This book Enlightened Citizenship and Our Democracy, is based on a 1980 talk by Swami Ranganathanandaji, then President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The content also serves as a chapter in his larger work, Eternal Values for a Changing Society.

The book highlights a pivotal shift in Indian history: the transition from centuries of foreign rule to the establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic via the Indian Constitution. It emphasizes the profound transformation of the Indian people from mere "subjects" (prajās) of the British Empire into active citizens. This shift marks the beginning of a new historical chapter, calling for a deeper understanding of the responsibilities that come with modern democratic freedom.