Chennai: The Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai on Wednesday hosted the launch of A Sixth of Humanity, a new book by former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian and Johns Hopkins University professor Devesh Kapur, which examines India's long-term development trajectory through key structural themes.

The book traces India's evolution across five broad areas - nation-building in a diverse society, the advance of democracy ahead of economic prosperity, uneven state capacity in delivering public goods, market expansion without deep structural transformation and the social pressures arising from identity and change. Using data, institutional research and historical context, the authors present a long-view analysis of India's achievements, gaps and future possibilities.

Faculty, students and invited guests participated in conversations on the book's central ideas, followed by a fireside discussion featuring the authors and Prof Vidya Mahambare of Great Lakes.

Welcoming the speakers, Great Lakes Director Dr Debashis Sanyal said management education must help students understand the political, economic and social systems shaping decisions in India. COO Gautam Lakhamraju added that India's real story lies beneath headlines, in the systems that influence policy and outcomes.

Speaking at the event, Subramanian said India attempted “something no other large, diverse, poor country has done” by simultaneously building a state, forging a nation, transforming society and creating markets under universal adult franchise. Kapur noted that India's development reflects “achievements and gaps side by side,” including democracy before development and services before manufacturing.

The session ended with an interactive Q&A on state capacity, employment, demographic transitions and markets.