We have come all the way from being like an African nation to what we are now in just over 50 years. That's a really big achievement.
Well I do not know what was India's condition 50 years back. But I have often heard my grand father say, that India had enough gold in it is exchequer to buy England! Coming back to serious business, the current policy of reservations, etc.. would surely make us a 'African' nation before long. Dr. Kalam's 2020 goal would just remain a distant dream. :-/
Regards, Debarshi