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Journalist-turned-author John Elliott, who tried dissecting India’s spurts of economic growth and tendency to fall short of emerging a global power in his book Implosion —India’s Tryst with Reality, believes Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a disappointment in the first nine months in office delivering on his big promises.
In a freewheeling interaction with BusinessLine in Hyderabad recently, Elliott explained how people elected Modi to sort out problems of corruption and policy indecision and to usher in a strong federalism where States perform and contribute significantly to the nation’s rise.
Elliott’s take is Modi has raised high expectations. He has definitely refurbished India’s image abroad, especially with the G-8 by his new approach to foreign policy. But on the home front, he is found wanting. He is yet to get a grip on making India a better place to do business in, is yet to make a big-ticket announcement (except Jan Dhan) or create the promised jobs.
The muddle of coalitions that have been the norm for the past two decades is taking a toll on economic growth. In addition, the continuing cycle of State elections has not helped either. He thinks PV Narasimha Rao was the greatest economic reformer who lost his nerve during 1994-95. Atal Behari Vajpayee was a statesman. Narendra Modi, with his huge popularity and majority in the Lok Sabha, stares at a golden chance of correcting many of the country’s inherent deficiencies.
Drawing on his three decades of reporting on developments in India for among others the Financial Times, The Economist, and Fortune, Elliott veers pins India’s under-achievements on many fronts to two factors — Jugaad (quick-fix) and chalta hai (casual attitude). Despite having vast natural resources, over 65 per cent of its billion plus population being below 35 this mindset often derailed the country’s sustained growth.
The scribe in Elliott has extensively documented these maladies with examples in his award-winning book in its revised edition now. From chapters like Scam Andhra, documenting the Satyam episode to the rise of YS Jagan and the new infrastructure majors, to Manmohan Singh’s penchant to blame the compulsions of coalition politics in UPA-2 for policy paralysis, he turns a critical eye on them all.
The reason why corporate India backed Modi is not because of his ‘Gujarat Model,’ but because he was someone who could take decisions, like in Gujarat, asserts Elliott. Similarly, the youth placed their trust in Modi’s mantra of jobs and skilling. But, so far Modi has not delivered any of these, says Elliott. Except for opening up the defence sector for greater private participation or continuing with the Nandan Nilekani-driven successful Aadhar linkages, his stamp of boldness is not visible. Modi’s ‘Make in India’ plan is yet to take off, belying the youth’s aspirations.
On international perception of India as an investment destination, Elliott says India is a very welcoming nation. First impressions are of people very willing, hospitable and nice. Things change once investors start to put their money and turn to doing business. Therefore, India tends to get criticised for belying the initial welcome. The deep-rooted corruption, issues of violence against women and the rise of rightwing activism are doing huge damage to India’s image globally, rues Elliott.
Elliott’s updated edition is a no-holds-barred account of many things gone wrong in India’s economic growth, dynastic politics and casual attitudes.
The many anecdotes throw light on our dismal record on environment, land use, and other social indicators.
On why India remains only a superpower hopeful | Business Line
In a freewheeling interaction with BusinessLine in Hyderabad recently, Elliott explained how people elected Modi to sort out problems of corruption and policy indecision and to usher in a strong federalism where States perform and contribute significantly to the nation’s rise.
Elliott’s take is Modi has raised high expectations. He has definitely refurbished India’s image abroad, especially with the G-8 by his new approach to foreign policy. But on the home front, he is found wanting. He is yet to get a grip on making India a better place to do business in, is yet to make a big-ticket announcement (except Jan Dhan) or create the promised jobs.
The muddle of coalitions that have been the norm for the past two decades is taking a toll on economic growth. In addition, the continuing cycle of State elections has not helped either. He thinks PV Narasimha Rao was the greatest economic reformer who lost his nerve during 1994-95. Atal Behari Vajpayee was a statesman. Narendra Modi, with his huge popularity and majority in the Lok Sabha, stares at a golden chance of correcting many of the country’s inherent deficiencies.
Drawing on his three decades of reporting on developments in India for among others the Financial Times, The Economist, and Fortune, Elliott veers pins India’s under-achievements on many fronts to two factors — Jugaad (quick-fix) and chalta hai (casual attitude). Despite having vast natural resources, over 65 per cent of its billion plus population being below 35 this mindset often derailed the country’s sustained growth.
The scribe in Elliott has extensively documented these maladies with examples in his award-winning book in its revised edition now. From chapters like Scam Andhra, documenting the Satyam episode to the rise of YS Jagan and the new infrastructure majors, to Manmohan Singh’s penchant to blame the compulsions of coalition politics in UPA-2 for policy paralysis, he turns a critical eye on them all.
The reason why corporate India backed Modi is not because of his ‘Gujarat Model,’ but because he was someone who could take decisions, like in Gujarat, asserts Elliott. Similarly, the youth placed their trust in Modi’s mantra of jobs and skilling. But, so far Modi has not delivered any of these, says Elliott. Except for opening up the defence sector for greater private participation or continuing with the Nandan Nilekani-driven successful Aadhar linkages, his stamp of boldness is not visible. Modi’s ‘Make in India’ plan is yet to take off, belying the youth’s aspirations.
On international perception of India as an investment destination, Elliott says India is a very welcoming nation. First impressions are of people very willing, hospitable and nice. Things change once investors start to put their money and turn to doing business. Therefore, India tends to get criticised for belying the initial welcome. The deep-rooted corruption, issues of violence against women and the rise of rightwing activism are doing huge damage to India’s image globally, rues Elliott.
Elliott’s updated edition is a no-holds-barred account of many things gone wrong in India’s economic growth, dynastic politics and casual attitudes.
The many anecdotes throw light on our dismal record on environment, land use, and other social indicators.
On why India remains only a superpower hopeful | Business Line
