The world’s largest democracy, has come a long way from what it was in 1947 – an impoverished and underdeveloped nation – to become the third largest economy in the world in terms of purchase power parity. While in the immediate neighbourhood and for the most of Asia, democracy could only make cameo appearances, India maintained its democratic architecture of administration, and is pushing forward, trying to bring wide-ranging changes in its administration, which has the potential to enable Indians to realise more of the democratic dream the founding fathers of the country promised to the people on 15 August 1947. Even though the country is estimated to be home to a third of the world’s poor there is an overwhelming increase in the middle-class population over the past decade. Yet, it is a cruel paradox that this great march forward has not benefited a considerable number of Indians, an issue that has the potential, if it is not addressed timely and properly, that could challenge the very existence of the country and its democratic roots. To this poor people, 65 years of independence has brought no substantial differences in their daily realties in life, particularly concerning the notion of justice, other than for a ritualistic change of guards in New Delhi and at the state capitals.
AHRC-SPR-005-2011-HRRptIndia
