Though imperfect and suffering from several drawbacks, the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, ushering in a new era of local self-governance can be considered as important milestones in the efforts of the nation to realize the sublime vision of Mahatma Gandhi. Kerala certainly can take legitimate pride about providing workable models for the rest of India towards bridging the gap between vision and actualization in the area of people-centered governance and development.

   At a critical stage in the freedom struggle, a journalist asked Gandhi, “When will India attain complete freedom?” Without taking even a moment for reflection, Gandhi replied, “When the people begin to feel that they can change their destiny and situation by their own effort.” Gandhi added foundational dimensions to the freedom struggle. His aim was not just to wrest freedom from the British, but the creation of a new social....