August 15, 2007

India has transformed itself in 60 years of its independence from a controlled economy into a nation with a vibrant, open market economy based on robust growth. The famines of India's early years have been converted to food surpluses, literacy levels have risen, entrepreneurship in big, small and medium enterprises has flourished, and throughout this period the country has enjoyed free and fair elections, which have thrown out governments and ushered in new governments.

One must recognise that great disparity still exists and that a large portion of the population survives at or below subsistence levels while a smaller, more fortunate segment enjoys wealth and well-being. One must also recognise that the absence of a strong unified ideological construct in parliament, deprives the country of unified direction, singleness of purpose and often even hinders the momentum of growth.

In its 60th year, clearly India's time has come. The country is now universally recognised as a nation on the move and takes its place amongst the successful economies in the region. The future potential is enormous but the country's destiny is in our hands. The time has come to move from small increments to bold, large initiatives. The time has come to stretch the envelope and set goals which were earlier not seen to be possible. The time has come for performance to be measured and for allocated funds of the government to reach the people for whom they were intended.

I am proud of my country. But we need to unite to make a unified India, free of communalism and casteism. We need to build India into a land of equal opportunity for all. We can be a truly great nation if we set our sights high and deliver to the people the fruits of continued growth, prosperity and equal opportunity.

Ratan N Tata
Chairman, Tata Sons