A functioning democracy is one where every individual is able to find his place in society, seek his rights and pursue a vocation in tune with his abilities. India's multi-party democracy is the successful embodiment of this very process. India has held freely contested elections at regular intervals since independence. The scale of the electoral process is immense: 620 million voters requiring 4.5 million election officials. While ballot boxes have to be transported on elephant-back to some remote rural areas, other places have Electronic Voting Machines as welcome innovations. The strength of India's democratic traditions was shown once again by the people of Jammu & Kashmir in October 2002, when 44% of the voters came forth and exercised their choice at the hustings despite the terrorist threat.

What also makes India a vibrant democracy is the assimilative nature of its society. Age old traditions have dovetailed with the modern concept of democracy. Outsiders have been welcomed, cultural influences seen as enriching; proactive inclusiveness has led to the development of a successful democracy in modern India.

A melting pot of cultures, India is home to people of all major faiths of the world. Secularism is not only a way of life - it is a philosophy embedded in India's history. Diversity abounds - in geography as well as in culture. In this land of mighty mountains and spectacular deserts washed by the waters of three oceans, a billion people live together -people who speak 18 major languages, worship different Gods and celebrate different festivals. They also celebrate unity and their unique Indianness.