A much-talked-about book on leadership from an Indic perspective that puts the lens on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarkable journey was released in Delhi on Friday with a host of eminent people present. ‘Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi’ promises a roadmap for aspiring public servants and leaders, and has drawn high praise from captains of industry, academics, and civil society leaders in India and around the world.
The book was launched by Ajay Piramal, chairman of Piramal Group, former Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, NASSCOM president Debjani Ghosh, and Prof B Mahadevan from IIM Bangalore during an event at Delhi’s Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya that drew thought leaders, philanthropists, industry captains, policymakers, and avid readers.
Piramal cited four qualities that define Narendra Modi’s leadership — Sadachar or alignment with values, Seva or alignment with purpose, Shiksha or eagerness to learn, and Sadhana or alignment with self. He said these qualities together lead to Shakti — a quality that helps leaders like PM Modi take decisive and bold decisions like the abrogation of Article 370 sections.
The book delves into the Prime Minister’s fifty years of public life, exploring the formative years that sowed the seeds of his purpose and leadership. Through anecdotes from colleagues like finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, it sheds light on the qualities that propelled him to the highest office in the country. It also underscores his continuous quest for self-discovery in the service of others, offering a roadmap for those seeking a life of public service.
Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, said: “A thought-provoking book that will undoubtedly change perspectives and perceptions on powerful leadership.” American businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates considers the book an exploration journey to find out how “indigenous knowledge and centuries-old wisdom can inform global leadership today”.
Piramal said he has read the book and it should be a must-read. “Modi will be the most studied global leader in the centuries to come but what one needs is an ‘in-prism’ understanding of his leadership from our civilisational worldview. Dr Balu fills an important gap here,” he said.
The author, Dr Ramaswami Balasubramaniam (Dr Balu), who stressed the need for a leadership quality that is not just Western but Indic as well, is a distinguished development scholar. He is also well-known for his pioneering development work with rural and tribal communities in Karnataka. He currently serves as a full-time member of HR in the Capacity Building Commission of the Government of India.
Adil Zainulbhai, chairman of the commission, heaped praises on Dr Balu and his newly launched book. “Through a meticulously crafted narrative, Dr Balasubramaniam has captured the prime minister’s leadership journey, interpreting it through both Western and Indic lenses,” he said.
This is not just another book on the Prime Minister, neither is it a biography. This is probably the first book of its kind, where a leadership “to-do list” is being discussed with anecdotes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s life.
The author has decided to donate all the proceeds from this book to the PM CARES Fund and select NGOs.
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