This thought-provoking episode of Decoding Impact spotlights the evolution of state capacity in India and its critical role in India’s development. It features an in-depth conversation with Dr Balu, Member–HR, Capacity Building Commission (Government of India), Chairperson, Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee (SEBI), and founder of the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), as he shares powerful insights from over four decades of work spanning grassroots development, advising major institutions, and shaping public policy from within the system.
Together, they explore the paradoxes of India’s relationship with its government, the tension between public reliance and skepticism, the evolution of the state from a colonial apparatus to a citizen-centric enabler, and the deep-rooted challenge of building effective state capacity. Rathish and Dr Balu also unpack the historical, philosophical, and practical lessons behind public administration in India, with reflections from the Ramayana to the present-day Mission Karmayogi initiative.
Some of the key insights he shares with host Rathish Balakrishnan include:
1. The true meaning and evolution of state capacity in India
2. Why “training is for circus animals”, rethinking capacity building beyond repetitive skills
3. Lessons from India’s heritage on governance
4. The shift from individual heroism in bureaucracies to system-wide effectiveness
5. Why civil service competencies must be rooted in historical and cultural contexts
6. The on-ground realities: workforce shortages and systemic performance barriers in public service
7. How Mission Karmayogi aims to future-proof India’s civil services for a tech-enabled, citizen-centered future
8. The shared responsibility of citizens and the state in nation-building
