Centre for Civil Society was founded on 15 August 1997, on the 50th anniversary of India’s political independence to signify the necessity of personal, economic and social freedom from the omnipresent Indian state. We advance social change through public policy to enable each individual to lead a life of CHOICE and to make every institution ACCOUNTABLE.

Our focus is on Policy Change to bring liberal reforms by engaging with current policy and opinion makers and on Mindset Change to create active citizenry by engaging future leaders and change agents. I capture some of our major WINS here as I look back to eighteen-years of hard work, long periods of frustrations and moments of triumphs. However I would do it all over again. It has been a deeply satisfying journey.

I’ve had the pleasure of being mentored by a passionate and resourceful Board and have worked with some of the brightest minds in India—my former and current team members are all integral to and responsible for these achievements of CCS.

On this special occasion of CCS foundation and India’s independence, Gurcharan Das, Trustee of CCS, shares a message on the rise of India and how the free society and free trade are the keys to lasting peace, prosperity and national success.

In liberty,

Parth J Shah

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The opinions expressed in this essay are those of the authors. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CCS.