After two hundred years of British rule, India became independent and started ruling itself in the year 1947. Having adopted a parliamentary democracy, India has obviously made rapid progress in various fields and has stood out as a powerful nation in the world. A time has come when most countries look up to India as a leader. Since independence, India has made noticeable progress in the field of trade and economy, agriculture, science, and other fields. It has also got able leadership who, despite internal problems, have been able to project the image of the country in the comity of nations. Despite all this, the question often rises, “Are we really independent?” In this perspective, we may take into account the following points:
1) Population explosion
There has been a population explosion in India since the time of independence which has been constantly rising and is touching a whopping 1.46 billion at present, thereby surpassing China as the most populous country in the world. This population explosion has led to unemployment, crimes, overcrowding in cities, and pressure on agricultural output in the country.
2) Unemployment
Despite a declining trend in the unemployment rate in the country, the rise in population has definitely led to the problem, particularly with respect to the youth under 29 years of age. There is still unemployment of the youth in the organised sector. The government is coming out with various schemes and programmes to tide over the problem.
3) Poverty
There has also been a remarkable declining trend in poverty due to robust economic growth and initiatives taken by the government. But there are still disparities between the urban and rural population, with a higher proportion of people living in poverty in rural areas.
4) Dependence on others
Though India has made rapid progress in various fields since independence, it depends heavily on other countries for petroleum products, electronics, gold and precious stones, and other raw materials. Though it is a natural phenomenon with nature being not equal to all countries, India can still restrict its dependence on others in certain sectors with further efforts in future.
5) Economy
The Indian economy has made good progress since independence and, with robust growth, it has become the fourth largest economy in the world, surpassing the UK and Japan. Still, the Indian economy has to handle trade uncertainties and global competition.
6) Language issue
The language issue often poses a problem. Though Hindi has been accepted as the national language, it is yet to get the requisite recognition. In the South, people prefer English to Hindi and say that Hindi is an additional imposition when things can be managed with the mother tongue and English. The three-language formula is yet to be fully accepted in the country.
7) Western culture
India is an ancient land with a rich culture which has even inspired western scholars. The Vedas and ancient scriptures of the country have had indelible impressions on the western mind. But just the reverse is taking place right now. People under the influence of western culture are being attracted to fast food and a different lifestyle, which is gradually taking them away from the rich and age-old tradition of India.
8) Lack of choice
In the field of education, the students seem to have no choice in pursuing a career. They read and try to become what their parents want them to be. If a student wants to become an engineer or doctor, his ambition is halted when his parents try to make him an administrative officer for better social status and financial position.
9) Corruption
Corruption has caught hold of Indian society like an octopus. As per a latest report, India has scored 38 on a scale of 0 to 100 with 96th ranking amongst 180 countries. Daily newspapers and other media are covering news of the involvement of even young officers in corruption cases despite the claim by the government for zero tolerance to corruption.
10) Secularism
Despite the guarantee of the Indian constitution, India is yet to become a fully secular state. It can only be called pseudo-secular. Though India has had a long tradition of peaceful co-existence amongst the religious communities, communal violence from time to time tells upon its present secular structure.
11) Crimes
Despite fluctuations in the crime rate from time to time, crimes continue to create headlines in the country. The crime rate is higher in states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan, whereas in states like Nagaland and Meghalaya it is lower. Recently, even in a peaceful state like Meghalaya, the killing of a husband by his wife and aides stirred up the whole nation. Despite the Indian Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, crimes like murder, dacoity, rape and mass rape, terrorist activities, and others are occurring at regular intervals.
12) Dirty politics
The introduction of multi-party democracy, despite its being able to give better options to the voter in elections, has often defiled the political scenario. Undue criticism of the government by the opposition, changing of political parties and horse trading, violence in legislature during discussions, violence in elections, and debate on qualifications of people’s representatives are turning out to be frequent issues in the context of Indian politics.
13) International relations
Despite efforts by the top political leaders and dignitaries, India’s relations with certain immediate neighbours and superpowers are yet to improve. Border issues with countries still dominate the international politics of India.
14) Centre-state divide
Undoubtedly, India has emerged as a perfect federation since independence. But it has often been seen that relations have been strained between the centre and the states when different political parties are in power. The role of the governor at the time of inviting a party to form the government has also raised eyebrows. Boundary and river water disputes still erupt from time to time amongst the states.
15) Divisive forces
Since independence, divisive forces have always been at work with respect to caste, community, and religion. Reservation for minorities and backward classes has been a bone of contention from time to time, sometimes leading cases to the judiciary.
We have no doubt become independent. But political independence is not enough. We have got to be independent economically and in other spheres too. India became free at a crucial juncture after centuries of alien rule, with its economy in a very bad shape. The country was also vast with myriad problems, which was a matter of headache for the national leadership. But the country has recovered like a phoenix.
Since independence, the Government has not only put emphasis on agriculture and the green revolution, white revolution, economy, and planning but it has also tried to project the image of the country by playing a major role in international politics. Despite a rise in population, the economy of the country has picked up considerably. Still, a consistent population control policy, poverty alleviation and employment programmes, control of corruption and crimes, solving the language issue, and value-based politics may solve a majority of the problems that the country confronts today.
The citizens of the country also have a great role to play in the matter. Their love for the country and its rich tradition and heritage, an open mind, and belief in authority and administration will definitely work towards building a better India.
So the question, “Are we really independent?” is not far from the answer: Yes. We are politically independent, and a little effort on our part will give us an all-round independence. As somebody has put it rightly, “We have to wage another freedom movement to make the country really independent.”
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
Email: airprafulla61@gmail.com
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