Diminishing India -- A book review

 An easy read on difficult issues!

 

It is far too common for policy makers, economists and those in public domain to write on India’s political economy and public policy. Rarely do those in the corporate sector, barring a few exceptions such as Gurcharan Das, venture to write on issues outside the realm of business policy and the corporate bottom-line. ‘Diminishing India’ is a perspective penned by two corporate honchos whose hearts and minds are evidently engaged with the present-day grim realities of India -- of chronic underdevelopment, of the absence of transparency and of the prevailing cynical acceptance of things as they are. 

 

The book stretches across an extensive canvass of the perceived failings of the three estates of the Indian State – the executive, the legislature and the judiciary -- and recounts the missed opportunities in the realm of India’s human and economic development. Mr. Taneja and Mr. Duda provide a template for reforms, reforms which are intended to transform and lift India out of the morass of enduring poverty, unemployment, distorted rule of law and lack of coherence in governance. The template of reforms spans the realms of poverty alleviation, employment generation, police reforms, judicial reforms and makes a vehement pitch for the presidential form of governance.

 

The book is written in a lucid style and makes it a fast-paced, easy read to the lay reader. That the two authors, who have spent their entire careers as corporate entrepreneurs, have been dispassionate and recommend higher taxation for generating employment gives a clear sense that they accord ‘people’ a place above ‘profit’. While the reasons offered for the waning esteem of our Supreme court and the prescription of the presidential form of governance as a cure-all, may or may not find favourable reception depending on the reader’s individual viewpoint and perception, the book does offer points to ponder on the possibilities for India. 

 

I look forward to reading their next book, eagerly.