Prasenjit Basu

Prasenjit Basu is an economist at Credit Suisse First Boston in Singapore. In the following viewpoint, he argues that India has achieved remarkable results in lifting its people out of poverty while creating and maintaining a democratic system of government. India’s economic growth and rising literacy rates constitute an untold success story that bodes well for India’s future, he concludes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why did India lag behind South Korea and Taiwan in economic growth and literacy rates, according to Basu?
2. What historically unprecedented task is India attempting, according to the author?
3. What future prediction does Basu make about India"

India recently passed two milestones: the 52nd anniversary of its independence [August 15, 1999] and, by some estimates, the birth of its billionth living citizen. The...