Nehru's economic policy, which steered a line between capitalism and socialism, was euphemistically termed 'democratic socialism'. It resulted in heavy investments in public sector undertakings, to keep under state control what were termed the 'commanding heights' of the economy. Transport, railway and airline systems, large-scale industries, electricity, gas, postal and telegraph systems and a host of others, were government-run. To these were added a number of unrelated consumer industries.

Much of the land under agriculture is fed by the monsoon rains, the vagaries of which cause havoc when flooding or drought occur. Large irrigation programmes and the channelling of rivers to feed the land have not proved as successful as traditional land use practices. The development of high-yielding varieties of seeds in the 1970s had a dramatic effect on wheat production in India, turning the country from a net importer of food grain to self-sufficiency. This so-called 'green revolution' did not equally affect the cultivation of rice, which continues to be the most intensively grown crop in India and forms the staple diet of most of the people. Wheat is grown mainly in north India along with other cereals. For a largely poor population, pulses are an important part of the diet. After Brazil and China, India is the largest vegetable and fruit producer in the world.

Large-scale electrification programmes to provide every Indian village with electric lighting have been a major government concern. Enormous power plants have been built and hydroelectric projects developed throughout the country.

www.indianspices.com The Spices Board India (Ministry of Commerce, Government of India) is the apex body for the export promotion of Indian Spices. www.pambaelectronics.com one of the leading manufacturers of Electronic Ballasts and Energy Saver Systems for Hotels in the Small-Scale Industry sector in India. Our product range includes Deity-Command at fingertips, Uninterruptible Power Systems, The Key Tag Holder and Electronic Ballast.