75th Independence Day: India’s journey since Independence | India News

NEW DELHI: Tricolours, flowers, murals, NCC cadets dressed in regional attires – in short, it was sight to behold when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from Red Fort on the occasion of 76th Independence Day.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort after hoisting the tricolour, PM Modi urged the nation to take five pledges for the next 25 years — making India a developed nation, removing every trace of bondage, taking pride in the country’s heritage, unity, and fulfilling their duties.
He also asked the nation to develop hatred towards corruption, towards those indulging in that vice, and towards nepotism to move closer to a new India with a firm resolve.
For the first time in 75 years, an indigenously developed howitzer gun was also used during the 21-gun salute at the Red Fort.
Cheers and smiles surrounded the Red Fort as the PM took a stroll around the area where the NCC cadets were seated and interacted with them. The struggle and triumph of last 75 years was clearly visible on each face.
75 years is a long time – multiple governments ruled the nation, numerous policies were introduced to bring about structural changes to the economy.
Here we take a look at India’s journey in last 75 years:
* Largest democracy
With 91.2 crore eligible voters, India is the largest democracy in the world. Around 69% of the eligible population is registered to vote, and out of this 67% exercised their franchise in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, compared to 45.67% in 1951.

* 6th largest economy
India toppled massive challenges ever since its independence to become the 6th largest economy in the world today. At $3.17 trillion, Indian economy is ranked behind the United States, China, Japan, Germany and United Kingdom. Independence itself was a huge turning point in India’s economic history. It’s per capita income also witnessed 500 times growth since 1947.

* Exports a key driver of growth
India exported a mere $1.27 billion worth goods and services in 1950-51. Growth remained almost stagnant in the next few decades as well owing to strict policy regimes. Over the years, India opened its economy to the world – especially after implementation of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation (LPG) policies introduced by the Centre in 1991.

* Massive surge in forex reserves
Despite recent depletion, India’s foreign exchange reserves are 4th largest in the world. In 1951-52, forex reserves stood at a mere $1.82 billion and remained stagnant as economy battled post-Independence growth challenges.

* 500% jump in foodgrain production
In an overall boost to the rural economy, India’s foodgrain production witnessed a whopping 500% rise since its Independence. Even though India has been primarily an agrarian economy, 85% of the population (total population 1951 – 36.10 crores) lived in villages and derived their livelihood from agriculture, the country was not self-sufficient in food-grains (1950 – 50.8 million tonnes). The average availability of food was not only deficient in quantity but also uncertain, as there were regular famines.

* Robust network of national highways
The Centre has done a remarkable job in constructing well-connected network of highways and is constantly upgrading the same. There has been a 7-fold rise in highway construction from 1950-51 to 2021-22. The pace of annual construction of four, six and eight lane national highways (NHs) has increased by more than 300% during the past seven years.

* Power sector growth
India has successfully turned into a power surplus nation, with total installed capacity at 3,70,106 GWh. Total installed capacity was at 1,362 GWh at the time country gained its independence. From there it has come a long way to ensure power supply in almost all houses in the country. On April 28, 2018, the Centre declared that all inhabited census villages have been electrified. The last village to be electrified was Leisang village in Manipur.

* Spike in no. of registered vehicles
The number of registered vehicles has spiked from just 3 lakh in 1951 to nearly 30 crore in 2019. The increase in the number of registered motor vehicles indicates improved accessibility and quality of transport for citizens. Total registered vehicles in India grew at a compound annual growth rate of 9.91% over the last decade.

* 3rd largest domestic aviation market
As India celebrates its Independence Day, the government has released data showing how passenger traffic at airports have increased in the country, witnessing a massive 30-fold growth in four decades. India became the 3rd largest domestic aviation market globally, last year.

* Leads global milk production
India ranks 1st in global milk production, contributing 23 of the global production. In the last 3 decades, India witnessed over 3 times rise in milk production. Production increased from 17 MT in 1950-51 to 209.96 MT in 2020-21.

* 3rd largest egg producer
India is the third largest producer of eggs globally. The country increased its production of eggs from 1.83 billion in 1950-51 to 122.11 billion in 2020-21. The per capita availability of eggs has also jumped from 5 to 90 eggs per annum in the same period.

* 75% literacy
When India got independence from the British rule, the country was left with an overwhelming population of people who could not read or write. Just about 2 in 10 Indians were literate back in 1950. Even though the overall literacy rate in India was quite poor at just over 18%, the female literacy rate was at an abysmally low 8.86%. In 2022, the figures have nearly reversed. From a literacy rate of mere 18.3% in 1951 to 74.4% in 2018, India has come a long way in establishing a well-educated nation. Data shows how girls have outshined boys in receiving primary school education.

* Access to higher education
India has 1,043 universities and over 42,000 colleges for its ambitious young population. In 1950, India had only 27 universities and 578 colleges. According to government data, student enrolment has grown by 11.4% from 2015-16 to 2019-20. In the same period, female enrolment in higher education has increased by 18.2%.

* More scope for medical education
Like in primary and secondary education, the scope for medical education too has expanded to accommodate more students and to cater to the growing healthcare needs of the country. In 1950, India had all of 28 medical colleges, and private participation in the sector was insignificant. However there has been a steady increase in the number of medical colleges, specially since the later decades of the last century, including many in the private sector.

* Doctor-population ratio
The number of doctors in India grew phenomenally since 1951- from just over 61,000 to over 13 lakh currently, in tandem with a growing population and commissioning of more medical colleges. Apart from allopathic doctors, another 5.65 lakh Ayush doctors also render useful service, often in remote areas with limited medical facilities.

* No. of schools increased
The number of schools grew more than 10-times since Independence- from just 1.4 lakh in 1947 to over 15 lakh now.

* Swachch Bharat Mission
With India’s Swachch Bharat Mission going ahead in full swing, the country has realised the goal of 100% rural sanitation coverage well before its 75th Independence Dayaccording to the government. Figures show that rural sanitation — percentage of population with toilets within/attached to their houses — was just 1% in 1981.

* Infant Mortality Rate declined
India has seen a significant decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the past 75 years. IMR has reduced from 146 per 1,000 live births in 1951 to 30 per 1,000 live births in 2019.

* Life expectancy at birth doubled
The average Life Expectancy of an Indian male in 1951 was 37.2 years. It now stands at 68.2 years. For females, the figures are 36.2 years and 70.7 years respectively. In fact, an average Indian female can now expect to live a couple of years longer than the average male.