India: The Giant Awakens!

India is slowly awakening from the sleep extending over half a century and gradually taking its rightful place in the comity of nations. Gone are the days when agrarian economy characterized the Indian economy. Today, industrial and services sectors are playing important role in the country’s economy. While fast development is perceptible in these sectors, considerable progress has also been made in the agricultural sector owing to the green revolution. Consequently, there has been a marked increase in the national income since Independence. But will it be correct to say that India has succeeded in providing all its citizens a better quality of life? Has it built up a nation where even the poorest citizen can lead a life of simple dignity with at least his basic needs being satisfied? Has it been able to ensure that not a single citizen will remain hungry even for a day? Has it guaranteed an affordable shelter to all, and access to education to all its citizens? Has it instilled the spirit of unity and oneness among the millions of citizens of diverse caste, creed, community, religion or state? Has the government policy brought a significant improvement in the general lot or the people are still striving for their socio-economic rights? Numerous questions need to be answered to realise the steady progress of India in diverse fields in true spirit.
The present book attempts to trace the quality of life as enjoyed by an average citizen of India after more than fifty years of Independence. Beginning with the pre-independence era, the book analyses India’s steady progress in the diverse areas—Agriculture, Industry, Infrastructure, Education, Health, Rural Development to name a few—in the light of progress made by countries like South Korea, Japan, China, Malaysia, Taiwan, etc., which judged by any standards are far ahead of India socio-economically. Besides, the basic question—is democracy losing ground—has been approached to from a different perspective.
It is hoped that the present book on socio-economics will appeal to all general readers concerned with the development of the Indian economy.