The Sunflower Seeds

Gurcharan Das

Author & Playwright

Gurcharan Das, born on October 3, 1943, is a distinguished Indian author, playwright, and former corporate executive known for his insightful writings on economics, philosophy, and Indian society. He embarked on his literary journey by writing plays and a novel before transitioning to non-fiction works that garnered widespread acclaim.

Raised in the aftermath of the partition of India, Das’s early life was shaped by the upheavals of that period. He pursued his education in the United States, graduating with honors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Harvard University. His academic pursuits included a senior thesis under the tutelage of renowned political philosopher John Rawls.

Despite an initial inclination towards academia, Das ventured into the corporate world, where he rose to prominence as the CEO of Procter & Gamble India and later as the managing director of Procter & Gamble Worldwide. After a successful corporate career spanning three decades, he decided to pursue his passion for writing full-time.

Das’s literary oeuvre encompasses a diverse range of subjects, including economics, ethics, and Indian cultural heritage. His seminal work, “India Unbound,” offers a compelling narrative of India’s economic journey from independence to the global stage. This book, along with subsequent works like “The Elephant Paradigm” and “India Grows at Night,” established him as a leading voice on India’s socio-economic transformation.

In addition to his non-fiction writings, Das is also acclaimed for his plays and novels. His plays, including “Larins Sahib” and “Mira,” received critical acclaim for their exploration of Indian history and spirituality. His novel, “A Fine Family,” offers a poignant portrayal of the partition’s impact on a Punjabi family.

An avid commentator on contemporary issues, Das is a regular columnist for leading publications such as The Times of India and contributes to renowned international journals like the Financial Times and Foreign Affairs.

 

Gurcharan Das’s intellectual contributions, spanning literature, economics, and philosophy, have earned him widespread recognition and established him as a prominent public intellectual in India and beyond.