Kautilya's Arthashastra, Its Contemporary Relevance, read book

October 12, 2006

Namaskar Mitra,

Kautilya's Arthashastra, Its Contemporary Relevance published by Indian Merchants Chamber. It is a study on how Kautilya's book written about 2,400 years ago, can be applied to solving many of India's current economic and other problems.

1. Introduction to book - http://www.esamskriti.com/html/essay_index.asp?cat=798&subcat=797&cname=kautilyas_artha

The research team led by Smt Kiran Nanda, Dr Mohan Mathew and Smt Samata Dhawade assisted by members from IMC's Expert Committee.

2. PDF file contains summary of fifteen chapters and their relevance to todays times.

http://www.esamskriti.com/html/kautilyas_arthashastra_summary.pdf

3. To buy book - cost Rs 300/ plus postage.

1. Ameya Inspiring Books, Pune, 91 20 25457571, info (AT) ameyabooksindia (DOT) com

2. Priyadarshni Academy, Mumbai, 91 22 22873456. pa (AT) priyadarshniacademy (DOT) com

3. Indian Merchants Chamber, Mumbai 91 22 22046633, imc (AT) imcnet (DOT) org

4. Chapters are - Arthashastra: An Overview, As an Economist, On Free Market Economy, Conceptualizing Good Governance, On Public Governance, On Agriculture, On Foreign Trade, On Domestic Trade, On Government Finance.On Government Finance, Public Sector, Head Hunting, Water Management, Education, Issues of Relevance to Contemporary India, Concluding Observations, Annexure: Maxims from Arthashastra.

5. Highlights on Book Cover: According to the Arthashastra -

· Revenue collected from subjects sustains the State.

· Administration should strive for increase in income & decrease in expenditure.

· Wealth creation is crucial for establishing a welfare State.

· Salary bill of the State should not exceed 25% of its revenues.

· Political alliance should be with Kings in equal power.

· Sense of pragmatism essential matters of governance.

· State should invest in virgin lands, tanks, irrigation & mining.

· Agriculture, backbone of the economy should be protected.

· State should leave the trade free and focus on institutional building.

· Economic welfare of subjects and private businesses are not in conflict with the welfare of a State.

· Charted a path for economic prosperity through entrepreneurship and astute strategy.