From Anthony:

The problem is not what went
wrong in India. The problem is modern day India is not living up to her
cultural legacy. The same could be said about China, the two major
Eastern Civilizations, although things could be different in the coming decades or centuries. ( Predictions and forecasts are always tricky,
because they are always tainted by personal biases.)

Every great cultures and
civilizations had their fifteen minutes of fame. The Egyptians, the Babylonians, the Hebrews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Chinese, the
Indians have all  achieved greatness at one
time or the other. Whether they could maintain that greatness throughout
time is another matter. While some peoples could re-vitalize their cultures from time to time, some people just disappear into the dustbin
of history, leaving behind a rich legacy that is being developed by other people. Witness modern Greece, which is a far cry from the greatness of the Classical Greek Culture.

When I visited the Pyramids in
Giza, I was struck by the fact that although the Pyramids were built
4000-5000 thousands years ago, the modern Egyptians are stilling
profiting from their legacy, either through tourism or souvenirs sales, etc.

The issue is whether that
culltural greatness is still living tradition. I have talked to quite a few Indian
people that express great admiration for what China is doing to develop its economy.  So is China on its path to revitalize her great cultural heritage or it is just show and tell?

(to be continued because I have to go)

Anthony

My response to the question is:

India is considered "under-developed/poorest" according to the western
definitions of wealth and development. Stephen has said it himself that
India is "RICH" and "INTELLECTUAL"!! It's a matter of what yardstick is
used in defining a nation.

Cecilia