Despite being the largest democracy with a huge population, Bharat only had a marginal place in Global blocs and alignments. Our voice was hardly heard and usually got crowded out by so called ‘large economies’. The last many years has seen Bharat begin to regain her rightful position in the comity of Nations.… Continue reading
Governing for the last mile
Nations around the world are challenged on how to ensure the benefits of governance and development reach the last mile. When all things are said and done, what really matters is whether the person at the end of the road is feeling the impact of, and getting the benefits of good governance. … Continue reading
Understanding Atmanirbhar Bharat
‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ – one must have heard this call for action several times over the last few years. When I interact with Civil servants and citizens, I find that each one has a perspective on what it means. Most of them relate it to economic independence, self-reliance or producing goods and services within India.… Continue reading
Moving ahead as one country despite the cultural diversity

My first brush with being made to feel like a South Indian and distinctly different from the person in front of me is something that is strongly etched into my memory now. My father had insisted that all his children learn three languages at school – Kannada, the language of my state of Karnataka, English and Hindi (which he felt was our National language). … Continue reading
Leading in and through a Crisis
Video of the webinar on the same subject is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnP0kZoF6wM&feature=youtu.be
The meaning of crisis itself has altered so much during this time of the pandemic. A few years ago, our experience of a crisis would have been limited to a family, a neighbourhood or sometimes a country or the crisis faced during a terror attack or an economic downturn.… Continue reading
Understanding the ‘SELF’…exercising Leadership

A few months ago, I saw a tweet from a recently elected Member of the Indian Parliament (MP) expressing his happiness at the address of the Indian Prime Minister to the newly elected members. In his address, Prime Minister Modi reminded the MPs that being a MP should not be seen as a position of power but should be regarded as an opportunity to serve their constituents and the Nation.… Continue reading
Exercising Total Leadership

If there was any recent event that attracted more eyeballs that a cricket match that India played in, it was the watching of the final stages of the Chandrayaan-2 (moon mission) on September 6, 2019 as the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) tried to get the Vikram Lander to have a soft landing on the South polar region of the moon.… Continue reading
Let a ‘New India’ arise…
The resounding mandate that the people of India have given Prime Minister Modi is a clear message that the people trust him and his leadership to take India forward. More than a century ago, Swami Vivekananda had spoken about a ‘New India’ resplendent in her glory, that would arise and take its place amidst the comity of Nations.… Continue reading
‘Indigenous tribal communities: Refashioning Development’ – An article that appeared in Deccan Herald dated 27 July 17
Find the article below:
A few months ago, the Chhattisgarh government made an announcement that it will now provide 35 kg rice at the doorstep of each tribal family. A thousand kms away, the Karnataka government was grappling with solving the issue of land that the tribals from Diddadahalli had occupied and were claiming as their rightful due.… Continue reading
Two men…. two very different men
The media for the last week is talking about two men, two very different men in India. Both are in politics and seem to always be in the limelight. One is Subramaniam Swamy and the other is our Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi. … Continue reading
My article on the Union Budget 2016 in today’s Deccan Herald
The Union budget of India arouses not only interest but passionate debate across the country. From Corporate czars to the experts on television shows to the man on the street, everyone likes to comment on the Union Budget. Each one tends to see it from their own perspective and form opinions that are driven by both objective and subjective analysis.… Continue reading
Measuring the 1st year performance of Mr Modi’s Government*
*This is a longer version of the article that first appeared in today’s Deccan Herald on page 9. See attachment below
It is now a year since a new Government has been sworn. The hunger for change, the restlessness of the youth and the oratorical skills of Sri Narendra Modi paid electoral dividends for the BJP and today the Government will be measured by how many of their expectations could be reasonably fulfilled. … Continue reading
Measuring our Prime Minister by the Sociological transformation that he is trying to lead
Many newspapers and TV channels are discussing the 100 days of the Modi Government. Every commentator on the subject seems to have a view on how the Government should or needs to be run. The byline Achche Din Aanewale Hain (the good days are coming) seems to mean different things to different people depending on who is using it.… Continue reading
Voting in Good Governance and Development…
The long drawn election process is finally over. When the dust settles, this election will be remembered and spoken about for many reasons. From the very organized campaign of Narendra Modi & the BJP to the hesitant display of leadership from Rahul Gandhi, to the crores of rupees spent by the candidates, to finally having one party with a simple majority.… Continue reading