India’s Can-do Man

The British comedy series Yes Minister is unforgettable as far as the legendary civil services mandarin Sir Humphrey Appleby is concerned. Not cut from the same cloth, but a fine product of the Great Indian Bureaucracy is a man who sold India as Incredible to the world – Amitabh Kant. While Appleby was the unflappable symbol of a machine that has no gears, only brakes, for bureaucrat Kant the key word is can. From his days as the Chief Secretary, Tourism of Kerala where he branded the idyllic state as God’s Own country Amitabh Kant has authored “Branding India – An Incredible Story” and has been a key driver of Make in India, Startup India, and Incredible India. He is the ultimate babu of branding. We take a look up close.

Talking of bureaucrats and government, the whole question of the Right to Privacy is a subject that has come under scrutiny because of the move to link the biometric ID Aadhar to all facets of a citizen’s life. The Supreme Court has ruled that this right is fundamental and so in Platform, we discuss how fundamental the right to privacy really is.

In our Economy section, we explore the success of Lok Capital an impact investing venture capital fund set up to invest in companies that don’t just make money, but are also drivers of inclusion and socially oriented in their goals.

On the global stage, the rocking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks the ramp while we explore the marvels of Moscow in a travel photo feature. Then there is this tiny village in faraway Assam that could give Rowling’s Hogwarts some lessons in the magic world. And to spice up your September, the secrets of Desi Tadka, Global Khana along with the usual columns and features.

Keep reading.