DURING a conference in the mid-'80s, Professor Mrinal Datta Chaudhuri of the Delhi School of Economics came up with a brilliant critique on Indian policy-making. He said: "The problem with us is the incessant use of an obnoxious phrase called 'But in a country like India...'" Fifteen years later, I am amazed at how right Mrinal was—of the phrase being blithely used to justify ridiculous policies, design absurd systems and stymie reforms.