Book excerpt: During the past few years, India has passed through a tumultuous period, characterised by events, ideas and reforms which are truly transforming the socio-economic landscape of the country. It is an era of great upheaval in the country—socially, economically and politically—which is making a complete break with its past to rediscover itself and to redefine its role in the twenty-first century world. This book, a collection of fifty published essays, captures the spirit of these extraordinary times in India that are shaping not only its own future, but also impacting, and being in turn impacted by, the world around. In the process of harnessing the energy and creative potential of the billion-plus population of this youthful nation, and to leverage the power of technology to accelerate growth and improve delivery, fault-lines are also appearing that threaten to disrupt the process of change. The book chronicles the essence of these changing times in India, encompassing its history, economy and society against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving world.