K.R. Narayanan.(K. R. Narayanan, a remarkable president of India)(Kocheril Raman Narayanan)(Obituary)

From: The Economist (US) | Date: November 26, 2005 | Copyright information

Kocheril Raman Narayanan, a former president of India, died on November 9th, aged 85

DESPITE the fact that India is stratified by age-old hierarchies, in no other poor country has democracy struck such deep roots so quickly. The life of K.R. Narayanan suggests an answer to the puzzle. He was born at the very bottom, into the group of "out-castes" once called "untouchable" and now known as dalits. Yet he rose to the top, serving as the country's president from 1997 to 200...

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