By Kalpna Singh-Chitnis
On the eve of its 77th Independence Day, the world looks towards India, filled with wonder and high hopes. Meanwhile, India looks toward the world with hopeful anticipation, yearning for prosperity and global peace, particularly after the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Like any other country, India has its own unique challenges, problems, and ways of handling them, often not in line with Western approval. India’s distinct cultural identity, along with its social and political ideologies, does not conform to the template of Western culture and socio-political norms. Yet, India, since its independence on August 15th, 1947, has stood firm, akin to the Himalayas, regardless of the approval or disapproval of nations that feel challenged by its strong presence not only in South Asia but on the world stage. Encircled by countries like China and Pakistan, which have shown their hostility toward India repeatedly, and neighbors like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives—with whom India has mostly maintained good relations—have also presented unique challenges in recent years.
Managing a country like India, with the world’s largest population and a cultural and religious diversity unmatched by any other nation, is no simple task. For a country that endured over 200 years of British colonization, which shattered its economic backbone and left it famished and mutilated by the partition of 1947, standing independently without leaning on any superpower is an impressive feat. So, what sustained India’s spirit? Was it the blessings of its 33 million gods and goddesses ensuring she remained resilient in the face of such profound challenges? Or was it the indomitable spirit of the nation itself? To understand this, let’s overview India’s accomplishments since independence.
For a country that endured over 200 years of British colonization, which shattered its economic backbone and left it famished and mutilated by the partition of 1947, standing independently without leaning on any superpower is an impressive feat. So, what sustained India’s spirit? Was it the blessings of its 33 million gods and goddesses ensuring she remained resilient in the face of such profound challenges? Or was it the indomitable spirit of the nation itself?
Political Milestones: India has firmly established itself as the world’s largest democracy with a solid constitutional foundation, drawing inspiration from other successful democracies. Since 1951, India has consistently held regular, free, and fair elections, enabling peaceful transitions of power, showcasing the strength of its democratic values.
Economic Progress: India transitioned from an agrarian-based economy to a diversified one has been strengthened by vibrant manufacturing sectors and services. Liberal reforms paved the way for the Indian economy, inviting global trade and investment, which fueled its economic growth. By its 75th year of independence, India rose to become the 5th largest economy globally, surpassing Great Britain, its former colonizer.
India’s Sustainable Development Initiatives: To tackle poverty head-on, India rolled out measures such as the MGNREGA, which promises jobs to rural households. The country also brought in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, fine-tuning its social welfare schemes. With the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, healthcare saw a huge shift, aiming to insure over 100 million families in need. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) shifts the focus to clean energy by offering LPG connections to those living below the poverty line, doing away with the dangers of wood or coal-based cooking. The Jal Jeevan Mission is all about making sure every rural home gets clean piped water by 2024. On top of this, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is changing the game in sanitation by pushing for more home and community toilets.
Scientific and Technological Achievements: India’s ISRO has made significant strides in space with its Moon and Mars missions, Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan respectively. The Chandrayaan-3 mission launched on July 14th 2023 aims for a soft landing on the moon’s south pole, setting the stage for more in-depth lunar exploration and potential resource mining. Beyond space achievements, India boasts robust nuclear tech, a rising pharmaceutical industry, and the introduction of Aadhaar – the world’s largest biometric ID system. These are just a few examples that highlight India’s unwavering dedication to scientific and technological excellence.
Defense and Strategic Sector: Ranked as the 4th strongest military power in the world according to the Global Firepower Index, India’s defense capabilities are a testament to its strategic priorities and innovations. The country’s prowess is evident in its indigenously developed defense equipment, aircraft, and missiles. Significant milestones include the development of ballistic missiles like Agni and Prithvi, the induction of the Rafale combat jets, and the continued expansion of its naval fleet with assets like the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. Additionally, India’s active participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions underscores its unwavering commitment to maintaining international peace and security.
India is gearing up to host the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi from September 9 to 10, 2023. As the presiding nation, India will play a pivotal role in shaping the agenda in collaboration with member countries. This summit, focusing on current global economic trends, underscores the significance of the G20 for India and its impact on the global economy.
Infrastructure Developments: India takes considerable pride in its advancements in infrastructure. From National Highways and Metros to the iconic Golden Quadrilateral and Smart Cities initiatives crafting urban centers with future-ready infrastructure—India’s strides are noteworthy. Among its highlights are mega-projects like the world’s tallest rail bridge on the Chenab River, the Motera Stadium—the world’s largest cricket venue, and “World One”, which stands as one of the world’s tallest residential skyscrapers. Additionally, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is poised to become the world’s largest international airport. Other significant undertakings include the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Mumbai Coastal Road, and the Zoji-la and Z-Morh Tunnel Projects.
Environmental Initiatives: While there is still much to address regarding the global environmental crisis, India has made significant strides with several environmental initiatives. These include a strong commitment to renewable energy, significantly backed by investments in solar and wind energy. The country has also established the National Green Tribunal, underscoring its dedication to tackling environmental concerns. Beyond this, India’s efforts in wildlife conservation have been remarkable. On the wildlife front, hunting is completely prohibited in India. Initiatives like Project Tiger and Project Elephant aim to protect and preserve these iconic species in their natural habitats. The country’s network of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves further exemplify its commitment to biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection.
Social Reforms: India has undertaken significant strides in social reforms. These include the abolition of untouchability, affirmative action initiatives for disadvantaged groups via reservations, and key legislative actions to bolster gender equality, encompassing laws against dowry, domestic violence, and workplace harassment. Broad-reaching campaigns to enhance literacy and champion education, particularly for girls, have witnessed marked improvements across states.
Cultural Diplomacy: A hallmark of India’s global identity, cultural diplomacy remains one of its core strengths. The international allure of Indian cinema, the reverence for its classical arts and music, sports, and the global embrace of Yoga are testaments to this. The United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day on December 11, 2014. The declaration came after the proposal was introduced by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during his speech at the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014.
True to its motto – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्), meaning “the world is one family”, India has been a leading figure in the Non-Aligned Movement. It has actively hosted and participated in myriad international events championing cultural diplomacy. Furthermore, as a key player among SAARC nations, India continuously fosters regional cooperation and understanding.
Looking forward, India is gearing up to host the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi from September 9 to 10, 2023. As the presiding nation, India will play a pivotal role in shaping the agenda in collaboration with member countries. This summit, focusing on current global economic trends, underscores the significance of the G20 for India and its impact on the global economy.
India’s journey since 1947, replete with numerous milestones, challenges, and transformative changes mirrors the depth and diversity of its historical tapestry and reflects its profound aspirations. As for what the future holds for India, both domestically and on the international stage, I’ll delve into that topic in my forthcoming opinion piece next week.
Wishing India a very Happy Independence Day!
