THIS BOOK DRAWS on a wide range of sources to provide an insight into modern India. It is not just a compilation of facts but also an analysis of problems and issues. The facts are used to substantiate an underlying message, namely that India is faced with a number of challenges, but has the resources to overcome them and become an egalitarian country.

The first two chapters provide a framework within which to understand the institutional infrastructure of India as well as the social fabric which binds it together. Chapters 3 to 12 provide a social perspective; each chapter gives a factual overview and describes key government policies linked to the issue in question as well as the international context. For example, the section on Health and Nutrition begins with an historical background to medical practice in India (with reports of brain surgery being carried out successfully in 927 AD) but also explores contemporary shortcomings, and contrasts these with international standards. (India's health expenditure, for instance, is only one-third of the WHO-prescribed minimum.)

Chapters 13 to 22 cover issues related to science, infrastructure, the environment, defence and the economy, pointing to a number of paradoxes. A case in point is the fact that, despite the Indian public distribution system being the largest network of its kind in the world, one-third of all food produced in India is wasted due to poor distribution and storage facilities. Another example is the fact that, despite having one of the lowest rates of pesticide application per hectare, the daily intake of pesticide residue in food is amongst the highest in the world. The final two chapters in the book provide a ranking of India's performance and a list of her participation in international conventions. Web site addresses and names of institutions are provided for further information.