In an email interview, he says that India's gated republics are, but "enclaves of refuge" for the poor and middle class to shield themselves from the consequences of these failed policies. If anything, he hopes people push their elected representatives to be more accountable and fulfil their obligations.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

The book exposes glaring failures of public policy since Independence. Why did you choose to write it now?

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

There is an inflection point in every nation's history. India aspires to be at the high table of world powers. Can India vault orbits without a healthy and educated workforce, without assured delivery of water, electricity and personal security? The magnitude of failure and apathy compel interrogation of the history politics and economics of failure.

In the health chapter you bring out data on pneumonia and diarrhoea deaths—33 and 26 per hour. There is much attention on COVID-19, but not on these deaths. Why?

Governments in India are known to respond to crisis, but only those which threaten their political existence and future. Unfortunately, issues such as health and education are neither politically profitable nor electorally damaging.

Do you feel the pandemic will change the way we look at health care systems?

The state of health care is manifest in the management of this pandemic. The laws of physics tell us momentum is mass multiplied by velocity. Much depends on public pressure on politicians and governments. One can only hope this realisation will lead to transformation.

In the book, Aiyar reveals how poor health care, has made Indians vulnerable to all kinds of diseases for decades. The pneumonia and diarrhoea deaths are at 33 and 26 per hour. Yet, these numbers, unlike COVID-19, have barely received any attention. "Governments in India are known to respond to crisis, but only those which threaten their political existence and future," he says. Pic/ Getty Images

Mumbai is one of India's earliest cities and one which was built with a proper distribution channel for drinking and waste water. The advantage has been wasted, not built upon. What went wrong?

The list of villainous causes is long. Just look at the decades of delay between drafting and passing of development plans for the city. This has led to poor mapping of supply and demand, in housing and essential services. Add politically blessed amoebic expansion of slums, poor pricing of services and inadequate investment. Governments in Maharashtra have short-changed cities for decades.

Expenditure on education has shot up yet parents are seeking private education for children. The pandemic has forced the shutting of schools. Will it force governments to reinvent the primary education system?

The problem with education is of quantity and quality. Over the years, governments have focused on buildings, but not on building quality of education. There are many reasons—teacher absenteeism, poor teacher training and antiquated systems. Induction of technology can address both capacity and quality gaps. Smartphones are ubiquitous and apps can be used to adopt/adapt improved teaching for teachers and students.

Of water, health, security, power and education which one will play a defining role in the development of the country?

Each of them is vital—one cannot do without expansion and success of the other. The interplay of the five critical obligations of the state and their impact on human development and economic growth cannot be understated. Public policy focus must be to bring all into play to deliver success.

Do you think the promises and programmes of the present-day government—Swachh Bharat, Jal Jivan, etc—will succeed?

The issue with Indian governments has rarely been about intent but about execution and outcomes. Success calls for decentralisation, the decolonisation of states.

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news