New Delhi: It was November 3, 2013. The auspicious morning of Diwali that year. Just seven months before Shri Narendra Modi took office as the Prime Minister of India in May 2014, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce visited Gujarat to study the country's agricultural exports. Despite the festive season and the vacation period for most Gujaratis, Chief Minister Modi took the time to meet the delegation alone, without his usual entourage of officials at the Secretariat. He impressed the delegation with his extensive knowledge of Gujarat's agricultural policies and showcased a personally designed canal irrigation system powered by solar panels. With speculation surrounding his future as a potential Prime Minister, the meeting left a lasting impression and offered valuable lessons in hands-on leadership, personal preparation, hard work, simplicity, and the significance of direct and efficient official meetings.
This and more personalized anecdotes of the outstanding leaders of India are a part of the book "Unforgettable Leadership Experience: A tryst with 25 world leaders" authored by former Principal Director at CAG, Sharada Subramaniam. The book was launched on June 3, 2023 in Delhi.
Subramaniam is a former senior civil servant of Government of India, who has now turned leadership coach and social entrepreneur. She belonged to the Indian Audit and Accounts Services and served in several important positions in the Government of India for nearly three decades. She is a consultant on social entrepreneurship initiatives and advises top leaders and professionals on fulfilling their purpose in life through such initiatives.
“The book is an ode to India’s diverse talents, their depth and the variety of leaders who have shown path to the world,” said Subramainam.
“For India to achieve the Vishwa Guru status, which PM Modi so passionately envisions, India needs many more leaders in Amrit Kaal,” said Subramainam. Speaking at the launch, she further said, “It is not just a book; it is a guide that encapsulates the essence of remarkable leadership. Within its pages one can find invaluable lessons, real-life anecdotes, and practical wisdom that will resonate with leaders from all walks of life.”
Subramaniam shared her perspective on India's current standing in the world, stating, "India, during the Amrit Kaal, serves as an inspiration globally. Under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, we have gained tremendous respect and recognition. India has transcended its image of being solely associated with snake charmers and bullock carts. This is an ideal moment to empower and motivate more leaders, thus creating a significant impact on a global scale. The purpose of my book is to reach out to the youth and aspiring leaders of our country, and make a meaningful impact on their lives, however small, by guiding them in the right direction."
‘Unforgettable Leadership Experiences’ offers a bouquet of real stories. It is an anecdotal recount of Subramaniam’s interactions with some of the most fascinating and admired leaders of this century during her career span, which includes national and international leaders, such as former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Smt Indira Gandhi, President APJ Abdul Kalam Azad, and other notable figures from the diverse fields. The list goes on, encompassing influential leaders like former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Dalai Lama, Virat Kohli among others. Each of these exceptional global leaders possesses distinctive qualities that offer valuable lessons on leadership for the world to learn from.
