Change is in the air. The conclusive mandate in the elections, the optimism of a young country and the sense of extraordinary expectations portend that our nation is not only ready for change, but expects nothing less. And therein lies the danger. Experienced project managers know that 80% of projects fail not because of their inherent merits or demerits, but because of failure in change management.

And managing the new government of a country as multifaceted as India arguably qualifies as a complex project. A leadership capable of wresting such decisive support and its legions of advisers are adequately competent, so this article is not about what the new government ought to be doing. Rather it is about what the “old” population should do to discharge its responsibility, which only begins by exercising the ballot and doesn’t end there. (more)

36 Hours from now, the world’s largest political experiment will turn a seminal chapter. And while victors might celebrate, the far-sighted among them should be aware of the potentially catastrophic challenges facing the country. The new government’s ability to manage expectations will be their biggest trial since none of India’s following strategic challenges has any easy or quick answers. (more)