India between dream and reality

India is an enigma wrapped in a perpetual riddle. It is loved and hated in the same breath-not only across other frontiers but on its own shores as well. Herein lies its strength as well as its weakness. This book makes an objective assessment of India in all its fascinating and not-so-fascinating facets. It peeps into the past and has a close look at some of the ancient theories of dharma and karma and the Indian attitude of accepting as the will of God. But what seems to be playing havoc with the polity is the free mixing of votes and currency notes and of religion and politics. The increasing communalisation and criminalisation of politics, the growth of fundamentalism, declining values, new shades of feudalism and casteism are all sad pointers to an explosive social and political scene.

The author makes an honest attempt to identify problem areas, analyse them objectively and throw up options by way of solutions, wherever available. The Prologue encompasses the turbulence as seen in national life today and the Epilogue presents a message of hope. There are five parts in this historic drama. In Part I, the roots of Indian nationhood and past distortions have been identified. Part II outlines the social scenario, with its factionalism, feuds, schism and battles. The politics of poverty and development with its "glittering faces" of corruption and black money are analysed in Part III. Part IV describes the many games Indian politicians play in the name of man-made and natural gods. How democratic practices have been subverted in the name of democracy itself is analysed in Part V.