India is a very very complex country, So it's not easy to address some of these issues as elsewhere, India is an enigma where you will see abject poverty and wealth beyond vanity coexisting side by side, You dont see that in any other country in the world and majority of it's upper and middle class population seem quite comfortable with that status quo
But i have seen great changes as well as someone that have been to the country several times over the years rapid changes, And yes caste is a major impediment for human development there but there is also alot of Indians coming out of poverty, With a more educated population caste is gradually diminishing atleast in the urban area's when it comes to daily lives of the people (Inter caste marriage and stuff is another matter).. A long way to go but there is a lot of optimism, Sometimes that optimism turns in to irrational nationalism mainly in online forums like this one, But in real life most Indians i know accept the reality and the struggle ahead and they know the massive potential of their country.. And they're determined to get there