INDIA AT 75: A NATION MARCHING TOWARDS AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
“Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-realization?”
-Late Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam
This year on the 15th of August, as India enters her 74th year of independence, we, the proud citizens of this great land are on the run to fulfill the dreams of an ‘AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT’ or a ‘self-reliant India’, envisioned by Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and other long-forgotten architects of modern India.
As soon as India attained independence from the British rule in 1947, we started contributing and progressing in diverse fields. Through the Green revolution, White revolution, Space science technology, Nuclear initiatives, and many more, India was making small, yet significant steps in establishing her presence globally.
The nation witnessed a breakthrough on July 24, 1991, with the introduction of New Economic Policy, commonly known as LPG (Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalization). It was a strategic transition in the phase of India’s economy, which changed the very outlook of India from a global perspective. This policy eliminated the trade restrictions and tariffs, thus unwinding the country to international trade and ‘Globalisation’
Fast forward to the early 21st century. India, seeking help from other nations, eventually culminates in becoming a dependent nation. According to sources, our total imports from China is nearly 5 times that of our exports. Even though India ranks 2nd in the number of start-ups, it is the Chinese companies that largely invest in us.
What made us realize the dream of a self-reliant nation? The recent skirmishes with China, due to bilateral issues especially during a time when the whole world is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic was least expected. It has for sure, opened our eyes, making us realize the need for an ‘AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT’.
As our honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi had mentioned in his speech, the textile industries were severely affected, following the nationwide lockdown. Surging demands for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits at a global level also posed a serious challenge. However, these textile industry workers of India utilized this opportunity to make PPE kits for the frontline workers who were fighting the deadly virus. In just two months, India became the 2nd largest producer of PPEs globally, with a production rate of 4.5 Lakh kits per day! It is estimated that by 2025, this industry will be worth $60 bn.
PPE Kits Production in India
When India was scrambling to get supplies of hand sanitizers, women from a tribal community in Chhattisgarh cultivated the ‘Mahua’ flower, a native to that place, to brew alcohol. It proved to be a silver lining, as alcohol forms the base for hand sanitizers. This reinforced the need to go ‘vocal for local’!
“Great historical progress always comes after major disasters.” These were the words of Xi Jinping; the Chinese premiere himself! We must capitalize the ongoing momentum and demonstrate to the world that even we can do it! We can draw lessons from countries like Germany and Japan that even after the devastation caused by the World War, they quickly restored to normalcy with the unity and support of their countrymen.
It is a sad reality that the youth of this nation squanders both time and energy on activities that are hostile to productivity. Today’s youths are tomorrow’s innovators and nation-builders, but they require adequate support in opportunities and skills to revolutionize the future. Moreover, educational qualification is not the only criterion to determine an individual’s significance in the contemporary world. The right skillset and mindful approach to challenges are what is more crucial. With over 450 million of the population being youth, India must make full use of this untapped potential in exploring the possibilities of a successful nation.
“What can I do?” must be the driving force of each Indian in collectively turning this dream into a reality. It was the same question that the tribal women and the textile workers asked themselves and made their little contribution to the nation’s progress. As a country approaching 75 years of existence, we still have a long way to go in becoming self-reliant. But now that we have realized it is time to bring about a huge change, we are one step closer to turning our dreams into reality. Our freedom fighters have just helped India free from foreign rule, but it is our responsibility to make India truly independent.
Wake up, India! Let us together achieve something the world has never seen! Let us make this nation proud! I would like to remind each Indian, the famous words of Swami Vivekananda-
“Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached.”
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