A 72-year old India
The Indian freedom movement was a mass-based movement that encompassed various sections of society. It also underwent a process of constant ideological evolution. Once Indian determined to set their land free from colonial rule, the British left with no choice but to flee, however; it was not easy. India proudly stood free from the shackles of slavery of the British rule on 15th August 1947. Hoisting our national flag at red fort, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, our first Prime Minister of Independent India, delivered a remarkable speech that boosted the confidence and awoke sense of unity when he said," Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge…At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom." As much as the moment was special, his words touched every Indian and left an everlasting impact on the hearts of millions of people. This date has been declared as the National and Gazetted Holiday all across our country in order to independently commemorate the independence of India from the British Empire. The mere mention of this date fills our heart with immense pride and acknowledgement of the lives sacrificed during the course of the freedom movement. We owe this freedom to our valiant freedom fighters who didn't hesitate for once to give up their lives for their future generations to live free.
India faced internal conflict and had very little financial reserves for her development. It was almost like a blank paper to write on. Overcoming a lot of challenges, we achieved recognition on the global forefront. India has seen tremendous growth and development and now has become the fastest emerging economy in the world. India achieved new heights in every sphere; from physics, chemistry, maths, medicine, literature to film, sports, technology, space and music.
Landmarks we established after Independence
Constitution
Indian constitution or let's say the ponderous constitution in the whole world is a detailed document encompassing laws, rules and procedures to be followed by legislative, executive and judiciary and all other citizens in the country. Our founding fathers were wise enough to put right to vote for all and universal adult franchise an integral part of our constitution for prevailing democracy in diversity. Earlier people believed that the right to vote shouldn't provide to all the citizens as 88% of our country's population stood illiterate during the time of Independence. So those elite groups thought that the conscience of electing representatives instill from education but contrary to this, our founding fathers believed that even an illiterate person was capable of electing their representatives and the vision turned fruitful. Indian constitution has bestowed Indians with fundamental rights. It works on the universal adult franchise, which means anyone above 18 years irrespective of one's caste; creed and religion have the right to vote. This concept of the universal adult franchise made our constitution a unique one wherein 2014 election, 81 Crore people were eligible to vote. The election took a month as it held in 9 different phases. This was a mass scale election that has never happened in the history of the world. We are the second most populated country with functional democracy. Otherwise, there are countries like Ecuador, Venezuela, Russia, Thailand, Africa and the Philippines who tried to set up the democracy but failed. We are among a few countries who grants right to information to its citizens.
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure Development of country depicts the level of development in a country. It is a matter of pride for any country. India witnessed a remarkable development of roadways, railways, airports and smart cities etc, providing world-class facilities to various parts of our country.
Railway network
Indian railways become one of the largest railway networks comprising 1, 15,000 km of track over a route of 67,321 km and 7,112 stations. Indian Railways carries more than 23 million passengers daily from one place to another.
Roadways
Various fly-over and expressways have been constructed to link different area areas and to ease congestion on other highways. Eastern Peripheral Expressway is the latest in this area to provide ease in commuting from one place to other for the people of that region.
Airport
With world-class facilities, the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi is awarded as the best Airport in Central Asia and Best Airport Staff in Central Asia at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. It also awarded as the Best Airport award by Airport Council International.
Smart City
Smart city project envisions for reducing pressure on other cities. Around 100 smart cities to be built for having the rub-off effect on another part of the city, nearby cities and towns.
Technological Development
What once was known as magic now is called "technology". Science has the power to make everything possible. The word technology often brings to mind common modern innovations such as the automobile, television, cellular phone and even nuclear warfare or space research. Both science and technology have impacted the economic growth and social development in the country in an extraordinary manner.
Nuclear Reactor
Asia's first, Apsara nuclear reactor was set up on 4th August 1956. India currently nestles 21 nuclear reactors in operation in 7 nuclear power plants.
Metro
The latest technological development in this area is the metro railways. Metro services provided a sophisticated, comfortable and quick mode of the mass public transport system. These services are being started in the capital as well as other major cities in India.
Bullet train
Bullet train project is also under construction which will add to the glory of our country.
Internet connectivity
About 323 million people in India accessed the Internet through their mobile phones in 2016, which corresponds to about 24.3 percent of the country's population. Indian villages no more left behind, set to become a part of burgeoning internet penetration in India. About 60 percent of the rural population which lived in villages started adopting this mobile technology. For this, private companies came into existence which resulted in the reduction of tariff rates. People further used this mobile communication in different ways which created a snowball effect. This was a huge achievement as such fast rate adoption of technology is rare but India achieved it. Companies launched innovative technologies at affordable prices and within 10 years from 2007 to 2017, India becomes one of the most valuable markets for internet companies. The IT industry in India is a key part of the country's economy. It adds 8 percent of nation's overall GDP, making it the fifth largest industry in India. As the IT industry in India continues to increase, end-users spending on the market are also forecast to rise, albeit fast.
Self-sufficiency in food
The Indian government has adopted many measures to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains. 1970's and 1980's "green revolution" was the most notable measure especially in the production of food grains making India self-sufficient in food. Not even self-sufficiency, India is now food-surplus country by producing more than the food demand. India is the fifth largest country in the production of cereal, grains, pulses and milk. If we haven't gained this, we will totally depend on the western world for all that's "cutting-edge". We wouldn't able to make independent foreign policy. However, an increase in food grain production is not the same in all the states in India. Therefore, we need to improve the food distribution sector as millions of people and children are deprived of this basic facility in our country.
Space Technology
India has become an important source of the creative and foundational scientific developments and approaches all across the world. This has improvised the economic status and provides a technologically advanced environment for the country. India made a remarkable development in this area like:
· Aryabhata
India designed first space satellite "Aryabhata" in the year 1975. It was named after an Indian astronomer Aryabhata.
· Chandrayaan
India launched "Chandrayaan" in order to explore the moon. The vehicle was successfully transmitted into lunar orbit in its first attempt. Discovery of the widespread presence of water molecules in the lunar soil is the greatest achievements of "Chandrayaan".
· India National Satellite System (INSAT)
The India National Satellite System is a series of satellites used of the telecommunications, broadcasting, meteorology and search and rescue operations.
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
The whole world is amazed to see this wonderful and cheap launch in its first attempt worth 450 Crore by ISRO.
Mars mission
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully launched the Mars Orbiter Mission in its first attempt to probe Mars. India becomes the fourth country to reach Mars orbit, after the Soviet Space Program, NASA and the European Space Agency. It is the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit in its first attempt at a very cheap rate.
Efforts to make:
· Improve the food distribution system.
· Education, Health, Infrastructure and Unemployment are the area in which a lot of efforts have to make to eradicate social and economic differences in our society.
· Abolishment of the caste system that constrains social mobility
· The purchasing power of common man has to increase
· Development of the rural corners of the country
