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Indira Gandhi A Life in Nature
Indira Gandhi, prime minister of India for sixteen years, was as charismatic as she was controversial–at once admired and criticized for her political judgements and actions. Yet beyond such debate, what has not been fully understood is her life-long communion with nature and how that defined her very being.Weaving personal, political and environmental history, politician-scholar Jairam Ramesh narrates the compelling story of Indira Gandhi, the naturalist. He te
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To The Brink and Back
After a decision had been taken to devalue the Indian rupee, Manmohan Singh had written to Narasimha Rao. He was worried that his personal rupee balance, born out of modest dollar savings, would swell. He informed Rao that the 'windfall' gains would be deposited in the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. 1991 was India's Greece moment�. It faced an unprecedented financial crisis against the backdrop of political uncertainty and crumbling investor confidence. On 21 June 1991, P. V. Narasimha Rao became prime minister and appointed Dr Manmohan Singh as finance minister. In less than thirty - five days, the Rao-Singh duo ushered in momentous changes in economic policy those that transformed the country. To the Brink and Back is the first account of the weeks of fast-paced change, narrated by an insider a key aide of the prime minister, uniquely positioned both to participate and observe. It carries brisk accounts of the early days of survival - the compulsions and convictions that propelled a paradigm shift in India's economic policy - and the ups and downs, twists and turns in the saga of fiscal reform. Along with the author's astute insights, the book holds key documents and notes, placed for the first time in the public domain - the personal papers of Narasimha Rao - private conversations with Manmohan Singh - Parliament proceedings; and the minutes of seminal Congress meetings. Coming as it does on the eve of the silver jubilee of India's economic liberalization, To the Brink and Back will appeal not only to political history enthusiasts but also to those who wish to know how countries can be led from the brink to a radically new economic future. Features - An insightful and brisk account of the events surrounding the 1991 economic reforms programme coming to light for the first time on the eve of the silver jubilee of India's economic liberalization. Written by an insider a key aide to the then prime minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao. Comes with key documents and notes, placed for the first time in the public domain; the personal papers of Narasimha Rao - private conversations with Manmohan Singh - Parliament proceedings - the minutes of seminal Congress meetings - and rare photographs.
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Green Signals
The debate on whether to privilege economic growth over ecological security is passe. Environmental considerations must be at the heart of economic growth, especially for a country of 1.25 billion people destined to add another 400 million by the middle of the century. Green signals chronicles the '1991 moment' in India's environmental decision-making, telling the story of how, for the first time, the doors of the environment ministry were opened to voices, hitherto unheard, into the policy-making process. It details efforts to change the way environment is viewed both by proponents of environmental security and those who prize economic growth at all costs. Told from the perspective of a pivotal decision maker, the book addresses the challenges involved in trying to ensure economic growth with ecological security. It takes us through India's coming of age in the global environmental and climate change community to take on a leadership role that is progressive, proactive and steeped in national interest. Using speaking orders on high-profile projects, notes and letters to the Prime Minister, ministerial colleagues, chief ministers and others, Jairam Ramesh gives an insight into the debates, struggles, challenges and obstacles to bringing environmental considerations into the mainstream of political and economic decision-making. This collection reveals the story of the author's attempt at the highest levels of governance to introduce effective decision-making, a transparent and accountable administration and to make environmental concerns an essential component of a nation's quest to accelerate economic growth and end the scourge of poverty and deprivation. About the Author Jairam Ramesh is chair of the future earth engagement committee, a research platform on global sustainability. Formerly he was the minister of state (Independent charge) of environment and forests, government of India. He is also a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India.