INDIA. Mumbai: The 76th Independence Day, which will be celebrated on August 15 with the theme “One Nation, One Emotion, One Identity,” has a wide range of events planned both in India and abroad.
It is anticipated that the 76th anniversary of Indian Independence will revive the spirit of freedom. The ball has already started rolling with initiatives like “Har Ghar Tiranga” (to fly a tricolour national flag in every home), a selfie with the flag, and the MyGov Quiz for high school and college students.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive Guard of Honour by the Armed forces and Delhi police. He will unfurl the national tricolour flag, accompanied by playing the national anthem and firing of 21-gun salute and showering flower petals by the helicopters of the Indian Air Force at the historic Red Fort. Then he will address the nation. The entire nation is expected to rejoice. However, Independence Day will be celebrated in a subdued manner in Bihar due to a Covid-19 surge. Similarly, the I Day will be celebrated with strict Covid-19 protocol in Delhi.
In the last 75 years, the country has undergone many transformations, and there has been tremendous population growth. India is poised to surpass China’s population by next year as per World Population Prospect 2022. It becomes imperative to recall the past on this National Day.
Rewind
Banks as of 1947: 6 (major banks), as of 2022: (12 public sector banks and 21 private banks). The number of telephones in 1947: 84000; in 2022 (116 crores including cell phones and landlines), Telecommunications Act of 1947 (postal, telegraphic, and money order), 2022 (e-mail, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp, Telebanking and G pay), In 1947, there were six radio stations for audiovisual communication. By 2022, there will be 262 AIR stations, 3.86 million FM radio stations, 57 Doordarshan TV channels, 900 TV channels, and 45 over-the-top (OTT) platforms. 1947: Production of feature films (178 per year); 2022: (1500 to 2000 in 20 languages). Periodicals published between 1947 and 2022, including 17573 daily newspapers.
There were around six significant political parties in 1947. In 2022, there were 2858 parties, including 8 national, 54 regional, and 2796 unrecognized parties. There were also 12 states and six union territories in 1947 and 28 states and eight union territories in 2022. (14 lakh).
Economic activities
Compared to the nation’s inaugural budget of Rs. 197.39 crores in 1947, the annual budget has increased to up to Rs. 39.45 lakh crore. The real GDP growth rate for the fiscal year 2022–2023 was predicted by the RBI to be 7.2%. The same estimate was made by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Overall economic activity is still strong due to strong consumer and corporate confidence as well as increases in a number of incoming high-frequency indicators. According to the RBI’s most recent assessment, the recovery in manufacturing and services, strong buffers in the form of adequate international reserves, and a well-capitalized banking system all contribute to the prerequisites for a sustained high growth trajectory in the medium term.
Rupee
In 1947, the Indian Rupee was worth 24.77 US Dollars. Even though the demand for the US dollar increased due to rising crude oil prices and tighter global supply, it recently increased to Rs 79.62 versus the US dollar. According to experts, the weakened currency is anticipated to help domestic producers increase their exports, which will result in a trade surplus.
FDI
According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the overall amount of FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) entering India from January to March 2022 was US$22.03 billion, while FDI equity inflow for the same period was US$15.59 billion (DPIIT).
With US $15.87 billion, Singapore received the most foreign direct investment (FDI), followed by the US ($ 10.54 billion), Mauritius ($ 9.39 billion), and the Netherlands ($ 4.62 billion).
Karnataka received US$ 22.07 billion, followed by US$ 15.43 billion for Maharashtra, US$ 8.18 billion for Delhi, US$ 2.70 billion for Gujarat, and US$ 2.79 billion for Haryana.
Employment
India’s employment situation improved in July 2022, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) reported, following a sharp decline in the employment rate in June. Although the jobless rate in urban India stayed at 7.66% as of mid-July, the overall unemployment rate fell to 7.29%. The unemployment rate in rural areas was 7.12%. According to the CMIE, West Bengal had an unemployment rate of 5.2 per cent, with Haryana having the highest rate at 30.6 per cent.
Foodgrains
For 2022–2023, the government has estimated a 328 MT foodgrain output. It consists of the 164.85 MT of rabi grain output and the 163.15 MT of kharif grain production.
The Union Agriculture Ministry forecasts a record-breaking production of 307.33 MT of food grains during the current crop season. The goals are 121.10 MT, 110 MT, 51.21 MT, 25 MT, and 38.4 MT for rice, wheat, coarse cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, respectively.
Population
Approximately 138 crore people live in India today (71 crore men and 67 crore women), which is 17.7% of all people on earth. At the time of Independence, it was 53 crores. Men make up 51.96 per cent of the population today and women 48.04 per cent. There are 35% of people living in cities and 65% living in rural areas. The lists top three are Uttar Pradesh (20 crores), Maharashtra (12 crores), and Bihar (10 crores). The smallest state, Sikkim, with a population of 6 crore.
Literacy
According to the National Survey of India, roughly one in four Indians are still illiterate, with the overall literacy rate standing at 77.7 per cent (compared to about one in eight people worldwide). India will achieve universal literacy, according to UNESCO, in 2060.
Urban and rural areas have literacy rates of 87.7% and 73.5%, respectively. The literacy rates for men and women are 84.7% and 70.3%, respectively. Kerala continues to lead the way in terms of literacy rates with 96.2%, followed by Mizoram with 91.33%. Bihar (61.8%), Arunachal Pradesh (65.38%), Rajasthan (66.11%), Jharkhand (66.41%), and Andhra Pradesh (67.02%) have the lowest literacy rates.
Defence
India is well-equipped for defence, with a current defence budget of Rs 5,25,166 crore and moving toward self-reliance. Vikrant, an indigenously built aircraft, will shortly be commissioned into the Indian Navy.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has proven its mettle in the field of space research with several successful missions, including dedicated commercial missions of NewSpace India Limited, while the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has been making strides in military research (NSIL). In the future, India is predicted to rise to prominence and establish itself as a “World Guru.” Let’s hope that we soon surpass China as a powerhouse.
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