Contents: Preface. 1. The making of states. 2. Governance: concept and framework. 3. Elections: pride and price of Indian democracy. 4. Dynamics of state politics. 5. The administrative apparatus. 6. Policy perspectives. 7. The development paradox. 8. Challenges of governance: conflicts, contradictions and compromises. 9. Moving forward: towards a new governance system. Appendix. Bibliography. ‘Government’, it is said is a rough heavy bulk of machinery that we must get to work as best we can. …. It goes by rude force and the weight of needs, greedy interests and stubborn prejudices. In his “Governing an Indian State” Dr. Ravindra, a senior and seasoned bureaucrat brings his vast experience and wisdom to bear upon some of the areas of “greedy interests and stubborn prejudices” and examines the fading relevance of the traditional bureaucracy to the ever expanding demands of a feudal order grimly struggling to be reborn into a modern egalitarian society. In Chapters 6, 7 and 8 Dr. Ravindra suggests measures to change this image for a vibrant modern tool to manage the great forces of social and economic transformation. The book amply rewards readers interested in a clear understanding of the problems and of the remedial resources both human and technological.