India, Oct. 8 -- Governments are usually judged by what they announce - a new policy, a welfare scheme, an infrastructure project or a reform. Less attention is paid to something equally important: how the Government itself works.

In Narendra Modi's administrative journey, first in Gujarat and then at the Centre, this has been a recurring theme. Many of his interventions have involved changing the way officials, departments, States and the Centre work with one another.

This is where Modi's idea of "Team India" becomes relevant. In administrative terms, it means getting the Centre and States around the same table, particularly when an issue cannot be handled by one Government or department alone.

The COVID-19 pandemic was the biggest te...