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India At Turning Point: The Road to Good Governance
Observant of all the change India has gone through in the recent years, T.S.R. Subramanian's book: India At Turning Point, questions how this change can be sustained.
Summary of the Book
A collection of essays by a former Cabinet Secretary, this book is an examination of how India has survived corruption and the avarice of her rulers to come to a point where there is a slow yet visible change. Subramanian believes that this change is a turning point and can be sustained through certain measures which he elaborates upon. The essays contain anecdotes from his wide experience and draw from his learnings to present an argumentative, yet supportive description of the current state of the country.
About T.S.R. Subramanian
T.S.R. Subramanian is a retired Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India.
A graduate of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, he is also a founding member and chancellor of the Shiv Nadar University.
Summary of the Book
A collection of essays by a former Cabinet Secretary, this book is an examination of how India has survived corruption and the avarice of her rulers to come to a point where there is a slow yet visible change. Subramanian believes that this change is a turning point and can be sustained through certain measures which he elaborates upon. The essays contain anecdotes from his wide experience and draw from his learnings to present an argumentative, yet supportive description of the current state of the country.
About T.S.R. Subramanian
T.S.R. Subramanian is a retired Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India.
A graduate of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, he is also a founding member and chancellor of the Shiv Nadar University.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 28, 2021
A remarkable book by someone who had seen it all. Author's analyses about the state of affairs is spot on as are his prescriptions. He has a perfect understanding of the media as well, "Indian television which started off mostly to entertain has now become increasingly didactic". He goes on to add, "Most anchors are rudely inquisitorial, and pillory the guests". It was surprising that on a number of occasions he allowed himself to be pilloried.
His comments about politics and politicians are well grounded, "The largest and the least regulated 'industry' in India is politics". His disdain for the politician is evident in his comment, "Politicians are never liked anywhere in the world. In India they give ample opportunity to be intensely disliked and deservedly so ". He is equally critical of a number of institutions, including Election Commission and he questions, "Why is Election Commission so supine?"
A large part of the book deals with the civil service and he blames it for a number of ills that afflict the society and governance. He is extremely concerned about rampant corruption and goes on to write that "there is no work ethic or moral stigma attached to corruption". He also blames senior civil servants and adds that "senior civil servants have often been intellectually dishonest".
There is not mere analyses but prescription as well. He is of the view that "there is an urgent need to make a civil servant accountable, sensitive and responsive". He goes on to explain how this can be done.
I wish I had read the book when the author was alive. Had seen him work and would have asked a few questions. The problem is not that he is speaking the truth (though sometimes grossly exaggerated), it is about what he did when he could to correct the "truth" when he was in position as Chief Secretary of the largest state of the country and Cabinet Secretary, Government of India.
His comments about politics and politicians are well grounded, "The largest and the least regulated 'industry' in India is politics". His disdain for the politician is evident in his comment, "Politicians are never liked anywhere in the world. In India they give ample opportunity to be intensely disliked and deservedly so ". He is equally critical of a number of institutions, including Election Commission and he questions, "Why is Election Commission so supine?"
A large part of the book deals with the civil service and he blames it for a number of ills that afflict the society and governance. He is extremely concerned about rampant corruption and goes on to write that "there is no work ethic or moral stigma attached to corruption". He also blames senior civil servants and adds that "senior civil servants have often been intellectually dishonest".
There is not mere analyses but prescription as well. He is of the view that "there is an urgent need to make a civil servant accountable, sensitive and responsive". He goes on to explain how this can be done.
I wish I had read the book when the author was alive. Had seen him work and would have asked a few questions. The problem is not that he is speaking the truth (though sometimes grossly exaggerated), it is about what he did when he could to correct the "truth" when he was in position as Chief Secretary of the largest state of the country and Cabinet Secretary, Government of India.
August 1, 2019
There's not much to say about this book. Mr. Subramanian speaks from experience, having been an insider in the government machinery, aware of how the cogs-and-wheels function. He peppers the essays with his own anecdotes, mentioning names very few would have heard of. But at the end of the day, whatever he mentioned in terms of lacunae in the government's working are things that one overhears in family dinners and gatherings as well. So even though I agreed with pretty much everything he wrote, it added little to what I already knew, and unfortunately, I won't remember most of it by the time I pick up another book.
September 25, 2014
Lots of good examples and meaningful insights into how India really functions, how decisions are made.
The title is misleading though because the book talks about "what India is" rather than "how to reform India".
The title is misleading though because the book talks about "what India is" rather than "how to reform India".
January 4, 2021
The book has insights into governance. Although written in 2013-14, the author is optimistic about the upcoming govt, which in the hindsight may be considered as wishful thinking.
Although it didn't offer many details that I wished should be opened, but tells the general working of govt in humurous and engaging way.
Towards the end, thr book becomes boring as he boasts of wonderful life he lived in 60s.
Catchphrase...
"Governance is 1% policy and 99% implementation."
Although it didn't offer many details that I wished should be opened, but tells the general working of govt in humurous and engaging way.
Towards the end, thr book becomes boring as he boasts of wonderful life he lived in 60s.
Catchphrase...
"Governance is 1% policy and 99% implementation."
December 13, 2017
A moral anger of a veteran ,who stood mesmerized at the unfurling of the national flag on August 15, 1947 and then went on to see an India that seemed to have slipped in many ways than one. Pages that evoke fear and despair but certainly a necessity for a budding citizen to course correct his/her nation!
May 2, 2016
The book goes beyond the usual bureaucratic malaise to give examples of classical music, medicine and sports where India could be better. Not a great insight but a good book to read. Some extracts of interest are
1) Perhaps, much like our traditional knowledge relating to yoga or ayurveda or other distillations of our 5000-year old culture, the continuation, revival, innovation and improvement in our classical art forms will be left to Indians in the US and Europe, as well as to foreigners who recognize the greatness in these art forms, and bring new energy and enthusiasm to maintain and revive them
2)Governance is 5 per cent policy and 95 per cent implementation.
1) Perhaps, much like our traditional knowledge relating to yoga or ayurveda or other distillations of our 5000-year old culture, the continuation, revival, innovation and improvement in our classical art forms will be left to Indians in the US and Europe, as well as to foreigners who recognize the greatness in these art forms, and bring new energy and enthusiasm to maintain and revive them
2)Governance is 5 per cent policy and 95 per cent implementation.
January 16, 2015
This is the most profound book ever written about the contemporary issues of India. The language is lucid as well as engaging for the common man to enjoy as well as understand. It is only because of people like Mr. Subramanium, the country`s bureaucracy has some hope for improvement.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews