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I, the citizen
The book, I, the Citizen is a milestone in a journey of reflection that began about seven years ago when the author, Dr. R Balasubramaniam (Balu) started writing about his experiences in the development sector. It is an experience where the author has donned the hat of a development activist, leadership trainer, policy advocate, civil society campaigner, anti-corruption investigator, academician and a researcher at various points in time. This volume strings together the author's experiences and perspectives over a period of three decades and has at its core, his first-hand engagement with people at the grassroots, especially forest-based indigenous people from South India's rural hinterland, among many others. Starting with an attempt to understand development and its various aspects, the book takes the reader through interpretations of development initiatives at the grassroots and what good governance means to ordinary people. The book unravels the power of citizen engagement through the author's experiences of leading civil society campaigns against corruption and towards strengthening democratic participation of people. The author also deals with the philosophical underpinnings of public policies, drawing from his on-the-ground experience as well as engagement with those in the higher echelons of policy making and implementation. Throughout the book, the author throws questions at the reader, rather than providing solutions or answers, with obvious intention of fostering the discourse on perspectives of development and citizen engagement.
- GenresNonfictionIndia
280 pages, Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 24, 2018
Dr. Balu's developmental perspective is grounded in the values held by the people he served as a clinician, and social change advocate. I have had a privilege of knowing Dr. Balu's work for some time and I know it is difficult for anyone to have summed up experiences in form of a coherent book. This book is not only well written, but also thought provoking to all who are interested in issues of social development and poverty elimination. His ideas of poverty and his personal struggle to understand from the experiences of poor indeed sheds more light on how to work with people, in general, and more specifically with those in resource-constrained settings in helping them achieve their dreams and aspirations. Dr. Balu advocates and advises students to practice a sense of "compassionate curiosity" and this book is an output of such practice that defines his career and life.
I also find the materials thought provoking for any researcher interested in international development. I would highly recommend this book to any student in international development research or practice to gain a depth in developmental issues. Some of the stories are exhilarating and eye opening that is a must read. I wish the book could possibly provide guidance on the future of developmental policies, but I can understand that as a limitation of the scope of this text. Nevertheless, this is a well-edited volume and it is easy to ignore limitations in light of the richness of personal experiences and stories of struggles and triumph.
I also find the materials thought provoking for any researcher interested in international development. I would highly recommend this book to any student in international development research or practice to gain a depth in developmental issues. Some of the stories are exhilarating and eye opening that is a must read. I wish the book could possibly provide guidance on the future of developmental policies, but I can understand that as a limitation of the scope of this text. Nevertheless, this is a well-edited volume and it is easy to ignore limitations in light of the richness of personal experiences and stories of struggles and triumph.
June 13, 2018
This book is mainly about stories instead of numbers and this is great about this book.
Dr. Balasubramanium is honest about his bias and flaws while he was working in tribal areas, mainly in Karnataka.
However, by the time I was done reading 65% of the book, it became dull.
Dr. Balasubramanium is trying to motivate citizens, but gives no guidance for the same. There seems no good reason to just provide an abstract destination with no guidance.
This book can certainly motivate the ignorant, but it is unable to provide where to go next.
By the end of the book it felt like it was the promotion of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and Grassroots Research And Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), which make sense considering GRAAM is the publisher of this book.
The title then seems a little inappropriate.
A blog would have suited the content more instead of book.
Dr. Balasubramanium is honest about his bias and flaws while he was working in tribal areas, mainly in Karnataka.
However, by the time I was done reading 65% of the book, it became dull.
Dr. Balasubramanium is trying to motivate citizens, but gives no guidance for the same. There seems no good reason to just provide an abstract destination with no guidance.
This book can certainly motivate the ignorant, but it is unable to provide where to go next.
By the end of the book it felt like it was the promotion of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and Grassroots Research And Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), which make sense considering GRAAM is the publisher of this book.
The title then seems a little inappropriate.
A blog would have suited the content more instead of book.
April 20, 2020
DR. R Balasubraniam is a doctor who chose to take an unusual path inspired by his life incidences. This book reflects his very thoughtful insights on citizenship engagement, real democracy, empowerment, leadership and development which are based on his personal experiences while working for healthcare, education, poverty, corruption and various other social issues through various short narratives. His short stories from his surrounding are engaging, illuminating and will lead one to think of the development journey from very basic existence of development to modern development. One should read it to see what is required for actual community and national development.
November 28, 2018
This book presents us with some of the very obvious, yet highly ignored flaws in our system.
It gives an entirely different perspective on why the governance system in our country is the way it is.. Every citizen in the country, irrespective of the class, caste and Creed, we have conveniently convinced ourselves that we are entitled to every possible service without having to make an effort to earn for it.
We have always thought that we are at the receiving end. But we ignore who we are electing to be on the giving end. And the vicious cycle of blaming - disappointment - ignorance continues until we decide to break it by asking right questions to ourselves and to those we elect.
The author rightly reminds us of the fact that 'Onus of good governance is ultimately as much on the governed as is on those who govern'
It is time, that we commit to our fundamental duties before we fight for our constitutional rights.
It gives an entirely different perspective on why the governance system in our country is the way it is.. Every citizen in the country, irrespective of the class, caste and Creed, we have conveniently convinced ourselves that we are entitled to every possible service without having to make an effort to earn for it.
We have always thought that we are at the receiving end. But we ignore who we are electing to be on the giving end. And the vicious cycle of blaming - disappointment - ignorance continues until we decide to break it by asking right questions to ourselves and to those we elect.
The author rightly reminds us of the fact that 'Onus of good governance is ultimately as much on the governed as is on those who govern'
It is time, that we commit to our fundamental duties before we fight for our constitutional rights.
February 12, 2019
The book is very well written with a clear message on what development means to the Author based on his many experiences with the indigenous communities of India. His thoughts have been expressed very clearly and you can't help but understand his points by the time you finish the book. It is a very good read and I strongly suggest everyone read it.
January 28, 2017
Dr. R Balasubramaniam dwells deep into how ordinary citizens when engage proactively yields phenomenal results. Through every word, page and chapters, author build up his case why 'development' today is narrowly perceived. His argument that development is about ultimate expansion of human capabilities and not just the superficial provision of health and education facilities rings true to the ears.
The author, thanks to his rich experience of developmental work at grass root level pitches his case why citizen invariably should be the focus of all and every policy. How well intentioned policy is bound to fail miserably if no participation is there.
The critical and hitherto largely ignored issues relating to measurement of development and respecting the dignity of individuals in the large scheme of development is insightful. The story of Jadiya from Jenukuruba tribal community is thought provoking and reinforces the fact that dignity of individuals is non-negotiable.
The book encompasses issues ranging from the good governance to perspective on policies purely from citizen-centric view. However the specifics on Corruption as a social problem are best discussed.
Although much of the content is set around Mysore and nearby villages only thereby very limited pan- India perspective is there still it is a very good and a light book to read by those who have interest in developmental studies. It may remind you of P. Sainath's Everybody loves a Good Drought.
True reminder why people are true protagonists and their role in governance, pivotal.
The author, thanks to his rich experience of developmental work at grass root level pitches his case why citizen invariably should be the focus of all and every policy. How well intentioned policy is bound to fail miserably if no participation is there.
The critical and hitherto largely ignored issues relating to measurement of development and respecting the dignity of individuals in the large scheme of development is insightful. The story of Jadiya from Jenukuruba tribal community is thought provoking and reinforces the fact that dignity of individuals is non-negotiable.
The book encompasses issues ranging from the good governance to perspective on policies purely from citizen-centric view. However the specifics on Corruption as a social problem are best discussed.
Although much of the content is set around Mysore and nearby villages only thereby very limited pan- India perspective is there still it is a very good and a light book to read by those who have interest in developmental studies. It may remind you of P. Sainath's Everybody loves a Good Drought.
True reminder why people are true protagonists and their role in governance, pivotal.
August 24, 2018
Dr. Balu's developmental perspective is grounded in the values held by the people he served as a clinician, and social change advocate. I have had a privilege of knowing Dr. Balu's work for some time and I know it is difficult for anyone to have summed up experiences in form of a coherent book. This book is not only well written, but also thought provoking to all who are interested in issues of social development and poverty elimination. His ideas of poverty and his personal struggle to understand from the experiences of poor indeed sheds more light on how to work with people, in general, and more specifically with those in resource-constrained settings in helping them achieve their dreams and aspirations. Dr. Balu advocates and advises students to practice a sense of "compassionate curiosity" and this book is an output of such practice that defines his career and life.
I also find the materials thought provoking for any researcher interested in international development. I would highly recommend this book to any student in international development research or practice to gain a depth in developmental issues. Some of the stories are exhilarating and eye opening that is a must read. I wish the book could possibly provide guidance on the future of developmental policies, but I can understand that as a limitation of the scope of this text. Nevertheless, this is a well-edited volume and it is easy to ignore limitations in light of the richness of personal experiences and stories of struggles and triumph
I also find the materials thought provoking for any researcher interested in international development. I would highly recommend this book to any student in international development research or practice to gain a depth in developmental issues. Some of the stories are exhilarating and eye opening that is a must read. I wish the book could possibly provide guidance on the future of developmental policies, but I can understand that as a limitation of the scope of this text. Nevertheless, this is a well-edited volume and it is easy to ignore limitations in light of the richness of personal experiences and stories of struggles and triumph
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews