India, March 14 -- Independent India began its journey under extremely painful conditions. It was only because of the legacy of ancient democratic practices and the strength of equal respect for all religions and faiths that it could gradually create a place for itself in the global community of nations. During the last decade, India has acquired a place of adulation and admiration on the global platform. The inherited system of education was in tatters, and the literacy rate was just around 18 per cent.

In spite of the tragedy of partition, rampant poverty, and challenges of food security as well as external security, India slowly and gradually stabilised its democratic practices and that attracted the attention of those who had prophes...