A half-century is not more than a blink of an Eye in the History of millennia and yet it is an important milestone in the life of an independent nation-a moment of introspection to pass under Review India's evolution over the last five decades and ruminate over how its future might unfold.
This Study has set out to identify the parameters along which the success or Failure of the Indian state following independence could be evaluated. As the Editor points out, 'maximalist positions would not be helpful. An ex cathedra judgement whether India has bettered or worsened over the last fifty years is impossible. A Balance sheet shows a mixed record. The twelve contributors to this volume have tried to draw up such a balance sheet within four Essential parameters: India's basic unity within India's evident diversity; the resilience of its Economy against the backdrop of India's reform process; how its distinctive foreign Policy has served India's national interests; and the implications of India's recognizable crisis of governance.
Going beyond the mixed record is India's major achievement in demonstrating an ability to hold together the largest multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious Society in the World which baffles Sociologists and Political scientists. What glues India together? What will keep India together in future? political scientists and former administrators and generalists debate these issues in this volume to argue for the need for an overarching Vision and justice, Justice that would actualize the Mahatma's vision to wipe the tear from every eye. |
