Think India: The Rise of the World's Next Superpower and What It Means for Every American

by Vinay Rai, William Simon

With 1.1 billion residents, the world's largest democracy is poised to dominate the world stage. One of India's wealthiest men gives an insider's view into his country's dynamic transformation, revealing the forces and unique characteristics behind India's meteoric rise. The buzzword of the twenty-first century is India and it's not just a story of software, outsourcing, and faraway call centers. With the economy soaring at 8 percent a year, India is a medical and pharmaceutical frontrunner, an R&D powerhouse, a rising manufacturing hub, and an up-and-coming cultural trendsetter in areas from fashion to film. And the world is taking note: Western companies from Lockheed Martin to McDonald's are moving in, Ford is setting up factories, Coca Cola is heading to the countryside in rickshaws, and research centers for Fortune 500 companies are popping up everywhere. Meanwhile, the U.S. military is forging close ties, as India has become a key strategic partner. Steel tycoon turned educator Vinay Rai, who now runs one of India's two private universities with fifteen campuses nationwide couples with geopolitical writer Melissa Rossi to map out the rising new India. This colorful, lively, forward-looking account of India's stunning world debut is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand India's new muscle on the global stage. One out of every six people in the world lives in India. India's top trading partner is the United States. India is: The fastest-growing free market economy & The world's top destination for retailers. The world's youngest workforce (over 500 million under age twenty-five))

Genres: India, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 16, 2007

Reviews

[Shravani Sawant]

The entire book reads like an overly dragged essay/summary of my school history education.

First 100 pages: It did nothing for me except maybe give me a couple of people/events to look up online, if I wanted to learn anything about them beyond the first paragraph of their Wikipedia page.
Rest of the book: Meh. This part definitely had more information, but also left much more to be desired. More people and events to look up.

Maybe someone who's never studied/read about basics of Indian history would appreciate the book much more than I did.

[Eve · Rating 2 out of 5]

We listened to this audio book on a car trip over the last couple days. The descriptions of India and the short history have their moments but for the most part, it's right-wing propaganda. The author is strongly anti-China and anti-Muslim, and very pro-America and pro-growth. Though I love India for many reasons, I don't like the motivation behind the alliance this book pushes.

[Sophia Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

this nation shocks me in many aspects.
confident people, diverse culture, diligent spirit, creative mood :)
i am learning from them, reading from them :)

[Nivas · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are over a dozen books on India and modern india. I wouldn't recommend this as the top book. Mostly redundant information, only for those like me who are obsessed about the new Indian Economy

[Sherry Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

found it very interesting at first but then it became very subjective.

[Kacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great information about the rise of India. It's pretty fascinating and isn't dry at all. My boss had me read it, and I actually really enjoyed it.

[Paras Rishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the success stories of India's biggest achiever's in the corporate world was a very fascinating journey. Also, the American outlook towards Indian Age makes a wonderful read. Recommended!

[Vijay Chengappa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vinay Rai's book about India and its potential is a creditable, albeit slightly middling effort, he tries to cover a whole host of topics and is (obviously, given the brevity of the volume) unable to do any real justice to any of the chapters.
While some praise is merited to the author for the sheer attempt at covering so many facets of life in India (the customs/food/behavior/social realities) in a 250 page book, the final output however is a jamboree of disconnected articles which at best could be read as a quick microguide into India for the ignorant white businessman, maybe the target segment of the book in the first place.

[David Burns · Rating 2 out of 5]

Think India: The Rise of the World's Next Great Power and What It Means for Every American ** Book found in a guest house in Agra, India ** Read in Agra and Delhi, India (February 2023)

[Noam Rosenthal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was awesome. India is a fascinating case study in what happens when there is an almost instant transition from a Soviet and then British controlling and bureaucratic government to an almost textbook democratic free market. Entrepreneurial spirit and technology are soaring while safety and infrastructure lag behind. The author of the book, Vinay Rai, had incredible success starting a billion dollar, diversified business in India. What he describes as a “reverse brain drain” from slow, poor bureaucracy to booming industry is consistent with what I’ve seen working here for several months. While there is absolutely lingering poverty and huge gaps in infrastructure, there is also a palpable energy and excitement about the future and growth of technology here. Working in manufacturing and technology, I’ve seen the demand for the highest quality products at the lowest possible price. The economy here in all sectors is growing so fast, that ignoring it as a multinational company is almost impossible at this point. I highly recommend this book to people working in european or american companies looking to expand into India or form Indian branches. A copy and paste strategy from Europe or the USA won’t work here, but adjusting to the local culture and market will be huge for companies that move to India now. The book gives a summary of India’s history but mostly focuses on market culture in a very easy to digest and interesting way.

[Lanier · Rating 3 out of 5]

“All know that the drop merges into the ocean, but few know that the ocean merges into the drop.”
― Kabir

I like how they analyze Thomas Freidman’s slight mis-reading of the Flattening of the world, and understand how India certainly has—and will—take advantage of their strengths which puts them ahead of many other Developing Nations with Internet and technological advances. I think I’m missing a few points, or simply disagree with their take, however, it will fascinating to watch how some of their predictions are coming to fruition, and how India and the region will develop in the very near future. Exciting, beautiful, scary, wonderful, colorful, tasty times.
Oh, the potential!

[Ana Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Dr. Vinay Rai, Advisor at Rai Foundation and Rai University, is a fascinating read for dynamic businessmen and also for those who want to get in-depth knowledge about India along with its new muscle on the global stage. A prominent businessman himself, Dr. Rai shares his vast knowledge regarding India’s relations with countries round the world, and how it affects global trade.
Reference website: http://www.vinayrai.in

[Maynk Desai · Rating 5 out of 5]

every indian need to read this book, its about how we have reached here and from where we come, and in there are solutions for a beautiful tomorrow,.

The younger one is reading this book, the better it is for India, .
I regret reading it @30.

[Dibya Pal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book describing the rise of India in the late 20th and early 21st century and what will be its impact on the world scenario.

[Sambasivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Breezy read. Treasurehouse of information for those who are new to India. Puts our country in a positive light (may be over positive). Downplays the negatives. Overall an ok read.

[Chelsea · Rating 1 out of 5]

100% propaganda