Title : CHANAKYA'S NEW MANIFESTO
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.99/- ( 66% Off )
Pages : 248
Book Summary : Chanakya (c. 270-380 BCE) was classical India's greatest thinker and teacher. Through his unparalleled ability to devise result-oriented military, political, and administrative strategy, he overthrew one king, crowned another and paved the way for the establishment of India's first great empire. His seminal work, the Arthashashtra, arguably the world's first comprehensive treatise on statecraft and governance, was written approximately two thousand years before Machiavelli's The Prince.
What would Chanakya do if confronted with the various crises that beset contemporary India? Using this question as the starting point for his new book, celebrated writer and thinker Pavan K. Varma has drawn up a practical and detailed plan, modelled on the Arthashashtra, to bring about reform and change in five key areas that require urgent attention governance, democracy, corruption, security, and the building of an inclusive society. Whether it is laying the foundation for an independent and effective Lokpal, or decriminalizing politics and successfully weeding out the corrupt, the solutions he proposes are substantive, well within the constitutional framework, and can make all the difference between intent and action.
Chanakya's New Manifesto is both a call to action as well as a deeply insightful account of the challenges facing the country today. It is a book that should be attentively read by everybody with a stake in India's future.
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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
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