It’s also time to remember Pandit Nehru’s speech, announcing India’s freedom: “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity. ”   

 

“At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike she has never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength. We end today a period of ill fortune and India discovers herself again. The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us. Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future? Freedom and power bring responsibility. The responsibility rests upon this Assembly, a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India. Before the birth of freedom we have endured all the pains of labor and our hearts are heavy with the memory of the sorrow. Some of those pains continue even now. Nevertheless, the past is over and it is the future that beckons to us now.”

 

It’s also time to appreciate India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru’s vision for the country. He foresaw India’s rise as a major power in the world. He laid the path for its growth. Now, every major country in the world is recognizing India as an emerging super power. Many observers have commented that the 21st century belongs to India (and China). Since economics is increasingly becoming the currency of power this statement acknowledges the changing balance of power in the world and is a tribute to the growing economic muscles of India.

 

Since the 1990s India is on a new economic path. The forecast was that by 2020, its economy would treble and by 2050 it will leave US economy behind. That surely implies that India will by then be seated on the high table because with economic power will also come the political strengths. As a result courting of India by other powers has already begun. 

 

The credit for the new economic momentum goes to Prime Minister PV Narsimha Rao. All subsequent governments followed his lead. The years 2003-07 recorded a big surge in the economy which touched 9.4% of the GDP in 2006-07. Unfortunately, the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 in the US has initiated a world recession which will drop India’s growth during 2008-09 to 7% or nearabouts. India’s economic fundamentals are now very sound which should enable India to get back to her accelerated growth by 2010-11 at the latest. At this rate India is destined to become the fifth largest consumer market in the world. India’s status then would not be high just in Asia, but in the entire world. 

 

The drawback was that the new prosperity was not reaching all sections of people in India. The rich were becoming richer, the poor remaining poor. Inequality between the urban and rural areas was widening. It is also going to create a north-south divide with southern states and west moving far ahead of the rest of the country causing an imbalance that may move people towards these regions. Social and political changes were not keeping pace with the economic growth. Estimates were that in 2004-05, 33.6% of people were living on less than $ 1 per day. The state continuously failed to deliver to the people on basic issues of health, education, employment and infrastructure.

 

In a sense the economic imbalance also resulted in Maoist menace which has become more rampant in the recent times. The Moist movement which began from a village called Naxalbari in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal in 1965 has spread to 16 states affecting more than 150 districts at present, and is increasingly proving to be a major challenge to the central government and many state governments.  

 

The Indian growth story is, thus, not a smooth process. India’s future trajectory on the power graph will depend upon how the impediments to economic growth get removed and with what success.  The government, however, is doing its best to surmount these obstacles so that economic growth could be sustained at the levels already achieved and the nation building programs do not falter. There is a heavy accent on expansion of education and infrastructure. New job opportunities are being created and it is hoped that in time, more people, employed presently in agriculture and related activities which are poorly paid will be able to join industry and businesses. What has been done and achieved still remains miniscule in comparison with what needs or remains to be done but there is hope and confidence in the air that as India marches ahead.

 

This vision while keeping national security at the top seeks to develop a friendly attitude with all countries of the world. India has no hidden agenda but it is well aware that other nations may not feel equally benign towards it. Its nuclear program was designed to forestall any surprises from the neighborhood as well as to seek recognition that India is on its way to becoming a leading power of the world. Slowly, India is building a blue navy with aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines which signify a high military status. It has the fourth largest land army in the world. It has a powerful and advanced air fleet for defense. With its space and lunar programs and recent successful orbiting of the moon, it has sent a message that it is seriously developing its credentials as a global power. Its quest for permanent membership of UN Security Council is to get the world accept its status which demography and economic growth entitles it to. In the field of IT its unique and worldwide standing has already been accepted. 

 

Unfriendly neighbours:

 

India has always wanted an important role in the world. When the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was mooted India was quick to join it hoping that promotion of trade, business and cultural interaction would bring harmony and raise living standards of the people in the region. But deeply held animosities within the region have come in the way of encouraging mutual dialogue. For long, India’s relationship with most of its immediate neighbours has not been happy. This includes besides Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Part of the reason is India’s size as compared to that of the neighbours, which gives rise to misplaced suspicions of hegemonism. But India’s relationship with Pakistan belongs altogether to a different category: intensely problematic. It has been so from day one when Pakistan came into existence. The problem began with Pakistani covetousness for the J&K state. Four wars have been fought between the two countries and a proxy war continues. Single minded antagonism to India led to the emergence of the Pakistani nuclear program. The Pakistani Establishment has been itching to employ the arsenal on India. There have been four occasions in the past when they come close to it US discovery of their intentions thwarted them the last three times. The first time was in 1982-83 when Pakistan suspected that India, aided by Israel, was planning to bomb out Kahuta where the Pakistani nuclear weapons program was taking shape. The last three were linked to Indian Brasstracks exercise in 1987, commencement of Pakistani inspired insurgency in J&K state (1990) and Kargil (1999). 

 

India’s rise has attracted US attention, which consequent to the shift of economic and political power to Asia, is seeking to establish a new security architecture in Asia as well as the world. In the new geopolitical situation of today, US prowess remains supreme and is likely to remain so at least for 20 to 25 years more. And yet, emergence of prospective power centers principally in Asia and growth of Islamic terrorism makes it feel vulnerable, causing it to look for new friends.  

 

In March 2005 the US announced that it welcomes and supports India’s growth to a great power status. US shift towards India represented a fundamental and strategic shift of an exceptional nature, soon confirmed through the civil nuclear agreement between the two countries whereby, without having to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, India was to be made eligible for supply of nuclear fuel and equipment to augment its civil nuclear energy resources. Another agreement in June 2005 provided for a joint defense framework which laid the foundation for a ten-year project to promote a military relationship between the two countries. 

 

The shift clearly signifies that the US was seeking India’s cooperation in dealing with a resurgent China which might challenge US's preeminence in Asia and the world in future at sometime. But, the way ahead for India is not going to be smooth even as it most certainly rises to regional and global eminence. Certainly, India’s  economic potential and its transparency will serve as magnets to propel the nation to its rightful place in the world galaxy.

 

 

Here is a snapshot of the major events in India since Independence:

 

1947: India becomes independent, with Jawaharlal Nehru as prime minister.

 

In the largest forced migration in history, around 15 million people are displaced and an estimated 500,000 killed in Hindu-Muslim violence sparked by partition.

 

The first war between India and Pakistan breaks out in Kashmir. It ends in 1948, with Kashmir divided along the line of control after an UN-brokered ceasefire.

 

1948: Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated.

 

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari succeeds Louis Mountbatten as Governor General.

 

Hyderabad joins Indian Union after military operation.

 

 1949: Ceasefire in Kashmir becomes official with the signing of the Karachi Agreement between India and Pakistan on July 18.

 

1950: India constitution comes into effect. India becomes a republic on Jan 26.

 

Rajendra Prasad becomes the first president of India.

 

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel passes away.

 

1951: India's first Five Year Plan is inaugurated in April.

 

New Delhi hosts Asian Games.

 

1952: Nehru-led Congress easily wins the first election to the Lok Sabha.

 

Air India is nationalised. Indian Airlines, the domestic carrier, is created.

 

1954: Nehru coins the term 'non-alignment' to define India's foreign policy as being equidistant from the US and the USSR.

 

1955: Imperial Bank of India is nationalised, renamed State Bank of India.

 

1956: States are reorganised on the basis of language. Several new states are created.

 

1957: Congress wins the second general election.

 

1959: Government establishes state-owned television broadcaster Doordarshan.

 

Bajaj Auto gets licence to manufacture two- and three-wheelers. India eventually becomes the largest manufacturer of two- and three-wheelers in the world.

 

1960: Bombay is split into Maharashtra and Gujarat.

 

1961: Troops make Portuguese territories Goa, Daman and Diu join Indian Union.

 

1962: Nehru leads Congress to a third straight win in general election.

 

India loses war with China.

 

1964: Nehru dies

 

1965: Second war with Pakistan over Kashmir.

 

Hindi becomes official language of India, while English is adopted as the associate language in dealings between the central government and non-Hindi speaking states.

 

1966: India's second prime minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, dies in Tashkhent after signing a pact with Pakistan President Muhammad Ayub Khan signalling the end of the 1965 war.

 

Nehru's daughter Indira Gandhi becomes prime minister.

 

1967: Congress wins general election but with significantly reduced majority.

 

India starts Green Revolution, with multiple cropping on agricultural land, use of improved seeds and more mechanisation of agriculture.

 

1969: Congress splits into two, one faction led by Indira Gandhi, the other by Morarji Desai.

 

Backed by Indira Gandhi, V.V. Giri defeats official Congress candidate N. Sanjeeva Reddy and becomes President of India.

 

Privy purses for rulers of erstwhile princely states are abolished.

 

The government nationalises 14 major banks.

 

1970: The National Dairy Development Board starts Operation Flood, the establishment of a national milk grid. It is such a success that it will later be described as the White Revolution.

 

1971: 25-year treaty of friendship signed with the Soviet Union.

 

Congress (R) led by Indira Gandhi wins general election.

 

Third war with Pakistan, East Pakistan becomes Bangladesh.

 

1972: Indira Gandhi and Pakistan's Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto sign the Shimla pact, which says neither country will change the borders unilaterally.

 

1973: Opposition protests against Indira Gandhi government mount.

 

1974: India explodes first nuclear device.

 

Allahabad High Court finds Indira Gandhi guilty of misusing official machinery to win election.

 

Major strikes, including in railways, paralyse India for long periods.

 

1975: Indira Gandhi declares state of emergency, suspends civil liberties, postpones elections, dismisses non-Congress state governments and imprisons many opposition leaders.

 

India annexes Sikkim following a referendum in the hill kingdom where the majority favour joining India.

 

1976: Compulsory birth control introduced.

 

1977: Indira Gandhi's Congress loses general elections to the Janata Party. Morarji Desai becomes prime minister.

 

1979: Janata Party government crumbles due to internal bickering. Charan Singh becomes prime minister.

 

1980: Indira Gandhi returns to power, heading Congress (Indira).

 

Government nationalises seven more banks.

 

Indira Gandhi's younger son Sanjay dies in stunt plane crash in New Delhi.

 

1981: India and China start talks on border dispute.

 

1982: New Delhi hosts Asian Games.

 

1983: India wins cricket World Cup.

 

Nearly 2,000 Muslims are killed in Nellie, Assam.

 

1984: Troops storm Golden Temple to flush out Sikh militants

 

Indira Gandhi assassinated by Sikh bodyguards, leading to anti-Sikh riots in which over 3,000 people are killed.

 

Indira Gandhi's son Rajiv Gandhi becomes prime minister.

 

Gas leak at Union Carbide pesticides plant in Bhopal kills thousands; many more die subsequently or are left disabled.

 

1985: Sikh separatists blow up Air India flight off the coast of Ireland.

 

1986: The century's worst drought affects most of India.

 

1987: The Mizo accord signals an end to one of longest secessionist movements in India.

 

India deploys troops in Sri Lanka's northeast.

 

1989: Congress loses to Janata Dal-led coalition in general election. V.P. Singh becomes prime minister.

 

1990: Indian troops withdraw from Sri Lanka after suffering nearly 1,200 dead.

 

Muslim separatists begin campaign of violence in Kashmir.

 

The decision to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations and provide reservations to Other Backward Classes (OBC) leads to countrywide violence and fractures the polity further along caste lines.

 

Janata Dal government falls. Chandra Shekhar becomes prime minister with Congress support.

 

1991: Rajiv Gandhi assassinated by Tamil Tiger suicide bomber.

 

Congress wins general election. P.V. Narasimha Rao becomes prime minister.

 

Economic reform programme begun by Narasimha Rao/Finance Minister Manmohan Singh.

 

1992: Hindu mobs demolish Babri mosque in Ayodhya, triggering widespread Hindu-Muslim violence.

 

1993: Bomb blasts rocks Mumbai, killing 257 people. It is world's worst urban terror attack.

 

1996: Congress suffers worst ever electoral defeat. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forms a minority government, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as prime minister, but it lasts only 13 days.

 

A 14-party United Front coalition then takes power. H.D. Deve Gowda is prime minister.

 

1997: Congress withdraws support to Deve Gowda. I.K. Gujral becomes prime minister. After eight months, Congress withdraws support again.

 

1998: BJP forms coalition government, Vajpayee is again prime minister.

 

India carries out nuclear tests.

 

1999: Vajpayee makes a bus trip to Pakistan to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and signs Lahore peace declaration.

 

Indian troops fight Pakistan-backed forces in Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir.

 

BJP-led coalition falls apart. In fresh elections, BJP-led coalition again wins. Vajpayee remains prime minister.

 

2000: India's population crosses the one billion mark

 

2001: Massive earthquakes hit Gujarat, leaving at least 30,000 dead.

 

A high-powered rocket is launched, propelling India into the club of countries able to fire big satellites deep into space.

 

Vajpayee meets Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in Agra; meeting deadlocked over Kashmir.

 

Terrorists attack parliament in New Delhi. India blames Pakistan and imposes sanctions. Troops mass on the India-Pakistan border.

 

2002: India test-fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile - Agni

 

Anti-Muslim riots break out after 59 Hindus returning from Ayodhya are killed in train fire in Godhra, Gujarat. More than 1,000 people are killed.

 

2003: India matches Pakistan's declaration of Kashmir ceasefire.

 

2004: Indian government meets moderate Kashmir separatists.

 

Surprise victory for Congress in general elections. Manmohan Singh becomes prime minister after Sonia Gandhi declines the post.

 

Thousands die when a tsunami devastates coastal southern India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

 

2005: Bus services, the first in 60 years, operate between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan.

 

2006: US and India sign an agreement by which the US is to give India access to civilian nuclear technology while India agrees to greater scrutiny for its nuclear programme.

 

2007: India and Pakistan agree to reduce risk of accidental nuclear war.

 

India announces strongest economic growth figures for 20 years - 9.4 percent in the year to March.

 

Pratibha Patil becomes India's first woman president.

 

2008: Following approval by the US Congress, President George W Bush signs into law a nuclear deal with India, which ends a three-decade ban on US nuclear trade with Delhi.

 

India successfully launches its first mission to the moon, the unmanned lunar probe Chandrayaan-1.

 

Nearly 200 people were killed and hundreds injured in a series of co-ordinated attacks by gunmen on the main tourist and business area of India's financial capital Mumbai. India blames militants from Pakistan for the attacks and demands that Islamabad take strong action against those responsible.

 

Abhinav Bindra wins the first individual gold medal for India at the Beijing Olympic Games in the men's 10m air rifle shooting event. The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw the best ever performance by an Indian contingent, in terms of the number of medals. They won three medals in all (one gold and two bronze medals).

 

2009: India and Russia sign deals worth $700m, according to which Moscow will supply uranium to Delhi.

 

Trial of sole surviving suspect in Mumbai attacks begins.

 

Resounding general election victory gives governing Congress-led alliance of PM Manmohan Singh an enhanced position in parliament, only 11 seats short of an absolute majority.

 

 

The federal government says it will allow a new state, called Telangana, to be carved out of part of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Violent protests both for and against the new state break out.

 

2010: Bomb explosion in a restaurant popular with tourists in Pune, in the western state of Maharashtra, kills 16 people, sparking security fears.

 

The solve surviving gunman of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Ajmal Amir Qasab, is convicted of murder, waging war on India and possessing explosives.

 

A court in Bhopal sentences eight Indians to two years each in jail for "death by negligence" over the 1984 Union Carbide gas plant leak. Thousands died in this, the world's worst industrial accident. One of the accused had died in the meantime.