Publish with Us

Follow Penguin

Follow Penguinsters

Follow Penguin Swadesh

Uncommon Ground

Uncommon Ground

Dialogues with Business and Social Leaders

Rohini Nilekani
Select Preferred Format
Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback
Ebooks

Uncommon Ground brings together titans of industry and leaders of civil society to explore eight themes that are highly relevant for our future development. Based on Rohini Nilekani’s 2008 show on NDTV, the conversations explore the middle ground between the ideological divisions that often polarize the business and voluntary sectors.

Why, despite two decades of liberalization, does economic prosperity with social inclusion remain a distant goal? Sustained GDP growth has led to the dramatic improvement in the quality of life for many. Yet millions remain untouched and are being pushed back further because of their shrinking access to the natural resources on which they now depend and because access to alternative opportunities have been denied to them.

In course of these rare dialogues between leaders who have sometimes been adversaries, a number of common concerns emerge. Among others, Anand Mahindra and Medha Patkar discuss land acquisition and use; Mukesh Ambani and R.K. Pachauri debate decentralized energy options; Sunil Mittal and Aruna Roy imagine an Indian model to enhance the employability of our labour force and Yogi Deveshwar and Sunita Narain explore how industry can become more environmentally sustainable.

The author, uniquely placed to moderate these discussions as she traverses both sides herself, demonstrates that the relationship between business, society and state need not be necessarily confrontational. In all areas -food, energy and the environment, jobs and livelihoods, transportation and mobility, poverty and financial inclusion, natural resources and economic sustainability, land use and displacement -NGOs and business can play an enabling role together with the state.

Rich in insights, Uncommon Ground highlights the critical importance of dialogue in our democracy to create a shared vision of the future. It is a significant contribution to the ongoing debate on development and equitable growth in India.

Imprint: India Viking

Published: Sep/2011

ISBN: 9780670085620

Length : 280 Pages

MRP : ₹599.00

Uncommon Ground

Dialogues with Business and Social Leaders

Rohini Nilekani

Uncommon Ground brings together titans of industry and leaders of civil society to explore eight themes that are highly relevant for our future development. Based on Rohini Nilekani’s 2008 show on NDTV, the conversations explore the middle ground between the ideological divisions that often polarize the business and voluntary sectors.

Why, despite two decades of liberalization, does economic prosperity with social inclusion remain a distant goal? Sustained GDP growth has led to the dramatic improvement in the quality of life for many. Yet millions remain untouched and are being pushed back further because of their shrinking access to the natural resources on which they now depend and because access to alternative opportunities have been denied to them.

In course of these rare dialogues between leaders who have sometimes been adversaries, a number of common concerns emerge. Among others, Anand Mahindra and Medha Patkar discuss land acquisition and use; Mukesh Ambani and R.K. Pachauri debate decentralized energy options; Sunil Mittal and Aruna Roy imagine an Indian model to enhance the employability of our labour force and Yogi Deveshwar and Sunita Narain explore how industry can become more environmentally sustainable.

The author, uniquely placed to moderate these discussions as she traverses both sides herself, demonstrates that the relationship between business, society and state need not be necessarily confrontational. In all areas -food, energy and the environment, jobs and livelihoods, transportation and mobility, poverty and financial inclusion, natural resources and economic sustainability, land use and displacement -NGOs and business can play an enabling role together with the state.

Rich in insights, Uncommon Ground highlights the critical importance of dialogue in our democracy to create a shared vision of the future. It is a significant contribution to the ongoing debate on development and equitable growth in India.

Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback
Ebooks

Rohini Nilekani

Rohini Nilekani, a committed philanthropist, has been a journalist, author and social activist. She has worked in and contributed to publications such as Bombay Magazine, India Today, Sunday, the Times of India and Mint. Her debut novel, Stillborn, was published by Penguin in 1998. Since 2000, she has been active in the areas of education, microfinance and environment. She is the co-founder and chairperson of Pratham Books, which aims to put 'A book in every child’s hands’. She chairs Arghyam, a foundation created with her personal endowment, which supports initiatives towards 'Safe, sustainable water for all’.

error: Content is protected !!