As India marches towards its 75th year of Independence (August 15, 2022), the Government of India has geared up for a grand 75-week celebration 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' that pays homage to the country's freedom fighters and draws inspiration from them to help the country stride towards a stronger and more prosperous future, powered by 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India)

The superstar of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan, is lending his voice to the cause of women's rights in real life as well as through his films. In this issue of India Perspectives, we bring you a dialogue with the man who reigns supreme as an Indian cinematic icon.

We also take note of the significant steps taken at the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) which was held in the holy city of Amritsar in Punjab in early December 2016.

India hosted the 8th BRICS Summit in Goa where Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a peaceful, balanced and stable world and told the BRICS leaders that it should be driven by people-to-people contact led by the youth of the five nations. In this issue we do a review of the far reaching decisions taken at the BRICS and BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach Summits.

Visits by India President, Vice President and Prime Minister to the African continent this year underline the nation's commitment to partner in the ongoing resurgence of Africa. Under our Partnership section, we reveal how Afro-optimism is still the dominant sentiment with some of the world's fastest growing economies humming and thriving in the African continent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits to United States of America, Iran and Afghanistan in the months of May and June witnessed a number of advances on the foreign policy front. The Indian Prime Minister's visit to USA signalled a new era in the India-US relations and built upon the progress achieved in providing new vigour and momentum to the strategic partnership between the two countries. PM Modi's visit to Iran saw signing of a number of agreements including the pact to develop the strategic Chahabar Port where India would invest US$ 500 million.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden visit to the Gulfs most powerful economy, Saudi Arabia, the first by an Indian PM after six years, has put India-Saudi Arabian Strategic, economic and energy ties onto a higher trajectory, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Saud and PM Modi had met in November 2014 on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Brisbane and thereafter, the two countries have been constantly trying to forge a dynamic relationship. Oppotunities in areas like petroleum, renewable energy, infrastructure, defence, banking and agriculture were explored and deliberated upon during the recent trip.

The long-standing civilisational relationship between India and France dates back from the Mughal rule to the days when thousands of Indian soldiers defended French territory during the two world wars. The relationship was further strengthened by the principled support of the French for India and its sovereign concerns in times of crises. Today, fighting climate change is an important part of the India-France bilateral agenda. On his second visit to India, the President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande, inaugurated the secretariat of the Solar Alliance, yet another achievement from the Paris Summit, in Gurgaon. The focus is on delivering the goals and promises that have been set for 2020 and thereafter.

As India gets ready to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to the renowned jurist and visionary through this issue of India Perspectives. We trace the glorious legacy of the messiah of the downtrodden and highlight his contribution to the Constitution of India through the Tribute pages. In the Milestone section, we talk about Indian Constitution, the longest of any sovereign nation in the world, that provides a comprehensive and dynamic framework to govern and guide the nation, keeping in view India's unique social, cultural and religious diversity.

A new chapter in Indo-US relations was added with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States. At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York, Mr. Modi emphasised on the need for fast-track reforms and expansion of the United Nations Security Council. Another milestone moment in the history of India's foreign relations was during the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) Summit when Prime Minister Modi termed the island countries of the Pacific region as "Large Ocean States with vast potential".

India's inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a full-member at the Ufa Summit was a milestone that will provide an added impetus to its drive to scale up relations with its extended neighbourhood. Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi's visit to the BRICS and SCO summits in Russia and the five Central Asian states has further set the stage for lasting transformation of India's multifarious relations with the strategically located and resource-rich region.

As the seasons change and the monsoons arrive in India, we have the occasion to celebrate the success of the First International Day of Yoga. Last year, Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi had called for celebrating this event on June 21, and a resolution in the General Assembly of the United Nations was co-sponsored by 177 nations and supported by all the member states. The first celebration was resounding success, with events in 250 cities, and in 192 countries. In this issue we trace the journey forward, and show how India's ancient treasure provides not only health benefits, but can be a way of dealing with the stresses and pressures of the modern world.

On the bilateral front, the SAGAR Yatra that comprised Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi's recent visit to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka envisages a more proactive role by India in developing the economy of the Indian Ocean region. On the anvil is another important venture – Project Mausam – that looks at rekindling long-lost ties across the nations of the Indian Ocean. The Prime Minister's 'Make in India' initiative received a boost with the momentous Aero India 2015 in Bengaluru, a show for Indian and foreign aerospace companies. Meanwhile, Border Haats are being opened up to build Tripura's trade ties with Bangladesh.

The Government's Digital India initiative is taking concrete shape with each passing day. We take a look at the progress of this effort which plans to integrate and synchronise all digital innovations to ensure timely execution with maximum impact for a better future. India is achieving other milestones too. Courtesy IRCON, the iconic Yal Devi Express between Colombo and Jaffna resumed services after 25 years. Meanwhile, the world's largest high-altitude telescope was installed in Ladakh. The year 2015 began on a high note with Mr Barack Obama becoming the first US president to grace the Republic Day celebrations as chief guest. "Women Empowerment" was the theme and all-women contingents from the Army, Navy and Air Force marched by at the parade – a maiden initiative.

By actively participating in major multilateral summits like the G20 meet in Australia, ASEAN in Myanmar and SAARC in Nepal, India is showing the world that it is ready to be an active player in the process for shaping a new global order. The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, instrumental in spreading Indian technical expertise globally, has completed 50 years of existence.

Reiterating faith in India's strong economic and infrastructural potential, Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi recently launched the "Make In India" programme aimed at getting top global companies to target India as a manufacturing hub. Chinese President Xi Jinping's India visit in September opened up a host of possibilities – economically, socially and culturally. We also look at the forthcoming SAARC summit in Nepal that aims to energise cooperation at various levels.

The launch of PSLV-C23, which put five overseas satellites in orbit, stands testimony to this fact. Read more on the feat in this issue. This issue focusses on one of India's progressive states, Arunachal Pradesh, which recently got its first railway line and is aiming to achieve self-sufficiency in foodgrain production. We review the Ministry of External Affairs' latest initiative, an encyclopedia titled India-China Cultural Contacts which provides an in-depth look at the history of India-China relations.

A new era dawned as India saw its 15th Prime Minister being sworn in. Narendra Modi, the first leader to get a landslide majority for the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on its own, took oath on May 26, 2014 at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

As the world's largest democracy, India, goes to polls to elect a new government, former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr SY Quraishi shares his views on this 'celebration' of democracy and the changing scenario over the years. From social media websites to emails and SMSes, we showcase the way political campaigning has changed in the country. And look at how elections are attracting foreigners to Indian shores, thus giving birth to a new genre called 'poll tourism'.

India, as a spiritual destination, has remained enigmatic for eons. Intrigued to know more about the histories and mysteries of Indian spiritualism, lakhs of people from across the globe choose to travel to India. It is the land where rivers are regarded as goddesses. The seven rivers, considered most sacred and the lifeline for millions of people in India are Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Godavari, Narmada, Indus and Kaveri. We explore the spiritual connect of these rivers and trace their flow.

It was 25 years ago when we embarked on a journey. To us, in the Ministry of External Affairs, it was more appropriately a responsibility, as we had to take India and its many colours to the world. The year 1988 was the year India Perspectives was born.

The famous words of Mahatma Gandhi communicate this real approach towards India's freedom struggle. It was actually freedom of mind that built the freedom of people and freedom of India.

In this famous verse Lord Krishna reveals to Arjuna that life is born form food, food is produced by rain, rain is produced by performing yagnya.

The Indian summer has arrived. The mercury levels are rising and people are busy making most of the longer days. This is the time to enjoy mangoes, melons, cool drinks and some pre-monsoon showers. May and June are also the months when action shifts from bigger, warmer cities to cooler, quieter places in hills and forests, where many Indian heads for vacation. This time, we could resist the temptation of visiting a few places ourselves and share with our readers accounts of our excursions to the places they too can explore.