INDIA. Mumbai: With a hoist of programs organized across the country and abroad, an invitation extended to a diverse group of citizens at Red Fort in New Delhi, the 77th Independence Day will be celebrated based on the theme “Nation First, Always First”, and is expected to be a grand affair.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the guard of honour and hoist the National flag at Red Fort. The invitations have been extended to 50 people each from fields such as construction, nursing, education (primary teachers), khadi workers, 301 sarpanches, and representatives of 250 farmer-producer organizations. Among the guests, 75 couples will be in traditional attire.
The Indian Independence Bill was introduced on July 4, 1947, in the then-British House of Colonials. The Indian Independence Act was passed on July 18, 1947, and the British dominance came to an end after 200 years on August 15, 1947. The first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, hoisted the national flag at the Lahori Gate of Red Fort in Delhi on that day.
Every year, August 15 serves as a powerful reminder of the nation’s liberation from British colonial rule, and the day serves as a powerful assertion of a nation’s sovereignty. A host of freedom fighters, including Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatma Gandhi, Veer Savarkar, Bhagat Singh, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Jawaharlal Nehru, participated in the freedom struggle.
The country has been making rapid progress in different fields with a thrust on self-reliance, and a host of initiatives have been launched. The stock of various aspects must be taken on the conclusion of Amrit Mahtosav’s 75-week countdown, which began on March 12, 2021.
Economy
India’s economic activity is gaining momentum amid global uncertainties. A strong core Index of Industrial Production (IIP), higher e-way bills and toll collections, as well as recovery in rail freight and port traffic, has been auguring well for overall economic activity. The RBI has projected the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.5% for the fiscal year 2023-24 signifying better days ahead. However, rising oil prices are still the cause of concern which has taken the inflation projection up to 5.4% as against 5.1% earlier.
Social Scenario
India’s population is estimated at 1,42 crore people. Thus the country needs better medical infrastructure. There are many health schemes. However, the transparent implementation of these schemes is essential. The Government controlled hospitals need to upgrade going by the wretched condition of many cottage hospitals in the country, and more skilled doctors are the need of the hour.
Connectivity
Now most of the northeastern states barring Sikkim, have been connected through rail. Besides, many under-serviced air routes have been activated under the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme to provide regional connectivity. This is certainly a welcome sign. However, there are still inaccessible tribal pockets, across the country, including Maharashtra, that do not have road connectivity.
Defence
The progress in indigenous defence production is commendable, and many high-end products, including tanks and fighter aircraft, have been manufactured in the last few years. The recent commissioning of the indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is the best example of India’s self-reliance.
Rewind
How the situation changed in the last 76 years: 1947– No of Banks-(major banks around 06), 2023-(137)(public sector banks-12, private banks-21, foreign banks-45, Regional rural banks-43, Payments banks-04, Small Finance banks-12), 1947-No of telephones-(84000), 2023– (117.2 crore including cell phones and landlines).
1947-Tele Communication-(post, telegram, and money orders), 2023-(e-mail, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp and, Telebanking), 1947-Audio Visual Communication-( 06 radio stations), 2023- ( 850 TV channels, 40 OTT platforms, 467 radio stations), 1947-Feature Film Production (178 annually), 2023– (1900 films including Bollywood 340).
1947-Newspapers-(30)-2023-(1.17 lakh periodicals including 17573 daily newspapers. 1947– No of Political parties-(around 06), 2023-(2657 including 06 national, 54 regional, and 2597 unrecognized parties), 1947– No of States-(12 states and 6 Union Territories), 2023-( 28 states and 8 Union Territories) and 1947– Strength of armed forces- around on lakh), 2023-(14 lakh).
Now we await the anticipated successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s surface on August 23. India is expected to become one of the most powerful countries. Let us hope that we become a superpower soon.
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