Nilekani told IANS that though he was "dealing with governments for long as part of a private firm (Infosys), working with state agencies' and officials as head of BATF and UIDAI subsequently had shown (him) that the political system can serve the people through correct policies, efficient processes and modern practices using appropriate technologies".
He said with political support the executive could accomplish a lot, as evident from the Aadhaar scheme in giving an identity to millions of ordinary people, eligibility to social benefits and access to multiple services, including institutional credit.
"We have been able to implement Aadhaar across the country owing to unstinted support from all state governments, lawmakers and officials irrespective of political affiliations and concerns over its data protection and privacy," Nilekani observed.
In this context, Nilekani spoke of similar support Prime Minister Manmohan Singh got when he was the union finance minister during 1991-96 from then prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to usher in path-breaking economic reforms over two decades ago.
"In fact, thousands of entrepreneurs and companies like Infosys immensely benefited from growth-oriented reforms unleashed by Singh with Rao's backing, resulting in employment generation and increasing investments from domestic and overseas players," Nilekani said.
On the choice of his constituency, Nilekani said since he was born, brought up and lived most part of his life in Bangalore, he thought like charity, his public life too should begin from home town so that he could build systems and processes that can be replicated in serving the people in other parts of the state and across the country.
