Since 1947, when the Republic of India gained its independence, it has gone through many rough patches. Yet with all the ups and downs, the young country gradually grew into its own as a generally stable, secular democracy.

Bold and courageous Indians debated, and toiled, and not only worked — or began working — through many of the country’s social issues, but also helped lift millions upon millions of their fellow citizens out of poverty, vastly boost the economy, and differentiate India from many of South Asia’s far more authoritarian States and their various communal conflicts.

Read at Muslim Observer.