The last 60 years have seen collapse of many democracies. For a poor country, it is more difficult to sustain a democracy. From poverty, we have come to being a developing nation. Not only did we survive, we have the distinction of becoming world's largest democracy.
On the occasion of the Indian Parliament completing 60 years, as quoted in "Democracy is behind our growing global stature says PM", ABP Live (13 May 2012)