This book deals with the working of democracy in India and the country's progress in human development since independence. Expanding the range of people's choices and creating an enabling environment for people to attain important capabilities of leading long, healthy and creative lives, to participate in decision making with focus on poor and the marginalized embodies the idea of human development. There is a need to sensitise government officials, NGOs, media, members of legislature and officials towards the need for concerted human development action. This book will be of use to economists, researchers, planners, administrators, teaching faculty and students of universities and colleges.

The author is an administrator and scholar of repute with keen interest in Gandhian Thought. He has contributed in the finalization of Tamil Nadu's Human Development Report.