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{{Short description|2023 non-fiction book}}
{{Infobox book
| name = Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India's Economic Future
| image = Breaking the Mould Book Cover.jpg
| caption =
| author = [[Raghuram Rajan]]<br>Rohit Lamba
| country = India
| language = English
| series =
| release_number =
| subject = [[Indian economy]], economic policy, development
| genre = Non-fiction
| set_in =
| publisher = [[Penguin Random House India]]
| published = 6 December 2023
| media_type = Print (hardcover), e-book
| pages = 336
| isbn = 978-9-357-08794-0
| isbn_note =
| oclc =
| dewey =
| congress =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| notes =
| exclude_cover =
}}

'''''Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India's Economic Future''''' is a non-fiction book by economists [[Raghuram Rajan]] and Rohit Lamba, published on 6 December 2023 by [[Penguin Random House India]]. The book analyses challenges facing the [[Indian economy]], critiques past and present economic policies, and proposes strategies for inclusive growth. Written in a conversational style, it draws on Rajan’s experience as former [[Reserve Bank of India]] governor and [[International Monetary Fund]] chief economist, and Lamba’s academic perspective. It received positive reviews for its clarity but faced criticism for lacking detailed implementation plans.

== Summary ==
The book’s 12-chapter narrative examines India’s economic trajectory, arguing that the traditional manufacturing-led growth model is less viable today.<ref name="Scroll2024">{{Cite web |last=Rajan |first=Raghuram |date=2024-01-27 |title=In his new book, Raghuram Rajan examines why manufacturing has become so difficult in India |url=https://scroll.in/article/1062633/in-his-new-book-raghuram-rajan-examines-why-manufacturing-has-become-so-difficult-in-india |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref> Rajan and Lamba advocate a service-oriented approach, emphasizing human capital, innovation, and decentralized governance. Key topics include:
India’s shift from agriculture to services, bypassing large-scale manufacturing.<ref name="Scroll2024"/> It advocates for education reform to foster critical thinking,<ref name="AsianAge2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-01-20 |title=Book Review: India, Almost Middle-Income, Yet Needs to Become Thinking Nation |url=https://www.asianage.com/books/200124/book-review-india-almost-middle-income-yet-needs-to-become-thinking-nation.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[Asian Age]] |archive-date=2025-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423220844/https://www.asianage.com/books/200124/book-review-india-almost-middle-income-yet-needs-to-become-thinking-nation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> addressing unemployment and regional inequalities,<ref name="IndianExpress2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-04-20 |title=Breaking the Mould book: Indian economy, inequalities |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/breaking-the-mould-book-indian-economy-inequalities-raghuram-rajan-9293709/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |archive-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917081117/https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/breaking-the-mould-book-indian-economy-inequalities-raghuram-rajan-9293709/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Hindu2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-04-20 |title=India: politics, people, food safety, employment |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/india-politics-people-food-safety-employment/article67653845.ece |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> and strengthening local governance.<ref name="Hindu2024" />

The book critiques policies like “[[Make in India]]” for overemphasizing manufacturing.<ref name="Telegraph2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-01-06 |title=Crucial flags for change: Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba's book is a polite critique |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/books/crucial-flags-for-change-raghuram-rajan-and-rohit-lambas-book-is-a-polite-critique-of-not-only-indias-past-economic-strategies-but-also-the-way-in-which-indias-economy-is-c/cid/1999304 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[The Telegraph (India)]] |archive-date=2025-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423215811/https://www.telegraphindia.com/culture/books/crucial-flags-for-change-raghuram-rajan-and-rohit-lambas-book-is-a-polite-critique-of-not-only-indias-past-economic-strategies-but-also-the-way-in-which-indias-economy-is-c/cid/1999304 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Development and release ==
{{quote box
| quote="India cannot simply follow the path China took ... We argue for a different path, one that leverages India’s strengths in services, its vibrant democracy, and its entrepreneurial energy."
| source = —Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba<ref name="Deccan2023">{{Cite news |date=2023-12-06 |title=Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India's Economic Future in December |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/061123/breaking-the-mould-reimagining-indias-economic-future-in-december.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |archive-date=2025-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423220746/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/061123/breaking-the-mould-reimagining-indias-economic-future-in-december.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| width = 30%
}}
The book stemmed from conversations between Rajan and Lamba, who met when Lamba was a graduate student.<ref name="ET2023">{{Cite news |date=2023-11-28 |title=Co-author of Raghuram Rajan's book 'Breaking the Mould' once wanted to work for free for him |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/new-updates/co-author-of-raghuram-rajans-book-breaking-the-mould-once-wanted-to-work-for-free-for-him/articleshow/105563794.cms |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref name="NDTV2023">{{Cite news |date=2023-11-28 |title=From Free Work Pitch to Co-Authoring: The Story of Raghuram Rajan's Mentee |url=https://www.ndtv.com/feature/from-free-work-pitch-to-co-authoring-the-story-of-raghuram-rajans-mentee-4614965 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> Lamba’s admiration for Rajan evolved into this collaboration, drawing on Rajan’s policy experience and Lamba’s research at [[New York University Abu Dhabi]]. The title reflects their aim to challenge conventional economic models.
Announced in mid-2023, it was published on 6 December 2023 in hardcover and e-book formats.<ref name="GoogleBooks">{{Cite book |title=Breaking the Mould |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V4DyEAAAQBAJ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=[[Google Books]] | isbn=978-93-5708-794-0 |archive-date=2025-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423215834/https://books.google.co.in/books/about/Breaking_the_Mould.html?id=V4DyEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y |url-status=live | last1=Rajan | first1=Raghuram | last2=Lamba | first2=Rohit | date=7 December 2023 | publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited }}</ref><ref name="Deccan2023"/>

== Critical reception ==
The book was praised for its accessible style. [[The Hindu Business Line]] called it “a balanced critique free of ideological baggage”.<ref name="HBL2023">{{Cite news |date=2023-12-24 |title=Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India's Economic Future |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/books/reviews/breaking-the-mould-reimagining-indias-economic-future/article67673500.ece |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[The Hindu Business Line]] |archive-date=2024-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304090916/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/books/reviews/breaking-the-mould-reimagining-indias-economic-future/article67673500.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] noted its focus on decentralization but cautioned that its optimism might overlook political hurdles.<ref name="Mint2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-01-06 |title=Raghuram Rajan: Breaking the Mould |url=https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/ideas/raghuram-rajan-breaking-the-mould-book-review-111704895966753.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]}}</ref> [[Hindustan Times]] deemed it “essential reading for policymakers”.<ref name="HT2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-04-29 |title=Decoding the Indian economy and how it can break the mould |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/decoding-the-indian-economy-and-how-it-can-break-the-mould-101716145639890.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> [[India Today]] found its ideas compelling but noted a lack of specific implementation details.<ref name="IndiaToday2024">{{Cite news |date=2024-01-27 |title=Books off the beaten track |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/up-front/story/20240205-books-off-the-beaten-track-2493884-2024-01-27 |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[India Today]] |archive-date=2025-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423215818/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/up-front/story/20240205-books-off-the-beaten-track-2493884-2024-01-27 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[The Telegraph (India)]] described it as “a polite yet firm call for reform”.<ref name="Telegraph2024"/>
Some reviewers found the proposals ambitious but vague. [[Business Standard]] appreciated its “question-driven approach” but sought more actionable steps.<ref name="BS2023">{{Cite news |date=2023-12-28 |title=India's growth story: A question of answers |url=https://www.business-standard.com/book/india-s-growth-story-a-question-of-answers-123122801089_1.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> [[Asian Age]] valued its education focus but questioned its feasibility in India’s political landscape.<ref name="AsianAge2024"/>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Google Books|id=V4DyEAAAQBAJ}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2023 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Indian non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Economic development in India]]
[[Category:Penguin Random House books]]
[[Category:Economics books]]

Breaking the Mould - Revision history

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