Synopsis Rural areas currently are home to 70 percent of India's population. Providing rural India with better access to services, technology, education and health care will reduce inequality and alleviate poverty for hundreds of millions of its citizens. It is critical that rural initiatives be linked to empowerment and capacity-building, to achieve a sustainable and inclusive rural development in the context of the millennium development goals. The present volume is a collection of theme papers of the Third International Conference on "Rural India: Achieving Millennium Development Goals and Grassroots Development" organized by Bhoovigyan Vikas Foundation, New Delhi. Based on specific themes the book is divided into three parts. The papers are written by well known academicians, scientists, technocrats, researchers and policy-makers. The papers review the current rural scenario, policies, programmes, and draw lessons for developing a professional development strategy to strengthen the rural base of the country. The book is useful for researchers, policy-makers and development practitioners.