India, Aug. 14 -- When Independence came, the leaders should have given it some consideration that the British were here to exploit India, and not to make it a flourishing economy. The leaders should have started everything from scratch, like strict enforcement of land reforms, land distribution to the landless, preservation and enlargement of forest areas, setting up of schools, laying roadways, ensuring drinking water and Irrigation facilities. electricity, housing, etc. These should have reached the people living below the poverty line all over India, and this should have been achieved by 50 years. But, regrettably, only 10% may have been achieved.

We can well surmise that the tribals have borne the brunt of this laid-back attitude. I...