Book named Power Within – The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi was launched in Delhi on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Image: X/@amitabhk87)
Power Within delves into the Prime Minister’s fifty years of public life, exploring the formative years that sowed the seeds of his purpose and leadership
Delhi on Friday saw a much-talked-about book on leadership from an Indic perspective, being released among a host of eminent people. The book “Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi” promises to offer a road map for aspiring public servants and leaders, and draws high praise from captains of industry, academia, 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 Bengaluru in an event at Pradhanmantri Sanghralaya that drew thought leaders, philanthropists, industry captains, policymakers, and avid readers.
Mr Piramal who launched the book cited four qualities that define Modi’s leadership — Sadachar or alignment with values, Seva or alignment with purpose, Shiksha or eagerness to learn and Sadhna or alignment with self. He said, together, these qualities lead to Shakti — a quality that helps leaders like PM Modi take decisive and bold decisions like abrogation of Article 370.
Power Within 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 his qualities which 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 road map for those aspiring to a life of public service.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, praised the work thus: “A thought-provoking book that will undoubtedly change perspectives and perceptions on powerful leadership.” Meanwhile, Bill Gates considers the book to be an exploration journey to find out how “indigenous knowledge and centuries-old wisdom can inform global leadership today.”
Ajay Piramal, who launched the book, said he has read it and 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. Currently serves as a full-time member-HR in the Capacity Building Commission of the Government of India.
Adil Zainulbhai, the Chairman of the Commission heaped praises on Dr Balu and his newly launched book as well. Through a meticulously crafted narrative, Dr. Balasubramaniam has captured the prime minister’s leadership journey, interpreting it through both Western and Indic lenses.
This is not just another book on the Prime Minister, neither it is a biography. This is probably the first of its kind book where a leadership ‘to-do’ list is being discussed with anecdotes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s life. The author has decided to donate entire proceeds from this book to PM CARES and select NGOs.
