GROUP 7 IMAGINING INDIA IDEAS FOR THE NEW CENTURY NANDAN NILEKANI

GROUP MEMBERS Mahaling (Group Co-ordinator) Benjamin K Vidhya C Remya P Avneet Kaur Arvind Kumar Sandip Kote Manish Anand Aadesh Rai Shiva Prakash

Non-fiction Penguin books 2008; 2009 Rs.425 only

B.Tech in Electrical Engineering in 1978 Infosys Technologies Ltd 2002 Padma Bhushan 2006 NDTV Indian of the Year 2011 The Chairman of the new UIDAI 9 July 2009

INTRODUCTION PURPOSE The author has attempted to understand India through the evolution of its ideas.

OVERVIEW Imagining India is divided into four parts: Globalization, demographic advantages. Infrastructural challenges. Conflicting political ideologies, labour reform and higher education. Democracy and technology, health, pensions and entitlements, the environment and energy.

SUMMARY / BODY India re-imagined All aboard Fighting words Closer than they appear

Part I - INDIA RE-IMAGINED Demographic dividend Entrepreneurs as the ‘devious capitalists’ to ‘respected businessmen’ English – global language IT revolution Globalisation Democratic setup

Part II - ALL ABOARD Dichotomy in school education Lack of infrastructure Rural to urban migration Emerging single market

Part III - FIGHTING WORDS (Ideas in battle) Left vs. right Reform vs. populism Caste structures Labour laws Rural India Higher education

Part IV - CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR Use of IT and e-governance Ultra-capitalism and inequality Declining environment Energy crisis Networking effect in hospitals

EVALUATION STRENGTHS Innovative and realistic ideas High level of detailing Wide coverage of subjects Optimistic view about India in future

WEAKNESS Over assessment of the liberalised era Human capital as a major strength of economic transformation Glorifies the proliferation of media Socio – cultural issues Importance for Corporate philanthropy Implementation is India's weakest spot

CONTENT LANGUAGE - No pedantic prose or satire Compendium of events WRITING STYLE - Light conversational RECOMMEND - every Indian should read the book

CONCLUSION The author envisions the future challenges and provides solutions based on his wide experience in different aspects (social, political and economical) of India.