Publisher's Synopsis
For over two decades now, India is seen to be on the cusp of claiming its place in the "Asian Century". The country -- the largest democracy in the world -- is generally considered an emerging power due to its large and stable population, policy of free-market economics, rapid advancements in science and technology, rule of law and culture of peace. With all these factors seeming to be in favour, what is holding the nation back from fulfilling the promises it has held out to its people? India still has to overcome major challenges such as regional and societal income disparities, moving up the value chain towards greater innovation, and bringing about an overhaul in its manner of governance for the nation to prosper and actually step into the future. Also, the vision of India as dreamed by the forefathers at the time of Independence seems to have been lost sight of along the way. This visionary document presents Indias national assets, its problems/ liabilities and their inter-relationships to identify those at the top of the hierarchy, and the quality of life and lifestyles we wish to achieve in various sectors (urban, rural or tribal). The authors then delineate important actionable points and the steps that Indian government(s) ought to take in order to use our assets to overcome our problems so that the nation can reach the goals, towards which all development should take us. This agenda would be of tremendous help to all political parties to plan their manifesto and will help citizens to understand the issues important to them individually, and to Indias future.