Democratic Vs. Autocratic rule - Which will lead to sustained development?

It has been said that since India follows a democratic model, the growth in India will be sustained and strong as compared to China. However, I am not quite sure that this can be taken for granted.
China is in a position to set clear vision and precisely target its resources and tactics to achieve the vision, India on the other hand struggles to articulate a vision and execution of tactics if any is neither reliable nor consistent.
This brings to mind the flashes of excellence that we see every once in a while that transforms an institution and generates renewed enthusiasm. The best example I can think of is that of Abdul Kalam as the president.
Over the years the presidency had become almost a dormant and symbolic institution. There were times when the leader of the ruling party could get the president to do whatever the party wanted. The people were reminded that they have a president only when the President officiated in the Republic day pageantry and was promptly forgotten later.
When Abdul Kalam assumed office, he started off with articulating Vision 2020; then he spoke about how to get there. And most importantly, instead of sitting at Rashtrapati Bhavan, he made it a point to visit school children and kindle in them a desire to bring out their best. The common man for the first time saw the institution of president in action.
Abdul Kalam infused energy, hope and motivation to a large number of people. Simple living and high thinking were the hallmark of his presidency. When the ruling party tried to push through reservations, Kalam had valid questions and requested a re-think. It is a different matter that the bill was shamelessly re-presented without changes and following protocol, Kalam had to assent. However, this was the quality that prevented Kalam from a second term. Abdul Kalam was not a rubber stamp.
We have made the mistake of losing a good president by not extending his term. It seems to me that the less effective the president the longer the term. It remains to be seen how his successor is going to meet up to the new raised expectation for the office of the president.
Our question will be answered when matters of importance go to the new president for assent. However, by the looks of it so far, in my books, this president will have two terms! Democracy is not bad, but with great freedom comes great responsibility.