It all began when, viewing the breathless preparations for independent India’s 60th birthday celebrations – and poised then on her own sixth decade – Shobhaa De was struck by the thought: ‘Surely my life has taken the same trajectory as the country’s?’ In an intimate confession to her readers, she answers that question, and many more: Does India really deserve to congratulate itself? Has it lived up to the early promises it made to its people? Does the author believe in India herself?