AMITABH KANT—THE PHENOMENAL PHENOMENON by Mihir Srivastava

Amitabh Kant was perhaps the most famous bureaucrat in the country when he quit after 45 years of long association with the government of India in July this year to, in his words, ‘embrace new opportunities and begin a new chapter.’  

A most unlike babu, there’s a bit of a paradox in his approach to life, challenges an age-old adage, he has feet in two (rather, many) boats and, yet, functions better than most in each of those boats. A curious man who has attention for details, while being hooked on the larger picture has been his forte. He makes sure he gets to know what’s happening in varied fields, by asking few but pertinent questions, helps him make informed decisions from a position of strength.

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Amitabh could be a good a industry or commerce minister and get the world to Make in India, would do very well as a culture or tourism minister to make Incredible India truly a global destinationor, also could be a foreign minister par excellence, give a seasoned diplomat a run for his money.

He was instrumental in brokering the consensus in G 20, despite the ongoing Ukraine conflict. A good assignment for him, therefore, would be that of a minister without portfolio in the PMO to tap into his talent and expertise built over decades of active and fruitful public life, especially when the crucial trade talks are going on with the US and EU.

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An eternal optimist, he has been a close witness and a participant in the development story of India in his own quintessential ways. After retiring from the coveted IAS, which happened nearly a decade ago, is usually an inflection point in the life of babus, they hangs up their boots, settle for a retired life. Amitabh is not one of them, he started afresh, more active, proactive and got bigger responsibilities.

His services were indispensable to the nation, and the Modi government made full use of it. Many would say that Amitabh's larger-than-life image was a disadvantage in the present cult-driven political dispensation, but that didn’t seem to be the case in his particular case. He's an outlier in so many significant ways.

Amitabh was entrusted with the responsibility of setting up the government's think tank with the mandate to prepare the blueprint of a developed India. Under his leadership, as the CEO, Niti Aayog became a vibrant place that toyed with new ideas, to break from the past, shun the hangover of the license-permit raj, to think new, big, better and ambitious, and create an intellectual capital for India’s future endeavours. And he involved younger people with domain expertise in the process makes the whole exercise special.

Amitabh was best suited for this role as his expertise is widespread. He’s a excellent example of being a proactive generalist, is a super specialisation. He is nearly master of all, jack of none, in varied sectors like tourism, economy, industry, AI, foreign relationship, making the Global South assertive, art, architecture, film, culture to name a few. The list is exhaustive.

Amitabh has a point of view, an informed one, for just about everything under the sun, and he doesn’t shy away from ventilating it. Writing is a good way to do it. He is blessed with the ability to indite complex ideas with forthright lucidity. A prolific columnist who's much sought after, he cogently writes on varied issues with a penchant. Also, five books authored by him give a glimpse of his expertise and his world view.

He is perhaps the first bureaucrat to use social media to propagate his ideas and provide better understanding of the underlying thinking behind government’s mega initiatives. Amicably, Amitabh is there, everywhere. I often wonder with wonderment, how is it humanly possible? He knows more people, not just the babus or the netas, but corporate honchos, diplomats, academics and journalists—in India and abroad.

Amitabh has a profound presence in the halls of power, and it has little to do with the position he held in the government. It’s because of the intellectual capital that’s quintessentially his. This explains why he wasn't insecure about his job and various assignments. He has become an institution unto himself.

Sharp acumen, an indefectible spirit that embodies his vivacious personality, and this uncanny ability to get things done, in India and abroad, is his USP. What I like about him is that he’s optimistically progressive and looks at the brighter side of the picture, which in practical terms translates into finding solutions, making things happen, and not harping about reasons why things can’t be done—which is the usual bureaucratic approach.

And this needs to be said, Amitabh could be a good a industry or commerce minister and get the world to Make in India, would do very well as a culture or tourism minister to make Incredible India truly a global destination, also could be a foreign minister par excellence, give a seasoned diplomat a run for his money. He was instrumental in brokering the consensus in G 20, despite the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

A good assignment for him, therefore, would be that of a minister without portfolio in the PMO to tap into his talent and expertise built over decades of active and fruitful public life, especially when the crucial trade talks are going on with the US and EU.

Amitabh is a good father because he is a good son. His mother, Sita Srivastava, an educationist, was principal of the Maitreyi College in Delhi for two decades, is his idol. His wife, Ranjeeta, is a celebrated artist. They are proud parents of two independent daughters, Vedika and Vanshica, they creating their own destinies distinct from their parents.

I have a feeling his best is yet to come. All the best Amitabh for the next innings.