By Dr AK Srivastava
In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Indians to embrace the “Panch Pran” — five vows — by 2047 when the country celebrates 100 years of independence. The first vow, he said, is for India to become a developed country in the next 25 years. It was a “big resolve”, the PM said.
India, the most populous nation on the planet, has a legacy of several thousand years. The sixth biggest land mass on earth has given birth to many religions, philosophers, scholars, scientists, thinkers and revolutionaries who have lived and worked for the enlightenment and dignity of human existence since ancient times. Myanmar, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were part of this great civilisation in the past centuries. The fragrance of Indian culture can still be smelled in day-to-day life of all these nations. The land of saints and visionary prophets is once again headed to be the Vishwaguru. It is free from the clutches of colonial rule and foreign invaders. The country has astonished the world with its economic growth and by emerging as a huge global market in recent years.
Prime Minister Modi has declared that India will be the third biggest economic power and a developed country within a couple of decades. A developed nation is a self–sufficient and self- reliant nation in all spheres of life. It is a nation with a strong economy, advanced technology, and a high quality of life for its citizens. At the moment, we are at the stage of transition and the flight is ready to take off with huge manpower of skilled, trained and highly motivated young men and women. The new education policy concentrates on skilled-based and job-oriented education. The future of the nation is in the hands of IT experts and AI professionals that are ready to make the Indian Diaspora more successful and triumphant on the international arena. The GDP is highly encouraging and constant at the rate of eight to nine percent per year. The Internet and smart phones have made a revolution in spreading information at diverse levels.
It is evident that the government is making enormous efforts to enhance the infrastructure of the nation. Better road network with highways and overhead bridges are going to reduce the distances for the common person. Most sophisticated and automatic vehicles are going to rule the roads with fuel efficiency and high speed. The railway network will be flooded with high- speed luxury trains equipped with all modern amenities. The government is in the process of building hundreds of efficient and sophisticated airports. Such facilities of transport are going to enhance tourism. Actually, India has numerous places of tourist interest but, so far, the governments have not been taking serious initiatives to promote them. Travel facilities, tourism, the hotel industry, local trade and commerce, etc., are drastically connected to one another. They also generate employment opportunities for the common person. A country of 1.4 billion citizens cannot offer government jobs to everyone. Jobs can only be generated by networking different sectors. Such efforts would lower the poverty index and increase the per capita income of the nation.
In recent years, democracy has experienced a high degree of maturity in the nation. People want leaders to perform and show results in diverse areas. Hence, political leaders have understood that their survival is based on performance. That is why many issues that have been neglected for ages are being addressed. Frequent elections in different states keep politicians engaged round the year. It is also an enormous waste of public money and time. Let us hope that the country agrees to the policy of One Nation & One Election.
India has made tremendous progress in the field of defence. It used to be one of the largest importers of weapons and military equipment. But now it is a matter of pride that our nation is exporting aircraft and several other military weapons worth billions of dollars. The world is highly impressed to see the growth of our country in the field of defence research. Our army is one of the best in the world. We have managed to curb terrorism in almost all parts of the nation including Kashmir. We can strongly hope that terrorism will be wiped out of our country in the next five years.
We can see great development and progress in the field of medical sciences in India. The government is opening many medical colleges in order to take health care to the doorsteps of villagers. With the coming of AI, the most complicated and advanced surgeries will be performed by robots with hundred percent precision and accuracy. India is going to be the centre of medical care for neighbouring countries. Infant mortality rates will be reduced, and life expectancy is on the rise.
Population rise at high speed has always been an issue. The government is talking about the Uniform Civil Code. Let us hope that the government manages to explain CAA to the masses and the two-child policy is adopted by the country in the larger interest of the nation. CAA is not against any religion, caste or creed. If the population explosion is stopped, the nation is bound to flourish at high speed. It is time to forget and forgo small differences and work for national growth and integration.
The country is shifting slowly from an agriculture based to a science and technology based economy. In the last seventy-five years, literacy rate has increased and the nation is preparing world class scientists who are addressing old issues and exploring new avenues for peace and prosperity of the nation. ISRO and metrological research will guide the nation to another stage of development.
The country is laying a lot of importance on women’s education and empowerment. Girls are being employed in the most difficult and challenging areas like defence, aviation and space research and technology. Now the potential of girls is a new window of enormous possibilities. This will continue to rise and bring new glory and recognition to the nation.
Corruption, Politics of Polarisation and Communal Unrest are three major factors that still bother our nation and don’t let it become a “Developed Nation”. It is really true that a common person faces corruption at different stages in day-to-day life. It is y high time to curb this menace to society. Citizens must realise their duty and throw this practice out of our lives.
Politics of polarisation in the name of religion, caste, creed and language is hindering our growth and progress. We must adhere to the values embodied in our constitution. All citizens should be treated equally and with sympathy. Democracy doesn’t allow any polarisation and unity in diversity is the keynote of our constitution.
Similarly, communal unrest is one of the major challenges that we are facing. Both the majority and the minorities should learn to live with mutual love and respect. All disputes should be amicably solved. If there is a need, the verdict of the courts should be honoured. Communal clashes really tarnish our image at the international level and many forces take advantage. Such a factor also causes massive financial loss and ill feelings among different communities. It is said that life is governed by small things, not by big things. So, let us stop spitting and urinating on roads. Use public transport more frequently. Don’t blame the government for every debacle. Do introspection and pay your taxes punctually and honestly.
Finally, we can say that we are at the threshold of becoming a “Developed Nation” in the next five years. The nation has progressed in almost every major field. Scholars and scientists have toiled to see us at this stage. It is everybody’s mission to take the nation in the category of “Developed nation”. Our freedom fighters have died so that we can live and enjoy the blessings of freedom. Let us make their mission successful.
(Dr AK Srivastava is Principal, DAV Inter College, Dehradun)
