Comments on: Making sense of it all http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/ Across the world, Nandan is recognized as one of India's most successful software entrepreneurs and as the co-founder of Infosys, among India's premier companies in the IT sector. Now meet Nandan, the author. Thu, 17 May 2012 10:10:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jayant Sinha http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-444 Jayant Sinha Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:18:23 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-444 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) 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)

]]> By: Pareekh http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-357 Pareekh Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:17:30 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-357 “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 …. “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 ….

]]> By: Indian http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-132 Indian Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:54:40 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-132 A very ambitious book, judging by its contents. A very ambitious book, judging by its contents.

]]> By: varun jain , indian first http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-107 varun jain , indian first Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:37:59 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-107 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 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

]]> By: Anand http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-85 Anand Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:26:47 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-85 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 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

]]> By: Sharmila http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-77 Sharmila Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:56:28 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-77 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 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

]]> By: Arun Bellie http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-74 Arun Bellie Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:04:20 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-74 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) 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)

]]> By: admin http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-73 admin Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:11:19 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-73 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. 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.

]]> By: Srimaya Rath http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-62 Srimaya Rath Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:34:23 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-62 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/ 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/

]]> By: Rajiv Ranjan http://imaginingindia.com/2008/11/15/making-sense-of-it-all/#comment-56 Rajiv Ranjan Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:26:13 +0000 http://imaginingindia.com/?p=444#comment-56 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 -- 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

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