Recasting India
Hindol Sengupta
Palgrave Macmillan
Pp 238
Rs 499
THE COEXISTENCE of industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s Mumbai home Antilia and the high levels of deprivation prevalent across the country is quite appalling. In fact, it is something that is never missed by anyone judging the progress made by India over the years, as it indicates that something is not right in our society. This unease can also result in a social upheaval at any point of time. However, on the other hand, looking at Antilia, there is also hope for aspiration for many. And this is the way Hindol Sengupta, the author of Recasting India, views the world’s largest democracy. His take is that inspiration has struck people along the way, making them think in a way that has caused a difference to their lives, as well as society.
Sengupta looks at various manifestations of the enterprising spirit, which has been witnessed in some of the more unlikely places in the interiors of the country under adverse circumstances. He takes readers through several such real-life stories. And these stories, in a way, offer an explanation as to why there is stability in our society even in the face of stark inequalities. There are signs of empowerment across various states in the country and while they might look like specific episodes of triumph of perseverance against adversity, these stories hold hope for many.
Empowerment can be seen in various sections of society when looked at through different prisms. The decrease in the number of bullock carts in the country, for instance, is a reflection of Dalits actually leaving behind that job and moving to cities for better prospects, respect and living. This is probably the most rudimentary form of the enterprising spirit in India, one that brought empowerment to Dalits.
Another amazing story is how a group of Dalit scavengers were rehabilitated by the Safai Karmachari Andolan and Shri Ram College of Commerce in Nekpur, Uttar Pradesh. They now make and sell detergent powder, which is widely used by households all over Delhi. Besides providing them with an income, this has helped them earn a high degree of respect as well.
Sengupta takes readers through varied geographies across the country, highlighting along the way many episodes of the enterprising spirit in India. The story of Ramamurthy Thyagarajan of Shriram Group is especially remarkable. Running a non-bank financial company (NBFC) with varied interests, Shriram Group stands for trust and credibility. It withstood the backlash against NBFCs during the CRB scam, as well as the recent chit fund episode. Thyagarajan’s life is all about taking chances and believing in his work—the group’s scheme to provide finance to transport operators for buying second-hand trucks is a unique business model. Thyagarajan’s is probably the most illuminating corporate story narrated in the book. Also inspiring is the story of Kalpana Saroj, a Dalit woman, who, at one point of time, was contemplating suicide, but worked hard and reached a point where she actually bought the company Kamani Tubes. Saroj, who is from Roperkheda, Maharashtra, left home to move to Mumbai while she was still a teenager.
On a different note, the success story of J&K Bank under Haseeb Drabu is quite revealing. The enterprising spirit of the bank can be seen in its changed model, which lends money to local Kashmiris rather than outsiders. With this move, the bank has not only improved its credit deposit ratio, it has also achieved one of the lowest NPA ratios in India. The Hiware Bazar model, too, is a great story and a lesson in excellence for any dry village. Hiware Bazar, a village near Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, has gotten transformed into a green belt from being an arid zone through innovative farming techniques, water conservation, water harvesting and strict enforcement on the use of water. The transformation was started by Popatrao Pawar, who later became the sarpanch of the village council.
Sengupta carries this model into Madhya Pradesh as well and shows how under chief minister Shivraj Chauhan, the state has become the leading region in India to register the highest growth rates for the longest period of time. The focus on farming has made Madhya Pradesh a leader now in foodgrain production, especially wheat. This was due to the state’s effort, which has also reduced the rate of farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh. The government did adopt what could be called populist schemes—interest-free loans, free water, power, etc—but, at the end of the day, the repayments were on time. This means that farmers usually default on loan repayment when the burden is high, but repay on time when the terms are not onerous.
Another interesting story is of the Muslims in Gujarat. Here, the author talks about one Zafar Sareshwala, who after noticing the good work done by the Narendra Modi government, turned into an ambassador for the former Gujarat chief minister, acting as an intermediary in his community to solve problems relating to economic, social and religious issues of the Muslim community with the government. As a result, the community as a whole has benefitted in Gujarat, with levels of poverty coming down and income going up.
Recasting India is refreshing in its style and narration. The narratives touch the heart, as they tell us about acts of courage and accomplishment of common people, who have achieved far more than the luminaries we usually read about. These narratives need to be showcased more when we speak of India Shining rather than clichéd economic numbers.
Madan Sabnavis is chief economist, CARE Ratings.
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