Congratulations India on your 65th anniversary of independence day!
By Jai Birdi Chetna Association of Canada
On August 15, 1947 India entered a new frontier- a start of self determination, reaffirmation of its golden past, and an opportunity to let go of its practices of inequalities and develop new approaches to prepare India into a sovereign nation that is no longer dependent, but is a significant contributor to the development of a global village.
Has this been a painless journey? Definitely not.
India had faced three major wars, seen a state of emergency, several civil unrests since independence; terrorist attacks on its institutions; and yet, India continues to emerge as the world’s largest democracy whose media and the educational institutions are being recognized as fertile grounds for becoming fine institutions for the world to admire and follow. These developments affirm India’s resiliency and the high level of acceptance, tolerance, and the strength of its people to stand up every time they fumble or fall down. No wonder many scholars and leaders are now realizing the importance and recognizing that “India Matters” and therefore bilateral trade and other agreements are now being signed between India and a number of other countries, including Canada. Well done India!
This is not to suggest that India has all of a sudden become a safe haven or an egalitarian state.
Literacy and the poverty rates, along with corruption, continue to be a major concern particularly as the gap between the haves and the have-nots is increasing. However, it is also encouraging to see that the earning gaps between the so-called developed world and India is now beginning to decrease, albeit only in certain skilled, professional, or business categories. Nonetheless, this is an important shift and signifies the distribution pattern of resources is also now beginning to shift in favour of India. If this pattern continues, and there are all indications that it will as indicated by its continued high growth rate, the likelihood of India becoming a nation with greater opportunities for the young, the under employed, and the innovator are much greater.
This is certainly an exiting phase and I feel privileged to be associated with India and witness the shifts India has made, and continues to make.
Well done India, and congratulation on your successes and the journey you have undertaken since your independence.
