India Turns 60 years

2007 is an important year for India. The country is now 60 years old, and it has transformed itself remarkably from the time it has gotten independence. With Periods of Economic Stagnation and Political Uncertainty, the country has managed to be one. In the age of Globalization, the country is now a rapid economic powerhouse, creating an impression in the rest of the globe. But, the country still faces a lot of problems as it celebrates 60 years of being an independent country.

The country woke up to the new year with revelations of the Mass Killings in Nithari village in Sector 31 of Noida district in western UP. More than 50 Children are reported to have been killed by one man, with the motive being Organ Trading. This has exposed countless times of the Inefficiency of the Police as well as the lack of knowledge in the Administration. As India Progreses in the coming decades, it is very important that the internal social tranquility is maintained, and that the police play an efficient and stabilizing role. The Noida killings have exposed the problems of the Police functioning and the country must learn from the mistakes as quickly as possible in order to avoid repeats of such incidences.

The Rivers of India have always been the pride of millions. But, now, the holiest of these rivers, the Ganga, is now in Danger. The river has gotten polluted to such an extent that saving it might prove to be next to impossible. Illegal Industries dumping their affluents and unhygenic activities by many villages have led to the Ganga losing its purity. The Citizens of the country must organize campaigns to save the Ganga, so that the government can save it. If action is not taken now, the country will commit Hydrological Suicide, and thus it will take two steps back.

The Justice system needs to be modified. The year 2006 was a landmark year as verdicts to three high profile cases were announced. The Jessica Lal case, the Nitish Katara Murder and the Mumbai Blasts verdict have restored the faith of millions in the Judicial system of the country. But, doubts remain as to wether this is all an Eyewash. These were high profile cases, and constant media vigilance ket the citizens informed and spurred them into activism. Wether the Judicial system will work like this in the case of a common individual of the nation is debatable.

The one thing that India can be proud of in 2006 has been the functioning of the Media. The Media in the country gave the power to the citizens and aroused the spirit of Activism. The phenomenal rise of the Broadcast Television Media in India is proof that the country is moving one step closer to better connectivity and homogenity. If Media can take this a notch higher, and keep Citizens informed on all issues which plague the country, then our country will be the real torchbearer of a Democratic system.

The Government may have done a lot of things in 2006. The economy grew by 9% for the first time in a long time. Realtionships with other nations were improved, and the country entered the Nuclear club after 30 years, with the signing of the Indo-US Nuclear deal. But, the country still faces some threats to its progress. The Naxal menace is growing everyday, but the government is still inactive and there are no concrete steps to tackle the Naxal problem. The Internal security of the country was breached by the Train Blasts of 7/11 in Mumbai, killing 183 people. Terrorism is the one weapon which might derail the country's progress, and soon as the Government takes a Proactive effort in curbing Terrorism, the better it will be for the people. Also, the ties with Pakistan are stagnating, because of a stalled peace process in Kashmir. This will pose a problem in the coming years as well, and the two nations must realize that the solution for Kashmir must be achieved so that terrorism does not achieve legitamacy.

And, lastly, Indians will be hoping that on the 60th year, they remain healthy and fit. The cases of Dengue, Chickengunya and Leptospirosis affected some sections of the population. It is upto the Citizens and municipal administrators to be proactive to ensure that the environment that they live on is clean, because a healthy population generates a wealthy and prosperous nation. Here's wishing our Country a Happy 60th year.