India at Cross Roads After 65 Years
India at the cross-roads 64yrs after Independence
Since 1947, India has been celebrating Independence Day to rejoice in her freedom from imperialism. Its essence is also to recall how much suffering people had undergone during the British rule.We all are now ready to celebrate 65 years of Indian Independence, which is obviously a good day to sing patriotic songs, listen to dignitaries’ speeches and feel passionate about our motherland. However, we tend to forget the basic introspection required that where are we heading, as an Indian and as a Nation?
“The Tryst with destiny “ speech of Pt. Nehru at the dawn of Independence reminds us of the will and courage of the freedom fighters who laid their lives happily for mother India. We are also reminded of the new responsibility that comes our way where every citizen of the country has to contribute to the best of his or her abilities in the service of Mother India.
While there are many reasons to celebrate 65 years of India's independence, there are good reasons to introspect as well. The primary cause for concern is the dichotomy that has rendered our nation into two unequal worlds. Only a small number of people have access to the majority of resources while the larger part of our country, with its teeming millions struggle even for one square meal a day. Many people take pride in the fact that the Indian economy has been growing at rates between 7% - 9 % in the past few years. In fact, some people even argue that improvement of the country's Human Development Index (HDI) is a testimony to India's progress (0.406 in 1975 to 0.547 in 2011). References are also made to the rising FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and Forex (Foreign Exchange) reserves where everyone is busy counting millions of dollars that are infused into Indian economy by outsiders. These trends, however positive, are accompanied by a paradox-the ever-looming spectre of the 'other' India of urban poverty and rural inequities that refuses
Since 1947, India has been celebrating Independence Day to rejoice in her freedom from imperialism. Its essence is also to recall how much suffering people had undergone during the British rule.We all are now ready to celebrate 65 years of Indian Independence, which is obviously a good day to sing patriotic songs, listen to dignitaries’ speeches and feel passionate about our motherland. However, we tend to forget the basic introspection required that where are we heading, as an Indian and as a Nation?
“The Tryst with destiny “ speech of Pt. Nehru at the dawn of Independence reminds us of the will and courage of the freedom fighters who laid their lives happily for mother India. We are also reminded of the new responsibility that comes our way where every citizen of the country has to contribute to the best of his or her abilities in the service of Mother India.
While there are many reasons to celebrate 65 years of India's independence, there are good reasons to introspect as well. The primary cause for concern is the dichotomy that has rendered our nation into two unequal worlds. Only a small number of people have access to the majority of resources while the larger part of our country, with its teeming millions struggle even for one square meal a day. Many people take pride in the fact that the Indian economy has been growing at rates between 7% - 9 % in the past few years. In fact, some people even argue that improvement of the country's Human Development Index (HDI) is a testimony to India's progress (0.406 in 1975 to 0.547 in 2011). References are also made to the rising FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and Forex (Foreign Exchange) reserves where everyone is busy counting millions of dollars that are infused into Indian economy by outsiders. These trends, however positive, are accompanied by a paradox-the ever-looming spectre of the 'other' India of urban poverty and rural inequities that refuses