INDEPENDENT INDIA

BY: URVASHI KAPILA


The land where Ganga and Yamuna cleanse the soul. The land which offers, respect to all religions, dignity to its diverse population and celebration to millions of festivals. Yes, that land is my Mother India.  

It's an immense pleasure to look back at the 61 glorious years of our country's Independence and to be called an Indian. 
It's a country where Catholic lady stepped down to make way for a Sikh prime minister who is sworn in by a Muslim president to serve a country whose population comprises 80% Hindus. It is this diversity of India, which showcases its true spirit. Over years India has been ruled by innumerable foreign invaders who came here looking for riches but became a part of India's culture and added more spices and flavours to the country. It is this 'unity in diversity' which has made Indians beat all odds and crown India as the next world power.  

The true power of India is its people, as today every 6th person in the world is an Indian. Also this human resource is educated, skilled and motivated, with more degree holders than the entire population of France. Today India has shed its image of a country with snake charmers and is recognized as the world leader in the field of Information Technology. 

 

The Indian economy is the fourth largest in terms purchasing power. And with an ever-eager-to-buy middle-class which is now close to half a billion it is likely to emerge as the second largest consumer market in the world. We Indians are not only amongst the wealthiest races but we also cherish each paisa sometimes by saving it and sometimes by splurging it.

In the field of Science too, progress had been eminent as Indian scientist form 12 per cent of the work force in United States, 34 per cent at Microsoft and 36% at NASA. These scientist break new grounds in their respective fields and help, not just India but, the entire mankind tread with the times  
Whether the world wants it or not, it will be difficult not to interact with Indians in more ways than one. It is important, therefore, to understand, with much greater clarity and honesty than before, the meaning to be an Indian and the pride that it brings along