What will it take to unlock India’s true growth potential? The answer is robust institutions and good governance.
Even though India is the world’s largest democracy, is real power held by its people or by those who govern them? How well are we managing the dreams and aspirations of 1.4 billion Bharatiyas? What does the future hold for India? Has the political class delivered on its promises? Is the bureaucracy capable of quick changes? Will governments ever break free of political compulsions and place citizens’ objectives as their central objective? India is acknowledged globally for its capacity to hold regular, peaceful elections—but are they free of the influence of money and muscle power? Have legislatures forgotten their basic role of monitoring the government?
Shashi Budhiraja is well-placed to pose these timely questions. As a former technocrat who has steered many a private sector and government institution, with stints for the World Bank and UN, he has gained a comprehensive view of the workings of the system. In this book, he probes the vital gaps in the architecture of governance and those within institutions. He also examines policies framed for fundamental sectors such as agriculture, education and health to highlight the trend of governance deficit over time.
Budhiraja provides a blueprint for course-correction that will unlock India’s potential, arguing that it needs but one attribute—political will to place citizens’ concerns as the central objective.
Shashi Budhiraja has held numerous critical leadership positions across the private, public and academic sectors. An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, a Gold Medallist from IIT Roorkee and a Fellow at Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, he became the youngest-ever Managing Director of Indian Oil Corporation at the age of 43. Additionally, he served as MD IBP/ Balmer Lawrie and British Oxygen (now Linde), Director of MDI Gurgaon, President of the Institute of Management Consultants, Advisor in the UN Secretary-General’s office, and governing council member in industry bodies such as the All India Management Association and the Indian Chamber of Commerce. He has also been an Independent Director for IIM Lucknow, Bombay Port Trust, and Neuland Laboratories, among others. A former President of Rotary, he currently chairs the Budhiraja Foundation and instituted the Shashi Budhiraja Chair of Strategic Management at IMI, Delhi. He has also authored Cases in Strategic Management and The Education Revolution.
Now in his 94th year, he shares his views on Governance in India.
Rajeev Budhiraja resides in Dubai and is currently focused on initiatives that promote well-being and behaviour change. He began his career in marketing with Cathay Pacific Airways, after studying Economics and Law at Cambridge University. He then founded and managed four pioneering advertising start-ups for McCann Worldgroup in the Middle East, across the digital, healthcare and data sectors, serving as equity partner and CEO. These included Promoseven 360, MRM and McCann Health. Committed to creating positive social impact, he recently earned an MSc in Behavioural Science from the London School of Economics and, continuing this journey, is currently pursuing a Master’s in Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Concurrently, he advises Emirates NBD, Dubai’s leading bank, on a UAE-wide financial well-being initiative, supports resilience and AI-based coaching initiatives on behalf of the Positive Psychology Center (PPC) at UPenn, sits on the advisory board of Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai, and guest lectures at various universities.
