Thru’ the Desk of the Editor
In India there were three conspicuous policy voids since Prime Ministership of Pandit Nehru and all other prime ministers after him till India voted Narendra Modi to power in 2014 as Prime Minister (PM), with a hope of change to come. There was imperative need for policies to be disruptive and assertive in equal measure, elbowing India into forefront of nations and increasing its global strategic profile and autonomous stature. PM Narendra Modi greatly fulfilled expectations of India and was re-elected in 2019.
Standing in front of historic Red Fort in Delhi, while addressing the Nation on occasion of 76th Independence Day on 15th August 2022 PM Narendra Modi pledged to transform India into a developed country in next 25 years. “The way the world is seeing India is changing. There is hope from India and reason is skills of 1.3 billion Indians”, Modi said. “The diversity of India is our strength. Being mother of democracy gives India inherent power to scale new heights”, “Aspirations are on rise in every section of society. Every citizen wants the change, wants to see it happening in front of their eyes and is not ready to wait anymore”, “People want to progress with speed and they are not ready to “force their coming generations wait for it”, “Be it Centre, states or local self-governance institutions, each of them will have to address demands of aspirational society”, “When dreams are bigger, resolutions are bigger, efforts are bigger”, Modi said. “In next 25 years, we have to focus on ‘Panchpran’ or Five Promises:
• First Pran – Goal of Developed India
• Second Pran – Remove any trace of colonial mindset
• Third Pran – Take pride in our roots
• Fourth Pran – Unity
• Fifth Pran – Sense of duty among citizens
First, we will move forward with bigger resolves and resolve of developed India. Second, wewill erase all traces of servitude from within and around us. Third, we will be proud of ourlegacy. Fourth, will work on strength of unity, and fifth, fulfil our duties to citizens of India”.
Modi’s words came as millions celebrated 75 years of Indian independence since stroke of midnight on 15th August 1947 that ended 200 years of British colonial rule. Fast forward three-quarters of a century and since its independence, India has several achievements to its credit. It has built a modern economy, remained a beacon of democracy with same Constitution since 1950, lifted millions out of poverty, has become space and nuclear power and developed robust foreign policy. India is world’s largest democracy. India's nearly $3 trillion economy is now world's fifth largest and third largest in terms of purchasing power parity. The World Bank has promoted India from low-income to middle-income status - a bracket that denotes gross national income per capita of between $1,036 and $12,535. Since gaining independence, India has built one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Literacy rates have increased to 74% for men and 65% for women and average life expectancy is now 70 years. India is third largest producer and consumer of electricity, second largest reservoir of scientific and technical manpower, has third largest army, sixth member of nuclear & space club and tenth largest industrial power. From a net food importing country, India is now leading exporter of food commodities. The United Nations, in its mid-year update of ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects’ (WESP) released in May 2021said that Indian economy would grow at 7.5% in 2021 and 10.1% in 2022, after an estimated contraction of 6.8 per cent in 2020. Similarly, ‘World Investment Report 2021’ by UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released in June 2021 notes that FDI in India increased 27 per cent to $64 billion in 2020 from $51 billion in 2019, making India fifth largest FDI recipient in the world. Growth is very important for India given youthful nature of Indian population, with 65% of population below age of 35. Under Paris accord, India pledged to reduce emission intensity of economy by 33-35% by 2030 and by 2021, a drop off 24% in emission intensity has already been achieved. Indian pharmaceutical sector is worth about $42 billion, with exports accounting for about $18 billion and is expected to grow to $100 Billion by 2025 while medical device market is expected to grow $25 billion. “Once people of India decide to do something, nothing is impossible", PM Modi once said.
In 75 years, Indian democracy has come a long way. Indian stature before the world has grown and India is looked up as potential superpower. The occasion of Amrit Mahotsav of 75 years of Indian independence is a milestone to reflect on what we have achieved in 75 years and what more we need to achieve. Entire journey of next 25 years, when we celebrate centenary of Indian independence, marks Amrit Kaal of creation of new India. The fulfilment of our resolutions in this Amrit Kaal will take India and citizens of India to 100th anniversary of Indian independence with pride. Viksit Bharat or Developed India is vision of PM Narendra Modi which will be guiding principle for India during its Amrit Kaal and represents blueprint for India’s prosperity. Viksit Bharat vision has been prime focus of PM Modi’s speeches over last few years. PM Modi has expressed his government’s action plan to turn India into developed nation by 2047, exactly 100 years after gaining Independence from British rule. Focus of vision lies in economic growth, sustainable development goals, ease of doing business, infrastructure, innovation and social welfare.
PM Modi, on December 11, 2023, at launch of Viksit Bharat@2047: Voice of Youth, stated “Today, every institution and every individual should move with a resolution that every effort and act will be for Viksit Bharat. The aim of your goals, your resolutions should be only one – Developed India”. He was addressing vice-chancellors and faculty, symbolising start of initiative which aims to provide platform for youngsters of India to contribute their part to vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. PM Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat is based on an ambitious and groundbreaking plan to achieve India’s full potential and propel India to unprecedented development and prosperity. To establish resilient and inclusive society Jan-bhagidari is basis of nation’s success story, where government focuses on infrastructural development, social welfare, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.
A key objective of Viksit Bharat is to enable every citizen to participate in the economy. The economy that PM Modi envisions is strong, inclusive and full of job and entrepreneurial opportunities. This entails implementing policies to encourage investment, advance economic growth and foster innovation across industries. The government’s dedication to creating an environment favourable for business expansion and employment generation is demonstrated by focus on programmes such as Make in India, Digital India and Start-up India. With support of digitisation, manufacturing and thriving startup community, aim is to bring millions out of poverty and realise nation’s full economic potential. One significant part of this action plan is to turn India into world’s third-largest economy over next five years.
Another crucial component of Viksit Bharat's vision is to develop world-class infrastructure to promote sustainable growth, unleash economic potential and improve everyone's standard of living. To close infrastructure gaps around India, government is launching large-scale projects that range from constructing world-class roads and ports to increasing digital connection and updating urban infrastructure. Viksit Bharat prioritises inclusive development and social welfare to ensure everyone benefits from economic progress. Several landmark initiatives have been launched to support disadvantaged populations, empower marginalized communities and expand social security, healthcare and education. Programmes such as Ayushman Bharat, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana indicate government’s dedication to enhancing healthcare, financial inclusion, gender parity and sanitation.
One key pillar of Viksit Bharat rests on harnessing technology to enhance efficiency and transparency in governance. PM also stressed the importance of going beyond skills and education and called for civic sense and “alertness for national interest” among citizens. “When citizens in whatever role, start doing their duty, India moves forward”, PM said. “We have 25 years of Amrit Kaal before us. We have to work 24 hours a day for goal of Viksit Bharat. PM further pointed out that each citizen will have input and active participation and mentioned that with mantra of Sabka Prayas, we can accomplish even biggest resolution. According to the PM, this would be a great campaign to write future of India.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her address in Rajya Sabha, emphasised India's economic growth and development under Modi administration. She declared that India was world’s fastest-growing economy and achieved highest global growth rate in second quarter of ongoing financial year. The manufacturing sector also recorded highest growth of 13.9 per cent, credited to "Make in India" initiative. Despite drop in demand from Western nations, India's exports recorded 9.43 per cent year-on-year growth in October at $62.26 billion. Direct tax collection saw increase, with monthly GST collections stabilising at Rs 1.6 trillion, indicating economic growth and that youth unemployment had declined to 10 per cent in 2022-23 from 17.8 per cent in 2017-18, while youth labour force participation rate expanded from 38.2 per cent to 44.5 per cent in same period. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her presentation on interim Budget, laid emphasis on “trinity of demography, democracy and diversity” backed by ‘Sabka Prayas’ which has potential to fulfil aspirations of every Indian. “As Prime Minister firmly believes, we need to focus on four major castes. They are, ‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth) and ‘Annadata’ (Farmer). Their needs, their aspirations, and their welfare are our highest priority. The country progresses, when they progress. All four require and receive government support in their quest to better their lives. Their empowerment and well-being will drive India forward”.
The roadmap of Viksit Bharat@2047 includes carefully articulated list of goals and action points through which India’s position at global level would be raised. By year 2047, we will have fully realised dreams of our freedom fighters. We will have given concrete shape to vision of those who drafted the Constitution, led by Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. In coming years, we have to focus on Panchpran (five promises). We always remember Lal Bahadur Shastriji’s slogan of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”. Later, Atal Bihari Vajpayeeji added “Jai Vigyaan” to this slogan. Now, we need add “Jai Anusandhan”. Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyaan aur Jai Anusandhan. PM Modi’s government, committed to realising resolve of new India, has given shape to India’s present and future plans with new initiatives and programmes, so that when India celebrates 100th anniversary of independence, dream of self-reliant India can come true with everyone’s effort. Spirit of Team India of 140 crore people will realise all dreams by moving forward, taking India forward. It is our responsibility to collectively devote ourselves to overarching ideal of building vibrant, prosperous and egalitarian India and it is our duty to move forward believing in immense potential of India. There is enormous work to be undertaken to make India a Viksit Bharat@2047. For achievement of India’s goals, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Kartavya’ should be our motto.
Articles in this edition of the Journal examine various dimensions of Diplomacy and Security related issues ranging from India’s Strategic Relationship with Africa to Crowdfunding aspect in Financing Terrorism, to Pakistan’s Anti- India Terror Network, Moscow Terror Attack with the Tajik Angle and most important issue in Indian context the Paradigm Shift from Women Development and Empowerment to Women- led Development. All authors presented their views with well-planned research on the topic with deep thought process. Their views will surely help in instilling the subject and the topics under discussion in the minds of our readers.
