Indian States at a Glance 2008-09: Performance, Facts and Figures presents information on the 29 states and 6 union territories of India in a set of 22 volumes. A compilation of the latest facts and figures, ranging from the basic socio-economic and demographic indicators to development parameters, these books also provide brief profiles of the states covering their history, culture, cuisine, handicrafts, places of tourist interest as well as an account of their performance vis-à-vis other states

Gujarat, a state with a rich tradition in trading and finance, leads the nation on a high-growth path. All sectors in the state have shown a better performance than the national average, except in the years when droughts, industrial recession and natural calamities have hit the state. However, the state has always been quick to pick up after setbacks. With a high emphasis on infrastructure growth, the state has become a leading destination for industrial investment. Gujarat was the first state in the country to privatize construction of ports and has made tremendous progress in providing electricity to its villages. It is also well known for its success in dairy cooperatives. While the state has shown excellent results on the economic front, in case of social development parameters, such as education, health, and balanced district growth, there remains much more to be achieved.