Why has Indias rise happened IN SPITE OF THE GODS?
It has long been fashionable to see religion-and particularly Hinduism-as India’s greatest strength. Without in any way disrespecting one of the world’s greatest-and in many ways most spectacular-religions, this book sees the Hindu caste system, which is integral to Hinduism, as antithetical to modernity. India’s rise is taking place because a system of meritocracy and opportunity is beginning to creep into India’s society. This is happening in spite of Hinduism and its notorious caste system, which has strangled opportunities for millions of Indians over thousands of years by confining them to hereditary occupations. You describe India’s economy as somewhat schizophrenic, please explain. India’s software, IT and the high-tech end of its manufacturing sector rival the best in the developing world and in some cases-particularly the online economy-are competing directly with companies in the US, Europe and Japan. This very dynamic and global end of India’s economy is growing rapidly and
