Image Courtesy: Nav A on Flickr, check usage terms before using the image.Happy Independence Day to all Indians on 60 years of Indian freedom.
In past 60 years the country has progressed a lot and is now recognised to be a booming economy, but the reluctantly slow pace of growth is something that bothers all the citizens even on 61st independence day of the country.
In all the sixty years the policies of government have been really conservative and slow in execution. Till date our government hesitates taking many a steps which may prove determinant in country's growth pattern. This can simply be attributed to governments' protectionist policies, which inhibit the development of a competitive market.
Some of the facts that indicate reasons of country's growth are listed below, if frequent policy changes are not made on these topics it may seriously affect social, economic as well as political growth of the nation, called INDIA, which is still in its infancy.
1. The government finance policies are not of the calibre required to compete with developed economies and major threats like China.
a) It still doesn't permit 100% FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) in many sectors and thereby prevents generation of precious revenue.
b) The GDP growth rate isn't able to break 8% barrier for a long time.
c) Major employment is still in Primary sector (about 60%).
d) Per capita income in terms of PPP ( Purchasing Power Parity) is about $2400 which is less than half of biggest rival, China.
e) A whopping 33% population lives below poverty line, i.e. earns less than $1 per day.
2. Social sector reforms are unexpectedly slow.
a) Country lacks in proper execution of population control strategies, while with a whooping 1 billion population and 1.8% growth the nation is the nation is on course to become largest in terms of populace.
b) Female sex ratio at 933/1000 males is a grave threat.
c) A low education rate of about 65% is something not to talk about.
d) And still the governments promote the caste system by planning to execute almost 50% reservation in all centrally funded institutions!
e) Medical facilities in country are not upto the mark as indicated by the facts like infant death rate in country is 63/1000 births and the labor death rate is unexpectedly high at about 540/100000.
3. The infrastructure in nation has just begun to develop and is critically insufficient in meeting demands of the growing economy.
a) Roads are not very well built, highways are carrying loads beyond there capacity, rural connectivity is not of good quality, cities are witnessing a crunch of road length.
b) Power scenario in country is a serious concern. Proper electricity is a distant dream in rural India while urban regions too face acute and frequent shortages, all despite long existence of these problems.
c) Rural teledensity is a serious concern in modern India, Internet and access to modern communication facilities is very low.
4. Insurgency and Terrorism are biggest problems in the country. The government is not strict enough in taking action against these anti-national elements. To this date even Naxalite groups like MCC are threatening nation by bidding for control of states like Bihar. The problems of Jammu and Kashmir are long persistent.
And the list continues...
Facing such grave and very relevant threats country still contents itself by using self-promoting labels like Knowledge Economy, Software Giant, Super Power in making.....
Well it is time for us citizens to re-define our role in our lovely India's development, hoping the best for my dear country on it 61st Independence Day.
