Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation

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Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation

by Nandan Nilekani, Thomas L. Friedman (Foreword by)

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 702 ratings · 54 reviews

A visionary look at the evolution and future of India by a preeminent business leader

India's recent economic boom—similar in scope to that of the United States during the early 1990s or Europe's during the 1970s—has triggered tremendous social, political, and cultural change. The result is a country that, while managing incredible economic growth, has also begun to fully...more A visionary look at the evolution and future of India by a preeminent business leader

India's recent economic boom—similar in scope to that of the United States during the early 1990s or Europe's during the 1970s—has triggered tremendous social, political, and cultural change. The result is a country that, while managing incredible economic growth, has also begun to fully inhabit its role on the world political stage. In this far-ranging look at the central ideas that have shaped this young nation, Infosys cofounder Nandan Nilekani offers a definitive and original interpretation of the country's past, present, and future.

India's future rests on more than simply economic growth; it also depends on reform and innovation in all sectors of public life. Imagining India traces the efforts of the country's past and present leaders as they work to develop new frameworks that suit India's specific characteristics and challenges. Imagining India charts the ideas that are crucial to India's current infrastructure revolution and quest for universal literacy, urbanization, and unification; maps the ideological battlegrounds of caste, higher education, and labor reform; and argues that only a safety net of ideas from social security to public health to the environment can transcend political agendas and safeguard India's economic future.

As a cofounder of Infosys, a global leader in information technology, Nandan Nilekani has actively participated in the company's rise in the last fifteen years. In Imagining India, he uses the global experience and understanding he has gained at Infosys as a springboard from which to discuss the future of India and its role as a global citizen and emerging economic giant.

A fascinating window into the future of India, Imagining India engages with the central ideas and challenges that face the country from within and as a part of the global economy and charts a new way forward for a nation that has proved itself to be young, impatient, and vitally awake.(less)

Hardcover, 528 pages

Published March 19th 2009 by Penguin Press HC, The (first published November 25th 2008)

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Apr 18, 2009 Ananth Subramanian rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nandan Nilekani is not a professional writer. He is one of the succesful software business personality. He is the co founder of Infisys the well known Indian software company.

With this background one did not except much literay skills and expectation was a business focused book.

Well the book takes you by surprise. It is a well researched and beautifully chronicled book on what went right and what went wrong in India and the way ahead. The narration is intersting and makes for easy reading.

With...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Nithin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very well portrayed summary of India's growth story. The book simultaneously fills one with optimism about India's potential to become an economic powerhouse and laments the lack of initiative being taken. Exhaustive in covering all the important aspects of the nation from a policy maker's perspective - health, education, political scenario, employment, the environment - the book presents a candid picture of the state of affairs in the country. It presents the transition of the country from the...more Very well portrayed summary of India's growth story. The book simultaneously fills one with optimism about India's potential to become an economic powerhouse and laments the lack of initiative being taken. Exhaustive in covering all the important aspects of the nation from a policy maker's perspective - health, education, political scenario, employment, the environment - the book presents a candid picture of the state of affairs in the country. It presents the transition of the country from the protectionist regime to the business friendly, open economy it is today. Regressive government policies failed to encourage Indian businesses from becoming globally competitive until very recently. We now have an immense advantage in terms of our superior demographics and skilled, english speaking population that can compete in the world job-market as well as a rising trend of private enterprises showing the way for bottom-up growth.
Our challenges lie in poor governance especially visible in low investment in basic healthcare and primary education, inability to control corruption and opacity in land-record keeping and public distribution system. Time and again, government policies have ended up benefiting special interest groups and have shown a poor track record in emancipating the poor. Vote-bank politics have buoyed economically un-viable measures such as free power and subsidies which have led to free-ridership and environmental degradation. The author has faith in the power of democracy to overthrow underperforming governments time and again and an increase in awareness in recent times that investment in infrastructure and transparency in governance are more important than sops and subsidies. The author seeks to make a personal contribution to the growth story by universalising the UID Aadhar Card to better identify and reach the target audience for public welfare programmes.
Excellent read, has made me much more aware about the ills pervading the society as well as the positive forces shaping the economy and putting it on the world map. Proud to be an Indian. Jai Hind !
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Aug 11, 2010 M.p.s. Reen rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Every Indian

Recommended to M.p.s. by: No one

Imagining India

Imagining India is a book that every Indian must read. Most of us make up our opinions from somebody else’s reviews without having any ground to confirm what they say because we neither have the time nor the patience to do so. Imagining India puts virtually everything into perspective from a layman’s point of view.

As an average reader on the road no where did I feel that the book was a monotonous economic survey stacked with figures to prove a point. On the contrary the book held...more Imagining India

Imagining India is a book that every Indian must read. Most of us make up our opinions from somebody else’s reviews without having any ground to confirm what they say because we neither have the time nor the patience to do so. Imagining India puts virtually everything into perspective from a layman’s point of view.

As an average reader on the road no where did I feel that the book was a monotonous economic survey stacked with figures to prove a point. On the contrary the book held my interest till the last page. In fact the book filled a lot of gaps that were there in my personal knowledge of India. Nandan Nilekani has certainly done a lot of research and put forward a lot of interesting views. I agree with his views that now it is the people’s ideas that is driving governance and no longer the other way round. No government can hope to remain in power merely on the grounds of rhetoric any more; it must perform. Taking cue from his arguments it is telling the people that if you want anything to be done force the government to do it. Otherwise it will never be done.

Although I may not have sufficient knowledge to make a critical appraisal of the book, it certainly punched me with enough information to recently counter a Britisher’s who wonder why Indians carried a chip on their shoulders about the English when they had done so much towards the development of India when they were rulers. He was quite silent when I told him that that all the development done by the British was what served them in ruling India as a colonial power. He was equally taken aback when I told him that our real challenge was not Pakistan but China, not only economically but militarily as well. The problem with the outside world was that Pakistan had raised the Kashmir bogey for so long that they failed to see that India had left that nation way behind on practically every front.

I also agree with him that India will ultimately overtake China. I have personally held this view for a long time in spite of all the development on display in China. At best China is an oligarchy that allows no opposition to put its views. It is too rigid. The point that he makes that though democracy does not always gives the best solutions it also has the space to correct itself is ample reason why we must have it.

However, I did feel that when you look at the nation like Nilekani has done he has missed out on two vital issues, namely, foreign policy and defence. For a country like India that is aspiring to be a super power it is equally necessary that it has a strong army and a robust foreign policy particularly in the case of the latter where most of the things are happening behind closed doors. I am sure the people would be equally interested in the compulsions and necessities that have driven our policies on these fronts. For instance, how is it that states like Bengal and Gujarat have the least representation in the armed forces? Or why is it that women want to be included into the fighting force while everybody protested when the army chief suggested one year of conscription service for the men to make up for the shortfall of the army? It may not be exactly in his purview but sometimes an outsider puts things into a different perspective than an expert. Only then can one expect to get a feel of the whole picture.

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May 03, 2010 Ramakrishnan M rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nandan Nilekani certainly needs no introduction. He is an icon in the corporate world - not just in India, but across the globe. I had wanted to read his book for a long time (well, right from the time the book was launched, I guess).

Naturally, I had a lot of expectations when I finally got started on this. The start was very good – he begins explaining why he is writing a book on India, and not on IT / Infosys. He rightly detected the curiosity which any reader would have, and goes to explain a...more

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Aug 30, 2009 Andy Oram rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: politics

I learned quite a bit from this book, as someone outside India and the
Indian community, and thoroughly enjoyed Nilekani's writing. It's a
wide-ranging treatise with many big agendas; it covers education,
infrastructure, environmental challenges, government intervention, and
the role of historical narrative, among other things. Biggest among
its agenda--and the one that I wager will generate the most debate--is
Nilekani's own version of what I'd call a modern combination of
neoliberalism and neoprogres...more

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Mar 09, 2012 Sundarraj Kaushik rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The book is well researched and provides lots of insight into the problems plaguing India.
1. The book has very well illustrated the ups and downs of the Indian economy along with the reasons.
2. It has well documented the need for reforms in the different sectors (education, power, environment) in India.
3. It has analyzed some reasons on why India has been through these ups and downs.
4. He has well argued as to why Government of India should stop trying to create jobs and rather concentrate on cr...more

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Feb 09, 2013 Kenneth rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nandan Nilekani's book Imagining India encompasses the central ideas that shaped modern India, which have contributed to the country's progress, as well as those ideas that stifled its growth. He writes this book on the basic premise that, it is not economic growth alone that decides the country's future, also reform and innovation.

He adopts a topical approach to elaborate the ideas that are in various stages of gestation. The ideas that have already arrived, ideas in progress, ideas widely deba...more Nandan Nilekani's book Imagining India encompasses the central ideas that shaped modern India, which have contributed to the country's progress, as well as those ideas that stifled its growth. He writes this book on the basic premise that, it is not economic growth alone that decides the country's future, also reform and innovation.

He adopts a topical approach to elaborate the ideas that are in various stages of gestation. The ideas that have already arrived, ideas in progress, ideas widely debated and ideas that are yet to become a part of our public debate.

Through the book's introduction, author clarifies that his book is on India, not on Infosys or IT industry, and also he reveals the purpose of his meticulous attempt to write this book. Victor Hugo's statement “More powerful than the mighty armies is an idea whose time has come” would be the best quote to express the author's inspiration. Though he admits that his view is of an avid amateur, we shall not forget the unique advantage he has gained through his career in private sector and public policy. With this unparalleled experience, the author presents an 'idea based approach' towards our various challenges without failing to give solutions to them.

In the first part of this book the author depicts how an entire country changed its mind on core beliefs. The transition of policy makers perception on our population, from that of an 'overwhelming burden' to that of a 'valuable human capital', mainly due to the rise of knowledge based industries. The change in
attitude towards entrepreneurs from being suspected as devious capitalists to being adulated as 'the source of India's confidence and optimism'. The metamorphosis of our usage of English in India from a language primarily for international business, into social-political reform language and finally into a career language. The shift in sentiments on 'electronification' from mistrust and hostility to trust and hospitality. The transformation of our comprehension of the role we can play in the world especially after the 1991 reforms. The conversion of our faith in governance from totalitarianism to an entirely alien idea called democracy and the way we 'held on to it through upheavals both good and bad'.

In the second part, Nilekani describes how India's progress, after it has adorned a new avatar, have automatically jettisoned the challenges we are facing in some key sectors. In primary education, he highlights our government's neglect and misguided focus on building schools rather than improving the quality of schooling. In Indian cities, he brilliantly unwraps the crisis our urban areas are facing since independence, identifying that the marginalization of cities in our political theater as a root cause of this crisis. In commodity markets, he stresses on the need for economic unity of India through the emergence of unified single markets for all good and services, terming it as 'India's internal globalization'.

In the third part, he deals with the ideas which are widely debated and are so sensitive that they would rapidly derail into white-hot emotional arguments resulting in a deadlock. He blames 'incomplete market reforms' and despicable implementation of previous reforms, for this state of deadlock, which have benefited people already positioned to take advantage and excluded a large chunk of disadvantaged sections. This disadvantaged and excluded population, who obviously seek upward mobility, turned towards caste based reservations and government subsidies as their only hope. The author believes that, higher education and employment in government offices are the most unlikely causalities of this system, which led to a 'hyper-Darwinian selection process'. He reveals the irony of ironies, where in recent times the high cast communities are demanding that they be classified downwards to reap the benefits of reservation.

In the final part, Nilekani recommends ideas which must become part of our public debates as they are being debated in the developed world. In the absence of such debates, the author feels, our policy makers are relegating the issues on health, pension,environment and energy to the backstage,whipping them off as 'rich nation's concerns'. The transition of our health issues from 'shortage-based sicknesses' such as malnutrition to 'excess-based illnesses' such as obesity and heart disease. Changing realities of our families and oldage support systems, mainly due to the impact of economic growth on the joint family system, have made universal pension system all the more an imperative. He rightly quoted Rajiv Gandhi's statement, “development which destroys the environment eventually destroys the development itself” to highlight our government's prioritization of 'development over environment'. India's mutation into an energy intensive economy without being adequately prepared for this change have adversely undermined India's broader geopolitical ties.

In the end, he concludes by advocating the need for a 'bazaar model' of development, which is primarily a bottom-up approach with open systems. His solutions to all the challenges he highlighted are novel with special emphasis on the strategic use of ICT. He prescribes both capitalistic solutions like encouraging inventive entrepreneurship to resolve our energy and economic crisis and socialistic solutions like implementing universal-mandatory-voluntary pension system, health and school vouchers for the poor and universal unique-ID cards. The authors depiction of the white knuckle measures of family planning during the Malthusian hysteria of 1960's and the advantages of a demographic dividend with a double hump unique to our country are the topics I liked the most.

Nilekani in this book full of ideas remained optimistic and pragmatic while dealing with all these challenges. Though the book requires lot of attention and concentration while reading, the author's own experiences and interactions with leading opinion leaders are very insightful. He made many fascinating literary references and his choice of words for the book's witty titles are terrific. Detailed notes for reference and timeline of key events at the end of the book are resourceful. I sincerely recommend this book to be read by young patriots who are interested in figuring out the 'Great Indian Paradox'.
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Feb 15, 2011 Kevin rated it 3 of 5 stars

What becomes very clear in this book is that although India's economy has really taken off and many of citizens are living much better lives, a lot of the old problems still exists, and abject poverty is still a way of life for vast amount of the population. Nadan Nilekani spends most of the book discussing the ways in which hopefully, these problems can finally be solved. What I found lacking in these discussions was the voice of the common man. Nilekani talked with experts in many fields and s...more

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May 13, 2013 Dinesh Yalavarthy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

a decent compilation on the economic and a bit of social history of India after Independence, much on the lines of India Unbound of Gucharan Das. Has a lot of reformist view as expected but deals with the social sentiments, challenges and political pragmatism as well.
one can only give as much 'way ahead' in a book, especially regading policy. Nandan does it decently well almost undermining the challenges by giving them a 'but.. we have this which i hope will be trampled by the energy of the peo...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Biogeek rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone going to India

This is a well-written book for the reader who already has some idea about India, but is seeking new ideas and explanations. The authors knowledge about the latest developments in India are helpful. Provided me with some insight into how the current divides in India have deepened, where improvements have been made, and the recent political landscape. Also was interested by what he had to say about the role of the English language in India today.

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Jan 13, 2013 Amit Jain rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Imagining India", when I picked this book, I dint knew what to expect from it but by the time I completed it, I was aware of a perspective of looking at India as I never knew, the book presents the challenges faced by overtly populated nation burned with bone crushing poverty and possible solutions for the nation as a whole, to achieve its full potential. A must read for business people..

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Apr 10, 2010 Nivas rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: india

Great book.

Provides 3 perspectives,

the historical perspective on the economic policies and how they shaped business after independence.

Nandan's own personal vision for India and some key ideas.

A review of current economic development ventures Govt., private and NGO based.

Here is a fact I thought was useful: India spends over 10 trillion rupees every year in subsidies. Subsidies take precedence over infrastructure projects and take up a huge portion of the state and federal budgets.

Nandan ind...more

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Jun 18, 2010 niloy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very interesting read. The book changes tones quickly, ranging from strong optimism to severe criticism and bleak prediction. Well balanced and researched to help the reader reach decisions about where India is heading. The possibilities are huge, but so are the challenges. Definitely recommended.

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Mar 24, 2013 Shoaib Ahmed rated it 4 of 5 stars

A book of sprawling ideas that covers topics from economics,taxation policies,education systems,concepts of negative income taxes,carbon policy pricing.Nandan Nilekani proposes some unique and specific solutions to the problems that haunt India and will be haunting it in coming decades as India charts its developement trajectory.

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Nov 23, 2009 Dave rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lately I've been very keen on reading up on the two biggest emerging markets...India and China. This book is written by the co-founder of Infosys, Nandan Nilekani, who I came across on Charlie Rose a few times, as well as the Daily Show...etc.

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Oct 24, 2009 Nick rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great book on India: Where its going and how it has arrived in today's global economy. Good insight on how government can help and/or hinder great ideas.

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Mar 18, 2013 Tarun Rattan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A must read for anybody interested in the betterment of India. The author's ideas are thought provoking and food for thought for Indian politicians and technocrats.

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Apr 22, 2012 Abhay rated it 3 of 5 stars

I would give this book a higher rating if Mr. Nilekani cut and burned the chapter on environment and the section on diet in health.

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Mar 11, 2011 Ken rated it 4 of 5 stars

As we look at a world stage occupied principally by Chinese and Indians, Nilekani helps unveil the India role in shaping future events!

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Apr 21, 2009 Shanti rated it 4 of 5 stars

was very easy to read and has given me a lot of background as to what is going around me here in bangalore on a daily basis - good dose of history and personal insight but not to the point where it's obnoxious.

particularly noteworthy - the chapters on urban india, climate change/energy crisis

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Jul 11, 2009 Rick rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book contains tons of information. Accordingly, it is not an easy nor a quick read. Nonetheless, it's invaluable to those needing information about today's India.

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Nov 20, 2012 Jcrane1095 Crane rated it 5 of 5 stars

Really interesting read on the history of India and how the Tech boom is reshaping society.

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Aug 03, 2009 Mukta rated it 3 of 5 stars

Gives the deep insight on India (the history, the people, politics the culture etc...)

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Sep 17, 2012 Arjun rated it 4 of 5 stars

Brilliantly writen..Inspirational ideas for the new gen to implement !

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Dec 19, 2011 Vandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: history, non-fic

panifully long...first 150 pages settle the zest of the book

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Nov 19, 2012 Saar rated it 2 of 5 stars

Extremely biased
A lot of conflict of interest in play here

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Jun 21, 2009 jp is currently reading it

Total pages are over 500 and not 336 for hardcover edition.

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Jun 06, 2009 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars

Finally!!
I love everything about India but I have to admit it was difficult to get through this book. Not because it isn't good - it is. But it is very dense and long and unless you are really, really interested in the overview of what is good in India, what is not so good and what their current challenges are, this book might not be for you.
I am glad I read it but I am more glad that I finished it and can go on to read something else now. Although I do have a much better appreciation of the co...more

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Apr 09, 2009 Scottborger is currently reading it

Good overview of the progress and future of India

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Jan 29, 2013 Asieh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Everything you need to know about India

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