India, the world’s most populous country, is a major economic and political power in South Asia. Known for its vast linguistic, cultural, and geographic diversity, India has a rich history that spans thousands of years, with deep-rooted traditions in philosophy, science, art, and religion. Its large population and vast history mark its economic and cultural importance.
While India’s civilization can be traced to the Harrapan era, that is, 1400 BCE, its modern political boundaries were established in 1947 when it gained independence from British rule. It is now a federal parliamentary democracy with 28 states and 8 union territories, with New Delhi as its capital. India has a democratic system with a multiparty political landscape, with the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party being the two dominant national parties.
As one of the fastest-growing major economies, India is a global hub for technology, manufacturing, and services, while also being an agrarian powerhouse. It is a nuclear-armed state and plays a key role in regional and global geopolitics, maintaining strategic partnerships with various nations.
India is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse countries in the world, home to multiple religions, sects, castes, and tribes. It has more than ten-thousand languages and hundreds of regional dialects, with Hindi and English serving as the two of the 22 official languages. Despite economic progress, India faces challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and environmental concerns, alongside managing its complex social fabric and regional disparities.
Unfortunately the offspring of the great Minoo Masani is living in denial. The memory of Rajaji and Minoo Masani has long been obliterated by past Congress governments, who had no place for anybody not belonging to the dynasty. The present regime has nothing to do with it. Secondly India never had a place for liberal, secular and free market values during any ruling dispensation. The present government is as anti free market as all Indian governments have been since 1947.
Some very interesting and important segment of political history of independent India. Truly nothing much is known about Minoo Masani to the present generation of Indians, although in my younger days in school and college, he was a prominent political figure. Particularly Odisha, my home state was ruled by Swarantra party with RM SinghDeo at the helm for several years. There is need for an unbiased historical account of independent India highlighting roles different political persona other than Nehru. All our history books are so partisan towards one narrative and one leader!
I think MrMinoo Masani was a giant of a man. Rare person of courage n integrity. Indian political and economic history has not given him his due. But I think MrZareer Masani gets it wrong in blaming the present political crop. It was the Congress that obliterated MrMasani’s memory and contribution. I dont think the BJP is promoting Rajaji’s memory either,and if indeed they are,then its easier to do as Rajaji is better known having been the last GG of India.Having said that,any fair historian who writes or records India post becoming a republic cant ignore the contribution that MrMasani made to the country. Or the values that he espoused and held. We now mostly have men of straw-Minoo Masani’s true nationalist breed is much needed in India today.