Hello namaste welcome fam. Today I am very thrilled to be presenting to you one of the best books on Indian politics, economy, business ever written. Yes, it is Gurcharan Das's autobiography India Unbound which unleashes the enormous potential India had and has, what went wrong in the Nation's growth and more. So read on and enlighten.
Gurcharan Das is an author and public intellectual. He writes a regular column
for the Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, Eenadu and other newspapers. He also
writes for the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Newsweek and Foreign
Affairs. He graduated from Harvard University in philosophy and politics and
was CEO of Procter & Gamble India before he took early retirement to become a
full-time writer.
I first started with e-book , through a few pages, I was determined on buying it, so I gifted myself one on my 20th birthday with this wonderful book. Although it took me very long to finish it.
Some of the reviews would be :
‘It is a wonderful book—a great mixture of memoir,
economic analysis, social investigation, political scrutiny and managerial
outlook being thrown into the understanding of India … The temper of the book
is both critical as well as optimistic, and I think the combination works well.
Gurcharan being happier with the world makes a difference—there is a kind of
positiveness that breathes through every page’—Amartya Sen
‘The change in India since economic liberalization in 1991 has
been astonishing, and the pace of it picks up every day. On a recent visit—after
several years—I found a book which gave a vivid and persuasive explanation of
the transformation all around me. India Unbound … '—Ian Jack, New Statesman.
‘India Unbound is at the top of the
country’s best-seller list for non-fiction, tapping into a vein of renewed self-
confidence and national pride that is itself a central theme of his study. Part
memoir, part history, part travelogue, part polemic, India Unbound dissects the
failures of the country’s Nehruvian socialist experiment and vividly describes
the changes that are transforming the daily lives and outlooks of the country’s 1
bn people’—John Thornhill, Financial Times.
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Enough of the praise let me begin with the book.
"India Unbound" by Gurcharan Das is a non-fiction book that chronicles India's journey from a socialist, closed economy to a liberal, open economy.
It is well partitioned taking us from spring of hope, the lost generation and rebirth of dreams.
The saddening part for me was the struggles Indian Industrialists like Birla, Ambanis and more had to got through because of License raj and Nehruvian opposition to capitalism. We were left far behind by not opening to world trade at right time.
Let me pour in some chapter wise analysis consolidated with Chat GPT support to point out some of my favorite chapters:
In the chapter "Democracy First, Capitalism Next", Das argues that India's transition to capitalism was made possible by its strong democratic foundation. He explains that democracy creates a level playing field for all citizens, which leads to the growth of entrepreneurship and innovation. Das also highlights the importance of property rights, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary in promoting capitalism. He argues that without these institutions in place, capitalism cannot thrive.
However, Das also acknowledges the challenges that India faced during its transition to capitalism, including widespread poverty, corruption, and the need to improve education and infrastructure. He concludes by stating that while India still has a long way to go, its democratic and capitalist foundations have laid the groundwork for continued progress and prosperity in the future.
The chapter also discusses how the paper industry's success was due to the presence of a well-established network of suppliers, distributors, and customers. The industry also benefited from the entrepreneurial spirit of its owners, who took advantage of new technologies and business opportunities. The growth of the paper industry also had a positive impact on other sectors, such as packaging, printing, and publishing.
The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of the paper industry as a symbol of India's economic transformation. It highlights the potential for India to become a major player in the global economy, provided it continues to encourage entrepreneurship, promote competition, and provide a favorable business environment. The success of the paper industry serves as a reminder that India is capable of overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness if it embraces the right policies and attitudes.
The chapter "Blind then Blind now" in the book "India Unbound" by Gurcharan Das explores the changes that have taken place in India since the 1990s and the role of the government in promoting economic growth. The author compares the "blind" policies of the government in the past, which stifled innovation and entrepreneurship, to the more "enlightened" policies of the present day that are designed to promote competition and encourage growth.
One example of the positive impact of these changes is the Bazar power, which refers to the influence of the market in driving economic growth. The author notes that the private sector is now the main engine of growth in India and that the government is playing a more supportive role.
The Licensing Blues highlights the negative impact of government regulations and licensing requirements on businesses in the past. The author notes that the removal of these restrictions has led to increased competition and innovation, which has driven economic growth.
Finally, the chapter discusses the importance of the "million reformers," which refers to the entrepreneurs and business leaders who are driving economic growth in India. The author argues that these individuals are the key to India's economic success and that the government must support them by creating a favorable business environment.
The chapter "The Rise and Rise of Middle class" in the book "India Unbound" by Gurcharan Das focuses on the growth and importance of the middle class in India. The author argues that the rise of the middle class has been one of the key drivers of economic growth in India over the past three decades. The author argues that the middle class has played a key role in driving economic growth and that India's focus on education, technology, and entrepreneurship will continue to be key drivers of economic success in the future.
The chapter "If we were once rich, why are we now poor?" in the book "India Unbound" by Gurcharan Das explores the reasons behind India's decline from a wealthy and prosperous nation in the past to a relatively poor nation in the present day. The author argues that India's past wealth was based on a combination of factors, including its large population, abundant natural resources, and rich cultural heritage. However, the country's decline can be attributed to a number of factors, including the following:
Government policies: The author argues that the policies of the Indian government in the past were often ill-conceived and stifled innovation and entrepreneurship.
Corruption: Corruption was widespread in India in the past and acted as a major hindrance to economic growth.
Bureaucracy: The author notes that the bureaucracy in India was slow, inefficient, and often resistant to change, which made it difficult for businesses to operate effectively.
Lack of focus on education and technology: India did not place a strong emphasis on education and technology in the past, which held back its economic growth.
Lack of competition: The author argues that the absence of competition in many sectors in India in the past hindered economic growth and prevented businesses from innovating.
Dreams of Khabutarkhana
The chapter "Dreams in Kabutarkhana" in the book "India Unbound" by Gurcharan Das focuses on the entrepreneurial spirit and dreams of the people in India. The author highlights the story of Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries, as an example of the entrepreneurial spirit that exists in India.
Ambani, who was born in a small village in Gujarat, went on to become one of the most successful business leaders in India. He started his career as a small-scale trader and gradually built his business into a conglomerate with interests in a wide range of industries, including textiles, petrochemicals, and telecommunications.
The author argues that Ambani's journey from a small-scale trader to one of the most successful business leaders in India represents the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in the country. The story of Ambani's success serves as an inspiration for people in India and demonstrates that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck, anyone can achieve their dreams.
The author also discusses the concept of "Kabutarkhana," which refers to a place where pigeons are kept and trained to race. The author argues that the Kabutarkhana represents the entrepreneurial spirit of India and the people's dreams of success and prosperity.
In conclusion, the chapter "Dreams in Kabutarkhana" in "India Unbound" highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and dreams of the people in India. The author argues that the story of Dhirubhai Ambani and the concept of Kabutarkhana represent the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in the country. The author believes that this spirit will continue to be a driving force behind economic growth and prosperity in India in the future.
Modern vs western
The chapter "Modern vs Western" in the book "India Unbound" by Gurcharan Das compares and contrasts the concepts of "modern" and "Western." The author argues that the term "modern" is often used interchangeably with "Western," but that the two terms are not synonymous.
According to the author, the Western world has been the dominant force in shaping what is considered to be "modern" in the world today. The Western concept of modernity is characterized by industrialization, urbanization, and secularization, and is associated with technological progress, economic growth, and individualism.
The author argues that there is a different path to modernity that is being taken by India and other countries in the East, which he refers to as "Indic modernity." This path is characterized by a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences, and incorporates elements of the traditional Eastern culture, religion, and philosophy.
The author believes that Indic modernity is a viable alternative to the Western model of modernity and that it has the potential to offer a different approach to development and progress that is more suited to the cultural, historical, and social context of India and other countries in the East.
In conclusion, the chapter "Modern vs Western" in "India Unbound" highlights the difference between the Western and Indic models of modernity. The author argues that Indic modernity is a viable alternative to the Western model of modernity and that it has the potential to offer a different approach to development and progress that is more suited to the cultural, historical, and social context of India and other countries in the East.
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Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries, faced several challenges and obstacles in setting up his business empire in India. As described in the book "India Unbound" by Gurcharan Das, some of the major struggles faced by Dhirubhai were:
Bureaucratic hurdles: The Indian government at the time was highly regulated and Dhirubhai had to navigate through various bureaucratic procedures to set up and expand his business.
Lack of funding: Dhirubhai faced a shortage of funds to start and grow his business. He used innovative financing techniques such as issuing convertible debentures to raise money from the public.
Resistance from established players: The business world was dominated by powerful and influential players who opposed Dhirubhai's entry into their domains. They tried to stop his business by launching various legal and political battles.
Competition: Dhirubhai faced intense competition from both domestic and international players in the Indian market. He responded by continuously innovating and improving his business strategies.
Despite these challenges, Dhirubhai persevered and eventually built one of the largest and most successful business empires in India.
How did he overcome it all?
Dhirubhai Ambani overcame the struggles he faced in setting up his empire in India through a combination of innovation, determination, and a strong vision. Some of the key strategies he employed include:
Network building: Dhirubhai was known for his strong networking skills, which he used to build relationships with people from various backgrounds, including politicians, bureaucrats, and business leaders.
Risk-taking: He was not afraid to take risks and try new things, even if they seemed unconventional at the time. For example, he pioneered the use of convertible debentures in India to raise funds.
Innovation: Dhirubhai was constantly innovating, both in his business practices and in his products. He was known for his ability to identify new opportunities and turn them into successful ventures.
Focus on customers: Dhirubhai placed a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction, which he believed was the key to success in any business. He worked hard to understand the needs and wants of his customers, and focused on delivering high-quality products and services at affordable prices.
Team-building: Dhirubhai believed in the power of teamwork, and worked hard to build a strong and dedicated team of employees. He provided them with the support and resources they needed to succeed, and recognized and rewarded their efforts.
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Summarising 20 important concepts :
The Licence Raj - India's bureaucratic and socialist policies that hindered economic growth and entrepreneurship.
The Rise of Entrepreneurship - The emergence of a new breed of entrepreneurs who were willing to take risks and create wealth.
The IT Revolution - The growth of the IT sector and its impact on the Indian economy.
The Liberalization of the Economy - The liberalization of the Indian economy and the removal of government controls on industry and trade.
The New Middle Class - The emergence of a new middle class with aspirations for a better life.
Globalization and Its Impact - The impact of globalization on India and its economy.
The Growth of the Service Sector - The growth of the service sector and its contribution to India's economy.
The Rise of the Indian Consumer - The emergence of the Indian consumer as a key driver of the Indian economy.
The Indian Growth Story - India's growth story and its impact on the world.
The India Advantage - The advantages that India offers for business and investment, such as its large workforce, growing middle class, and attractive market size.
The Challenge of Corruption - The challenge of corruption and its impact on economic growth and development.
The Need for Reforms - The need for reforms in various sectors such as agriculture, industry, and education.
The Power of Education - The importance of education for economic growth and development.
The Role of Women - The role of women in the Indian economy and their contribution to economic growth.
The Importance of Infrastructure - The importance of infrastructure for economic growth and development.
The Rise of Rural India - The rise of rural India and its impact on the Indian economy.
The Globalization of Indian Companies - The globalization of Indian companies and their impact on the Indian economy.
The Demographic Dividend - The demographic dividend and the potential it offers for economic growth and development.
The Challenge of Poverty - The challenge of poverty and the need for inclusive growth.
The Future of India - The future of India and its potential for continued growth and development.
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Here are some more details on how entrepreneurs and industrialists in India were able to succeed despite the challenges posed by the Nehru and Indira Gandhi governments:
Innovation: Many entrepreneurs found creative solutions to overcome the restrictions imposed by the government. For example, some entrepreneurs started businesses that were not covered by the licensing regulations, while others found ways to produce goods and services more efficiently, in order to increase profitability and competitiveness.
Networking: Entrepreneurs formed networks and partnerships with each other, and with suppliers and customers, to share information, resources, and best practices. This helped them to overcome the challenges posed by government policies, and allowed them to leverage the collective strengths of their networks.
Resilience: Many entrepreneurs and industrialists displayed a remarkable level of resilience and perseverance, and were able to overcome obstacles and setbacks through sheer determination and hard work. They did not give up easily, and were always looking for new opportunities and ways to succeed.
Access to Capital: Despite the restrictions on foreign investment, some entrepreneurs were able to access capital from Indian banks and financial institutions, which allowed them to invest in their businesses and grow. Some entrepreneurs also found ways to tap into the large pool of savings in the Indian economy, and raised capital from friends, family, and other sources.
Global Connections: Some entrepreneurs were able to build global connections and partnerships, which allowed them to access international capital, technology, and markets. These global connections also helped them to overcome the limitations posed by the restrictions on foreign investment, and gave them access to new opportunities and markets.
I know this has been the most extensive review but i wanted it this way. Insightful read hopefully.
Until next time...
Stay happy happy.
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