Given that in large parts of the country, Indians did not have a State for centuries, we understandably forgot the art and science of statecraft. The last seven decades have been a time of re-learning. Hence, focusing too much on the foibles of individuals, families and parties, while important for introspection, should be seen in the broader historical context. Some mistakes in economics, law and foreign policy may now seem obvious, but often that is because we, looking back decades after the republic was forged, have the benefit of hindsight. Some mistakes were avoidable but many were
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