State of the republic
RAJU VERNEKAR
As we marked our 65th Republic Day, our fragile economy is showing signs of improvement with inflation falling, even as the country gears up for the ensuing general elections. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a staunch friend of India and a China-baiter, was the chief guest at Republic Day. It is for the first time this honour has gone to Japan, the world’s third largest economy. China may be riled by India’s move as it is a pointer to fast-changing international equations with China-Japan bilateral relations having sunk to a dramatic low over the past few years.
Japan has been the foreign engine of India’s infrastructural growth like no other country has been. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is a proven and tested example of this while many more infrastructural projects like the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) are ongoing and likely to be completed in a few years’ time.
Since 1950, India has been hosting heads of state or government of another country as the state guest of honour for Republic Day. Between 1950 and 1954, the celebrations were organised at different venues like the Irwin Stadium (National Stadium), Kingsway (Rajpath), Red Fort and Ramlila Maidan. It was only since 1955 that the parade in its present form was organised at Rajpath.
The unity in diversity theme and the display of military might with marching contingents and mechanized columns seen along the 8 km long route from Raisina Hills to Red Fort are central components of the parade. One of the unique sights is the camel mounted Border Security Force contingent, which is the only camel mounted military force in the world. The crème of NCC cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. The parade traditionally ends with daredevil motorcycle riding by units of the armed forces and a flypast by Indian Air Force jets and helicopters carrying the national flag and the flags of the three services.
22 to 30 floats exhibit the cultures of the various states and Union Territories of India. But where does India stand today?
On the economic front, the wholesale price inflation has slid down to 6.16, following the dip in the vegetable price index, bringing much needed relief. According to an UNCTAD survey, India retained its position as the world’s third most attractive destination for investment by transnational corporations (TNCs) during 2013-15. As of now our currency is at about the Rs 62 level in terms of the US dollar and hopefully this trend will continue.
But out of 123 crore, 27 crore still live below the poverty line and the unemployment rate in the country is estimated at 13.3 per cent. However, the employment scenario in the country is likely to witness a surge this year.
On the educational front there are signs of improvement with the literacy rate rising to 74.4 per cent in 2013. Despite a “crusade” to end sex selective abortions, the abhorrent practice continues and India reportedly loses 3 million girls to infanticide every year. The male/female birth ratio is 110/100. After the Delhi gang rape case of December 2012, a new law has been passed to curb offences such as acid attacks, rape, and sexual harassment. But crimes against women continue unabated in different parts of the country.
Amid these plus and minus points, India’s progress in space technology is remarkable going by the recent successful launch of ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-D5. With this launch, India is confident of its next mission of the C-25 stage for the GSLV MK-3 D-1 in early 2017. India has also put its best foot forward with the test-firing of its nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile, armed with a strike range of 350 kms. India is also planning to conduct more tests of the 3,500-km Agni-IV and the over 5,000-km Agni-V to prepare them for induction by 2016.
Much concern has been expressed about India’s defense preparedness. But an operational clearance granted for procuring about 120 Tejas aircraft to replace the ageing MiG-21 is encouraging and in the next 10 years at least 200 Light Combat aircraft will augment our fleet, bolstering the country’s air strike power. The INS Vikramaditya, our largest warship is yet another feather in India’s cap. The refurbished Soviet-era aircraft carrier has already reached Karwar, its home base in India. The warship is capable of carrying 8,000 tons of fuel to sail 13,000 kms (8,060 miles) and maintain a 1,600-sailor crew for 45 days at sea. Amid all this, the vexed Kashmir dispute remains unresolved. There were over 196 ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) at the fag end of last year, as against 96 violations in 2012.
Now India is more connected than ever before with mobile towers, internet lines and television poles stretching from one end of the country to the other. But every reform should reach from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Only then can we boast of unity in diversity and truly claim allround progress.
