In the ever-evolving landscape of India’s political discourse, few perspectives offer the unique vantage point that comes from stepping outside the country’s borders. Anant Chetan’s “The Seven ‘I’s of Modi’s India: Through The Eyes Of An NRI” delivers precisely this—a refreshingly nuanced analysis that examines India’s transformation from 2014 to 2024 through the dual lens of someone deeply connected to Indian roots while simultaneously immersed in European systems and values.
The Framework: Seven Pillars of Transformation
Chetan ingeniously structures his analysis around seven fundamental themes—Infrastructure, Industrialization, Innovation, Immunity, Ideology, Identity, and Institutions—creating a comprehensive framework that captures the multifaceted nature of India’s evolution under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. This architectural approach allows readers to navigate complex sociopolitical terrain with clarity and purpose.
The brilliance of this framework lies in its interconnectedness. As Chetan demonstrates throughout the book, achievements in infrastructure lay the groundwork for industrialization, which fuels innovation, strengthens immunity against threats, shapes ideology, influences identity, and reforms institutions. This holistic view prevents the common pitfall of examining policy changes in isolation.
Comparative Perspective: The Power of Dual Vision
What sets this book apart from countless others analyzing the Modi era is Chetan’s firsthand experience living in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK during this pivotal decade. This positioning enables him to draw compelling parallels between Indian initiatives and established Western practices.
For instance, when discussing India’s infrastructure development, Chetan takes readers on a journey through his first experiences with German public transportation—the punctual trains, the seamless connections, and the meticulous organization. He then pivots to India’s rapid acceleration in infrastructure projects like the Statue of Unity, Central Vista, and Bullet Train, contextualizing both the achievements and the controversies within a global framework.
This comparative approach yields fascinating insights. In examining Germany’s post-WWII reconstruction through the Marshall Plan alongside India’s economic reforms, Chetan illuminates how nations rebuild and redefine themselves. His analysis of Europe’s integrated market versus India’s pre-GST fragmentation offers a compelling case study in economic unification.
Personal Narrative: Engineering Precision Meets Cultural Reflection
Chetan’s background as an embedded systems engineer infuses his writing with a methodical precision that enhances rather than diminishes its human element. Throughout the book, he weaves personal anecdotes that serve as microcosms of larger phenomena.
One particularly moving segment describes his realization about identity while studying in Germany. As a student in India, he was simply “Roll Number 5,” stripped of caste, religion, or regional identity. Yet when higher education selections revealed his friend with a lower score gaining admission through reservation, Chetan confronted the reality of how identities shape opportunities and perceptions.
Similarly, his experiences with German work culture—where taking vacation days is mandatory rather than optional—provides a poignant contrast to India’s work-first approach. These personal reflections elevate the book beyond theoretical analysis to a lived exploration of cultural differences.
Balanced Critique: Beyond Political Binaries
In an era where political discourse often falls into rigid partisan narratives, Chetan offers something increasingly rare—a willingness to praise progressive policies while acknowledging implementation challenges. He recognizes the bold vision behind initiatives like demonetization while honestly addressing the chaos it initially created.
The author’s discussion of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) demonstrates this balanced approach. Rather than simply labeling it as either discriminatory or necessary, he examines similar citizenship policies in countries like Israel and Germany, placing India’s approach within a global context of nations addressing historical injustices.
Key Insights: Fresh Perspectives on Familiar Debates
Throughout the book, several illuminating observations challenge conventional wisdom:
- On Infrastructure: Chetan argues that projects like the Statue of Unity aren’t mere vanity but potential economic engines similar to how European countries leverage cultural monuments for tourism and national identity.
- On Industrial Policy: His comparison between the Netherlands’ tulip industry and India’s agricultural challenges reveals how modern farming technologies could transform Indian agriculture beyond outdated paradigms of MSP and diminishing returns.
- On Innovation: Drawing parallels between military innovations during WWII and India’s defense development, Chetan illustrates how emergency-driven innovation differs from sustained R&D cultures.
- On Immunity: The author’s experiences during COVID-19 in Germany compared to India’s response reveal contrasting approaches to crisis management, with India leveraging its JAM trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile) to deliver direct benefits.
- On Ideology: His analysis of Brexit alongside Indian nationalist movements highlights how similar economic anxieties manifest across different cultural contexts.
- On Identity: Chetan’s personal journey from regional and caste identities to a broader national identity mirrors India’s own struggle to transcend limited affiliations.
- On Institutions: His comparison between German educational structures and India’s experiments like “Mission Buniyaad” reveals the challenges of importing institutional models without their supporting cultural frameworks.
Stylistic Strengths: Engaging and Accessible
The author’s writing strikes an effective balance between analytical depth and narrative flow. Complex concepts like GST implementation or the technical aspects of innovation are explained through relatable analogies and personal experiences, making them accessible to readers without specialized knowledge.
Particularly effective is Chetan’s use of the “mansion with colored glass” metaphor to explain how our social conditioning colors our perception of reality. This vivid illustration encapsulates how limited identities—whether caste, religion, or region—can distort our understanding of the world around us.
Thought-Provoking Questions: Invitation to Reflection
Rather than prescribing answers, “The Seven ‘I’s of Modi’s India” excels at posing thoughtful questions that linger with readers:
- What if the Citizenship Amendment Act had been addressed immediately after Bangladesh’s liberation?
- Why does Germany’s industrial base spread evenly across small towns while India’s concentrates in a few urban centers?
- How can India balance the individualism of Western societies with the family-support structures that prevent social isolation?
These questions invite readers to form their own conclusions about India’s trajectory, creating an interactive reading experience rather than a passive consumption of opinions.
Global Relevance: India as a Case Study
While focused on India, “The Seven ‘I’s of Modi’s India” offers insights relevant to readers worldwide interested in how developing economies navigate rapid transformation. The parallels Chetan draws between India’s challenges and similar issues in Western societies—from Brexit-style nationalism to environmental challenges—position India’s journey as a case study in 21st-century nation-building.
His discussion of air pollution in Delhi compared to European environmental policies, for example, illustrates how political will and public awareness shape environmental outcomes across cultures.
Cultural Observations: Beyond Politics
Some of the book’s most captivating moments come from cultural observations that transcend political analysis. Chetan’s reflections on how Europeans approach hobbies versus Indians’ productivity-focused mindset, or his comparison between European work-life balance and India’s family-centric social safety nets, add rich texture to the comparative framework.
His exploration of cricket—analyzing why Australia with its smaller population consistently outperforms India in World Cups—serves as a microcosm for broader questions about how societies balance quantity with quality.
Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking
“The Seven ‘I’s of Modi’s India” ultimately succeeds not because it provides definitive answers but because it elevates the conversation. Through its comparative framework, personal narratives, and balanced analysis, the book invites readers to see beyond binary debates about Modi’s leadership to the complex interplay of forces reshaping modern India.
For readers seeking to understand India’s transformation from 2014 to 2024, Chetan offers an invaluable perspective—one that acknowledges progress while remaining clear-eyed about challenges. His engineering mindset brings precision to political analysis, while his NRI experiences provide the distance necessary for perspective without sacrificing the emotional connection of someone deeply invested in India’s future.
In an age where political discourse often generates more heat than light, this book offers a refreshing alternative—a thoughtful exploration that illuminates India’s journey through a decade of dramatic change. Whether you’re an Indian citizen, a member of the diaspora, or simply someone interested in how nations transform themselves in the 21st century, Chetan’s analysis provides valuable insights into the forces shaping one of the world’s most dynamic democracies.
For Readers and Researchers
The Seven ‘I’s of Modi’s India will particularly appeal to:
- Indian diaspora seeking to understand changes in their homeland
- Policy analysts interested in comparative governance
- Students of international development and political economy
- General readers curious about India’s evolving global position
With its accessible style, personal narratives, and rigorous analysis, “The Seven ‘I’s of Modi’s India” stands as an essential addition to the literature on contemporary India—a bridge between academic analysis and lived experience that captures a pivotal decade in the nation’s journey.
