Uncertain Glory By: Amartya Sen, Jean Dreze

Uncertain Glory: India And Its Contradictions

About the Book: After two centuries of imperialism and colonial subjugation, India attained its Independence in 1947. Since then, it has been a journey filled with triumphs and challenges. In their book "Uncertain Glory: India And Its Contradictions", renowned economists Jean Dreze and Amartya Sen delve into the complexities of India's growth trajectory.

Progress and Contradictions

The authors meticulously explore how India, despite being the world's second fastest growing economy, still grapples with deep-rooted inequalities. They shed light on the nation's progress while simultaneously highlighting its stark contradictions:

• Economic Growth vs Human Development: While India has made significant strides in economic growth, it lags behind in human development indices. The authors argue that for India to truly realize its freedom, it must focus on bridging the gap between economic prowess and human capabilities.
• Sustainable Growth: Dreze and Sen emphasize the importance of sustainable growth that is environmentally conscious. They express concerns about the inadequate development of infrastructure, which has hindered the provision of social services.
• Quality of Life: The authors underscore the importance of improving the quality of life for India's majority population who are among its lower rungs. They believe that addressing their needs and social deprivations should be a priority.

Author Profiles

Jean Dreze, an Indian development economist of Belgian origin, has dedicated his work to understanding the intricacies of India's socio-economic landscape. His notable works include 'The Political Economy Of Hunger', 'Hunger And Public Action', and 'India: Development and Participation'. He conceptualized NREGA, a flagship employment generation program. Currently, he is an honorary Professor at the Delhi School of Economics and a Professor at Allahabad University.

Amartya Sen, a Nobel laureate economist and philosopher, has made significant contributions to welfare economics. His notable works include 'The Argumentative Indian', 'Development as Freedom', and 'Peace and Democratic Society'. He received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998. Currently, he is the Thomas W. Lamont University Professor at Harvard.

Book Details

The book, published by Allen Lane on 04 Jul 2013, is a hardback edition with 448 pages. It's available in the ENGLISH language and has an ISBN-13 number of 9781846147616.

Uncertain Glory is a compelling read that offers valuable insights into India's progress and the challenges it faces. It provides a fresh perspective on India's economic growth trajectory, making it an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of contemporary India.