Power without money can be a lot better for a country than power with money. The UK Government has power, but little money. That might not be as bad a thing as it sounds.
As someone who served on the UK-India Business Council for ten years and participated in the UK-India Roundtable advising the Prime Ministers of both countries for five years, I have seen firsthand the strengths and challenges of both nations' economies. One striking concept from India, which could offer innovative solutions to the United Kingdom's economic challenges, is "Jugaad."
Rooted in India's informal economy, Jugaad is an approach to problem-solving that relies on creativity, resourcefulness, and efficiency, often in the face of limited financial resources. It embodies the idea of finding simple, low-cost solutions to complex problems. Applying this Indian model to Britain’s political and economic challenges could pave the way for more sustainable and humane policy decisions.
In the UK, the government is often criticized for the inefficiency of large public projects, with billions spent on welfare programs, public services, or infrastructure, only for outcomes to fall short of expectations. For instance, infrastructure projects such as HS2 have ballooned in costs, while questions remain about their long-term efficacy. In the wake of financial constraints, particularly exacerbated by post-pandemic recovery and ongoing inflationary pressures, the UK government is caught between the need for austerity and the demand for substantial public investment. Here is where the principle of Jugaad can provide a new direction.
Jugaad: An Indian Innovation Model
Jugaad, often translated as "frugal innovation," is deeply ingrained in Indian society. It is more than just a concept for fixing problems; it is a mindset that celebrates the ability to "make do" with what is available. This has been seen in numerous sectors, from agriculture to technology. Indian farmers, for example, have long used affordable, locally sourced materials to create irrigation systems, improving crop yields without heavy investment. Similarly, in India's tech industry, startups have grown by leveraging open-source software and cloud-based platforms, which eliminate the need for large capital expenditures.
Academic studies of the Jugaad model highlight its potential for driving inclusive growth and sustainable development. Research from the University of Cambridge describes how Indian entrepreneurs and businesses "do more with less," creating solutions that are not only cost-effective but also scalable and socially impactful . Another study by the University of Sussex emphasizes that frugal innovation can help create systems that are flexible and adaptive, essential qualities for economies facing uncertain futures .
Applying Jugaad to the UK’s Challenges
Translating the Jugaad philosophy into the British political landscape offers several advantages. One potential area is public health. Rather than expensive overhauls of the National Health Service (NHS), which has seen both staff shortages and funding crises, adopting a Jugaad mindset could result in smaller, incremental innovations that make healthcare delivery more efficient. For instance, India’s telemedicine initiatives, which rely on digital platforms to provide healthcare to rural areas, could be adapted to address the NHS's staffing problems by decentralizing care and empowering local health professionals.
Similarly, in infrastructure, Jugaad can help the UK reduce costs by focusing on modular, flexible, and scalable solutions. India's low-cost housing projects, which focus on using locally sourced materials and community-driven construction, offer a potential blueprint for addressing the UK’s housing crisis without extensive borrowing or reliance on expensive imports.
Further, the "frugal governance" model that has evolved in India due to budgetary constraints can be informative for the UK, where a government wielding significant political power but facing financial limitations could benefit from adaptive policies. This could be especially useful in local government, where councils must balance shrinking budgets with the need to provide essential services. Small-scale, innovative solutions, such as community-run social services or partnerships with local businesses, could offer a path forward.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
While the Jugaad approach offers significant potential, it is not without its risks. The emphasis on short-term, low-cost fixes can sometimes sacrifice long-term stability and robustness. In India, while Jugaad has helped solve immediate problems, some solutions have proven unsustainable when scaled. Therefore, the UK must balance the nimble, frugal nature of Jugaad with the need for systemic solutions that address the root causes of its economic challenges.
Nonetheless, in a post-Brexit, post-COVID world, where fiscal prudence is increasingly necessary, a Jugaad-inspired strategy could offer a lifeline. By focusing on innovation, community engagement, and frugality, Britain might find more humane and effective solutions to its pressing challenges than by simply pouring money into bureaucratic systems that often fail to deliver.
In conclusion, the UK's complex and multifaceted challenges cannot be solved by a one-size-fits-all approach. Embracing the Indian concept of Jugaad—using creativity and resourcefulness to solve problems without throwing excessive money at them—could be a powerful way forward. As both countries continue to strengthen ties, perhaps it is time for the UK to take a page from India’s playbook.
