In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian governance, Jasmine Shah’s ‘The Delhi Model’ emerges as a narrative policymaking. The book chronicles a governance model that is said to prioritise human development while ensuring accountability, equity, and sustainability.
At its core, the Delhi Model challenges India’s traditional reliance on trickle-down economics. Instead, it proposes a bold and innovative framework of investing in human capital as the cornerstone of development. With meticulous research and an authoritative tone, Shah outlines how this model, pioneered by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the last decade, has reshaped public policies in six critical sectors: education, healthcare, air pollution, transport, electricity, and water.
The book highlights the AAP government’s focused efforts in revitalising public education, claiming the government’s efforts in upgrading infrastructure to enhancing teacher training and improving curricula, the AAP has placed public education at the forefront of its developmental priorities. Shah further explores healthcare, as a cornerstone of the Delhi Model noting how governance can directly impact citizens’ lives. The establishment of mohalla (neighbourhood) clinics across the city revolutionised primary healthcare delivery, making it accessible and affordable to all, especially the underprivileged. Shah calls it a symbol of inclusive governance.
One of the most significant achievements of the Delhi Model is its emphasis on affordable and reliable electricity and water supply. By reducing tariffs and providing subsidies for low-income households, the government has ensured that basic utilities are not a luxury but a right. These measures have not only alleviated financial stress for the poor but also set a precedent for pro-people governance.
The book, however, is not merely a catalogue of achievements. It offers a nuanced comparison between the Delhi Model and other governance frameworks in India, particularly the Gujarat Model. While the latter is often lauded for its industrial growth and economic policies, Shah argues that the Delhi Model’s focus on social sectors offers a more sustainable and equitable path to development.
Published by Penguin India, ‘The Delhi Model’ will be released on 23 December on SoftCover, ThePrint’s online platform for launching non-fiction books.
Jasmine Shah’s background lends credibility to this authoritative account. As the former vice chairperson of the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission and a key figure in shaping many of the reforms discussed and part of the AAP, Shah brings insider knowledge and a practitioner’s perspective to the narrative. His career, spanning public policy, non-profit initiatives, and government roles, enables him to analyse complex governance challenges with depth and clarity.
The book has already garnered praise from notable figures. Justice Madan Lokur, a former Supreme Court judge, describes it as “transformational,” highlighting its success in addressing fundamental rights like health and education. Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, commends Shah’s academic rigour and literary flair, calling it a “well-researched account” that challenges entrenched economic ideologies.
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