Today is no Independence Day or Republic day but the day I feel proud of India’s achievements. The Englishmen were smart enough to choose the richest country in the world to colonize. It wasn’t a cakewalk for the India to get freedom from the Britishers however; “then Indians” made it a dream come true.
India accounted for almost 27% of global GDP in the 1700s, 23% in 1800s before the commencement of the colonial era. Britishers bargained India as a poster child of third world poverty after over 200 years of exploitation and corruption. Britishers left India at 3% of global GDP, with 90% of the population living below the poverty line.
The literacy rate was below 17% and a life expectancy of 27-35, which has almost doubled up now at 70. Education was the last thing Britishers desired to invest in. Will Durant, the American historian, traveling in India as late as 1930, pointed out that the entire expenditure of Britishers on education in India from primary to highest universities was less than half the high school budget of the state of the New York.
Now, gleefully, Indians and India have made great strides since the attainment independence and individuality.
We have efficaciously eradicated notable epidemics and Polio is one of them. Life expectancy is almost 70 which was merely 32 years at the time of independence. This is one of the major feat taking into account that we comprise 17% of world population.
Indians have been skillful to develop one of the most coveted space programs in the world began in the year 1969. Today we are regulars at launching space programs including Lunar and Mars mission, and commercial launching of satellites of developed nations at very low cost. Yes, you are right, Imma trying to boast and show off a little.
We have done well to humanity by way of forecasting of cyclones in Indian peninsula thereby substantially reducing the loss of life thanks to our space programs.
All the major educational institutes like IIT and the rest were established after independence by the government of India. The growth rate of British India from 1900 to 2947 was merely 000.1% as they drained us of the taxes and resources.
Indians are perceptive and tactful to pursue an independent foreign policy now when the interference by outside powers have been zero, thanks to strides made by India in various fields like agriculture production, economic progress, space programs, nuclear energy, and defense.
Strong democratic institutions have been another achievement of India. Withstanding various pulls and pressures of a new and poor nation at the time of its independence, India has been able to develop its democracy beautifully and gracefully by giving a universal franchise to its citizens irrespective of their economic and social status.
India is one of three largest military powers in the world today and has got one of most sophisticated missile programs in the world.
India has been developing its technical education sector unwaveringly since independence. This gave rise to into our green revolution, our independent space programs, eradication of epidemics and our envious IT sector.
We are virtually the leading exporters of engineers today, just saying.
India is marvelously growing with each passing day taking into account the gargantuan size of India, its demography and poverty, and plunder left behind by colonial powers at the time of independence.
And, I quote Shashi Tharoor “There can humbly be no comparisons between the accomplishments of India rising from the ashes British left us in and British India”.
Britishers came and looted India looking at her potential. It has achieved much but still to achieve a lot and we’ll for sure. Pretty good research in your blog. Much appreciated 😊
Well said. We have a long way to go. We need to go beyond statistics and mature on humanly grounds too. Thank you Soul catcher 🙂
You’re right. 🙂 Humanity is the need of the hour.
That was a well informative post.. also feel proud about the achievements of india .
I am glad. Have a great day ahead. 🙂
nice blog.. every Indian should read this.. i am feeling proud to be an Indian.. keep writing such posts so that every Indian be able to know about the achievements of their country. If you have some time than read out about some more achievements of India at https://indianwaves.com/2017/10/24/surprising-india/ and https://indianwaves.com/2017/11/06/surprising-india-part-2/
India has limitless achievements, if you are aware of some other achievements than plz let me know.. thanks for writing such good article..