A glimpse into India@100

Source: This post is created based on the article “A glimpse into India@100”, published in Business Standard on 19^th August 2022.

Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity and Constitution

Context: Prime Minister in 2021 said that “the journey of the next 25 years is the Amrit Kaal of a new India” and “the fulfillment of our resolutions in this Amrit Kaal will take us till 100 years of independence.”

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar in his tweet revealed, what are the expectations to be fulfilled when the Amrit Kaam ends:

1. An India, that is developed.
2. An India, free of colonial mindset.
3. An India, proud of its heritage.
4. An India, united & integrated.
5. An India, whose citizens put duty above all.

Are the above aims achievable?

1) Boosting per capita income to become a developed nation: The question here is what is the level of income, required to be declared a developed nation?

For example, India’s per capita income is currently at $2,200 and according to the World Bank, the world’s average per capita income is over $12,000. It is about $70,000 in the United States, $50000 in the UK, $70000 in Singapore, $40,000 in Japan, and $35,000 in Korea.

It took India 12 years to double its per capita income from $1100 in 2009. At this rate, by 2047, India will be at $8800, which is less than where China is today ($12,500).

Thus, high-level efforts are required to multiply per capita income.

2) India should be free of its colonial mindset: For achieving this objective, first, it is to be decided, what the colonial mindset is. Is it abolishing English from education, renaming roads, getting rid of the railways, replacing Macaulay’s Penal Code, or changing provisions in the constitution adopted from British time laws?

There is no clear definition or roadmap for achieving this objective.

3) We should be proud of our heritage: Again, what is our heritage needs to be defined. Definition of heritage can be changed as per the ideologies of the ruling parties.

4) A united and integrated India: Many present incidents are disturbing the unity of the nation. It has to be properly given thought; what are developments and policies that are creating disharmony among different sections and should be dealt with as soon as possible?

5) Citizens to put duty above all: Article 51A in the Constitution defines the duties of citizens. Government must strive to ensure all of the citizens fulfill their duties, despite ideological differences.