Language : English
Author : Pavan K Varma
Genre : Non-Fiction
Publisher : Aleph Book Company ( 2013 )
ISBN-13 : 9789382277095
ISBN-10 : 9382277099
Binding : Paperback
Price : Rs. 295 ( Buy from Flipkart.com for Rs.204 ( 31% Off )
Pages : 248
When I first got the book in my hands I was quite elated. Here was a no-nonsense, non-fiction, hard-hitting kinda book that not just categorically states out all the shortcomings and flaws facing this great country India at present times boldly, all thanks to the unscrupulous corrupt politicians over the decades that have eaten away into the system and made it so rotten, but also provides a comprehensive and realistic agenda - a blueprint ( as the author calls is ) to eventually come out of the mess and re-contruct the country.
The book speaks positively for a better India with practical step-by-step solutions for a definite change.
The book CHANAKYA'S NEW MANIFESTO : To Resolve Crisis Within India takes us back briefly into the era when India was at its glorious and prosperous best thanks to the shrewd political guru of those times 'Chanakya' ( the author of Arthashashtra which is a renowed treatise on governance, strategy and statecraft ) who single handedly changed the entire political and economic scenario by guiding ChandraGupta Maurya and thus influenced the foundation and eventual expansion of the mighty Maurya Empire.
Likewise, here in this book, the author while trying to draw inspiration from the past, seeks the same advice from the political mastermind and classical India’s greatest thinker Chanakya to bring that lost glory back. India of that time was more vibrant, more gutsy and capable of new ideas and innovative thoughts, hence the author seeks the same in present day India as well. The book dwells on how Chanakya would have dealt with issues such as LokPal or decriminalizing of politics that exists staying within the parameters of our constitution in an all inclusive democratic format and instal a sense of security to all Indians which is currently a major concern.
The serious thinking and concerned author has outlined in the voice of Chanakya, several guidelines for creating a New India. Such as, all major coalitions should publicly announce a common governance agenda before the elections of what they would deliver to the public within a specific time frame of comming to power. He has also recommended setting up an independent 5 member committee ( from distinguished, qualified backgrounds of different fields ) that will monitor the governance and performance of the ruling party and submit an annual report to the President.
The author blatantly asks the politicians to stop looking blindly towards the west,and instead maintain a cohesive balanced policy by accepting western concepts infused with the essense of Chanakya. The author also hits out at the current acceptance of dynastic politics terming it as a very dangerous and 'cancerous' type democracy. Anybody who truely believes in democracy, he says, should be appalled at such behaviour and practice of promoting their progenies to succeed them.Political succession should be by merit, experience and not merely by birth.
There are certain key areas to be concentrated on - which have been described in details by the author to fully eradicate corruption.
'Dandyaniti’ ( originally endorsed by Chanakya ) needs to be established in the society – i.e suitable punishments in accordance to gravity of the crimes, be it small or big to keep the inviolable connection between crime and punishment intact!
Finally, an important point he stresses upon is that, the nation must rise above narrow partisanship to come together collectively and meet the challenges.
This is a one-of a-kind book that should be read attentively by everybody ( including all the politicians ) and can also be refered to as an academic guidebook.
I'd rate the book 4 out of 5 stars.
Negatives : None!
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone.
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy especially if you want the change!
About the Author : Pavan K. Varma, a writer-diplomat, studied history at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi and took a degree in law from Delhi University. As a member of the Indian Foreign Service he has held many key positions in the Government of India.He has been press secretary to the president of India, official spokesman of the Foreign Office, director general of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and currently, he is India's Ambassador to Bhutan.Having taken premature retirement from the Indian Foreign Service, he now seeks to be actively involved in public life. He has written over a dozen books including The Book of Krishna, Krishna: The Playful Divine, Ghalib: The Man, The Times and the Havelis of Old Delhi, The Great Indian Middle Class, Being Indian - The Truth about Why the 21st Century Will Be India's and Mansions at Dusk: The Havelis of Old Delhi.He has also translated Gulzar (Selected Poems), Kaifi Azmi (Selected Poems), and Atal Bihari Vajpayee (21 Poems) into English. His latest book is Becoming Indian: The Unfinished Revolution of Culture and Identity.
“We have become intellectually inert. Ideas are orphans and books are destitutes till people read them. My book presents a blueprint for possible change,” Varma says. ( www.pavankvarma.com )
This review is a part of the biggest Book Reviews Program. for Indian Bloggers.
Applying Chanakya's theories in today's world sounds quite an interesting read! In depth analysis beautifully done, will try to pick up this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks @Arti ...yea its an interesting but a very serious kinda book...
DeleteVery beautifully analysed indeed!Good review:)
ReplyDeletethanks @bushra
DeleteIt was indeed a good review...giving emphasis on Chanakya's policies to today's problems and it's removal...
ReplyDeleteHere are my views on this book...
http://anjan5.blogspot.in/2013/02/book-review-chanakyas-new-manifesto.html
I read urs...very nicely written. and thanks
DeleteI liked the book too..
ReplyDelete:-)
Deletegood review
ReplyDeletethank you
DeleteHi Nandini,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book with good intentions, but let me voice a counterpoint. There is a school of thought that whatever change India hopes to see must come from the bottom up, not from the top down. Chanakya's strategy and statecraft was aimed at kingdoms and kings (i.e. dictatorships). I am not convinced that they should be adapted to democracies.
The very nature of democracy is that the rulers are made in the image of the society. If our rulers are corrupt, we must accept that our society - you and me included - are corrupt. Before we point fingers at our politicians and their black Swiss Bank accounts, perhaps we have to first look inward to see how much black money each of us owns and 'manages'.
I don't think any number of committees or coalitions or 'proposed changes in the political structure' will bring about much change. We must instead worry about the grass-roots: are we educating enough children? Are we trying our best to reduce poverty in the country? This doesn't have to be a blue-print or anything fancy; if you put aside 5000 INR per month, you will be able to give school-level education for five children. Are you prepared to do it?
I think the solution is quite simple. Whether people want to hear it or not is another story.
Sorry for the serious comment on my first visit. But the topic is such :-)
thanks for ur insightful comments.,and welcome to my blog
Delete