Author

Nandan Nilekani

16 key ideas across 2 books, each explained in our own words.

Imagining India

IDEA 1
Ideas shape India's future
Nilekani argues that India's progress depends on the ideas its people and leaders accept. He organises the book around ideas that have arrived, ideas still in progress, ideas being fought over and ideas India must anticipate.
IDEA 2
Some ideas have arrived
Nilekani describes ideas that India has largely accepted, such as entrepreneurship and the value of English. These ideas helped growth. In Nilekani's view, such ideas became widely accepted and helped more people to start businesses and join the modern economy.
IDEA 3
Young people are an asset
Nilekani describes India's demographic dividend, its large young population. It could drive growth if people are educated and employed. In Nilekani's view, this would work only if young people get good schooling and jobs, or the large population could become a burden.

IDEA 1
Technology can transform governance
Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and first chairman of the body that created Aadhaar, and Shah argue that India can use technology to fix problems in government services. They describe how well-designed digital systems could reach every citizen.
IDEA 2
Aadhaar gave identity
The authors describe Aadhaar, a unique identity number for Indian residents linked to biometric data. It aimed to give everyone a reliable identity. In the authors' view, a number that cannot be easily faked gives people a proper way to prove who they are.
IDEA 3
Identity helps welfare
The authors argue that a reliable identity helps deliver benefits to the right people. Leakage and fraud can be reduced. In the authors' view, when officials can confirm who a person is, help is more likely to reach people who truly need it.

Go deeper with Nandan NilekaniAsk questions, argue with the ideas and practise using them, free.