India on its 76th Republic Day: An Analysis
India today stands as a testament to its enduring civilization, one that has weathered repeated attempts at erasure during centuries of foreign rule. The Islamic rulers, over seven centuries, sought to suppress India’s indigenous identity and forcibly convert its populace to their faith. Later, British colonialists pursued a similar objective, albeit through more nuanced methods.
The British delved into India’s spiritual, philosophical, and literary traditions, reinterpreting them in ways that portrayed them as inferior to Christianity, a branch of the Abrahamic faiths. They rewrote India’s history, embedding these distortions into the education system, thereby omitting the core essence of a civilization that has thrived for over 5,000 years.
Despite these challenges, India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage has endured, and today, it continues to flourish, reflecting the resilience of its ancient roots.
India: Charting Its Path to Self-Governance Post-1947
In 1947, the British departed from India, leaving it economically devastated and on the brink of collapse. With a population of 390 million at the time, India faced the daunting challenge of importing nearly everything essential for survival—food, consumer goods, and basic necessities. To compound the crisis, the British partitioned the country along religious lines, triggering ongoing conflicts over military and economic dominance.
India, a land of immense diversity where 22 major languages and over 350 dialects are spoken, required a comprehensive framework to govern itself. This need led to the creation of a constitution, completed by 1950, which established India as a parliamentary democracy. The states were subsequently reorganized into manageable administrative units, each functioning independently while being connected through a federal system and a central parliament.
In this system, the majority party governs, and the head of state is elected by both houses of parliament. Every citizen of voting age of 18, has the right to elect their representatives, ensuring a democratic process at both state and national levels.
Despite its challenges and frequent criticism from the West, India’s democratic framework has proven resilient and effective. This stands in stark contrast to several neighboring countries where governance systems have faltered. India’s journey of self-rule continues to be a remarkable testament to its strength and adaptability.
India’s Determined Path to Economic Progress
From the outset, economic progress was a critical priority for India’s government. Initially, the country adopted the Soviet-style Five-Year Plans, which remained in place for three to four decades. While this approach brought some progress, it was largely mediocre. By 1985, food shortages were effectively addressed through river harnessing and agricultural modernization. However, India’s industrial growth lagged, necessitating the import of numerous consumer and industrial goods.
The financial crisis of 1991 served as a turning point. The realization that stringent controls and licensing policies were stifling growth led to their abandonment. With the economy liberated from these restrictive practices, India entered a golden era of economic transformation.
Over the past 35 years, India has witnessed remarkable economic progress. Reforms introduced in 2014 further accelerated this growth, propelling the nation to an impressive 8% annual growth rate—the highest in the world. This determined effort has firmly positioned India as a global economic powerhouse.
Where India Stands Today
India today is a $4 trillion economy for 1400 million people, poised to become the fourth-largest economy in the world. It has established itself as a global trade hub, importing and exporting goods to meet its needs.
India’s military strength is formidable, earning recognition not only from neighboring countries but also from major world powers. Internationally, India commands respect, and its voice carries weight in global affairs.
What makes this progress remarkable is that India has achieved it largely through its own efforts and ingenuity, with minimal reliance on external assistance. This self-reliant growth underscores the resilience and determination of the nation.
Long live India.