includes index and biblioraphy

Bringing illuminating insights from cultures as diverse as soviet Russia, South Korea, Middle East, Afghanisthan, Libya, Uganda, Holland and United Sates, Vishal Mangalwadi overturns the popular ideas about the cause of backwardness of our people and our country. Colonialism, capitalism, and now corruption are seen as the roots. But since backwardness predates colonialism, the author`s forceful analysis says that it is our culture that legitimizes, via myths and religious philosophy, the social degradation of majority of our people by our traditional elite. The book may appear biting in its criticism of some of our ways, but Mangalwadi`s message IS love: Instead of treating them as untouchables we need the philosophy and power to be love our neighbours as we love ourselves.