76th Independence Day of India and Development of India

-- Aliza Susan John , 10-C, Indian Educational School

Sunday, August 7, 2022

On the night of August 15, 1947, the first Prime Minister of Independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, said, “At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.” These words symbolized the accomplishment of the dreams of our martyrs and the start of a new journey filled with love, peace and happiness as India finally freed itself from the clutches of the British after almost 200 years, marking the day as Independence Day of India, the national day of unification. To mark the historic day, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the Indian national flag above the Lahore Gate of Red Fort in Delhi which became a symbolic gesture, and continues to take place every year. The day is celebrated with much fervor throughout the country with flag-hoisting ceremonies, drills, cultural events, and the singing of the Indian National Anthem.

The Indian independence movement lasted from 1857 to 1947. The British company had landed in India in the early seventeenth century as traders, but began interfering in Indian affairs around 1750s. After the fall of the Mughal Empire, the British gained the support of many local rulers by offering them help against their adversaries. The victory of British during the battle of Plassey (1757), began to transform a trading company into a ruling force. India's passage to independence from British rule was initiated by Mohandas Gandhi also known as Mahatma Gandhi, who assembled and conducted a series of non-violent protests. In 1942, during the Second World War, The Quit India Movement demanding an end to British rule was launched by the Indian Congress. These series of events helped India to gain independence. But the Independence Day also coincides with the Partition of the country when the country was severed on communal grounds and widespread bloodshed, migration and violence followed.

India, which has now become an impactful country globally has grown a lot since it got its independence from colonial rule. It has developed in terms of infrastructure, education, healthcare, science and technology, and in almost all other sectors. But still, it is considered a developing nation.

Development in secondary sector

A major development in the nation’s services sector has been visible in the telecom and information technology sectors. Presently, the services sector employs more than 30% of the Indian workforce and this process of development started back in the 1980s. In the 60s, the sector employed only 4.5% of the working population. According to the Economic Survey 2021-22, the services sector accounted for more than 50% of Indian GDP, and the figures are expected to grow in the future.

Development in agricultural sector

During the post-Independence era, the growth rate nudged about 2.6 percent per annum. Expansion of farming areas and the introduction of high-yielding varieties of crops were the major factors of growth in agricultural production. The country has also grown strong in the agri-biotech sector. The Rabobank report reveals that the agri-biotech sector has been growing at 30 percent in the past few years. The country is also likely to become a major producer of genetically modified/engineered crops.

Development in education

Pulling itself out from widespread illiteracy, India has managed to bring its education system at par with the global standard. The number of schools witnessed a dramatic increase during the post-independence era. The Parliament made elementary education a fundamental right for children in the age group of 6-14 years by passing the 86th amendment to the Constitution in 2002. At independence, India’s literacy rate was a paltry 12.2 % which increased to 74.04% as per the 2011 census.

Development in healthcare

A decrease in death rates is considered one of the major achievements that came India’s way in this sector. While life expectancy was around 37 years in 1951, it almost doubled to 65 years by 2011. In 2022, it was increased to 70.19 years. Similar improvement was noticed in the maternal mortality rate also. India’s maternal mortality rate also declined from 212 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 103 deaths in 2017-19, as per a report by The Hindu.
Special achievements

India has emerged as a space power that has successfully launched foreign satellites. Through Chandrayaan-1, India became the 4th country in the world to plant its flag on the lunar surface in 2008. Its first mission to Mars was launched in November 2013 which successfully reached the planet’s orbit on 24 September 2014. In June 2015, ISRO launched 104 satellites (highest in the world) from a single rocket through PSLV-C37.

Development in India is still continuing. India is expected to be the third-largest consumer economy as its consumption may triple to US$ 4 trillion by 2025, owing to a shift in consumer behavior and expenditure pattern, according to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report. It is estimated to surpass the USA to become the second-largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP) by 2040, as per a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers. As we celebrate the 76th independence day of India, it is necessary for us to look behind and take a moment to appreciate the how far we as a country has come. Several years ago many countries believed that after the partition India is going to be a completely divided country with no economic growth and technological advancement. But today India has definitely proved them wrong. We ourselves being nationalities of India tend to not introduce ourselves as Indians but residents of Kuwait, believing it is some type of shame. As we set up our ambitions, many want to learn and work abroad believing India is just not good enough in terms of financially and technologically. But we forget that only if we the youths of India and ready to sacrifice and work for the development of India shall it flourish. Hence let us keep our heads up as we celebrate the 76th Independence Day in pride and work for the advancement of India.

Aliza Susan John , 10-C, Indian Educational School