The great success story is of course that we are a functioning democracy. We have tried to institutionalize a democratic form of Government that drew upon the most ideal features of all democratic constitutions in the world. It is but natural that there is a gap between such an ideal features of all democratic constitutions in the world. It is but natural that there is a gap between such an ideal situation and the reality on the ground. The decline in moral values and standards of public life and political conduct has led to a sense of despair.
But our people have wisdom and resilience. We have great and noble traditions and a great cultural heritage. The values that united us as a notion long before the territorial integration was achieved continue to inspire and guide us today.
Though we have achieved self-sufficiency in food and made tremendous progress in science and technology and industry, there are innumerable challenges and problems facing the country– poverty and unemployment being the foremost among them. We however have vast human resources and it should be possible for the Nation to build up our capabilities and overcome the problems still facing us and make India truly reflect its genius and great heritage.
India is second to none in the advancement and application of knowledge in the service of human welfare. India’s message of peace and understanding among all religions and all diverse cultural and ethnic groups is very much needed in the world today. India’s message of simplicity and focus on higher values of life can save mankind from seemingly inevitable environment and ecological disasters.
Let the world not forget that the only way to solve global problems is the Indian way - the path of Ahimsa or non-violence.

—R. Venkataraman
Former President of India &
President, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan