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Half Lion: How P.V. Narasimha Rao Transformed India - Vinay Sitapati

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

  1. A meticulous and well narrated biography of PV Narasimha Rao, 9th Prime Minister of India
  2. Talks about how PV Narasimha Rao managed to stay as both Lion and Fox as and when the time required him to be, following the code of both Nicolo Machiavelli and Chanakya
  3. Explains how the man was instrumental in the development of India into the current modern state we see today

🎨 Impressions

The language of the book was good and captivating. The book is carefully crafted after many drafts and the hard work behind it is visible as clear as a sunny day. Author has tried his best to capture all view points and see an issue from all sides. Only bias here if any can be found towards the man himself, which is quite understandable. Because only such an admiration would make a person to do so much research on a relatively unknown PM of India. Major events in Modern Indian history was retold with the perspective of PV Narasimha Rao’s worldview. All the allegations against him, all major questions have all been answered or attended by the author. Flaws in the character of the man he is writing the biography about was also presented to the readers. Like the incessant need for making people compete with their peers for his attention and appreciation, extra marital relationships, not so pleasant relationships with family all have been laid open as far as possible to the reader without getting too much gossipy or deviating from the topic.

How I Discovered It

Vinay Sitapati’s Interview on The Seen and The Unseen with Amit Verma

Who Should Read It?

People interested in the recent modern history of India. How economic liberalism came about in India?

☘️ How the Book Changed Me

💡 How my life / behaviour / thoughts / ideas have changed as a result of reading the book.

  • My understanding about the liberalization process in India varied to large degree
  • I was more informed about Narasimha Rao and his importance
  • My ill informed views about other prime ministers changed

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

  • “If only minorities vote for congress how can we win?”
  • “He was a Hindu Swami Communist and Congress man all rolled into one” - about Narasimha Rao’s political guru, which explains his contradictory political style
  • “Rao didn’t see India as a collection of individuals rather as a federation of caste and religious groups.”

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