Let us admire one thing this Independence Day: India has survived and progressed as a nation despite several predictions to the contrary.
The Chinese strategist who this month wrote the controversial article suggesting that India should be broken up into 20-30 states is one of a long line of sceptics and India-baiters, who have been proven wrong. Winston Churchill had said many decades ago: “India is merely a geographical expression. It is no more a single country than the equator is.”
There has been no shortage of other dire predictions that India would implode or sink into mass starvation.
Yet, the taut relations between regions, castes, religions and linguistic groups are at least partly pernicious. Too many citizens are mired in the sort of poverty and lack of opportunities that can lead to rage. The state is corrupt, inefficient and too easily captured by vested interests. And we live in a dangerous neighbourhood.
These are challenges to be met by an inspired leadership and committed citizens.