Tiranga Awaits: Unlock the door to opportunity
-- Dr. Radhika Guleri Bhardwaj , Member (Writers’ forum Kuwait)
Sunday, August 9, 2020
The year 2020 started in a haze
An unseen enemy challenged the human race
Life of ours has taken a pause
Standstill today we’re for a cause
Though physically staying apart
But together one we’re by heart
Time to keep our spirits high
Time to rise above the fear & fly
The 74th Independence Day is here and it’s time to celebrate and pay tribute to our freedom fighters. Unlike past 73 years of celebrations, this year’s celebration would not be the same due to COVID-19 pandemic. Global crisis in the present year seems to be full of health-related, economic and many other challenges. As an economic giant in ancient times, to conservative economy and then to liberated economy, it has not been less than a roller coaster journey for the economic growth in India. Aryabhata’s invention of the digit zero given to the world marked India’s unforgettable role in world economic prowess. We were the largest economy in the world in ancient times but British colonialism in India shattered the economy of our country during the 19th century. Post-independence the Indian economy grew but at slow pace because of the conservative economic policies chosen by the leaders and was mainly driven by Green and White revolutions. The history of agriculture in India dates back to Indus Valley Civilization. There is no doubt that the agriculture sector during the British rule was a disaster for the people of India but the green revolution started in 1965 marked a period of time when agricultural practices shifted from traditional to more technological methods. In 20th century the Indian growth took a pace by introducing economic reforms with liberalization, privatization and globalization and in past three decades the growth is touching highest scales year-on- year. India showed its prowess to the world during all these years through the progressively developing IT, Pharma and Space research (ISRO) sectors etc. India managed to overcome world economic crisis in 2008 much faster than most of the other economies and from 2014-2018, we were the world’s fastest growing major economy, surpassing China.
India is often seen by most economists as a rising economic superpower which will play a major role in the 21st– century global economy. Basically India’s economy and GDP is dependent upon three sectors: agriculture, industry and services. We cannot deny the fact that the economic contribution of agriculture in India’s GDP is steadily declining with the countries broad-based economic growth. Looking at the present scenario, it is essential for India to re-strengthen and build a productive, competitive, and diversified agriculture sector.
It has been truly said that, “ Necessity is the mother of invention” and today the struggle for survival amidst the corona virus chaos sparked a wave of innovation. Brilliant innovative minds of our nation have proven that they are not less than others and are fully capable to deal with unexpected situations even with less available resources. Very soon after the nationwide lockdown was imposed in March, Indian railways decided to convert 20,000 old train carriages into isolation wards for COVID patients. A 10,000 bedded hospital created overnight in New Delhi has set up one of the world’s largest makeshift hospitals amid corona virus surge. Entrepreneurs and innovators across India have responded quickly to the challenge posed by the pandemic. In response to COVID-19, integrating efforts between doctors, IT professionals, biomedical engineers, universities, industries (start-ups) and the government, worked out to be fruitful. Low cost portable ventilators by start-ups in collaboration with the professionals from IITs, drones, robots and other similar innovations to combat the pandemic are the proofs of our skills.
It’s time to change the slogan “Atmnirbhar Bharat” or “self-reliant India” into a reality and grab the opportunities by expanding exports. Topmost foreign companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft and others are ready to invest in India instead of China. India’s pharma sector is the biggest production house of world’s pharma industry in the present time and the third largest pharmaceutical market by volume. India was never into manufacturing medical textiles export, including PPE kits, it was completely owned by China. India started manufacturing PPE kits within two months of the outbreak and today it is the second largest hub for manufacturing PPE kits in the world. There are plenty of research laboratories worldwide in the race of vaccine development for COVID-19 and India too is in this race. Which ever country will come up with an effective vaccine, no one can deny the fact that the production will be from Indian pharma sector only. Covid19 pandemic has shown us that pharma industry is one of our strengths and if invested properly in Research & Development sector of pharma industry, it can majorly contribute in the economy boost.
Unanticipated COVID-19 consequences have taught us lessons to be learned for the future. Once the pandemic storm vanishes and life starts moving on normal track then creative solutions will be needed for the sustainable post pandemic economy. How and to which level we cope up with the future challenges will completely depend upon the correct policies taken by the government at the right time. The tricolors in our national flag represent courage, sacrifice, truth, purity, faith and chivalry. The wheel symbolizes unceasing motion and progress. We the people of India are the true representatives of our national flag and this time too we should show courage in the present crisis with truth, sacrifice and faith. Together we shall keep moving and progress.
Jai Hind!
Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the article are those of the authors and written by them; the author is solely responsible for the content in this article. IndiansinKuwait.com does not hold any responsibility for them.