“India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.”- Mark Twain
India also known as Bharat is a country located in South Asia with a rich history and diverse culture. India has a long and complicated history that dates back to antiquity. One of the earliest known civilizations, the Indus Valley Civilization, emerged around 2600 BCE in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. Various empires and kingdoms have ruled India over the centuries, including the Mauryan Empire, the Gupta Empire, and the Mughal Empire. During the Age of Exploration, European powers such as the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British established colonies in India. India is also well-known for its illustrious cultural heritage, which includes literature, music, dance, art, and architecture. The country has always been a dream destination for the entire population, serving almost all the purposes from wealth to culture to education to research, one can imagine it but India has it. Therefore, making the country more culturally inclusive.
India is a diverse country, full of hopes, love, affection, aspiration, dreams, dilemmas, and numerous complications. A country that is rich in culture and heritage on the one hand, but rigid and conservative on the other. A country that is developing at a rapid pace on the one hand, but that same development is not reaching the majority of its society, leaving many behind. A country that wants to develop its infrastructure and economy on the one hand, but at the expense of human life by negatively impacting the environment in which we live on the other. India is a colourful country because of its ever-changing civilization—its goals, aspirations, and achievements. India is a densely populated country with over 140 million people who think very differently from one another and have yet to find a proper meaning and purpose in their lives. As of now, the country has completed 75 years of independence and is still far from understanding the true meaning of what independence means to it, as it lacks a common goal that must be achieved and sustained by its civilization.
“Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of human spirit and human dignity” Herbert Hoover
Independence, in my opinion, is a concept or feeling that one has in which they can simply exercise their free will. The desire to explore and then discover one’s own fate in order to realise one’s full potential. As I previously stated, independence comes with an understanding of our responsibilities to ourselves and others, which include the family, society, and nation. Many people understand responsibility as a beautiful yet complex term. However, responsibility, in my opinion, has been derived from the combination of words as: re-sponsibility, i.e. the ability to respond. As a result, the most important responsibility that I am discussing here is the collective responsibility (the ability to respond to the ever-changing surroundings around us) that we have towards our nation, i.e. the understanding of our concept of what India is to its people.
Is India a nation that should only follow the capitalistic model of growth and thus focus solely on materialistic growth in the society, creating huge disparities between the rich and the poor? Or should India simply adopt a socialist model of society, with zero or minimal growth in infrastructure and capital, but giving and serving everyone on an equal footing, ignoring differences in talent and skill? Or should the country simply disregard social welfare in favour of economic development, high-rise buildings, infrastructure, rising GDP, and corporate culture—creating an environment of constant competition—where competing with each other for growth appears to be the new normal? Also, the seemingly ignored relationships, physical health, and mental well-being for the sake of mere growth, which is entitled to have given the delusory idea of ultimate freedom- that one believes can possibly serve everything to individuals- should be the way forward in life?
India has a distinct history, polity, culture, values, and ethics that it adheres to. As a result, I strongly believe that we should have different millennium goals that will keep us awake at night, as the title of my essay suggests. According to my perspective, India as a country has a lot to focus on that is similar to a huge ideology in itself, which looks like- an amalgamation of economic development, political integrity, absence of poverty, culturally fluid & adaptative society, equal education for all, better health care system, religiously secular, absence of all forms of discrimination- based on race, caste, sex, gender identity, roles, class & creed, a happy and healthy physical and mental environment We live in a time when technology is rapidly changing, human effort is lacking, and generations are growing stupidly as a result of the ignorant way of life that many have adopted.
The Indian civilization is dynamic, intelligent, emotional, and inquisitive, but it lacks the human will to grow and create a better future for itself. The country is still stuck in the middle, with generations struggling to abandon their rigid and morally binding approach in order to embrace an upcoming future with welcoming hands that is socially and mentally progressive. People living in the country will have to make a concerted effort to abandon a comparatively conservative approach to their way of life and quickly accept an innovative way to improve their standard of living.
To drive economic growth and improve citizens’ quality of life, India must continue to invest in innovation and technology. This necessitates a focus on research and development, entrepreneurship, and the creation of an environment conducive to innovation and technology. India must also work to reduce its carbon footprint and address environmental issues such as air and water pollution. This will necessitate a collaborative effort on the part of the government, industry, and individuals. Furthermore, the country should devote all of its energy to developing a better healthcare system that can serve its civilization in a more subsidised manner. Better pension plans for older generations, as well as an all-inclusive environment for the advancement of women and children in society.
Overall, the country has a long way to go before reaching its full potential. As I see it, the country has a greater capacity to influence the global economy, politics, and culture, as it has always done, but from a better vantage point where it is not dominated or influenced, but rather making its own impact. Finally, she will face numerous challenges in achieving her goals. Moving forward, there will be a lot of discussion about towing the western line. However, India should stand up for its own interests while also collaborating with other countries for the greater good. India should strive to reach a point where every citizen is empowered and can question the government. This will instil trust in people as well as accountability. In conclusion, India is a country with a rich history, a diverse culture, and a bright future. Despite its difficulties, India has made significant strides in recent years and is on track to become a global superpower in the twenty-first century. Its distinct blend of ancient traditions and modern innovation makes it a fascinating and vibrant country to discover and explore.
