernaut, with myriad cultures, communities and conflicting interests is a conundrum not easy to unravel. “Imagining India” explains the impact of India’s emergence as a key determinant of South Asia’s, if not the world’s, geo-political and socio-economic environment.
India’s latent strengths in all walks of life, remains to be fully explored and exploited. India has celebrated the rise of entrepreneurs, who have thrived despite odds, overcoming numerous challenges in the form of bureaucratic hurdles, political turmoil and natural calamities. “Imagining India” can be seen as a tribute to India – a nation full of promise amidst strife and chaos, often defying logic, and yet emerging from its shadows, striving to unlock its potential to become a leading light of the world.
The legacy of India’s bonded past, nevertheless, has also given the nation a rich amalgamation of cultural traditions, arts and heritage.
This has contributed singularly in the transformation of ancient India, though not entirely without fits and starts, into a modern, developing economy.
The 1980s saw the telecom revolution taking the nation by storm. The 1990s saw IT in its new avatar with TCS, Wipro and Infosys propelling the nation in the global arena. The 21st century saw Delhi Metro emerging as the best run mass transit system, setting the bar for professional excellence in project execution. “Imagining India” talks about all this and the shifting rhetoric from bare necessities to infrastructure creation.
“Imagining India” is the book for anyone who loves India. You start loving it even more, after reading it!
(Jayant Sinha, Dehradun)