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I Do What I Do
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When Raghuram G. Rajan took charge as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in September 2013, the rupee was in free fall, inflation was high, India had a large current account deficit and India’s exchange reserves were falling. As measure after measure failed to stabilize markets, speculators sensed a full-blown crisis and labelled India one of the Fragile Five economies.
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Hardcover, 344 pages
Published
August 1st 2017
by HarperCollins India
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One of the most anticipated Economic Book of the year, especially coming from an Ex-RBI governor and one who left RBI just before the Demonetization. As the sensation loving media, repeatedly asked Mr. Rajan's take on Demonetization and his eventual silence had lead up to anticipation that this book may hold some necessary answers.
There is a wide spread rumor in media and general public that, Raghuram Rajan was removed by the government (Which is not true!) and installed a Gujarat Cadre Civil S ...more
There is a wide spread rumor in media and general public that, Raghuram Rajan was removed by the government (Which is not true!) and installed a Gujarat Cadre Civil S ...more

Since Mr. Rajan resigned from the RBI just before the demonetization, I thought this book will take the lid off of why did he leave six months before the completion of his term of office.
However, Media and TV channels actually was dishing the dirt on making everything way too shady.
Anyway, the book is actually a compilation of his speeches given by him on various colloquiums.
He talks about Monetary Policies, inflation, competitive markets, investments, demonetisation, banking sector, mutual fu ...more
However, Media and TV channels actually was dishing the dirt on making everything way too shady.
Anyway, the book is actually a compilation of his speeches given by him on various colloquiums.
He talks about Monetary Policies, inflation, competitive markets, investments, demonetisation, banking sector, mutual fu ...more

An almost expected collection of speeches but this time with more context around events leading up to those and beyond. I wonder why it wasn't reviewed/released as such and instead the media hype was it was a "tell-all". If you subtract that expectation and attempt to find some time to read and learn from Rajan; understand his perspective, this is a good read to have.
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I have been a big fan of Raghuram Rajan for two reasons a) He comes across as a rock-star economist, unlike many other influential yet boring professionals of his field, b) one of my friends was his student in Chicago University, and had told me how inspiring a professor he was and told me how he conducted his lectures. So, when I saw the title of the book, I picked it up, assuming it would be his autobiography, his intellectual journey. Rather it turned out to be mostly his speeches during his
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An outstanding offering by way of speeches and articles by a man who was perhaps the only person who predicted the 2008 meltdown. The analyses of the problems that beset Indian Economy, his diagnosis and the prescription are fairly precise and logical . The reader can also discern authors yearning to bring about a change but it is indeed ironical that Raghuram Rajan couldn't really get things moving. Makings things happen in India is a different ball game and perhaps Rajan was not adept at it. T
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An excellent read. The book gives you a great insight into how the mind of a central banker workers. A collection of speeches, essays and "random pieces" by RR, this collection gives an excellent perspective into how the RBI plays a pivotal role in managing the nation's economy. The part where the genius of Raghuram Rajan really stands out is when he is commenting on the global economy. Minor point - some speeches or comments by Rajan, when taken out of context, have proven to be quite controver
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Sep 05, 2017
Gunjan Rani
is currently reading it
I was so ecstatic to see that Raghuram Rajan Sir has launched a book that I couldn't abstain myself from preordering it on 3rd September. The book is due to be delivered today.
I belong to Science Stream and to be honest, my understanding of world or my eyes to see the economical world are little weak. I had to start with some book on economics to have better insight of it. I can't believe my luck that I am starting with Sir Raghuram Rajan's book. ...more
I belong to Science Stream and to be honest, my understanding of world or my eyes to see the economical world are little weak. I had to start with some book on economics to have better insight of it. I can't believe my luck that I am starting with Sir Raghuram Rajan's book. ...more

the book was an epitome of economics that is relevant to all indians. The intention to impart this knowledge in these troubled economic and political times is truly appreciated. my sense and understanding of concepts like fiscal Prudence, bank repo rates and their implications on common Man and day today life has improved by leaps and bounds. Thanks a ton Raghuram Rajan :-)

During his tenure as RBI Governor, Dr. Raghuram Rajan had delivered many lectures on state of the economy including role of the RBI, controlling inflation, problem of NPA in banks. This book assembles some of those speeches along with few articles on global financial crisis and other relevant topics.
In spite of being a collection of articles, it is highly readable for most parts and well organized, especially first six chapters which articulates aim of the RBI during his tenure. Admittedly I di ...more
In spite of being a collection of articles, it is highly readable for most parts and well organized, especially first six chapters which articulates aim of the RBI during his tenure. Admittedly I di ...more

"I am a professor so I lecture (though I typically lecture well)"
I'm glad someone sent this book on my way else I might have never picked it up, coloured as I was by Dr Rajan's out of brief comments on tolerance and his own departure from the RBI.
The book, basically a collection of his speeches and articles, provides a wonderful running commentary on the various changes in the Indian regulatory and economic landscape over the 3 years of Dr Rajan's governorship. In some sense it is like a Centra ...more
I'm glad someone sent this book on my way else I might have never picked it up, coloured as I was by Dr Rajan's out of brief comments on tolerance and his own departure from the RBI.
The book, basically a collection of his speeches and articles, provides a wonderful running commentary on the various changes in the Indian regulatory and economic landscape over the 3 years of Dr Rajan's governorship. In some sense it is like a Centra ...more

Well everybody is aware with the acumen raghuram rajan has in macroeconomic stability. This book is indeed an extension of that. Essentially consists of lectures he delivered at various places. One of the remarkable things which stays with me from the book is that "unorthodox ideas will lead to orthodox results which is destabilization of economy". Hence it becomes important that one sticks to the basic fundamentals of the economy as suggested by him in the book. Overall it's a good read for tho
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A good book. Basically it’s divided into three parts. First part covers the author’s term as the governor of the RBI which’s really wonderful to read. The second and the third part deal with the economic crisis that began in 2008 and some snippets written by the author previously. This is very technical and hard to read through the content.

Amazing book which opens up various aspects of Indian monetary policy. The added cherry on the top is RR's views on the financial meltdown of 2007-08 and other macroeconomic fault lines in the world.
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A non controversial book on his tenure at RBI, Raghuram Rajan tries to put the entire frame on his brief stint on his three year tenure at RBI. The book is a very candid piece and he himself talks about issues and frailties in working at the central bank of India and how he felt about it. With increasing globalization and the economic prowess the position has come more and more under media scrutiny. He talks about comparison with Yellen or hawkish Volcker and how India was typecast as Fragile Fi
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"I Do What I Do" is a collection of former "rock star" RBI Governor, Raghuraman Rajan's speeches and articles.It is divided into three sections - the first and longest called RBI days consists of speeches during his tenure as RBI Governor from 2013 to 2016. The second part has his prescient predictions of the 2008 crisis - Rajan was one of the few global economists to have seen it coming - and from the period after the crash, suggesting possible ways to prevent the recurrence of similar systemic
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Why do the poor allow the rich to be rich? In a democracy like India where the poor people are the majority, can't they elect a government that charges exorbitant taxes for the rich and distributes it to the poor? As long as everyone has equal opportunity and the most deserving become rich, it helps incentivize hard work in the society. The most deserving person creates opportunities in the society that benefits the poor and helps the society grow. In the other extreme, when the rich are rich ju
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The book is a collection of speeches given by the author at various forums on a wide range of issues at various points of time, including his tenure as the governor of RBI.
Very few economists have the ability to make complex issues understandable to a layman, Mr Rajan in that sense is a gifted one. Also he belongs to the central bankers who just doesn’t churn out the data, but can empathise and bring the ‘socio-economic’ aspect into the whole central banker picture.
The book helps in getting a ...more
Very few economists have the ability to make complex issues understandable to a layman, Mr Rajan in that sense is a gifted one. Also he belongs to the central bankers who just doesn’t churn out the data, but can empathise and bring the ‘socio-economic’ aspect into the whole central banker picture.
The book helps in getting a ...more

An interesting book which draws on the experience of Dr. Rajan during his tenure as the Gov at RBI.
What's good is how it helps you understand the thought process behind some of the RBI actions while continuing to provide a basic understanding for the reader but What's not is how frequently the book changes gears. There are so many factors covered right from capital markets to bottom of pyramid banking and from FX fluctuations to Make in India . I feel the book could had been more focussed and a ...more
What's good is how it helps you understand the thought process behind some of the RBI actions while continuing to provide a basic understanding for the reader but What's not is how frequently the book changes gears. There are so many factors covered right from capital markets to bottom of pyramid banking and from FX fluctuations to Make in India . I feel the book could had been more focussed and a ...more

First, take a bow Mr. Rajan. Not only for your service to the position you held but also to the vision you encompassed and the clear and logical way you communicated the vision while serving in that post. Rajan covers every aspect he touched upon during his tenure in the first section of the book and the remaining 2 sections, he devots to macroeconomic trends in the international markets. In all of these sections, he lays out a clear and coherent vision, exploring spillover effects backed by log
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Raghuram Rajan is an utter genius and it's truely evident from the book.
This book is a compilation of his speeches given through the 3 years during which he was the RBI governor and minimal comments from him. Towards the end, there are a few of his speeches and articles on economics he gave during his time at world bank.
Book being very much into economics and finance, he discusses the steps he took at RBI, namely to reduce inflation, diffuse banking services to the poor by creating better method ...more
This book is a compilation of his speeches given through the 3 years during which he was the RBI governor and minimal comments from him. Towards the end, there are a few of his speeches and articles on economics he gave during his time at world bank.
Book being very much into economics and finance, he discusses the steps he took at RBI, namely to reduce inflation, diffuse banking services to the poor by creating better method ...more

A light coffee table finance read for those interested in learning about the macro forces that transpire behind the scenes. It's a collection of the various speeches/lectures/letters that Dr. Raghuram Rajan has delivered while working with RBI/IMF/UChicago.
One particular speech was too exciting for me! It was Dr. Rajan's convocation address at IIT Delhi. My excitement stemmed not from the content of the address, but from the feeling that it would have been for him to deliver a convocation addres ...more
One particular speech was too exciting for me! It was Dr. Rajan's convocation address at IIT Delhi. My excitement stemmed not from the content of the address, but from the feeling that it would have been for him to deliver a convocation addres ...more

The Collection of Rajan's speeches covers a broad spectrum of economic challenges of India from Central Banker's point of view. It broadly covers working with RBI, fighting inflation and understanding it through famous Dosanomics, current banking infrastructure (challenges and solutions) and political economy (from both national and economic perspectives) with many clever solutions subject to some economic adjustments reflecting his faith in India's strong institutional setup.
Yes, its a must rea ...more
Yes, its a must rea ...more

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This book is a collection of his speeches with some additional details. A really well written book if you want to understand what the RBI thinking process was behind the decisions made.
It is an easy read. I am not from the economics field but still was able to grasp and understand the changing landscape of Indian economy. 4 stars are for just for that.
It is an easy read. I am not from the economics field but still was able to grasp and understand the changing landscape of Indian economy. 4 stars are for just for that.

If you eagerly want to know about banking and finance then this book is surely for you.
writer beautifully explained the concept Dosa Economics. He has shared his various life experiences in this book and what are the difficulties he faced during his tenure.
writer beautifully explained the concept Dosa Economics. He has shared his various life experiences in this book and what are the difficulties he faced during his tenure.

Sep 30, 2020
Aryan Kumar Prasad
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
indian-history
Boring, repetitive and not written in a way that can engage readers. Coming from a seasoned economists, I thought it would be an interesting economic insight into India for the layperson, but it's mostly a collection of his speeches over the years - devoid of revealing facts, figures or theories.
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So much Economics. Couldn't finish.
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This book will not give you the inside story or gossip behind Raghuram Rajan-headed RBI's disagreements with Modi-led central government, if that is what you are looking for. Infact, all the material in the book is already in public domain and this is a collection of Dr. Rajan's speeches and articles with small postcripts to provide added context with the benefit of hindsight. However, that nowhere takes away the book's importance in articulating the author's thoughts and ideas on how a central
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Raghuram Govind Rajan is a world-class Indian economist who has also served as the twenty-third Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He also serves as Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Finance at the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago. Rajan is also a visiting professor for the World Bank, Federal Reserve Board, and Swedish Parliamentary Commission. He former
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“Autobiographies are always written as if the author had it all mapped out with perfect foresight, ignoring the risks and uncertainties at that time. This misleads, as much as those beautiful photographs of a past holiday abstract from the heat, the mosquitoes, and the lack of connectivity.”
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“Policy making invariably involves taking measured risks in the face of uncertainty, for one has neither a prior template nor the luxury of indecision.”
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