In-Person Book Talk – “A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey”

The Ash Center invites you to an in-person book talk with Devesh Kapur and Arvind Subramanian, authors of “A Sixth of Humanity: Independent India’s Development Odyssey.” They will be joined by Dani Rodrik in a discussion moderated by Gautam Nair.

Speakers Include:

• Devesh Kapur, Starr Foundation Professor of South Asian Studies, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
• Gautam Nair, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School Moderator
• Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, Harvard Kennedy School
• Arvind Subramanian, Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics

This event will be recorded. Light catering will be provided.

This event is co-sponsored by Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia and the Weatherhead Research Cluster on Business and Government at Harvard University.

About the Book

Four decades of economic dynamism and the emergence of a somewhat more capable Indian state has meant that it is able to build infrastructure and deliver the essentials of life to its population at scale—still not without disappointments, but a massive improvement over the past. Just as India’s aspiration has lifted to building ‘world-class’ statues, temples, bullet trains, airports and digital systems, the undermining of some of the real achievements of democracy, federalism and nation-building stand in the way.

“A Sixth of Humanity” is an attempt to trace how one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, uniquely and daringly, attempted four concurrent transformations—building a state, creating an economy, changing society and forging a sense of nationhood-under conditions of universal suffrage.

Event Details

This event is open to Harvard ID holders only and registration is required. The event will be recorded.

The Ash Center encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its events. Should you wish to inquire about an accommodation, please contact our events team at info@ash.harvard.edu.

Additional questions? Email the Ash Center events team at info@ash.harvard.edu.