If I were prime minister: N Veeraraghavan

India will be holding elections over the course of one month from 16 April.

BBC News asked people from all corners of the world's largest democracy what they would do if they were prime minister.

N.VEERARAGHAVAN, TECHNICAL PROJECT CONSULTANT, 59, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU

The Indian nation as I see it is at a crossroads. Since independence and becoming a republic, this country has been torn apart by strife which has only been exacerbated and perpetuated by the division of states based on language.

Every monsoon season, some parts of the country witness large scale destruction caused by rains and floods, while other parts reel under the grip of drought.

And yet, the linking of the country's major rivers, a project proposed several decades ago, still remains a pipe dream, raked up every election to garner votes.

If I were to become PM, my policies would focus on evolving the Indian psyche beyond regional/linguistic/caste/religious identities and modernising the administration towards the creation of a welfare state.

Primary education will be made compulsory and free to all citizens. The programme will gradually be extended to include all levels up to high school or possibly even undergraduate education.