What do you think?
Rate this book
Lutyens’ Maverick: Ground realities, Hard choices and Tomorrow's India
Would India be better served by ‘One nation, two elections’? Why should Modi go boldly where no Indian politician has gone before, and reform political funding? Will the disinvestment of Air India erase doubts about NDA government’s will to reform? Can Pakistan’s new PM deliver a cooling of border tensions? Has the Supreme Court’s triple talaq judgement set the country on course to a uniform civil code? Is death penalty the only answer to the horrific rapes across the country? These contentious questions are just a few of the myriad political, economic and social issues that four-time Member of Parliament Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda analyses in his latest book, Lutyens’ Maverick. Backed by hard facts and indisputable numbers, this publication is the opinion of one of the most articulate voices in the Parliament today. Written in impeccable prose, Panda presents a scholarly survey of various events, tracing their origins and offering answers to them."
- GenresPolitics
232 pages, Hardcover
Published January 7, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 21, 2019
I have been following Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda on Twitter for many years now. He’s one of the sharpest, most erudite, brilliant, humble and knowledgeable people around. Plus, he’s a voracious reader himself, often tweeting about the books he’s reading and the parts he’s found interesting.
This book is a collection of articles written by Panda over the last few years. It covers the topics of Parliament & Governance, Political Correctness, Economics, Foreign Policy, Law and Citizens & Society. Some of the of sub-topics include A Short History of EVMs, A Quota for Women, Taking Criminals out of Politics, Checks & Balances, The Yakub Memon Frenzy, Aadhaar & Data Security, Sabarimala & Triple Talaq and Hypocrisy on Free Speech.
Panda’s articles are written in a no-holds barred and candid manner. It was a sheer pleasure to read the book and understand his views on the various topics.
Some of the topics/quotes which I found interesting and would like to read up more on:
1. Our Parliament is still plagued by systemic gridlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
2. Overcoming resistance to change is sometimes rooted more in fear and suspicion than in rational considerations.
3. But this isn’t the ‘80s any more, when bank computerization could be put off for more than a decade due to pressure from the unions.
4. Jawaharlal Nehru is reported to have told Jehangir Tata that he considered ‘profit’ to be a dirty word, even in the context of the public sector.
5. A quarter of a century ago, Rajiv Gandhi famously accused the notoriously leaky government machinery of gobbling up 85 per cent of the funds spent on poverty alleviation programmes, leaving only a paltry 15 per cent for the actual beneficiaries.
6. Though historical injustices can never be erased and elements of prejudice against some groups can still be seen, there are also many signs of empowerment, not the least of which is political clout.
7. The use of technologies like Aadhaar are revolutionizing the delivery of services far more efficiently. It could well be that massively ambitious sociopolitical goals may no longer require the kind of massive boondoggles they used to.
8. PM Modi has been seeking transformational change through mega persuasion campaigns instead of by legislation – for example, the exhortation of the ‘Swachh Bharat’ programme, rather than, say, emulating Singapore’s harsh punishments for littering.
9. The government has started penalizing non-performers, and in 2017, modernized bureaucrats’ appraisal system, including – for the first time – peers’ and subordinates’ feedback.
10. It should also not be surprising that dynastic politicians have been among the least enthusiastic users of SM in India.
11. The lack of meritocracy, evidenced by many bright younger Congressmen and women who have been held back for years, has taken a huge toll on its capabilities.
12. Any economy’s fundamental soundness will depend on regularly having to swallow bitter pills that will be unpopular, at least in the short term.
13. Too often we disparage the good because it is not perfect.
14. It needed PM Narendra Modi’s massive electoral successes, not just in the 2014 general election that gave him the numbers in the Lok Sabha, but also in subsequent state elections that, in turn, have been adding to his numbers in the Rajya Sabha, for the GST to become feasible.
15. For a country with the Ashoka Stambh as its national emblem, it has taken India far too long to recollect Kautilya’s mantra of statecraft: sama, dana, bheda, danda (conciliate, compensate, divide, fight).
16. Why are Hindu temples administered by the government when all other religious communities manage their own places of worship?
17. Instead of looking in the rear-view mirror at what has not worked in the past, we would be better served to benchmark what works in most of the world.
18. Finding the balance between an adherence to basic democratic principles and the pressing compulsions for simple, blunt solutions is one of the greatest challenges of modern democracies.
19. I remain an optimist, but one that believes that rather than just hoping for the best, we have to keep attempting to solve lingering problems.
20. It cannot be every individual’s right to impose his version of a religion on others who profess it. Thus, while he may practise religion as he pleases in private, in a religion’s place of worship, the rituals, subject to not harming anyone, must reflect the group consensus.
21. To keep insisting that terrorism has nothing to do with religion after every new jihadi atrocity is no longer tenable.
22. Why should we still have a feudal mindset that our ruling elite be treated differently from the average citizen?
23. Liberalization and economic growth have made available to the hoi polloi what earlier only the exalted could have.
24. In democracies, lasting solutions only emerge from bridging differences, even if that has to wait until power is gained through less temperate means.
This book is a collection of articles written by Panda over the last few years. It covers the topics of Parliament & Governance, Political Correctness, Economics, Foreign Policy, Law and Citizens & Society. Some of the of sub-topics include A Short History of EVMs, A Quota for Women, Taking Criminals out of Politics, Checks & Balances, The Yakub Memon Frenzy, Aadhaar & Data Security, Sabarimala & Triple Talaq and Hypocrisy on Free Speech.
Panda’s articles are written in a no-holds barred and candid manner. It was a sheer pleasure to read the book and understand his views on the various topics.
Some of the topics/quotes which I found interesting and would like to read up more on:
1. Our Parliament is still plagued by systemic gridlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
2. Overcoming resistance to change is sometimes rooted more in fear and suspicion than in rational considerations.
3. But this isn’t the ‘80s any more, when bank computerization could be put off for more than a decade due to pressure from the unions.
4. Jawaharlal Nehru is reported to have told Jehangir Tata that he considered ‘profit’ to be a dirty word, even in the context of the public sector.
5. A quarter of a century ago, Rajiv Gandhi famously accused the notoriously leaky government machinery of gobbling up 85 per cent of the funds spent on poverty alleviation programmes, leaving only a paltry 15 per cent for the actual beneficiaries.
6. Though historical injustices can never be erased and elements of prejudice against some groups can still be seen, there are also many signs of empowerment, not the least of which is political clout.
7. The use of technologies like Aadhaar are revolutionizing the delivery of services far more efficiently. It could well be that massively ambitious sociopolitical goals may no longer require the kind of massive boondoggles they used to.
8. PM Modi has been seeking transformational change through mega persuasion campaigns instead of by legislation – for example, the exhortation of the ‘Swachh Bharat’ programme, rather than, say, emulating Singapore’s harsh punishments for littering.
9. The government has started penalizing non-performers, and in 2017, modernized bureaucrats’ appraisal system, including – for the first time – peers’ and subordinates’ feedback.
10. It should also not be surprising that dynastic politicians have been among the least enthusiastic users of SM in India.
11. The lack of meritocracy, evidenced by many bright younger Congressmen and women who have been held back for years, has taken a huge toll on its capabilities.
12. Any economy’s fundamental soundness will depend on regularly having to swallow bitter pills that will be unpopular, at least in the short term.
13. Too often we disparage the good because it is not perfect.
14. It needed PM Narendra Modi’s massive electoral successes, not just in the 2014 general election that gave him the numbers in the Lok Sabha, but also in subsequent state elections that, in turn, have been adding to his numbers in the Rajya Sabha, for the GST to become feasible.
15. For a country with the Ashoka Stambh as its national emblem, it has taken India far too long to recollect Kautilya’s mantra of statecraft: sama, dana, bheda, danda (conciliate, compensate, divide, fight).
16. Why are Hindu temples administered by the government when all other religious communities manage their own places of worship?
17. Instead of looking in the rear-view mirror at what has not worked in the past, we would be better served to benchmark what works in most of the world.
18. Finding the balance between an adherence to basic democratic principles and the pressing compulsions for simple, blunt solutions is one of the greatest challenges of modern democracies.
19. I remain an optimist, but one that believes that rather than just hoping for the best, we have to keep attempting to solve lingering problems.
20. It cannot be every individual’s right to impose his version of a religion on others who profess it. Thus, while he may practise religion as he pleases in private, in a religion’s place of worship, the rituals, subject to not harming anyone, must reflect the group consensus.
21. To keep insisting that terrorism has nothing to do with religion after every new jihadi atrocity is no longer tenable.
22. Why should we still have a feudal mindset that our ruling elite be treated differently from the average citizen?
23. Liberalization and economic growth have made available to the hoi polloi what earlier only the exalted could have.
24. In democracies, lasting solutions only emerge from bridging differences, even if that has to wait until power is gained through less temperate means.
April 21, 2019
Baijayant "Jay" Panda is an Indian BJP politician, national vice president, official spokesperson and former member of Lok Sabha from Kendrapara constituency.
He is prolific writer. This book is collection of his articles published in eminent (lutyen's media) newspapers like ToI, Indian Express etc. The author gives his honest opinion in areas like politics, economics, foreign policy, law, society etc. Language are very clear and from beginning reader will be hooked.
One can gather good knowledge about several administrative, political, social and economical issues which are crucial for current and future Bharat.
He is prolific writer. This book is collection of his articles published in eminent (lutyen's media) newspapers like ToI, Indian Express etc. The author gives his honest opinion in areas like politics, economics, foreign policy, law, society etc. Language are very clear and from beginning reader will be hooked.
One can gather good knowledge about several administrative, political, social and economical issues which are crucial for current and future Bharat.
July 29, 2019
Pretty good read.
The author has done an amazing job of not only consolidating a myriad of topics relevant for our nation today but also most of his views on those topics are very pertinent.
The author has done an amazing job of not only consolidating a myriad of topics relevant for our nation today but also most of his views on those topics are very pertinent.
June 30, 2019
This is a compilation of articles and it gives you a perspective towards a rational BJP ideologue and a vast arena of issues are dealt with. What I do not like about the book is that it is basically a compilation with no or very little effort to make it extensive on the few issues and it felt overlapping at times. I expected a lot better than one of the better-learnt politicians in the country. Overall, a bit disappointed.
September 22, 2019
A layman's guide for issues plaguing Indian Political System.
If someone with lesser knowledge about the Indian political landscape wishes to know more about it, the Lutyen's Maverick is the best book to start with. It contains a collection of articles about hotly debated topics such as EVMs, Demonitisation, GSTs to lesser-known but equally important issues of reservation for women in Parliament/Legislative Assemblies, simultaneous state & general elections, reforms in the criminal justice system and issues relating to Free Speech & Free Basic/Net Neutrality, Sabrimala, Triple Talaq etc. The book only touches the topics superficially and avoids making it boring for the beginners. Unlike the Tharoors of non-fiction writings, the articles are written in such a way to cover the common audiences along with the elites.
As the book is only an arrangement of articles which were published in various newspapers over the last decade, it makes a little repetitive read for some issues as they were continuously discussed over multiple articles over time. It would have been a perfect book, had the articles being rewritten after coalescing into one continuous idea for each topic.
Though you may not agree with some arguments provided by the author through these articles for its political biases, the book will surely enrich you with information about the most pressing issues which we choose to ignore under the loud noise of Namo-Raga, Bhakt-Sickular debates.
If someone with lesser knowledge about the Indian political landscape wishes to know more about it, the Lutyen's Maverick is the best book to start with. It contains a collection of articles about hotly debated topics such as EVMs, Demonitisation, GSTs to lesser-known but equally important issues of reservation for women in Parliament/Legislative Assemblies, simultaneous state & general elections, reforms in the criminal justice system and issues relating to Free Speech & Free Basic/Net Neutrality, Sabrimala, Triple Talaq etc. The book only touches the topics superficially and avoids making it boring for the beginners. Unlike the Tharoors of non-fiction writings, the articles are written in such a way to cover the common audiences along with the elites.
As the book is only an arrangement of articles which were published in various newspapers over the last decade, it makes a little repetitive read for some issues as they were continuously discussed over multiple articles over time. It would have been a perfect book, had the articles being rewritten after coalescing into one continuous idea for each topic.
Though you may not agree with some arguments provided by the author through these articles for its political biases, the book will surely enrich you with information about the most pressing issues which we choose to ignore under the loud noise of Namo-Raga, Bhakt-Sickular debates.
September 30, 2024
Jay Panda is one of the few politicians in India that I appreciate. Not for his politics (which could be equally dirty as any other), or administrative track record (of which I have no clue), but because of his well-read intellectual polite public persona (Anyone who claims to have read all parts of Will Durant's 'The story of Civilization' is already in my admiration list). His conduct in TV debates and his writings reflect his culture and depth of understanding and eruditeness. 'Lutyens' Maverick' is a collection Panda's many of those newspaper columns over the years on various subjects - Parliament and Governance, Indian Politics, Geo Politics, Economy, Judiciary and law enforcement and Society in general. Many of his outlooks slant towards a centrist balanced view point and any thinking individual could find sense in those.
This book was published during the times when Panda was getting expelled from BJD and joining BJP, and hence most of the articles you would find here are justifying Modi Government's politics and policies. Even the earlier articles chosen here were never critical of the Government's stands, rather puncturing holes in Oppositions' stand ( no wonder he was expelled from BJD for anti-party activities). But, like an astute diplomatic learned person he provides solid arguments for his view-points, which make these articles logical and thought provoking.
I had hoped to see Panda as Odisha's PM this time around.
This book was published during the times when Panda was getting expelled from BJD and joining BJP, and hence most of the articles you would find here are justifying Modi Government's politics and policies. Even the earlier articles chosen here were never critical of the Government's stands, rather puncturing holes in Oppositions' stand ( no wonder he was expelled from BJD for anti-party activities). But, like an astute diplomatic learned person he provides solid arguments for his view-points, which make these articles logical and thought provoking.
I had hoped to see Panda as Odisha's PM this time around.
February 22, 2021
The book is a collection of short essays/columns written by Jay Panda for various newspapers over the last decade. It gives the reader a quick introduction into the various ills that plague the world’s largest democracy and also possible solutions for the same.
However, since the form is of short essays, the depth and nuance that is required in understanding and arguing some of these topics is often lost. Leaving one with only a superficial understanding of the stand taken by the author. Unless one has previously researched the topic in question.
Some of the essays also date back to the late 2000s or early 2010s & propose solutions already implemented by the Modi government in the first term, making them quite obsolete. I would’ve expected a more careful editor to have weeded out such essays.
Lastly, being spread over a decade & across different publications, some statements find repeated mention in multiple essays - eg. backlog in the judiciary & need for judicial reforms, police reforms & lack of police personnel, etc. There are also the occasional contradictory statements.
All in all, the book is a good introduction to Indian politics for a novice but it lacks the depth that one would expect from a long serving & articulate politician.
However, since the form is of short essays, the depth and nuance that is required in understanding and arguing some of these topics is often lost. Leaving one with only a superficial understanding of the stand taken by the author. Unless one has previously researched the topic in question.
Some of the essays also date back to the late 2000s or early 2010s & propose solutions already implemented by the Modi government in the first term, making them quite obsolete. I would’ve expected a more careful editor to have weeded out such essays.
Lastly, being spread over a decade & across different publications, some statements find repeated mention in multiple essays - eg. backlog in the judiciary & need for judicial reforms, police reforms & lack of police personnel, etc. There are also the occasional contradictory statements.
All in all, the book is a good introduction to Indian politics for a novice but it lacks the depth that one would expect from a long serving & articulate politician.
January 28, 2019
The book is a compendium of past articles on social, political, judicial issues faced by Indians. The author has given data, examples and comparison with other countries where possible. However, he has moderated his views on some of the thorny issues as it could be perceived by political parties as partisan.
June 21, 2021
Good book. Fast and Easy Read.
February 26, 2024
Collections of articles from newspapers. Good articles, but most of them are well-known. Could not keep my interest for long.
August 19, 2020
What is India all about? Jay Panda provides an encapsulated view of democracy, religion, policy making, foreign affairs, people issues, legal issues and all things India that India should be concerned with in its path to glory in this book which is a must for anyone who wants to have a teaser of Indian politics before diving headfirst into it.
A perfect appetizer on every thing Indian.
A perfect appetizer on every thing Indian.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews