The author tears into the false narrative of India's progress since independence and the mirage of a glorious future, created by the political class and the bureaucracy. With facts, data, and a touching narration he reveals the plight of the poor and the unemployed through the decades. One of the most agonizing facts that he highlights is that since independence, India has fallen 100 places behind other countries in GDP per capita; and with Bangladesh overtaking India on this parameter, India is destined to remain the poorest large country in the world. 

The book illustrates how Indians have become hostage to a crippled system that is unable to deliver. Power brokers in the garb of politicians, entrenched bureaucracy driven by self-interest,  ineffective judiciary, and elements of the fourth estate along with self-seeking pseudo-intellectuals have formed a powerful coalition to thwart any change in the system and policies which is essential for the transformation of India,  initiated from time to time by some progressive governments.

Based on his diagnosis of why India continues to fall by the wayside as also his insights into strategies, governance systems, and best practices of countries like South Korea, China, and others, the author evolves a framework for the strategic transformation of India to 'Catch Up and Leapfrog' these countries.