This book is about India, its problems and prospects. Its author, Nandan Nilekani, is the co-chairman of the board of directors of the largest Indian software company Infosys Technologies Ltd., which is called the Indian Microsoft. He fascinatingly and unbiasedly analyzes the economy, politics and culture of his country through the prism of fundamental ideas that determined its appearance in the past and determine it in the present. The structure of the book is based on the process of changing ideas and the formation of economics and politics under its influence. It is divided into four parts according to the depth of changes in certain aspects of Indian reality. The first discusses problems that have radically changed in recent years. It is these changes that define the dynamism of today's Indian society. For example, if a large population was previously considered a brake on development, now it is seen as a source of human capital and a valuable asset. The second part of the book deals with ideas that are still in the air. They have become widespread, but have not yet begun to bear fruit. For example, in the past two decades, the idea of universal literacy has gained mass acceptance, but strategies for universal education have not yet been completed, and Indians are still dissatisfied with the state of their schools. The subject of the third part of the book is the main controversial issues. There are areas where disengagement has reached its limit, and the absence of even a hint of agreement does not allow urgent decisions to be made. For example, there are fierce debates about higher education, how schools should be regulated, and what the ratio of public to private universities should be. Another topic of heated debate is labor relations. Confrontation in these areas has divided people into those who believe in favor of reforms and those who are ready to abandon them. The last part of the book is devoted to the labyrinths of Indian politics. It highlights those ideas that have not come into the focus of public attention, despite their unconditional importance for the future. Years of colonialism meant that India did not go through the cycle of natural development. Until the 18th century the region dominated the global economy. At the best of times, India and China produced almost half of the world's gross domestic product, and the ideas that arose in the subcontinent influenced the formation of culture, laws, philosophy and science throughout the world. However, after liberation from colonial dependence, India began to follow the example of developed countries. It borrowed many institutions from them: the parliamentary system and constitutional model from England, and early socialist ideas from Europe and the Soviet Union. The author calls to change this situation. He emphasizes the need to unite the actions of the population and politicians. The book gives a complete picture of how the largest developing country approaches its problems and how it uses the opportunities offered by globalization. It is addressed to businessmen, economists, political scientists and all those who are interested in the present and future of India.
