Introduction

Have you ever wondered why some states in India do so much better than others in particular areas? Why do Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh prosper in agriculture and horticulture? Why are Maharashtra and Gujarat industrially more advanced than the rest? How is it that Kerala — popularly called 'God's own country' — has excelled in literacy, health care and sanitation and also draws tourists in such large numbers? And why does Karnataka's information-technology industry attract world attention? …