Twelve contributions attempt to draw up a balance sheet of the country since independence. The record shows both achievements and failures. Going beyond the mixed record is India`s major achievement in demonstrating an ability to hold together the largest multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious society in the world which baffles sociologists and political scientists. What glues India together? What will keep India together in future? Political scientists and former administrators and generalists debate these issues in this volume to argue for the need for an overarching vision and justice, justice that would actualize the Mahatma`s vision to wipe the tear from every eye.