This book attempts to draw a canvas of this subcontinent, since early civilization to present times. Today over 70 % of the population of India (about 800 million) lives in the rural areas. Indeed, Mahatma Gandhi had often remarked that India lives in its villages. They need urgent development. Through illustrations, data, and analysis the book has attempted to quantify the needs; primarily on providing literacy and appropriate decentralized energy to dispersed agro based society. Like any historical book, some of what is presented is acceptable and some debatable. Nonetheless, the desire to reduce the large rich and poor divide to acceptable level, with our inherent genetically superior mind has been focused to create a New India, which many are currently talking about. The book merits reading.
