If the Elephant Flies

India is the world's largest democracy, and looks confidently to joining the ranks of the most advanced industrial economies. Antonio Armellini, former Italian Ambassador to India, looks at the opportunities and pitfalls confronting India in the twenty-first century: a buoyant economic climate and a strong 'can do' mentality among the people have to reckon with a bloated bureaucracy, widespread corruption, the enduring influence of caste and the role of Karma. In vividly illuminating pages, the author analyses the various aspects of the country's institutions and the mechanisms of its civil society, and provides an original insight into the motivations of the remarkable optimism with which Indians pursue the perspective of accelerated economic growth and global strategic influence, indicating in their aspiration to be recognized as a Super-Power. Many hurdles remain before the elephant can confidently fly, but the combination of optimism and strong commitment which characterize contemporary India lead the author to a reasonably optimistic conclusion.